COMMUNITY / BUSINESS / CULTURE Free Photo by CherylPhoto by Gilbert ISSUE 17 | AUGUST 2020 WWW.POMFRETIAN.CO.UK • 01977 600800 Pomfret Lodge, 2 Slutwell Lane, Pontefract. WF8 1SL www.kipmcgrath.co.uk/pontefract COMMUNITY Issue #17 – August 2020

Next magazine copydate: Community News 4 21st August 2020 Next magazine published: Easy Allsort Squares 6 31st August 2020

Submissions The Gardener 8 If you would like to contribute to the Pomfretian please call 07936 860 215 Treat the Present as a Gift 10 or email [email protected]. We’re always delighted to hear from writers, photographers and anyone HISTORY & HERITAGE involved in a local group or activity. Advertise 1536; Rebellion Comes to 12 For more information on how to advertise visit www.pomfretian.co.uk, Pontefract email [email protected] or call 07936 860 215. Bubwith Houses and the Wash 14 Disclaimer Pomfretian is produced and published Liquorice Cultivation in 16 by Love Local Ltd. Pontefract The opinions expressed within the magazine are of the individual authors and not necessarily those of the Pomfretian. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of content, we accept no liability in respect of the content of any article, event, photo or advertisement. ©Love Local Ltd. All rights reserved. No reproduction or copying without permission.

WWW.POMFRETIAN.CO.UK 3 We love to hear from groups, organisations and individuals about Community what’s happening locally. Include a photo if you can. Email your stories to News [email protected]

Circle of Hope Finds a Pontefract Residents Permanent Home in Valley Sign Petition to Gardens Overturn Planning Decision A COVID-19 snake made up of painted rocks, which first appeared around a tree in Friarwood Valley Pontefract residents have come together Gardens, has found a permanent home in the public to sign a petition which seeks to allow the park. Robin Hood public house to keep a trellis The stones, which were painted and placed by local and plants erected at the side. residents during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, The area of land adjacent to the Robin have been cemented into place next to the children’s Hood was purchased from Wakefield play area. The name ‘Circle of Hope’ was chosen Council by the pub’s owners and converted from numerous suggestions made on the Friends of into a public seating area. However, a Friarwood Valley Gardens Facebook page and serves retrospective planning application which as a lasting reminder of how the community came sought permission for the changes was together during challenging times. only part approved and stipulated that Due to the impact of the pandemic, Friarwood Festival, the canopy structure must be removed. which had been planned for 22nd August 2020, has The decision stated that ‘by virtue of its had to be cancelled. The organisers of the event have design, scale and location [it] is considered cited ongoing uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus to appear incongruous in the streetscene outbreak in the UK as the reason for the decision and and results in significant harm to the visual said “we do not believe it would be in the public or our amenity and character of the area.’ volunteers interest and safety for this event to go ahead An online petition has been created this August.” by local resident Rebecca Campbell to However, plans are already underway for the family overturn the decision and has received friendly music festival to go ahead in 2021 and a nearly 4000 signatures to date. The petition virtual Facebook event will still be held on Saturday can be viewed at http://chng.it/ctS8G6RBKV. 22nd August 2020, promising ‘unforgettable virtual entertainment.’

4 COMMUNITY More than an education... Easy Liquorice Allsort Squares

METHOD 1. Start by greasing a rectangular baking tin approx 20cm x 30cm and lining with greaseproof paper, leaving an overlap of about 5cm for lifting the squares out. 2. Place the biscuits in a bag and crush with a rolling pin until they resemble a coarse rubble crumb. 3. Combine the condensed milk and chopped butter in a pan and stir over a medium heat until smooth. 4. Combine the rubble biscuits and chopped liquorice pieces and stir in the condensed milk mixture. 5. Press the mixture into the greased tin forming a flat base and refrigerate for approx 30mins until firm. 6. Meanwhile combine the chocolate and INGREDIENTS vegetable oil in a basin and heat over (Makes about 12) a saucepan of simmering water until melted and smooth. 245g of any plain sweet biscuits of your choice. 7. Spread the chocolate mixture over the 90g of chopped unsalted butter biscuit base and return to the fridge 1/2 a cup or approx 110ml of sweet to set. condensed milk 8. Remove from fridge when set and 155g of coarsely chopped or allow to reach room temperature so Pontefract Cakes that it is easier to cut into squares. 250g of coarsely chopped milk chocolate 9. Enjoy! 2 tsps of vegetable oil

