Bishopthorpe Local History Group

Bishopthorpe's Boer War Soldiers

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:01:02 +0100

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

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 08:55:43 +0100

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

Tue, 25 Aug 2009 19:10:35 +0100

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!

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 21:34:47 +0100

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

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 22:55:35 +0100

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!

Wed, 06 May 2009 15:42:57 +0100

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.

The History of Acaster Malbis

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 12:39:00 +0100

On Tuesday, 28th April, Bishopthorpe Local History Group is holding an open meeting at the Methodist Church Hall, Copmanthorpe Lane at 7.30pm. We are delighted to welcome our guest speaker - and neighbour - Catrina Appleby, who will be giving an illustrated talk on, 'The History of Acaster Malbis'.

During refreshments, there will be the opportunity to browse the digital archive collection of Bishopthorpe photographs.

All are welcome to join us for what promises to be an enjoyable evening.
The charge for non-members: 2GBP.

Fresh Air and Fun!

Fri, 10 Apr 2009 18:52:06 +0100

Spring is in the air and local Clubs and Societies start to think of annual outings - at least they used to do! In the late 1940s, the Acaster and Bishopthorpe Fishing Club would hire a bus and take a summer away day for a picnic and - what? They look a bit over-dressed for a spot of fishing! Mrs Lily Foggin, who donated the following photographs to the Archive, told me that on these outings her husband Reg, "Left me with the bairns - well, I wasn't interested in fishing."

Reg Foggin can be seen seated in the centre row, third from the right. Next to him on the right are Eric Barton and Arthur Schofield. Does anyone know where this photograph was taken?

To be fair, Mrs. Foggin did get away from the bairns occasionally. However, the ladies, of course, followed more cultural pursuits!

In 1947, the Bishopthorpe Mother's Union enjoyed a trip to Fountains Abbey. Mrs. Foggin is standing on the left in the striped skirt.

Sporting their Sunday-best outfits, the Mother's Union visited Ripon in 1952. Mrs. Lily Foggin is kneeling in the centre, front row, with Beatrice Fountain and Elsie Cox. Standing behind in a white suit and clutching a smart bag, is Mrs. Irene Thackrah. They all seem to be relishing their precious day of fresh air and fun!

Can you provide more information about these photographs? Just add a comment below.

Winter Ghost Stories

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 20:23:45 +0100

The frozen pond in the Palace grounds near to the hauling lane where ghostly figures once terrified the villagers.

Everyone loves a ghost story, especially told in the dark winter months - and our ancestors were no exception. Apparently, through the centuries, many tales were told concerning a number of ghostly figures that once haunted this very locality and chilled the heart of every villager who stepped out at night.

In the 1890s, a local historian, one Mr. William Camidge - and let it be said, a respectable citizen of York - spent much time talking to residents of the city and surrounding villages. He wrote up his findings as articles for the Yorkshire Gazette and eventually published a collection in a small book entitled, Ouse Bridge to Naburn Lock. Mr. Camidge found that ghosts and their wanderings were part of the local folklore of York and beyond. His attitude was one of scepticism and he treated such stories as nothing more than pure fiction. Despite this, he thought it worth devoting a whole chapter to the spectres that reputedly walked the area around Middlethorpe. Take them or leave them - this is what he learned.

The Headless Woman

Long years ago, on the hauling lane [tow path] that runs along the river down to Middlethorpe, a lady without a head walked every dark night, to the dismay and terror of many people. She was invariably clothed in white and the tale told of her death gave effect to her appearance. It was asserted that the woman walked by the river one summer night and, coming to the hauling lane where a clump of trees had braved the storms of centuries, she was cruelly murdered by decapitation. In death, bent on pursuing her murderers, she came forth at the witching hours of night, just as the boom of the Minster clock broke upon the still hour of midnight. Headless, but wrapped in a shroud, she wandered to and fro along the river bank and, when wearied with her fruitless toil, she returned to her dusty bed. Every inhabitant of Middlethorpe and Bishopthorpe could, many years ago, tell of seeing her, and describe her walk, her waiting, and her headless form.

Archbishop Scrope's Procession

The most veritable ghost was the one supposed to be that of Archbishop Scrope, who walked the road to conduct his own funeral procession. The Archbishop, it will be remembered, was tried in 1405 at the Palace, under the instruction of Henry IV. Found guilty of treason, he rode to his execution which took place in a field near Clementhorpe just outside the city.

