Jon Trickett

Twenty-two separate towns and villages make up the constituency of Hemsworth. Surrounded by wide-open spaces and attractive countryside the constituency lies within the County of West Yorkshire. To the southwest of the constituency is the relatively affluent suburb of Sandal in Wakefield and to the southeast is South Elmsall, a busy market town and former mining village.

Featherstone, again a former mining town, is situated at the most northerly point of the constituency. In between are the villages and towns of Ackworth, Badsworth, Crofton, Fitzwilliam, Hemsworth, Havercoft, Kettlethorpe, Kinsley, Nostell, Notton, Ryhill, South Hiendley, South Kirkby, Streethouse and Walton.

Prior to the Conservative Government's pit closure programme the local economy was almost wholly dependent on the mining industry. The devastation caused by the closure of the pits still scars the local communities. However, these same communities are working hard to move forward and I am proud to represent an area that has such a strong community spirit.

Reclamation schemes on several of the former colliery sites have led to the development of industrial estates, such as Green Lane in Featherstone and a significant development opportunity at South Kirkby. If you are interested in developing or re-locating to these sites contact should be made with the Regeneration Department of Wakefield District Council on 01924 306090.

There are six individual wards: Hemsworth; Upton and South Elmsall; Featherstone; Ackworth and Crofton; Wakefield South and South Kirkby. Fourteen Labour Councillors represent local people on Wakefield Metropolitan District Council. The Town Hall for WMDC is based in the attractive county town of Wakefield. Local democracy and representation also thrives at Town and Parish Council level.

The constituency has strong sporting links. Rugby League is played at Featherstone Rovers and Featherstone Lions Club whilst Rugby Union is played at Sandal Rugby Club. One of a number of local football clubs, Frickley Athletic, has a long sporting history and the sound of leather on willow can be regularly heard on summer evenings at Ackworth Cricket Club.

The tradition of pit Brass Bands is upheld with the award winning Carlton Main Frickley Colliery Band. The amateur theatre group "Encore" are based in Featherstone but draw members throughout the area.

Hemsworth Constituency is well worth a visit. Further information can be obtained from the Tourist Information Centre at Wakefield: Tele No: 01924 305000 or at www.wakefield.gov.uk

Pugney's Water Park in Wakefield is overlooked by the remains of Sandal Castle and is an ideal place to windsurf, canoe, sail or just enjoy the scenery.

Hemsworth Water Park set in a beautiful park provides play areas for children, a club house and a small lake with beach.

Excellent sporting facilities are available at the newly built one million pound Havercroft and Ryhill Sports Centre.

Anglers Nature Reserve and Wildlife Centre is an ideal place for those who enjoy bird watching.

The former Upton Colliery site has now been transformed into a limestone heath and is covered with many rare wildflowers.

The South Elmsall, South Kirkby and Upton Ringway is a thirteen-mile circular network of footpaths, bridleways and other tracks. The Ringway has numerous sites of historical, recreational and ecological interest along its route. Click here to find out more. Touching on a number of sites of historical importance much of the Ringway route passes along ancient bridleways which have been travelled by local people for hundreds if not thousands of years. One such site is South Elmsall Quarry, the exposed walls of which reveal the fossilised remains of a 200 million year old Stomatolite reef, evidence that this area was once covered by a shallow tropical sea.

South Kirkby has a fascinating history. The South Kirkby Camp is an historical site of national importance being all that remains of an iron-age settlement dating back over 1,500 years. Hague Hall in South Kirkby came to notoriety during the English Civil War as the home of the leading royalist Colonel John Morris.

Nostell Priory set in rolling countryside is now a National Trust property and open to the public.