6 BUSINESS IN FOCUS

Pontefract Dental Care ounded by John Maguire and Gareth difficulties in finding suitable space, they are Nichols with the ethos of ‘work hard, help now situated in the town centre with 3 bright people and they will come’, Pontefract and fresh new surgeries and ground floor FDental Care has been operating in Pontefract disabled access. for the past 3 years and has recently moved to The property, which had previously stood new premises closer to the town centre. unoccupied, has undergone extensive internal The pair were in the same year at Leeds and external renovations and was even University, where they both studied dentistry, nominated for a design award as a result. The and qualified in 2006. From there, they went pair have also been keen to incorporate the on to work as associate dentists at other history of Pontefract within the practice and practices and became foundation dentist decided to include the image of a castle within trainers, training newly qualified dentists after their logo as a nod to the town’s past. they left dental school. John went on to spend Having spent the last 4 years studying 11 years working at Armstrong and Haire in to gain an MSc in Endodontics (root canal Castleford and Gareth worked for 10 years at treatment), John now specialises in root Innes Practice in Haxby, York. However, they canal treatment and accepts referrals from both shared an ambition to open their own other dentists to the practice whilst Gareth practice one day. provides a lot of their cosmetic dentistry, “We have always enjoyed coming to the including composite bonding and veneers. many pubs in Pontefract and there has always Claire Goodall, who joined the practice in been a buzz in the town centre, particularly on 2018 having previously worked at practices market days. However, buying a dental practice in Durham and Wakefield, provides Invisalign is now extremely competitive. After losing out to treatments and facial aesthetic treatments, bigger dental corporates on other practices in the including anti-wrinkle injections. Yorkshire area, such as Bupa, we finally bought The practice provides all general dental ‘Ellis Dental Practice Pontefract’ in 2017.” procedures including hygiene, tooth whitening, However, the original practice was in a Invisalign and implants and offers evening and tired building with relatively old surgeries and weekend appointments, interest free finance equipment, no disabled access and limited and an online appointment booking facility. space. Although some initial decoration and For more information or to get in touch, improvements were made, it was their goal to visit www.pontefractdentalcare.co.uk, search find a better location and to build a brand- for Pontefract Dental Care on Facebook and new modern practice. Despite numerous Instagram or call 01977 780077.

ADVERTORIAL 7 JOBS TO DO IN AUGUST In the Vegetable Garden: • Pinch the tops of the tomato plant this month so that the plants can focus on the tomatoes that are growing. • Harvest the potatoes that you may have planted around April. • Pinch out the tops of your runner beans, this will encourage the plants to grow bushier and The Yorkshire send out side shoots. Keep picking your beans on a regular basis. Gardener • Feed sweetcorn with tomato feed and water on a regular basis. • Harvest your onions and garlic this month. y up The Yorkshire Gardener is back Hang them up somewhere that they can dry for the August edition. Well, we out before using. certainly know that we are in the UK, In the Flower Garden: Ewhat with the weather we have had in July. It has certainly been a washout with so • Keep deadheading flowers so that it encourages more flowers to grow. much rain in the garden. One thing is for sure - it has made the fruit swell. We had an • Cut back herbs this month. abundance of strawberries and raspberries • Cut back your lavender plants when they have to pick on our plot. Going down every day finished flowering. picking fresh fruit for tea is one thing that is • Prune your climbing roses this month when satisfying from all the hard work on the plot. they have finished flowering. Watch out as blackberries will be ripening • Dead head lilies for a great display next year. now. All our produce is doing extremely well In the Fruit Garden: this year though, with cauliflowers growing, cabbages ready and harvests of kale. You can • If you are growing berries you can protect see what I pick regularly on my plot on my them from the birds by putting net curtains over them. social media below. Find out what seeds can be planted this • Clear you strawberry beds of old straw. Plant any runners which they may have sent off the month in your garden and greenhouse by mother plant. checking out my website in the link below. We share lots of tips and advice on our • If you have too many berries to pick – try freezing them, you could be eating them all social media channels as well – so make sure the way to next year’s harvest. you give them a follow and say hello. See you next issue! • Cut back any summer raspberry canes which Facebook: have fruited and leave the new growth for The Yorkshire Gardener next year. YouTube: The Yorkshire Gardener Website: www.gardenandallotment.com Email: [email protected]

