Contents Chairman’sreport 2006

Welcome to this the third issue of The Wolds Historian. One of the articles reveals that much Chairman's report 2005 1 heritage is being lost as a result of village growth. I The airfield in our midst 2 therefore make a plea for all ‘at risk’ features to be recorded and photographed so that information Polish camp revisited 19 will not be lost to future generations of local historians. Articles, short or long, based on such 'swells 20 features throughout the Woldsare most welcome Village life in nineteenth century 21 for publication in future issues of The Wolds Historian. Will of JoanGroves of Wymeswold 27 The WoldsHistorical Organisation meets Burton'sheritage lost in 2006 28 regularly on the third Tuesday in the month (except July and August) with a variety of speakers and a walk in June. This year WHO member Colin Lines gave an excellent insight into the steam fairground rides of FrederickSavage; Jack Smirfitt enlightened members about framework knitting, followed by a visit to RuddingtonFramework Knitting Museum; ThomasLeafe’stalk on nineteenth century pit boys made us aware of how easy life is today; ErnestMiller explained the history of ancient board games, with members honing their practical playing skills with Nine Front cover: The front cover of the souvenir Mens’ Morris; while HelenBoyntoninstructed us programme for the open day at RAF Wymeswold in the geology of CharnwoodForest and the on Saturday 15thSeptember 1956 (original in unique fossils in the old rocks. colour, kindly loaned by DavidPutt. Anyone with an interest in local and wider history is most welcome to attend WHO meetings. After the summer recess these include a talk on Southwellworkhouse (19thSeptember), the historic parks and gardens of and The WoldsHistorian is edited by JoanShawand Bob Trubshawand published by the Rutland(17thOctober), and an update on the WoldsHistorical Organisation. ongoing archaeological excavations near Leicester’sHigh Street (21stNovember). Contents copyright individual authors and illustrators As Chairman I thank, on behalf of the members, © 2006. JoanShawand Bob Trubshawfor producing this Uncreditedcontributions by the editors. issue of The WoldsHistorian, Bob Trubshawfor The moral rights of the authors and illustrators have his work as Vice-Chairman, DavidMarshallas been asserted. efficient Treasurer, DavidKeeneas Secretary, with No part of this book may be reproduced in any form ColinLines, VivMarshall, AlbertSleigh and or by any means without prior written permission DebbyBilhamas committee members for all their from the WoldsHistorical Organisation except for hard work and support. brief passages quoted in reviews. Finally, thanks to all members for continued Contact: 2 Cross Hill Close, Wymeswold, support and attending meetings, as without them , LE126UJ there would be no WHO. telephone: 01509 880725 email: [email protected] PatriciaBaker

1 The Airfield in our Midst Joanand Peter Shaw

The beginning pattern of airfield was devised with metalled In World War I the 38th Squadron of the Royal runways and durable buildings. Flying Corps Home Defence Unit, based at MeltonMowbrayand charged with defending the Potential sites were chosen by the Airfield Board, Midlands from the German Zeppelins, was after which the Directorate of Works made a supported by a landing strip at Horse LeysFarm in detailed survey. To begin with, the requirements Burtonon the Wolds.The memorial hall in the of the RAF were simply for an area of land in centre of Burtonwas closed for socials and dances which a circle of 1,100 yards could be described; and fitted with beds for injured Belgian and the flight paths were dictated by the location of Canadian soldiers. Twenty-three years later, with existing buildings. From 1938, developments in Britain again at war with Germany, Burton, along flying necessitated the laying down of definite with neighbouring Hoton, Prestwoldand flying lanes for each airfield and this resulted in Wymeswold, was called upon once more. the formation of the Aerodrome Improvement Board which worked with the Directorate. The early military airfields and landing strips were Preliminary reports were drawn up outlining the of a temporary nature and quickly civil engineering and siting aspects and including decommissionedat the end of hostilities but in the such relevant details as soil, drainage, access, 1930sthe RAF began to expand and a standard amenities, services, levelling and obstructions.

Ordnance Survey map of 1885, surveyed 1883, with location of the World War I landing strip superimposed. Lang'sRestaurant now occupies part of Horse LeysFarm.

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From these and the accompanying plans the Royal Air Force made a decision as to a site’ssuitability. Burtonon the Wolds, Hoton, Prestwoldand Wymeswold, bordered an area of plantations, park and farmland belonging to Sir Edward HusseyPackeof PrestwoldHall. This land was listed by the Airfield Board with a view to its possible use as a military airfield. The AvroAnson. The economy of the four parishes was based largely on agriculture and in the early 1930stheir Noel of Rectory Place in Loughborough. The inhabitants totalled less than 1400. The plans that surveyor on the ground is not named on the were afoot by the beginning of World War II documentation, but MrBailey says that Gorse would increase the population by almost 200 Farm and the surrounding area was surveyed by percent and change the landscape forever. Sir Teddy Turner. Edwardand Lady Packewould, in the words of Lady Packe’ssister Lady Victor Paget, have an Plans and inventories are precise. Careful sketches aerodrome up to their ‘front door’. were made of buildings to be demolished, and photographs taken. Fields, drains, and water Four possible locations were chosen for this part sources were mapped, condition of land and its of the : Ragdale, Derby, current use was recorded, heights of hedges and Wymeswoldand Castle Donington.MrFred depths of ditches were noted, and the fences and Bailey, whose father occupied Gorse Farm at gates were described down to the last missing Hoton, in the centre of the proposed site, hinge or broken rail. recollects that the initial surveys were carried out from the cockpit of a low-flying AvroAnson. At the outset RAF Wymeswoldwas to be an Operational Bomber Airfield but it was later The Air Ministry decided against the Ragdaleand decided that these would be in Yorkshire, Derby sites, leaving Wymeswoldas the favoured Lincolnshire and East Anglia; the Midlands would parent airfield with Castle Donington(later to be home to the Operational Training Units. become East Midlands Airport) as its satellite. The airfield was built to the typical RAF three There was acrimonious debate between Sir runway design, the main cement runway, 2,000 ArchibaldSinclair, Secretary of State for Air, and by 50 yards, running parallel to the Hoton- the Minister of Agriculture, mainly due to the high Wymeswoldroad and intersected by two quality of land at Castle Donington.In view of the subsidiary runways running roughly north to south urgency, no objections were raised regarding (1,250 by 50 yards) and south-east to north-west Wymeswold, where less than two-thirds were (1,250 by 50 yards). under the plough and the land was not of the best. Agreement was finally reached and the scheme The surveyors set their trig.point at 278 feet above went ahead. sea level. The western end of the main runway was 227 ftand the eastern end 257 ft. The overall The airfield itself lay within the parishes of Hoton gradient was 1:207. and ; living and communal huts were on dispersed sites around Burtonvillage. Only the Permanent landmarks identified were the town of instruction site was in Wymeswoldparish Loughborough and the Brush Electrical works. (between West View and Cliff Farm).

