ARTHINGTON SHOW.
1906 saw Sir E. A. Brotherton. Bart. LLD, as the first President elected to the Arthington, Bramhope and Pool Horticultural Society. The majority of the meetings were held at The Wharfedale Hotel, Arthington. In those early days the Show had a permanent site on the east side of the railway line near Arthington Station. In 1923 it was decided to admit other “Townships” in the area to be known as Arthington, Bramhope, Pool & District Horticultural & Agricultural Society.
The minute book shows that on July 28th 1921 at the meeting held at the Fox and Hounds Hotel, Bramhope in the presence of Messrs. Hixon, Johnson, Pullein, Kaye, Miller, Dobson, Bingham, Robinson and Cryer under the Chairmanship of John R. Musgrave, the following recommendation and adoption was made
Recommendation from this meeting that the Show have a permanent ground near to Arthington Station and that the area be extended to include the Townships of: Carlton, Adel-cum-Alwoodley, Bramhope, Arthington, Pool, Farnley, Leathley, Castley and Stainburn
On the 20th September, 1923 at a meeting held at the Wharfedale Hotel it was agreed the Society be made up of:
Leathley, Farnley, Lindley and Stainburn, comprise- Section 1.
Huby, Weeton, Dunkeswick and Castley – Section 2.
Harewood – Section 3.
Adel-cum-Eccup, Cookridge and Carlton – Section 4.
Arthington, Bramhope and Pool (presumabley Section 5).
As well as agricultural classes and horticultural and farm produce classes there were various sports competitions which included Ham Slashing Competition, Dry Land Boat Race, Bun Snatching Competition, and Thread the Needle Race for Ladies, “ladies to find own Gentlemen partners”
1926 saw Major F.H. Fawkes as President
The Earl of Harewood agreed to be President for the 21st Show in 1931
The Show later moved around and was for quite a number of years held in Pool-in-Wharfedale, on land off Arthington Lane, owned by the Snowdon family from Plainville/ Park House, until the building of the Parklands housing estate in the 1960’s. During this time in 1953, a film of the Show was made. For a short time it was held in an adjacent field. It was again moved, this time to allow the building of Swallow Drive. For the next several years the Show took place in a field along side Arthington Lane, near to The Tower, after which it moved to Bingham’s Farm, Carlton Cross Roads at the top of Pool Bank.
When the Show was held in 2005, due to its success and the need for larger accommodation, the Arthington Show moved to Castley Lane, onto Nigel Launder and Michael Greenwood’s fields.
The 100th show celebrations were held in 2017.
No Show was held for several years during both world wars neither was it held in the year 2001 because of Foot & Mouth disease nor the years 2020/21/22 due to the Corona virus.
Great Yorkshire Show began in 1838. Otley holds the oldest Agricultural show in England, founded in 1799.
AMATEUR DRAMATICS
THE NIGHTJARS was formed by a small group of ten Pool villagers performing in the 1920’s & 30’s in the Methodist Sunday school and various halls in the area.
POOL AMATEUR DRAMATIC SOCIETY performed “Murder Party” on 26th & 28th Feb 1938 held in the School room Pool-in-Wharfedale, produced by Mr. F. Mason. Past productions had been Man from Toronto; Mrs. Gorringe’s Necklace; A Lady calls on Peter; The Ghost Train; Tons of Money; Such Things Happen. (old programme of David Whiteley)
THE COUNTRY PLAYERS was formed in March 1947 performing in the Methodist Schoolroom. (“when sometimes the script needed amending to satisfy the Trustees that they were fit to be performed on Chapel premises.”- (David Whiteley). During the first annual general meeting in 1948 rules were adopted including the intention to contribute to charities from any proceeds. The first production here was Margaret and George in 1948. Profits were given to the Village Memorial Hall Fund and to other charities. It was suggested that entries to competitive festivals should take place. Performances in Harrogate, Leeds, Settle and Scarborough received considerable success. In 1951 at an invitation from the Harrogate Festival Committee to enter their One Act Play section “Low Bridge” was performed to receive their Premier Award “The Rhodes Trophy” with a medal for best male performance won by Clifford Midgley.
One Country Player in Jean Thomson, was noticed by a BBC radio producer and was given a number of parts in radio plays. One of the final plays put on in the Methodist School room was “Love from a Stranger” which caused some embarrassment to John Whiteley, as it required the leading man to be blonde. Having been suitable treated by a friendly hairdresser he spent the next few days around the mill (Whiteley’s paper Mill) wearing a close fitting cap, until he could return to normal. (photo below) (David Whiteley)
The Country Players transferred their productions from the Methodist School room to the Village Memorial Hall on its completion in 1958 , where it was hoped that the makeshift arrangements in the Sunday school would soon end, as scenery had been stored in the Old Chapel, on Chapel Row and was quite a burden to carry backwards and forwards. Some of the scenery was re-covered old “blackout” frames from the paper mill. The first play on the new stage was Love’s a Luxury. Producing three plays every winter. The names of some of the productions were: The Holly and the Ivy, Blithe Spirit, Sailor Beware (Otley Little Theatre ), Wind of Heaven, Mayor of Torental (Award winner), The Chiltern Hundreds, Feminine Touch, The Younger End, Low Bridge – a one act play, Mr. Tremlow, Man in a Bowler Hat, The Noble Spaniard. Competition successes at the Settle competition were Johnny Belinda and Deep are the Roots, each gaining premier awards.
Other highlights were the Silver Jubilee celebrations of the Society in 1972 and numerous social events including a Restoration Romp. The Players also had several madcap holidays abroad, including a four day trip to Holland and two week-ends in Majorca. The membership dwindled to about ten active members in 1976 and was disbanded in 1980 (1983 – David Whiteley) due to lack of support and the cost of productions. When it was disbanded the money in hand was divided into two and donated to Bramhope Children’s Home, and St. Georges Home for the Disabled in Harrogate, £200.00 to each.
POOL YOUTH CLUB
Under the guidance of Clifford Midgley, Pool-in-Wharfedale Youth Club Chairman, pantomimes were performed. In 1962 Cinderella and 1964 Tom the Pipers Son, with a cast of around thirty.
OVERDALE PLAYERS used the Memorial Hall for many years with many successful productions. The Players won a cup in the Wharfedale Drama Festival in April 1961 winning the West Riding area final. Plays took place in Old Pool Bank Village Hall,
POOL BANK WESLEYAN CHAPEL”CABIN PLAYERS”
Pantomimes were also being performed by the children of the Wesleyan Methodist Chapel in what was known as “The Cabin” This served as both the Chapel and Old Pool Bank village hall before the building of Old Pool Bank Memorial Hall in 1952. The building was set within the lower Old Pool Bank quarry in a former quarry workers cabin.
“OLD POOL BANK PLAYERS were formed in 1982 when the stage lighting was brought up to date. They performed various plays, a review of the Thirtieth Anniversary and pantomimes. The children for the group also performed independently in Snow White, The Tinder Box and Scrooge. The Group have also entered a float in the Otley Carnival for the past nine years and each year been amongst the prize winners. Carol Concerts with plays and been held and the proceeds given to charity.” (taken from 40th Anniversary booklet of 1992)