Ugthorpe. Looking back and living forward

Ugthorpe village, a farming village with two churches and a pub. It’s a place that never seems to change and if it does, its very slowly. Small local farms work together whenever needed, strengthening a sense of true community, which is not limited to work activities.

There are strong family ties too, Whites, Browns and Gallons to name just a few. There’s a sense of understanding, of knowing between folk often without things being said, working for a common good and not driven by profit or self-gain.

Ugthorpe Quoit pitch, rear of the Black Bull circa 1928

This true community sense leaks into their social life too, with dances, whist drives and such like.
The dances were in the village hall, but most other things met around the pub, the Black Bull. In the days of Will & Agnes White, the doors would be open whenever a customer arrived and closed when the last one left. Social activities had to work around the seasons of farming animals and crops, a village too small to field a football of cricket team.
 

1) Jack Gallon 1930               2) Joe Sanderson               3) Joe Sanderson &  John White            4) Fr Pat Bluett trophy

Quoits, a skilful game of throwing heavy iron rings at a pin in a square base of clay, a distance of 11-yards; quoits have been played here for well over a hundred years. There’s also a strange set of words to describe the position of a thrown quoit: Hill gator, hole gator, flat, pot, side on, que and Frenchman. The season would start the second week in May and run for around twelve weeks. Long summer evenings and a relatively quiet farming period made this an ideal game. Father Pat Bluett (St Anne’s) presented the Bluett trophy, something to play for.

Ugthorpe B Team 1927
Back row: J Gallon, J Booth, J Foster, W White,
L Harrison, R Welford, H Brown
Front row: F Hart, T Foster, W Duck, A Newton, J Dobson, J R Gallon

 

Danby district quoits league consisted of village teams such as Fylingthorpe, Goldsborough and Lealholm. Often Ugthorpe would put up two teams, this was brought about by youngsters showing an interest. John White was the motivator and persuaded the team to include them. Names were chosen to fit around family, farming and travel arrangements.

Teams for 1976 were:
Team-A captain Malcolm Cornforth (lad) Ralf Brown (man), Pete Floyd (lad), Anthony Gallon (lad), Chris Gallon (lad), Tommy Gallon (man), Joe Sanderson (man), Walt Spenceley (man), John White (man) and Andrew White (11-years old).

Team-B captain Colin Spenceley (lad) Stan Carr (man – first season), Pete Cornforth (lad), Luke Gallon (man), Eddy Harker (man), Bernard Gallon (lad), Marshall Hill (man), Pete Hill (lad), Edmund White (man), Joe White (man), Paul Welford (lad).

The quoits handicap takes place at the end of the season and anyone from Ugthorpe can enter. As often happened, a few from neighbouring Goldsborough also take part. Experienced and inexperienced players are levelled with handicaps from 3 Away – Scratch – 12 points (termed Owes). It’s a great event, drawing retired players, and wives who offer to make tea. In 1952 there were thirty-four players. The Semi-finals were E Calvert and F Gallon (11 - 21) & J Gallon and R Foster (21 - 4).

Jack Gallon won the final over Frank Gallon (21 - 17).

1976 Quoits Supper: Thirty-two played the handicap on the first Saturday of September 1976, and prizes are presented at the Quoits supper or Quoits night as it is often called, (Friday 26^th November 1976). Not only the Fr Pat Blewitt trophy but also prizes for the domino drive, a means of collecting money to help with the cost of food. In years gone by, free-gift prizes would be sought from Whitby traders. 1976 winner of the cup was Ralf Brown, presented by Bill Tyreman (chair of the local league) but not before Bill telling a tale in his broad Yorkshire dialect, so much that the writer had to translate to his new wife.

As second, third and fourth place winners are congratulated, and three domino players – Ralf pops the cup over the bar to be filled with whiskey and lemonade. I remember the first quoits night I attended with my father, he passed me the cup to drink from and told me clearly to “Just wet thee lips lad.” It was a powerful brew!

