Contemporary History

Historic Record of Barton upon Humber

One of the tasks performed by the committee at the Executive Committee meeting is to record all the contemporary history that has occurred in the town since the last meeting. This is an important historic record for the town, and is shared here for the wider audience. Please feel free to email the Society with any sensible additions you think may have been missed.

Late June 2015 Meeting

Drop kerbs have been removed from George Street.
Several old buildings have been demolished on the old Hopper Cycle Works site.
Madge Dickenson, believed to be Barton’s oldest resident, has celebrated her 105th birthday in Beech House.
36 Holydyke is undergoing renovation work, as is 36 Fleetgate.

Early June 2015 Meeting

The Gallery has opened at 15 George Street.
The NatWest bank is to close on 20th August but it is hoped to have a mobile banking service visiting twice per week.
Drop kerbs have been installed on George Street.
The timetable for the 350 Fast Cat Bus service has now been altered and unfortunately now leaves prior to the arrival of the trains. This situation is clearly unsatisfactory and it is hoped that some compromise can be reached.
Work has been completed on the area East of the Co-op.
A book on Ted Lewis has been published by Monty Martin.
Work on St. Peter’s Court has now been completed.
The restaurant at the Old Tileyard has now reopened.

April 2015 Meeting

Improvement works are being carried out to the area East of the Co-op. A new tree has been planted into a large “structured” tree pit constructed of strata cells which are designed to be load bearing but at the same time contain topsoil allowing the tree to spread its roots in a safe manner without causing any root upheaval. It is understood that the scheme being carried out is not that which was proposed by the Society, but should significantly enhance the area.
Handrails have belatedly been positioned alongside the steps up to the LIDL store.
A new Garden Centre has been opened at the Deepdale Country Store.
The potter is still working at the Tileyard Visitor Centre.

February 2015 Meeting

New signage has been installed at the Co-op.
The Bengal Village restaurant has opened on Fleetgate.
The Red Cross clothes shop has opened in the Market Place.

January 2015 Meeting

The Co-op has re-opened after refurbishment.
Lidl is currently closed for several weeks for extensive renovation works.
Work is progressing quickly on the new housing on the Blue Bell site.
Work is progressing on the conversion works on St. Peter’s Court.
Rex Russell, founder member, former chairman and president of the Society, died on 15th December.
Shape Changers has opened on Falkland Way.
Rodney Clapson’s book on the shipyard has been published.
Ron Hill has published a book entitled “ A Grammar School Boy “.
The bus stop on the West side of Fleetgate is now signposted.

December 2014 Meeting

Refurbishment works are being carried out at both the Co-op and Lidl stores.
The Southern section of Marsh Lane has been closed to traffic to facilitate the rebuilding of outbuildings at Elm Tree House.
The Christmas Festival was held on Saturday 29th November.
Resurfacing work has been carried out on several roads in the town, including Maltby Lane, Cottage Lane, Chapel Lane and Tofts Road.
The Dry cleaning shop on George Street has re-opened under a new name.
The Wheatsheaf has re-opened after kitchen refurbishment.
The Humber Bank footpath West of the Haven has been resurfaced.
The Balfour Beatty office on Humber Road is closing down with the loss of 20 jobs.
The 5th December marks the first anniversary of the tidal surge which caused extensive flood damage along the Humber.

November 2014 Meeting

The Old Bell Watson shop in the Market Place is being converted into a clothing shop for the Red Cross, who will continue to sell furniture etc. from their existing shop on Chapel Lane.
Second Choice has opened for the sale of antiques and second hand goods in Dennis Boyall’s former shop on High Street.
Building work has commenced on the Blue Bell Car Park.
Refurbishment work has commenced at Lidl.
A garden wall believed to date from the 18th century has been demolished to the rear of the Co-op car park, and all the bricks have been thrown away.
An article has been published in the Yorkshire Post magazine on O.H. Boyd, with particular emphasis on his recent work on the new state coach.
Nancy Birtwhistle of Westfield Road was the overall winner of the Great British Bake Off programme on BBC.
The former Salvation Army citadel on Queen’s Street has been bought by the Queen Street School Preservation Trust. It is hoped to name the First Floor Hall after Joseph Wright, the architect of the building, who was prominent in the design of Primitive Methodist Chapels in this region. Restoration and improvement works to the building are to be carried out in stages as funds permit.
The Salvation Army are renting the building back for the time being, but are hoping to build a new citadel on the old Carnival Inn site on Tofts Road.

