YEALAND IN 1912 to 1914: The diary of Helen Escolme of Holmere Farm (now Dykes Farm) in Yealand Conyers. Selected extracts by Robin Greaves

Helen Escolme was born in the 1890’s in Yealand. She married Herbert Nixon (who was employed on the railways) and  died soon after the birth of her only child. As her diary shows she took a full part in the social life of the village. An able musician, she was organist at Borwick parish church and sang in the local choir. I am grateful to her daughter Marion Cottier for permission to publish these extracts from her diary. 

January–August 1912

January 10th 

Reuben’s birthday … We had thirteen of my Sunday School Class in for tea and games … All enjoyed themselves very much till 7 o’clock when the big folks came, and we started playing cards, having supper about 9.30. Cards were played till midnight. We then struck up a dance till 3 a. m. Mrs Spencer danced stepdances alone beautifully.

January 26th 

Janey Bentham was going to a new place in Lancaster, so Mrs Spencer, Alice and I went with her. Walked to the station, and spent the day in town. I was perished all day, we had tea at Maddocks, but still I was starved. . . Next day, 27th, I had to stay in bed with a chill. Got up after tea and fainted. 

January 28th 

Got up in morning … but before I got dressed off I went again. Dad rushed off for the doctor … For the next four days I was more in bed more than out, and all the time I was missing the ice. They told me that dozens were on Holmere, and I was fast.  However, on Saturday 3rd 1 was out for half an hour in the sun, so the next day I met Herbert and walked down to the tarn. Saw a lot I knew and enjoyed it thoroughly. 

February 5th 

I had to walk to Borwick to see Mrs Briggs about the organ at that place. She was very nice, and we walked to the church, and did a little playing. . . 

February 11th 

Sunday morning. I cycled to Borwick. Everyone was exceptionally nice, especially the coachman whom I got to know later, Joey, an exceptionally clever man, in the choir. I cycled over again at night. . . I met Bert at the signal box and we’d a nice walk up Snape Lane. 

February 15th 

I got an awful shock. Jack Escolme is dead. Granny came to tell us. It took the very life out of me, but I kept up all day, and went to practice at Borwick in the evening … 

February 16th 

I took the milk and set Minnie Lund to Yealand Redmayne and we had a good long talk, I felt I wanted to relieve my feelings to someone. That day I looked at Jack’s photo and couldn’t stop crying. I often wondered if he knew how much I cared for him. If only my parents had let us alone, but maybe it was for the best. 

February 18th 

I played at Borwick, Mrs Briggs said I played very well indeed and she would say a good word for me … I played again at night for a good choir. Coming home I met Bert at Skew Bridge, and we went for a walk up Snape Lane. 

February 26th 

Our Choral class met at 7.15 pm at High School and drove in waggonette to Burton. There we enjoyed ourselves immensely, first practising Mozart in Moorwood school, Mr Willink conductor, then supper at Shorland-Balls, returning home somewhere about midnight, 

February 27th 

After tea I went to Fallowfield to ask for the gramaphone for the following night, it being my birthday. Returning I met Bert. 

March 3rd 

Morning and Evening at Borwick. Mrs Briggs simply lifted me with praise, and so did the parson, this person also wanted to bring me home, but I wasn’t having some. I caught up with Joey, J. Croft and Stewart and had a jolly time. Bert did not come. 

March 16th 

This was Annie Fallowfield’s wedding day, and I was to stand bridesmaid … What a funny sensation to stand at those rails … I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, but my knees seemed near together at times … We arrived at the cottages, the menfolk went to Carnforth and the gramaphone amused the female side till the men came back for the wedding breakfast at 3.o’clock. After this much enjoyed feast, dancing began and “we jogged along till 10.30 when a whist drive began. 

March 18th 

Our competition day at Kendal. We ‘left the New Inn at 6.30 a.m … The morning ride was ripping, folks cheered us as we passed. Herbert’s mother was watching for us passing Oxenholme, and they waved. 9 a.m. was the time we had to be seated in St. George’s Hall. The few minutes we had to spare .. we spent practising ‘with Mr Smale in the restaurant , opposite. Everybody was terribly excited during the competitions.  Yealand came on the platform first. Windermere in Music Sweet Voice came first, we being sixth, a rather low peg. We went out for another practice, then returned at 11 o’clock to sing Lullaby. In this Burton came first, they sang beautifully. 

