Grewelthorpe

Message: Hi there, I have just been reading your website and thought how great it is that someone has taken the time to remember a little place like Grewelthorpe. I was actually born in Grewelthorpe in 1971 to Mr & Mrs L Chandler (nee peacock) and we lived at Camp Farm until around the late 70’s until we moved into Masham. Its lovely to see the photos people have put on there and remembering families I had long forgotten about.
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> Many thanks, Lee Chandler

My memories, are certainly well ‘etched’ ,my wife and I got married at St James, prior to that we had to pay a couple of visits to the vicarage, the first visit was nearly the last! As we arrived at the gate just out of Grewelthorpe on the Kirkby Road, entering, we were suddenly aware of the most enormous dog, bounding towards us.I say dog, but this was something of a cross between a lion and a Great Dane, we beat a hasty retreat back behind the gate, it arrived a second later but then seemed quite friendly. Perhaps there are some who remember this animal back in 1960, I decided to cautiously venture in (My intended wife pushed me in really) and it was really was quite friendly, perhaps it was a cunning ploy to test the proper commitment of the ‘intended’.Other memories of the event include the surprise after the wedding service to find the church gate securely tied up with string and “billy-band”. I hadn’t come across this custom before, another thing that nobody had warned me about.

I believe that my Grt, Grt, Grt, Grandfather Walter Calverley lived and died at Hackfall House in the mid 1800’s. Also that my Grt, Grt, Grandfather was born there in 1844, he was Frederick Clackson Calverley. Frederick when married moved to Darlington and called his house there Hackfall House, I suppose because of the wonderful memories of Hackfall. I have a diary of his life from 1879, he mentions visiting Hackfall with his children, walking through the woods, the Grotto etc, and going through to Mickley, he also mentions things in Mickley such as the Mill stop working in Feb 1882, and by 1884 it going to ruins. The other thing he mentions that I can’t find out about is Mickley Feast every year on 10th & 11th July. Fredericks mother is buried in St Johns Mickley along with other Calverleys, Frederick is remembered on the stone but buried at Darlington. Would love to hear if anyone knows anything about the Calverleys.

I lived in Holmfield between 1969 and 1971 with my parents, Sid and Sylvia, and my brothers, Colin and Andrew. We used to play cricket on the green with the kids of Holmfield and our friends from the Primary School. We had lots of fun taking the dogs for a walk in the woods with our parents, walking to Kirkby Malzard with friends, attending Sunday School etc. I have fond memories of Grewelthorpe, it was one of the best places I’ve lived in. I visited about 3 yrs ago and met Peter Lofthouse in the village and had a quick chat with him.

Seeing the Gala Day photos was great as I never remember the village holding one when I lived there.

I remember the Headmistress living by the pond with her sister and being told off by her for not going straight home after school.

Anyway, I’ll be re-visiting shortly and maybe my old home will now be occupied as it was empty on my last visit.

re: Mervyn Bains memory of Grewelthorpe regards the butchers shop next to the crown was my fathers which was William [Billy] Goundry not John Goundry as stated.

Mervyn Bain who attended Grewelthorpe school from 1947 to 1954 and lived in the village, the son of Evelyn Bain, nephew of Meg Bain and grandson of Emma Bain, sends the following memories.
“I had the dubious pleasure of being rescued from the middle of the pond after fallin thro’ the ice early one Sunday morning by Mr Togo Ashby who luckily heard my cries for help. His house was near the pond. He took me home wet, cold and miserable and my Gran Emma Bain gave me the scolding of my life.”
“Most Summers we would all go swimming in the river Ure via the long path through Hackfall wood. There was the Black Robin part of the river, deep, cold and still, followed by the rapids, shallow and swift. We were never supervised and I remember once pulling Ivan Chamberlain out of the water after he had been swept down the rapids.”
“We used to congregate under the archway next to the Crown pub to plot and scheme. Birthday parties etc. were normally held in the long room above the archway. John Goundry’s butchers shop was also under the arch.”
“I was the Church bell ringer, Altar boy and head choir boy. There were only 4 of us if the whole choir turned up. Myself, Joan Hewitt and the 2 Thirkill boys. It was also my job to get the church ready for evening service at 7 o’clock on Sunday nights. Imagine, on the dark winter nights with no street lghts around, an 8 year old boy walking thro’ the graveyard, into the church, then walking the full length of the aisle to the vestry in the pitch dark to reach the light switches. Why I’ve never had nightmares I’ll never know.

These are snippets of a letter written by Albert in 2003.
My wife [Irene Thackray] used to live with her parents at a farm called Cliff House, Grewelthorpe on the road side leading to what we called The Back Lane. Her Mother [Selina] died at that house and Old Sam her husband ended up with relatives at Mount Pleasant, Kirkby Malzeard. The name of the people in the house in front of Cliff House was Neesum.
I was only 16 years of age when I met my wife in Harrogate. There was no employment for young girls in those days. so they had to go into service at Harrogate for 10/- [50p] or 12/6 [63p] a week. I was living in 1 room at the time, 5/-a week [25p] unemployed. We got married in Knaresborough. The marriage lines cost 12/6.
We had a poverty stricken sort of life then and my Mother in Law bought me my first suit of clothing.
I was very well known in Grewelthorpe.I remember the Frankland family and another character called Emma Glew.
I got the habit of going into The Crown for one pint. The landlady Mary was very nice and if there were only 2 or 3 in she would say Take your drink into the kitchen and we can sit and talk after time. I was only a young lad. Many years later I met Mary in Follifoot where she was the landlady at the Radcliffe Arms.
I was selected to represent my company at the Coronation of the Queen's Father in London. What an experience.

