Memories of the Second World War at Pocklington were revived when Pocklington and District Local History Group met in their November meeting. Jim and Margaret Ainscough gave a presentation about a young evacuee, Michael Ford, who was a pupil at Hull’s Hymers College which shared Pocklington School’s facilities until the end of 1942. He maintained detailed and warm recollections and friendships of his wartime experiences right up to the time of his death in 2013, and Michael passed on everything he remembered about Pocklington to Jim and Margaret Ainscough when they were writing the book 'Pocklington at War'. For three months he was billeted in the servants’ quarters at Burnby Hall but he was bullied by the older boys. So he was sent to live with the local blacksmith. Joe Scales, his wife Elsie and their daughters Maud and Brenda welcomed Michael, as he said, as “an honorary member of the family”. They lived on Summerson Terrace, in one of the town’s first council houses. There was no electricity, only three rooms had gas lighting and it had an outside toilet. But Michael described it as “a little piece of heaven for what it lacked in material attributes it more than compensated in cleanliness, comfort and family warmth”. Michael and the family remained lifelong friends. Michael’s vivid recollections of the war included looking out of his bedroom window one moonlit night to see a German fighter-bomber flying low over Victoria Road. He wrote, “How it cleared the church tower I don’t know”! He also recalled additional prep sessions in the old Wesleyan chapel schoolrooms on Chapmangate, of other evacuee children from a deprived part of Sunderland who were also sent to Pocklington, and of being sent out to help the war effort by pulling carrots in a field off Percy Road; and his story provided a fascinating insight and tribute for Thursday night's talk. Photo shows Michael Ford in the grounds of Burnby Hall in the autumn of 1939.

The Mayor of Pocklington Councillor Paul West welcomes everyone to the Fallen Heroes exhibition opening at the Arts Centre

Pictured before the Fallen Heroes exhibition are (l to r): Councillor Martin Ratcliffe, Deputy Mayor of Pocklington; Gareth Hughes, WWI author and keynote speaker; Lieutenant Colonel Graham Whitmore, Army Liaison Officer from 15 (North East) Brigade in York; Rowan Blake-James, Deputy Lieutenant of the East Riding; Andrew Sefton, Pocklington & District Local History Group archivist; and Councillor Paul West, Mayor of Pocklington.

Lieutenant Colonel Graham Whitmore, Army Liaison Officer from 15 (North East) Brigade in York presents a plaque to Paul West, Mayor of Pocklington

A profile of every one of the 53 fallen heroes was on display

Phil Gilbank and Andrew Sefton who put together the exhibition

Martin Cooper who did the original research next to the lighted candle and 53 poppies at the exhibition - one for each of the 53 Pocklington men who died in WWI.

Dr. Peter Halkon is an acknowledged leading authority on the Parisi tribe in East Yorkshire. His archaeology excavations of the Hasholme boat, led to a better understanding of a large inlet of water from the Humber named the River Foulness. The valley of the river was a centre of early Iron Foundries which cast the weapons and wheel rims for the chariots of the Parisi peoples of the wolds. These spear and chariot burials are unique to East Yorkshire and the Paris basin, with 'Par' being an ancient word for a spear. The Romans feared these warrior peoples and built a line of defensive forts surrounding the wolds from near Scarborough, round to Malton, Buttercrambe and Hayton (which Peter excavated). A full attendance in the Arts centre enjoyed Peter's accomplished delivery and stunning visuals. A memorable evening enjoyed by all. Peter's book 'The Parisi: Britains and Romans in Eastern Yorkshire' is available from all good booksellers.

Dr. Kate Giles examined the jewel which is held on display by the Yorkshire Museum in York, and related the messages conveyed on the jewel with its possible links to Richard III of York. The story of the finding of the Middleham jewel had much intrigue, suspense, crime and mystery. The final purchase of the jewel was made by the Yorkshire Museum for £2.5 million. Kate gave a gripping presentation with one attendee saying it was the best one and half hours entertainment he had experienced for a long time.