They got 80 marks out of 100, we got 78, not so far behind. We all cleared off for dinner. Every restaurant was packed, but, we got squashed in at last, and had a good tuck in. At 2.30 all the classes met in the hall for a rehearsal with the .. . Queen’s Hall Orchestra … we sang our evening pieces; Mozart’s Requiem, Captive Queen, and Out of Silence. Sir Henry Wood kept everybody laughing, but sweat poured off him. When we’d had a second practice we left for Stramongate Hall, where a splendid tea was provided for us. We then. . . went to change for the concert. We had to wear white in memory of Mary Wakefield. At 6. 45 we met in St. George’s Hall again. . . No seat was under 2 shillings and most folk wore evening clothes. It was simply thrilling singing before that audience, it made your blood boil  I sang that night as I’d never sang before. Then the orchestra played their pieces. It made you jump from the seat sometimes. At 10.30 p. m. all our class met at the Town Hall where the wagonettes awaited us. I saw Herbert for a few minutes just before leaving. As we were leaving town, a strap broke and the horse ran away with one charabanc one or two folk jumped out, but no-one was any the worse. We arrived home about 1.30 a. m. 

March 19th 

Eclipse of the sun. It went ever so dark and cold. The flowers drooped and our cockerels crowed as if it were bedtime. 

March 21st Sunday.

I played well at church. Afterwards I met Herbert and we walked over to Deepdale. He was in quite a good mood, and is getting ever so loving, won’t leave me without a kiss. Evening service I played Dead March for the victims of the dreadful shipwreck, the Titanic. Herbert met me on the canal bank, and we walked home by Cinderbarrow. 

May 30th 

The solicitors came to look round the farm. 

July 5th 

I went to Carnforth to get Herbert a present for his 19th birthday. Went to Choral. 

July 8th 

I sent Bert his present (waistcoat button). 

July 14th

This week scorching hot, three or four men have died through sunstroke. 

July 21st 

… met Bert. Went a walk up Deepdale. He gave me a lovely rose. 

August 26th 

At Practice we were all very excited about the choir trip. Herbert met me as usual and promised to meet me at Blackpool. 

August 27th 

A fine morning … Had to meet wagonette at 6.45 a.m. at Borwick road end. Alice went. We left Carnforth at 7.20 a.m. in reserved carriages singing and playing cards all the way to Blackpool … went on the scenic railway, water shute, joy wheel and hobby horses. Mrs Briggs had cash and paid for all, she also supplied us with chocolate and cigars. I went to station to meet Herbert. He never came. I was rather late for dinner at the Palatine Hotel. . . soup, fish with salad, roast meat with potatoes and vegetables, pudding or stewed fruit and custard, then biscuits and cheese with butter. Joey and I, Jack Croft and Kate with Alice then went to the Tower circus … 

Joey gave me a squeezing when the lights were low. All met for tea at the Palatine at 6 p. m. Jam * and lettuces. Going to South Shore later I met Bert, he turned with us, and we enjoyed more rides till hometime when it rained a little – went through fairyland. Bert said the driver had taken a fancy to me – jealous creature. 8.30 at station, H. left me (shy) … Singing all the way to Carnforth where the wagonette met us. Saw H for a minute at station (cycling). Left wagonette at Borwick road end and arrived home with H tired out – about midnight.

August 20th

Took Mother and Reuben in trap to station (wet morning) going to Manchester by 8.38 train. When got home Granny came, then Mr Dowthwaite, he played on piano. 7 pm off in trap to meet M and R. While at station got a telegram, they’d missed train at Preston. Put horses up at “Queen’s” and waited till 10.47 at Aunt Polly’s. Met M and R, J and R Robertson off same train, all rode home together. Peg (the horse) frightened in dark.

September–December 1912

September 10th

K and I went on crags nutting, set off at 3pm arrived at Janey’s loaded with nuts, had tea with with Sidney. He asked me to join Dramatic Society.

September 16th

Lovely weather. Busy with harvest.  Splendid crops. K and Dot going today. I took them down in the trap to meet 5.20, did some shopping, picked up Mrs Moss and daughter and took them to the new farmhouse.

September 17th – 24th

Busy with harvest, going between carts

September 30th

Went to see Mr Hardy, on trial for dance music.  Played few tunes over in school house did very well and engaged me for 11th October.

October 8th

Practised at Borwick for our festival.

October 10th

Dad and I made two small stooks to decorate Borwick church. I took them along with corn and some potatoes in the trap to Borwick stayed to help decorate, home 2.30 to dinner. 7.30 I was back again. The church was pack for the service, singing and anthem went fine.  Mrs B and  Joey extra pleased.

October 11th

Practising all afternoon for the dance 7pm A and I set off on bikes for Priest Hutton went to Aunt Annie’s, then to whist drive. Jolly time at whist. Willy Perkins there and Bob Bindloss 12 pm I sat at the piano and played for the first waltz, then Lancers and the Veleta.  I went to fast so Miss Stewart played for step dance.  Bob Bindless sang a song, someone else sang ‘Coming Through the Rye’ awful flat, and I sang Queen of Angels – encore – I cycled home at 3am Misty.  Rather disappointed in dance.

