On Thursday 23rd April 13 members of the group met at Bolton Hall, which was original gatehouse of Bolton Priory. The c.14 building was converted into a hunting lodge in 1652 and was owned by the Dukes of Devonshire since 1748 when the 4th Duke, William Cavendish married Lady Charlotte Boyle a descendant of the Cliffords.  In 1840/44 the 6th Duke employed Sir Joseph Paxton to undertake extensive work to the gatehouse, as well as work at Chatsworth.  Paxton was responsible for the building of Crystal Palace.

Peter Smith, the gardener employed by the estate since 1976 showed us the egg shaped ice house.  Peter then took us to the kitchen garden built in 1717 and which hehas completely rejuvenated over the past 20 years.  He introduced a water supply from a stream off the moor into a dipping pond which he utilised on the beds and borders and the surplus is diverted back into the stream below.

The garden was looking very springlike with a multitude of colourful tulips and a fascinating chocolate vine (Ankebia Quinata white chocolate)climbing over arches, which took everyone’s fancy.

We took a look at the workshop, tool store and former dog kennels, before returning to the gatehouse to welcome cakes and drinks.  We viewed the adjacent drawing room with many family portraits and exquisite furniture and finally enjoyed the lovely garden round the hall.

A group of 6 members met at Leighton Moss and the weather was perfect for a springtime day out birdwatching, with blue skies and sunshine, although quite a stiff breeze from the sea.

High tide would be at 11.30am, so we arrived firstly at the Allen Hide a little before high tide, viewing an abundant number of waders and gulls crowded onto the islands and the grassy edges of the water, waiting for the tide to begin its retreat.

Our walk along the path towards the Allen Hide bordered by shrubs and trees rewarded us with the song of a Wren, heard clearly but not seen. Also, good sightings of Robin and Cetti’s Warbler, both singing loudly.

Once inside the Hide, the multitude of birds across the water was amazing. Black-headed Gulls, a huge number of Redshank, a real treat to see so many together, mostly gathered on the islands and patches of grass at the water’s edge, occasionally rising up and taking flight altogether before quickly settling back to earth. Other great sightings were Oystercatcher, Black-tailed Godwits, Avocet, Little Egret, Shelduck, Great Black-backed Gull, Gadwall, Shoveler, Dunlin, Pochard, Wigeon and Mute Swan.

Leaving the Allen Hide to walk on to The Morecambe Hide, we enjoyed sightings of Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Woodpigeon, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Skylark and Chaffinch. Also, hearing the song of Reed Warbler and Reed Bunting, but not seen.  Inside The Morecambe Hide the views over Morecambe bay and our previous view point presented many of our earlier sightings.

Next, we made the short drive to Warton Sands Nature Reserve, an interesting landscape with evidence of past industry and now returned to nature, a haven for birdlife. A good footpath following the riverside running towards Morecambe bay presented so many sightings, Swallows, House Sparrow, Feral Pigeon, Goldfinch, Skylarks gathering nest material, Grey Heron, Pied Wagtail, Lapwing, Mallard, Goosander, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Curlew, Sandpiper, Ringed Plover, Linnet and Wheatear.

Also, a huge crowd of Redshank and multitude of other waders all busy running around and feeding as the tide ebbed away revealing the sand and mud rich in nourishment.  Many of these waders we had seen earlier in our outing.

On our return walk to the car park, we saw Greylag and Canada geese.

39 sightings + 4 heard but not seen.

A great day out.

Judith Goodings

Members of the Local History Group gathered together to hear about and discuss, the rise of Nonconformism in the 18^th and 19^th Centuries, with particular reference to Methodism in Upper Wharfedale.

After the Reformation, Elizabeth 1^st established in 1559, the Protestant Church as the official Church of the country. Attendance was compulsory and if you did not attend you were fined. There were further demands and restrictions on ministers, which lead to many resigning their livings and the rise of Nonconformism.

Several groups were formed – Baptists, Presbyterians, Quakers, Independents – later Congregationalists and Methodists. Methodism sprang from John Wesley’s own beliefs on how the religious life should be led. He and his brother Charles and their followers toured the country. He preached twice in Grassington on 1^st May 1780 and 29^th April 1782. He spoke by the barn, now a private house, and formerly the Mountaineer outdoor clothing shop, just beyond the car park opposite the Town Hall.

