Great Smeaton memories
Here are memories of Great Smeaton and the local area. You can start now: Add your own Memory of Great Smeaton or a Great Smeaton photo.
The Black Bull, Great Smeaton
A little bit of history about the Black Bull. My GGG Grandfather Thomas Banks (1791-1869) was the inn keeper during the 1850's and possibly for a short period before that. He also ran the slaughterhouse and the butchery business behind the pub which is referred to by Malcolm in his memory. Thomas died in 1869. The Black Bull and butchery was then run by his son Thomas, until his death in 1887 when it was taken over by his sister Elizabeth with the help of another sister Margaret. Margaret died in 1912 and Elizabeth in 1914. All were, I believe, buried at St Eloy Church in Great Smeaton.
First House
In this picture I lived in the house with the porch sticking out, just past the pub THE BLACK BULL (white building). Up the side of my house, or country cottage as it was termed, was a slaughter house at the back. I worked in Patons & Baldwins in Darlington textile mill as a woolsorter.
Malcolm
Memories of North Yorkshire
Childrens Home
I stayed in a children's home for a short time - late 50s, not sure exact date. Does anyone know of this home and if it still exists.
Memories
I was born in East Harlsey in 1946 and was educated in the village school which of course is now a private house, or is it two. I remember there being two classrooms and, if my memory is correct, the teacher was a Mrs Lyle?? I seem to remember we called her "jam pot". At that time the shop was run by a Mrs Topham, not sure of the spelling.
My grandmother was the caretaker of the village hall as she was for about 25yr
and as a child I remember playing in the hall and on the back lawn. I often helped my gran clean which was great fun. Polishing the dance floor and dashing through from the house with hot irons for her to iron the snooker table. I also remember that when one of the regular dances was taking place my cousin and I would sneak up into the projection room and look down at all that was going on.
I, of course, also remember life... Read more
Hubert Atkinson
Hubert Atkinson was my grandfather and his mother lived in the house next to the blacksmiths. I was born in 1961 and have a photo of my great-grandmother, mother and grandfather standing outside the cottage (with me in her arms). I have happy memories of playing in the village at an early age. The house was opposite a large cow shed were a pony and trap would pull up outside to load milk churns on to it. Also the blacksmiths was still working. My grandfather married Florence Tullidge who I think worked in service at the local hall. I distinctly remember my great-grandmother having a piece of goggles (very gruesome) which had belonged to a pilot who had crashed in the field to the rear of the village during the Second World War. Hope this jogs some one's memory. Please contact me with any more information.
My Family
My name is Phillip Robinson. My parents Tom & Eileen lived in Priory View, East Harlsey, in the late 60's. My uncle Charles Derrick McGookin has a plaque inside the village church dedicated to him. My grandparents from Robinson and McGookin are buried in the churchyard.
I also remember the landlady from the Cat & Bagpipes, which I believe to be the only public house named this in the country!
I now live in Darlington, however often return to the village to visit the area and the church.
The Cat And Bagpipes Inn
My parents Pat and Eric Metcalfe ran the Cat and Bagpipes for about five years from 1960, I was about 10 years old when we moved there and I went to Harlesy Village School. I remember Philip Robinson and his sister Shirley and parents Tom and Eileen aslo Auntie Bella. I used to go riding with Shirley as we both had ponies.
I also remember Spencley Raper and the Kirks who lived at Harlsey Castle. The people who had the shop were Mr and Mrs Topham and the school teacher was Miss Sewell. The Costantines lived at Harlsey manor and Joe Barnard lived at Harlsey Hall. I was one of the founders and secretary of East Harlsey Horse Show and Gymkhana.
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