Bishopthorpe Local History Group

From Bishopthorpe to America - The Brass Band Man

2011-11-04T17:36:14Z

Last March, I put up a piece about the Bishopthorpe Brass Band which was formed in the 19th century by Thomas Carbert. We are fortunate that one of Thomas's great grandchildren, Roxie Wellman of the USA, responded with photographs and further
information on the Carbert family.

Thomas married three times in Bishopthorpe and had 21 children between his wives: Margaret Stead, Elizabeth Barron and Mary Buckle. Thomas and his last wife, Mary Buckle, had nine children, four of whom left these shores to make new lives in North America. One of these children, Arthur Carbert, was Roxie's grandfather, seen here playing the tuba in 1936.
Arthur was born in the village on 17th November 1870. In 1887, at the age of 17, Arthur borrowed some money, left his remaining family in Bishopthorpe, and worked his passage to America on the ship, Peruvian. He made his way to where his brother Herbert lived in Ontario, Canada, and worked in the area for a year and a half. Moving to Delhi, Minnesota, with his cousin Emmanuel Carbert, he worked on a number of farms. Arthur eventually bought his own farm and married Stella Salome Bruner on 27 October 1898. The couple had eight children: four sons and four daughters. Arthur died in 1961 at the grand age of 91and was buried in Redwood Falls Cemetery, Minnesota.

Arthur Carbert married Stella Salome Bruner in 1898.

Arthur Carbert is remembered in his family as having a wonderful singing voice. He sang in
the Presbyterian Church choir, sang solos - and, obviously, played the tuba. Apparently, it was family lore that Arthur had played in a band in Bishopthorpe. However, they did not know how true this was until Roxie read the article on our website.

We see so many villagers passing through time in the historical records of Bishopthorpe;
sometimes they live here for many years, others just months. It's great to learn what happened to some of them. In this way, former residents cease to be just names on a page.

With thanks to Roxie Wellman for the photographs and family information.

Linda Haywood

Bishopthorpe and the Big City Read 2011

2011-07-21T14:40:25Z

York's Big City Read is an annual event organised by Explore York (York Library). A programme of events is held at a number of venues to celebrate a specific book and its connection to York. This year's Big City Read is The Lost Luggage Porter by Andrew Martin. It's an Edwardian crime novel set in York and Bishopthorpe. York Railway Station is featured and the railway detective, Jim Stringer, lives with his wife on Main Street, Bishopthorpe and enjoys supping a pint at one of the local hostelries. (Incidentally, Andrew Martin's ancestors also used to live in the village.)

The Bishopthorpe Local History Group was invited to take part and has organised the following events:

A WALK ROUND EDWARDIAN BISHOPTHORPE
Fridays, 29 July and 5 August at 2.15pm.

Limited to 20 people. Please book with Diana Forrester: 01904 705396
Meet at the Pinfold, Bishopthorpe.
(At the junction of Main Street and Sim Balk Lane.)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Archbishops, Suffragettes and Mole Catchers:
BISHOPTHORPE'S EDWARDIAN SUMMER
An illustrated talk by Linda Haywood

Wednesday, 17 August at 12.30 pm, Marriot Room, Explore York
(York Library)
To book call: 01904 552828 or email: exploreyork@york.gov.uk

Saturday, 10 September at 2.30 pm, Village Hall, Bishopthorpe.
There is no need to book for this event.

All Bishopthorpe events are £3. 00 per person.

Pick up a free copy of The Lost Luggage Porter
and a full programme of Big City Read 2011 events
at Bishopthorpe Library.

Bishopthorpe Celebrates George V's Coronation, 1911

2011-06-21T18:53:03Z

It is 100 years ago that the nation celebrated the Coronation of George V and Queen Mary. The actual day, 22 June 1911, was a holiday and the city of York took on an air of festivity with bunting and flags strung from shops and homes.

By contrast, a visitor to Bishopthorpe who wrote about the day in the Parish Magazine was slightly disappointed. The writer found, "So little had been done in the way of decoration of the houses or the village street. A few inhabitants had made some effort in this direction, and they enabled one to see how good an effect could have been obtained if only more had cooperated."

However, he or she, writing under the pseudonym of 'An Outsider', soon realised that various leading parishioners were missing, although loyally engaged elsewhere. This included Archbishop Lang who was attending the Coronation in Westminster Abbey with his chaplain, the vicar of Bishopthorpe, the Rev. Crawley. The 'Outsider' excused the lack of decoration in the village as the locals soon showed that their "energies and loyalty had been exercised in other ways". He also admitted to having been indulgently and hospitably welcomed.