Tradition says, each prize winner must sing a song. John White (master of ceremonies) called on Ralf to sing the first song. “What shall I sing” says Ralf” – “Go on, give us Old Gypsy.” The room joined in the chorus to “Sing to me gypsy” and Ned White picks up the bass harmony. There is no accompaniment here, though plenty of encouragement. Most singers will have what is considered as their song and folk expect them to sing it.

Ned (Edmund) White is up next, considered a trained singer and everyone listens when he performs. “Just a wearying for you” sang with clarity and feeling. Joe Sanderson (John White’s father-in-law) is next to sing. Joe is at the bar getting his old school friend Billy Baldwin a drink. Joe asked Billy to stand in for him and sing “The old rustic bridge” it’s sung seriously, and the room is quieter still.

John calls his older brother, fourth place winner Joe White, who is a little nervous but encouraged by his brother he begins to sing “The fishermen of England.” This was the first time Joe had sung this, he would normally have sung “Keep right on till the end of the road.”

Domino drive winner Phil Marsay is called upon to sing but chooses not to and disappeared to the toilet. A substitute is found and Ted Cornforth sings “Loch Lomond”. Pete Floyd wearing a cloth cap sings “Nobody’s child” and the third domino prize winner sings “There’s a tiny house.”

All the prize winners have sung, the next in the way of things is for each singer to nominate the next. To get things moving, John White calls on Phil Hales who really gets the room buzzing with “The end of my old cigar” full of expression and laughter. Phil calls upon Luke Gallon who needed a bit of persuasion to sing “Mother Machree” and they press him for another verse. Luke calls Lucy White who reluctantly performs “Two eyes of blue.” Next up is Bill Carr to sing “Granny’s old armchair” and the room joins in with four choruses. Ralf Foster (brother to Jack Foster) is next to be called on. John quietens the room and says, “C’mon Ralf, give us t’ord favourite.” Ralph begins to sing “Nice to get up in the morning” as John calls for quiet. Ralf calls on John White who changes from master of ceremonies to the serious role of singer and performs “You’re the only good thing that’s happened to me.”

After some persuasion, Walt Spenceley sings a sentimental song “The wanderers warning” he then calls his son Colin who gives a good rendition of “The crystal chandelier” though Colin forgets a couple of words and is helped by Malcolm Cornforth. Colin is one of the youngest lads there and calls on one of the oldest, Jack Gallon. There’s a loud applause and John White taps his glass and calls for order. Jack sings a lovely song “The bonny hawthorn” he struggles a little now with the high notes. “Your call” says John, and Jack calls on the eldest in the room Jack Foster who says he is past singing but is encouraged by John and the room to sing “Where is my wandering boy tonight.”

After trying to get Eddy Harker to sing or a substitute, John calls on Chris Gallon, one of the young quoiters. Chris sings a Beatles song “Yellow submarine” and is then followed by Malcolm Cornforth with a comical song by the Wurzels “The bus shelter.” Next to be called is Liz Allen who sings “I’ll take you home again Kathleen” struggling with the second verse John and Ned help out. Noel Stamp is called upon and sings a song known as his song, “Old Shep.” Order is restored and Jack Bailey of the Fylingthorpe club is called and sings “Rose of Tralee,” the room responds well to the chorus.

It’s time for Tommy Gallon to get up and sing a song learned from his father “Will you love me when I’m old?” Tommy is followed by his nephew John Pearson, who sings his father’s song “Mush mush tural-i-addy.”   Anthony Gallon is requested to sing “A roving” Sylvia Richards sings “A poor little orphan boy” and the landlady is collecting glasses. The night is closing in, but you wouldn’t believe it! John White and Phil Hales strike up a partnership and the whole room joins in with songs such as: Cigarettes & whisky, old McDonald, the old rugged cross, Dublin’s fair city, merrily we roll along and Moonlight Bay. You knew it was home time when we sang “Now is the hour.”

North of England Quoits championship June 1979 at Fylingthorpe. George Hutton wins.
Runner up was Paul Welford. John White and Joe Sanderson were third & fourth respectively.

1977/8 Ugthorpe Quoits Winners and other players at Ugthorpe Quoit club’s individual championship. Seated from left: F Raw, Fryup 4th. J Winspear, Egton Bridge 2nd. P Marsay, Goldsborough 1st.
P Welford, Ugthorpe 3rd.

