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| Syston | |
|---|---|
 The Green, Syston | |
  Syston Location withinLeicestershire | |
| Population | 12,804 (2011 Census)[1] |
| OS grid reference | SK621118 |
| District | |
| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | LEICESTER |
| Postcode district | LE7 |
| Dialling code | 0116 |
| Police | Leicestershire |
| Fire | Leicestershire |
| Ambulance | East Midlands |
| UK Parliament | |
| |
Syston (/ˈsaɪstən/ ⓘSY-stən) is a town andcivil parish in the district ofCharnwood inLeicestershire, England. The population was 11,508 at the 2001 census, rising to 12,804 at the 2011 census.
There has been a settlement on the site for over 1,000 years, the earliest records being in theDomesday Book asSitestone. TheRoman road known as theFosse Way passes through Syston, which is now largely a commuter town for the city ofLeicester. Only the village ofThurmaston to the south separates it from Leicester.
The large and impressiveChurch of St Peter and St Paul is the most ancient building in Syston, built in pink granite and white limestone with a proud west tower topped by a lozengefrieze, battlements and pinnacles.[2] The church mostly dates from the 15th century but there is a 13th-centurysedilia in thechancel and a tomb recess in the south aisle of the early 14th century.[3] The stone arcading inside the nave has strikingPerpendicular Gothic panelling which is also seen on the tower arch and in theclerestory. The nave roof of timber is also 15th century.[3] The local architect Frederick Webster Ordish (1821-1885) extensively restored the church in 1871-72 and in 1881 he extended the nave by one bay and rebuilt the chancel.[3] Ordish lived atQueniborough Old Hall.[4] In 1855 he had added the upper storey, with its tower and bridge staircase, to the Corn Exchange in Leicester Market Place.[5] He died as a result of an accident near the old Syston railway station in September 1885.
TheMidland Main Line runs through the town.Syston railway station currently has one platform on what remains of the former goods line, served by localLeicester toLincoln via Nottingham and Newark services on theIvanhoe Line.
Motorcycle speedway (1930-1931) andgreyhound racing (1931-1960s) was staged at theSyston Sports Stadium (not to be confused with the Syston Sports Ground next door) on Mostyn Avenue.[6]
The 'Syston white plum' is well known in the Syston locality and has been grown there for well over 100 years. It is yellow, oval in shape, thin skinned and a good sized dessert plum. It normally crops in September and is emblazoned on the Syston Town welcoming signs.[7]
Syston is the location of the headquarters ofPukka Pies, which is one of the largest employers in the town, employing 250 people.[8]
TheRiver Soar runs past the western edge of the town, shortly after passing under theA46 road which underwent significant improvements early in 2006 at the Hobby Horse roundabout, a popular meeting place on theLeicester Western Bypass.
Syston is home to two monthly, village publications: the Syston Town News and the Syston Directory.
The Air Training Corps (ATC) is a military based youth organisation for 13- to 20-year-olds and the local squadron (No 1181 Syston Squadron) is based in the grounds ofWreake Valley Academy.
The Syston Allotment Society works for the benefit of plot holders and the wider community at the allotment site on Upper Church Street, Syston.
Syston Sailing Club, in Fosse Way, runs learn-to sail courses for newcomers, and racing and social sailing for members. It is affiliated to the RYA.
Towns and villages of theBorough of Charnwood | ||
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| Large villages | ||
| Small villages | ||
| Hamlets | ||
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