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Upper Dunsforth
Upper Dunsforth maps
Historic maps of Upper Dunsforth and the local area, hand-drawn by Ordnance Survey and Samuel Lewis. View all Upper Dunsforth maps
Upper Dunsforth photos
We have no photos of Upper Dunsforth, although we do have photos of these nearby places:
Great Ouseburn| Aldborough| Boroughbridge| Linton On Ouse| Helperby| Green Hammerton| Kirby Hill| Newton On Ouse| Kirk Hammerton| Skelton-On-Ure| Knaresborough| Easingwold
Upper Dunsforth area books
Displaying 1 of 28 books about Upper Dunsforth and the local area. View all books for this area
You can read extracts and browse photos from these books.
Memories of Upper Dunsforth
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North Yorkshire memories
Millennium Stone
The large stone in the photograph was used as part of the millennium seat, which is now situated on the village green.
The building to the left of the picture is 'The Forge' - the Swann family have lived here for over 80 years.
The Three Horseshoes
The photo shows the public house 'The Three Horseshoes'. It was one of three pubs in Great Ouseburn, the other two been 'The Bay Horse' & 'The Crown Inn', the latter is the only one remaining as a public house.
Early Memories
Two of the trees either side of the footpath were planted by me in, I believe, 1953. My family lived in the village and surrounding villages for many years. My Grandparents and subsequently my Aunt & Uncle lived and operated the Toll Gates at Aldwark Bridge, just outside the village. My mother lived on Carr Side in her early life. I moved to the village in 1951, leaving in 1961 but my parents lived there until my mother's death in 1997. They are both buried in the local Churchyard. I attended the village school before going on to King James's Grammar School in Knaresborough in 1953. My two brothers also went to the same schools . My Mother went to King James's many years earlier.
The Langton Family at The Three Horseshoes
My great-great-grandfather, Robert Langton, was born in 1791. He was innkeeper, farrier and farmer (owning 50 acres). It is said he made the first iron plough in Yorkshire. He was gifted with horses. He employed apprentices and journeymen in his business, which we think operated from the Horseshoes. He operated with strict principles and no one was alllowed more than two drinks! His son, Thomas, was one of 7 children born at the Inn. There is a book written about Thomas, known as the Yorkshire Evangelist, and from this I have gleaned much information. Unfortunately, Robert stood surety for a man he trusted and became responsible for a debt so large that he had to sell the business and he and his wife went to live with their son in Kepwick.
Bonfire Night Perils
Guy Fawkes Night could be quite hazardous, although I remember no one ever been seriously hurt, it was certainly a close run thing. Keith Bradley although not from farming parents had many relations whom were involved in farming and so had ready access to certain farming apparatus, binder twine and the like. One particular Bon Fire Night in the late 50's early 60's he had got hold of a long string of small explosive charges used for bird scaring. These were nothing more than a large number of bangers joined by varying lengths of fuse so as to make the bangs occur at irregular intervals, once lit. These turned out to be very poor as the fuses were far to long to be used as bangers and the final bang not very loud, so in disgust he throw the whole string, 30 or more charges onto the fire. 30 times a small bang is quite impressive especially when in a fire making ash, cinder and assorted burning rubbish fly... Read more
"Anne's Cafe"
I was born in Annes Cafe Boroughbridge in 1940 (we were lodging there). Dad used to have a few beers in the Crown and the Three Greyhounds during WW2.
Mum and Dad told me they used to go "skinny dipping" in the "fish ladders?"*
we moved from Boroughbridge to Merseyside sometime between 1940 and 1945 I will have to research exactly when.
Does anyone where the "fish ladders" are or were?
The Old Fox And Goose
We moved to the old Fox and Goose (next to the tiny shop and just up the road from the Blue Bell pub) in 1962. I was 8 and my brother 3. We stayed for around 2 years. My Dad worked for Alne Brick Co. My Mum cleaned houses. Our long narrow back garden was knee deep in daffodils - I have loved them ever since. There was a cellar beneath the old pub that was now our home and an air raid shelter out the back. I went to the tiny village school at the end of the road, all ages in one class together. My best friend was Ruth who lived at the vicarage and she taught me to ride a bike. My brother and I spent many, many happy hours tadpoling in the stream behind the school with our friends. It was a magical time and I carry the tranquility and beauty of that time with me always.