The most persistent story told of his ghostly appearance was related by a man who made his living as a slaughterman, and by doing odd jobs for the butchers of the city. This Robert Johnson, accompanied by an apprentice, was sent to a farm beyond Bishopthorpe to fetch some sheep. As they returned in the darkness, nearing the hauling lane, each suddenly saw a coffin suspended in the air and moving slowly along in the direction of York. It tilted occasionally, as if borne on the shoulders of men who were thrown out of step by the rugged character of the roadway. The coffin was covered with a heavy black pall of velvet, fringed with white silk. Behind it, with measured tread, walked a bishop dressed in fine linen, bearing in his hands a large open book, over which his head was bent; but from his lips, no sound came. On went the procession, with the steady precision observed in bearing the dead to the grave.

While the men's sheep kept pace, they would not be driven past the strange sight. Both man and boy felt as if the power of speech had left them; for the moment, both were paralysed. Perspiration poured from them so that they bore the appearance of having been in the river. They felt as if the atmosphere was so heavy that it would not permit them to breathe. The spectral procession continued to move at a leisured pace till it came to the field where the Archbishop was beheaded. There the vision disappeared.

Robert Johnson and the apprentice made their way home in silence and were put to bed in a state of shock where they remained for several days. When sufficiently restored, their story was repeated with particular detail and gained universal credence from the fact that many villagers and citizens had experienced like sight and sensation. The boy forsook his business and went to sea, lest he be compelled to take a similar journey, whilst the man ever after avoided that road at nightfall, but never swerved from declaring his story true.

The Rattling Chains

One night, a man called out of bed the tenants of a small cottage not far from Middlethorpe. He assured them he had heard and seen a ghost. Exhausted with fright he sank upon a chair and had to be plied with brandy before he could tell his tale of terror. When removed to his home two or three hours afterwards, great concern was felt for his life. In the morning, the story broke amongst the villagers. They were keen to talk over, not only the sight and sound of that night, but of many a night before when others had been terrified by unearthly noises and strange appearances at the same spot. [The place in question happened to be the pinfold - not the one we are familiar with, but probably the one, long since demolished, near the turn off for Middlethorpe.]

Later on that day an old Irishman who travelled with a donkey and cart, especially in this neighbourhood, brought the ghost into sad disrepute. "Every night," he said, "when my work is done, I feed my donkey in the lanes, and then before going home I lodge him in the old pinfold. To keep him from running away I fasten his fore feet with a pair of old handcuffs bound together by a piece of chain. When a strange foot passing by breaks the slumbers of the poor beast, he raises his head and stretches his feet, rattling his chains in the effort - to the dismay of the pedestrian."

The chronicler, Mr. William Camidge, was quietly confident that this explanation not only got rid of this ghost very satisfactorily, but also provided a similar hypothesis for almost every spectre in the country. Who can tell? Once the sun goes down, walking the dark lanes of Bishopthorpe and Middlethorpe will never be quite the same again. Sleep well!

'Walking Through Time' proves a hit!

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 19:35:57 +0100

The History Trail leaflet, A Walk Through Time in Bishopthorpe, has proved to be very popular with residents and visitors alike. The free leaflet was launched by the Bishopthorpe Local History Group in June at the Gala. As its title suggests, participants are guided through the village finding buildings and features of historical interest.

Residents were able to pick up copies at local shops and pubs, while those from further afield found them at the libraries in York, Acomb, Copmanthorpe and Dringhouses. Holiday makers were not forgotten, for the Trail was also made available at Middlethorpe Hall and local caravan sites.

The pleasing result of this scheme was to be seen throughout the summer and autumn. Residents were spotted taking a fresh look at Main Street while visitors were found exploring the village with great interest. Some arrived in groups and were delighted to find handy resting places such as the Sensory Garden and the pinfold with its history panel.

The Group has stopped distributing the History Trail during the winter months - although a few copies can be found at Bishopthorpe Library. We would like to thank the Bishopthorpe Gala Committee for a generous donation towards the printing costs and also staff at York Library for help with the distribution.

A History Trail for the Village

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 17:39:44 +0100

Helen Fountain sets out on the Bishopthorpe History Trail.

Did you know that Bishopthorpe once had a village green or that one well-known building was originally built for the sole use of men? Discover this and much more when you take a stroll through the village with a recently-launched history trail leaflet. Called: "A Walk Through Time in Bishopthorpe", it has been produced by the Bishopthorpe Local History Group. Pick up your free trail at the library, pubs, churches and Lister's Newsagent.

Also - don't miss out on the display of old photographs of buildings featured in the leaflet at Bishopthorpe Library.

New design launched

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 15:31:49 +0100

Our web site is sporting a new look and feel thanks to the financial support of the Bishopthorpe Ward Committee. We hope you like it. Please feel free to comment on anything you see on this site. Use the contact page link above, or comment on a published article.

