We are delighted that this exciting new community heritage interpretation project is now underway as part of the wider Westmorland Dales Landscape Partnership Scheme.
Over the coming two and a bit years we will share the progress of the project on this blog as we get to grips with the research and start to build up a picture of the lives of the people who have relied on the Westmorland Dales’ spectacular routes through the hills and over the moors – from Mesolithic hunters to the M6 motorway engineers. We will look at the evidence they have left behind for their presence – like cattle drovers ‘stances’; Roman milestones; prehistoric flints from far away – the list is endless and we can’t wait to start exploring!
We also hope to record the stories of some of the people who have memories of relying on these routes through the landscape, Romany folk and railway drivers perhaps or long-distance lorry drivers – we’re open to suggestions.
If you think you would like to contribute to the project either with stories or if you have researched a relevant local history topic then do please get in contact with the project officer Karen Griffiths on 01756 751619 or karen.griffiths@yorkshiredales.org.uk
Next ‘A Way Through’ blog post Research into droving history >
I am Caroline Rob and my father and mother moved to New York in 1960. As a child I spent a great deal of time at Catton Hall, near Thirsk. The Rob family is no more in England, so I want to get the history written. I have a great deal of information about the family, which had a prominent business in droving. They settled near Thirsk in the late 1680’s and soon were buying up acreage from the estate of Lord Leconfield and others. Catton Hall was built in 1814 ( exact date needs to be verified). I would like to share information and certainly gather what I can on the family and their successful business in the cattle droving business. The cattle were brought down from Stirling to the market in London. By mid 19th c. the family was no longer involved with droving, but more with farming and breeding horses and other animals more locally, also local politics. How do I start to talk with you about how I can engage and share as well as learn more towards serious research in to the Rob’s business.
Hello Caroline. Thirsk is a Market Town in North Yorkshire but it is not in the Yorkshire Dales, it’s closer to the North York Moors National Park. There is a County Records Office in Northallerton which holds historical data and some people do find information from them, they are part of North Yorkshire Council. You can find out more about them here: https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/leisure-tourism-and-culture/county-record-office
We hope you find what you are looking for. Thanks, Wendy from the Communications Team