The village nearest to the airfield was Hoton, but it Overleaf: was designated RAF Wymeswoldto prevent Drainage plan of land requisitioned from confusion with HootonPark in Cheshire. Sir EdwardHusseyPacke.Reproduced by kind permission of the Record Office for Leicestershire, Preparation Leicester and Rutland(DE1346/527); details The Air Ministry Lands Officer was MrN.W. clarified by Jack Shaw. Wood. Sir Edward’sagents were Woolleysand 3 The WoldsHistorian No.32006

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The landscape The planned location for the bomb dump was almost touching the house of Sir Edward’shead Sir ArchibaldSinclairand Sir EdwardHussey gardener and an alternative had to be found. Packewere personal friends but it is obvious from Three Nissen huts and two brick buildings for the their correspondence that Sir Edwardwas purpose were erected in New Covert, north of the awarded no special favours. ‘He merely adheres Hoton-Wymeswoldroad. (During the war, to the official ruling’, wrote Sir Edwardin a letter ammunition stores were scattered throughout the to the Central Landowners Association. county; the wide verges around Six Hills were The first piece of land, 37.363 acres attached to lined with them and TheWoldsHistorian 2005 Gorse Farm and let at an annual rent of £55, was tells about three young Wymeswoldlads who requisitioned on 16th April 1941. On 23rd August of found themselves in court after stealing cordite the same year the Air Ministry took possession of from WysallLane.) 38.750 acres, including Ice House Field, and parts The airfield cut into a bridle road that ran from of the park and Old Wood which had brought in Burtonto the Hoton-Wymeswoldroad, a path that £65.15s.0d.Two cottages and land from Home ran alongside the road, footpaths linking New Field, New Covert and Old Wood, totalling Covert with Burtonand Prestwold, and a footpath 22.250 acres, were also taken. Sir Edwardagreed th from Burtonto Hoton’sParsonage Lane. Gorse to sell the trees felled prior to 18 February 1942 Spinney and Dales Spinney lay within the runway for the sum of £5,984.1s.4d. area and were completely flattened. The Water The total value of timber felled was estimated at Furrows, Churchman’sGorse, Mill Nook and £16,000. Since coming to Prestwoldin the Nether Mill Nook disappeared, along with seventeenth century the Packefamily had planted Lammas Close, Little Ewe Close and several other many trees and Prestwoldwas renowned for its fields that had formed part of the PrestwoldEstate. woods and plantations. The Loughborough Echo th Gorse Farm had been erected in 1887. No gas or of June 8 1934 published a photograph of Old electricity was laid and there was no well or water Wood where the rhododendrons were in full pump but it was a substantial house in very good bloom, ‘a wonderful picture’. After the war, condition. MrBailey’sfather had occupied the replanting was one of Sir Edward’spriorities and th farm for twenty years. In addition to losing the his personal accounts for 19 April 1946 show land, his house and associated outbuildings were £219.7s.0dpaid to WilliamBarrow and Son Ltd demolished. There were seven children and they ‘being the balance due for replanting Old Wood were given just three weeks’ notice. MrBailey, and replacing trees.’ 6 The WoldsHistorian No.32006

Opposite and above: Gorse Farm just prior to demolition. Reproduced by kind permission of the Record Office for Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland(DE1346/589/1 and 2). who later farmed at Burton, says the family was Demolished along with the cottages were a barn split up. Even his parents were separated, his and a concrete water tower. The water tower had father returning to his old home at Wymeswold. been erected by Barrow Rural District Council in September 1936 on 500 square yards of land Drinking water for Gorse Farm had been carried rented from Sir Edwardfor £2 per annum, to from Sisters’ Well (or Shepherd Jacob’sWell). The supply water to Hoton.As recently as March 1939 Well was in Spring Close and it was covered when the Council had taken out a ninety-nine year lease the perimeter track was laid. Sisters’ Well features at a higher rent of £3 per annum.The tower stood in local folklore. In PrestwoldChurch there is an adjacent to existing water tanks and the barn, alabaster table tomb with effigies of two late within an orchard, the whole being protected by a medieval ladies, said to be a monument to the ‘good and sufficient unclimbableiron fence’. The Laceysisters who, at a time of drought, discovered water tower was not reinstated, but in March 1946 this miraculous well that never ran dry. The story Barrow RDCagain assumed responsibility, paying was told by PhilipWhite in the WHO Newsletter Sir Edward£3 for the enclosure. 2001. (Burtonlater lost a piece of its history when remains of the ‘Grange Stone’ to the east of the Numerous pasture and arable fields in Burton, village were smashed and used as a rockery Cotes, Hotonand Prestwoldwere dug up for the around the sergeants’ mess.) laying of land drains, sewage and water pipes and power cables, as was an orchard and some school The two cottages – ‘a pair of the best’ – were on allotments. Poles to carry overhead cables were PrestwoldLane in Hoton.They were not on the erected at Hotonand in PrestwoldOld Wood. airfield site, but deemed an obstruction since they were in line with the main runway. They were Land requisitioned was not restricted to that in the requisitioned in December 1941 but could not be vicinity of the airfield itself. Living quarters were demolished until May 1942 when the tenants had on scattered plots north, south, east and west of found alternative accommodation. One of the Burtonvillage, the communal site was in Town tenants, MrsMoore, was offered a house by the End Plantation behind WalterSleigh’sfarm, on Countess of Huntingdonof BurtonHall, and land belonging to Lady Huntingdon.The Air moved to Spinney Cottage in Barrow Road. Overleaf: Sir Edwardhad been told the cottages would be RAF WymeswoldRecord Site Plan rebuilt but he had to settle for compensation (Aerodrome Site) 17, HQ-940Awith the instead. By March 1945 the site was still derelict location of Sister's Well superimposed. and unusable with ‘old broken up foundations, Crown Copyright Royal Air Force Museum, brick ends, rubbish and half the old outhouses.’ reproduced with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office.

