JOURNAL 2000 | North Craven Heritage Trust |
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We gathered for a five-mile circular walk, Kirk
Syke, Bell Busk and Haw Crag, joining the Pennine
way to return to Airton via the riverbank. Though a
walk through gentle countryside, we passed sites of
former industries, including two mills and two quarries,
plus a former station on a once busier railway.
Airton village was founded in the seventh and
eighth century by the Angles, who followed the river
Aire and settled at Malham, Hanlith, Calton and
Airton (the town on the Aire). Common fields can still
be traced which grew round the Anglican village
nucleus, with the houses clustered in a hamlet in the
centre. A century later the Danes were here, occupying
what is now Kirkby Malham and establishing a
church, probably built of wood and thatch. There are
many seventeenth century datestones in Airton; this
was a time of great prosperity, which became known
as the ‘Great Re-building’.
One such building was Airton Hall, now demolished,
which was the dower house of the Lamberts at
Calton Hall. We looked at the Squatters House,
thought to be one of only four in the country, which
was built within one day. Having a roof on, with a
chimney emitting smoke, within the day meant that it
could stay. At one time this property housed the local
down and outs. Nearby are the posts of the former village
stocks. We also considered the Methodist Chapel,
built by philanthropic mill owners who would expect
their work-force to attend regularly. This now seems
sadly over-large for a small village.
We then left Airton on the Hellifield road turned
left towards Bell Busk, then took the lane on the right
towards Kirk Syke Farm. The name (Kirk=Church,
Syke=Ditch or stream) indicates that this may have
been used for Christian worship before the church at
Kirkby Malham was built. Passing a large barn, now a
shadow of its former self, we noted the slate boskins
separating the booses.
Reaching Bell Busk opposite the former station
we learnt that it opened in 1909 and closed in 1959,
and is now a bed and breakfast establishment. This
was on the ‘Little North Western’ railway, later the
Midland. Local farmers would bring full milk churns
to be taken to Leeds on the early morning milk train,
and a wagonette used to operate for tourists travelling
to Malham. Bell Busk stands at the confluence of
Otterburn Beck with the Aire. We crossed the bridge,
noting the markedly pink stone from which it is built.
This is shown on maps as Red Bridge. Over the second
bridge is a former millpond (where kingfishers
may occasionally be seen) near the site of the mill
where silk was spun a century ago.
A steady climb took us to the O.S. Trig Point
913565 on Haw Crag. At 677 feet, this hill was reshaped
by quarrying in the nineteenth century. Now
on a clear day, it is an excellent viewpoint (see sketch).
Crossing Eshton Moor on the Pennine Way, we
followed this all the way back to Airton, noting
Newfield Hall across the river. The Holiday
Fellowship now owns this handsome Edwardian
country mansion.
Reaching Airton at the bridge we discussed the
mill, which stands on the site of a predecessor owned
by the Canons of Bolton Abbey. It was a corn mill at
first, a cotton mill being built on in 1787-1797. The
mill dam was built in 1801. This collected river water,
which was carried by goit or leat (mill-race), from a
weir to the north, which drove an overshot waterwheel.
It was re-built around 1838 by the Dewhirst
family, with a chimney between the two buildings.
The Dewhirsts later moved to a larger mill in Skipton.
In 1918 A.E. Jackson of Blackburn, started Airton
Engineering Co. He installed an electric generator
driven by the water wheel and supplied domestic
lighting to all the houses in the village. Street lighting
was also started. This was financed not by rates but by
fund-raising whist drives and collections from every
householder. A workman at the mill was responsible
for the maintenance and keeping the supply going.
His day’s work finished at 10.30pm when the whole
outfit was shut down and everybody had to go to bed!
This continued for many years until a mains supply
became available which could be used for power as
well as light.
During the Second World War the Reckitt and
Coleman factory in Hull was heavily bombed and had
to find alternative accommodation. They bought
Airton Mill in 1942 and made Dettol etc there for several
years. When the firm moved to Skipton the mill
was used as a warehouse and storeroom for a few
years. In 1960 the mill was sold and used as a hatchery
and a rearing and breeding unit for poultry for
twelve years. The mill was converted into flats in
1972, when the original race or goit was uncovered.
This is a stone-built channel or trough about 2 foot 6
inches square. It runs behind the old mill from upstream
near the boundary wall, and still carries some
water. The flats are now a mixture of permanent
homes and holiday accommodation.
We ended our walk in the Friends Meeting
House. This was founded by William and Alice Ellis
in 1700. They had built a stone house for themselves
in the village four years earlier, which is still called
‘Ellis House’. William Ellis was a handloom weaver
(linen) who became a zealous Friend. He gained much
power as a preacher and made missionary journeys in
England, Ireland and America. His house and some
land were conveyed to trustees who were to see that
home and food were provided for teachers who might
visit Airton. Provision was made for putting poor children
of Airton, Scosthrop and Calton to ‘plain and
honest trades’. Also six large coats and six women’s
hoods were kept for visiting friends in wet or foul
weather.
Formerly an industrial area giving housing and
employment to large numbers of people, this is now a
quiet, mainly agricultural area. Airton has no shop or
pub and only has a few holiday properties and a section
of the Pennine Way to contribute to the tourist
industry. This is a delightful walk, full of interest, and
is worth repeating in all seasons and weathers.
D.H.
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