8 COMMUNITY BUSINESS IN FOCUS

Ropergate Dental Care & Implant Studio opergate Dental Care & Implant Studio, offer a 5-year warranty to give patients that peace which has been established in Pontefract of mind, knowing they are being looked after.” for over 20 years, is already well Ropergate Dental Care & Implant Studio is Rknown for providing excellent family dentistry. a full-service dental practice offering a range of James Harrison, who identified an incredible NHS and private dentistry including cosmetic opportunity to build on this strong foundation, and implant treatments, as well as essential took over the practice in December 2019 family dental care. and is now looking to move the practice onto The practice, which has a skilled and the next level in terms of the patient journey, welcoming team of 10 hygienists, dentists, customer service, and being able to offer more treatment co-ordinators and support staff with advanced comprehensive patient care. years of experience and knowledge, take pride “My vision is to create a practice that focuses in being Pontefract’s leading Invisalign provider on providing unparalleled patient care and offers and the only team in the area to have achieved the highest-quality dentistry available. Ultimately, the ‘Platinum Provider’ status following over 300 we want patients to feel confident with their smile transformations. smiles and look fantastic, whilst doing the things “Our approach to dentistry is truly unique - we they enjoy the most.” want patients to feel fantastic about their smiles, James Harrison, who has always possessed and we believe dentistry can help restore their a passion to provide fantastic dental self-confidence. A treatment is not always just care in his own practice, graduated from a treatment, it can be truly transformational for Newcastle University in 2006. Since then, patients.” he has undertaken extensive postgraduate The practice is currently undergoing a education and is a member of the AACD £150,000 refurbishment with works, due to (American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry) start in September, which will add a further two and the BACD (British Academy of Cosmetic surgeries, including a ‘Dental Implant Suite’ on Dentistry), 2 organisations dedicated to the the ground floor, and a relaxing consultation art and science of cosmetic dentistry. He’s also room. a member of the ADI (Association of Dental If you’d like to know more about any of the Implantology), which is the largest organisation treatments available at Ropergate Dental Care in the UK dedicated to improving the standards & Implant Studio, email their Treatment of implant dentistry. Co-Ordinator team at: “I have been placing dental implants for over [email protected], give them 10 years and have successfully placed over 700 a call on 01977 703413, or text them on for patients across Yorkshire. We are so confident 07936970494. They can also be found on in the level of expertise that the dental implant Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, and are company we use offers a life-time guarantee, always ready to answer your queries. whilst the state-of-the-art laboratory we work with

9 ADVERTORIAL 9 Treat The Present as a Gift - You Never Know What the Future Holds by Jill Weaver

n 18 September 2019, we received well the fragility of human life. But Jess was a the most devastating news; my fighter, her bravery and courage were part amazing daughter, Jess, an 8 year of who she was, so we were hopeful that Oold little girl, who loved her family, friends would help her through. and being mischievous was diagnosed with We were surrounded by knowledgeable Leukaemia ALL. We couldn’t believe it - only professionals, promising statistics and lots hours earlier Jess had been playing at school. of help and support. All of which reassured Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (cancer of us we were in good hands and helped us the blood), also known as Leukaemia ALL, to tackle the battle head on. Charities such progresses quickly and aggressively, so we as Candlelighters helped us along the way; were instantaneously catapulted into a world they offer support (for both patients and that, for us, meant chemotherapy, operations, families), practical advice and relief in terms transfusions, hospital stays, intensive care and of normality and fun (wherever possible) in lots of medical procedures that (up until that between the medical procedures . We will point) we had very little knowledge of. As forever be thankful to them, and have raised adults, we were frightened, knowing all too over £10,000 for them since October last

