Environment

Parish Description

ROOS PARISH is situated in Holderness in the East Riding of Yorkshire comprising the settlements of Roos, Tunstall, Hilston, and Owstwick. The 2001 census gives a population of 1113 with 487 dwellings.

All the settlements have a long historical heritage and are mentioned in the Doomsday Book.

Roos Village is the largest of the settlements and is probably pre-Christian.

William the Conqueror instituted the Barony de Ros, using the existing village name and the coat of arms continues to be widely used. The church of All Saints (a Grade 1 listed building) dates from the 13th century. Near the surface to the south lie the remains of a castle, a scheduled ancient monument site.

The settlement has a long thin linear structure, stretching two miles from Furze Farm in the north to The Elms in the south. North End is some distance from the main body of the settlement. The two main through roads, Rectory Road and Main Street are linked by minor roads, rather like the rungs of a ladder. Building development over the years has tended to follow this structure.

Appearance and character. The village emerges from, and blends with, its countryside setting. From most directions it appears to nestle among trees. No single building is obtrusive. Grass verges, dykes, trees and hedges border many roads and reach into the heart of the village, enhancing the rural setting. These features provide habitat for a diversity of plants, animals and birds and contribute to the overall character of the village.

The sense of space and openness in the surrounding landscape extends into the village, exemplified by wide roadside verges and wide corner verges at entries into some developments. Other open spaces - farm paddocks, the churchyard, the playing field and the many large gardens - maintain the spacious character of the village. Parts of the village, mainly in the south, are designated important open areas: those around the Old Rectory, Dove Lane and Dents's Garth and All Saints' church.

Resources and amenities There are good amenities, notably:

  • a modern primary school in its own grounds and with good facilities;
  • a recently purpose-built doctor's surgery with its own dispensary;
  • a range of shops: a small supermarket with a post office and newsagency, a butcher's and baker's combined, and a bridalware designer's shop;
  • two public houses, the Black Horse and The Roos Arms, both of which provide food and host a range of social activities;
  • indoor and outdoor venues: the Memorial Institute (for meetings, societies and social activities) and a playing field with pavilion and an area with play equipment for young children;
  • two garages offering servicing and repairs, one with MOT provision;
  • public transport to Hull and Withernsea.

Role of the settlement

  • Roos serves as a focus for residents in the outlying settlements. It provides for their day-to-day needs: basic shopping, health care, primary education and some facilities for leisure and recreation.
  • Although agriculture is a major industry within the parish generally, it provides far less employment than it once did.
  • Information from the 2001 census and the questionnaire indicate that Roos is a dormitory village for many who work elsewhere.
  • The Village Design Statement provided an overview. It said that, `some commute to Hull and beyond; some work offshore in the gas and oil-related industries, some are service workers in the social, health, or local government agencies; some are professional or self-employed; some work in the leisure industries.
  • The Census 2001 states that the average distance of travel to work is 28.5km or about 18 miles, a round trip of 36 miles. The majority travel by private transport. 17.4% of the population are over 65 years of age.
  • Although the shops in Roos provide for convenience shopping, many households do their main shopping in larger supermarkets elsewhere and purchase major items from stores in Hull and Beverley and beyond.

Tunstall, the next largest settlement, is near the coast. The main part of the village takes a compact form near the medieval All Saints church (Grade 1 listed). The village hall provides a focus for social and leisure activities. Together with Sand-le-Mere, Tunstall attracts many holidaymakers and those who follow sea-based leisure activities throughout the year. Sand-le-Mere, near the cliff-top, has a substantial caravan site offering social, recreational and retail amenities. Many of the caravans are holiday homes, particularly for visitors from the West Riding of Yorkshire. There is a boat compound with launching facilities. It is at risk from coastal erosion. For flood plain map see : http://maps.environment-agency.gov.uk

The East Riding Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plan (December 2004) sets out policies (including roll-back) to manage coastal erosion and its impact on business and the tourist industry. Because of erosion the coast road to Hilston has been closed to vehicles.

Hilston is the smallest settlement in the parish. It has twelve dwellings, many of them individual in architectural style and character, of which three are listed buildings. Distinctive landmarks are Admiral Storr's Tower (a further listed building) and St Margaret's church (rebuilt after wartime bombing). Because of erosion the coast road to Tunstall has been closed to vehicles.

Owstwick is the most distant settlement from the amenities of Roos Village. The small number of properties, mainly farms and their associated buildings, are widely spread. Over the years a number of related businesses have become established, providing, for example, haulage contracting and the supply and repair of agricultural machinery.

For more comprehensive descriptions, click;

Roos  http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.asp?compid=16130

Tunstall  http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.asp?compid=16144

Hilston  http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.asp?compid=16128