October 2014 Meeting

It is now official that there is a bus-stop on the West side of Fleetgate opposite Fleetgate Hardware.
Clarice Day, our oldest member has died at the age of 105.
The Philip Pape sculpture at Baysgarth School needs money to both renovate and replace it. Wendy Witter, Chair of the Governors Building Committee of the School has identified the need for £70,000 for removal and £30,000 for restoration and re-siting.

September 2014 Meeting

Sally-Anna’s has re-opened.
Colin Saywell has retired from Baysgarth School and a new head has been appointed.
Molly’s Flowers has ceased trading in the Market Place and the premises are now occupied by the Foot Clinic which has relocated from High Street.
The Cricket Club are currently carrying out complete reconstruction and drainage work to the outfield.
Keigar Homes have carried out a site strip to the Southern end of their site on Falkland Way.
Keigar Homes have commenced building works on Mill View.
The Blue Bell has been sold with planning permission for residential development.

July 2014 Meeting

Sally-Anna’s has closed for refurbishment and the café section will not re-open, as the whole shop will now be required for storage of stock following the sale of the Queen Street citadel.
Bike Night was held on Wednesday 2nd July.
The Arts Festival has been held.
Bardney Hall is up for sale

June 2014 Meeting

Castledyke School have held their centenary celebrations.
Mrs. Clarice Day has celebrated her 105th birthday.
Days Outfitters has now changed hands and is known as Days and Jones Ltd., incorporating Angela Jones, seamstress.
The crown on the new state coach Britannia has been carved by O.H. Boyd.
North Lincs Council have been sowing poppy seeds at the cemetery in recognition of World War 1.

April/May 2014 Meeting

Reincarnation Safety Supplies has moved from High Street to Falkland Way
The Spice Lounge has closed for refurbishment
The naming ceremony took place on Saturday 26th April of the “John Longitude Harrison”
train at Barton Railway Station, by the mayor of North Lincolnshire Council, Peter Clark.
The Civic Amenity Site on Gravel Pit Lane is currently closed for refurbishment.
Remedial works are continuing to the clay bank along the Humber.

February/March 2014 Meeting

Eagle House has been sold at auction for £62,500.
The Place restaurant in the Market Place is under new ownership and is now known as “Harrisons”.
Liz Bennett is to be the recipient of the “Town Award”
Face to Face has opened on Chapel Lane.
The Gallery has opened on George Street in the former Co-co shop.

January 2014 Meeting

Co-Co has ceased trading at 15 George Street.
The recent tidal surge has caused extensive damage to the inner side of the clay embankment between the Tile yard and Pebbly Beach, but there is as yet no sign of any repairs being instigated.
Reeds Hotel suffered extensive damage from the surge and has subsequently gone into liquidation.
It was felt that the flood defences along the Haven had performed very well, and JF reminded the committee that Jim Robertson had campaigned strongly in the past for these defences to be in place.

December 2013 Meeting

Work is progressing on the former Rafters building on High Street.
The highest tides since 1953 were recorded on Thursday 5th December, with severe flooding occurring at Barrow Haven and South Ferriby Sluice.
Articles on Barton have been published in both The Times and The Guardian in recent weeks.
The cracked parapet on the Haven Bridge has been brought to the attention of Councillor Paul Vickers.
A recent road accident on Humber Road has claimed the life of Koen Allwood, 15, a pupil of Baysgarth School.
Beercock, Wiles and Wick have opened an Estate Agent’s Office in the former Knitting Box shop on High Street,
A Branch Line Special train excursion visited Barton station on 26th October.
The Barton office of VANL is to close.
The final Farmers’ Market is to be held on Saturday December 14th, but there are plans to hold “one-off” events on two occasions during 2014.
Tree pruning work has been carried out at the Anglian Water facility on Butts Road.
A new Hair Salon has opened at 37 High Street.