So the day began with Divine Service at St. Andrew's Church which was well-filled; the children's aisle being particularly crowded. The singing of the National Anthem brought the service to a close and the congregation then proceeded to the cricket field. On the way, the schoolchildren entered the Palace grounds where they were given Coronation mugs filled with sweets; a gift from the Archbishop.

On reaching the cricket field, sports and games followed thick and fast. The tiny "dots" under the age of five ran the first race "manfully in the blustering wind." The little girl who was blown in first won a doll. Race after race followed with children winning tops, building bricks and teddy bears. Disaster struck only one yard from home when the two leading girls in the three-legged race lost the handkerchief which tied their legs together. As a result, they were disqualified.

The adults also took part in many races. Most interest centred upon the tortoise bicycle races. The women's race was won by Mary Lofthouse who showed remarkable skill in the manipulation of her free wheel. Egg and spoon, thread-needle and mixed clothes races were, apparently, very amusing and popular. The most remarkable race of the day was for men aged over 50 years when an old gentleman of 85 came in third.

The races were followed by tea in Mr. Lofthouses's barn, which had been cleaned and decorated making it look like a huge tent. The long tables were spread with a beautiful tea and house plants. But the children were described as the nicest decorations: "so pretty they looked, and so well-behaved were they that it was no wonder Mr. Sutherland took a snapshot of them." [What became of this rare photograph?]

The children returned to the cricket field for more games and sports while the adults had their tea. Sports continued until 8.00pm when the prize-giving took place. Cheers rang out afterwards for His Majesty and for the Archbishop who had supplied the tea as well as the Coronation mugs. While the Archbishop was, indeed, generous the funding for the festivities was raised by public subscription and organised by many willing helpers.

The evening, which was spent dancing to music by a "capable" band, ended with the lighting of a huge bonfire and a display of fireworks. As the anonymous writer, 'Outsider' concluded: "This ended a day that will linger long in the minds of many who were fortunate to be there. A happy day it was to all, and the reason was not far to seek, all with one accord seemed to mean to be happy, and right royally they succeeded."

Linda Haywood

Bishopthorpe Parish Magazine, July, 1911.
The Yorkshire Gazette, 24 July 1911, p7.

Oompah pah! It's the Bishopthorpe Brass Band!

2011-03-11T19:30:13Z

Did you know that, during the 19th century, the villagers of Bishopthorpe enjoyed the pleasure of being entertained by their own brass band? An enquiry from Gavin Holman, who is researching the history of brass bands in local communities, set me seeking evidence for a similar musical group within our own parish.

Gavin tells us that the late 19th and early 20th centuries were the golden age for brass bands with, probably, up to 40,000 bands at their peak. By contrast, there are only about 1,500 bands active in the U.K. today. Many bands were associated with local industries while others provided a musical focus for small towns and villages. These early bands left little in the way of information about their existence; Gavin, therefore, is trying to identify as many as possible by collecting material to enter on a central database. (His website can be found at: http://www.ibew.co.uk)

This enquiry rang bells with me (if you'll pardon the expression) and I soon discovered a couple of sources of information. The first lies with Mr. William Camidge, a local historian from York, who wrote articles for the Yorkshire Gazette in the late 19th century. In 1890, these were published in book form under the title, Ouseburn to Naburn Lock. In this, he referred to a band in Bishopthorpe:

A brass band consisting of 15 performers existed in the village for twenty years under the care of the late Mr. Thomas Carbert, and enjoyed considerable popularity for twenty or thirty miles around. They played at most of the club anniversaries of the district and occasionally at York elections and other times. The band still exists, but its character, composition and management are entirely changed.

Thomas Carbert lived in Bishopthorpe from about 1839. He was a market gardener who raised a large family, but still found time to take on duties such as parish clerk and enumerator for the 1861 and 1871 censuses. The Carbert family seemed to be talented musicians and held annual concerts in the school room under the patronage of the Archbishop. It is not surprising, therefore, to learn that he led a popular brass band. Mr. Carbert died in 1886 and it is not known who succeeded him.

The Archbishop's Extraordinary Homecoming

In his book, William Camidge also made mention of when Archbishop Harcourt (1807 - 1847) used to return to Bishopthorpe from lengthy duties in London. These were occasions of festivity in the village when he was greeted with enthusiasm by large numbers of villagers. This is borne out by the second and earliest reference to the village band. On this occasion, it played a part in a remarkable story.

