An Embsay-with-Eastby History post from the diary of Annie Parker Greenwood of the Mason’s Arms, Eastby
Annie Parker Greenwood lived at the Mason’s Arms, Eastby with her widowed mother Elizabeth, younger sister Sarah and brothers Richard and Tom.
This extract from her diaries begins the day before her 20th Birthday and records a visit by her boyfriend Sam Wilkinson, who had come to stay for a couple of days, and their visits to Skipton Castle, Barden Tower and Bolton Abbey.
Wednesday 11th August 1875
Splendid day. Went to Newall’s at Bower House this morning. Started for Skipton about 11am and went to the Station to meet Sam Wilkinson. We went through the Church & Castle, looked into the room where “Fair Rosamund” was born: one where Mary Queen of Scots was confined.
Called in at Davis & Waddingtons, Laycocks, Greens, Farrands, etc [shops in Skipton]. We called & had refreshment at the Black Horse. We then came home & had tea, & then went for a walk onto Halton Heights. Enjoyed the walk very much.
Thursday 12th August 1875
Very wet all morning, cleared up a bit in the afternoon, but very wet again in the evening.
Sam went with me to Bolton Woods, we went all round Barden Tower and then walked down the Woods to the Abbey. Rested occasionally in the Bowers. Dr Whitaker, in his History of Craven says “the glories of Bolton are all to the North. Whatever the most fastidious taste could require to constitute a perfect landscape, is not only found here, but in its proper place. In front and immediately under the eye, is a smooth expanse, of park like enclosure, spotted with native oak, elm, and ash, on the right the skirting wood, on the left a rising copse. Still forward are seen, the aged oaks at Bolton Park. The growth of centuries, and further yet the barren and rocky distances of Barden Fell and Simon Seat, contrasted with the warmth, fertility and luxuriant foliage of the Vale below.”
A little to the left stands Bolton Hall the occasional residence of the Duke of Devonshire when he chooses to visit his Yorkshire Estates. He has commenced his grouse shooting today. In passing through the Woods, I must not omit to mention the Strid, where the boy of Egremond was drowned:
[Annie then quotes from a poem written by Samuel Rogers in 1834 about the legend of young William de Romilly drowning at the Strid in 1154]
“From Embsay rings the matin bell,
The Stag is roused on Barden Fell;
The mingled sounds are swelling – dying
And down the Wharfe, a hern is flying.
When near the cabin in the wood,
In tartan clad, and forest green,
With hound in lash, and hawk in hood.
The boy of Egremond is seen.
Blithe is his song, a song of yore –
But where the rock is rent in two,
And the river rushes through,
His voice is heard no more.
‘Tis but a step! The gulph is passed,
But that step – it is his last!
As through the mist he wings his way.
(a cloud that hovers night and day)
The hound hung back – and back he drew
The master and his merlin, too!
That narrow place of noise and strife
Receives the little all of life.
We stopped and had a bit of talk with the “Bard of the Glen” [John Atkinson Bland – also known as ‘The Wordsworth of Wharfedale’], and then pursued our way home. We called at Mr Hodgson Demaine [Calm Slate Farm, Halton East]. Sam played a few tunes on the Harmonium. Miss Demaine also played a few psalms.
We had supper at home, found cousin Willie in, and proceeded up to Newall’s. Sam & Bella Newall were playing on the Piano, hymns, songs etc., until about eleven. We then came home, looked into the Summerhouse and went to bed about 12.
Friday 13th August 1875
Fine day. Sam went to Silsden this morning. I went with him to the bottom of Newall’s Holme, and then said “Good bye” …
Sam Wilkinson became a policeman in Hebden Bridge and married someone else. Annie married George Dinsdale in 1881 and they emigrated to Nebraska the following year.
Next Month’s History Post will be on the history of the Mason’s Arms, Eastby.
Author: David Turner, Embsay-with-Eastby Historical Research Group; September 2021
Categories: All, History Posts
