Over the last week or so I have completed a series of six walks in the vicinity of my home in Rawdon. They cover in the main the topography, history and vernacular architecture of this unique village. Rawdon has several constituent parts. The linear development which follows the crest of the hill can be well appreciated when viewing Rawdon from Apperley Bridge. The Billing is a steep wooded hill made up of glacial moraine which affords excellent views in all directions. An area around the junction of the Harrogate and Leeds roads contains a park, a library and village green. There are special conservation areas around Low Green, Cragg Wood and Little London.
My first walk took me in the direction of Town Street and the parish church. En route I passed Rawdon cricket ground where Yorkshire and English cricketers Brian Close and Hedley Verity learnt to play the sport. On approaching a small roundabout I stopped to admire the planting completed by the Rawdon in Bloom brigade. I visited Rawdon's parish church - St Peter's. The build was started in 1645 by Frances Layton local benefactor and owner.The grounds contain stocks and an extensive grave yard. The interior of the church has a stained glass window commissioned from William Morris and co. My mission was to deliver books to a friend living in East Grange a 300 year old yeomans home also the "home farm" linked to Layton Hall the home of Frances and Margaret Layton. Frances Layton held a prestigous position in the courts of both Charles 1st and Charles 11 as Yeoman of the Jewel House. Margaret Layton was lady in waiting to Anne of Denmark wife of James 1 ( her embroided bodice has recently been on display at Lotherton Hall and the V& A museum ). My friend is a keen gardener and kindly allowed me to take some photos of her garden.
The path home took me along side the Billing. A gold Bronze age torque was discovered here in 1778. It's current whereabouts are unknown. This special area has recently been saved from housing development through the actions of the Rawdon parish council. My walk home took me through more recent housing developments wth several attractive trees and shrubs.
On the 23rd of March I completed a walk ascending Rawdon Billing. This involved initially skirting Larkfield Dam, possibly a mill dam but now an area of open water used by a model boat club. Disappointingly only a pair of mallard were seen although I have seen goosander taking shelter there in winter. Upon reaching the summit I spotted a chiffchaff perching on a branch of a bush. The views from the summit are legendary - the Wharfe Valley and Rombolds Moor in one direction; York Minster and the White Horse at Kilburn in another; Leeds city centre and Drax power station in another. Stone from the quarry was used to pave the streets of Leeds.
At the foot of the Billing runs Canada Road and a row of weavers cottages.The upper floor windows are especially large to allow good lighting for the handloom weavers. My attention was drawn to number 36 which was double fronted with rooms at cellar level. It had been previously the Fox and Hounds pub.
See photos
To be continued-- Margaret
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