Characters of Methley

www.methley-village.co.uk/titus-salt

Titus Salt – Methley Village Titus Salt By Bill Thackray April 2, 2017 Comments Off on Titus Salt Textile Manufacturer Titus Salt Lived at Methley Hall from 1858 until 1867 – the appended notes are paragraph from a biography written by his friend the Rev. R Balgarnie of Scarborough Among many eligible mansions that came unde...

History of Methley an Overview
By Bill Thackray
This village has a comprehensive history dating back to before the Romans. Little of that period is in evidence but its advantageous and possibly defensive position between the two rivers, and its later proximity to Roman Castleford and the Ermine Street by-pass to York can leave us with little doubt that the area was inhabited. Could it be that Cartimandua, Queen of the Brigantes passed here, that same Queen who having left her husband as hostage with the Romans to obtain her own release then immediately turned round and proceeded to do battle with the Romans her husbands jailers.

Once again we can only surmise that the area was worked during the dark ages to the Domesday period by Britons, Saxons and possibly Norse settlers.

It will be possible to see that development from a grouping of small hamlets into a village made up of a concentric manor within a manor evolved initially from its geographical position. Later shaped by the Church, influential leaders and outside historical events up to the present day. The larger village as such did not have a defined village centre, probably because of its size. A village centre was to develop in the inner demesne (Mickletown – Magna Villa) with the mill, smithy, brickworks and central Manor house.

The hand of history on this village continued throughout the mediaeval period in the form of Lords of the Manor who would have overseen the three field crop rotation system of agriculture. The plague left its mark as did the Wars of the Roses, and 200 years later the village new all about the Civil War and later still the Parliamentary Enclosure awards.

Further developments were the improvements to river traffic following uprating of the Port of Goole giving better access to the sea. The construction of the three rail lines and development of two coal mines followed workings of a number of small pits.

Later, the introduction of industrial and social reform. For instance, the traditional church was not insulated from change with the advent of a number of non-conformist chapels. Victorian Methley saw increases in the population with the new mines and access to developing towns.

Then came two world wars. As with the rest of the country, Methley was sorely affected, the village was to play a small part in the second war.
Three major strikes in coal-mining were experienced.

Agriculture was now at its zenith. Changes continued with the transport systems, including completion of the M62.

Then came closure of the mines and working coal seams by opencast methods. Reductions in agricultural needs more recently and finally the increased demand and supply of new homes leading to the accelerated development of housing estates.

Place Names of Methley (Source: Place Names WR of Yorks, AH Smith Camb U Press)

Carr Hall – os 1841 near the Aire at Mickletown
Carr Houses – on the Calder near Methley Junction
Cringlesworth – Crynglesfurthe pasture 1559, ford at the loop in the Calder
Ear Moits – confluence
Hungate – where hounds were kept
Methley Mires – swamp, Mires 1339, Myers 1373, Myerside 1386
Mickletown – Magna villa de Methley 1354 denotes part of village
Morehouse – Morehouse 1405, Lowmoor, Southmore side
Thorpe – by the Kelder 1410, Thorplidyate – outlying farmstead
Woodrow – row of houses near the wood, Woodrowe 1375
Allerton Ferry – the ferie 1592, boatstake 1759, stake where the ferry was moored
Bond House – Bond Garth 1809
Kirkside – Kirkside 1368 Churchfield
Coney Moor – Coney Moor 1723 (rabbits)
Crooked Park – Crooked Park 1541
Methley Grange – 1841 os
Stoney Lane – Stoniloine 1368
Watergate – road leading to Calder
West Hall – West House 1537
Whitecrosse – Whitecrosse 1373
Whitehouse Farm-
Willow Grove –

Public Transport 1821
By Bill ThackrayJ
Public Transport connections in 1821 were by coach, and Methley was on the Leeds to Ferrybridge Great North Road turnpike route.

Coaches in these days were the Royal Forrester which began Dec 15th 1821. The coach left the Greyhound Inn at Ferrybridge at 7.00am called at the New Elephant Inn, Pontefract then Glasshoughton, Methley, Oulton to the Bull and Mouth Inn, Leeds all days except Friday and Sunday. Return from Leeds at 3.30pm. The carrier being Wm. Higham & Co.

