Keadby Old Photo's
The civil parish of Althorpe and
Keadby including the hamlet of Derrythorpe was formed into a single parish in
1954, taking in the former parish boundary of each parish. Variations of the
name have been, Keteby, Kedby, Kidbie and Kadby. More likely it is a corruption
of Hedeby and is made up from haeth, a heath or a moor and 'by', an abode,
producing the abode by the heath referring to Keadby Common. Keadby Bridge
Keadby village is situated on the
Keadby-Stainforth canal built 1782, and in former times was a very important
centre in the northern part of the Isle of Axholme, capable of providing a
railway link to the main railway network, canal facilities to the marketing and
industrial towns of the Midlands and also port facilities to connect Keadby
with Hull and sea-going shipping. It is situated almost entirely on the north
side of the canal, the exception is the Friendship Public House and two
cottages between the South soak drain and the canal. Immediately north of the
canal bridge was a level crossing with access to the wharf on the Trent, houses
and the South Yorkshire Hotel are shown in an area which has been described as
Keadby market place. Between this point and the old warping drain and sluice on
the northern boundary of the village was situated Keadby village. Within this
area there was a Primitive Methodist Chapel on theTrent side and a
Wesleyan Methodist Chapel and Temperance Hall in Chapel
Lane.
For many years large numbers of people were employed in work associated with the canal and the river and even more employment was generated with the expansion of the Keadby Junction together with the loco yard and associated cattle pens in the 19th century.
The present Keadby gas fired power station
There was competition between the
canal and railway networks but there were opportunities for expansion for both
at a time when farm produce, coal, steel and later petroleum products were
transported by water and rail. In addition passenger services were provided,
sharing the accommodation with all manner of merchandise ranging from livestock
to groceries, provisions and stationery products. Keadby Bridge (King George V Bridge) opened in
1916. Work commenced on the original
Keadby Power station in January 1948 and was officially opened on April 1st, 1952. During the peak of building
activity 1200 men were employed. On completion 323 men were employed to operate
the station, half of whom lived in the houses specially built for the work
force in Keadby. This project was short lived and closed in the early 1970's
when Drax Power Station was completed.