Recent articles

Blind Peter Barker
Remembering Hampsthwaite’s Blind Joiner - an article by Shaun WilsonLike the market town of Knaresborough, who had ‘Blind Jack’ – John Metcalf, the road builder of Yorkshire in the eighteenth century, the small rural village of Hampsthwaite had it’s blind hero also, almost a century later – Peter Barker who became known as ‘The Blind Joiner of Hampsthwaite.’ Though there are some similarities between John Metcalf and Peter Barker’s lives, these are purely co-incidental and each fulfilled a life, character and career in their own right.
Jane Ridsdale
JANE RIDSDALEAged 33 years, born at Hampsthwaite, near Harrogate, Yorkshire, her height is 31 ½ inches.She is remarkably chearfull & enjoys very good health.Published July 1st 1807 by Jane Ridstale, at Harrogate where purchasers of this Print will have the opportunity of seeing and conversing with her
Joshua Tetley
Joshua Tetley was the founder of Tetley’s Brewery in Leeds, and he retired with his wife Hannah to Hollins Hall on the outskirts of Hampsthwaite (Hollins Hall Retirement Village).
The Execution of Hannah Whitley
Arsenic Poisoning in Hampsthwaite - The Execution of Hannah Whitley In 1789, Hannah Whitley of Hampsthwaite used a pie as the delivery medium for a fatal dose of arsenic, with the poison concentrated in the crust. She claimed She had been coerced into the act of poisoning by her employer, a local linen weaver named Horseman, who was involved in an on-going feud with the intended victim.
Scrubbers and Stones
SCRUBBERS & STONES - Sat 29th June 10.30am - 2.30pm - Entry FREE! Explore the Memorials at St Thomas a'Becket Memorials Treasure Trail - for children if all ages Self-Service / Self-Checkout BBQ from 12 noon (inc. veg option) Food £2, Drink £1, Donations? - yes please! Hot & Cold Drinks Laptop & Screen to show Mapping Hampsthwaite’s Past Use a Bucket & Brush to help reveal Inscriptions on the older memorials . . . or just Sit & Enjoy CORPUS CHRISTI BRASS BAND . . . from 11.30am . . . followed by Afternoon Tea & Cakes at the Memorial Hall!
Hampsthwaite Open Gardens
Hampsthwaite Open Gardens - Sat 29th June 12.30am - 5.00pm - Entry £5.00 (accompanied under 15's FREE) Tickets on the day from Hampsthwaite Memorial Hall Plant sales - many named varieties of plants Delicious homemade refreshments Afternoon tea and cakes served from 12.30pm at the Memorial Hall
Genealogy Websites
Free genealogy websites will help you start your family history research at no cost as listed by the 'Who Do You Think You Are' magazine.
Kitchen Refurbishment
Memorial Hall kitchen is now completely, and expertly, refurbished by Neil,Batty Builders Ltd as a result of a grant awarded by the National Lottery's 'Reaching Communities' fund.See also the equivalent
Amy Woodforde-Finden
A highly successful composer of the late Victorian and Edwardian eras, Amy Woodforde-Finden, together with her husband and step-son, is laid to rest in the churchyard of St Thomas à Becket Parish Church. Inside the church there is an impressive marble monument of her, created by the renowned sculptor George Edward Wade. It was unveiled in 1923 and a few years later, Finden Gardens in Hampsthwaite was named in her honour.[Click on title or image to link to articles]
Amy Woodforde-Finden Centenary Events (2)
Amy Woodforde-Finden : 'An Evening with Amy'A centenary concert to celebrate the life and works of Amy was held in Hampsthwaite Memorial Hall on April 21st 2023 Click on images to open full-size in new window and use the Browser back arrow to return to here.

Groups and Societies

Details of the many groups, societies, sports clubs and recreation activities open to residents of Hampsthwaite.

Coffee Click and Connect

COFFEE, CLICK & CONNECT

If you or know someone who would like some help with using your smartphone, tablet or laptop, then why not pop along to our Coffee, Click & Connect sessions held each Wednesday between 1.30pm and 3.30pm
Contact Jo on 07710 660799 or email jo@nidderdaleplus.org.uk for Coffee, Click & Connect
If you or know someone who would like some help with using your smartphone, tablet or laptop, then why not pop along to our Coffee, Click & Connect sessions held each Wednesday between 1.30pm and 3.30pm
Contact Jo on 07710 660799 or email jo@nidderdaleplus.org.uk for more information.

Come and enjoy music, fun and laughter with like-minded people at the Dancing for Well-Being group at the Memorial Hall, Hollins Lane on Wednesdays at 11.00 a.m. til 12.30 p.m.

You can dance SITTING or STANDING, you don't need a partner, you can move at the right level for you, and you don't need a good memory.

Dancing for Well-Being is ideal if you find other exercise/dance classes too much, e.g. if you have mobility/balance problems, use a walking aid or wheelchair, if you have heart or breathing problems, or conditions like arthritis, Parkinson's or dementia.

The cost is £5, which includes refreshments. For more information you can visit http://www.dancingforwellbeing.org or call Jackie Terry on 01423 531235, or email her at info@dancingforwellbeing.org

Brownies

Pack meets in the Memorial Hall on Tuesday evenings between 6.00pm and 7.30pm.

Hampsthwaite and Birstwith Junior Football Club

HBJFC is run for the benefit of children living, or attending school, within the Hampsthwaite and Birstwith area catering for boys and girls ages 6 through to 11. Saturday morning coaching sessions are run in Hampsthwaite on Feast Field. For details visit http://www.hbjfc.co.uk/

Hampsthwaite in Bloom

Link to http://www.yorkshireinbloom.co.uk/

See the Yorkshire in Bloom website for details of this campaign which is open to all communities in the County, from villages through to the largest cities. It aims to encourage people to work together to care for their local environment. Entrants are judged according to a set of criteria which include floral enhancement, community, cleanliness, permanent landscaping, conservation and recycling.

Hampsthwaite Feast

Hampsthwaite residents are welcome to attend and to participate in the organisation of this major annual event.

See the Feast section of this web site for more details

Hampsthwaite Picture House

Films screened at 7.30pm unless otherwise stated.

Tickets available from Hampsthwaite Village Store ( or at the door if available) - why not book a table and come as a group?

Hampsthwaite Players

Hampsthwaite Players present two productions each year! A spring production normally a Play, which generally falls around the last week of March, the Group also present an autumn pantomime towards the end of November. Anyone wishing to join the group can do so by contacting Phil (secretary) or Michael Binns (chairman) either by any member of the Hampsthwaite Players or e-mailing hampsthwaite.players@ntlworld.com

Indoor Bowls

Wednesday and Friday afternoons in the Memorial Hall

Mother and Toddler Group

We meet every Thursday 9.30 - 11.30am at Memorial Hall. We have crafts, art, toys, singing and refreshments. Mums, Dads & Grandparents welcome to bring their children. Open Term Time Only.

Mothers' Union

Link to http://www.stthomasabeckethampsthwaite.org.uk

Meetings in the Village Room every 3rd Wednesday of each month. Visit http://www.stthomasabeckethampsthwaite.org.uk for details

Parent Teachers Association

Link to http://www.hampsthwaite.n-yorks.sch.uk/index.htm

Details from Hampsthwaite CE Primary School

Snooker and Billiards Club

New members welcome

We would like to take this opportunity to welcome new and old members to join our friendly club

Situated at the Memorial Hall in Hampsthwaite, we provide high quality playing facilities for those who wish to play socially or who would like to compete in one of our league teams.