Another coach was the Perseverance (1843) Leeds to Doncaster – left Doncaster 6.00am via Pontefract and Castleford (Ship Inn) and returned at 4.00pm Fare 7s in and 4s out ( I presume that means 7 shillings for an inside seat).

In 1838 Leeds had 130 journeys incoming and outgoing per day to all points of the compass. Carrier Isaac Brook pulled out of the Golden Fleece,28 Briggate Leeds on Tuesdays and Saturdays arriving at Methley at 10am – return 3pm.

George Frederick Bedford
By Bill Thackray
George Frederick better known as Fred was born in 1884 in Skinner Lane, Methley Town, Leeds. His parents were George and Mary Bedford. Until the outbreak of war in World War I, he lived in Castleford, but then became a private in the Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, service number 21493.

The Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry better known as the Koyli’s, was set up in 1881. Before that it was known as the 51st Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry and had a history dating back to the battle of Waterloo and before that. Their motto was Cede Nullis – Yield to None. This showed how the Koyli’s tried not to give up, even in the hardest conditions. The Regiment was absorbed along with others into the Light Infantry in 1968.

It is likely that Fred joined one of the Territorial (volunteer) Battalions created at the outbreak of the Great War to serve alongside the Koyli Regulars. After training in various towns in the County, his battalion was mobilised for action and sent to Flanders in early 1915. It formed part of the 49th Division which fought in the battle of Aubers Ridge in May of that year. Here, the germans used phosgene gas for the first time. Although the battle was a disaster for the British, Fred apparently survived, only to be killed in action on the 8th July, 1915. He was 31 years old.
His grave is in the Kemmel Chateaux Military Cemetery at Huevelland, West Vlaaneran, Belgium. This cemetery contains the graves of 1,137 men that were part of the allied forces.

In August 2014, along with my grandpa I took a trip to the cemetery to visit the grave of George Frederick (Fred). But before that we went to the churchyard at Methley where Fred’s name is on the memorial. Unfortunately the church was closed and the Vicar was away.James in Flanders

Fred’s grave is surrounded by those of his friends, who were all killed within three days of one another.
We also visited Ypres for the Last Post ceremony at the Menim Gate which takes place every night at 8.pm. The ceremony is to honour those who lost their lives defending Belgium.

The reason I made the trip was to honour Fred Bedford and his comrades, and to try to find out more about him and what he did.

James Bowman age 14 (2015) Framingham Earl High School,Norwich

www.methley-village.co.uk/foxholes-colliery
Foxholes Pit Exlosion

Foxholes Colliery – Methley Village Foxholes Colliery By Bill Thackray May 17, 2021 Comments Off on Foxholes Colliery Foxholes Pit Explosion The following appeared in the Wakefield Express dated August 26th 1877. ‘Great excitement prevailed in the Methley district on Wednesday morning when it became known that about 3.30 that morni...

Parting of the Manor Walk
By Bill Thackray
I don’t know how long it is going to be available to us, but if Banks’ application to opencast the Moss Carr site for coal is successful, then you can forget this walk for up to five years thereafter. Banks’ say three years and three months with diversions to the perimeter rights of way, this on a site larger than their existing Methley South site. (The Moss Carr workings commenced May/June 2001).

It has always been THE walk in this village of many walks, so I commend as many as possible to make a final pilgrimage should the planning application succeed. For those who can’t make it you could follow this…..

We start at the cricket field and hoof it up Woodrow Hill to Oulton Lane, its the worst part of the walk with oncoming traffic, however there are compensating views, including Tommy Lane and the woods on the left and the fleet beck vista on the right.

Lost is the attractive gamekeepers cottage which is now access to the private hospital. Another feature to note is the intensive growth of the hedgerows which have now to be cropped mechanically, due no doubt to the increased use of fertilisers – good for the birds and the hedgehogs.

You could leave the road behind by taking the track to Clumpcliffe farm and following the footpath along the ridge.

However I choose the later left turn at the bridleway sign and push on up the hill along the side of the Hugh Calverley sports field created at very great expense by the coal contractor following a donation of the land from the Calverley family.

