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.
  • 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.
  • 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).
  • 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 (1)

    Amy Woodforde-Finden : re-enactment of her memorial unveilingA wreath was laid on the white marble recumbent figure of Amy to mark the centenary of its unveiling in April 15th 1923. Click on images to open full-size in new window and use the Browser back arrow to return to here.  
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In Memoriam - F W Barker



F.William (Willie) Barker


F.William (Willie) Barker  F.William (Willie) Barker Grave

Born in Hampsthwaite in 1892, "Willie" was the second son of Frederick and Margaret Barker of Barton House, Ripley. The 1911 census shows him living there with his widower father and four of his siblings. Like his father, he became a stone mason.

Having apparently emigrated to Canada some time after the taking of the 1911 census, he enlisted, as a Private, in the Royal Canadian Regiment with a service number of 477038. At enlistment on 23rd August 1915 (in Halifax, Nova Scotia) he gave his occupation as a miner and said he had previously served with the Calgary Rifles.

He was killed in France nearly a year after his younger brother Harold and died on the 9th December 1917.

Both he and Harold were cousins of Arthur Barker and Wilfred Stanley Barker.

(Click here to read the Barker Family History, here for the article "Tom Wright reflects upon the Barker family in Hampsthwaite" and here for Shaun Wilson's article on "Descendents of John and Grace Barker")

He is recorded as having been buried at XXX1.C.17A. at Etaples Military Cemetery, France.

As a soldier in the Royal Canadian Regiment, "Willie"'s medal record may be held in Canada but it is assumed he would be entitled to receive both the British War and Victory Medals in addition to any Canadian decoration


British War MedalVictory Medal
British War
Medal
Victory
Medal

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In Memoriam - F W Barker


F.William (Willie) Barker


F.William (Willie) Barker  F.William (Willie) Barker Grave

Born in Hampsthwaite in 1892, "Willie" was the second son of Frederick and Margaret Barker of Barton House, Ripley. The 1911 census shows him living there with his widower father and four of his siblings. Like his father, he became a stone mason.

Having apparently emigrated to Canada some time after the taking of the 1911 census, he enlisted, as a Private, in the Royal Canadian Regiment with a service number of 477038. At enlistment on 23rd August 1915 (in Halifax, Nova Scotia) he gave his occupation as a miner and said he had previously served with the Calgary Rifles.

He was killed in France nearly a year after his younger brother Harold and died on the 9th December 1917.

Both he and Harold were cousins of Arthur Barker and Wilfred Stanley Barker.

(Click here to read the Barker Family History, here for the article "Tom Wright reflects upon the Barker family in Hampsthwaite" and here for Shaun Wilson's article on "Descendents of John and Grace Barker")

He is recorded as having been buried at XXX1.C.17A. at Etaples Military Cemetery, France.

As a soldier in the Royal Canadian Regiment, "Willie"'s medal record may be held in Canada but it is assumed he would be entitled to receive both the British War and Victory Medals in addition to any Canadian decoration


British War MedalVictory Medal
British War
Medal
Victory
Medal

WW2 PoppiesWW1 Poppies