Shoebox treasures

But they also were also presented with a highly unusual treasure trove, one which became known as the 'shoebox of history'.

In September last year a couple from Wales, Mr and Mrs Corbett, were in Wigginton and met the clerk to the parish council Janet Calvert.

They had travelled north to see the grave of Mr Corbett's great grandfather, the Reverend James Wortley Corbett, who served at the parish church from 1845 to 1894.

Mr Corbett handed over a shoebox of papers and bills of one sort or another belonging to his ancestor which painted a remarkable picture of life in the 19th century. In fact, it contained so much historical evidence that only edited extracts could be included in the book, called This Is Wigginton.

The shoebox documents reveal that, although the Rev Corbett was almost teetotal, he was a lavish entertainer. Vintner receipts show he bought dozens of bottles of cognac and a similar amount of whisky. In today's terms he spent the equivalent of £1,125 on alcohol in 1888 alone.

The shoebox also contained an incredible 227 butchers' accounts. In one summer he ordered 102lbs of sirloin, 11lbs of corned beef, 38lbs of mutton, 47lbs of lamb and 3lbs of salt beef.

Among other household purchases in 1894 were Bovril, rice, brass polish and oatmeal. From Thomson the chemist on Coney Street, York, he bought cough lozenges, rhubarb pills and ginger.

The rector, the book reveals, "was a man of some culture and learning.

"He subscribed to a London newspaper, The Standard, and had an interest in photography, which would have been rare within his village circle."

Reverend Corbett was also a keen reader, with one bill for books totalling £7 12s.

The fascinating Corbett Archive takes up a chapter in This Is Wigginton, due to be published soon.

Its editor, George Moore, has not lived in the village for long. A County Antrim-born criminologist, he trained as a probation officer and first moved to Yorkshire when he got a work placement in Bradford in the 1960s. It was during this time he got to know the York area.

After working as a lecturer in Scotland, Mr Moore and his wife moved to Wigginton when he took early retirement. He has since become a member of the Wigginton History Group and that is how he came to edit the book.

It traces the village's history right back to evidence of an Iron Age settlement, perhaps as long ago as 1300BC. The story takes the reader through Roman and Viking times, the Middle Ages and on to the first Elizabethan age, when "Wigginton cared for its people from the cradle to the grave - even providing the coffin and baked meats!"

Analysis of the 19th century census figures show that Wigginton had a remarkably stable population. In 1831 it boasted 309 residents; by 1891 this had risen to 366.

The first village school was opened in 1835 in Rectory Cottage. School inspectors' reports suggest that education was rudimentary. In 1876, the inspector wrote: "As the children are so backward in reading, writing and arithmetic, it seems a shame to have given so much time to the teaching of other subjects.

"The master seems to work with care and patience, and will yet, I hope, be successful in making the school a satisfactory one. The sewing is decidedly improving. The singing is duly taught."

By 1887, the inspectors report found that "reading and recitation are monotonous, indistinct and unintelligible to an intolerable degree. The children sing as they read, with closely shut teeth."

Getting children to attend school, particularly as a fee was payable, was not easy.

"Almost any excuse was good enough to miss school or for a holiday to be declared," the book records. "A local wedding found half the children at the church gates rather than at school."

By 1904, Wigginton had a purpose-built school, what is now the 'Old School'. Some of the older villagers were interviewed about their memories of school days, from the 1920s onwards.

One, Mr Plowman, recalled: "In winter there was a coal fire in each room, but no other heating. Oil lamps hung from the ceiling but I never saw them lit.

"On the wall facing the class was a large map - Mercator's projection of the world, covered in pink bits, as we were taught that all those were governed by Britain and how great a country Britain was."

Mrs Midgley said: "The seniors were coached for the scholarship. Only two places were allowed for Wigginton. The others sat for the higher grade.

"The boys who passed went to Manor School, the girls to Shipton Street School. All the girls who stayed on until they were 14 learned cookery. Once a year a cookery van came and the girls from Haxby, Shipton and Huby came to learn baking.

"The boys had no special lessons, but as they were farmers' sons there was generally 'something wrong' with them at potato-picking time.

"The parish council bought bicycles for children who lived a long way out, to get to school."

Wigginton & Haxby Women's Institute has been playing an active role in the village since it was formed in 1920, the book reveals. "During the war WI members kept their knitting needles busy, making items to be included in Christmas parcels for men serving in HM Forces, knitting sailors' jerseys and making a total of 1,149 garments for children in liberated countries.

"Members also volunteered to mend servicemen's socks, and given the presence of the RAF Maintenance crews billeted in the two villages, no doubt they were kept busy!

"In May 1941, the WI operated a fruit preserving centre where 263lbs of jam was produced in the first two weeks! A much-welcomed addition to war-time rations."

This is just a flavour of the history and memories unearthed by the Wigginton History Group. As soon as it is published, the book will be available through the parish council.

Meanwhile, there is a chance for everyone to experience 2,000 years of Wigginton history at a festival this weekend.

An exhibition of maps, photographs and documents will be displayed in the village hall. There will be children's Victorian street games, a bouncy castle and refreshments on Saturday and Sunday.

PICTURE: Teacher Thomas Skelton with Wiggington School children in 1928