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Billingham
Coordinates: 54.61° N 1.27° W Image File history File links Broom_icon. ... Billingham is a surname, and may refer to: Angela Billingham, Baroness Billingham (born 1939), a British Labour politician Jack Billingham (born 1943), a former Major League Baseball pitcher John Billingham (born 1930), former director of the NASA SETI institute Mark Billingham, an English author Richard Billingham (born 1970), a British... Map of Earth showing lines of latitude (horizontally) and longitude (vertically), Eckert VI projection; large version (pdf, 1. ...
Population	34,700 (2001) [1]
OS grid reference	NZ470240
Unitary authority	Stockton-on-Tees
Ceremonial county	County Durham
Region	North East
Constituent country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	BILLINGHAM
Postcode district	TS22, TS23
Dial code	01642
Police	Cleveland
Fire	Cleveland
Ambulance	North East
UK Parliament	Stockton North
European Parliament	North East England
List of places: UK • England • County Durham

Billingham is a town in the Borough of Stockton on Tees, County Durham. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (600x800, 11 KB) Summary Description: A blank map of the United Kingdom, with country outline and coastline; contact the author for help with modifications or add-ons Source: Reference map provided by Demis Mapper 6 Date: 2006-21-06 Author: User... Image File history File links Red_pog. ... The British national grid reference system is a system of geographic grid references commonly used in Great Britain, different from using latitude or longitude. ... The districts of England are a level of subnational division of England used for the purposes of local government. ... Stockton-on-Tees is a unitary authority and borough in the Tees Valley area of north-east England, with a resident population in 2001 of 178,408, rising to 185,880 in 2005 estimates. ... The Ceremonial counties of England are areas of England that are appointed a Lord-Lieutenant, and are defined by the government with reference to the metropolitan and non-metropolitan counties of England. ... County Durham is a county in north-east England. ... The region, also known as Government Office Region, is currently the highest tier of local government subnational entity of England in the United Kingdom. ... North-East England is one of the nine official regions of England and comprises the combined area of Northumberland, County Durham, Tyne and Wear and a small part of North Yorkshire. ... This is an alphabetical list of countries of the world, including independent states (both those that are internationally recognised and generally unrecognised), inhabited dependent territories and areas of special sovereignty. ... Motto (French) God and my right Anthem God Save the King (Queen) England() – on the European continent() – in the United Kingdom() Capital (and largest city) London (de facto) Official languages English (de facto) Government Constitutional monarchy  -  Queen Queen Elizabeth II  -  Prime Minister Tony Blair MP Unification  -  by Athelstan 967  Area... This is an alphabetical list of the sovereign states of the world, including both de jure and de facto independent states. ... A post town is a required part of all UK postal addresses. ... UK postal codes are known as postcodes. ... The TS postcode area, also known as the Cleveland postcode area[1], is a group of postal districts around Billingham, Guisborough, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar, Saltburn-by-the-Sea, Stockton-on-Tees, Trimdon Station, Wingate and Yarm in England. ... The UK telephone numbering plan, also known as the National Numbering Plan, is regulated by the Office of Communications (Ofcom), which replaced the Office of Telecommunications (Oftel) in 2003. ... Cleveland Police is the Home Office police force responsible for policing the area of former county of Cleveland in North East England. ... A Fire Appliance belonging to the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service The fire service in the United Kingdom has undergone dramatic changes since the beginning of the 21st century, a process that has been propelled by a devolution of central government powers, new legislation and a change to operational... Cleveland Fire Brigade is the statutory fire and rescue service covering the boroughs of Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland & Stockton-on-Tees. ... Crest of NHS ambulance services in England Crest of the Scottish Ambulance Service In the UK, the majority of ambulance services are provided under the National Health Service through local ambulance trusts. Each trust is specific to a county or area, and so the country is divided across a number... The North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust is the authority responsible for providing NHS ambulance services in Darlington, Durham, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Northumberland, Stockton-on-Tees, and Tyne and Wear in the North East England region. ... The United Kingdom House of Commons is made up of Members of Parliament (MPs). ... Stockton North is a constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. ... This is a list of Members of the European Parliament for the United Kingdom in the 2004 to 2009 session, ordered by name. ... North East England is a constituency of the European Parliament. ... List of cities in the United Kingdom List of towns in England Lists of places within counties List of places in Bedfordshire List of places in Berkshire List of places in Buckinghamshire List of places in Cambridgeshire List of places in Cheshire List of places in Cleveland List of places... This is a list of places in County Durham, in England. ... Ronda, Spain Main street in Bastrop, Texas, a small town A town is a community of people ranging from a few hundred to several thousands, although it may be applied loosely even to huge metropolitan areas. ... Stockton-on-Tees is a unitary authority and borough in the Tees Valley area of north-east England, with a resident population in 2001 of 178,408, rising to 185,880 in 2005 estimates. ... County Durham is a county in north-east England. ...

