Life in Castley Lane

By JM Parish

First published in the Wharfedale Newsletter September 1993

The recent report in the Wharfedale (Wharfedale & Airedale Observer) concerning a proposal to build houses in Castley Lane brought memories flooding in.   The house in Castley Lane – each with a piece of land going down to the river – were originally built by the West Riding County Council.  The land was made available by Squire Fawkes as smallholdings for ex- servicemen a few years after the end of the 1914-18 war.  My parents were among the first tenants.  At number one the sign read:

                   SEPTIMUS GARDENER Maker of Gardens – Seedsman – Florist Closed on Sundays

These were the GARDENERs, members of the Methodist Church in which Mr Gardener was a local preacher.

I forget the name of the original family at number two.  They were followed by the LONGBOTTOMs, who were there for many years before moving to Pool.  The BLANDs were at number three then the PODMORE family at number four.  Mr Podmore, who was disabled, did hairdressing and I believe, insurance collecting.

Next were the DENTONs, (still there I think), and at number six were the O’HALLORANs with a poultry farm.  They lived opposite “the big tree”, a landmark known to all.  At number seven were Mr and Mrs JAGGER and at number eight the LEACH family.  Mr Leach was a remote figure, working permanently on the night shift at Pool Paper Mill, so when playing there we had to be quiet.

Number nine bore the sign:

DOBBY Joiner, Painter & Poultryman

I remember helping their lively, high-spirited grand-daughter Myra, who lived with them, to turn the handle of the small mill which kibbled the whole grains into the right size for the chickens.  Mrs Dobby and next door’s Mrs STONEHOUSE – (I believe the WHITEHEADs lived there first) – used to catch the bus at the end of the lane to Bradford with baskets of eggs to sell there to regular customers.

At number eleven (where the son’s widow still lives) were the KITSONs, next door to us at number twelve.  Their daughter, Joyce and I being of an age, grew up together, until Mother (then widowed) decided to move to Otley, after the river had flooded twice.  One year it stopped level with our front doorstep and the next time came into the house.  The family of Norman HUDSON, a motor mechanic with a false leg, were at number thirteen.  He built up a small haulage business.  The GLOVERs were at number fourteen.  Mrs Glover worked part-time as a cashier at the cinema in Otley.  At number fifteen were the LUPTONs and at number sixteen the WEDGE family.

Most of these families had children around the ages of my sister and me.  We all walked to Pool school together and played hopscotch, skipping, whip and top and marbles in the road outside our houses or ranged through each others’ houses and gardens at hide and seek or bobbies and thieves.   As well as calling at each others houses people would meet when out walking.  How we walked!  It was a recreation and a necessity and visitors were always taken for walks.  Only Mr Hudson and later the farmers, had motor vehicles and people would often walk down the lane from the bus stop together after having been to Otley.  I remember on summer Saturday nights, with the bedroom window open, hearing the farm men passing by, singing Nellie Dean.  All the men who didn’t have businesses were in work, some at the mill, some on farms and others in trades.  All had large gardens, most kept hens and some had a pig or two.

My father, William (Billy) Lupton DENISON, being from a family of butchers, used to kill the pigs for people.

When I think back it is surprising, with the size of the families, how many also had lodgers, sometimes unmarried brothers or sisters.  Castley Lane supported many people.

I don’t know the lane now, or if you could call it a settlement but originally it was a community which didn’t draw its skirts aside from neighbours but shared their lives with them.  I am truly glad I grew up a Castley Laner.

Horsforth National School Logbook Extracts 1925/26

1925

21st April Infant school closed due to measles epidemic.

29th April I have today sent confidential reports to the County Hall, Wakefield on the following 22 candidates for County Minor Scholarships:

Boys

S COOPER

N MILLAR

R THOMPSON

E STEAD

J JACKSON

W GREIG

E DAVEY

H GILES

D HAYES

R WILES

G GELDART

Girls

P WHITHAM

R CLARK

G PEMBERTON

A STOCKHILL

K RAWSON

P RHODES

M CLAYTON

K CUSS

M THOMPSON

P OSTICK

B SMITH

2ND July I have today received information from the County Hall, Wakefield that 20 children have been awarded County Minor Scholarships.  The names are as follows:

Boys

G H GELDART

W GREIG

S COOPER

E DAVEY

E STEAD

R THOMPSON

H GILES

RH WILES

J JACKSON

W HAYES

Girls

K CUSS

K RAWSON

M THOMPSON

A STOCKHILL

R CLARK

G M PEMBERTON

BC SMITH

M CLAYTON

P RHODES

P WHITHAM

17TH July The following boys are to attend Woodhouse Grove School tomorrow for Oral Examination

There are six free places and in the 18 to be interviewed seven are from this school:

Ernest STEAD, Willie GREIG, Richard THOMPSON, Edwin WAITE, Alfred WATSON, George GELDART, Norman MILLAR.

