The town takes its name from the first settlers along the stream Colburn Beck. It means "cold stream," "coal stream" or "cool, black stream" and is a mixture of Old English and Old Norse (Col, Kol and Burna).[4] A "burn" refers to a valley that has been eroded by flowing water. The Colburn (Coburn) family is widespread around the world, including Edward Colburn,[5] great grandfather of Reuben Colburn, who came to America in 1635 on the ship "Defence" part of the PuritanGreat Migration of the 1630s led by John Winthrop. Colburn Hall, a grade II* listed building is located on the outskirts of the old village, along with a grade I listed courthouse dating back to the 1300s.[6]
"a township in Catterick parish, N. R. Yorkshire; on the river Swale, 2½ miles SE by E of Richmond. Acres, 1, 318. Real property, £1, 736. Pop., 142. Houses, 26."
In 2018, the Broadway shopping precinct, Colburn Business Park, as well as neighbouring Brough with St Giles, attracted attention in regional press by being put under a public spaces protection order by North Yorkshire Police, due to over 200 reports of anti-social behaviour involving young people.[7]
Economy
The primary shopping area, known as the Broadway precinct, includes a Co-op convenience store, as well as several independent businesses and the community library.[8] Colburn Business Park was opened in 2008, consisting of over 50,000 sq ft of office space and 20 buildings.[9]
Colburn had its own ward under Richmondshire District Council, which also included the suburb of Walkerville.[10] In 2005, controversial plans for the district council to move their offices in Richmond into new premises at Colburn at the cost of £4 million (to be funded by the sale of two Richmond car parks) were axed.[11]
Colburn also has a town council, and a mayor elected by members, with nine councillors sitting as of 2020.[12]
St Cuthbert's Church, Colburn was opened in 1957 to serve the residents of the new Colburn estate.[14] The only traditional public house, The Hildyard Arms, is situated in the old Colburn Village, it first opened in 1823 and underwent a major renovation in the early 2010s after gaining new lease holders.[15]
The town's football club, Colburn Town FC, play in the Wensleydale Creamery League, an affiliate league of the North Riding County Football Association.[16] Colburn Leisure Centre was opened in 2002 and includes a gymnasium, dance studio, and serves as a base for the local touch rugby and gymnastics groups, the gym received a £35,000 upgrade in 2019.[17]