Phil preparing for the start of his talk on Pocklington Canal with the lock-keepers jug in the background.

The Movers and Shakers were the people who had invested in the startup of Pocklington Canal. Phil Gilbank said his research started as the basis of a simple Pocklington Canal origins talk, but soon realised from his research that the most interesting part were the people involved in its creation. This formed the basis for a most fascinating talk on the biographies and lives of the people involved and their reasons for this huge investment of this quite impressive engineering project.The canal originally was planned to come as far as where Sainsbury's supermarket is today in Pocklington town centre but because of the rise in the ground the extra small distance was to add significant extra cost to the project and was cut back to end at the present location of Canal Head next to the present A1079.

Caroline Bilton (great great great granddaughter of canal lock keeper and toll collector Mark Swann) hands over the jug ownership to Alistair Anderson of the Pocklington Canal Amenity Society

Jean Dawes at Beckside Barmby Moor

After a week of constant rain, by good fortune the evening was fine and dry for our annual walk, which in 2017 was around the village of Barmby Moor. We were led by local experts Valerie Hewetson (who was vicar of Barmby Moor for 15 years) and Jean Dawes who with the late Guy Wilson wrote the book "Barmby Moor - The history of a Village and its People". Val and Jean had prepared a super exhibition of documents and photographs in Barmby Moor church where the walk commenced. A route map with a full history of each of the places of interest was supplied to each participant and we set off to view the line of the old Roman road to Stamford Bridge and Malton. Next the post office built in 1874 to provide a source of revenue to St. Catherine's Church, the National school built in 1845 and the Boot and Slipper public house originally called the Boot & Shoe named after the dual occupation of the landlord. At the village cross roads was discussed the old village shop, and 'The Laurels' a Grade II listed building from 18th Century. The group walked to the site of the old Vicarage, now Northfield House built in 1847. Then proceeded down chapel street, with the old Wesleyan Methodist and the Primitive Chapels and the Village Hall an old ex-army mess hall from WW1 (Ousethorpe Camp?).

Barmby Moor House an old coaching inn

Moving to Beckside was Slakepit farm, a Quaker burial ground, the old school cottage and down to Barmby Moor House an old 18th C. coaching Inn. Walking back to one of the oldest buildings standing in the village, the Manor House. Given to the Dean and Chapter of York by the king in 1107. After 1136 was a Prebend and was a Prebendal House. The present building dates from 1597 but much extended and altered in the centuries following. It was sold by the church in 1847 into private hands. After which it is known that Lewis Carroll stayed there in 1862 where it is said he gained inspiration for his Alice in Wonderland story. The tour ended in St. Catherine's Church where Val gave a history of the church and stained glass windows. Refreshments and a review of the display awaited and the collection from the group was donated to the Church funds. Our gratitude is expressed to Val and Jean for a most enjoyable evening.

Always a most interesting evening with four speakers and an excellent turn out with the room filled to capacity. Phil Gilbank introduced the four speakers starting with Lizzie Dealey, Project Officer. She explained about a new project, 'A Gem in the Landscape', that has been supported through the Heritage Lottery Fund for the development of the Pocklington Canal. It includes dredging the Canal to help the wildlife environment and work to renovate the bridges along the canal. Many events are taking place and volunteers are welcome to get involved. More information is from canalrivertrust.org.uk or facebook.com/PocklingtonCanal. Next was Scott Dyson who wrote a Dissertation for his degree in history on the 'Norman Borough of Poclinton'. Scott was interested in the period between the end of the Romans and his proposed probable start date of the town which was around 900 A.D. Scott thinks the reason for the settlement in the town was religious with the location of the church on a Pagan worship site. A lively question session followed. Scott was followed by Sue Bond who has studied and photographed the fonts of East Riding Churches. The different types were discussed with very many of them having very early carvings of religious topics like the last supper, the crucifixion of Christ, the saints, animals and birds. Memorable images and a topic very worthy of study. Last up was Phil who had studied 'The Pocklington rugby player who became Argentina's first soccer captain'. Phil is a recognised expert on the history of Pocklington rugby having written a book on the subject. He led us through a fascinating journey of research undertaken mainly on the internet in his quest for James Oswald Anderson (1872-1932), who was a Pocklington rugby player born in Buenos Aires to British parents. He played football for Lomas Athletic Club in Argentina between 1895 and 1902, participated in the first official game of Argentina’s national football team against Uruguay in 1902 where he scored one of six goals for his team, was an early President of Argentine Rugby Union between 1904 and 1905 and later played cricket for Hertfordshire between 1906 and 1911.

Lizzie Dealey, Pocklington Canal Project Officer is introduced by Phil	Scott Dyson on early Pocklington
The fonts of East Yorkshire Churches	The Pocklington and Argentina Rugby player by Phil Gilbank