20TH July I have today been informed that two of the six free places at Woodhouse Grove have been secured by Ernest STEAD, Willie GREIG.

1926

16th February.   After twenty three years service in this school Miss Marion Waller ceased her duties here today.

1st March Miss Marjery Stockdale 21 St George’s Road Harrogate, certified assistant mistress commenced duty as a supply teacher for the month of March.

31st March Miss Marjery Stockdale terminated her duties here today.

2nd April Teaching staff the year 1926/27:

Class 1   Std 8 FE SHARP                  18

Class 2   Std 7 Mr T WARREN        49

Class 3 Std 6 Mrs GRIMSHAW     39

Class 4 Std 5 Miss BACHELOR       42

Class 5 Std 4 Mrs HANCOCK         42

Class 6 Std 3 Miss GORDON         36

Class 7 Std 1 & 2 Miss HICKINSON 25 + 10

30TH April Miss Stockdale having secured a permanent place in Shipley to commence on 1st May ceased her duties today.

2nd July I have today been informed that the following children have been awarded County Minor Scholarships:

Philip CRAVEN, Edwin WAITE, Edward GREEN, Walter ROBINSON, Alan WHITHAM, Hilda SHEARER, Margery TOWNSEND.

9TH July In connection with the grant of free place at Woodhouse Grove Grammar School the following four boys have been requested to attend for final interview this evening:

Kenneth SUTCLIFFE, Edwin WAITE, Felix LAMBERT, Edward GREEN.

Otley Methodists Amateur Dramatics

These photographs are believed to come from the Primitive Methodist Church which was situated on Station Road in Otley. It closed around 1965.

Back row:  George Brearcliffe, Herbert Rigg,  ?  , Arthur chaffer, Jimmy Trotter,

Seated:  Mary Pope, Rita Walker,  Joan Moxon, Norma Hodgson,  ?  , Mavis Hodgson

Ladies Play 1940s

Back Row:  Mrs Daley, Lily Craven, Vera Parker, Sally Craven, Mrs Tiffany. Lily Stephenson, Mrs Atkinson, Ellen Jones, Florrie Brearcliffe

Seated:  Ethel Briggs, Mrs Shearsmith, Cora Thirlby, Molly Ogle, Marian Bartle, Hilda Hartley

Seated on floor:  Joan Moxon, Barbara Atkinson

Back row:  Elsie Clapham, Vera Parker, Doreen Chaffer, Cora Thurlby, Ellen Jones, Florrie Brearcliffe, Mrs Stephenson, Molly Ogle, Florrie Brearcliffe

Front row:  Ethel Briggs, Edie Brookes, Hilda Hartley, Mrs Shearsmith, Joyce Spencer, Margaret Scott, Christine Carter, Marian Bartle.

Horsforth National School Logbook Extracts 1923/24

8th February Miss MM Allan, School doctor visited the school today assisted by Nurse Winterburn.

29th March Joseph Barnes finished his duties today as school cleaner.  Owing to the crowded state of the school the West Riding Education Committee has informed the School Managers that the usual practice of promoting children from the Infants dept., will not take place this year.  Consequently the classes have been divided into six classes.  These classes are:

                Boys      Girls       for 1st April 1923

Class 1   20           24           Mr Thos. H Warren          C

Class 2   26           22           Miss M Grimshaw            C

Class 3   19           27           Mrs HA Hancock               U

Class 4   26           19           Miss Nellie Murgatroyd C

Class 5   28           25           Miss Marion Waller         C

Class 6   26           27           Miss Elsie Hickleton         C Trained Bingley TC

                                                Miss Emma Lilian Preston St T

                                                David W Smith                   HT Trained St Mark’s Chelsea

9th April Received notice that three children hose fourteenth birthday occurred during last week’s holiday are exempt from further attendance: Albert Whitham, Sam Hutchinson, Millie Rhodes. 

