PARLINGTON: Leeds Parish #6 of 38

There used to be a hall on this estate, but it no longer exists. That said, the estate is still private and you’re only allowed on certain designated footpaths and bridleways here, including The Avenue Drive, which leads to the Triumphal Arch. A major landmark, it was designed by Thomas Leverton and was built around the end of the 18th Century commemorating the victory of the American colonialists over the British in the American War of Independence.

There’s a lane here which was later developed into the private Aberford Railway commonly called the "Fly Line" to transport the coal from the Gascoigne's pits to Garforth. The railway closed in 1924. Nowadays this is a popular rambling and cycling route and I met a number of people along here on my walk.

Richard Oliver – who would take the Gascoigne surname and eventually own Lotherton Hall – was important to this estate. He would continue the racing interests of Sir Thomas, winning the St Leger in 1811 with Soothsayer and in 1824 with Jerry. He was High Sheriff of Yorkshire in 1816 and 1817. He would build a bridge called the Light Arch a much darker, spookier brother, named the Dark Arch here too.

Then there’s Nellie's Tree which was voted English and British Tree of the Year for 2018. There’s a board next to it which tells the lovely story of Vic Stead and his dear Nellie – the lady for whom the tree is named. You’ll notice it’s a “N” shape, grafted from two saplings to form the letter, by Vic himself. Locals sometimes call this the love tree.

The Gascoigne Almshouses finish this one off, often confusing for people imagining them to be a medieval structure. This is the lovely PARLINGTON.

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My name is Andy. I am armed with a car, a GoPro and an unhealthy amount of time on my hands.

Join me as I try to visit every single parish in the City of Leeds. There are 38. Here's the SIXTH one – Parlington.

#Aberford, #Lotherton, #Parlington, #Almshouses, #WestYorkshire, #Gascoigne, #DarkArch, #NelliesTree, #Leeds, #TriumphalArch, #Parish,

Almshouses:
  / 654305094665469  
https://parlington.co.uk/structures.l...

Round House:
https://www.fabulousfollies.net/parli...

Aberford Albion:
https://www.nonleaguematters.co.uk/di...

Demographics:
https://www.citypopulation.de/en/uk/y...

Zoopla:
https://www.zoopla.co.uk/house-prices...

Some of the following music tracks may appear in this video:
Brendan Perkins - “Foxsnow” (B. Perkins)
   • Foxsnow  
Brendan Perkins - “Mickey's House” (B. Perkins)
   • Mickey's House  
The Keyhouse - "Voices" (H. Flunder)
   • Voices  
The Keyhouse - "Circles" (H. Flunder)
   • The Keyhouse - Circles (official audio)  
Helen Flunder - "Sun" (H. Flunder)
   • Helen Flunder - 'Sun' (Official Audio)  
Helen Flunder - “Angels” (H. Flunder)
   • Helen Flunder - Angels (Official Audio)  
Helen Flunder - “C Song” (H. Flunder)
   • Caistor and the Lincolnshire Wolds  

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