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Ministry sewage works were built on MrTowle’s Conditions during construction were often chaotic land at Manor Farm. The hospital was located at with several different contractors on site and work Rose Cottage in Deepdales. on runways, roads and buildings going on at the same time. Earth moving machines and lorries MrsJ.M.Easter, who was based in the churned up mud until the whole place was a meteorology office at the control tower from 1944 quagmire. Despite this, things were generally to 1946, recollects: ‘the women’ssleeping planned and managed well. Efforts at camouflage, quarters were quite a way from the men’sin the however, were less successful woods which have probably been cut down now. We used to have lots of twigs falling on the tin Accommodation for the Wymeswoldcontractors roofs and little field mice running all over the was in six brick huts close to Hotonon the south place.’ The WAAFsite was at Husterdale side of the WymeswoldLane. The site had its own Plantation near the hospital, and MrsEaster is entrance and when the huts became redundant right: the plantation is no more. they were used by a local farmer. The south end of The Countess’sFishpond There was tragedy within a few weeks of work Plantation was felled because it was in line with commencing. FrederickKennethDeacon of one of the runways. Leicester was killed while helping to clear trees at Hoton.The trees themselves were cut down and It is impossible to quantify the exact acreage of then charges were laid to blow up the roots. Mr each parish that was given over to the needs of the Deacon was caught in an explosion despite the airfield. Approximately 340 acres in Hotonparish brave efforts of his workmate, MichaelGallagher, was requisitioned, 145 acres in Prestwold, 50 to warn him of the danger. acres in Burtonand nine acres in Wymeswold, but there are no figures for the land rendered unusable Not surprisingly the construction work caused but not formally acquired by the Air Ministry. problems for local people. In November 1941 Sir EdwardPackereported to the Public Health Construction Committee of the Barrow Rural District Council Information about the construction of World War that there was insufficient sanitary IIairfields is not easy to find. accommodation for employees at the aerodrome. The woods at Hotonand land at the rear of Lady Large civilian companies involved include such Huntingdon’sproperty were in a shocking well-known names as Tarmac, Costains, Wimpey condition. The Clerk informed the Air Ministry of and McAlpineand there were also several military the situation but there is no evidence it was dealt organisations: the RAF Airfield Construction with. Branch, the Royal Engineers, and units from America and Canada. MrBailey says one of the In the December, the Public Health Committee companies working at RAF Wymeswoldwas was informed that water from Burtonpond was Bradshawsof Leicester. Local men found work, being used by the airfield contractors, and it was among them Warner and Bill Woottonof resolved to ask them to find another source. The Wymeswold, and women too. Sue Elliottof town pond, where parishioners watered their Burtontells us that her mother worked on the cattle, and the adjoining sheep-dip, was in the hangers, alongside many others. centre of Burton, close to the village hall. It was fed by the overflow from the lion’smouth fountain In 1938–9 Government spending on defence was and ran off into BurtonBrook. £250 million, by 1940–1 it had risen to £3 billion. In 1942 sixty thousand men were employed in The visual impact constructing airfields for the RAF and US Air The villages of Burtonand Wymeswoldnestled Force. As soon as each airfield was finished the deep in their valleys, Prestwoldwas hidden by team moved on to the next. Military airfields were trees. The new airfield was on an elevated spot, coming on line at the rate of three or four a week open and exposed. and at D-Day there were 812. A high water tower with a capacity of 100,000 Quiet country villages became small towns in a gallons was erected on the technical site in the matter of months.

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A 'Queen Mary' transporter at the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre, East Kirkby. Photograph by Peter Shaw. south-east corner. The control tower, a two storey the average sum for which this has been let for the brick building with a timber control room, was last thirty years is £7.11s.9d”. In reply to the Air located north west of the technical site. There was Ministry’srequest for further details, MrWalker a 90 feet wooden VHF radio tower north of the said there was waste on both sides of the road, Hoton-Wymeswoldroad near the bomb store. extending to seven acres in all, with a pond for the stock to drink. It belonged either to the Lord of the A gatedentrance was created from the Burton- Manor or the adjoining owner, but for the last Wymeswoldlane with the guard house, fire seventy years had been let for the benefit of the tender house and fire party rest hut on the north Parish. Due to the recent work, the turf had been side. A fuel store, comprising six tanks above the completely destroyed and although the Air ground each capable of holding 12,000 gallons, Ministry had not formally requisitioned the land, was positioned a few yards to the north. they had, in effect, taken possession. There were four T2hangars (240 by 113 feet) and Correspondence between the Clerk and the Air one B1hangar (227 x120 feet) and thirty Ministry continued for some time but eventually a hardstandings125 feet in diameter. All buildings compromise was reached and the parties agreed were described as ‘temporary’. on a figure of £6.0s.0d(nevertheless, the question of rent for the Hotonwayside waste was raised The majority of the aprons and hardstandings again in the 1950s). were on the north side of the Hoton-Wymeswold road and four taxiwayscrossed the road rendering It soon became clear that the ‘Queen Marys’ – the it useless for its true purpose. Both Wymeswold long articulated trucks that carried the aeroplane and HotonParish Councils were incensed. Mr wings and bodies – would have great difficulty Taylorof Wymeswold, seconded by MrBartram, negotiating the sharp bend close to West Cottage th made a proposal that they send a protest to the on the road from Burtonto Wymeswold.On 8 County Council and this was agreed. Hotonhad December 1943 a notice was posted on the doors even more to lose than Wymeswold.The roadside of StAndrew’sChurch and the PrestwoldSunday waste, which had ‘from time immemorial’ been let School to the effect that the PrestwoldParish by auction at the Hotonparish meeting, was lost. Meeting had given consent, under the Highway MrW.H.Walker, clerk to the Parish, wrote to the Act of 1835, to the stopping up of approximately Air Ministry for compensation: “I am to say that 100 yards of the old road ‘such road having

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The plan to remove the sharp bends close to West Cottage on the road from Burtonto Wymeswold. Reproduced by kind permission of the Record Office for Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland (QS48/1/1328/5). become unnecessary by reason of the purpose on land between the village and the construction of a new section.’ airfield. The main beacon was east of the perimeter fence RAF Wymeswold1942-1957 close to a small group of allotment gardens. A house in Parsonage Lane, Hoton, still has its war RAF Wymeswoldbecame operational in May time beacon (see WoldsHistorian 2005), another 1942. Three Wellington bombers, flying in formation, circled and landed on the brand new beacon was set on the site of the Hotoncottages st and four Air Ministry poles at Glovers Farm on runway. On 1 June, Group Captain J.R.Bell DFC Barrow Road in Burtonmay also have supported (a World War I pilot) took over as Commanding some kind of approach lights. There was a Officer, a post he held throughout the War. searchlight battery between Burtonand Six Hills RAF Wymeswoldcontinued as a training station and there were searchlights at BurtonBandells until October 1944 when it became home to RAF Farm. Transport Command and the Wellingtons were Air Ministry records describe the lighting at RAF replaced by Dakotas. Wymeswoldas ‘Mark II’ though we have been Transport Command left Wymeswoldafter three told that the runways themselves were lit with years and the station closed. (It is perhaps best not ‘goosenecks’ of burning oil. to dwell on what became of some of the fixtures Posts and other obstacles were put on open and fittings!) ground to deter enemy aircraft. One Burton In September 1947, the 5th Battalion the Royal resident recalls that piles of logs served the Leicestershire Regiment camped on the airfield, 12 The WoldsHistorian No.32006

Notice of road diversion signed by Sir EdwardHusseyPacke. Reproduced by kind permission of the Record Office for Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland (QS48/1/328/8).

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some of the men using the shooting range at Six RAF Wymeswoldfinally closed in 1957. The Air Hills (the shooting range was the main reason for Ministry disposed of the site in 1986. Ragdalenot being chosen as an airfield site), others receiving motor cycle and carrier training Living in the shadow of a war-time airfield in a field lent by Burtonfarmer, Harry Seal. In Spring 1942 the whirr and throb of the On 3rd May 1949 Spitfires of 504 Royal Auxiliary Wellington engines quickly became a familiar Air Force Squadron arrived. The following year sound but local people soon began to recognise RAF Wymeswoldwas transferred to No.12Group other aircraft too. RAF Wymeswoldoffered a Fighter Command. No. 7107 Reserve Flight was haven to many pilots whose planes were damaged formed in July 1954 and this was joined by or who were unable to make their home base. On No.1969(Air Observation Post) Flight. one occasion, 25 Lancastersreturning from Germany were forced to land at Wymeswold.A In August 1955 No. 56 Squadron came for six special site catered for visiting crews at all times of weeks, during which time its Meteors were the day and night. (Three aircraft from RAF replaced by Hunters. 1956 saw the arrival of 257 Wymeswold, crewedby some of the more and 263 Squadrons. experienced trainees, took part in the first ‘1,000 bomber’ raid over Bremmen.) 14 The WoldsHistorian No.32006

Opposite: Newspaper cutting the Loughborough Echo 26thJuly 1945. Above: RAF personnel with staff of the Greyhound, Burton(date probably 1945) with licensee RalphWard and MrsWard centre. Reproduced by kind permission of GrahamWatsonof the Greyhound Inn.