October 12th

H came 7.30 Walked up crags.  Lovely night told him sorrows of previous night 9.45 home

October 18th

Wet. Harvest services and my name in weekly papers.

October 20th

At church they gave me £5 for half-year’s service.

November 1st

Dad walked to Crooklands, 7 miles. I went later with trap to meet him. Awful cold coming home. Our folks had terrible time with gypsies in yard. Mother went for policeman.

November 5th

Mother, Alice and Reuben went to bonfire at Borwick. I made Dad’s supper and watched fireworks till H came at 7.30. Put bike in shed and went walk round Snape Lane watching crackers and bonfires. H very nice.

November 6th

After dinner set off walking to sewing class at Linden Hall at Borwick. Lovely time talking with choir girls and Mrs B about concert. 5.30 had tea. Went up with girls to Aunt A’s, stayed till 7. Went for Gerrard’s, all went to Stewarts Choosing pieces for concert. I played piano, had splendid time. Walked home alone at 10 pm, rather frightened on low road.

November 7th

H promised to come but too wet, received epistle next morning.

November 8th

I drove horse and trap with Dad to Carnforth for sheep dip

November 9th

Our folks dipping sheep.

November 17th

Poor choir morning service. Mr Fuller-Maitland (Borwick Hall) and staff were at church for the first time.

[John Alexander Fuller Maitland leased Borwick Hall in the 1910s with the specific conditions he repaired the building. He died here in 1936]

November 28th

Snowing all day. Awful cold.

November 29th

At Aunt Susannah’s all day. Thrasher. Hard work.  Lizzie Walker helping  Auntie ill (rheumatism) Home 6pm.

November 30th

At Aunt Susannah’s all day.  Lizzie and I helping at thrashing.  L & I had jolly time with fellows. Awful cold – froze the engine water, delayed thrashing.  Home 4.30. 1 walked Carnforth, called at Aunt Polly’s, met Herbert off 6.20, did shopping, walked home by woods. I tired. Went in at 8.40. H walked to Carnforth, back by the Whip train. [Ed Whip train Apparently the last train home.  Any explanations?]

December 3rd

At Aunt S’s she’s a little better.  Got up at teatime I made scones.  Left at 5.30.  Terribly worried about housekeeping.  Off to Borwick concert practice.

December 4th

My great baking day.  Oh the worry – no wonder folks look old when married.  Aunty got up to superintend. I baked twelve loaves, Seven buns, six pies, four Eccles cakes, one large pastie and a gingerbread besides making a potato pie and pudding for dinner. Uncle said that I did splendidly. Tired after that worrying day. Home 7 o’clock.

December 5th

At Aunt S’s again. She not so well. Had a lot of hard work, Granny being awfully tiresome. After dinner Dicky churned and I made butter. Left at 6.30.

December 6th

At Auntie S. Cleaning upstairs today. Home 6.30. Went to church practice. I feel awfully bad.Got bad cold and toothache.

December 7th

In bed till 8.30. Went Aunt S’s. Eleanor and I cleaned up, had dinner and I left at 1.45. Auntie thought she could make tea, rather better today, but I feel wretched. Auntie told me I had done very well for them and gave me 10-shillings for the week.  I felt extraordinarily rich.

December 10th

At home morning. Mrs Townson’s funeral 2 pm. I played. Church full, splendid singing. Had funeral service at Borwick, then went straight to graveside at Warton. I followed coaches to road end, cycled to Carnforth shopping. 6.30 at concert practice, jolly time.

December 12th

Churning at Aunt S’s. Susan’s baby very ill, fits.

December 14th

Cleaning at Aunt S’s and ironing. Home at 5.30 Met H coming off 6.7 train Burton. Met road end H promised to come in this night, he wouldn’t – stupid – said he’d go back to Cinderbarrow. However, Mother happened to come out and after much persuading and pushing he really came in. Dad never raised his eyes off the paper and I pushed H into parlour. Mother went to see doctor with arm, Alice went to Practice, Reuben stayed with H and I, played cards, then I played and sang. Poor H. Mother came back directly. H stayed till 10.10 going back on Whip train. I set him to corner. H likes Mother but said he was glad when he heard Dad go to bed. Dad laughing all the time, so I heard later.

December 15th

Called to see Jacksons. Susan’s baby dead.

December 21st

Finished dressing geese.  Done thirteen geese and four chickens.

December 24th

Very busy at home. 6 pm at Borwick church carolling. Good choir turned up, we sang through Priest Hutton, Tewitfield and Borwick finishing at Linden Hall where we had a splendid supper and heaps of fun. Home 1.30.