# Scissett

Scissett is a village in West Yorkshire, England. It is 10 miles (16 km) south-east of Huddersfield and 8 miles (13 km) north-west of Barnsley. According to the 2001 census, the village had a population of 1,324. Scissett is halfway between the villages of Clayton West, Skelmanthorpe and Denby Dale on the A636 road to Wakefield.
River Dearne runs through the village, which was affected by the 2007 United Kingdom floods.
Scissett was originally in the Parish of High Hoyland, and the Wapentake of Staincross which more or less corresponds with the current Barnsley borough area.
Scissett grew up around the woollen industry in the 19th century as mill owners built houses in the area for their workers. The nearby coalfields also provided employment. These industries are now gone and some of the mills are now retail units.
The Scissett Baths (and leisure centre) is one of the main attractions for the surrounding area.
Scissett has first and middle schools to provide education for children ages 4 to 13.
Scissett Youth Band was founded in the village in 1978 but moved to Shelley Methodist Hall in 1991.

## Sport

Scissett is home to Nortonthorpe Sports Club (NSC) based at the top of Springfield Avenue. NSC has been in existence for 75 years, since 1949, and has been a registered charity since 1978. Its primary purpose is to provide recreational facilities for the benefit of the people of Scissett and surrounding areas and is overseen by a number of trustees. Scissett FC, a local school and a charity dedicated to our armed forces veterans all combine to help deliver recreational services in pursuit of our charitable objectives. http://nortonthorpesportsclub.co.uk/

## Etymology

The etymology is doubtful, although some sources suggest it may be from Old English side "hillside, talus, slope" (related to Old Norse siða, of similar meaning), but nothing is confirmed. The first element is uncertain. However, another source claims a completely different etymology, that it was named after "Scissett Wood", itself named after a woman.

## History

Sir Percy Richard Jackson, J.P., LL.D., died on 24 December 1941 at his home, The Woodlands, Scissett. He was a county councillor, from 1904 to 1937, and came to play an important role as chair of the West Yorkshire Local Education Authority (1917-1937). He was also a member of the consultative committee of the Board of Education, and of the Yorkshire Council for Further Education. Since 1918, he had been a member of the Court of Governors of Leeds University. He had been president of the Association of Education Committees and chairman of the education committee of the County Councils Association (for 6 years). Furthermore, as well as his role in Education, he played an important role in agriculture as the chairman of the Land Settlement Association. He was also chairman of the Yorkshire Council for Agricultural Education and a member of the Agricultural and Small Holdings Committee of the West Riding County Council. Moreover, he was a life member and vice-chairman of the Carnegie United Kingdom Trust. He was knighted in 1925.

## Notable people

* Dr Colin Booth (1924 in Scissett - 2003), a mycologist and a leading authority on fusaria He was educated at the village school.
* Daniel Kitson (born 1977), an English comedian, actor, performer and writer, he attended Scissett Middle School
* Jodie Whittaker (born 1982), an English actress, she attended Scissett Middle School