10 COMMUNITY year. In spite of all this, 18 October 2019 brought some tragic news. Exactly a month after diagnosis, Jess lost her battle. None of us were expecting it. Like her diagnosis, Jess’ death was sudden - only hours earlier she’d been painting pictures in the hospital playroom. At the time, no one could explain to us what had happened. Not only had we lost our beautiful, spirited, mischievous little girl, but we didn’t understand why. Now we were catapulted into another BESPOKE FITTED world we knew little of; a world of KITCHENS & BEDROOMS understanding how such a tragedy could WE BELIEVE THAT YOUR KITCHEN IS THE happen. It took months for us get confirmed HEART OF YOUR HOME, REFLECTING BOTH answers, which finally came through the YOUR LIFESTYLE & IDENTITY. THAT’S WHY coroner’s report. The doctor explained that WE ARE WITH YOU EVERY STEP OF THE WAY medical advances in children’s leukaemia had TO TURN YOUR VISION INTO A REALITY. come a long way, but there is still a long way to go. Unfortunately, the treatment was too 01977 602001 160 Southgate, Pontefract, WF8 1QT much for Jess. Medically speaking, Jess had www.inline-kitchens.co.uk been one of the statistics we were warned about - one of the children who wouldn’t make it. Jess will never be a statistic to us. She was the loving, spirited little girl who taught ADVERTISE us about bravery and courage and about looking for the rainbows when it rains. As WITH US... Jess’ mum, I am committed that Jess’ memory will live on, that her fighting spirit keeps going (in every sense of the word!) and that from just per issue something positive will come of our tragedy. I would love to see a world where no child and family ever has to experience what we �Reach engaged readers did. Which is why I’m on a mission to raise as �No minimum terms much money as we can to support children’s � cancer charities. 5000 copies per month We’re documenting all of our progress �Free advert design* on our website, www.teamjess.co.uk, which has been created in Jess’ memory. The next fundraising event is the Sheffield 10k to [email protected] raise funds for Children with Cancer UK. If you would like to find out more, or want to 07936 860 215 donate, please have a look at our website or www.pomfretian.co.uk/advertise you can email me at [email protected] *with advertising terms of 3 or more issues

COMMUNITY 11 Pontefract Castle: Photo Dave Weldrake

1536; Rebellion Comes to Pontefract By Dave Weldrake

Introduction of Grace’. Though the terminology he used was It’s dangerous to begin an article with a phrase religious, this was no pilgrimage; it was a full-scale like ‘Everybody knows…’ All the same I’m going revolt which was joined by thousands of people. to do so. Everybody knows about Henry VIII and his need for a son. Everybody knows that his The Rebels take Pontefract Castle desire to marry Anne Boleyn led to a break with Aske first marched on York and then Pontefract. the Catholic Church. Few people stop to ask how The castle was surrendered to the rebels on he managed to get away with it. The truth is he October 21st 1536 without a fight. It’s possible nearly didn’t. that, the commander of the garrison, Sir Thomas Darcy, was sympathetic to the aims of the rebels; Robert Aske he was, after all, a Catholic. Perhaps he was just Rioting broke out in Lincolnshire in the autumn scared; the fortifications of the castle had been of 1536. It would probably have come to nothing neglected for years and the garrison of 300 was if the protesters had not come under the control vastly outnumbered. Once the castle had been of a Yorkshire lawyer named Robert Aske. He surrendered, Darcy took the oath and joined the codified the demands of the rebels and made Pilgrimage. recruits swear an oath to join ‘Our Pilgrimage

12 HISTORY & HERITAGE Negotiations This was obviously a situation that Henry could not allow to persist. He sent Thomas Howard, Duke of Norfolk (himself a prominent Catholic) to negotiate with the rebels. Envoys were sent to London. Henry prevaricated in the hope that the rebellion would lose momentum. Eventually, the Pontefract rebels produced their final demands – all 24 of them. Some of them refer to the restoration of Catholic forms of worship. Others are distinctly political in nature. The rebels argued that Henry had been badly advised by people like Thomas Cromwell and wanted these advisors removing from power. These demands were presented to Norfolk who promised to put them before the king on condition that the rebels would disperse. This they did, expecting to be pardoned for their actions.

Right or Wrong? Or just ruthless? Portrait of King Henry VIII 1540c. Of course, Henry had no intention of accepting the rebels’ demands. Once their army had disbanded, they were no longer a threat. A new revolt in Cumberland was used as pretext to arrest Aske, Darcy and the other leaders of the Pilgrimage. Within weeks they had all been executed. Was Henry justified? Aske and his colleagues had taken no part in the new uprising. On the other hand, Henry could not afford the risk of 1919 2019 civil war. The previous generation had seen the Established in 1919, we end to the long conflict that we know as the are your local, family run, Wars of the Roses. Would Henry want to put the country through all that again and maybe lose independent opticians. his throne in the process? Of course not. For him, Our opticians take their time over at least, the ruthless option was the only one he every eye examination ensuring that could take. every test is performed to the highest possible standard. Dave Weldrake is a historian and public speaker. Follow his Heritage Education on “Friendly, P s al & Professi al” Facebook at www.moorhouseopticians.co.uk https://www.facebook.com/Dave-Weldrake- Heritage-Education-1043491342344634/ 01977 703 307 51 Ropergate, Pontefract, WF8 1JY

