The History of Blackbird Leys
The Blackbird Leys housing estate in Oxford, England, celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2007. The 2001 Census showed that Blackbird Leys ward housed 5,803 people, while the wider civil parish had a population of 12,196.
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Farming Roots
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In the 16th century, the farmers of Sandford parish created "leys," strips of land set aside for use as either pasture or arable, as required. One of these leys became home to Blackford Leys Farm, which was later renamed Blackbird Leys Farm.
Housing for Car Workers
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Blackbird Leys Estate was built in 1957 on the site on Sawpit Farm, in the parish of Littlemore, but took the more attractive name of the farm in neighboring Sandford. The estate originally housed workers attracted to Oxford by the booming car industry of the day.
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Deprived Area
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In the 1990s, Blackbird Leys became notorious for joyriders stealing cars and racing them through the estate. By 2008, Blackbird Leys ward was in the 10 percent most deprived areas in England for education, skills and training and, in some parts, crime.
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References
- Blackbird Leys Parish Council: Short History of Blackbird Leys
- Oxford City Council: Super Output Area Profiles Report
- "The Mirror": Ross, 9, Mowed Down on Joyriders' Estate; Police quiz 2 youths over hit-run death, December 2000
- Parliament.uk: House of Commons Hansard Debates for 9 December 1991
- Office of National Statistics: Figures for Population of Blackbird Leys Civil Parish, 2001
- Office of National Statistics: Figures for Population of Blackbird Leys Ward, 2001