November 2013 Meeting

Eagle House was severely damaged by fire in the early hours of Wednesday November 6th. The entire roof has been destroyed but the walls all remain standing. The future of the building is uncertain.
The White Swan has reopened on 7th November.
Amy’s Barbers has now opened at 26 High Street.
Milla’s Dress Shop has opened at 9 High Street.
Building Work is progressing well on the small housing development on Dam Road.
Clearance work has commenced on the former Welch orchard site on Queen Street.
Work is progressing well on the former Canty and Clark premises and it is hoped that the three town houses will be complete by the end of the year.
The Queens public house is under new management.
The Knitting Box shop has closed down.
St. Peter’s Court housing complex is now understood to be vacant and is awaiting redevelopment.

October 2013 Meeting

Barton Cricket Club have carried out a complete reconstruction of their square.
The Carnival Inn has been demolished.
Rachel Atkin has relocated from 22 High Street to 11 Queen Street.
A new Play area has been installed by Keigar Homes on their Dam Road Development, after some pressure from the Town Council to comply with the planning requirement.
The former card shop on High Street has been sold.
The Registrar’s Office will cease to operate from Baysgarth House as from 1st October.

September 2013 Meeting

Wren Kitchens have now taken over the former Kimberly-Clark premises on Falkland Way.
Some repair work is being carried out on the former Bell Watson Office.
Work is underway on the conversion of the former Canty and Clark shop to 3 houses
Recent closures include Johnsons Cleaners, the Card Shop on High Street and the Training Provider in the Market Place.
The Coultas family have opened a new Plumbing and Heating Showroom on Fleetgate.
The Carnival Inn building is to be demolished by the new owners, the Salvation Army.
Ivor Akester has died, aged 76.

July 2013 Meeting

Papillon and Crazy Card Card Crafts, both on High Street, have closed down.
Building work has commenced on the former Car sales premises on Dam Road.
Hewson’s Mill is to be put up for sale by auction. It is understood that Jon Sass has contacted the NLC Conservation Officer with concerns about the future of the building.
It is understood that around £1150.00 was raised for Lindsey Lodge Hospice at the Open Gardens event.
The annual Bike Night was held on Wednesday 3rd July, with probably a record attendance.
The Humber Bridge Half Marathon was held on Sunday 30th June.

June 2013 Meeting

The Lions annual beer festival was held on 30th May/ 1st June.
The Tattoo shop on High Street has closed.
A new tattoo shop has opened above Sylini’s on Priestgate.
The site on the corner of Butts Road and Pasture Road has been cleared of vegetation and footings installed for one dwelling.
Extensive refurbishment works are being carried out at the White Swan and the owner has been in to 51 Fleetgate to make contact.

May 2013 Meeting

There is still some water in the Beck after 3 consecutive dry months.

April 2013 Meeting

The Kimberly Clark Factory has ceased production.
A second hand shop has opened at 9 High Street.
The Money Box on King Street is a pawnbroker.
Tim Hollis has retired as Chief Constable of Humberside Police.

March 2013 Meeting

Applegate House on Holydyke was officially opened on 13th February.
Teasdales Bakery has opened on King Street.
South Cliff Farm has been bought by Gordon Harrison who is intending to run this as a working farm to support his enterprise at the Tileyard Heritage Centre.
The Tattoo shop on 9 High street has closed.
The annual Town Award was given to Margaret Sidell for her establishment of the Food Bank.
The Money Box has opened on King Street.

February 2013 Meeting

The Salvation Army are now the owners of the former Carnival Inn site but have decided that the present building cannot be adapted for their purposes. It is therefore proposed to demolish the existing building and to erect a new building in its place. It is also proposed to sell off a small portion of the land for housing to assist with financing of the venture.
Radley Coaches have bought the “Applebys” name from the administrator and hope to operate a new coach in Applebys livery to be based in Barton.
The new Barton Directory has been published.
Kimberley Clark is to close down at the end of March. Their management has announced that it is hoped to find another company to take over the premises, but if this cannot be achieved the factory will be demolished.
It is understood that Birse ( now part of Balfour Beatty ) is to cease operations in Barton in the near future.

January 2013 Meeting

The Beck has overflowed into Soutergate.
A novelty card shop has opened on High Street.
A “Pop-up” Shop is to open in the former DDM premises on Chapel Lane.
Work is progressing on 33 Fleetgate.
The Singing Kettle Café is now open.