Keith is the nephew of Alec & Anna Chamberlain who had the Crown Hotel from 1953-1957. He was boyfriend of Elizabeth Hall the daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Hall who had the shop near the old school. Keith now lives in Brampton, Ontario, Canada.

It is sad for me to see the Methodist Chapel shut down. There used to be a bellows pump handle on the left hand side of the organ console. When my Father was a boy, about 1908, he pumped the bellows and would go to sleep only to be rapped on the head by the organist to wake up and pump for the closing hymn.

I was born in Crown Cottage in 1937. Son of Jack & Annie. Annie had the grim task of laying people out after death. She was also the caretaker of the Reading Room in the late 40’s and 50’s. [See item on reading room in History section.]
She would tidy the books, light the stove and with my help would iron the billiard table all for £1.10s a month.[£1.50p]
I also blew the bellows for the organ in the church which was next door to our cottage. I got 3d[1.5p] a time for that.
I remember the bad winter of 1947 when the arch next to the Crown Inn was snowed up and the snow reached up to our bedroom windows. The windows and door of our cottage let the snow inside. We dug a tunnel under the snow across to the Inn which was run by Suzy Scott and we survived the storm.

I would like to hear from anyone researching the I’Anson line thro’ William I’Anson & Mary Carling. I am the Great Grand dau of John I’Anson their son born 1840 in Kirkby Malzeard. Please see the Genealogy section of this site.

Peter & Caro Roberts wish to point out that the invitation issued recently to all Grewelthorpe residents has the wrong day for the open evening of the Gardens. The invitation should read MONDAY 11th May 2009 from 5-30p.m. to 8p.m.
Entrance will be by invitation only.

SPENCE FAMILY.
Rose Hays would like to contact Peter Cockrill who also has an interest in Spence family genealogy. Would Peter please contact the site and we’ll put you in touch.

my spence family are from grewelthorpe
my2xg grandfather james was a cooper
most of his sons were connected to the timber industry
has any one any stories about them
rose

Hi
Tree Sparrows are in decline but still persist in small colonies in Yorkshire. Less likely to occur in towns and villages than House Sparrows, but still likely to be associated with old farm buildings and mature trees. If you see Tree Sparrows in your area I'd be pleased to know as I am researching historic and current locations for this bird in this area of North Yorkshire. Have a look at http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/t/treesparrow/index.asp
if you would like more info on identification, habitat and distribution
Thanks!

David Watkins

I am researching my family tree and I have so far reached back to James Atkinson (occupation; Cordwainer)who was born in West Tanfield c1755. He married Elizabeth Garforth in 1795 at Well They had three children:Hannah c1796, Christopher c1798 and Elizabeth c1801.
I would be most grateful for any information or help anyone could offer.
Thank you
Mark James Atkinson

In response to Rosalind McAllisters request I have put a “Burton” page in the genealogy section.

i am researching my ancestors the Burtons from Grewelthorpe can anyone help please. kind regards

I am looking for the birth and marriage of WILLIAM ELLIS born in Neasham/Newsham about 1820.
He married JANE EWART of Harewood in 1840.
Their son WILLIAM was born in Middleton Tyas according to the 1851 census.
Any information appreciated.

I am researching the Berry surname in the area around Knaresborough. One of my decendants stated that the his Berry family originated at Hackfall Wood. Any suggestions would be greatfull…Jim King USA

I am doing some research into the life of Rev. James Dalton [1831-1862] only son of Cecil Wray Dalton. First vicar of Grewelthorpe. Some records state that Cecil was vicar from 1847 others from 1858. He was living in North Stainley 1851/61 and the parsonage 1871. Are any details known of his posts or occupation from becoming Curate of Dinsdale in 1831 to becoming vicar of Grewelthorpe.
Your help appreciated.
[See item on Genealogy page for contact]

Howard Dalton would like to know the whereabouts of the church minute books for the period 1845-1865. Can anyone help?

Merv Bain asks for information about any of the pupils who were at Grewelthorpe school with him from 1947-1954. If this was you please get in touch through this site.

In response to Neil Howlett’s request for information about Beggar Bush I have placed a map of Grewelthorpe on the history site.

I am researching the place name “Beggar’s Bush”. I note that the 1915 Directory records “Thompson William . . . Farmer . . . Beggars Bush Farm.” I would be grateful for any other information about this entry. Where is it ? Is this now “Bush Farm” ? Are there any other records of this name ? Many thanks.
Neil Howlett MA (Cantab)
6 West End, Frome, Somerset BA11 3AD
neilmhowlett@hotmail.com

To be updated of forthcoming events in Grewelthorpe, email us at and ask to be added to the mailing list!

Lift to/from Ripon required.

I am looking for a lift to Ripon at approximately 8am weekdays.
I am willing to contribute to fuel costs.
If you can help please contact me, Joe Hart on 01765 658436 or at 2 Church View.

I have traced my family tree back to Grewelthorpe and I am hoping there are some Jacksons left in the area who can trace their ancestry back to the early 1800’s or earlier have been to Northallerton Records Office a couple of times but the more I visit the more confusing it gets, hope anyone can help

If you would like grass cutting services or other gardening jobs to be carried out by a hard working individual, don’t hesitate to contact Josh B on 01765 658098.

Grewelthorpe Ecumenical Partnership on YouTube

There’s a video of the day that the Church and Chapel joined in Ecumenical Partnership here.

View Video