In 1801, the population was 355 people, but the demand for explosives created by the First World War led to a massive expansion of Billingham. In 1917, it was decided by the government to build a plant to produce ammonia. Later this was used predominantly in the production of chemicals for fertiliser. Eventually, in 1926, this plant became part of the newly formed company, ICI. Anhydrite was also mined in the Billingham area from 1928. In 1934 plastics began to be produced there. The Union Jack, flag of the newly formed United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. ... “The Great War” redirects here. ... Year 1917 (MCMXVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 13-day slower Julian calendar (see: 1917 Julian calendar). ... Ammonia is a compound with the formula NH3. ... Fertilizers are chemicals given to plants with the intention of promoting growth; they are usually applied either via the soil or by foliar spraying. ... 1926 (MCMXXVI) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar). ... Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI) is a British chemical group and one of the largest chemical producers in the world. ... Anhydrite is a mineral - anhydrous calcium sulfate, CaSO4. ... Year 1928 (MCMXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar). ... 1934 (MCMXXXIV) was a common year starting on Monday (link will take you to calendar). ...

The use of Ammonia also led to the formation of one of Billinghams two football teams, Billingham Synthonia F.C.. This side holds the distinct record of being the only football team in Britain to be named after a synthetic product - Synthetic Ammonia. The other football team is Billingham Town F.C., which is located a short walk away. Billingham Synthonia F.C. is a football club based in Billingham, England. ... Billingham Town F.C. is a football club based in Billingham, England. ...

Aldous Huxley visited the newly-opened and technologically-advanced Brunner and Mond plant at ICI and gives a fine and detailed account of the processes he saw. The introduction to the most recent print of Brave New World states that Huxley was inspired to write the classic novel (in which Mustapha Mond figures as a character), by this Billingham visit. This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Brave New World is a dystopian novel by Aldous Huxley, first published in 1932. ...

Henry Thorold in the Shell Guide to County Durham states: "This is one of the most extraordinary of experiences, a sight almost unique in England. On either side of the road are the works. Steaming, sizzling - tall steel towers, great cylinders, pipes everywhere... At night the whole industrial world along the banks of the Tees comes to life... brilliant with a thousand lights, the great girders of the Transporter Bridge dark in silhouette: a magic city."

In the mid 1930s the population had grown to 19,000. After the second world war, the growth continued, with more housing being built as the town expanded northwards, reaching about 38,000 by the 1970s. The 1930s (years from 1930–1939) were described as an abrupt shift to more radical and conservative lifestyles, as countries were struggling to find a solution to the Great Depression, also known in Europe as the World Depression. ... The 1970s decade refers to the years from 1970 to 1979, inclusive. ...

From 1965 onwards, the town has played host to the Billingham Folklore Festival. 1965 (MCMLXV) was a common year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1965 calendar). ...

In 1967, Billingham Forum was opened. This is a sports and leisure complex containing a theatre, swimming pool, ice rink and a number of sports halls which have staged gymnastics, archery, squash and judo as well as five a side football etc. Stars that have performed in the theatre include Arthur Lowe, David Jason, Penelope Keith, Timothy West, Carroll Baker, and Dame Anna Neagle. Proposals are being considered to regenerate Billingham Town Centre. A previous "Gateway" initiative proposed the construction of a new sports and leisure centre on John Whitehead Park to replace the Forum but did not provide a replacement for the Theatre. This proved highly controversial and was abandoned in November 2004, shortly after the Theatre within the Forum complex was granted grade 2 listed building status. Stockton Borough Council now intend to submit a second bid to gain PFI money to refurbish the Forum Complex after a previous bid was turned down. 1967 (MCMLXVII) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar (the link is to a full 1967 calendar). ... Arthur Lowe (September 22, 1915—April 15, 1982) was a British actor. ... Sir David Jason, OBE (born February 2, 1940) is a highly regarded English actor, admired equally for his dramatic work as for his comedy roles. ... Penelope Keith, OBE, (born Penelope Anne Constance Hatfield on 2 April 1940 in Sutton) is a British actress of stage and screen. ... Timothy West CBE (born October 20, 1934) is a British film, stage and television actor. ... Carroll Baker, born on May 28, 1931, is a Golden Globe Award winning and Oscar nominated American actress who has enjoyed popularity as both a serious dramatic actress and, particularly in the sixties, a movie sex symbol. ... Anna Neagle (October 20, 1904 - June 3, 1986) was a popular British actress and singer. ...

