Wikipedia
Bilsthorpe is a village in the Newark and Sherwood district of Nottinghamshire, England. According to the 2001 census it had a population of 3,076, increasing to 3,375 at the 2011 Census. It is about five miles south of Ollerton, and near the junction of the A614 and A617.
The village has 2 children's play- parks as well as a small sized duck-pond. It has also a members only fishing lake created from the remains of the old mines slag heap.
The village's colliery closed in 1997 after 70 years in use. The colliery was the centre of national media and public attention on 18 August 1993 when a roof collapsed in the colliery, killing 31-year-old under-manager David Shelton and miners Bill McCulloch (aged 26) and Peter Alcock (aged 50). David Shelton was posthumously awarded the George Medal for bravery on 11 October 1995 for aiding the rescue of other miners; survivor Ray Thompson also received the George Medal. A memorial to the dead miners was also erected outside the colliery.
The village is known locally as being two areas, the 'old' and 'new'. With the 'old' being mainly private houses whereas the 'new' being mainly council housing. The village has one pub (The Copper Beech) and a Miners Welfare Club. The village used to have a Village Hall with squash and sauna facilities with some gym equipment. However, the district council of Newark decided to close these due mainly to the low usage of both the squash and sauna facilities. The Village Hall's main part is still in use for coffee mornings, and other community gatherings including a bowls event for local people.
On the Kirklington side of the village is a nursing home for disabled patients called Wycar Leys.
Bilsthorpe Flying High Academy is the local education facility for children with access to nursery and primary learning. Access to secondary education is in Ollerton.