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Syston (/ˈsaɪstən/ ⓘ SY-stən) is a town and civil parish in the district of Charnwood in Leicestershire, 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 BookasSitestone. TheRoman roadknown as theFosse Waypasses through Syston, which is now largely a commuter town for the city ofLeicester. Only the village ofThurmastonto the south separates it from Leicester.
The large and impressiveChurch of St Peter and St Paulis 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.[3]The church mostly dates from the 15th century but there is a 13th-centurysediliain thechanceland a tomb recess in the south aisle of the early 14th century.[4]The stone arcading inside the nave has strikingPerpendicularGothic panelling which is also seen on the tower arch and in theclerestory. The nave roof of timber is also 15th century.[4]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.[4]Ordish lived atQueniboroughOld Hall.[5]In 1855 he had added the upper storey, with its tower and bridge staircase, to the Corn Exchange in Leicester Market Place.[6]He died as a result of an accident near the old Syston railway station in September 1885.
TheMidland Main Lineruns through the town.Syston railway stationcurrently has one platform on what remains of the former goods line, served by localLeicestertoLincolnvia 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.[7]
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.[8]
Syston is the location of the headquarters ofPukka Pies, which is one of the largest employers in the town, employing 250 people.[9]
