ROOS PARISH is situated in Holderness in the East Riding of Yorkshire comprising the settlements of Roos, Tunstall, Hilston, and Owstwick. The 2001 census gives a population of 1113 with 487 dwellings.
All the settlements have a long historical heritage and are mentioned in the Doomsday Book.
Roos Village is the largest of the settlements and is probably pre-Christian.
William the Conqueror instituted the Barony de Ros, using the existing village name and the coat of arms continues to be widely used. The church of All Saints (a Grade 1 listed building) dates from the 13th century. Near the surface to the south lie the remains of a castle, a scheduled ancient monument sit
Tunstall, the next largest settlement, is near the coast. The main part of the village takes a compact form near the medieval All Saints church (Grade 1 listed). The village hall provides a focus for social and leisure activities. Together with Sand-le-Mere, Tunstall attracts many holidaymakers and those who follow sea-based leisure activities throughout the year. Sand-le-Mere, near the cliff-top, has a substantial caravan site offering social, recreational and retail amenities. Many of the caravans are holiday homes, particularly for visitors from the West Riding of Yorkshire. There is a boat compound with launching facilities. It is at risk from coastal erosion. For further information about the settlement click here.
The East Riding Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plan (December 2004) sets out policies (including roll-back) to manage coastal erosion and its impact on business and the tourist industry. Because of erosion the coast road to Hilston has been closed to vehicles.
Hilston is the smallest settlement in the parish. It has twelve dwellings, many of them individual in architectural style and character, of which three are listed buildings. Distinctive landmarks are Admiral Storr's Tower (a further listed building) and St Margaret's church (rebuilt after wartime bombing). Because of erosion the coast road to Tunstall has been closed to vehicles.
Owstwick is the most distant settlement from the amenities of Roos Village. The small number of properties, mainly farms and their associated buildings, are widely spread. Over the years a number of related businesses have become established, providing, for example, haulage contracting and the supply and repair of agricultural machinery.
For more comprehensive descriptions, click;
Roos http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.asp?compid=16130
Tunstall http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.asp?compid=16144
Hilston http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.asp?compid=16128