Welcome to the website of the Fishergate, Fulford and Heslington Local History Society ( FFH for short ).
We are a group of people interested in the history and heritage of the south eastern quarter of the city of York, including the Fishergate and Fulford Road area and the adjacent villages of Fulford and Heslington.
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You can become a member (form available HERE) for the very small sum of £5, which gives you reduced entry (£2) to our events. Non-members are very welcome, but we'll ask for £3 on the door. This just about covers our costs for the hall hire, but not much more, so we rely on donations and grants.  Tea and coffee and nice biscuits are usually served after our meetings.

Look on the Events page to see our programme of meetings and guided walks.  You don't have to be a member to come to our events, but we would be very pleased if you decided to join.
Our Events page also has links to other groups you may like.

Use the drop-down headings on the top of this page to find lots of interesting subjects about our area -. and don't miss the Event Reports Page for updates on what we have been up to.

Read and register for our York Festival of Ideas talk on the history of the Fulford Grange Estate on our events page: Click HERE
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​Click to download some of our past talk presentations:
The Fishergate Ring
Fishergate Postern Tower
The River Ouse Through Time
Fishergate School Great War Armistice Commemoration
Heslington's Churches and Chapels
The Setting and Archaeology of old St Oswald's Church
The 1951 Mystery Plays and the Festival of Britain
(find out more about the Mystery Plays HERE )  
Jane Austen and the York Lefroy Family + Transcript for talk
​Fulford's Lost Shops
Dr McFetridge's talk on The Retreat
​Scroll down this page to see our latest News and New Content on this website​
​Review our first 10 years of activities HERE
Read our 2018/19 Newsletter HERE
And our 2017/18 Newsletter HERE 
Also, the 2016/17 newsletter is HERE
​Beautifully designed and written by Louise Wheatley, our Newsletters  give a colourful summary of our wide-ranging activities over the past few years.
New additions to our website
Just click on the name
(draft) History of the Fulford Grange Estate
Celebrating our first decade!
77 Squadron at Elvington
Dr McFetridge's talk on The Retreat
Siward's How Water Tower
History of the Glassworks in Fishergate (with photographs)
Understanding York's Street Names
A History of the Fishergate Rialto
Ordnance Depot and its narrow gauge railway crossing New Walk
Winterscale Street photos
Blue Bridge photos
Fishergate photos
Medieval Fulford
Nurseries in Fishergate
Local Photographs
Heslington's Churches and Chapels​
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Find out about the oldest building in the FFH area​:
Read about our conference on the 'The Historic Mystery of Old St Oswald's Church' HERE
And hear Prof Jane Hawkes talk about the Anglo-Saxon cross HERE

​Buy your copy: 'The Origins and Significance of Old St Oswald's' 
by Jon Kenny, Ailsa Mainman & Christopher Rainger.  
Just  £5 via our Contact Us page 
Or buy it from the Yorkshire Archaeological Journal - HERE  
Picture
Guided Walks
We have published some terrific Guided Walk leaflets which you can download and print at home
- Our latest guided walk is around the Fordlands Road area at the southern end of Fulford, pointing out interesting and historical aspects of the buildings and landscape, with a map and photographs to help walkers follow the notes. 
Download it HERE. 

- Louise Wheatley has also produced an Alphabet Walking Trail for young children. 
​This delightful and playful quiz follows the route of the Fordlands Road Trail, looking for plants and animals to match each letter of the alphabet. eg. E is for Elderberry...
Download it HERE

- We have also published a walk telling the story of houses along Main Street, Fulford. (pictured left) Illustrated with delicate drawings by Martin Lomas.
Download it HERE

- Our information-packed Fishergate walk begins at the Postern Tower, then past the former cattle market and Fishergate School to Blue Bridge Lane and Brownie Dyke. 
Download it HERE

You can also download our information leaflet on the old church of St Oswald, HERE
And our leaflet on the Fulford Biscuit HERE