Mr Wm Hogg, Church View, Off Town commenced duties as School Cleaner.

15th April County Minor Scholarship Examination held 16th February – Received notification from the Education Dept. WRCC the undermentioned children have passed have passed the written examination.  Those marked with an X are asked to attend Yeadon & Guiseley Secondary School on various dates to undergo an Oral Examination:

Pearson Clifford

X Long Harold

Hartley Dick

X Whitehead George

X Oxley Jack

X Willoughby Jack

Allinson Leslie

X Cooper Leslie

Bellingham Horace

Thompson Stanley

Gedge Lesllie

Payne Henry

X Hatfield Marion

Gaunt Eva

Rhodes Majorie

Gee Constance M

X Gaines Annie

26th April Whole day’s holiday given, marriageof Duke of York and Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon.

28th May Mirs Nellie Murgatroyd has been granted two weeks leave of absence without salary.  Her husband has been away in India for more than three years and Mrs Murgatroyd wants to spend a week or two with him on the Continent.   Miss Mary Alice Hallday has been engaged as Supply Teacher and takes Class 4.  Finished 8th June.

6th June Result of the award of scholarships published this morning in the Yorkshire Post:

The under mentioned have gained scholarships:

Clifford Pearson

Dick Hartley

George Whitehead

Jack Oxley

Leslie Allinson

Hor. Bellingham

Stanley Thompson

Leslie Gedge

Henry Payne

Eva Gaunt

Mary Rhodes

Const. M Gee

Annie Gaines

7th September During the week several promotions have been made, one reason for this is the admission of children from the infants dept. Names of children promoted:

To Sixth Class To Fifth Class To Fourth Class
Sam Mawson Walter Robinson Hedley Giles
Kenneth Coupland George Braithwaite Felix Lambert
Frank Bentley Harry Ingham Alan Whitham
Elsie Jackson Roy Dickinson Philip Craven
Eva Shearer Charlotte Fawcett Dennis Hayes
Hilda Owen Elsie Pemberton Edward Green
Joan Bolton Margery Townsend George Geldart
Norah Shearer Kathleen Cuss
Nellie Gaines Gladys Pemberton
Georgina Pullan Annie Stockhill
Kathleen Rawson
Florence Liddan
To Third Class To Second  Class To First (top) Class
Johnnie Lawson Leslie Hallam Leslie Cooper
Harry Child Wilfred Hixon Sydney Dickinson
Richd Thompson Leonard Lee Henry Clay
Jack Batty Fred Walker Sydney Gedge
Stanley Cooper Jane Baines Jack Giles
Ernest Stead Irene Mawson Jas. Arth. Jackson
Wm Greig Amy Radcliffe George Whitehead
Ernest Bentley Phyllis Whitham
Norman Millar Maud Mawson
Mary Hall Gertrude Britton
Lily Louth Dorothy Hadwin
Edith E. Collins

Staff      1st class Mr TH Warren                   36

                2nd Class Mrs M Grimshaw           38

                3rd Class Mrs HA Hancock              44

                4th Class Mrs N Murgatroyd         46

                5th Class Miss M Waller                  51

                6th Class Miss Elsie Hickinson       51

St 1 Teaher Miss Emma L Preston to 14h September after which dateshe proceeds to Bingley Training College.  Signed DW Smith Head Teacher

28th September Mirs Nellie Murgatroyd finished work in this school as Assistant Mistress. Her husband having obtained a position in Toronto for which city they sail on 12 October.

1st October Miss Emily Exley commenced work as Temporary Assistant Teacher.

22nd October Richard Norris left the school to return to his home in Starbeck.

2nd November Mr FE Sharp who has been appointed to the headmastership of this school spent part of the day here.

9th November Miss Emily Exley finished her work here as Assistant Teacher (Supply).

12th November Miss Janette Bachelor, The Old Vicarage, BIlton in Ainsty commenced her duties as Assistant Mistress.  She is a trained CA Bingley TC 1921-23 and takes charge of the 4th Class.

17th November a final reunion of the Old Scholars was held in St Margaret’s Hall , over 300 being present………………After the Vicar’s opening remarks I was presented with an illuminated autograph book containing the names of 700 subscribers.

30th November  I am now concluding my last as headmaster of the Horsforth National School haing served from 2nd February 1885 until 30th November 1923………..DW SMITH

29th February Mr Wm. Hogg, Caretaker, has tendered one month’s resignation today. 

