Highburton

Highburton is part of the township of Kirkburton, a village in the county of West Yorkshire, England. It is five miles southeast of Huddersfield. It occupies much of the high ground that can be found at the top of the steep inclines of Far Dene and Slant Gate and is a mixture of densely congregated housing estates and open pastoral farmland. According to the 2001 census Highburton had a population of 3,288. Highburton was listed as "Bertone" in the Domesday Book. It has been suggested that Highburton was the location of the original settlement that now makes up Kirkburton, given its strategic high ground. Historians consider that the original church or religious temple was located in this part of the village before it was relocated to its present position. It is more likely, given the possible existence of an Iron Age settlement in Kirkburton that both villages commenced life at similar stages. It was a hamlet until the middle of the 20th century, when housing developments increased the size of the village substantially. The historic old part of the village is around the Cross on Slant Gate, Far Dene and Towngate. Houses towards the eastern part of the village, on the streets that border Moor Lane and Burton Acres Lane, were built much later on what were fields and allotments. Today Highburton is the largest residential area within the township, whilst Kirkburton remains, as it was traditionally, the commercial part. Highburton is home to Highburton First School, the school contains six years including a reception year. Highburton's local magazine is The Burton Bulletin. It contains news and pictures from Kirkburton, Highburton, Storthes Hall and the surrounding areas and is published every quarter. In A5 format, about 40% of the content is in full colour and usually has a total of approx 200 pages. The editorial office is now in Skelmanthorpe and is printed in Peterborough. It is a free publication, delivered by volunteers to 2100 homes every quarter and additional copies are sent on subscription to various parts of the UK, Canada, USA, Ireland and France.