HISTORYLOCAL & HISTORY HERITAGE 13 A Nineteenth Century engraving of the later farm. Note the lady walking along the middle of the road! Harry Battye collection.

Bubwith Houses and the Wash By Eric Houlder

rom pre-historic times until perhaps the From the Pontefract side the Wash began at Sixteenth Century, the direct route from Bubwith House Farm, or Bubwith Houses as it Pontefract to Knottingley was blocked by was contemporarily named. This was also the Fa marsh between Bubwith House Farm and lowest crossing point of Wash Beck, and the the River Aire named The Wash. It was fed by site of the town’s eponymous Broken Bridge, Pontefract’s Wash Beck, a much more substantial as postulated by Richard Holmes and finally watercourse then, which in 1086 at Domesday, proved by Harry Battye and myself, and published accommodated a freshwater fishery and fed two, as a paper in Local History magazine in 1990. or possibly three, watermills. Curiously, although always claimed by Pontefract, Throughout the late medieval period, there Bubwith Houses was actually in Ferrybridge, as a were attempts to drain The Wash, culminating later-discovered boundary marker proved! As the after The Dissolution; evidenced by monastic only known substantial building in the area, this moulded stonework used to revet the banks is likely to be the place where Edward Duke of of the final watercourse, and William Camden’s York, later Edward IV, spent the night before the statement in Britannia that the Wash was recently Battle of Ferrybridge two days before Towton. (late Sixteenth Century) drained. The main road Whilst researching the origins of the name to Ferrybridge and Knottingley mirrored the Pontefract, the historian Richard Holmes draining of the marsh: initially following the high examined the topography around what was then ground as Ferrybridge Road, later bordering the called Bubwith Bridge. This is the spot where newly drained area as Sowgate Lane, and finally Knottingley Road crossed the Wash Beck adjacent along the low land south of the newly-drained to the current fire station. His conclusions were area as Knottingley Road. based on documentary evidence, namely that as

14 HISTORY & HERITAGE My record picture of the farm immediately before demolition. Photographs © Eric Houlder Stump Cross in 1959. © Eric Houlder. Bill Horner’s discovery, photographed in 1960. long ago as the Fourteenth Century one John it to my attention and I took some of my first Bubwith held the eighteenth part of a knight’s fee: record photographs of it. Some years later whilst Juxta veterem pontem de Pontefract. researching in the British Museum Library, I i.e. next to the old bridge of Pontefract. Holmes recognised the stone from Bubwith farm as the found it difficult to believe that the Great North upper part of Stump Cross, situated where the Road had ever passed through Pontefract, though Great North Road turned from Stump Cross he upheld the statements of Leland and Camden Lane (at the bottom of which stood Bubwith regarding the position of the broken bridge. Houses) on to Ferrybridge Road. Mr Horner However, it must be remembered that he would donated the stone to the museum, thus securing assume that Bondgate/Knottingley Road had its preservation. always followed its contemporary course. The full story of our broken bridge and Clearly Bubwith Houses had a long and the role played by Bubwith Houses, known distinguished history, so it is sad to record that colloquially in our parents’ time as “Buffet House the site was destroyed by officialdom in the Farm,” and Stump Cross, is told in greater detail early 1960s. During its demolition, a builder, Bill in my short book, Ancient Routes Through Horner, discovered a carved stone in its walls. Pontefract, previously mentioned. The late Fred Morris, who knew Horner, brought

