Hi, we are Byron & Ruswarp.

Both being from Yorkshire, it is good to be back in our home county and with all are other pals who had come along, enjoying a super holiday here at Saltmoore.

Sadly the stay was coming to an end, this being the last day. Dad had promised that at some time all of us would have a day out and today is was our turn, together with Lucy and her cub Luke.

"Where is it you are going", asked Tetley.

"Hutton-le-Hole and Lastingham", replied Ruswarp. "I checked Dad's diary that he has kept since 1974. He had visited before, with Uncle Brian, all of 32 years ago."

"Ahh, dear Uncle Brian", sniffed Allen. "I miss him so much as we all do. He and Dad had lots of holidays and days out over the years."

Dad had returned from breakfast, Southey asking, "have you any recollection of the places you are going to today, from the visit all those years ago."

"Not much to be honest, but I do remember quite clearly the visit to the church in Lastingham and the crypt built in the 11th century. I am looking forward to reacquainting myself today and taking pictures for the story."

So off we went, Dad using the Satnav to guide us to Hutton-le-Hole, where there is a large car park on the edge of the village.

Dad had a little chat with a lady and gentleman, whose car we had passed on the journey. They were from Nottinghamshire, and Dad told them that Uncle Brian had come from there.

Walking down there was a seat, Dad saying, "let's have a little sit to take in the surroundings."

l-r Ruswarp, Byron, Luke & Lucy

"Those are pretty cottages", pointed Lucy.

Strolling on Byron said, "I have a list of the buildings in the village that have listed status. That one there is Hammer and Hand. It was and inn but now a private house. The datestone over the door consists of an oval centre panel enclosing the initials: S E B 1784. The initials are from Emmanuel and Betty Strickland. To each side a rectangular panel carved with the arms of the Blacksmiths' company - a phoenix in flames with 3 hammers - and inscribed: - 'By hammer and hand' and 'All arts do stand'. The house and the garden gates and railings are grade II listed."

Just a little further stands The Crown inn.

"I love the mellow stone of the walls and the red tile roofs. Very typical of this whole area", commented Ruswarp.

"Ooh, love that old tractor", pointed Luke. "Mum, can we sit on it?"

"It's owned by the Rydale Folk Museum, so not appropriate for us to sit on", replied Lucy.

To the right of the road stretched the extensive green, with this ancient tree.

Dad said, "we can sit on the seat around it for a little while and I'll take your picture."

"Ahh, thanks", replied Luke.

Sheep were freely grazing on the green, and this one was quite tame and inquisitive. It sniffed us then sniffed and almost nibbled at Dad's exposed toes!

Close by the tree stands the war memorial. "We'll sit and wait while you get a shot", said Byron.

It is described as a plain Latin Cross on a square plinth and three stepped base, and commemorates those who fell in the First and Second World Wars, and also to those who served in the First World War.

There's the church", pointed Lucy. "Can we visit Dad?".

Byron said, "learning from our expert researcher Grizzly, I have come prepared and have some notes. In 1901 the parish bought a redundant Congregationalist chapel called the Zion Chapel. This was dedicated to St Chad. It served as the village church until 1934 when the present church was built beside it, the chapel then being demolished."

Going inside this is the view along the nave.

"The building is very simple, the major feature being the extremely high chancel arch. One oddity is that there is no east window, which is very unusual in an Anglican church. The oak pews were brought here from All Saints Church in Kirkbymoorside. The altar rails came from a stately home, Douthwaite Hall, an 18th century country house a mile outside the village.
The altar is wooden but is topped with a stone altar table, or mensa. Behind is a very good oak reredos brought here from Welburn Hall near Kirkbymoorside."

Pointing to the west end, Byron went on, "that organ is probably the oldest furnishing, being built in the 1860s and coming from a Methodist chapel near Scarborough, but probably began as a chamber organ in a country house." [bit out of focus - sorry! Little bit of camera shake by Dad].

Our visit over, Ruswarp said, "please take our picture Dad, to mark our visit."

Strolling on Lucy called out, "there's the post box."

"I know, picture for Little Eric's collection", replied Dad.

Opposite stands yet another lovely house.

"Those sheep, industriously eating the grass will make a nice picture", suggested Byron.

"That's two sheep pictures. Just imagine what our pal Allen, who does not like sheep pictures in the stories, would have to say", laughed Luke.

Strolling the green we crossed a footbridge over the Hutton Beck.

"Will you please take our picture sitting by the stream", called out Ruswarp.

"I need some refreshment", stated Dad.

"I noticed, as we walked down initially that there is a cafe in Old School House", said Lucy, helpfully.

The ground floor is the cafe and bakery, while upstairs is a three bedroom self-catering apartment.

We sat out on the table, and were commented on by two ladies, Dad explaining about his collecting and the stories of our adventures.

The cafe was busy and we felt sorry for the owner, who had no staff today to help her.

Dad commenting about the 10,000 steps, she replied, "I'm already at 11,000!"

He had a sausage roll, then a delicious fruit scone with butter and jam, and pot of tea. "Very nice", remarked Dad.

This was the end of our visit to Hutton-le-Hole, Luke asking, "how far is it to Lastingham?"

"2 miles", replied Dad. "From the car park we turn right to get there."