In 1846, the newspapers reported Archbishop Harcourt returning to Bishopthorpe after spending the summer at his family seat in Oxfordshire. During his absence, a new school had been built for the boys, while the 18th century school (in School Lane) was refurbished and enlarged for the girls. The wealthy Archbishop had paid for the building work as well as financially helping with the restoration of the church.

More than 400 parishioners greeted him like a hero. They first gathered at the new school and, led by the village band, made their way to Middlethorpe. When the 89 year-old Archbishop arrived, a large body of villagers removed the horses from his carriage, attached ropes to it, and physically drew Harcourt to the Palace. At the entrance, a decorated triumphal arch bore the inscription, "God Save our Gracious Benefactor". The vicar, Rev. Canon Dixon, read an address to which the Archbishop responded warmly before entering the Palace amidst hearty cheers, and further robust playing from the band.

From the early twentieth century, it seems that the Bishopthorpe Brass Band faded into obscurity. Village celebrations and gatherings relied, instead, on the services of military bands from Fulford Barracks or a band from Naburn. What a pity that the stirring sound of a local brass band no longer entertains us or, perhaps, greets the return of Archbishops from their many travels!

Linda Haywood

Sources:
Ouseburn to Naburn Lock, William Camidge, (York, 1890) pp343-344
The Morning Post, Sat., 19 Sep 1846.
The Standard, Sat., 19 Sep 1846.

A Railway Station for Bishopthorpe?

2011-02-17T16:53:26Z

It's OK - you haven't missed anything - there are no plans to build a railway station at Bishopthorpe! It's just that recently, a Bish-dot-net reader asked if a station or goods yard had ever been built near the nurseries on Appleton Road. Taking a look at the old Ordnance Survey maps of the area soon established that no railway station was ever built at Bishopthorpe - but it wasn't for the want of trying!

The North East Railway slicing through the Bishopthorpe fields. May Hill took this photograph in the 1930s looking south-east from Bishopthorpe Bridge to Naburn Swing Bridge, which can just be seen in the distance.

On the 2nd January 1871, the North East Railway Company opened its York to Doncaster branch, providing a new link on the East Coast route to Scotland. This shortened the distance between London and York by about three miles. Since the line sliced through the fields on the edge of Bishopthorpe, the provision for a local station was obviously discussed, but rejected.

According to an article in the Yorkshire Evening Press of 1907, the "station question" had exercised the minds of villagers on several occasions. Apparently, Dr. Thomson, who was Archbishop when the line was built, had frowned on such a scheme. No doubt he did not wish to encourage even more tourists to visit his peaceful home parish than those who already travelled here by foot, horse or steamer to view the ancient palace of the Archbishops of York.

However, with the arrival of the twentieth century, a different man of influence brought his feelings to bear. In 1902, Mr. Arthur Toward Watson, a wealthy coal owner from County Durham, came to live in the village. He employed the fashionable York architect Walter Brierley to build a splendid house, known as The Garth, on Sim Balk Lane. Mr. Watson who, at one time was chairman of the Parish Council, travelled daily to Newcastle on business. He was described by his son, John, as "a man of unlimited energy" which is not surprising as he cycled to York Station every weekday morning to catch the 9.30 a.m. train and returned at 7.30 p.m.

Mr. Watson, who understandably must have tired of the journey, gained the support of the village in his quest for a railway station at Bishopthorpe. In 1905, he and his wife were joined by the vicar, Rev. Pennyman, and farmer Mr. Lofthouse, when they presented a petition at the headquarters of the North Eastern Railway in York. Apparently, the petition had been signed by every householder in the village with the exception of four. Despite this popular appeal, it held no sway with the directors of the railway company.

Fifteen years later, Bishopthorpe Parish Council supported the local farmers and market gardeners by making a formal application to the N.E.R. board for a station and siding but, once again, this was turned down. The plentiful gooseberries, peas, and potatoes that were grown in the area therefore continued to be transported to market by horse and cart. After 1920, the idea seems to have been dropped but, if the N.E.R. had agreed to build a railway station all those years ago, no doubt it would have been closed in the 1950s for economic reasons, just like the stations at Naburn and Copmanthorpe. If it hadn't been made redundant then, it would have certainly disappeared with the opening of the Selby Diversion in September 1983. But that's another story.

