MIDDLETON ON THE WOLDS HERITAGE

Parish Overview

Middleton on the Wolds Parish extends beyond the village itself, encompassing a diverse and picturesque landscape. This parish includes several smaller farms and rural areas, each contributing to the rich tapestry of the community. The surrounding countryside features rolling hills, fertile farmland, and charming woodlands, offering residents and visitors alike a serene and scenic environment. The parish is dotted with historical landmarks, such as the ancient St. Andrew’s Church, and is crisscrossed by numerous walking and cycling trails that invite exploration. The locals, the Farmers and volunteer villagers works diligently to maintain the area’s natural beauty and historical significance, ensuring that the entire parish thrives as a cohesive and vibrant community

Prominent Families and Residents

• The Harland Family: Resided at Parklands. Mr. Harland owned a printing firm in Hull, and Mrs. Harland was from the Owbridge family, known for their cough mixture.
• Dr. & Mrs. Clements: Lived opposite the church.
• Mr. & Mrs. Donald Speck: Farmers at Manor Farm and Clayfields Farm, lived in the Red House on Beverley Road.
• Rev. & Mrs. Evans: Resided in the Vicarage on Warter Road.
• Mr. & Mrs. Tom Speck: Nephew of Donald Speck, worked with him, lived at Clayfields Farm.
• Mr. & Mrs. Hogarth: Headmaster, lived in the school house.
• Mr. & Mrs. Tom Soanes: Farmers on Church Hill.

Memories from 1950

Fascinating descriptions of the village written in the 1950s for a competition at the Women’s Institute. Here is an excerpt from a prize-winning entry by Mrs. T. Smith, the daughter of the carrier in the village, who was writing when she was over 70 years old:

“I will begin by telling you about the residents of Middleton when I was a girl. We had a rector (the Rev. H. D. Blanchard), a doctor (Dr. W. Wood), a farrier (Mr. Wright), four joiners (Mr. Belt, Mr. Warley, Mr. Petch, and Mr. Dooks), two blacksmiths (Mr. Dove and Mr. Thompson), a market gardener (Mr. Hotham), a schoolmaster (Mr. Gush), and three carriers (Mr. Soanes, Mr. Syred, and Mr. Towse).

There were seven shops for groceries, and I remember well when one of the shops got some things in for Christmas presents; there was great excitement. We had three shoemakers (Mr. Powell, Mr. Railton, and Mr. Norman).

There were three grinding mills; two were driven by the wind, and the other by steam. That one was in the field behind Mrs. Jenkinson’s house. There was a Pinfold at the top of Front Street where they used to put lost horses and cattle, and they stayed until the owners claimed them. They had to go to the policeman for the key to get them out and had to pay for their keep. Before we had the railway, all the coals, bricks, cement, etc. had to be carted from Kiplingcotes, Driffield, or Lockington stations. My father used to fetch a crate of crockery for Miss Wright twice a year from Kiplingcotes station.”

Source: Geoff Wisher Heritage Sheet 30

We hope to add more to the website in this area.

Written by K. Kaye

May 2025