Although the first meetings would be outside, eventually they would be held in private houses or barns, forming into societies and often going on to build chapels.

However, well before the above visits of the Wesleys, folk had been inspired by the itinerant preachers from The Great Haworth Round, the wide spreading preaching circuit of William Grimshaw the curate at Haworth. Early records from Keighley Reference Library show early societies were in Grassington, Skyrethornes, Hebden, Burnsall and Skyreholme. As time went on there were societies in Barden, Conistone, Kettlewell, Buckden, Litton, Thorpe, Starbotton, Yockenthwaite, Dibdale, Linton and Hawkswick. So, a very wide covering of Upper Wharfedale.

Who were the folk who joined the societies, going on in many places to build the chapels?

The names and occupations of the trustees of the early chapels found in early documents, show how varied those trustees were. There were Yeomen, Lead miners, Farmers, Grocers, Gentlemen, Weavers, Cotton Spinners, Shopkeepers, Maltsters, Publicans, Cordwainers (Boot and Shoemakers and Repairers), Spinners, Servants. These occupations give a good idea of what the environment looked like with mills near water, lead mines on the moors, farm animals on the pastures and the usual shops and pubs.

The trustees would raise the money and be responsible for paying the debt. Often chapels were in debt for a long time.

The 19^th century was the age of chapel building. Grassington Chapel was built in 1811 replacing an earlier meeting house. Later, the present frontage, gallery and pews were added and later still the schoolroom and cottage. In the next decades chapels appeared up and down the dale – Buckden, Starbotton, Kettlewell, Conistone, Hebden, Burnsall and Barden although not thought of now, as been in Upper Wharfedale. Nearby chapels were at Hetton and Cracoe, These chapels would have been known as Wesleyans.

By 1843 these Wesleyan chapels were not the only Methodist places of worship. Primitive Methodists or Ranters, had begun a revival, wanting to get back to the original form of worship as in John Wesley’s time – simple, enthusiastic, and outdoor preaching style. Nonetheless they built chapels, three in places where there were already Wesleyan buildings – Grassington, Hebden and Kettlewell. Two others were built at Threshfield and Howgill.  The Grassington Primitive was built almost opposite the Wesleyan and is still a substantial building on the track from Chapel Street to Garrs End Lane.

An early preaching plan of 1843 lists 15 villages where services took place. Grassington and Kettlewell having 3 Sunday services and 4 other villages having 2

During the talk and afterwards there was discussion of the social advantages of these groups up and down the Dale, it seems likely that after the religious aspect of the meetings, informal chat would ensue. The meetings were divided into classes, each with a leader, to help, guide and advise. Chapels large and small would have a Sunday School which in some areas in early times, would teach the children to read and write. Chapel Anniversaries were celebrated with tea parties and often a concert as well.

Not all societies led to a chapel been built, such were in Skyrethorns – a very early society -Litton, Arncliffe, Thorpe, Yockenthwaite, Skyreholme, Linton, Hawkswick.

It seems clear that in the 19^th century and perhaps into the 20^th century Methodism would have played an important part in the communities of Upper Wharfedale. But now with the many changes that have taken place in all parts of lives and livings, only one chapel remains Grassington.

Christine Bell

A group of seven members had a beautiful sunny mild day for a visit to this reserve of pools opposite the sea shore at the north end of Southport.

 From the car park we looked out to sea across the vegetated mud flats and we could see the heads and dark necks of several groups of Pink-footed Geese. Next we heard the loud call of a Cetti’s Warbler but as usual were not able to see it.

On the walk to the first hide we saw Goldfinch and heard Skylark.

 Over coffee we were able to see Ducks, Waders and Gulls but not the special Little Stint that had been seen the day before. However we were very happy to identify Bar-tailed Godwits, Redshank and Dunlin, described as large medium and small waders. Here were only Canada Geese, a pair of Greylag Geese were seen from another hide.

Through the day Gulls were abundant, Black-headed, Herring, Black-backed but, as no legs  seen, we were unable to identify further, and a few Common Gulls. Most of the usual Ducks were seen and several Little Grebes and Avocets.