 

Congratulations are given deservedly and much encouragement, but it’s never about the individual – great achievements are done together.

We learn through experience and following the footsteps of those before us. These were golden days to be treasured and relived in whatever way we can. There is a strong togetherness within a community such as Ugthorpe, which even today holds on to these simple principals.

 

 

 

 

Players Colin Spenceley & Paul Welford
July 1991 Winners of pairs Crown
at Beamish Museum.  

 

Acknowledgments:

Keith Sullivan – Leeds University for his recording of the events of the Quoits night 1976

Family photos, newspaper cuttings and village archives

The Salesperson

 

Would you say you were a good salesperson for God?
A good salesperson will tell you that, sales jargon is not necessary for someone who knows what they want. Time is better spent describing the features and benefits, ultimately encouraging the person to make that choice!

Criticising other products is not helpful, as it will sow seeds of doubt as to your integrity. It’s also not helpful to try and lock a customer into a restrictive extended warranty. There is no catch with God – we are the catch! Created in his likeness, we are all called by God (whether we realise it or not). Called to be restless, within God’s peace. Challenged by our internal affairs, holding Christ Jesus – God’s son, as our reference point. Called to forgiveness, ourselves, and others. Called to radical living, in sharing what we have received – unconditional love.

Did I mention a price, what will it cost?
Well, here’s the paradox. It is of course free to those who accept it. However, it will take everything you have got, and transform you into who God has created you to be.

Romans 12:2
Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing, and perfect will.

The Portal

To follow a path just to see where it leads, and perhaps being tempted to stray – to find something you would have missed. These moments often happen when you are alone and can be a little scary!

No matter where we might walk, the places we see and the things we experience. We are always searching for something we cannot see or even imagine.

I recognise the inbuilt desire to escape the now and enter something quite different. We have a curiosity that drives us to discover, something that is hidden. Imagine cracking open a stone and finding a fossil inside. What’s the chance of finding something quite valuable or an answer to your question?

It seems there is a foundational belief that exists in each one of us, a knowing beyond knowledge, that there is always more – within and beyond our imagination.

So many examples in stories books and movies, where we see a hero embarking on a quest, journeying into the unknown. I am sure one such story will spring to mind, for me it’s “The Never-Ending Story.” Extremely popular these days is the search for Family history, finding our origin (our roots). Uncovering social history, re-enactment of battles and days gone by. I have to say I am drawn to the 1940’s era of style and music, it stirs my soul. 

We might sit and watch a movie, immerse ourselves in someone else’s story. Watching the hero completing their quest, overcoming fear, finding love – we all love a happy ending. Life runs at an increasing speed, that requires us to escape from the busyness, often to find peace and quiet and allow our inner energy to recover its strength; we want to become the hero.

Have you ever noticed, that when things seem upside down – they are the right way up. So, perhaps here, the opposite is true; that rather than us escaping, its more about accepting and welcoming the hero. Jesus, God became flesh and entered his creation, to renew all things. Jesus, (the word) spoke and all things came into being. For those who have ears to hear, his words became life. For those who have eyes to see, he revealed what was hidden. For those who’s hearts are open, he offers love everlasting. Lay aside the sceptic within, open your heart, and receive all that is offered. Become the hero of your life.

 

Image by Leo Wieling

Lissett to Pickering

 1944 and it would seem a long way to go for a cup of tea – from RAF Lissett to the NAFFI at Castle Camp Pickering, though this story begins long before that.

Two brothers from Middlesbrough, Tom, and George Pearson would often camp at the Lawns farm in Ugthorpe near Whitby. The farm belonged to relatives, the White family. There they met Luke Gallon and many of this close-knit community. It was a little while later that Tom realised that Luke had a sister, Bette.

The outbreak of war in September 1939 and Tom being the elder at twenty-two years, together with George were signed up to the RAF by October. Both were already trained with electrical skills through H.G. Sproates Middlesbrough and the RAF was their preferred service. During basic training, Tom became great pals with Harry Beasley and together they served in 185 Squadron at Thornaby and Cottesmore. Rumours of postings were high. Harry went to Canada; George was heading to the area of Hull and Tom was still waiting to hear.

