Beattie - Shiptonthorpe Traditional Cache
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A traditional cache (35mm film canister) located near the village information board and bench to rest your weary legs
Shiptonthorpe is an excellent starting point to discover the beauty of the Yorkshire Wolds.
The story of this ancient village of Shiptonthorpe began 64 million years ago. It was then that the shells of tiny organisms settled into the hills and valleys of the Wolds. (The name for the beautiful land that lies behind this village). The most northerly outcrop of chalk in Britain rose from the seabed and has protected generations of farmers growing cereals and raising sheep.
Stone Age, Bronze Age and Iron Age people have left burial grounds here. They enjoyed wild blackberries that flourished and still do on the gravel and chalky soil.
“They hide from outsiders in a clearing in the briars” That is what the Doomsday Book (1086) showed for the meaning of the village name that originally was Shipton. It came from “Heope” the old English form of Ship or growing blackberry bush. “Ton” (Village) was blessed with streams and wells.
It’s other great advantage is the Roman Road now the A1079. Originally it went well behind the present Indian restaurant.
Roman soldiers camped here in AD71 and they had to use not just their feet but boats as well to go to York from The Humber River.
Vikings raided here and medieval pilgrims took York Minster also took refreshment from villagers in mud and wood thatched cottages.
“Thorpe” (An outlying farm) was added in 1876 when Thorpe-Le-Street was amalgamated with Shipton.
At the start of the second millennium there are still four, four hundred year old grade 2 listed homes in this village and Cairngorm Cottage in Station Road has original tree branch beams.
When steam was king
Right at the end of the village street there is a bungalow facing you named Londesborough Cross. It is well known for having one of the loveliest gardens in Yorkshire. You may be surprised that it is built on the platform of an old railway line station and it’s garages below were the sites of the coal bunkers that fuelled steam trains. In 1845 the railway entrepreneur George Hudson bought Londesborough Hall and park. Next year he built a rail from York to Market Weighton. At a halt in Shiptonthorpe his carriage and horse waited to drive him home through a 2 mile avenue of trees. It was later extended through chalk cuttings to Beverley. The rail link from there to Hull still exists but Hudson’s profitable line was closed on 27th November 1965 by dr Beeching under a government cut back programme. Local people who used it regularly for work market and seaside trips sadly missed it. In 1930 there were 5 railway station staff and 2 railroad men. As you walk to Londesbrough the former ticket office and station masters house is on the right and is still occupied.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Pbvaf abg npprcgrq urer