 Walking west we visited a screen then the other hide where we had our lunches. Plants provided other interest along the way with small birds including Wren and Goldcrest. Two members found a Dune Stinkhorn some of the rest found European Spindle just coming into leaf and bud, having remembered it from a previous visit in autumn when it was showing its orange and red berries.

 An excellent day having seen over 40 species of bird and the added benefit of flowers, plants, good company and weather.

 Josephine Drake

Wigglesworth Hall, its people and story……..

The History Group was unable to make a visit to Wigglesworth Hall, near Hellifield, now a large and busy dairy farm, but were very interested in identifying the story and early social history of the Hall and lands, which was presented at an indoor meeting on the 26^th  February.  This revealed connections with many familiar notable families in our area.

An “enclosure” belonging to a man named Wincel was indicated in the 1086 Domesday Survey, and the small community became known as “Winchelsuuorde”.  By the year 1200 much of the area, including “Wigglesworth”, was possessed by Fountains Abbey which was founded in 1137 by Cistercian monks from Clairvaux, France, and held by a Norman family of de Arches.

De Arches remained at Wigglesworth for over 100 years, a powerful and influential family, until a daughter named Beatrice inherited the property and married Reginald de Knoll which brought the manors of Wigglesworth and Starbotton together.  Their son, Elyas, is reputed to have built the original Hall in the 14^th century.

A successive marriage resulted in Wigglesworth Hall and lands being occupied by Adam de Hammerton of Ribblesdale and their male line continued until 1537 with marriages to daughters of William de Radcliffe, Sir John Tempest of Bracewell, Sir John Assheton, and Sir William Plumpton of Grassington.  It was about 1500 when Isabel Plumpton, married to Sir Stephen Hammerton, is considered to have had the great Tithe barn built, which served all the Long Preston parish, but which was seriously damaged by fire in 1958.

Sir Stephen Hammerton became involved in the revolt against the Pilgrimage of Grace and the Dissolution of the Monasteries, particularly concerned with Sawley Abbey.  He was found guilty of treason and was executed in 1537.  Wigglesworth manor was within the major part of the estate which was forfeited to King Henry VIII, and the manor was subsequently granted to Sir Thomas  Holcroft, later transferred to Sir Richard Sherburn of Stoneyhurst, a staunch Roman Catholic.

The Sherburns made extensive alterations to Wigglesworth Hall, which included a secret Priest hole, but this Tudor house was  largely replaced by a Georgian rebuild.  Evidence of earlier relics were identified later, including a small part of a flagged passage four feet below the surface reputed to run under the River Ribble to Hellifield Pele tower.  The Hall had remained in the Sherburn family for well over 100 years, but there was a succession of new owners from the early 17^th century into the 20^th century.  The land was always farmed but when the Sherburns were in occupation in 1575 the Hall was used as a dower house for elderly and widowed women, recusants as they refused to conform to Protestant worship.  The men however usually did conform in order to avoid financial penalties on their estates.

However, the Wigglesworth family re-emerged in the 16^th century manor of Conistone, for centuries held by the family de Hebden but which came to the Tempests of Broughton.  In 1568 Richard Tempest sold the manor to Alexander Rishworth, but before the sale he leased a farmhold, buildings and lands to his tenant Richard Wigglesworth.  Richard was able to buy the manor when the lease expired, and which his son Thomas inherited.  The family continued succession and by 1681 it was owned by a further Richard, by which time the original lands had increased by purchases to be one of the larger farms in Conistone township.

Richard had married Anne Leyland in 1677, and when she died he married Elizabeth Topham.  Eventually the extensive property was inherited by Richard’s two brothers, Thomas and William.  Thomas continued with the estate while William became a prosperous tanner at Cottingley.  When Thomas died in 1741 he left the entire property to William, which included land in Bolton Abbey, Otley and Conistone.  William transferred the Hemplands houses and land to Richard Horner, the Conistone house and lands to Robert Topham……..and here we concluded our delving into the Wigglesworths and Wigglesworth Hall.

Postscript : During the early 19^th century a family  of Wigglesworths used the Coat of Arms of the de Arches, namely three Saxon arches.

