I was delighted to be invited on a walk with Appleton Wiske School, to learn about Appleton Wiske history.

Class 2 of Appleton Wiske School learn about Lord Nelson

With teacher Mrs Atkinson and Governor Mr Blackwood, we learned about Appleton Wiske’s history by looking at the Chapel, the Church, the Pub, the Post Office and lots of houses.

Linen Industry in Appleton Wiske

During the 18th and 19th century, lots of people in Appleton worked at home, spinning and weaving linen.  We looked for the little spinning windows in the houses, where cottage artisans used to spin linen, to be woven into cloth on hand looms.

We met a lady who said that her house used to be the Mechanics’ Institute, where villagers could go to read, learn, and socialise.

This house was once the Mechanics Institute in Appleton Wiske

Workplaces changed to houses

We met a man who said that his house was once the first garage and bicycle repair shop in the village.  He also told us that there used to be a well in the back garden, before piped water came to Appleton Wiske.

Mr Blackwood also revealed that many of the buildings that are now homes were once farm outbuildings, that have been converted to cottages.

Celebrities in Appleton Wiske – but in former times

Mr Blackwood told us about the Church.  The Normans built a stone arch there, and later, the Victorians built a new roof, raising it to a steeper pitch.

We also learned that the King came to Appleton Wiske, when King Edward 1 took Mass here, while campaigning against the Scots.  Can you imagine the commotion, preparing for the KING to come to a little villlage like ours?!

King Edward 1 came to Appleton Wiske Church in 1299

And we stopped outside the pub, to learn about Admiral Lord Nelson, remembered in the pub sign.

It was fun – despite the cold.