Linda Haywood

Sources
Yorkshire Evening Press: 19 April 1907, p2.
Lest We Forget, C. E. W. Brayley (1975), p31.
Bishopthorpe Parish Council Minutes: 4 January 1920.

In Celebration of Local Guiding

2010-12-07T17:35:53Z

This year, Girl Guides and Brownies throughout the world celebrated the centenary of the Girl Guide movement. Here in Bishopthorpe, we discovered that the Guides can trace their roots back to 1926 when the 20th York (Bishopthorpe) Company registered with the Girl Guide Association. (They later became the 1st Bishopthorpe Company.)

This prompted a search through the Bishopthorpe Archive for photographs, some of which we share with you below.

If you have memories of time spent with the Bishopthorpe Brownies and Guides, we'd be very pleased to hear from you. Just add a comment below or email us on historygroup@bishopthorpe.net

1) November 1944: Armistice Day Parade

In 1944 the Girl Guides and Brownies, pictured above, were invited to join the Bishopthorpe Armistice Day Parade. This included the local members of the Home Guard, the National Fire Service, Civil Defence and the be-medalled ex-servicemen from the First World War. Following a service in St. Andrew's Church, they marched through the village to the Palace where photographs were taken of all the units.

We know the names of most of the girls in the photograph, including the two adults who are Myrtle Simpson (left) and Jean Hudson (right).

During the Second World War Guide uniforms were almost unobtainable. One former guide told us that Clothing Coupons were needed for warm winter clothes so uniforms had to be passed down by girls who had left the guides or outgrown their uniforms. The girls took badges for First Aid, Knots, Morse Code, Field Survival, International Flag Recognition and mending and patching. (All very important in war time.)

2) June 1963: Queen's Guide Award

Bishopthorpe Guides Pauline Horton, Margaret Colton and Isobel Wilmot congratulate Jane Standing on gaining her Queen's Guide Award. Introduced in 1946, this award is the highest that can be earned in the Guide movement. It involves completing a series of tough challenges within a three-year period.

3) April 1967: St. George's Day Parade

Bishopthorpe Guides march down Davygate to the Minster where Scouts and Guides from the York area gather for the St. George's Day service.

4) 1991-1992: Adding colour to the neighbourhood

In 1991, a large number of daffodil bulbs were given to the Brownies and Guides of this district. Mrs. Overfield, who helped with the Bishopthorpe Brownies, suggested that the bulbs should be planted around the base of trees in Maple Avenue and Vernon Close. This would add some spring-time colour to an area where so many elderly people lived.

The planting ceremony was attended by important guests including the chairman of Selby District Council and the Guide's Division Commissioner. For one scary moment at the ceremony, the Brownies and Guides thought they wouldn't be able to to dig the holes because the ground was too hard! However, Mr. Melemendjian came to the rescue and the bulbs were eventually planted. The girls are seen above admiring the daffodills the following spring.

5) 22 February 1997: World Thinking Day

This photograph shows the 2nd Bishopthorpe Brownies lighting candles on Thinking Day. In this way, they remember the family of guiding throughout the world. Guides and Brownies concentrate on specific themes for each World Thinking Day - for instance this year - 2010 - it was 'Poverty and Hunger'.

The 22nd February was chosen for this special day because it was the birthday of both Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of the Boy Scouts, and his wife, Olave Baden-Powell, the first Chief Guide.

6) 20 May 2000: Fun at the Victorian Street Fair

The Victorian Street Fair was part of the Bishopthorpe Millennium celebrations. The Brownies set up their stall in Main Street and sold crafts they had made in aid of the N.S.P.C.C.

With thanks to Janet Melemendjian, June Whittaker, Sylvia Overfield, Norman Antlett and The Yorkshire Evening Press for their help.

Leaf Fall at The Woodman

2010-11-16T21:12:00Z

Following on from Joanne Carter's search for her Bishopthorpe ancestors, the Leaf family, I found the following sad story:

Richard Leaf was a 56 year-old tailor who lived in Main Street, Bishopthorpe. On the afternoon of Tuesday, 21 April 1868, he called into The Woodman for a quiet drink and received a little more than he had bargained for. His life came to an abrupt and unexpected end which necessitated a Coroner's Inquest. The case had excited much interest because of the reluctance of some witnesses to give a straightforward account of the mystery which, at first, seemed to surround Richard Leaf's death.