Inside St. Edmunds Church

William Watson's sundial above the door

Jane Henley explaining the history

Outside dial cottage

The mill workings

A surviving Windmill

Barbara English has carefully transcribed an Extent for Pocklington from 1260 and presented to the group copies for us to consider and discuss. It therefore developed into an interesting workshop and debate about the occupations and society status in feudal Pocklington. It was even found that a couple of surnames such as Goddard and Colley survive in the town today. Her transcription can be viewed here.

60 Flying Men, Women and Children

Phil Gilbank, the 2014 Jester, accepting the challenge of Thomas Pelling's memory

Pocklington Super Heroes

The 'Flying Man' Cafe

The History Group display

Bernard Ross's impressive Airfield Model

Not a History Group event but notable historical news. Phil Gilbank showed and talked about Pocklington's church plate treasures. All Saints has a marvellous collection of church plate of the 17th,18th and 19th centuries that includes some outstanding examples of the work of leading 17th century silversmiths. Many pieces of the church plate have a fascinating story to tell, and Phil related some of these stories, including the silver chalice that has a connection to Bing Crosby, and a brass alms dish from the 1880s with links to Kate, Duchess of Cambridge. He is seen holding the special chalice that Phil discovered was made by a renound York Goldsmith John Plummer who actually was from Pocklington. The Chalice has the arms of the Belt family and dates from the 17th century.

Jo Green was re-elected for the chair and outlined the objectives of the group and concluded on another successful year. Treasurer Peter Green also showed a healthy situation for the finances of the group.
2014/15 Re-Elected Committee: Chair & Secretary– Jo Green, Treasurer – Peter Green, Archivist/Webmaster – Andrew Sefton, Committee – Phil Gilbank, Dennis Moor, Paul Jennings, David Rumbelow, Chris Bond, Jane Henley (representing the villages) and David West. Roger Bellingham is Honorary President. The AGM was followed by an inspirational talk by Geoff Sheasby (Pocklington Town Crier) on the history of Pocklington Criers and a photographic review of the year including the "World Premiere" of the oldest film of Pocklington in existence. It was recently discovered and has been transferred to digital format. It was filmed on 20th November, 1932, and shows soldiers and the Pocklington Cadets marching in Barmby Road and Railway Street, on a WW1 Memorial Parade.

Pocklington school is 500 years old this year and it was appropriate that the story of the school founders, the Dolman family, be told in the school library. An old boy Phil Gilbank gave a comprehensive review of the rise in fortune of the Dolman family and their downfall caused by their devotion to the catholic faith, and usually backing the losing side in any conflict. Chris Rock created some super illustrations to accompany the event.

Jon Kenny is community achaeologist for the city of York. His role is to involve local communities into taking an active role in the participation of researching and excavating local sites of interest. He has a number of local groups participating and gave examples at North Duffield, Bilborough, Stockton, Strensall, Broughton, Hessay, Hornington and Copmanthorpe. The possibilities for Pocklington were discussed and there seemed to be interest expressed. If you would like to get involved please contact the committee members. Link to York Community Archaeolgy Website.

Short Talks open evening (Above is a still from the cine film taken in 1960)

1. Peter Green and Mike Skelton - "Rocks of Ages"
Considering the East Riding has mostly chalk and soft limestone, what did the locals use to build the churches? Mike and Peter gave us a talk on where the stone was sourced from, how it was transported and how it was used and how the masons applied their own masons mark.
2. David Rumbelow - "A formidable Tudor lady"
David talked about Joan Ackworth, who was lady of Pocklington Manor, and colourfully presented the life and times of the tudor court of Henry VIII in which she lived and participated.
3. Phil Gilbank- "Harry Wood MM, VC – the tragic hero".
Phil stepped in to give the talk about a most fascinating man Harry Wood from Newton on Derwent, whose life story almost sounds a work of fiction. He won the Military Medal for heroism in the first world war, only to return later to win the Victoria Cross for bravery, and then by a wicked twist of fate to die of shock in 1924 when he saw his wife run down in a car accident.
4. An Old Film of Pocklington and Woldgate School around 1960 by Robert Sefton.
Andrew showed his brothers 9.5mm cine film of Bishop Wilton village life, Pocklington and Woldgate school, recently scanned by the Yorkshire Film Archive.