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Early Settlement
People have been living in Green Hammerton since prehistoric times, and the Green Hammerton Archaeology Society has done research work already looking at Green Hammerton pre-Iron Age, Iron Age, Roman and Early Medieval periods.
More Recent History
The York Herald in September 1847 mentions that the first exhibition of the “Green Hammerton Gardeners, Amateurs, and Cottagers Horticultural and Floral Society” was held in a field in the occupation of Mrs Buck of Green Hammerton on the 5th September 1847 in a marquee borrowed from the Harrogate Floral Society. Mrs Buck at this time ran the Blacksmiths Arms which is now the Village Club.
The history of the village club has been extensively researched by Paul Evans, going all the way back to 1771.
Green Hammerton in 1911
Research by Ivan Andrew
According to the 1911 census there were 289 residents in the parish of Green Hammerton living in 73 properties. The parish stretched from Providence Green down towards Skip Bridge and included the brick and tile works approximately where Helenfield is now but not Yon Cottage which was considered to be in
Whixley.
Of the 289 residents 159 were female and 130 male, 18 more than the 1901 census figure. All of the increase was in the over 70 and under 12 age groups. Eighteen households employed live-in servants, a drop from the previous census. Likewise, the number of agricultural and domestic workers had reduced by half from 1901. Sixty-two women from 47 households did not list an occupation but there were 25 children under school age who would need looking after. Some of these women may have taken on work, washing or ironing for other villagers but did not declare it.
The parish appointed two commissioners of the poor who could allocate, appropriately, funds obtained from part of the village rates as well as rent for a field owned by the village opposite the brick works.
At this time agricultural workers and other labourers would be paid less than a £1 a week while the living
wage of the time for a family of five was reckoned to be 25 shillings a week (£1.25). In the town labourers
could earn about this amount so many rural residents travelled to York to work and some to live taking
advantage of the rail connection. If you were employed as a live-in servant you would get at least £10 per year in addition to free board and lodgings, but you would work very hard for long hours. The reading room (opened in 1910) was a great boon to the village. Residents had bought bricks to show their support for the building’s construction to the Board of Education and charity commissioners.
Silver Jubilee Celebrations in 1977
Research by Paul Kirkwood
The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh visited Green Hammerton on 13 July 1977 during one of their six Silver Jubilee tours of the UK. They were en-route from the Great Yorkshire Show in Harrogate to York and paused briefly in their police-escorted Rolls Royce in front of the Bay Horse while school children waved.
The village had its very own ‘royalty’ in the form of jubilee queen, Julie Cummins, 13. The competition was open to all girls aged 12-26 and the prize included an embroidered sash and bouquet presented at the social club by Richard Powell in a ceremony compered by Dougie Mack. Julie was also paraded around Tockwith Show on a float. Now living in Knaresborough, she was guest of honour at our Golden Jubilee celebrations.
Silver Jubilee day started with a church service followed by swimming at pools owned by two residents at the bottom of The Green. In the afternoon a parade of floats proceeded to Elm House Farm where there was a fancy dress competition, teas, children’s sports and the presentation of commemorative mugs to youngsters. The day concluded with a disco and barbecue.
A month previously a 10-mile sponsored walk started by Julie and taking in Thorpe Underwood, Whixley and Kirk Hammerton raised £384 for the village’s jubilee fund. All but seven of the 76 walkers completed the distance including 74-year-old Tony Byron. Sue Walkington and Peter Powell both received £5 premium bonds for raising the most money while Peter and Michelle Harland also received £2 each for having the largest number of sponsors. Walkers celebrated with a tea at the Bay Horse courtesy of landlord Ian McHamish (who also chaired the Jubilee celebrations committee) and wife Christine.
In April Robin Garland organised a Grand National sweepstake which raised £200. The winner was Brian Mack and the prize was a night out for eight at the Batley Variety Club to see – and meet – comedian Freddie Starr. Runner-up was Brian Moody. Other fundraising events included jumble sales, a spring fair, exhibition of arts and crafts in the reading room and house-to-house collection. In total over £900 was raised. Some of it spent on the celebrations and some on a new bench (now situated in the allotments). The balance went towards buying land for a new playing field. What a fabulous legacy!
Photo Gallery
Green Hammerton circa 1911
Protests in favour of the bypass, 1980
Tour De France 2014