Stockton-on-the-Forest in days gone by

For a location that was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1085 as a land of “waste”, it has cultivated a colourful history.

The village saw its share of drama during the First and Second World Wars.

Nearby Forest of Galtres was an obvious source of timber for the war effort and a timber yard and saw mill were set up as the First World War began.

When German Zeppelins floated over Warthill on their way to bomb York, villagers defied orders to stay inside and came out for a look.

During the Second World War, it was dogfights in the sky that locals witnessed. Aircraft were a common sight, taking off and landing at East Moor airfield, between the village and Strensall. Such was the noise from the machines that the ground beneath the village would vibrate.

The women’s Land Army took up residence in part of Stockton House during the war too, providing vital assistance to local farms.

The house was also the venue for a number of lantern slide shows that were put on to entertain the community.

In the book, a former pupil of the twin-roomed village school recalls life during wartime.

“During the war, we each had a bottle of milk at morning break and our dinner was cooked at Strensall Army Camp and brought to the school in heated tins.

“Airfields and army camps were dotted around the countryside near the village. We saw lots of soldiers and army vehicles – sometimes tanks. There was a camp next to Stockton Hall and I remember the soldiers throwing a party for the children and how we were given rides around the field in army jeeps.”

The writer goes on to recall going into the cellars under Stockton Hall during air raid practice and watching aircraft in the sky the night York was bombed in 1942. Stockton-on-the-Forest also had its own Home Guard, who went round with whistles to sound the alarm.

They would patrol the village to make sure the blackout was being observed.

Villagers also liked to enjoy themselves – and do good. Often, both purposes collided in fundraising activities staged by local musical and theatrical groups.

Folk group The Foresters are still going strong today – and raised £2,000 at a concert in the village hall for Haiti. The band gave their first performance 40 years ago at the Scout Group bonfire party. They have even made it on telly – performing on Highway with Harry Secombe and Saturday Superstore.

In 1942, the village started a drama group, spawned from the local Women’s Institute. Again, this group – The Stockton Foresters – is still performing today.

Many drama group members are involved with other village organisations, such as the Brownies, the gardening, petanque and cricket clubs.

Joy Moseley, of the local history group, said: “In all villages there are a core of people who do lots, the village stalwarts.”

The book ends with a collection of pictures of village children today at various activities from Beavers, Scouts and Brownies.

Hopefully, they are the Stockton stalwarts of tomorrow.

• In Days Gone By, A History of Stockton-on-the-Forest, by the Stockton-on-the-Forest and Hopgrove Local History Group, is published by Pamela Richards Publications, price £7.99 (+ £1 p&p where applicable).

It will be available at a gala book launch on Saturday, from 10.30am to 4pm, at Stockton village hall and on Sunday from the village hall as part of the open gardens festival. It is also available from the history group secretary, 98 The Village, Stockton-on-the Forest, YO32 9UW, various outlets within the village (including The Stores) and the Barbican Bookshop.

For more details, phone Joy Moseley on 01904 400309 or email jmoseley@f2s.com