In complete contrast to Hutton-le-Hole, with the houses spread around the wide spacious green, Lastingham is much more compact the houses lining a cross of roads, centred on the church and public house the Blacksmiths Arms. Dad commented, "when I came here with Uncle Brian in on 8th September 1993, we had lunch there. There was a power cut in the village and as a result the menu was limited. A delicious bowl of creamy vegetable soup and cob. We also had a pint of strong ale called Curates Downfall from the local Lastingham Brewery that had been started in 1993 reviving and old tradition."

Dad had parked by the small green, where we sat a while in this seat for a little rest and have our picture taken.

Going to look at the lovely houses along the lane to the left, Dad took this of Ovins Well House.

What peaked our interest was the arched recessed structure set into the wall. Researching later Byron told us. "this is St Ovins Well a public fountain the structure probably 18th century with early origins. It is grade II listed."

Turning back Luke called out, "Please take a picture of the post box for Little Eric's collection." Looking closely he went on, "it dates from the reign of King George VI."

"What's that", pointed Ruswarp.

We discovered this is St Cedd's Well. Byron told us later, "it commemorates Cedd, who was a Bishop of the East Saxons and Abbot of Lastingham and who built the first (timber) monastery here about AD660. The grand looking road-side well-house is a nineteenth century construction that re-used stone from the ruins of Rosedale Abbey, which perhaps suggests a nineteenth century promotion of Lastingham's early Christian heritage."
Above the lion's head through which the spring water is thought to have issued, is a wooden plaque in Latin, that translates to - Cedd. Founder of Lastingham Abbey AD 654. Died AD 664 and is buried in the church on the right side of the altar.

Here we are by the well.

At the corner by the Blacksmiths Arms is this lovely cottage that Dad could not resist photographing.

Across the road stands the village hall, or to give it its proper name the Darley Memorial Hall. Originally the school the stone plaque set in the wall reads - 'To the Glory of God and in loving memory of Harriet Louisa Darley, this school was built AD1885.

"To complete our exploration we must visit the church", said Lucy.

Armed with his notes, Byron said, "the monastery(timber) founded by St Cedd in AD654, was replaced by a stone church in 725 that was destroyed by invading Danes. In 1078 the Stephen of Whitby refounded it as a Benedictine monastery and began building the abbey church, substantial portions of which were standing when the site was abandoned about 1085. In c1228 unfinished fabric of the original church was adopted and incorporated into the new church. The tower was built in the 14th century. It has grade I listing."

Looking along the nave...

Byron went on, "the chancel, apse and crypt date from 1078-85. The west wall and the nave arcades incorporate crossing piers from the originally planned cruciform church with crossing tower and transepts date from the 13th century."

Wow", called out Lucy, "Just look at the vaulted ceiling."

By the entrance to the tower stands the font.

"The figures represented in that window are St Chad and St Cedd", pointed Byron.

"The pulpit is impressive beautifully carved", said Ruswarp.

Now we made our way down the steps to the crypt.

"Wow", said Lucy. "This is truly amazing. It must be rare for a crypt to have a nave and side aisles."

"Yes", agreed Byron. This dates from the refounding of the monastery in 1078."

"Ahh", said Dad. "I remember this from when I came with Uncle Brian. As I mentioned before there was a power cut so it was very dark down here, but nevertheless the picture Uncle Brian took came out clearly."

We then all sat quietly thinking of our dear Uncle Brian, who we were sure was with us in spirit. 6 years since his death we all miss him every day, none more so than Dad. "How blessed I was to have him as a friend and soulmate for nearly 50 years."

Exploring Luke pointed to this ancient cross shaft, and read the information sheet. "This dates from the 10th century. Both sides of the cross shaft have an interwoven Viking design, but also the 'key' design of the late Saxon crosses. This suggests that the monastery did not remain deserted, but survived the Danish conquest."

Meanwhile Ruswarp had spotted these two pieces of a cross head and obligingly read from the information sheet. "From the 9th century, these two pieces have been identified as part of the cross head from a great Saxon Cross. Both pieces are reported to have been found near the east buttress of St Mary's in 1838. The cross head presupposes a monument of quite extraordinary proportions and is estimated to have stood over 20 feet high. It may well have been the main standing cross in Cedd's monastic enclosure."

"What a fascinating visit", said Luke. "We just need to have our picture to record it."

Now time to head back to Saltmoore. "What a super day", Lucy said. "Thank you for taking Luke and I and thank you Byron for the research and information that has added so much to the enjoyment."

"You're welcome."

We told out pals about the day, while we rested, and Dad watched some TV while lounging on the bed. This evening he went to the Beach House. This has been extensively altered inside. There is a long bar and to the side a pizza restaurant. Dad had a pint of IPA and lovely pizza.

The end of another lovely stay here and we were all pleased to hear that Dad has booked to come again next May. "Super", cheered Fred. "There will be more adventures."

All that remained was for Dad to take the holiday Hug group picture.

Back row - Shaun, Lucy and Luke with Southey and Tetley with Little Eric in front, Grizzly, Gladly Frankie with Allen in front, Fred, Byron & Ruswarp

Front row - Hillary, Snuggles, Dunstan with Leander, George, Summer, Dale, Scooter, Higson & Chuffer.

back