It was during this period that the York to Selby line of the North Eastern Railway was being built and the village pubs would have seen their fair share of navvies who were working in the area. On the afternoon in question, Mr. Leaf found himself at The Woodman in the company of two navvies. One of the men started to quarrel with his companion who refused to respond. John Simpson, the landlord's son, told the inquest that Leaf spoke to the quarrelsome navvy who objected to his interfering in a private argument. They argued for a short while and then Leaf jumped up and challenged the navvy to a fight. The two men fought until Leaf took a blow which knocked him into a chair. His opponent wished to continue but John Simpson would not let him. Simpson also remarked that Leaf received a blow on his right cheek near the eye. Leaf got up, put on his coat, and walked out. He appeared to be well and was not drunk as testified by Sarah Kezia Simpson, the landlord's daughter. She stated that he had had two glasses of whisky, but added she noticed his face was bleeding.

Later, witnesses found Richard Leaf lying on his face on the ground outside The Woodman. Two men carried him into the pub, laid him on the floor where he slept and snored loudly. His wife Charlotte arrived, assumed her husband was drunk, and promptly returned home. A further fight broke out between the navvies while Leaf was unconscious on the floor but witnesses claimed he was not touched. Charlotte returned to the inn and found two men lifting up her husband. It was then she noticed that his face was bleeding.

The surgeon, Mr. J. I. F. Marshall of York, was sent for but, as he was not at home, he did not arrive at Bishopthorpe until a quarter-past nine in the evening. By then, Richard Leaf was dead. Mr. Marshall carried out a post mortem examination and discovered a small wound near the left eye and a bruise on the left cheek bone. There were no other marks of violence on the body. However, he found the body in a very diseased state and said he attributed death to apoplexy arising from the diseased condition of the brain. Death might have been accelerated by excitement and, it was revealed, Leaf was also subject to apoplectic fits.

It was common practice to hold inquests on licensed premises and so The Woodman Inn served as the Coroner's Court. The inquest was held there two days after Leaf's death and adjourned until the following Tuesday, for want of further evidence. In his closing remarks, the Coroner, J. P. Wood, Esq., said that, at one time, the case had assumed a very serious aspect. There had been a great deal of discrepancy in the early stage of the evidence regarding the deceased being injured on the face. He was particularly critical of the landlord, Thomas Simpson and his wife, from whom he had considerable difficulty in extracting the real history of the case. However, following the surgeon's evidence, the jury could not come to any other conclusion than that the deceased died of apoplexy and, therefore, returned this verdict.

Richard Leaf had lived and worked in the village since about 1834 raising many children from two marriages. For the last few years of his life, he lived in the house next to The Ebor (currently no. 48 Main Street). It's, perhaps, not surprising to learn from a letter, written by a villager on the day after Leaf died, that there was "quite a gloom cast over Bishopthorpe" as a result of the death. He was laid to rest in St. Andrew's Churchyard down by the river.

Sources:
Yorkshire Gazette, 25 April and 2 May 1868.
C.E.W. Brayley, The Annals of Bishopthorpe, (pamphlet 3, p2).

Seeking Leaf Ancestry

2010-10-26T12:47:34Z

Joanne Carter contacted us with the following request about her Bishopthorpe ancestors - can anyone help?

Hello

I am tracing my family tree and it would seem that my great great great grandmother Elizabeth Leaf and her family came from Bishopthorpe. She was born on 14 Sept 1811 and baptised on 29 Sept 1811. Her parents were John Leaf and Lydia (nee Mathers). Does anyone know of this family, are there any old tales relating to the family or things of interest, photos perhaps? I know it's a long shot but worth a go at asking.
Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Joanne Carter

Email: joanne.carter@roadways.co.uk

A Rare Royal Snap

2010-04-29T17:21:18Z

Through the centuries, there have been many royal visits to the Archbishops' Palace in Bishopthorpe. The twentieth century alone has seen a number of royal guests passing through the famous gateway but, as they have been private visits, photographs of the events are few and far between. However, we are lucky that Jill Black, one of our Australian bishdotnet readers, decided to sort through her photo albums and found a snap of Princess Elizabeth descending the steps of the Palace. Jill contacted us to ask which year this could have been.

The photograph snapped in 1949 which winged it's way from Australia. It shows Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh leaving the Palace after taking tea with Archbishop Garbett, who is standing on the left.