An entry for 10th July 1942 in the Burtonschool log bitterly cold and he and other children went book reads, “Many children, particularly the around the village collecting food for the men set younger ones, have shown undoubted signs of to guard the wreckage.) tiredness, on account of lack of sleep due to night flying operations of the nearby Air Force. The At least 47 high explosive bombs and three headmaster himself has felt the same effects. The clusters of incendiary bombs were dropped in the operations take place from eleven p.m.until four same area. Thankfully most fell on open land, but rd or five am the next morning”. at 10.59 p.m.on the 23 August 1942 high explosives blew out the windows of a wooden There are no further comments regarding airfield bungalow at Glovers Farm in Barrow Road, activities throughout the War. Burton. Noise was not the only problem. No less than It seems strange that these villages were fourteen aeroplanes went down in the area considered safe enough for evacuees. bounded by Waltonon the Wolds, Wymeswold, Rempstoneand Cotes: six Wellingtons, one In the south-east corner of BurtonCemetery are Havard, one Lancaster, one Defiant, one Halifax, sixteen war graves. Those buried are all men of the one unspecified allied aircraft, a pair of Spitfires Royal Air Force or the Royal Canadian Air Force that had collided in mid-air, and a German in their late teens or early twenties. Fifteen of them Dornier.(The eagle in the wall of the Wymeswold died during the war years. Pharmacy was created by RussellHubbard The local community around twenty years ago as a memorial to the crew of a Wellington bomber that crashed nearby From the time the contractors had moved in, on 25th November 1943; it is thought the plane Burton, Hoton, Prestwoldand Wymeswoldhad was using the church tower to line up an ceased to be quiet rural villages. In 1943, Lady emergency approach to the runway at RAF Mary’snephew wrote ‘How are you all at Wymeswold.MrHubbardrecollects the noise Prestwold.I suppose your aerodrome is a frightful and intensity of the ensuing fire. He says it was nuisance by now’ and in 1944, when Sir Edward 15 The WoldsHistorian No.32006 was ill, he was concerned that they should have Squadron Leader LeonardCharles Pipkin, DFC this extra burden to bear. However, Sir Edward and Bar, was accidentally shot while he was out and Lady Marywere very hospitable, and Geoff rabbit shooting with a gun he had borrowed from Wilkes, who was stationed at Castle Donington, farmer Harry Seal. remembers taking aircrews to use the swimming pool at PrestwoldHall. The RAF chapel was at the top of SowtersLane in Burton.Some of the service personnel also used DenisMinkleyof Burtonrecalls that most of the Burton’slittle mission church at the corner of ladies in the village took in washing for the Barrow Road. MrLee from the aerodrome took airmen. Volunteers ran a service club and canteen services there and the RAF male voice choir sang in BurtonVillage Hall where hot drinks and on special occasions. sandwiches were served. There was county circulating library, and games of billiards, table Ten RAF marriages took place at StAndrews tennis, darts and other amusements were between1942and the end of the war, the first provided. We understand the Village Hall at being that of WilliamEllisand LilianGriffiths. Wymeswoldwas also made available to GeorgeOrchard of the RAF and FriedaWilkinson servicemen and women. A purpose-built Red of the WAAFwere married at Wymeswoldin May Shield Club was opened on the communal site by 1945 and the wedding of LAC John Brand and the Salvation Army but not until March 1945. GertrudeWalker of Brook Street, Wymeswold, took place at Hotonin 1946. Several servicemen Villagers were allowed to use the daily bus that married local girls. RonCrust, who still lives in ran from the aerodrome to Loughborough. This Wymeswold, came to the aerodrome in 1944 and was much to the delight of some of the local lasses met and married HildaSpencer of Burton. There though the shyer ones found the company of the were three RAF christenings at Prestwoldduring airmen rather intimidating. the war years and several children identified as being from “the RAF Garrison” were christened at Men and women from the airfield held parties at Wymeswoldin the 1950s. the ‘The Dog’ in Burton(rightly ‘The Greyhound’) where landlord Ward made them very welcome. Not everyone lived on camp. Sidand EllenSmith (GeoffWilkessays The Greyhound was in had several service families living with them at Wymeswoldvillage; it was probably difficult for WysallLane End Farm during the time RAF the servicemen to know exactly where they were Wymeswoldwas open. (One little Wymeswold with no signposts to help them.) girl whose mother had died was adopted by an airman and his wife.) DavidLanghan, who did Also very popular were the local dances, national service at Wymeswoldin 1953, was particularly those held twice weekly in allowed to live in Loughborough with his wife’s Village Hall. family, travelling back and forth to the camp by Service personnel formed their own band motorcycle. (members and instruments will have varied over Sidand Ellenwere invited to parties at the officers’ the years but at one stage it comprised a pilot mess along with other local people, and in her instructor, a New Zealand navigator instructor book Memories of a Country Girlhood Ellen and a wireless operator all on sax, a transport describes the magnificence and abundance of driver on trumpet, the mechanic in charge on bass food laid out for them. ‘I have never been to a and one of the WAAFsplaying the piano and dance before or since where there were such accordion). Together with the station concert quantities of gorgeous food’, she writes. She also party the band entertained at dances and social comments that, not surprisingly, many visitors events on the camp and around the wider were wrapping food in their serviettes and Loughborough area, often in aid of charity. In slipping it into their handbags. Many Fingers in the Pie EllenSmith recollects the RAF giving a concert at one of the children’s It is said that one Wymeswoldfarmer reared a parties organised by the WymeswoldWomen’s whole herd of pigs solely on waste collected from Institute during the War. the airfield. A very different leisure pursuit ended in tragedy Close links were forged between Wymeswoldand for one young man. In early September 1944 504 Squadron who moved on to the airfield in 16 The WoldsHistorian No.32006