The Archbishop's Fall from Grace

Fri, 23 May 2008 19:16:52 +0100

On June 7th, 1842, an occurrence befell the aristocratic Archbishop of York, Dr. Edward Harcourt, which may have caused harm to his dignity rather than his person. The incident was reported with some glee in the local and national press, including that most respected of journals, The Times:

On Tuesday the venerable prelate consecrated the [new] church and churchyard …. at Ardsley, whence his Lordship proceeded, shortly after 2 o'clock, by railway, to the palace at Bishopthorpe, accompanied by the Rev. W. H. Dixon, one of his Grace's chaplains [and vicar of Bishopthorpe]. Before dinner the Archbishop took a walk in the fields in the vicinity of the palace, accompanied by Mr. Dixon, and as they were crossing an ancient drain, arm in arm, the united weight of the two gentlemen caused the arch of the drain to give way, and they both instantly plunged into the filthy water and mud beneath, almost up to their chests.

Fortunately, Mr. Egerton Harcourt, one of his Grace's sons, who was walking at a short distance in the rear of the two reverend personages, witnessed the occurrence and immediately hastened to their assistance. Owing to the perpendicular construction of the drain, their release was a matter of some difficulty; but we are happy to say that it was effected without other injury, either to the venerable prelate or to his chaplain, than what may arise from their sudden and involuntary immersion.

After undergoing the requisite lustration and changing his apparel, his Grace partook of dinner as usual, and was, we understand, not a little jocose upon the consternation which their sudden intrusion into the domains of the frogs and tadpoles must have occasioned the reptiles in the vicinity of the accident.

His Grace consecrated the new church at Clifford on the following day (Wednesday); and we are glad to be able to say that his Grace had not experienced any unpleasant consequences from the accident.

Indeed, the Archbishop's accident did not appear to have caused him any harm whatsoever. He lived for a further five years, dying at Bishopthorpe Palace on 5th November 1847 at the age of 90, having served as northern primate for a record 40 years.

The Times, 14 June 1842, p4.

York Herald, 18 June 1842, p2.

A History of the Bishopthorpe Allotments

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 20:37:36 +0100

Today, the popularity of working an allotment in Bishopthorpe means that

gardeners first have to join a waiting list.

THE HISTORY OF THE ALLOTMENTS begins with an 18^th century Enclosure Act. At this time, allotment meant a piece of land given to a parish or manor official in exchange for rights and holdings held in the open fields system.

In 1760, an enclosure act was drawn up for Bishopthorpe in which 2 acres 1 rood and 2 perches of land on the ings were given freehold to the “Trustees of Bishopthorpe Poor”. We do not know exactly what happened to this land, but on the Ordnance Survey map of 1851, which was surveyed in 1846, there is an area shown as "Field Garden Allotments".

A section from the 1851 Ordnance Survey map showing the Field Garden Allotments between Copmanthorpe Lane and Appleton Road. These allotments were lost when the railway was built.

This land, like much of the land in Bishopthorpe, was owned by the Archbishop and lies between the present Copmanthorpe Lane and Appleton Road where Bridge Road, Appleton Court and part of The Coppice now stand. This piece was divided into 28 small plots, 26 of which were worked by people who lived in the village at that time, and almost all of whom appear on the census of 1851. These seem to be more like the small plots we think of as allotments today. During the period from 1867 to 1871, this land was bought by the North Eastern Railway for the construction of the East Coast Main railway line to London.

In January 1895, the first meeting of the Bishopthorpe Parish Council took place. The early minutes were concerned with the provision of allotments. Various land owners were contacted to see if they would let land for this purpose. At the March meeting of the Parish Council, the Ecclesiastical Commissioners replied offering several fields including fields 119 and 126 shown on the O. S. map of 1893. These two fields became the present garden allotments.

April 2008: Preparing seed beds at the allotments in Acaster Lane (field 126).

The Parish Council has Allotment Rent Books dating back to 1931. At that time there were 26 garden allotments on Appleton Lane (Road). Each one was half a rood in size (1/8th of an acre or about 26 x 25 yards). These were let at 7s 6d per year (38p). Field 126 in Acaster Lane was divided into three half-acre plots. In 1934 these were subdivided into 6 plots of various sizes at various rents and in 1950 further subdivided into 14 plots. Today there is not a great demand for large plots so further division has taken place and there are now 35 plots. The current rents are calculated at 0.5p per square foot per year and average at £10.00. The Parish Council pays a rent to the Church Commissioners and runs the allotments as a business, which makes a small profit. In return, it provides some maintenance for allotment holders. In 1994, about half of the Appleton Road site was sold for the building of housing (now The Orchard) and the remaining space made into 27 plots.