​See our Events Page to find links to other local groups and societies
News from around our patch
(contact us if you have a news story or website content we should add)
April 2022
  • It is 80 years since York suffered the most devastating air raid of WW2.  Luckily the FFH area was not badly hit but over 100 people died either during the attack or as a consequence. A new website has been created where you can discover where the bombs fell and the damage caused along with much more information and films too. HERE
  • You can download a copy of the Civil Defence and Air Raid Warden reports on the bombing raids over the FFH area HERE
March 2022
  • Fishergate School have launched an appeal to help pay for restoration of two beautiful rocking horses found in the basement.  Fangfoss Rocking Horse Shop have generously offered to restore both horses for the cost of one, so they just need £2,000.  You can read all about it in a Press article HERE an you can see some pupils make an appeal and make a donation HERE
January 2022
  • Leading local Suffragette, Annie Coultate has been given national recognition by her inclusion in a new website which aims to give information about the women and men across the country who campaigned for equal voting rights. You can access the website HERE and read more about the campaign in York HERE 
  • Covid strikes again ! Sadly, the incredibly high transmission rate of the Omicron variant has led us to cancel our January meeting. Let' hope things improve in time for our February event.  
  • We have submitted an objection to the Ordnance Lane planning application, which you can read HERE  The closing date for comments is 13th January.
December 2021
  • The planning application for the Ordnance Lane housing scheme has been lodged and sadly includes the demolition of all the houses, including the Arts and Crafts house.  FFH has tried to persuade the council that these houses should be retained and incorporated into the design, but to no avail. The last chance to save these houses is to persuade the planning committee of their value.  Details of how to comment are HERE
  • After a long delay, this website has been updated to bring our Event Reports up to date
  • Download our provisional 2022 programme HERE
November 2021
  • Our end of year social has been cancelled!  The new Steering Committee has decided that the continuing high number of Covid-19 cases means that it would not be safe to hold a social gathering.  This had been intended to be a celebration of our 10th birthday, but Covid-permitting, we will now do that at our AGM in March 2022.  See the Events page for our 2022 programme.
October 2021
  • Our Annual General Meeting on 16 October, unanimously adopted a new Constitution for the Society.  You can read it HERE 
  • Great News for Fishergate - Busk Cafe has been saved from being converted into a tiny flat. The owners of the excellent Poppleton Social have bought the building and are re-opening it as a cafe again.  You can read about the history of this former bakers and the Beer Shop HERE
July 2021
  • The developer of the former MECCA Bingo (previously the Rialto Cinema) has submitted a planning application to build blocks of Student flats.  FFH is concerned that this development is in keeping with its surroundings, particularly Fishergate School.  Also, this is an important archaeological site and requires extensive investigations.  YAT have written an excellent Archaeological Appraisal of the site, which you can read HERE  The developer have set up a 'have your say' consultation website which you can access HERE
  • Local historian Van Wilson has written an interesting article on the history of the Fishergate Rialto (which preceded the MECCA) and you can download a copy HERE
  • On 17th July, former Director of the National Railway Museum, Andrew Scott, unveiled a plaque on New Walk, explaining why there are narrow gauge railway tracks crossing the path near Hospital Fields Lane.  The plaque was funded by FFH, the Friends of New Walk and a generous grant from the Fishergate Ward councillors. You can see the event HERE and see the plaque HERE.  You can read about the history of the Ordnance Depot and its railway HERE
  • FFH has helped University of York students with a research project on Tower House in Fishergate, former Headquarters of the Northern Command. York Civic Trust have created an excellent new webpage about it, which you can access HERE​
June 2021
  • Landscape Archaeology Lecturer, Al Oswald, has released two interesting videos on the historic landscape of Walmgate Stray; view them HERE and HERE
April 2021
  • New Walk Ordnance Railway - Thanks to volunteers from Goodgym, the tracks of the narrow gauge railway can now be seen.  The railway is near Millennium Bridge and has been covered by 20 years of silt from the river Ouse.  To find out more about the railway, click HERE.  And to find out about the splendid Goodgym click HERE
November 2020
  • Ordnance Lane Redevelopment - York Council have launched their 'Midway' consultation on this housing scheme, which sadly included demolition of all the houses associated with the former Military Hospital, including the nice Arts and Crafts cottage.  Read what FFH thinks about these proposals HERE - and to express your vews log on to the council survey HERE 
October 2020
  • To celebrate John Lennon's 80th birthday, let's remember his gigs with the Beatles at the Rialto in Fishergate (now the Mecca Bingo Hall).  There is a website with more about the Rialto concerts CLICK HERE - and the York Press printed a story about the Beatles in Fishergate - read it HERE​
September 2020
  • York Archaeology Trust have launched their ARCHAEOLOGY LIVE events for 2021, which will include excavations at old St Oswald's church in Fulford, focused on the site of Well House.  Find out more at YAT HERE and on our old St Oswald's page HERE
  • Blue Bridge has been refurbished and repainted and the timber deck of the bridge was also replaced and covered by non-slip surfacing. See more on our Local Photos page.
    FFH member and artist Brenda Tyler made delightful watercolour sketches of the works, and has put them on cards which can be bought from Alligator Wholefoods in Fishergate.  To see Brenda's wonderfully atmospheric artworks click HERE
  • A planning application has been submitted to build student flats on the former Plum-Base site in Fawcett Street, Fishergate.  FFH Chair, Chris Rainger, has called for a detailed archaeological investigation to be undertaken.  The site is adjacent to a Roman road and in an area where Roman, Anglian and Medieval burials and settlements have been found.  Chris's comment has been included in this article in the York Press - read it HERE and make your own comments too.​
July 2020
  • York Cemetery Genealogists have launched a new website about the help they can give tracing the people buried in the cemetery.  Find them HERE
  • Great News! - Some 40 years after the archaeological investigations at the old church of St Oswald, the report on the findings and significance of the church has now been published in the Journal of the Yorkshire Archaeological Society.  Download a copy HERE - or buy a copy for £5 via our Contact Us page 
  • There are lots of interesting on-line talks in this year's FESTIVAL OF ARCHAEOLOGY Have a look at the British Council for Archaeology website HERE
  • FFH are supporting a fundraising campaign by  Fulford Parish Council to buy 8 acres of land at the southern end of Fulford Ings, next to Landing Lane.  The auction is on 14th July and details of how to contribute can be found HERE. 
  • To read a short history of the site click HERE
  • (Ings Update - The 247 people gave £16,000 + direct donations to the Council, including £200 from FFH.  But the land was sold to an anonymous buyer for £64,000) 
  • Work is now underway to repair the rose window at the (new) church of St Oswald in Fulford.  To read a Press Release click HERE.  To read more about the church click HERE
June 2020
  • Blue Bridge has been removed for repair and a temporary bridge installed to maintain access along New Walk.  To see a York Press photo by Anthony Day click HERE.  To see more images of Blue Bridge click HERE
​May 2020
  • Our Steering Committee have drafted a new Constitution for the Society.  This sets out our Aims and Objectives and is more appropriate than the current version and will be put to the postponed AGM as soon as we are able to safely reconvene.  In the meantime, you can read the new version HERE -  And the current version HERE
  • Our Chair, Chris Rainger was interviewed for ITV's Calendar Regional News  programme about what changes may result, how this period will be remembered and what objects will endure.  Unfortunately they only used a tiny part of Chris's chat with ITV's Matt Price, but you can read the notes he prepared HERE
  • 79 Fulford Road (opposite the Priory Hotel) The 'Dazzle' hoarding (see March news below) has been removed, reviling the very nicely restored stone old Theatre Royal freeze - click HERE
April 2020
  • Old St Oswald's Churchyard - East Yorkshire Family History Society have published a catalogue with the inscriptions listed in number and alphabetical order. This is very helpful for anyone researching their Fulford family history.
    Copies of the catalogue can be obtained direct from the East Yorkshire Family History Society or from FFH for £4 + postage via the Contact Us page of this website.  Look at our Old St Oswald's page for more information and a plan of the churchyard HERE
  • Louise Wheatley has designed a wonderful new Guided Walk for the Fordlands Road area at the southern end of Fulford.  The Trail points out interesting and historical aspects of the buildings and landscape, with a map and photographs to help walkers follow the notes.  You can download and print a copy of the Trail Leaflet HERE. 
  • ​Fishergate Postern Tower - The Friends of York Walls are not able to open Postern Tower to visitors during the corona virus lock-down, so they have released this fabulous virtual tour.  Click HERE to see each room and the spiral staircase