HISTORYLOCAL & HISTORY HERITAGE 15 Liquorice growing in the Valley Gardens

Liquorice Cultivation in Pontefract By Colin White

ontefract had one industry it could call its Liquorice: The Sweet Root own, and that was liquorice. It was probably Liquorice (Glycyrrhiza Glabra) is an herbaceous brought here by monks from Spain, perennial which grows wild in Mediterranean Pwhich may explain the local name for liquorice: countries and is cultivated for its roots which “Spanish”. There were two religious houses in can grow to a depth of six feet. It grows best in Pontefract in medieval times: St John’s Priory, a deep well drained soil and is well suited to the Cluniac Monastery, close to All Saints Church, and deep loamy soil of Pontefract. The juice extracted St Richard’s Dominican Friary (Black Friars from from the roots has been used since the time their habits) in the Friarwood Valley. The Black of Hippocrates (the “Father of Medicine” 4th Friars were a preaching order, not a reclusive sect, century BC) to treat many complaints, including who went out into the community to promote asthma, eczema and stomach complaints. Known the Christian message and counter heresy. as the sweet root it was chewed by Roman Liquorice was known for its medicinal properties soldiers to relieve thirst while marching. It is and was probably grown by the monks to treat a still used in the modern pharmaceutic industry, variety of complaints. It was grown commercially especially in Japan, and is the base compound for in Pontefract for its root from the 1600s until the some modern medicines used to treat stomach 1970s. ulcers. However, consuming too much liquorice can cause medical problems: fluid retention and high blood pressure.

16 HISTORY & HERITAGE Liquorice Sir George Saville in 1614 was the first to stamp out small discs of liquorice for use as a medicine. In 1760 George Dunhill added sugar to make confectionery - Pontefract Cakes. There were 17 factories in Pontefract at its zenith making 25,000 sweets every day, each Pontefract Cake stamped by hand. There are now just two confectionery factories in Pontefract: Haribo (formerly Dunhill) and Valeo (was Tangerine and formerly Wilkinsons). Production is now mechanised and the liquorice root imported from Spain, Italy and Turkey where the liquorice plant grows more quickly in the warm climate and the root can be harvested after 2 – 3 years, rather than 5 years in Pontefract. Unsurprisingly, liquorice growing in Pontefract had become uneconomic by the 1940s.

Pontefract: a garden town St John’s Priory and St Richard’s Friary were both closed in 1538 at Henry VIII’s Reformation, demolished and soon lost to the memory of the local people. The earliest documentation Bill Keighley and his young son in a liquorice trench of liquorice cultivation in Pontefract was in 1600 (Camden’s “Brittania”) and by the early site behind the old Dispensary where Pontefract 18th century Pontefract was well known for its General Infirmary stood until 2011 when it was gardens and plant nurseries supplying the markets demolished. From 1880 when the Dispensary in Leeds and Wakefield with fruit and vegetables. was built, Pontefract General Infirmary gradually Soon liquorice was being grown all over the extended down the hillside and eventually town to supply the liquorice industry. The Castle occupied the whole site east of Friarwood Steps was planted with liquorice after the English Civil (commonly called Bluebell Steps). The area War and its dungeon or magazine was used to of what is now the Friarwood Valley Gardens store the root. Beds of the shrub lined Southgate consisted of several small market garden plots. and Micklegate, and there were plantations in The Borough Engineer’s map from 1945 shows the Friarwood Valley. Town maps from the 1600s 6 plots, the largest being 4.11 acres belonging onwards show widespread liquorice cultivation. to Mr W W Keighley. Four generations of the On the 1933 Town Map there are seven liquorice Keighley family grew liquorice in what is now factories shown within a radius of a few hundred the bowling green and Rose Garden area of the yards of the Buttercross. Valley Gardens from the mid 1800s to 1947. The family originally lived on Mill Hill, then Carleton Friarwood and the Keighleys Road and from about 1900 at the Hazels on The area in the Friarwood Valley where liquorice Mayors Walk, on the southern edge of the Valley was cultivated is approximately 10 acres of land Gardens. William Woodall (Bill) Keighley was now the Friarwood Valley Gardens and the vacant the fourth and last generation to grow liquorice

HISTORYLOCAL & HISTORY HERITAGE 17 in the Valley. The photograph from about 1936 shows Bill Keighley and his six year old son in the liquorice field with Pontefract General Infirmary in the background. The labour intensive harvesting of the liquorice root is evident; it was necessary to dig deep trenches to extract the roots.

