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.

Frank and Peggy Shuffe - Licensees at the Joiners Arms 1956-1977

Frank Shuffe, the Landlord of the Joiner's Arms from 1956, was an English professional footballer who played as a right back for Bradford City and later became trainer at Valley Parade.

On leaving football he became manager of the The Prospect Hotel at Ecckeshill, Bradford during October 1953 before moving on to become Landlord of the Joiner's Arms in 1956

Frank died at Harrogate Hospital on 7 February 1973 after a short illness aged 55. Peggy continued on with their son John, a keen sportsman, until she retired in 1978 and moved to live near friends in Scotland

Ronnie Burnett at the Joiner's bar with Frank Shuffe

Landlord Frank Shuffe is pictured at the bar of the Joiners Arms with Ronnie Burnet OBE (b. John Ronald Burnet, 11 October 1918, Saltaire, Shipley – d. 6 March 1999) was an English first-class cricketer and the last amateur captain of Yorkshire County Cricket Club.

Yet despite this, and his modest playing record, he is remembered as a success in that his captaincy laid the foundation of Yorkshire's dominance of the County Championship during the 1960s.

Frank was born Frank Shufflebottom, in Chesterfield 9 October 1917 and started off his football career as a junior with Sheffield United before turning professional with Ipswich Town in June 1938. When he made his debut for Town at Dartford in October 1938 he became the first teenager to turn out for the first team since the Club turned professional earlier that year.

Following Ipswich, he played full back for Nottingham Forest then Bradford City and he later became trainer at Valley Parade. After his spell with City he changed his name to Shuffe.

Margate FC team photo 1936/37 season - Frank Shuffe is on the back row 8 from left.

Football Career

Frank Charles Shufflebottom was born in Chesterfield, 9 October 1917, the 5ft 10in and 10st 1lb right full-back started off as a junior with Sheffield United.

He joined Ipswich Town in 1936, making his debut at Dartford during October 1936, then making 16 first team appearances in 1936-37.

He moved to Margate FC in June 1937 then moved back to Ipswich Town during June 1938 making 2 League appearances in 1938-39 and he also appeared in 2 appearances in the Third Division Cup. He played in 41 Southern League games for Ipswich between 1936 and 1939. His final game for Town came at Port Vale on 27 February 1939 in the Southern Section Cup 2nd Round.

Ipswich Town Football card produced by Fosse Collection

He signed for Nottingham Forest in June 1942, with 9 appearances and 0 goals, and in 1943-44 with 2 appearances but his career was interrupted by World War Two until the Football League began again in 1946.

During and immediately after the War, Shufflebottom was a guest player for Scottish clubs Raith Rovers, Kilmarnock and Dundee United - he also played for the Army versus the Royal Air Force at Arbroath, on 19th June 1943. He was stationed in the Dundee area and was a regular in the United line up. Between 1st September 1945 and January 1946, he made 29 Scottish League ‘B’ Division appearances for Dundee United, scoring 1 goal. After his Demob he returned to Nottingham Forest, making 2 League appearances in 1946-47.

He moved to Bradford City on 1st October 1946 for £1, 250, making 56 League appearances between 1946 and 1948. Between May 1949 and December 1953, he was scout and trainer with Bradford City before he resigned, it was during this time that he changed his surname to Shuffe.

Clapton Orient During WW2 - inc. an obituary to Frank Shuffe who made 9 wartime appearances for Leyton Orient between 1941 and 1943. (1.22M bytes)

Hampsthwaite Flood 1968

The July 1968 United Kingdom thunderstorms were the most severe dust fall thunderstorms in the British Isles for over 200 years. A layer of mineral dust blowing north from the Sahara met cold, wet air over the British Isles, resulting in thick, dense clouds and severe thunderstorms across most of England and Wales. These clouds completely blotted out the light in some areas and the rain and hail resulted in property damage and flooding.

Cleaning up and drying out at Hampsthwaite today . . . Mr. Frank Shuffe, licensee of the Joiners' Arms, is seen hanging out sodden carpets. He had 4ft. of water in his cellars.

John Shuffe, Greg Nelson and Smock (Photograph by Jack Hickes 33 North Lingwell Rd. Leeds 10 Tel: 72600 & 24072)

Smock, the wonder goalie
Up goes the goalie to nudge the ball clear - and Smock the collie has made another wonder save. He isn’t just having a bit of doggy fun, either. Penalties, high balls, rocket shots . . . three-year-old Smock can save them all. John, 14, of Hampsthwaite, near Harrogate, said yesterday: “Smock always plays in goal when I have a kickabout with my pals - and he is fantastic . . . He dives all over and brings off some tremendous saves”.