31st March Mr Wm. Hogg, Caretaker, ceased his duties today.

1st April Mr J Foster commenced his duties as school caretaker.  New registers opened.  43 children admitted from the Infants dept. and have been placed in Std 2

Class                      standard              teacher  

1                              Ex V11                   Head teacher      12

2                              V11                        Mr TH Warren   52

3                              V1                           Miss E Dickinson 45

4                              V                             Mrs Hancock       47

5                              1V                           Miss Bachelor      45

6                              111                         Miss Waller           53

7                              11                           Mrs Grimshaw    43

9th April Mrs Hancock absent this afternoon to attend the funeral of a relative.

28th April The WR Authority has asked for reports on two more scholarship candidates, Jane Barnes and Irene Burrrough.

29th April Letter received from Divisional Clerk granting Ralph Thompson exemption from school having reached the age of fourteen and obtained employment.

12th May Letter received granting exemption to May child and Eva Robinson from 9th May 1924 and to Daisy White head from 23rd May 1924.

23rd May Letter received granting exemption to Elsie Marsden and Annie Preston.

30th May Exemption from attendance granted to Reginald Conn and Herbert Bartley.

17th June Mrs Hancock is absent today to attend the funeral of her father-in-law.

25th July Miss Bachelor left school today to attend course of instruction in London, a week’s leave of absence with pay having been granted.

1st September The following children have gained County Minor Scholarships:

Leslie Cooper, Jack Giles, Sydney Coupland, Dorothy Dibb, Dorothy Watson, Sydney Dickinson, Leslie Hallam, Wilfred Hixon, Mary Batterbee, Gertrude Britton, Jane Barnes, Irene Burrough, Dorothy Dickiinson, Stella Firth. 

Woodhouse Grove Secondary School Ralph Moss, Edward Clay.


Horsforth National School Logbook Extracts 1919/20

1919 10th January Miss Ethel Kendall has informed me she is to be married on 18th January and asked for leave of absence for a fortnight from the 15thJan.  Permission given.

18th January Miss Kendall married to Lt. TL Cameron at Horsforth St Margaret’s Church.

4th February Mr TH Warren, Assistant Master who joined HM Forces in January 1915 has been discharged from the Army.  Mrs Cameron wishes to resign her position at the school from 28th February.

1st April Commencement of the new school year.  Admitted 17 boys and 31 girls from the infant dept.  Staff:

Std 1 Mrs M Grimshaw, Std 2 Miss M Waller, Std 3 Mrs N Murgatroyd, Std 4 Mrs HA Hancock, Std 5 Mr JH Warren, Std 6 Mrs B Jordan, Std 7 WN Small.

28th April Have received the result of the written examination for Minor Scholarships held 22nd February last. The following children have passed:

Lucy CHILD, Hy. MARSDEN, Edna DIBB, Jas. Ar. SHAW, Hazel HARTLEY,  Sydney HENSON, Katherine M HOGG, T Edwin WALTON,

13 children sat for the examination – Emily CRIBB, Lorna HARDAKER, Nellie HUNT, Fred UPTON, Harold WESTWOOD failed to pass.

8th July Received notice from the Education Authority, Secondary Branch that the following children have been awarded County Minor Scholarships:

Harry Marsden aged 11 years, Jas Arth. Shaw aged 11 years, Thos. Edwin Walton aged 11 years, Hazel Hartley aged 11 years.

1St September Staff:      

Mrs M Grimshaw Std 1, Miss M Waller Std 2,                                          Mrs N Murgatroyd Std 3, Mrs HA Hancock Std 4 ,                             

Mr Thos H Warren Std 5, Mrs AB Horner Std 6,                                                 DW Smith Std 7

8th September Received a visit from Mrs Hancock’s husband who brought a certificate that Mrs Hancock is suffering from heart trouble and has been advised to take a long rest.

21st September Mrs Florence Dinsdale commenced as supply teacher in place of Mrs Hancock.

3rd October Mrs Dinsdale has been away from school the whole week.  I have received a letter informing me that due to the railway strike Mrs Dinsdale has been unable to travel to school.  She lives in Manningham, Bradford.

6th Ocotber Mrs Hancock has returned to school after an absence of 23 working days.

20th October Mrs Hancock away from school.  She has been to a specialist who has forbande her to return until she has the results of xrays.