Near the top we negotiate a copse which appears to have grown around a stone outcrop cm quarry. The new signposts for the Leeds Countryside walk direct us on to a narrow footbridge across a drain and a direction sign indicating Newmarket Colliery on the right, and the route we take, Hungate to the left. Walking towards the treeline and on we skirt the woods which bring back memories of this peaceful sylvan walk which had the remains of the cast iron fence and also had a couple of stiles – long since gone. What is new is the view of the long stretch of the M62 from junction 30 and its associated noise.

A back look on reaching Hungate still provides an evocative view up the treeline which will be lost even to thousands of west bound motorists on the M62 should opencast planning be approved . Still to be appreciated is the gentle walk along Hungate lane with its farm and cottages showing little change over the years.

Into view is Scholey Hill (although the sign says Watergate) and the Mexborough Arms should you need refreshment. (Sadly the Mexborough Arms is no longer with us)

The last furlong is along Park Lane with the Lawn Pond and plantation in view to the left. Here the arable fields interspersed with park trees offer an unchanging view despite the many changes in farming that have taken place. Journeys end is the cricket field, a good time to commence the walk is Saturday afternoon offering the opportunity to spend a couple of hours enjoying the sound of leather on willow and murmur of intelligent cricket commentary from some of the watchers.



January 2006 – We have walked the course now in November and New Years Day 2006, and a word of warning to would be walkers. A 400 metre section of the walk has been relaid following mining operations and the land drainage is still far from working. My advice is to avoid the outer walk until, say May/June and some dry conditions.

Boxing Day 2009 – A good time to walk is on crispy snow laid on a carpet of ice. No mud on boots and really fresh weather conditions. An Irish whiskey with half of guinness in the Mexborough Arms makes it even more pleasurable. Beware compacted ice on the side roads.

February 2012 – Dry conditions enable the walker to make good progress starting at the Hungate entrance with just slight muddy sections. Footprints indicate plenty of usage.

Trans Pennine Trail
By Bill Thackray
It is the first purpose built national route for walkers and cyclists and it runs coast to coast between the ports of Hull and Liverpool. These cities, in turn linking with the seaside resorts of Hornsea and Southport, the whole route amounting to some 350 miles.

The trail at Methley is a section of the spur from South Yorkshire to Leeds and plots a route mostly along the Aire and Calder Navigation, more recently called the Leeds Country Way. In addition Leeds City Leisure have identified links into other trails in the Leeds area.

Perhaps least recognised is the result of restoration schemes that have taken place, turning former colliery sites into attractive landscaped wetlands and woodlands. An older generation can certainly appreciate this.

Well, it certainly works, there is always someone walking or cycling along the river section from Pit Lane. Three bridges offer choice of bank (can’t wait for St Aidan’s opencast mining to finish), there is always some river traffic to wave to. They and you can pull into the marina at Lemonroyd locks for a sit down, a picnic, a look at the cruisers and narrow boats or watch the locks in operation. The walk extends to a bird viewing hide, but you will see lots of birds on the walk, and these days lots of twitchers with their high powered scopes and GPS locators. Increasing numbers of mute swans with mallards, coots and the avaricious cormorant are visible, the latter being the first to indicate the return of fish to this former industrial river. Not to be seen nowadays are the abundant flocks of starlings gathering and swooping before migration south in autumn, they are still around but don’t gather riverside since the telephone poles and cables have been taken down.

The southern leg of the walk takes advantage of the old Newmarket Colliery mineral railway line and connects via the Calder to Wakefield. It then has a choice of routes, either to Oulton taking in the ancient parting of the manor walk and now the new shortened walk through Methley Woods to Woodrow. Shouldn’t worry about dehydration there are plenty of pubs and clubs in Methley to satisfy the thirsty walker. (Well, there used to be)

I don’t know how much the Methley leg cost but the whole scheme was awarded a £5.8m grant in 1995 from the Millenium Commission.

As a result it is well signposted with some attractive gates and sculptures, it is also well served with motor prevention structures.

Any variation of the Methley sections should be described as ambles rather than hikes.