1949. The Wymeswoldvicar, Rev Lawrence Jackson, acted as station chaplain and service men and women put on a concert in the village hall to raise money for the fund set up to convert the church organ to electricity. The colours of 504 Squadron still hang in StMary’sChurch. When the War ended the people of Burton, Hoton, Prestwoldand Wymeswoldwere able to fully explore the airfield for themselves. In September 1945 RAF Wymeswoldheld its first open day and 8,000 people came to see close at hand the Lancaster, Halifax, Stirling, Liberator, Station name-board from RAF Wymeswold, until Mosquito, Typhoon, Spitfire and Dakota. Living recently in the possession of BirstallAir Cadets quarters, messes and training departments were and donated to the WoldsHistorical all open for inspection and RAF officers patiently Organisation. Now in the care of LeicsCounty answered a barrage of questions. Council Environment and Heritage Services. In September 1947 an open day was held to mark The local Burtoncoal merchant took over the the seventh anniversary of the Battle of Britain. airfield’scoal yard in SowtersLane. The highlights were flying displays by Dakotas, Harvardsand Lincoln Heavy Bombers. The event Although RAF Wymeswoldclosed in 1957, the was marred when a Mosquito from RAF Wittering field continued its association with flying for some taking part crashed in a ploughed field between years. Field Aircraft carried out major overhauls Rempstoneand StanfordHall but thankfully the on Viscounts there, Harrier Jump Jets were tested, two officers concerned escaped major injury. and Provosts from Syerstonused the runways to practise ‘circuits and bumps’ (a brief history of In September 1956 RAF Wymeswoldwas once RAF Wymeswoldwas told by SoniaBate in WHO more ‘At Home’. This event was in support of the Newsletter 1997). In 1960 the headmaster of RAF Benevolent Fund. The audience was treated BurtonSchool was once again forced to complain to the thrills of aerobatics and formation flying and about noise from planes flying overhead. there were several displays on the ground. Twenty-five different aircraft took part. The last record of planes flying from Wymeswold Airfield appears to be 1995 when Castle Wider consequences Donington-basedEast West Aviation used it for refuelling and minor repairs to their Russian-built Not until after the War was mains water piped to Antonovs. the villages of Wymeswoldand Burtonon the Wolds, but a water main was laid from An industrial estate has developed around the Loughborough to the airfield and a few main entrance to the airfield on Wymeswold households were able to link into it. For Burton Lane, leisure activities have been introduced at School which had been struggling for years with the Prestwold end. Over the years the contaminated well water and broken pumps it instructional site has been home to several was little short of a miracle. engineering companies. There is a poultry farm on the communal site and a motor repair business To begin with, there were proposals to feed the occupies the old RAF chapel and gymnasium. sewers from the WAAFsite into the sewage farm to the west of Burton.This was old and hardly In 1986 Costainsput forward a scheme to build adequate even for a small village and had a 2,700 homes on the airfield. The ‘Blot on the history of contaminating BurtonBrook. The Wolds’ campaign was launched by local people project was abandoned but in the early years the and there was a high level enquiry. Eventually Air Ministry’sown sewage works caused planning permission was refused. problems by polluting WaltonBrook. Barrow Rural District Council bought the Air Ministry Not only did the building and operation of RAF sewage works in 1951 at a cost of £1,800. Wymeswold have a big impact on the surrounding area, as far as Burtonon the Woldsis

17 The WoldsHistorian No.32006 concerned, it played a large part in shaping the There is plenty of evidence of RAF Wymeswold present village. on the ground. Some huts still stand after sixty years – despite their 1942 ‘temporary’ description, As a result of the continued use of the airfield by there are vestiges of taxiwaysand ‘frying pans’ the RAF after the War, permanent along the Hotonto Wymeswoldroad, the control accommodation was built in SowtersLane and tower and runways are still there, and the water three officers’ houses off Barrow Road. Old tower has become a local landmark. accommodation huts were upgraded and used by Polish refugees (see 2000 Years of the Wolds Acknowledgements published by the WoldsHistorical Organisation 2003). In 1951 the populationsof Hotonand We thank Peter Elliottof the Royal Air Force Prestwoldand Wymeswoldwere roughly what Museum Hendon, Charles Sewellof Royal Air they had been in 1931 (there was no census taken Force Airfield Construction Branch Association in 1941); the population of Burtonhad risen from and Group Captain S.J.Lloydof the RAF Air 297 to 938. Historical Branch for their help and advice. We thank the staff of companies, national and local, There is no precise breakdown of figures but the who have replied to emails, letters and phone Air Ministry had estimated that that up to 550 calls with such patience and good humour. Last, servicemen would be retained at the airfield and but by no means least, we thank the local people expected a similar number of Poles to move to the who have taken time and trouble to talk to us village. When Burtonschool reopened after the about the project. 1957 summer holidays, the headmaster noted in his log book the large drop in numbers due to the Other sources consulted squadron being withdrawn from RAF Packepapers and other documents in the Record Wymeswold.By 1960 most of the Polish refugees Office for Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland had also left the village. Burtonon the WoldsSchool log books Once RAF Wymeswoldclosed, service personnel from other stations moved into the Air Ministry Local newspaper reports in Loughborough Library houses on SowtersLane. When these became redundant, they were sold off, giving several 'Airfield Historical Project' produced in 1976 by younger people an opportunity to acquire a home BrianAxon and the 1947 Squadron (Birstall) of their own close to families and friends. Cadets. Bonser, R., 2001, Aviation in Leicestershire and Huts were demolished over the years, some of the Rutland, Midland Counties Publications land being returned to agriculture and some sold Cartwright, TerenceC, 2002, Bird’sEye Wartime off for building. Both Somerset Close and Leicestershire 1939–45, T.C.C.Publications SpringfieldClose were built on land that once Halpenny, BruceBarrymore, 1991, Action housed servicemen from RAF Wymeswold. Stations: Military Airfields of Lincolnshire and Conclusion the East Midlands, Vol.2, PatrickStephens Ritchie, Berry, 1999, The Story of Tarmac, James We have endeavoured to put our local airfield ‘on and James(Publishers) the map’, show what was here before it was built, Smith, DavidJ., 1989, Britain’sMilitary Airfields and give some idea of its effect on local 1939–45, PatrickStephensLtd communities. RAF Wymeswoldhas a long and Smith, Ellen, Memories of a Country Girlhood, noble history but it was never our intention to published by the author 1983. detail the part it played in the defence of the Smith, Ellen, Many Fingers in the Pie published realm. Neither have we attempted to show the by the author 1985. impact that World War IIhad on our four villages Wilkes, Geoff, 1997, East Midlands Airport in though we know the people suffered deprivation War Time, The PentlandPress and hardship just like every man, woman and child in Britain, and contributed, each in his or her Much remains to be told. Were you there? Do own way, to our victory. you have family stories to impart? We look forward to hearing from you. The Editors

