having an ornate canopy over its entrance and containing a private waiting room for use by the Earl of Wharncliffe. The station was closed on 7 December 1953. Landmarks Birdwell Club is a former working men's club located on Sheffield Road. In 2005 it played host to a highly rated gig by local band the Arctic Monkeys, which was voted 9th best gig of the year by the Observer Music Monthly, notably surpassing Live8. The Take 2 centre at the south end of Birdwell houses the Academy Theatre - a full theatre facility with a varied programme of live entertainment, licensed bar and a bistro Birdwell Lodge Craft and Antique Centre Worsbrough Mill Museum and Country Park Travellers Inn Cock Inn public house The Obelisk. Towards the southern end of Birdwell stands a large obelisk which was constructed in 1775 (according to the plaque) to mark the distance (3 miles) to Wentworth Castle (at nearby Stainborough) built by William Wentworth, 2nd Earl of Strafford (1722–1791). The obelisk was struck by lightning on 6 June 1906. Education Birdwell has its own primary school and private day-nursery called Chatterbox. Sport Two football teams from the village have played in the FA Cup: Birdwell F.C. and Birdwell Primitive Methodists F.C. Birdwell played in 11 FA Cup competitions between 1907 and 1928 whereas Birdwell Primitive Methodists played in just the one FA Cup competition, losing their one and only FA Cup game. The game on 11 September 1909 was against Atlas and Norfolk Works. The Sheffield side had originally been drawn at home but the game was played at Birdwell. The 'Primitives', as they were often known, took the lead and were level with the visitors at half-time but the latter proved too strong and ran out 4-1 winners, Nuttall scoring all four goals. Notable people The Wednesday and England footballer, Harry Ruddlesdin was born in Birdwell in 1876 and started his football career with Birdwell F.C. Charlie Williams (OBE) lived in Birdwell until his death, in September 2006. Keith Matthewman was born here in 1936. Nick Crowe artist was born in Birdwell in 1968. Sylvia Young (founder and Principal of the famous Sylvia Young Theatre School in London) lived in Birdwell as a child evacuee from the capital during the Second World War. Andrew Raynes World Strongman Competitor. See also Listed buildings in Rockingham References External links Barnsley MBC Birdwell Woods (the Woodland