7th November Miss Waller away from school due to sickness.

21st November Miss Waller, suffering from gastritis will be away until Christmas.

 1920 5th January Miss Waller and Mrs Dinsdale have returned to their duties.  Mrs AB Horner has given notice of her intention to leave the school on 31st January.  Her reason is difficulty in getting to and from her home in Otley.

2nd February Mrs HM Flesher commences as supply teacher.

16th April                              Mrs M Grimshaw Std1

                                                Miss M Waller Std 2

                                                Mrs N Murgatroyd Std 3

                                                Mrs HA Hancock Std 4

                                                Mr Thos H Warren Std 5

                                                Mrs HM Flesher Std 6

                                                DW Smith Std 7

19th April Received notification from the Education dept., WRCC the following children have passed the written portion of the County Council Minor Scholarship Examination held on Saturday 21st February:

Boys

Clifford ELLIOTT, Harold NELSON, Joe BARRETT, Kenneth WILLOUGHBY, John M BRAITHWAITE, Franklin THOMPSON.

Girls

Kathleen HICKINSON, Dora THOMPSON, Edith E SHAW, Marie SMITH.

Two children, Jack CRAVEN, Annie TWEEDALE failed to pass.

The children who pass the examination have been notified to attend Guiseley Secondary School on various dates to undergo an Oral Examination.

8TH July Received notification from the Education Secondary Branch Wakefield that the following children have been awarded County Minor Scholarships at Guiseley Secondary School:

William Kenneth WILLOUGHBY, John M BRAITHWAITE, Clifford ELLIOTT, Kathleen HICKINSON, Dora THOMPSON, Edith E SHAW,  boys, Jack CRAVEN, Franklin THOMPSON and Joe BARRETT, sat for the written examination this evening.  Two papers Arithmetic and English 1 ½ hours each.

26th July Franklin Thompson and Joe Barrett have passed the written examination for Woodhouse Grove School and are to attend the school to undergo an oral examination next Wednesday.

30th August School reopened…… 27 children have left the school since closing a month ago……15 have exemptions certificates and have gone to work.   Six have gained County Minor Scholarships.  Six others will attend Guiseley Secondary School on the reopening as paying pupils.

Cononley – Butchers

From the Hodgson Collection held at Skipton Local Studies Library

Abbreviation KPA = Kildwick Parish Register

Laurence LEE   KPR 1727,1728,1730,1737, 1739,1778, died 1785 aged 90

Edward MORVEL/MORVILLE    KPR 1720,1723, 1726,1728, 1733, 1749 recorded as “Husbandman”.     Died 1768 aged 74

John HUDSON      KPR 1736,1737,1739,1740,1742,1743, 1781

James RAMSDEN  KPR 1753

Thomas GREEN    KPR 1777,1783

John WATSON       KPR 1810,1812

Anthony SPENCER   Craven Muster Roll 1803

William SPENCER   Baines Directory 1822

Ralph GARTH           Pigot’s Directory 1841                   

William MASON       Pigot’s Directory 1841   

Jonas SPENCER         Pigot’s Directory 1841   

James GIBB                 1861 Census age 30

Edward SPENCER     1871 Census King Street age 45

James GILL                  1871 Census Peel’s Fold age 42

David DUCKWORTH 1880 Craven Household Almanac Butcher

Craven Household Almanac Butcher & Farmer

 1882-83 Craven Household Almanac Farmer & Coal Dealer

TH DUCKWORTH 1909/10 Craven Household Almanac Butcher & Farmer 1911 Craven Household Almanac Farmer only

1879-1881 Craven Household Almanac Name only

John METCALFE   1912-1914 Craven Household Almanac Farmer & Butcher 110 Main St.

Heaton SMITH   1880 Craven Household Almanac

John James COATES   1884 Craven Household Almanac Butcher

JS ARCHER  1886-1892 Craven Household Almanac Butcher

James Wm Archer SAGAR  1893-1899 Craven Household Almanac Butcher

Chadwick J SMITH Apr 1919 Cononley Parish Mag. Advert Butcher & Main St. Cononley & Lothersdale       

William GREEN 1928-32 Craven Household Almanac Butcher Bradley’s Farm, 71 Main St. 1939 Cononley Parish Mag. Advert Butcher

 George Cyril BINGHAM  1932 Craven Household Almanac Butcher & Grocer