Governance in Methley 1923 to 1930 (100 years ago) - Follow the link below :-

Governance in Methley 1923 to 1930 – Methley Village Governance in Methley 1923 to 1930 By Bill Thackray May 14, 2021 Comments Off on Governance in Methley 1923 to 1930 Local Government in Methley    Page 4 At the January meeting in 1923 a proposal to purchase the Institute and grounds out of Miner’s Welfare funds was mentioned.  The annual repo...

Canal Diversion 1988

By Bill Thackray
In March 1988 after some unsuccessful piling repairs, the north bank of the river Aire (the old river) breached at a point some yards downstream from Lemonroyd locks. The Opencast Management suggested that the weakness was possibly a geological fault under the river. Water from the river and canal system was able to pour unchecked into the adjacent St. Aidan’s opencast workings completely flooding the site. All photographs in this article taken by Barry Seage.

Recovery of the workings included proposals to divert the river and canal and re-construct a single new course. After lengthy consideration and the need of an Act of Parliament to proceed, the engineers were able to commence the civil engineering works in 1993.

A large construction challenge, the work required, excavation, suitable lining of the new bed, construction of new locks and a weir, a dock for pleasure craft, two new bridges which included access for vehicles over the span on the former Caroline bridge site and closure of two original locks (Lemonroyd and Kippax locks).

The completed stretch would enable the largest items of canal traffic to pass, at the same time the banks would be of sufficient construction to protect against the worst projected flooding levels.

The new river and weir would also take account of the increased levels of fish. During construction the canal had to be closed for a period, however pleasure craft were able to ‘navigate’ the civil works by being elevated with a mobile crane and transported by articulated mover and re-floated by the same crane which followed.

Evictions 1863 by Mine Owners from local housing
By Bill Thackray
A printed poster on view at the National Mining Museum at Caphouse Colliery describes the dreadful state of industrial relations in and around Methley at this time.

This was a situation brought about by adverse trading conditions in coal mining at the time. Subsequent cost cutting steps were imposed by the mine owners (Briggs’) and the resulting hardship suffered by the coal miners involved and their families in Methley and the adjacent village of Whitwood were included in the poster.

The poster (appended below) was in the form of a plea to the general public to understand the position that miners had found themselves in and the actions that were being taken by the owners.

The build up to the dispute began in the June of that year when the men, having had to accept a reduction of seven and half percent on wages refused a later instruction to riddle (screen) the coal before filling the tubs. As a result of this refusal the men were then locked out having also refused to sign not to defend each other (form an association with representation).

One witness writing to the Leeds Express reported seeing hundreds of men and women along with their furniture being ejected from their homes at Common Row, Whitwood. The bailiffs in this work being guarded by a strong force of police armed with cutlasses.

Similar action was taking place in Methley as extracts from the churchside school logbooks reproduced in Jim Melvin’s book Methley 2000 confirm:-

16th July – All the pits are closed, strike likely to prove serious.
15th Sept – Mr. Briggs the coal proprietor has turned parents and children out of
his houses and great destitution has been caused.
17th Nov – Increase in attendance as some colliers return to work.
25th Nov – Effects of the strike still very detrimental.
11th Dec – Colliers working much better.
5th Jan – The colliers are now returned to regular work.

Of equal significance to the melodrama described by the poster is the postal address of the Committee of Locked-out Colliers which was the Bay Horse Inn, Methley. From this we can deduce that the pub was more than a watering place. As meetings were taking place there (as they did right up to the 1970’s) it was clearly becoming one foundation of the developing Miner’s Association.

After failure in earlier years by the Chartists to secure representation and organisation for workmen from the top downwards, it is possible to see that association developed from the bottom upwards and the Bay Horse at Methley would be a factor in the development of early representation for miners. (The West Yorkshire Miners’ Association was formed in 1863 – it takes little imagination to work out where the originations for this type of association originated).

The structure of the later Yorkshire Miners Association in 1881 and then NUM was certainly an amalgamation of like groups.

One is left to wonder if Samuel Poppleton the landlord of the Bay Horse at this time could have envisaged the role of his public house towards that end.

Doubtless he would have simply been pleased to get the business of those thirsty colliers in his premises.