Having searched through old newspapers, we know that Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh made their first official visit to Yorkshire from 26 - 28 July 1949. The last day of that trip was spent in the City of York looking round the Minster and lunching with the Lord Mayor at the Mansion House. During the afternoon, the young couple, who had been married for less than two years, toured the new Carr Estate at Acomb. From there, they were driven to Bishopthorpe Palace where the villagers were "allowed" to gather within the grounds as far as the clock gateway. The local Brownies, Guides and other children lined the drive waving flags and streamers at the royal visitors.

This press photograph of some of the children lining the drive, appeared in
The Yorkshire Herald. Does anyone recognise him or herself?

The appointment with Archbishop Garbett and his sister was meant to be a quiet, relaxed affair taking tea in the elegant drawing room. The only other guests present were the Archbishop's private chaplain and secretary. One hour later at 5.30 p.m., Jill Black, who was ten-years-old at the time, watched as her friend snapped Princess Elizabeth taking her leave of the Archbishop on the Palace steps. The Duke can be seen just behind her.
It should be remembered that in the years following the war, fewer people owned a camera compared to now. So, with her Box Brownie, Jill's friend scooped the press photographers who were kept at some distance.

Jill remembers that, although the photograph was taken from a long way off, they did catch a closer glimpse of the royal party as the car passed them by. Robin Hill, another resident present at the time, noted in his diary that the line of cars travelled "very slowly both coming in [to the Palace] and more especially on leaving for York". On arrival at York Station, the couple were met by the civic party before catching the royal train for London.

Thanks to Jill and her friend a rare, fleeting royal moment was captured and can now, over sixty years later, be shared with the residents of Bishopthorpe.

Bishopthorpe's Boer War Soldiers

2009-11-03T15:01:02Z

The rain poured down on 3 August 1905 during the unveiling ceremony of the Yorkshire County Memorial for the Anglo - Boer War near York Minster.

On Saturday, 31st October 2009, the rededication of the Yorkshire County War Memorial for the Second Anglo-Boer War (1899 -1902), took place at the Garden of Remembrance near York Minster. More than a century had passed since its unveiling by Field Marshal Lord Roberts who had led the the British Imperial forces in South Africa. Unlike the day of the unveiling ceremony itself, in the summer of 1905, the weather for the rededication was gloriously sunny as clergy and civic dignitaries gathered in Duncombe Place.

This act of rededication and remembrance reminded me of a telling paragraph written by Rev. John Keble in an edition of the Bishopthorpe Parish Magazine. The publication date was October 1900; the South African War had started the year previously and was to last until 1902.

Of the Bishopthorpe men who followed the colours, Rev. Keble wrote:

We have received several letters from Privates G. Homer and A. Pickwell, giving most interesting accounts of their experiences in the war, and are very glad to hear that they have been preserved both from wounds and sickness. We hope that before long we shall hear of their safe return. Private H. Buckle was severely wounded and has returned home; we are pleased to hear that he is much better.

Apart from this intriguing piece, the few surviving parish magazines of the period contain nothing else concerning the men's plight. It is also frustrating that Rev. Keble did not give the names in full.

Who were these men and what became of their letters? Did the men survive; did Private Buckle return to South Africa? Research is presently being carried out to try and discover further details but, in the meantime, if you have any information that could help, please leave a comment or email the Bishopthorpe Local History Group at: historygroup@bishopthorpe.net

Further information about the War Memorial can be found in:
Meurig G. M. Jones, 'The Yorkshire County Memorial: A history of the Yorkshire County Memorial, York, for the Second Anglo - Boer War, 1899 - 1902', in: York Historian, 12: 1995, pp 62 - 81.

War Time for an Archbishop

2009-09-04T07:55:43Z

When war was declared in September 1939, Dr. William Temple was Archbishop of York. He and his wife threw themselves into the war effort taking in evacuees and making the Palace and its grounds available to local organisations. Three years later, in 1942, he was translated to Canterbury.

The following extract is taken from the Archbishop's biography, William Temple, Archbishop of Canterbury: His Life and Letters, by F. A. Iremonger.

On Sunday, 3 September [1939], the Archbishop Temple announced from his throne in the Minster that the country was at war, and that night the first sirens wailed over the city of York.