18 Polish camp revisited

To the WoldsHistorical Organisation 8th November 2005 Dear Editor By sheer luck I came across your very interesting number of Polish graduates could be counted on magazine 2000 Years of the Wolds.It caught my one hand, produced many British graduates, attention because my Polish-born wife and myself including a professor and half a dozen lecturers at found a home at the Polish Camp in Burton-on- Loughborough College (later the University), four the-Woldsfrom 1952-1958. Our son was born in or five doctors of medicine, two architects, and Burtonand he attended the village school. The several teachers, factory directors and managers. Sadowskis(MrSadowskiwas the liaison officer at The Poles placed great importance on enabling the camp) were our next-door neighbours and their children to integrate and achieve the sort of lifelong friends. Stan(Stanislaw) Sadowski living that had been denied to those of my own eventually settled in Canada. He was decorated generation who had been cheated out of our with the highest Polish civilian decoration homeland. In my case, my birthplace was taken (PoloniaRestituta) by the then president of over by the Soviet Union, then annexed to Poland, LechWalesa, in recognition of helping Germany, then taken back by the Soviets, and 32,000 Polish escapees in pre-solidaritytime finally incorporated into what is now known as (early 1980s) to find work and settle in Canada. the Ukraine. One Pole living at BurtonCamp, site 10, was At the start of the 21st century I began to ask people Franciszek Malik, SAS codename Piorun of various social standing to write short essays on (lightening), who was parachuted into Warsaw in their experiences. These notes were published in 1944 at the start of the Warsaw Rising. In the Polish language under the heading of “Polonia recognition of his military bravery, the Warsaw in Loughborough”. They are in four parts: City Council named one of the City Squares Historical Notes (including BurtonCamp), ZarembaPiorunto commemorate the two sector Military notes (which lead to BurtonCamp), leaders from that part of the City. When Zaremba Organisation of the Polish Community, and Third was shot, Piorun(F. Malik) took over command. generation (British born). So there is in fact a link between Burtonon the Woldsand Warsaw. It was the great WinstonChurchill who, although conceding part of Poland to Stalin, allowed us to My uncle, K. ZerebeckiDFC, served with the RAF come and settle in this country. I think it was a 305 Wellington Squadron from 1940, and was very wise decision and we have proved to be stationed at Syerstonnear Newarkuntil he was good British citizens, an asset to this locality and shot down over Germany in June 1941. It would the country in general. have been nice to read in your notes on Poles that some 16,000 Polish Airmen were stationed in the Yours truly UK, thinking of Poland but actually fighting for J.R. Kowalski this country. Loughborough Another observation that could be of interest is that well over fifty percent of the Polish children from Burtonwent on to further education. Indeed ‘The Polish Camp at Burtonon the Wolds’ and in many families one member would work ‘Polish Poppies’, based on memories of Burton’s (perhaps picking potatoes for MrSeal a local Polish community, can be found in 2000 Years of farmer) solely for this purpose. The hundred or so the Woldspublished by the WoldsHistorical Polish families at the Burtoncamp, where the Organisation in 2003. Reference copies are held

19 The WoldsHistorian No.32006 in Loughborough Library and the Record Office We also received a letter from MrsMaryKerrof for Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland. Victoria, Australia. MrsKerrwrites: ‘… of special interest to us is the chapter on the Polish camp at A copy of Poloniain Loughborough is kept in the Burtonon the Woldsas we went to live on Site 1 Record Office for Leicester, Leicestershire and on the day we got married and stayed until we Rutland. migrated to Melbourne in 1957. In those days The Negotiator by J.R.Kowalski, published in Burtonwas a sleepy little village and we were so Polish in 1997 by CaldraHouse, has a chapter happy living there.’ ‘ my Adopted Homeland’ which contains Editors references to the Polish community at Burton.

Wolds' Wells Bob Trubshaw

A well once existed near the wall of StMary's A legend associated with this well tells how, churchyard, Wymeswold(which is on a natural during a three-month long drought, a sixteenth mound) between the telephone box and bus century maiden lady called GertrudeLacey shelter on the street still known as The Stockwell. dreamed three times in one night of finding a The water continues to flow copiously but has stream by sticking a pilgrim's staff from the Holy been culvertedto join the village brook (correctly, Land in a specific place. It was located in the River Mantle) to the south of The Stockwell. LangdaleField, and known as Spring Close after Enclosure. A pilgrim's staff was dug up and, with In the late twelfth century there is a reference to the help of her sister Grace, she went off to the 'Wulstanwelle', seemingly a dedication to location. When the staff was stuck in the ground a StWulstan of Worcester, although such supply of water was created which 'has never run dedications are otherwise unknown in the county. dry'. A double effigy in Prestwoldchurch The location of this well is not known but, if (as reputedly depicts these two sisters (see Philip BarrieCox has recently suggested (Cox 2004)) the White's article in the WHO Newsletter 2001 for Old English sense of 'well' in 'stockwell' was further details). 'stream' rather than 'spring', then the name 'Stockwell' may have referred to a stream crossed Other wells in Wymeswoldare: by a log (Old English stoc) acting as a footbridge. This would mean that the source of the Stockwell Cripwell (from the Old English for 'winding could at one time have been known as stream') which gives its name to a modern farm to 'Wulstanwelle' and the name Stockwell the north of Wymeswold'; transferred from the stream to the source after the Muswell (recorded in 1543 and perhaps from saint's dedication was dropped (perhaps at the 'mouse well') which became corrupted to Mushill Reformation). By then the original sense of the 'log Farm by 1877; bridge over a stream' had long been lost and the word 'well' no longer referred to streams but only and a reference, again in 1543, to an otherwise to their source. unknown Fourwellhades ('heads'). Two Sisters' Well (also known as Jacob'sWell) is on the perimeter of the disused airfield (see map on page 9 of this issue of The WoldsHistorian). A Cox, Barrie, 2004, The Place-Names of simple stone structure with steps down and Leicestershire: Part Three – wooden doors stood until World War IIbut the Hundred, English Place-Name Society flow has now been culverted.

20 Village life in nineteenth century Hoton PhilipWhite

Hotonhas long been linked with the Packesof time the 1666 hearth tax list was drawn up there Prestwold, who owned most of the village until were nineteen. recent times. At the end of World War IIthere were ten farms with large dairy herds, now just Farming was by the open field strip system, with two remain. Today Hotonhas a population of three fields of 400 acres: one corn, one peas, and over three hundred, living in a hundred houses, the other fallow. There was common grazing almost all privately owned. land, and no hedges or fences. Following the 1760 Enclosure Act a pattern of small fields was Hoton’searly history established, and farming methods changed. There was a large increase in population and by 1788 Hoton, meaning settlement on a heel-shaped hill, seventy households were recorded. dates from Anglo-Saxon times. After the Conquest its 1300 acres were shared between Normans In 1737 a turnpike road from Cotes to Nottingham RobertdeJort, with four ploughs and two villeins, was constructed, passing through Hoton. and Earl Hugh.Later landowners included the de Completion of the Soar Navigation in 1785 Prestwolds, the Poutrels, the Neles, the Skipwiths coincided with the growing Industrial Revolution. and the Packes. Changes in population and occupations during Hotonwas sparsely populated with eleven the nineteenth century households in the 1300s, nine in 1564. By the At the beginning of the nineteenth century life in Map showing Hoton'snineteenth century field Hotonwas still centred on agriculture, although names. First published in WoldReflections later census returns and parish records show a (1997) and reproduced by kind permission of drift from the land. Ianand RachelFlynn.

21 The WoldsHistorian No.32006

22 The WoldsHistorian No.32006

Notice of the proposed Enclosure of Hotonfrom the Leicester Journal August 1759.

