A walk around Burnby and Hayton (16th July)

The evening started with a tour around Burnby church. Although there is no mention of the church in the Domesday book, It is first mentioned in an account of the first rector Roger de Fiskerton in 1288. Over the centuries the church has been altered and restored on many occasions. An interesting village walk followed which included the home constructed by the jockey Simeon Templeman from proceeds of his Derby win on Bloomsbury in 1839. Thanks to Lesley Craven for showing us around Burnby Church and to David Nicholson for walking us around Burnby village.

The group then moved to Hayton to convene in the old school room where items of village history were laid out to view. Some old illustrations of the old Hayton Hall were visible and the school room built on the old entrance way to the old Hall. A tour of St. Martin's church ensued with a look at the corbel stone heads and the remains of a medieval wall painting. Finally the evening was rounded off by a look around Hayton mill which was the family home of the Etty family. The father of the famous York painter William Etty was the miller there. Thanks to John Green for showing us the Old Mill and talking on the Etty family, to Peter Green for the tour of Hayton Church and to Mick Bettison for explaining about the village history in general at the village hall.

and

"Pocklington church stone" by Richard Myerscough

A small group was led around Pocklington church on the 25th July by Richard Myerscough to look at the origins of the stone in Pocklington Church. The tour was so fascinating that we plan for him to give a talk in a full group meeting. Richard intends to write a book on the origins of the stone of East Riding Churches.

Two talks:

'Burnby Hall Gardens its history and heritage; past, present and developing the future", by Geraldine Mulcahy-Parker, Burnby Hall's Heritage Lottery Fund project officer. Geraldine explained part of her her agenda, is an aural history project interviewing local people with memories of Major Stewart, as well as an HLF bid to repair the lakes and restore the Edwardian potting sheds. Volunteers are needed to help with the project, please contact Burnby Hall if you wish to participate.

and

"Pocklington & The Great Charter - local links to Magna Carta 800 years on" by Phil Gilbank

Phil investigated all the many local links to the creation of one of history's most famous and significant documents the Magna Carta signed at Runnymede in 1215, and the talk complemented many of the events running up and down the country to commemorate the 800th anniversary.

Godfrey Bloom gave an entertaining and informative talk on the Battle of Waterloo to commemorate 200 years since the battle took place. His knowledge of every aspect of the battle and the tactics used by the opposing forces of Napoleon and the Duke of Wellington with Blücher was demonstrated to an attentive audience in the Rugby Club venue. Godfrey's delivery without the use of any notes or visual aids was an impressive presentation from an accomplished public speaker. Picture shows Phil Gilbank introducing Godfrey to the history group audience.

Tom Sayer aged 93 is stepping down as Chairman of the 102 Squadron Association and decided to talk to the people of Pocklington about his experiences of being a WW2 Bomber Pilot and how he flew out of Pocklington Airfield as pilot of a Halifax bomber plane. Simon Kularatne (whose father was also a pilot who flew out of Pocklington) interviewed Tom. He gave a remarkable account of his training in Canada, his bombing missions, his many close calls for him and his crew. They were shot on many occasions by enemy fire, and then after surviving over 30 missions, moved to training glider pilots in readyness for the D-Day landings. Tom's often moving account of his life as a pilot in wartime Pocklington gave a vivid account of the period and will leave a lasting impression in the memory of all the large audience in attendance in Pocklington Church.

Flying Men, Women and Children

Inside the Church

The 'Flying Man' Cafe

The History Group display

John Nottingham and Bernard Ross discuss the Airfield Model

Jo Green kicked off the 2015 AGM for the 8th successive year. She outlined the objectives of the group and concluded on a very successful year. She surprised the group by announcing her resignation from the chair but adding she was willing to take the role of Secretary. Treasurer Peter Green showed a healthy situation for the finances of the group, but added a cautionary note that the group should increase it's income by raising the door entry fee, because other sources of income were declining, such as reduced book sales. A vote was taken to canvas opinion on the possible increased charge. Jo proposed Phil Gilbank as her successor and was seconded by Andrew Sefton, who gave a vote of thanks to Jo for all her past work over the last 8 years leading the group. Our president Roger Bellingham presided over the change. (Picture shows Jo Green handing over the Chairman's role to Phil Gilbank).

2015/16 Re-Elected Committee: Chairman - Phil Gilbank, Secretary – Jo Green, Treasurer – Peter Green, Archivist/Webmaster – Andrew Sefton, Committee – Denis Moor, Paul Jennings, David Rumbelow, Chris Bond, Jane Henley (representing the villages) and David West. One vacancy exists for one more committee member. Roger Bellingham is Honorary President. The AGM was followed by a review of the year by Andrew Sefton and Phil Gilbank. Photographs found during the year were shown as well as 3 old films. *Update* - Heidi Woodhouse has agreed to rejoin the committee on the vacant committee seat.

Phil Gilbank introduces the evening

Paula Ware presents the finds

The history group's biggest ever attendance

A skeleton found on the site

Jo Green and John Brown examine the finds

Much interest in the finds

Phil Gilbank and Andrew Sefton stepped in at short notice after a talk cancellation to give two short talks that they had already given to other groups in the area. The first was "Pocklington history & Wine" followed by "Bishop Wilton through time - including old film clips". Phil gave an amazing number of links to wine and Sherry with both Pocklington and Kilnwick Percy. This included "Croft Original", Harveys Bristol Cream and Gonzalis Byass and the Vavasour wines. Andrew Sefton followed with a brief history of Bishop Wilton followed by some old film of Bishop Wilton taken in 1960 and the 1970's by his brother Robert.

The Wagoners are a fascinating topic with recruits drawn from all around this locality. Sue Cartledge presented on how the local men's horse skills were utilised for the national good by Mark Sykes of Sledmere. The old court house was full to capacity and everyone appeciated Sue's excellent presentation with many audience members having family connections to the Yorkshire Wagoners’ Special Reserve.