Changes were inevitable at Bishopthorpe, and were smoothly made. Towards the end of their time the Archbishop and his wife took to living almost entirely in the north wing of the palace; a pleasant bedroom facing south and west did duty for Temple's study, and a small room near the kitchen, looking out on the garden, for their dining-room. Mrs. Temple and her invaluable secretary, Miss Sinker, became adept at improvising floor (and bed) space at the shortest notice; a dozen evacuees, including some children, occupied rooms at the end of the north wing and a flat over the garage; members of the Women's Institute made jam in the old kitchen; for a few months the drawing-room was used for A. R. P. lectures, whist-drives, and dances; the Home Guard had a rifle-range for practice in the walled garden; and the local N. F. S. did not disguise their amusement when Temple took part in a rehearsal and lay flat on his front directing the nozzle of a stirrup-pump at an imaginary incendiary bomb.

An important local achievement was the institution of the York Council for War-time Service, which co-ordinated the work of all the canteens and clubs for the troops organized by many agencies; the voluntary helpers at one of the largest of these centres were organized by Mrs. Temple and Miss Sinker who, on several nights in the week, drove nine miles to the I.T.C. at Strensall; sometimes the Archbishop, who was Chairman of the Council, came out to the canteen to talk with the men or to hold an occasional service for them in the canteen.

Yorkshire had its full share of attacks from the air; there were two devastating raids on Hull, and one on the city of York; but it was not until they reached Canterbury that the Archbishop and his wife were to know the horrors of an air-raid at first hand.

F. A. Iremonger, William Temple, Archbishop of Canterbury: His Life and Letters, (OUP, 1948) pp385-6

On the Home Front in Bishopthorpe

2009-08-25T18:10:35Z

Bishopthorpe Home Guard on parade in Main Street.

Seventy years ago, on 3rd September 1939, Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain broadcast to the nation. It was a momentous yet typically downbeat statement that, apparently, most of the British nation listened to, having been alerted that it would contain the news that it did.

Mr. Chamberlain revealed that he had not received a response to his demand that the German Government should withdraw their troops from Poland, by the deadline of eleven o' clock a.m. "I have to tell you", he continued, "that no such undertaking has been received, and that consequently this country is at war with Germany."

To commemorate this historic anniversary, villagers' reminiscences and photographs showing how they buckled down to life on the Home Front, can be seen in Bishopthorpe Library.

The Local History Group delved into the Bishopthorpe Community Archive for photographs and memories from recorded interviews. Many of them reveal the indefatigable spirit and sense of humour which carried the villagers through six years of war.

Take, for example, Miss Carol Woollcombe's recollection of listening to Neville Chamberlain's announcement:

"We were listening to the radio in the study. My sisters had been to Westmorland, where my aunts and my grandmother lived and they'd met my eldest uncle. And he was one of those chaps who was either up in the attacks or down in the dumps, you know. He was very mercurial. And he got very depressed over this news and my sisters came back and they said, 'Uncle Cecil says we must sue to Hitler for the best terms we can get.' And my mother said, 'What on earth is Cecil thinking of? We shall fight to the death.'

I always remember her saying that. She was going to hit him with a hockey stick, I think."

In Bishopthorpe, like everywhere else, men, women and children on the Home Front adapted to a different way of life; they put up with shortages; saved for the war effort; "dug for victory"; "got on with everything" and "did their bit". They joined organisations such as the Home Guard, the Civil Defence and the National Fire Service; they raised money for Spitfires and Hurricanes; they knitted much-needed socks for seamen.

Bishopthorpe Womens' Institute knitting socks for seamen using special 'oily' wool.

If you would like to see more, then visit Bishopthorpe Library where our display will be on show until 4 September.

Library opening hours:
Monday: 2 - 5 pm
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 2 - 7.30 pm
Thursday: 10 am - 12 noon and 2 - 5 pm
Friday: 2 - 7.30 pm
Saturday: 10 am - 12.30pm

Just before the deluge!

2009-06-24T20:34:47Z

Group members Gweneth Marshall, Linda Haywood, Helen Fountain and Freda Smith were all smiles until the rain set in at the Gala on Saturday.

At 12 noon on Saturday, the heavens opened just as members of the public entered the Palace grounds for the annual Gala. It was a stall-holder's nightmare. Members of the Bishopthorpe Local History Group rushed to cover their computer, books, photos and the WW2 display with plastic sheeting - and it wasn't removed until the end of play. The gazebo leaked and swayed - one poor man received the contents of pooling water down the back of his neck!

Despite the inclement weather, we enjoyed ourselves. The Gala provides an excellent way of meeting new people and old friends alike - of showing the Community Archive; gaining further information; and helping with queries on the history of the village.

Thanks to the organisers for all their hard work. Roll on next year's event - can't wait to get the waterproofs out again!

