A History of Hampsthwaite - Books 1, 2, 3, 4 (and 5)

Book 5:Walker’s “History and Topography of Hampsthwaite and Mid-Nidderdale”

*AVAILABLE NOW!*  £5.95

The first four books in this series on our village history dealt with specific aspects of our community life but now we turn to a more general narrative that reaches back to Roman days and continues up to the last century. Book 5 owes its existence to a collection of typewritten essays, described as written between 1921 and 1958 by a ‘C. Thompson Walker’ who it is believed, resided in BirstwIth.

The publication covers a general history of the area around Hampsthwaite and including the townships of Felliscliffe, Swincliffe, Kettlesing, Birstwith, Darley, Menwith, and Thornthwaite with Padside. The essays offer an impressive overview of historical events touching upon: the murder of Becket in 1170, the Black Death, Wars of the Roses, Dissolution of the Monasteries, the Inclosure Acts and on to the impact of industrialisation in the Dales.

Note:

The Book 5 will be of great interest to anyone who wishes to find out more about the history of this area. It covers many familiar places and touches on some well-known local family names. Perhaps readers may wish to follow some of the many routes described such as “up Swincliffe down Swarcliffe and ower t‘ new briggs inta Hartwith”.

Throughout the book there are extensive Footnotes, mainly to provide records of court proceedings. The Appendices are posted here only to provide the materials the Footnotes refer to. They are not intended to be read in isolation - and make little sense on their own

Book 4: Village Buildings on the Eve of the Great War *AVAILABLE NOW!*  £5.95

It is very clear that the village has changed enormously since WW1 and that those Hampsthwaite men who served in that war but failed to return would be astonished at the degree of expansion. They would, however, still find the village they knew identifiable in the buildings clustered around the village green, in Church Street and the High Street.

Although we comment upon some modern buildings as they are encountered, this volume concentrates on an examination of that recognisable portion not only because, in 2018, we remembered especially the events of 1914-18 but also because the Edwardian years provide our most useful research material.

Book 3: School Memories *REPRINTED!*  £6.95

A new edition of the publication of a ‘Book of Memories’ which was published to mark the 150^th anniversary of the opening of the school in 1861. The book contains many photographs covering almost each of the15 decades and many descriptions from both staff and pupils of school life over that time. 

Book 2: Places of Worship *Sold Out*

This volume brings together accounts of those buildings in the village and surrounding areas that have been used for worship.  It includes sections on St. Thomas à Becket Church, the Methodist Chapel, Felliscliffe Chapel of Ease, Saltergate Mission Room and the Hampsthwaite Church Turret Clock. There are numerous photographs of the past plus 20 colour plates.

Book 1: Villagers' Reminiscences *BUY NOW!*  £5.95

A collection of villagers' reminiscences describing life in Hampsthwaite since the early 20th century. Old photographs of the village including Church Street, High Street and properties that have disappeared or been replaced. Tales of school life, lunch in the café, the village shops, working on the farm and much more.