Garforth
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Modern Garforth
Garforth is a mildly affluent town at the eastern edge of the metropolitan City of Leeds and the secondary school has been highly thought of at times, so Garforth has been seen as quite a decent, if slightly sleepy, place to live.
The 2001 Census lists 23,892 residents in the Garforth and Swillington ward - 80.57% of which are homeowners, 20% more than the average for Leeds. Garforth itself has around 15,000 of those people, and is the largest centre of population in the parliamentary constituency of Elmet. However, Elmet will cease to exist at the next General Election, and will be incorporated into the new constituency of Elmet and Rothwell
It owes its size to expansion in the 17th and 18th centuries during which the local land-owning Gascoigne family ran several coalmines in the area. The surrounding settlements of Micklefield, Kippax, Swillington, Methley and Allerton Bywater are all villages that prospered and grew as a result of the coal industry. Nowadays manufacturing and motor-vehicle repair account for more than a third of the work force in the area.
More recent expansion can also be traced to a combination of overall economic success in Leeds, and the fact that Garforth is well served by transport links. The A1 and M1 are minutes away, and both have recently been linked by an extension of the M1 which passes to the West and North of the town, with two nearby access points at Junctions 46 and 47.The M1 extension has led to rapid development of commercial, light industrial and residential sites clustered around Junctions 46 and 47. There are two railway stations, Garforth and East Garforth, both on the mainline route between Leeds,York, and North Eastern England to Scotland, and between Leeds, Selby and Hull and the Yorkshire coastal resorts. Effectively, people can commute to, or visit, a wide variety of destinations quite easily, and still live in a self-contained township surrounded by open countryside, woodlands and rural villages.
In terms of sport, Garforth folk tend to follow either rugby league or association football. Although rugby is the traditional sport of the area, it’s fair to say that football is increasingly popular in Garforth, especially with younger people.
Rugby loyalties are split between the Leeds Rhinos and the Castleford Tigers, historically big clubs that are nearby. Sadly for them, the latter were relegated from the Super League in 2004, whilst Leeds Rhinos won the Super League in 2004 and the World Club Challenge in 2005.
As for football (association) supporters, you will find a majority of Leeds United F.C. fans, as well sizeable followings for other big English clubs. Many people were surprised to see Brazilian football legend Sócrates playing for non-league Garforth Town AFC at the end of 2004.
Schools in Garforth
Garforth is home to one secondary school and five primary schools.
Garforth Community College, a secondary school and 6th form for pupils aged 11-18 is located on Lidgett Lane in Garforth. The current headmaster is Mr Edwards and the school itself has over 2000 students and many dedicated staff. It is also one of the pioneering schools behind finger-print placed lunch payment system, which is hugely sucessful at the current time. Furthermore, Garforth Community College runs the Garforth Art Festival, which is a famous display of musical talent
Over the street from Garforth Community College is the newly refurbished Strawberry Fields Primary school, formerly known as West Garforth Primary School. As well as Strawberry Fields, Garforth is home to Ninelands Lane Primary School, Green Lane Primary School, East Garforth Primary School and St. Benedicts Primary School, which is a catholic school.
Garforth Jets Badminton Club
The club is based at Garforth Squash and Leisure Centre, Ninelands Lane. The club welcomes new players, however they must be of a good league standard.
Garforth Rangers AFC
Formed in 1996 the club became one of the first to achieve the prestigous FA Charter Standard Development award. With a membership of over 350 boys and girls Rangers is the biggest Football club in the town catering for children from reception year.
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