Allotment Holders Societies

The first record of one of these societies that we have in Bishopthorpe is in the Robin Hill Collection. This tells us that in 1948 there was a Bishopthorpe Allotment Holders and Gardeners Association with 153 members. This seems quite a large number considering the size of the village at the time. Members paid 1s 6d (8p) per year. For this, they were able to buy supplies at favourable prices. There were seed potatoes at 3s (15p) per stone, vegetable and flower seeds, hop manure, artificial and organic manures ranging from basic slag at 1s (5p) per stone to fish guano at 5s 9d (32p) a stone; and lime at 1s 6d (8p) for a cwt bag. The secretary was H. Roberts and as well as organising the sales, he arranged several social events. There were film shows and lectures, an outing in 1948 to Sledmere Hall, a social evening with whist (to which members could take ONE lady), a ventriloquist, refreshments and dancing.

But the big events were the Annual Shows. These took place in the Reading Room, now the Village Hall. One such Show was held on Saturday, September 4, 1948. There were 34 classes for vegetables, fruit, flowers and preserves and one class for children under 15 years for a posy or display of wild flowers. It must have been quite a formal affair and was opened by Lt. Col. W. F. Tyndale G.M.G., D.S.O., J.P. Each class had three prizes of 3s (15p), 2s (10p), and 1s (5p), and 12 special prizes of 5s (25p) were given also, but the top prize was 10s (50p) for the best potatoes. At the end of the show, the exhibits were sold.

Tom Evans (1919 - 2004)

Tom Evans has left the Bishopthorpe Archive a lot of information about the allotments. He was a very successful allotment holder, winning prizes for his vegetables during the 1960s. He served on the committee of the Bishopthorpe Gardens Guild and was also the Honorary Secretary of the Bishopthorpe Social Club, Allotment and Garden Section.

When the Church Commissioners wanted to terminate the lease for the allotments in 1968, he fought passionately to prevent this. Tom enlisted help from the National Allotments and Gardens Society Ltd. and the Parish Council to see if two fields on Acaster Lane (126 and 139) could be registered as a common. In the same year, he also formed the Allotments and Garden section of the Bishopthorpe Social Club one aim of which was to, “form a united front to obtain security of tenure for allotment holders”. It is not clear from his notes how successful this action was, but plans to terminate the lease for field 126 seem to have been abandoned, whilst field 139 was built on as part of Keble Park.

However, in 1990 planning permission was sought for the building of houses on the Appleton Road allotments (field 119) as there were many vacant plots. After considerable negotiation between the planners, Church Commissioners and the Parish Council, development was granted on part of the site which is now The Orchard. It was recommended that the Church Commissioners should transfer ownership of the rest of the site to the Parish Council thus ensuring that the land should remain as allotments “so long as it is required for that purpose or some other form of public space”.

Diana Forrester

Sources:

Parliamentary Enclosure Act for Bishopthorpe of 1760.

Allotment Rent Books 1931 to 1980 and Parish Council Minutes 1895. (Bishopthorpe Parish Council).

The Robin Hill Collection and Tom Evans Collection. (Bishopthorpe Archives).

Bishopthorpe War Memorial is Listed

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 12:30:49 +0100

St. George and the Dragon - a detail on the Bishopthorpe War Memorial. It was carved by Robert Thompson of Kilburn to a design by Brierley & Rutherford.

IN FEBRUARY, Elaine Pearce, Secretary of State at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, wrote to the vicar of St. Andrew's Church to inform him that the Bishopthorpe War Memorial had been designated a listed structure. The reasons for the Grade II listing were given as follows:

It forms a poignant reminder of the effects of tragic world events on this local community.

It is a well-designed monument by a well-known architect, Walter Brierley.

It is made of high-quality materials, executed with excellent craftsmanship.

It has group value with the adjacent church, Archbishop's Palace and other designated buildings.

Its proximity to and historic association with the Archbishop of York's Palace gives it added significance.

The memorial now joins several other listed buildings in the village that enjoy the protection of the law. These include Bishopthorpe Palace, St. Andrew's Church, houses in Chantry Lane and The Ebor. For a roll of these buildings, click onto the history site here.

The memorial joins several listed buildings and structures in the village. These include Bishopthorpe Palace, St. Andrew's Church, several houses in Chantry Lane and The Ebor. English Heritage has recently made its database of listed buildings available online. To view those in the village key in "Bishopthorpe" on the Heritage Gateway site here. (The War Memorial has not yet been added to the site,)

Linda