With thanks for the use of the Wigglesworth Hall website, and

Arthur Raistrick’s book “Old Yorkshire Dales.

Phyllida.

A range of unfortunate events meant that on a cold February morning only three ornithology group members were free to travel to Staveley.  The 19^th of February started cold, dull and damp and whilst the temperature rose slightly during the day the dull and damp remained!  Despite this we had a good day with nearly all the usual suspects seen!  We had good views of Goldeneye, Teal, Lapwing, Shoveler, Gadwall, Little Egret and Shelduck and a fleeting glimpse of a Great Egret on the East Lagoon.  On the return walk to the car park we had managed a total of 36 species and were still hoping to make it 40!

A magpie kindly gave us 37 and then as we turned onto the Willow Wood path, we had the great pleasure of seeing a Gold Crest, a Treecreeper and best of all a Marsh Tit!  An inauspicious start had turned into good days ‘birding’ with 40 species seen.

Leader Cynthia Colley.

5 members of the ornithology  group visited Nidderdale, hoping that the forecast of no rain before midday would hold.

Our first spot was a large group of Lapwings lying over the water. They were around all the time, changing direction and splitting up into groups and then reforming, it was a joy to see them.  Other highlights were Red Kite , Buzzard and Great Spotted Woodpecker.

In all we saw 22 species.

Canada Goose, Wigeon, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Goosander, Red Kite, Buzzard, Pheasant, Lapwing, Black headed Gull, Common Gull, Wood Pigeon, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Blackbird, Fieldfare, Long tailed tit, Coal tit, Great tit, Common Crow , Jackdaw, Chaffinch.

We adjourned for lunch where we met up with more members. As we sat down the heavens opened with heavy mist, so we counted ourselves very lucky to have a successful visit.

Win Clements

This being our first bird watching outing of the new 2025/2026 season, 7 members gathered at 10.30am at the Reserve car park, the weather was fine and warm.

North Cave Wetlands has developed in the footprint of a large sand and gravel quarry. There are several shallow and deep-water lakes, interspersed with islands. Varied habitats include reedbeds, grassy banks and meadows, hedgerows and wooded fringes. Bird life, wildlife, insects and flowers are abundant in this excellent reserve. There is a good circular path around the perimeter of the reserve, 6 hides and many benches located along the route as we made our way through the reserve.

We began our bird watching from the first covered platform hide, near the Reserve entrance and the welcome Butty Van, serving Tea, Coffee and tempting bacon or sausage sandwiches. Great views over the lake presented so many bird sightings, Lapwings, Little Grebe, Cormorant, Greylag geese, Mallard, Coot, Teal, Shoveler, Tufted duck, Heron and Moorhen. Other birds in the trees and shrubs close by, Robin, Great tit, Feral Pigeon, Wood Pigeon, Magpie, Jackdaw.

Continuing along the path towards the South Hide, we clearly heard Curlew but were unable to see it here. Also, sighted Blackbird, Long-tailed Tit and Dunnock. Once inside South Hide the Curlew could be spotted along with Mute Swan and a Greater Spotted Woodpecker could be heard.

Onto the next lake where we encountered Little Egret, Gadwall and Wigeon. The Dennis Wood Hide revealed the sighting of the day, a Bar Headed Goose in the company of many Greylag geese, it looked strikingly different from its Greylag cousins. Very unusual to see one here. Other sightings, Redshank, juvenile Shelduck, Black-headed Gull and Green Sandpiper.

The Crossland Hide gave us sightings of many of the Waterfowl already seen, plus a Carrion Crow. Onto the East Hide then further to the Turret Hide, this has an elevated position with good views over reeds, shrubs and grassy areas with lots of teasels, looking towards the lake. Lovely view of a Kestrel hovering. A Snipe spotted, Pheasant and close to the hide sighting of Goldfinches feeding on the Teasel heads.

A successful and enjoyable outing with 38 sightings.