In 1821 Hotonsuffered an upheaval and further (WilliamClarke), a pupil teacher (JuliaTrigg) and increase in population when Charles JamesPacke dressmakers (Anneand EstherHinds). Boys as IIbought the Manor of Hoton, with the Rose and young as eleven worked as plough boys or cow Crown alehouse, farm buildings and cottages, and boys, including Byron Trigg, John Smith, William many people were re-housed there after the Plummerand GeorgeBowley, and Catherine original village of Prestwoldwas cleared. By 1830 Shepherd, aged twelve, was a domestic servant. Hoton’spopulation included blacksmiths and framework knitters, a carpenter, tailor, baker, Of the sixty-five male heads 36 percent were born butcher, miller, and shoemaker, in addition to in Hoton, 38 percent were from elsewhere in farmers and labourers. There were two girls’ Leicestershire, 15 percent from boarding schools, two alehouses and an inn. and 11 percent from afar (Ireland, Hampshire, Huntingdon, Lincoln and Cumberland). Almost Charles WilliamPackesucceeded his father in 70 percent were born within a five mile radius of 1837. Hoton(Burton, Prestwold, Cotes, Barrow, Rempstoneand Loughborough). Only 28 percent The 1841 census listed 460 residents, living in 94 of their fifty wives were born in Hoton, 34 percent houses. There was a windmill, two inns, and a were born elsewhere in Leicestershire, 22 percent Wesleyanchapel. By 1881 there were only 308 came from Nottinghamshire and 16 percent from people in 81 houses, with 11 unoccupied Scotland, Cumberland, Devon, Lincoln, Derby properties. The 1891 census recorded a further and London. Their birthplaces were more fall to 294 people living in 78 houses. widespread but nearly 60 percent were born Surprisingly, with agriculture declining in 1891, within a five mile radius of Hoton(Costock, 57 percent of the sixty-five male heads of family Willoughby, Wymeswold, Seagraveand East worked in, or were close to farming. They Leake). included drovers, shepherds, market gardeners, Families were larger than today’s.Shoemaker an estate foreman, a miller and a corn merchant. ThomasThorntonhad ten children. Several men, Another 19 percent were in supporting trades, i.e. including farmer HerbertHollingsheadand parish blacksmiths, carpenters, carters, a wheelwright clerk HainesWalker, had seven, many had five or and a groom, with 14 percent general labourers. six but two to four was more usual. The remaining 10 percent were a bricklayer/mason, a brickmaker, a tailor, an Longevity is difficult to assess, but market innkeeper, a traction engine driver and the vicar. gardener Henry Spencer was 91, dressmaker Ann Family members included an engineering Hinds 86. Other long-lived men were aged sixty- draughtsman (JamesClarke), a sewing machinist seven to seventy-eight with women sixty-nine to (AliceHarriman), a nurse (MillicentTrigg), an seventy-nine. Infant mortality was much higher auctioneer’sclerk (Henry Bamber), a bank clerk than today.

23 The WoldsHistorian No.32006

had improved the dilapidated coaching inn ‘The Marquis of Granby’, renaming it ‘The Packe Arms’. Allotments were provided, so workers could grow potatoes and other vegetables, perhaps keep hens or a pig, all important in the hungry 1840s.Clean water was a problem, but parish meetings in 1854-55 decided to build outside privies and sink a well. Cottages then would have flagged floors and stone sinks, with oil lamps replacing candles. Sanitation and medical services improved, but childbirth was hazardous, depending on a self- trained midwife. There were still cases of typhoid, diphtheria and ringworm in the 1880s. Church and school

Parish affairs, housing and living conditions Hotonchurch was the survivor of three chapelries of Prestwoldchurch (the others were Burtonand From Elizabeth I’stime until well into the 1800s Cotes). It was called StAnne’suntil well into the care of the poor, policing, and maintenance of nineteenth century and was subsequently roads was in the hands of the parish who levied an rededicatedto StLeonard.In 1800 there was just annual rate. Parliament decreed that able-bodied one service a year, but in 1810 Benjamin men give between four and six days’ free labour in Rowlandof HotonHouse paid for services every repairing roads (turnpikes were paid for by tolls). second Sunday. In 1830 the Bishop became alarmed about the validity of marriages In the early 1800sthe parish clerk lived in a solemnised by licence at HotonChurch (penalty cottage by HotonHouse. WilliamSharp held the for default, transportation). Rev Charles Williams post in the late 1840sand HainesWalker is listed assured him that baptisms and marriages were as parish clerk in the 1861, 1871 and 1881 solemnised only at PrestwoldChurch but by 1831 censuses. The versatile Haineswas a tailor but he had left the village. later became a servant and waiter, and in the 1890s, a grazier and sub-postmaster. In 1867 Mr Weekly services were restored in 1838, after C.W. Cookewas the collector of parish dues. Packecarried out repairs, built a granite chancel and installed a new bell and clock. HotonHouse Hoton’sunique mix of properties show the became the parsonage. There was no fixed changes in building design and materials over the parsonage until 1875 when Colonel G.H.Packe centuries. Entering from Wymeswold, one passes provided a house on South Street. Hotonalso had a cluster of timber-framed farmsteads, converted a thriving WesleyanChapel. farm buildings and cottages, some Tudor and one thatched. A medieval church tower overlooks the Most Hotonchildren had no regular ‘free’ turnpike road lined with fine Georgian houses schooling until C.W.Packebuilt a girls’ school on (see views of older buildings and street plan). PrestwoldLane in 1837 and a boys’ school at the Burton-Prestwoldboundary in 1840. In 1887 Hoton’sfarmers and minor gentry, in their HusseyPackeenlarged the latter for both boys substantial houses, had very different living and girls and the old girls’ school became a standards from the farm labourers. In the early Sunday school. Truancy was a problem especially 1800scottages were often badly thatched, ill- at harvest time. furnished hovels with earth floors, open fire cooking, no running water and primitive Scholars were invited to PrestwoldHall each sanitation. C.W.Packereplaced many mud and summer for tea and games, and also collected lath cottages with good brick ones with slate new boots and clothes from there each Christmas. roofs, and refurbished others, including converting the workhouse into cottages. His father Hotonhad two boarding schools, each with six to twelve girls, run by the Misses Potter and the

24 The WoldsHistorian No.32006

Opposite: The PackeArms. Above: Hotonchurch in 1978. Right: Timber-framed buildings in Hoton. Bottom right: HotonHouse, taken from the church tower. Photographs by PhilipWhite.