Viewing Bishopthorpe History at the Gala

2009-06-17T21:55:35Z

It's Gala time at the Palace again and, fortunately, the weather forecast is looking fair. The members of Bishopthorpe Local History Group will be at their stand where you will be able to see many photographs of village life taken throughout the 20th century. Come along and delve into the digital Community Archive which currently holds over 1200 photographs of Bishopthorpe people, buildings, views and events.

Some of the photographs were taken during the war years. Seventy years ago on 3rd September 1939, Britain declared war on Germany. To commemorate this event, we are displaying photographs of the villagers who 'did their bit' on the Home Front in WW2.

On our stand, there will also be a selection of cards and prints of old Bishopthorpe for sale, as well as books on the history of this area.

And don't forget to pick up your free copy of the popular Bishopthorpe History Trail.

We look forward to meeting you in the Palace grounds on Saturday, 20th June between 12 noon and 4.00 p.m.

The Pinfold - A Moveable Beast!

2009-05-06T14:42:57Z

The modern 'pinfold' was built on the site of an earlier structure which was demolished in
1968. But before this, in 1829, a new pinfold was built across the road.

Two years ago, when I wrote a history of the Bishopthorpe pinfold for the Millennium Trust, there was one thing that puzzled me: Was the pinfold always in the same place?

Bishopthorpe was first surveyed by the Ordnance Survey in 1846 and the resulting map published five years later. On that map, the pinfold is shown near to the entrance to Copmanthorpe Lane. The OS re-surveyed the village in 1891 and this revealed the pinfold tucked into the end of a field - i.e. where the modern, lottery-funded structure is now situated, between Appleton Road and Copmanthorpe Lane.

The 1846 OS Map showing the pinfold built outside Ann Challenger's orchard in 1829 (where the Methodist Church is now situated).

The position of the pinfold surveyed in 1891. This one probably replaced the pinfold (seen above in 1846) that Archbishop Thomson demolished in 1865.

At first, I questioned the accuracy of the 1846 survey, but the position of the pinfold at that time was corroborated by another plan produced in the same year by the proposed London & York Railway. I was mystified - why would it be necessary to demolish a brick pinfold and rebuild it a few metres away? I had no answer, but unexpectedly discovered some further information.

Last summer, while researching the Bishopthorpe Manor Court Minute Book, I found that the pinfold had, indeed, been rebuilt in a different position. At a court dated 26 October 1829, an item caught my eye: A "new" pinfold was erected in front of Ann Challenger's orchard - but it was there "under sufferance". The overseer had to pay her two pence per annum as "an acknowledgement that it is to be removed when she may require".

The orchard in question was the long field in which the Methodist Church and the semi-detached houses in Sim Balk Lane are now situated. Whether Mrs. Challenger ever requested the pinfold to be removed is not recorded, but one was taken down some years later by the Lord of the Manor, Archbishop Thomson.

However, Dr. Thomson's "appropriation" of the site of the pinfold for his private use was met with some indignation. At the manor court leet held on the 28 October 1865, twelve local jurymen told the Archbishop's steward that "great public inconvenience" had been experienced by the removal of the pinfold. After all, where would the pinder enclose straying animals that caused a nuisance? The jurymen trusted that the Lord of the Manor would "obviate such inconvenience in future by causing another Pinfold to be erected in some convenient place within the Manor".

It can only be presumed from these two entries - for there are no others concerning the pinfold - that the pound which Archbishop Thomson pulled down was the one situated outside Ann Challenger's orchard. Unfortunately, it is not known why the Archbishop should have removed such a useful structure at the cost of upsetting the Bishopthorpe householders.

Eventually, another pinfold was built and it is likely to be the same one that appears on the 1891 survey. This pinfold remained in situ until 1968 when the Parish Council deemed it an "eyesore" and had it demolished.

In 2007, the base of this pinfold was unearthed and the new, lottery-funded structure was built within its foundations. Bricks made in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries were discovered. The earlier bricks suggest that they were re-cycled from a similar structure built some time before 1829; but where that was situated is anyone's guess.

Linda Haywood

Sources
York Reference Library: Ordnance Survey Maps published 1851, 1893.
Borthwick Institute: Manor of Bishopthorpe: CCAb 12/Bis: Minute Book, 1829 - 1911.
York City Archives: (Railway Deposited Plans) DP 2/31, Part 3, Sheet 93; DP 2/33a, Book of Reference, Part 3: Bawtry to York.