Addingham, Farfield Hall c1955

My schooldays 1952-54 near Skipton

My Grandparents lived at 26 Otley Street in Skipton from the 1940 ( or earlier ) and I had first visited them in 1945 after VE day, They were Thomas Henry Jackson, my Grandmother Charlotte Jackson and their batchelor son, my Uncle Gordon.

My Father Norman Jackson and Mother Sadie Jackson were living in Belfast Northern Ireland since 1934 where I was born in 1938, and because my Paternal Grandparents were living in Skipton, my Dad wanted me to attend boarding school in Yorkshire to give me a sense of Yorkshire identity.

So following holiday trips in 1945 and also 1949 I believe, by which time I had become attached to my Grandparents and Uncles ( the older Arnold Jackson lived in Haworth, and my Aunt Millie Jackson lived  in Bingley ), he enrolled me in 1951/52 at Hartlington Hall between Burnsall and Appletreewick on the hills overlooking the River Wharfe.

Hartlington Hall ( now divided up in 3 or 4 flats ) was the Boarding Section of Leeds Grammar School, established there during the War Years to bring the boarders out of Leeds to the tranquility of the Dales.

My Grandfather worked as a weaver at Mark Nutters mill near the railway station and the canal at the back. My weekend outing on Saturdays required me to ride my teachers bicycle from Hartlington, through Burnsall and on to Linton, where I left it beside the public telehone box to retrieve after dark on the way back to school, take the bus coming from Grassington to Skipton, and spend the most enjoyable of times with my Grandad, walking his dogs throughout the town, up to Embsay and back through the Skipton Woods, below the castle and resurface near the Craven Heifer at the top of High Street.

In winter, of course the waterfalls and ponds were a tapestry of black and white, snow and ice which probably inspired me in later years to take up still photography, and subsequently cinematography which became my professional career for 5-10 years later on.

Talking of the cinema reminds me that in 1949 ( I think ) the High Street was the scene of a film production unit shooting "A Boy, a Girl and a Bike" with Alan Bates with Honor Blackman in the lead, who were there by the Craven Heifer. Later scene had them carry the bike across Malham Cove on the limestone pavement, which was a poster scene in the cinemas later. Diana Dors also had a leading role.

The treat of the day was to buy a few ( six penni-worth ) of Humbugs at Whittakers and make our way back to 26 Otley Street through the cattle market. Before getting on the Grassington bus to return to school Uncle Gordon would walk me through Newmarket Street for a packet of fish and chips to eat on the bus.

Dropped in Linton I found my teacher's bike illuminated by the slight glow from the single bulb in the public phone box. I learned this habit the hard way, trying to find a bike in the velvet blackness of night otherwise was a hazard I did not need.

The long trek back from Linton to Burnsall, over the bridge and up, up and up again to the main drive at Hartlington Hall, and report in to my Headmaster having returned the bike to my science teacher, usually by 8pm or once in a while 9pm made sleep the easiest of destinations.

Skipton, my Grandparents, sarsaparilla, Ginger Beer, dandelion & burdock,
the cattle market and the Castle made an indelible impression on me. Now 68, living in Florida, I continue to get the Dalesman, have the Calendar Girls on the wall, and try to visit when possible.

I did venture to 26 Otley Street a few years ago, had a wonderful welcome from the insurance business owner, spent hours from cellar to attic reliving the sights and sounds of a youthful time of family gatherings, Yorkshire pudding, mint sauce and watching my Grandad's thumbs revolve slowly in his clasped hands as he stared at the glowing coals, and puffed a slow burning pipe.

" By Gum....it was reet grand "

Trevor Jackson
jackson510133@bellsouth.net

Early years of my life

I was born in 1936 in Shipley nursing home and we lived at 1 The Green, Micklethwaite until 1944. My father died in 1941 and my mother was left with me and brother John, surname Walker, to bring up on her own.
I remember the shop owned by Mrs Hay, with a daughter Eunice, and my friend was Jennifer Midgely.We went to Crossflatts school and walked there and back. The farm was owned by (the family name I forget) but it began with S. and what an excitement it was to watch the killing of a pig and the wait for the pig's bladder to use as a football. My mother fell on hard times so we lived in two other houses, one owned by Mrs Hurst. At one time she worked for the coal merchant, a Mr Jackson. All coal (and milk) was delived by horse and cart because of course the war was on.
One of my earliest memories was being taken to hear a piano recital in the Methodist chapel hall and although I was very young, this started a life-long love of classical music.
It was very cold in the winter, gas lighting, and coal fires. Our chests were rubbed with goose fat and wrapped in brown paper to guard against colds. When it snowed the whole village would help to find sheep buried in the fields.
I left when I was 7 and did not return for very many years but I have a great sense of belonging to Micklethwaite.
At the top of the hill lived "Emma" who was more or less a recluse. We would knock on her door and then run away but she earned 10 shillings a week keeping the telephone box clean which I noticed was still there last time I visited about 5 years ago.I have now remembered the name of the farmer, it was Sayers, and they had a daughter called Pauline.
I also remember that in the shop (owned by Mrs Hay) was a large black and white rubber mat with the words "Parkinsons pink pills for pale people" written on it.

eastwood school

I went to this school at the age I believe around 7-8yrs old. I would like to know if anyone out there went to the same school. My name was  Sylvia Rooke. In fact I think the headmaster's last name was Rooke. I lived in Keighley till 1955 then moved to canada, my email address is    sylviarosiek@yahoo.com  if you have information at all please feel free to email me  as Eastwood School had a lot of memorys for me, so thankyou and I hope to hear from someone.

School and friends

My name then was Barrett. I remember living on Walton Street, Holmebridge. My best friend then was Dorothy Hobson, we lived at no 6 and she lived at no 18 I think. I went to the council school where the headmaster was Mr Laycock. My best teacher was Mrs Baker. And I remember going to the sweet shop next to the park, I think it was called Ogdens.