BASFORD, a parish in the northern division of the
wapentake of BROXTOW, county of NOTTINGHAM, 2f
miles (N.W. by N.) from Nottingham, containing 3599
inhabitants. The living is a vicarage, in the archdeaconry
of Nottingham, and diocese of York,, rated in the
king's books at £8. 17. 7., endowed with £200 royal
bounty, and in the patronage of the Crown. The church,
dedicated to St. Leodgarius, is situated at the southern
extremity of the village, and was re-pewed in 1819, when
two hundred and twelve additional free sittings 'were
added by the Incorporated Society for the enlargement
of churches and chapels, at an expense of £200. There
are three places of worship for Wesleyan Methodists and
those of the New Connexion, and one for Baptists, to
all of which Sunday schools are attached. The house
of industry, for thirty-two parishes of the county,
stands in this parish, and is a neat modern stone building,
capable of containing from two to three hundred
persons. Basford abounds with numerous springs of
soft water, which renders it peculiarly advantageous for
bleaching cotton hose and lace, the manufacture of
which is carried on to a great extent. The beautiful
process of gassing lace was invented by Mr. Samuel Hale
of this village, which is secured to him by a valuable
patent obtained in 1817: there are various cottonmills,
bleaching and dye houses, corn-mills, &c.