Thornton Steward Parish »
Thornton Steward “Observations on the Village”
At the eastern end of our united benefice, Thornton Steward is in sharp contrast to Horsehouse in the west. It naturally looks towards Bedale and the Vale of Mowbray, and the reservoir supplies water (pumped from the River Ure) to that area and to Lower Wensleydale via the Sowden Beck reservoir above East Witton.
Sited around a small village green, the village enjoys a wonderful southerly aspect with views across the broad valley to Jervaulx Abbey, Ellingstring and Witton Fell. Sheltered from the north by the higher land towards Finghall, it is surrounded by fertile farmland including the interesting Manor Farm and Danby Hall.
The small ancient church is situated on lower land a quarter of a mile away, and centuries ago may have been in the centre of the original settlement. The recently discovered thirteen hundred year old graves to the west of the present church suggest ancient settlement in the area.
The “neat, Gothic structure” dedicated to St. Oswald was part of the Diocese and in the patronage of the Bishop of Chester in 1823. The Reverend John Ewbank lived in the fine vicarage in the village, and between 1917 and 1953 the ministry of the blind Reverend Swayne was well known throughout the Ripon Diocese. This church is one of the oldest and most attractive in the country, abounding in history and interesting architecture. The surrounding area is preserved for wild plant and animal life and is a haven of peace and solitude.
In 1815 the school was erected by Captain George Horn, Esquire, when the population of the parish was two hundred and sixty five. He was the wealthy “gentleman” of the village and provided a neat School House for John Story the schoolmaster, and an endowment of ten shillings per annum for the education of the poor children of the parish.
In 1823 there were eight farmers (including Christ Winn!), two shoemakers, one grocer, a blacksmith, a joiner and two victuallers(!), making the village somewhat self-supporting in its isolated position, some distance from the two east-west main roads between Wensleydale and the lowlands.
Ken Stott