Another fan of Smock’s is John’s father, 55-year-old Mr Frank Shuffe - and he should know. He is a former Arsenal and Bradford City player. Mr Shuffe, licensee of the Joiners’ Arms in Hampsthwaite, said: “Smock has got to be seen to be believed”. Alf Ramsey, please note.

Daily Mail Monday, May 31, 1971
A top dog rival for Sprake
SMOCK, a four year old collie, is doggy dynamite when it comes to Soccer. His owner, 14-year-old John Shuff is a Leeds United fanatic. And when they have a backyard workout Smock stands in for the team’s international goalkeeper, Gary Sprake.

Not that he’s limited to keeping - he’s got a body-swerve like George Best and heads like Jack Charlton. John lives at The Joiners Arms, Hampsthwaite, near Harrogate, where his father is licensee. He said yesterday: “Smock usually plays in goal - he is fantastic. Sometimes he leaps six feet into the air”.

DEATH OF FORMER CITY FULL BACK
A former Bradfird City full back Frank Shufflebottom, who later became the club’s trainer, has died aged 55. After his spell with City he changed his name to Shuffe. Mr Shuffe, who leaves a widow and son, died suddenly in hospital. He was the licensee of the Joiners Arms in Hampsthwaite, near Harrogate. His City career covered 29 games in 1946-7 and 27 the following season. He switched to the training job in 1948-9

Mr. F. Shuffe
Mr Frank Shuffe, licensee of the Joiners Arms, Hampsthwaite, near Harrogate for 16 years, has died aged 55. He was previously a landlord in Bradford. As Frank Sufflebottom, he was full back for Sheffield United, Ipswich Town, Nottingham Forest and Bradford City and he later became trainer at Valley Parade. He leaves a widow and a son.

The Harrogate Herald 2nd September 1977 - Presentation of rosebowls to three retiring John Smith’s licensees.

Mrs. Peggy Shuffe pulls a last pint (for the photographer) at the Joiner’s Arms, Hampsthwaite, where she has been the licensee for 21 years.

Peggy Shuffe's retirement

LICENSEES THANKED

John Smith’s Brewery said thank you to three long-serving licensees in the Harrogate area recently by inviting them to lunch at “The Jester”, Leeds. Afterwards, the company’s Northern Regional Retail Trade Director, Mr. Bill Leadbetter, handed over rosebowls to mark their many years with the brewery.
Two of the licensees, Mr. Ken Travis, of “The Montpellier Hotel”, Harrogate and Mrs. Peggy Shuffe, of the “Joiners Arms”, Hampsthwaite, joined John Smith’s in 1956. The third, Mrs. Nellie McEvoy, of the “Prince of Wales”, Starbeck, has been with the company for 27 years. All are due to retire from the trade in the near future.

Pictured at the presentation are (left to right): Mr. Travis, Mrs. Shuffe, Mr. Leadbetter and Mrs. McEvoy.

CHANGE AT THE JOINER'S:

Last weekend was a sad-happy occasion for Mrs. Peggy Shuffe, licensee of the Joiner's Arms, Hampsthwaite. It marked the close of her 21 years at the inn. She has now retired and plans to live near friends in Scotland.

The sadness was in the parting - the Shuffe family have become part of the village community during their life at the Inn, and many regulars have been calling in to say farewell in the last few days.

The happiness came on Friday when Mrs. Shuffe was taken to the inn's dining room to find that many of her friends had provided a buffet supper and special cake in her honour. Mrs. Shuffe had already received a silver rose bowl from John Smith's Brewery for her long service at the inn. Regulars from the public bar gave her a silver tea service and a bouquet of flowers, and lounge customers gave her a picture of the inn painted by local artist Mr. Dick Light, of Birstwith.

The Vicar, the Rev. John Walker, thanked her for her many kindnesses to the community, and there was a card signed by many of her well wishers. Mrs. Shuffe and her late husband, Frank (a former professional footballer) who died five years ago, made many friends. Mr. Shuffe was often busy coaching local young footballers. Their son, John, a keen sportsman, is staying in Nidderdale. Mrs. Shuffe told me on Wednesday, as she was taking her leave of her home: "We have been very happy here and made so many friends. I would have liked to thank everyone personally, but I hope those I have missed will know how I have appreciated their friendship."

Taking over at the Joiner's this week was Mr. John Flather, licensee of the Milepost, Leeds Road, Harrogate, for the last eight years.

Click on images to enlarge :

Family photos in the Joiner's Beer Garden