Judith Goodings

Barden Tower, the Priest’s House and Chapel are so familiar to those of us who live near Skipton we would drive past the historic site almost without paying it any attention.  It certainly is more prominently in view when approached from the south, the Strid and Bolton Abbey.  But this visit, in the long sunshine of a late summer’s day, made a noticeable impression on our group.  Due to unforeseen circumstances this change of plan was organised by Peter and Peggy at very short notice, and much appreciated.   We met at the 17^th century Barden Bridge, which has a considerable number of masons’ marks under the arches and which has withstood the force of storm waters all these centuries.  There was inconclusive discussion on where the ford may have been, or even the site of an earlier bridge, before we moved uphill to Barden Tower.

Although sadly ruinous now, the effect of the imposing structure of Barden Tower presented a newly absorbing interest to our group.  The day was very quiet, with no breeze, very atmospheric, and the knowledge we were looking at such a scene of centuries of historic drama was completely understood.

When William the Conqueror was establishing his authority over our Island, one of his awards was

the Honour of Skipton to the Norman lord, Robert de Romille, which included the vast Forest of Barden.   Romille built the original Skipton Castle in 1090, a motte and bailey castle, and established six forester lodges within Barden Forest, one of which was Barden ‘Tower’, which were presumably wood and thatch structures at that time.   Five of the Lodges were mainly small farms or vaccaries, but the ‘Tower’ was used to hold Forest Courts and administer local justice, and also as a refuge in the 14^th century during the raids of the Scots.

In 1310 Edward II was king, and he appointed Robert de Clifford (1st Lord Clifford) the Honour of Skipton, and as Guardian of Craven.  Barden Tower continued as before within the estate but also became the residence for the Cliffords and guests during the hunting of deer and wild boar through the forest.

The 15^th century Wars of the Roses claimed the lives of Thomas Clifford (8^th Lord) and his son John (‘Butcher’ Clifford), supporters of Lancastrians.  During this time John’s son, Henry, was hidden in a remote farming community in Cumbria or Westmorland, for the safety of a surviving Clifford.  With the disastrous result for the Lancastrian cause at Towton, the Cliffords were stripped of their lands and Skipton Castle.  King Henry VI was deposed and the throne seized by the Yorkist Edward IV.  Edward’s brother, Richard, Duke of Gloucester, did later capture the throne for himself, as   Richard III, following his occupation of Skipton Castle and the estates.

When Richard III was killed at the Battle of Bosworth in 1485, the Houses of Lancaster and York had been wiped out and the Welsh emerged as the real victors of the Wars of the Roses, placing Henry Tudor (Henry VII) on the throne, and the Cliffords regained their lands and Skipton Castle.

Henry Clifford, (10^th Lord Clifford, nicknamed the ‘shepherd lord’) established some stability in Barden Forest, rebuilt the Tower in stone and enlarged the structure as a three-storey rectangular tower with a stair turret on the north wall and a projecting rectangular tower on the south wall.  A huge window on the south wall opened onto a first-floor Great Hall and overlooked the great park.   Henry preferred this as his residence rather than Skipton Castle.    At this time, early 16^th century and into 17^th century, Henry also built the Priest’s House and Chapel, including a small tower rising from the Chapel porch which was known as a banqueting tower/belvedere, and the whole complex was encircled by a curtain wall.  The extensive area known as Little Park began to be created, with a kitchen garden, orchards and herb gardens, as well as ornamental gardens.  The considerable workforce was accommodated in a camp/quarters, which have been identified as platforms, terraces and hollow ways.

Barden Tower was attacked and ransacked during the rebellion of the Pilgrimage of Grace in 1536 and then suffered serious damage during the Civil War.  Succession had progressed to Lady Anne Clifford (daughter of the 3^rd Earl Cumberland) in 1657, and she commissioned extensive repairs and restorations and extensions during the long years of her ownership, although she rarely resided in the Tower.  However, this major restoration suffered once again, as Lady Anne’s heirs allowed use of the Tower to lapse.  By the end of the 18^th century lead was removed from the roof and the roof timbers taken out, leaving the Tower to crumble, and we are left to wonder what the next dramatic episode will be for Barden Tower.……….Through successive marriages between Earls Cumberland, Burlington and Cavendish, the estate of Bolton Abbey and Barden belong now to the Dukes of Devonshire.

To conclude our visit, we drove along the ancient Howgill Lane with views over the broad landscape, much of which was once dense forest…….and enjoyed our lunch at Brownies cafe.

Phyllida