The civil parish is formed by the villages of Bubwith and Breighton and the hamlets of Gunby and Willitoft.
According to the 2011 UK census, Bubwith parish had a population of 1,225,[1] an increase on the 2001 UK census figure of 1,104.[2]
History
The ancient parish of Bubwith also covers the village of Breighton and the hamlets of Gunby and Willitoft, but its location on and crossing over the River Derwent led to its becoming the largest settlement in the area.[3]
The village's name means Bubba's wood, Bubba being a Scandinavian male name.[4] It is listed as "Bobewyth" in the 11th-century accounts of Selby Abbey.[5]
Though there has been a recorded river crossing since at least the year 1200, the present bridge over the Derwent, consisting of three limestone arches and several flood arches, replaced a "dangerous and inconvenient" ferry service when it was built in 1798. Crossing the bridge required a toll until 1936, with the original costs amounting to three shilling for six horses, and 10 pence for twenty head of oxen. Certain vehicles, such as funeral processions, were exempt from the toll.[3]
The former railway station in 1961
The railways reached the village in 1848, and Bubwith had its own station on the Selby to Driffield Line.[8] It closed to passengers in 1954.[9]
Breighton was also used as the site of an airfield for Halifax, Wellington and Lancaster bombers during the Second World War.[3]
The village was the home of ARTTS International, the film and television training centre established by John Sichel, until it closed in 2005.[10]
The Bubwith telephone exchange has been ADSL enabled since July 2005, and became ADSL Max enabled in March 2006. It has also been enabled for 21CN, and has been accepting orders for FTTCBT Infinity since December 2013
In the mid 1970s Bubwith was the location where John Hemmens ran his model steam business operating from one of the Breighton aerodrome Nissen huts. The models are highly regarded by steam enthusiasts.
Community
Former Arts theatre
Elementary education is provided by Bubwith Community Primary School,[11] and The Bubwith Centre,[12] which hosts Bubwith Playgroup.[13] To the rear of the centre are playing fields.
There are 6 acres (2.4 ha) of playing fields for the local cricket club and three local football clubs. The site holds three tennis courts used by the Bubwith Tennis Club.[16] There is a licensed bar, and sports hall that runs events and weekly classes in Zumba, Tai Chi, Boxfit and Salsa. The Cyril Wiles Room is used for Pilates and Yoga and the daily Bubwith 'Under fives'. The Centre is also used by the local community for private parties and the Youth Club.
Village amenities include an off-licence with delicatessen, The White Swan public house, a store, an Indian restaurant, award-winning butchers J A Mounfield & Son[17] and a hairdressers.
^Pevsner, Nikolaus; Neave, David; Hutchinson, John; Neave, Susan (2002). Yorkshire: York and the East Riding. New Haven and London: Yale University Press. p. 359. ISBN0300095937.