Eventually, sailing from Liverpool Tom arrived at Malta where he would serve three years. His service would take him through the siege of Malta. Tom began his ground crew post as LAC (Leading Aircraftman) servicing Spitfires, Hurricane, and anything else that came along – including a Macchi C-202 (a captured Italian fighter plane). Tom was promoted first to Corporal, and then to Sargent.

Hanna Elizabeth Gallon was from a farming family of eleven and was born in Ugthorpe North Yorkshire. Her father would call her Lizzie, though she was later to be known as Bette. Ever a serving heart, at the beginning of the war Bette was called into nursing and travelled to Guys’ hospital, Farnborough. Later she was to return home as her father had cancer. Bette continued her nursing at the fever hospital Durham road Stockton. Whilst nursing a young boy there, she contracted diphtheria and was ill for quite some time. Nursing was not something that she was able to return to. Her father died in October 1943.

A couple of letters from Malta to Ugthorpe and eventually, perhaps with a little encouragement from Luke, Bette agreed to write to Tom. They would not know where Tom was due to censorship of mail, though it was revealed in code, (something agreed earlier) “Has Charlie sold the two pigs” indicated Malta. Bette would simply address return letters with: Service number, Unit, Name and Rank – Care of APO. The postal service was quite remarkable during war time, maintaining moral with news from home. Tom and Bette’s relationship grew through these letters.

1944 and Bette looked around for somewhere to help. One of her sisters (Dorothy) was in the ATS. Another sister (Winnifred) helped at a small kiosk down by the harbour side; this was part of the NAFFI in Whitby. Several training bases were popping up in preparations for D-Day, the Whitby Metropole hotel was just one of many. Bette enjoyed the work at the NAFFI and was soon selected for training as NAFFI manageress. This training was to take place at a hotel in Scarborough just off the Filey road. Her posting would be Castle Camp at Pickering. There was a rush to get Bette posted as more soldiers were expected at the camp. She was concerned that she had not been shown how to cash-up, so the trainer told her not to worry and she would be there to help on her first day.

Letters continued between Tom and Bette, keeping spirits up. Tom’s brother-in law Leslie had attended University with a Maltese guy and mentioned to Tom to meet up with the Valletta family in Birkirkara; they went on to become great friends. Tom served at many of the Island’s airfields: Luqa, Safi strip, Hal-Far and Ta-Qali 1435 Squadron. The Island was awarded the George Cross in 1942 and Tom was mentioned in dispatches June 1943. As the writer recalls, all Tom’s stories were positive even though situations in Malta were hugely different.

Tom’s RAF record sheet shows a communications flight 26^th December 1943, this was followed by a ship home to Blighty. By June 1944 Tom was stationed at Lissett, servicing Halifax bombers – in today’s terms, only an hour’s drive from Pickering.

I never knew who the bicycle belonged to, but Tom would cycle from Lissett to Driffield, catching a train to Malton and then changing trains to Pickering – goodness knows how long that would take! I can just picture him, uniform, great coat, and bicycle clips. Perhaps the same clips he would take off after returning from work in Middlesbrough when I was a boy.

Now, it was on one of these trips, that as Tom was cycling an old hare jumped up and started running ahead of him. Tom began to cycle harder and the hare ran faster, remaining on the road. This went on for some time and increased Tom’s speed significantly. Eventually the hare shot off into a field and Tom arrived at the station – just in time to board the train. Tom realised that if the hare hadn’t been there, he would have missed his train.

13^th October 1945 was the day Tom married Bette at St Anne’s Church Ugthorpe. Harry Beasley was Tom’s best man, and both were in full uniform. The married couple first took rooms on Oxford road Middlesbrough.  Late 1946 and as their first child (a daughter) was due, they moved to a cottage on Marton Moor farm. A further move to Rookwood road Nunthorpe where a son was born in late 1953. April 1954 and as Tom’s father, Edward needed care, the family moved in with him at Warwick Street Middlesbrough. Tom died in November 1972 and Bette kept his letters till 14^th February 2008 when she joined her beloved.