Ben Howdels Blacksmith Shop

A Memory of Holme.

In 1952 I started my apprenticeship as a blacksmith with Ben Howdel. We were situated on the corner of Back Lane and Howden Road. I served my full term of five years, always being the 'Junior' under Percy Riley - who I understand, still lives in the village - and Raymond Johnson from Hayton. For eighteen months I cycled from Market Weighton every day untill I bought a motorcycle - and what a difference this made! We did work for most of the farmers for miles around, and in the five years I spent there, farming practices changed rapidly. I spent the rest of my working life as a blacksmith - but those first five years were not easy! Does anyone remember those days?