From 1971 to 1988 ICI operated a small General Atomics TRIGA Mark I nuclear reactor at its Billingham factory. It also operated the coal-fired North Tees Power Station designed by Giles Gilbert Scott on the banks of the Tees to provide electricity for its plants. This was eventually decommissioned and demolished in 1987. The site of the power station is now Billingham Reach Industrial Estate, an international wharf owned by Able UK Ltd. 1971 (MCMLXXI) was a common year starting on Friday. ... 1988 (MCMLXXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ... General Atomics is a nuclear physics and defense contractor in southern California. ... TRIGA is a class of small nuclear reactor designed and manufactured by General Atomics of the USA. TRIGA is an acronym of Training, Research, Isotopes, General Atomics. This type of reactor can be installed without a containment building, and is designed for use by scientific institutions and universities for purposes... Core of a small nuclear reactor used for research. ... Sir Giles Gilbert Scott (November 9, 1880—February 8, 1960) was an English architect known for his work on such buildings as Liverpool Cathedral and Battersea Power Station. ... 1987 (MCMLXXXVII) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

ICI no longer operates in Billingham having sold many of its businesses during the company's restructuring of the 1990s. Some of the company's former manufacturing plants are still in operation, run by other chemical companies. For the band, see 1990s (band). ...

In 1983, NIREX announced a proposal to use the now-disused anhydrite mine as a site for the disposal of intermediate level nuclear waste. There was a huge public outcry, since despite the suitability of the site in geological terms, it was very close to a large population centre. Subsequently, in 1985, the plans were dropped. 1983 (MCMLXXXIII) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... NIREX is a United Kingdom government body set up in 1982 under Margaret Thatchers Conservative government to examine safe, environmental and economic aspects of deep geological disposal of intermediate-level and low-level radioactive waste in underground storage facilities. ... Political Punk band from Victorville, Ca WWW.MYSPACE.COM/NUCLEARWASTEX ... This article includes a list of works cited but its sources remain unclear because it lacks in-text citations. ... 1985 (MCMLXXXV) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Billingham Beck Valley Country Park was constructed from a reclaimed industrial waste tip and has steadily grown to include former grazing land to form a 120 acre site including wetland habitats. Designated as a Local Nature Reserve by English Nature in 1992, in 2005 it won a Green Flag Award. The Beck itself is one of the major tributaries of the River Tees and has a tidal reach around the former ICI site. English Nature is the United Kingdom government agency that promotes the conservation of wildlife, geology and wild places throughout England. ... 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Tees is a little river in Northern England. ...

Between 1923 and 1968, Billingham had its own Urban District Council which built, among other things, Dawson House, Kennedy Gardens and Billingham Golf Club (the UK's first municipally-owned club). It was absorbed into the Borough of Stockton and the County Borough of Teesside in 1968. In 1974 Teesside County was replaced by the County of Cleveland. In 1996, the arrangements were refashioned once more with Billingham being part of a separate unitary council for all of Stockton. In February 2007, the Department for Communities and Local Government and the Electoral Commission issued orders for the creation of a Billingham Parish and the setting up of a a new Town Council. Billingham Town Council will be the largest in the Borough of Stockton. It will initially be funded by a precept (money collected by a small extra charge added to each Council tax Bill) of £80,000. Elections for the new Town Council will be held on May 3rd 2007, a petition to Stockton Borough Council and referendum held in 2003 having both given assent to the proposal. 1923 (MCMXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar). ... 1968 (MCMLXVIII) was a leap year starting on Monday. ... In the British Isles an urban district was a type of local government district which covered an urbanised area. ... County borough was a term introduced in 1889 in the United Kingdom to refer to a borough or a city independent of county administration. ... The Department for Communities and Local Government is a United Kingdom government department. ... In the United Kingdom, town councils are civil parish councils, where the civil parish is a town. ... 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

It is served by Billingham railway station. Billingham railway station serves the town of Billingham, within the borough of Stockton-on-Tees and the ceremonial county of County Durham, England. ...

The town is effectively split into two separate areas by name, Old Billingham (the area around the village green adjacent to St Cuthbert's church and built up around the ICI works) and the more planned estates that have spread out since the 1950s, increasing the town's size and borders towards the villages of Wolviston and Cowpen Bewley (to the point of almost incorporating them). Wolviston is a village in County Durham, in England. ... Cowpen Bewley is a village within the borough of Stockton-on-Tees and ceremonial county of County Durham, England. ...