Misses Cooper. Fees were about eighteen guineas a year. Street scenes In 1840 Hotonwas described as peaceful but bustling, with fourteen or fifteen stagecoaches rumbling through daily. The turnpike road was surfaced with broken granite bonded together by the weight of passing wheels. Minor roads were dirt and gravel, rutted and muddy in winter and dusty in summer. As well as shoppers, horse riders, farm carts and delivery wagons, there would be carriages from the finer houses. Herds of cattle would pass through for milking or going to pasture. In later years one might meet a crocodile of young ladies led by Anneor LetitiaPotter (listed in 1861 and 1871 censuses) or the vicar on his rounds (Rev John Killickin the 1881 census). Sheep could be seen in the fields with shepherds WilliamPainter and ThomasMarsonmentioned in the 1891 census, and there would be the familiar sounds of horses being shod at the smithy. Anneand LetitiaPotter retired to Weeping Ash Cottage. Among other interesting residents of the Georgian houses were EvelynFaulkner, once Lord Byron’stutor, and Hacker Parkinson, who was descended from Cromwellianregicide Colonel Hacker. Dimly-lit streets would not deter visits to alehouses, with wagoner WilliamPhippsand 25 The WoldsHistorian No.32006 labourer JosephBramleyperhaps frequenting the the beer in his roadside cellars with a gallon of ale Rose and Crown, and more prosperous drinkers to drive on the far side of the road. One driver such as GeorgeThirlby, corn merchant, and Estate may have been JosephBooth from Vine Tree foreman Henry Walker opting for the PackeArms. Terrace. In 1868 Hoton’smain street was observed to be Descendants of several old families still live quiet, railways having ousted stagecoaches, with locally, or have lived locally until quite recently. telegraph wires now a feature. Several Triggsare listed as agricultural labourers in the 1881 and 1891 censuses: George, Samuel, Holidays were rare but the two annual wakes Henry, William, Isaac, Josephand Byron. Others were celebrated, StAnne’sfeast day on 26thJuly were NoahLockwoodand EdwardPlummer. and the Calf Wake around 9thOctober, as well as There are still Abelsin Hoton.JosephAbelwas a victories at Trafalgar and Waterloo and Queen wheelwright, Frank and Frederick were Victoria’sCoronation and Jubilees. blacksmiths, as were JoelHardy and John Wood. There would be visits to Loughborough Fair and JosephSmith, Charles Knight and Thomas religious festivals, especially Christmas, would be Shepherd were all carpenters. enjoyed. Imagine carollers with lanterns in the Market gardener Henry Spencer, born at the start snow. Red-coated Quornhunters might gather at of the century, remarkably was still listed in 1891. the Packefor a stirrup cup. BartholomewHall was working with him. Meeting more of the local people ThomasThornton, a cordwainer(or shoemaker), Church warden and land tax assessor WilliamGill was born at Swithlandin 1812, and married to was a colourful man. He owned the Bell Inn, built Elizabeth Stevensonfrom East Leake.In the 1851 Rose Cottage and was married three times census six children, AnnMary, Elizabeth and although two of his sons died in infancy. When he Martha(born between 1840 and 1843) and died in 1827 he left his five surviving children William, John and Thomas(born between 1837 several hundred pounds each. His grandson and 1848) are listed. In the1861census four more Thomasemployed six men and four boys on his boys are named: Herbert, George, Frederickand 300 acre farm with the large holly tree in front Walter(all born between 1854 and 1859). About (HollytreeFarm). 1872 Colonel Packebuilt a house for Thomasat the corner of PrestwoldLane and South Street. At Holtsfarm, with 100 acres, was almost certainly the time of the 1881 census only Herbertand Ann named after WilliamHoultwho was there until Marywere still at home. By 1891 Herbert, later a 1879. Henry James, a long-time resident, was married farmer, was living with his sister and convinced of this derivation. widowed mother, his father having died in 1889 aged 77. Their neighbours at that time were John Laceyowned Pear Tree Farm in the early farmer Henry Bennettand Prestwoldvicar Rev 1800s.His son Henry rented the Hollieswith 200 Frank Sheriff. acres, and in 1871 Robert, Henry's nephew, farmed Pear Tree Farm with 550 acres, employing In 1871, Martha, by then a widow, was a hotelier fifteen men, eight boys and a girl. and living with her children in MerthyrTydfil.Her brother Walterwas living with them. Walterlater Miller, EdwardWatkin, built a windmill in Hoton moved to Edgbaston, then Southwalk.In 1881 in 1823. In 1891 descendants Edwardand family ThomasThorntonJnrwas a boot and shoe were living at the Thatch, children Edward, salesman in Doncaster.He died in 1884 and his Williamand Elizabeth continuing there in old age widow and her family moved to Leicester. after the mill was destroyed by fire. Elizabeth Thorntonmarried StephenSimpson, a RobertSimstill farms at HotonHills where John licensed victualler living in London. By 1891 and MarySimcame from Cumberlandin 1874. John, Georgeand Frederickwere living in Market Harborough, Oakhamand Lincoln, all married The PackeArms landlord in 1881, Simpson with children. No trace can be found of William Allsop, was quite a character. He used to bribe the after 1851 but eight of the others were still alive in drivers of the steam traction engines that shook up 1901.

26 The WoldsHistorian No.32006

Souces 4. DaphneEvans. The History of HotonChurch (unpublished). 1. The Doomsday Book 1086. Penguin Classics 2003 5. England Census Returns 1841/1901. Wales Census Returns 1871/1891 Public Record 2. T.R. Potter Walks Round Loughborough Office. 1840, Rambles Around Loughborough 1868. Acknowledgement 3. RachelFlynn. Hoton.A Stroll Round a Conservation Village published by the author I am grateful to MrsJean Thatcher for help with 1992. the census returns.

Will of JoanGroves of Wymeswold, Widow

July 20th 1521 they to dispose them for the health of my soul as they shall find most expedient. I JoanGroves of Wymeswold[being] of whole mind and perfect memory make my testament Witness of this my testament I John Holtvicar of and last will in manner and form following. Wymeswold, RichardMores and WilliamBarratt. First I bequeath my soul to Almighty God, to our Notes Lady Saint Maryand to all the holy company of heaven, my body to be buried in the churchyard 1 Mortuary – money or goods given to the church of Wymeswold.Also I bequeath for my mortuary to allow for non-payment or underpayment of (1) my best goods after the custom and manner of dues for the church in one’slifetime. the country. Also I bequeath to our Lady of 2 Our Lady of Lincoln – Lincoln Cathedral; there Lincoln (2) 4 pence. I bequeath to the rood light in was no Leicester Diocese in 1521. the church of Wymeswoldtwo sergesof wax (3) price of 12 pence. Also I bequeath to Brantingby 3 Serges– a serge of wax was a large thick candle church 8d. used in churches. I bequeath 10 shillings for to have a trentall(4) of 4 Trentallof masses – 30 masses. masses sung for my husband’ssoul and my soul and all other souls. I bequeath to John Humberston2 pewter plates This will was transcribed by the late Jessie and a candlestick and a little pot. Also I bequeath Moretti, a founder member of the Wolds to Robertmy eldest son a coverlet, a matressa pot Historical Organisation, and the notes are hers. and a winerand also I bequeath to John my son a Brantingby(Brentingby) is south east of Melton pan and 2 platters and a kerchief to his wife. I Mowbrayand may have been the village where bequeath to Richardmy son, my cow and 2 pairs JoanGrove or her husband was born. of sheets and a coverlet. There are no records of other members of the I bequeath to Agnesmy daughter a gown and one Grove family being buried at Wymeswoldthough kerchief. I bequeath to Joanmy daughter a pot a GeorgeGroves married AliceFoxeat the gown and a kerchief. I bequeath to Elizabeth my Church in 1590. The name appears several times daughter a kirtlea pot and a kerchief. Also I in the early Prestwoldregisters and another Joan bequeath to Elizabeth Medyltona pair of sheets Groves, presumably a granddaughter of the and the residue of all my goods, I give and above, married GabrielStapletonat Prestwoldin bequeath to John Humberstoneand to Robertmy 1575. son whom I ordain and make my sole executors John Humberstonwas the vicar of Prestwold. The Editors.

27 Burton'sheritage lostin 2006

entrance to the site has been cleared for landscaping as has the last traces of the village pound. The remaining stretch of the barrier erected by public subscription in 1912 to prevent cattle straying on to the grass verges was dismantled when a vehicle ran out of control and mounted the pavement. 2006 has not been a good year for Burton. The timber framed east wall of 19 Loughborough The old building known as Sunnysidewas finally Road, a listed cottage dating to the late 16th or demolished to make way for new houses. There is early 17th century, needed to be rebuilt because its good evidence that this was once Burton’ssecond timber foundation had rotted. Some timber inn, the Anchor. A small area of cobbles at the framing remains on the back wall of the cottage.

28