“Market Grower & Salesman & Fruit Trader” 1929 An article in a publication called the “Market Grower & Salesman & Fruit Trader” dated May 1929 recorded an interview with Bill Keighley who was then aged 30. The article states “...that through the centuries market gardeners have settled at Pontefract for the practice of their craft, that the old town is girded with market gardens and even in the very centre of it there is a stretch of flourishing market gardens such as most Stamping Pontefract Cakes readers would envy.” Bill proudly stated that his family had been growing liquorice in Pontefract for more than 100 years but was critical of productive. The article also detailed the varieties the declining market for liquorice due to the of spring cabbage, broccoli, radishes, lettuce, pharmaceutical industry developing what Bill apples and gooseberries grown by Mr Keighley called “chemical substitutes”. The article reveals and was clearly aimed at the specialist readership some interesting details about the cultivation of of the periodical. It ends by mentioning that liquorice. The root stock was planted in April and Bill was Choirmaster at St Michael’s Church in it was important that the ground was “bone dry” Carleton and Captain of Pontefract Hockey at the time of planting. Eight tons of farmyard Club. Bill retired in the late 1940s and moved manure per acre was spread before planting, to Scarborough. He sold his land and house to which was sufficient for the 5 years required Pontefract Borough Council which at the time for the crop to reach maturity. Each bed was 37 was buying up all the plots to create Friarwood inches wide and there were three rows of root Valley Gardens which opened as a Public Park in stock in each bed. Because growth was slow a 1951 as Pontefract’s contribution to the Festival variety of other crops were grown between the of Britain. rows in the early years, especially potatoes which There is a small plot of liquorice bushes yielded 10 tons per acre. “The (liquorice) crop growing in the Valley Gardens on the eastern was lifted when the sap has stopped rising and side of the Rose Garden. Close by is a bench this is in most years the end of September.” The and flowering cherry tree dedicated to the average liquorice root harvest was 35cwt per memory of the two atomic bombs dropped on acre yielding about £190. Even at today’s prices Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. Representatives (£12,000) that doesn’t seem much for all the of a Japanese pharmaceutical company visited hard work required over 5 years but Mr Keighley Pontefract in 1985 and to mark the occasion a considered liquorice growing to be “quite Japanese flowering cherry tree was planted and remunerative”. Possibly the additional crops the bench dedicated to the 40th anniversary of grown between the rows made the land more the atomic bombs.

18 HISTORY & HERITAGE DESIGN | PRINT | DIGITAL

FROM Leaflets & Flyers £16.89 x100, A6, 150gsm, single sided - £16.89 x1000 A5, 150gsm, single sided - £31.91 x5000 A5, 150gsm, double sided - £56.84 x1,000 A4, 150gsm, single sided - £52.82

FROM £12.82 Business Cards x100, 55x85mm, 350gsm, single sided - £12.82 x500, 55x85mm, 350gsm, single sided - £15.55 x100, 55x85mm, 450gsm, double sided - £14.74 x500, 55x85mm, 450gsm, double sided - £15.78

FROM Roller Banners £32.49 x1, 800x2000mm, 220mic PVC - £32.49 x1, 850x2000mm, 220mic PVC - £34.58 x1, 1000x2000mm, 220mic PVC - £36.69

All prices include FREE postage We’re a Yorkshire based company providing high quality design, print and digital services to small and growing businesses. Give us a call or visit our website to fi nd out how we can help your business get noticed.  0114 3035730 [email protected] www.ayupdesign.co.uk No.1agent* for sales agreed in in Pontefract 2019

Other William H Brown Agents 0.1 - 7.1%

15.1% Agent A We were the No1 Agent 11.6% in Pontefract for sales agreed sales agreed by agents in Pontefract within in 2019, so if moving is on the last your wish list for 2020... 12 months Agent B let us help you tick it off! 10.9%

Contact us now on 01977 791406 to book your FREE valuation

26 Market Place, Pontefract, West Yorkshire, WF8 1AT T 01977 791406 E [email protected] williamhbrown.co.uk Market Area: Postcodes: WF7 4, 6, 7, WF8 1,2, 3,4, WF9 1, 2, 3, 4, WF11 0, 8, 9 *Source – Rightmove sales agreed for William H Brown Halifax from 01.02.2019 - 31.01.2020 (Report excludes properties which were listed as new build). Trading name of Sequence (UK) Limited. If you have instructed another agent the terms and conditions of those instructions must be considered to avoid a possible liability to pay two commissions in addition to any withdrawal fees or disbursements. MKG/SEQ030/03.20 Valid until 30.06.20