June 2006 Explosion

At approximately 00:15 BST on 1 June 2006 there were explosions at the Terra Nitrogen UK Chemical Plant at Billingham. The blast could be seen for up to ten miles, and heard up to twenty miles away. [2].

January 2007 chemical leak

On January 4, 2007 at 9:30am GMT there was a small explosion, and subsequent chemical leak at the BASF factory at Seal Sands near Billingham. More than 20 people have been taken to hospital with chemical burns and the Cleveland Police and a fire team were on site quickly along with a decontamination unit [3]. About 4.5 tonnes of a substance known as Hexamethlyenediamine (HMD) was released from a pipe in the plant. The chemical vapourised in the atmosphere but can still cause severe burns if it comes in contact with the skin. Cleveland Police Chief Inspector Gary Gamesby later stated that there was never a risk to the public in any way. Seal Sands (grid reference NZ529260) is a 294. ...

Famous residents

• Jamie Bell Actor
• Diane Youdale AKA 'Jet', TV Gladiator
• C. J. Bolland Techno artist/DJ
• Dunst Bruce, one of the lead singers of Chumbawamba
• Andrew Davies, footballer, Middlesbrough F.C.
• Billy Dunlop First person to be found guilty (of murder) * following the change UK law for double jeopardy cases. Originally found not guilty, of the murder of Julie Hogg, but convicted to life, following a re-trial after he openly confessed to her murder whilst in prison for a separate offence.
• Eddie Jobson, musician
• Willie Maddren Middlesbrough F.C. footballer and manager
• Tommy Mooney, footballer
• Gary Pallister, footballer Middlesbrough F.C., Manchester United and England. Now an occasional pundit for the BBC
• Paul Smith, the frontman for popular indie group Maxïmo Park

Jamie Bell (born 14 March 1986) is an English actor. ... Diane Youdale (born February 13, 1970 in Billingham, England) is a British television personality, who was best known for her role as Jet on the television series Gladiators, a game show where players competed in athletic contests against a cast of athletes. ... Gladiators was a popular long running game show produced by LWT for ITV in the United Kingdom from 10 October 1992 to 1 January 2000, (though there was another series filmed in South Africa against the South African Gladiators in 2000 but this was not for UK broadcast) an adaptation... C.J. Bolland is electronic music producer and remixer Christopher Jay Bolland, born June 18, 1971 Holland. ... Chumbawamba playing live at Luton Library, May 1985 Chumbawamba is a band from the UK who play pop music with influences of folk, punk, dance and other styles of popular music. ... Chumbawamba are an English band who started out playing punk rock but over a 25-year career have gone on to play music in a wide range of styles, including pop influenced by dance music and world music, and now play acoustic folk music. ... There are several well-known people named Andrew Davies, including: Andrew Davies (writer) Andrew Davies (politician) This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... Middlesbrough Football Club are an English football club, commonly known as The Boro, that currently plays in the FA Premier League. ... For other uses, see Double jeopardy (disambiguation). ... Eddie Jobson is a British keyboardist noted for his use of synthesizers. ... Willie Maddren (born William Dixon Maddren, 11 January 1951-29 August 2000 in Billingham) was a football player for Middlesbrough Football Club between 1968-1979. ... Middlesbrough Football Club are an English football club, commonly known as The Boro, that currently plays in the FA Premier League. ... Thomas John Mooney (born 11 August 1971 in Middlesbrough) is a professional English football player currently captain of Wycombe Wanderers. ... Gary Pallister (born June 30, 1965) is an English football player, most noted for his nine-year tenure at Manchester United F.C. during the late eighties and early nineties. ... Middlesbrough Football Club are an English football club, commonly known as The Boro, that currently plays in the FA Premier League. ... Manchester Uniteds emblem Manchester United F.C. (often abbreviated to Man United or just Man U, pronounced man-yoo) is an English football club based at Old Trafford in Greater Manchester. ... The British Broadcasting Corporation, usually known as the BBC (and also informally known as the Beeb or Auntie) is the largest broadcasting corporation in the world in terms of audience numbers, employing 26,000 staff in the United Kingdom alone and with a budget of more than GB£4 billion... Paul Smith (born May 13, 1979), from Billingham, North-East England, is the singer for British indie group Maxïmo Park. ... Maxïmo Park are an English indie rock band, signed to Warp Records, who formed in 2000. ...

External links

• Billingham Directory