Down memory lane
RYEDALE: Reliving a few childhood memories, Chris Berry explores Malton and Pickering and the country lanes and villages nearby.
AVE you ever been in a car when the driver says,”I think we’ll just go down here?” In my experience it was my dad, as he found yet another country track, and his exploratory nature is a blessing I appear to have expanded upon since those days of nearly 40 years ago when we were driving somewhat aimlessly around the countryside.
My only real consideration in those days was finding the nearest flat patch of land – the boot of our car was crammed with stumps, bats, rackets and balls of the tennis, cricket, rugby and football varieties.
Today, having spent the past 25 years travelling throughout this stunning landscape of Yorkshire and writing about farming families, countryside people, events, towns and villages, I have travelled many of those little lanes and winding roads.
One of my favourite areas and one that many daytrippers never see, preferring to make for Scarborough on the A64, is the land just south of Malton. You should try coming off at Whitwell-on-the-Hill and head towards Kirkham Priory. This has to be yet another of our county’s most scenic views with the River Derwent, the remains of the priory and a splendid countryside panorama.
Whichever route you choose after Kirkham will bring you to some beautiful and quaint countryside villages and hamlets. I’d recommend you head for Westow, Leavening, Burythorpe and Birdsall before coming in to Malton via Norton. But not everything in the countryside garden is rosy and en route you may see a sign to Save Our Pub from the residents of Burythorpe where the Bay Horse is closed at present. There is a campaign to get it back open soon. Who knows, your journey may inspire you to become a villager and publican!
The Malton area is famed for its racing stables and the Malton Stables Open Day has become a great annual event. This year’s jamboree takes place on Sunday, September 13, and sees 20 trainers opening up their yards including Tim Fitzgerald, Tim Easterby, Ollie Pears and Brian Ellison.
Malton is a town going through a major transition right now. Having started its We Love Malton campaign in 2009 and developed its image as the Food Lovers Capital of Yorkshire, it is attracting increased footfall. One of the next steps is for the livestock market to shift to new premises near to the popular Eden Camp military museum. The move was the source of some concern but all sides seem to have resolved differences and every effort is being made to ensure the livestock market becomes a great success at its new location, with work starting perhaps by the end of this year, and redevelopment of the livestock market area set to begin. There are still those who are unsure, but this is very much a case of “watch this space”.
The town’s market square is a glorious sight when Malton’s market is in full flow each Saturday with St Michael’s Church standing proudly in the centre, and in the south-eastern corner is the excellent Milton Rooms venue that features many outstanding concerts during the year.