Bygone Years

The ‘photo was taken (I think) in the early 60s and shows the old A1079, Town Street and Bielby Lane before part of Holly Tree Farm was demolished and the new road was repositioned and widened.

The houses in the bottom right hand corner still stand (Fourways, Corner Cottage and part of York Road Cottages). Of the farm buildings, only the two on the extreme right hand side survive as Holly Tree Farm and a garage.

The triangle of grass in the centre is now the village green. Note what appears to be a petrol pump outside Fourways

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The photo of the five young lads was taken (I think) in the 1920s on the triangle of grass in Hayton where the A1079 (York Road) ran. At least some of the children are grandchildren or great grandchildren of Mary (Granny) Swann who lived at Chapel Farm on the left of the picture, next to the Methodist Chapel.

Mrs Swann (nee Abbey) moved to Hayton from Wheldrake in 1863 when she married a local farmer and wheelwright. She was still living in the village, at Ash Grove, in 1933 at the age of 92.