March 2020
  • Ordnance Lane Redevelopment - City of York Council and their Architects, the Stirling Prize winning Mikhail Riches, have been consulting with interested people, including FFH, as part of the design development process for this scheme. FFH have repeatedly emphasised the historic significance of the former Military Hospital staff accommodation, and have pressed for all the buildings to be retained and adapted, but so far, they say they are only planning to retain the large block at the western end of Ordnance Lane, but demolish all the houses.  You can see a site plan showing the proposed layout HERE
  • FFH have expressed great concern at the potential loss of a nice Arts and Crafts house, pictured HERE, and we have written to the City Council's Conservation Officer, the Civic Trust and York Planning Panel, asking them to share our view and make appropriate representations.
  • 79 Fulford Road (opposite the Priory Hotel) - Development of the land behind the old Theatre Royal stone arches is well underway, hidden behind the 'Dazzle' hoarding.  In the late 19th century, Issac Poad, who was living in Fulford Grange, built what is now the Priory Hotel as a wedding present for his daughter.  Soon after, when Howard Street was built, the builder erected a coach house and house for the coachman in the same distinctive style.  These buildings have been derelict for many years, but are now being rescued and converted into housing by Michael Hammill. You can read the Heritage Report on this site HERE.  Michael has given FFH a copy of a report on the buildings by York Archaeological Trust, which you can read HERE.  To read more about this interesting site, see our page in Fishergate & Fulford Road, HERE.
Nov. 2019
  • Ordnance Lane Redevelopment - City of York Council have announced new plans to redevelop the former MoD Hospital accommodation.  The area involved has been extended into the industrial estate, demolishing a long modern brick shed and taking over adjacent land.
  • CYC are holding a big consultation, more at: www.york.gov.uk/HousingDeliveryProgramme
​March 2019
  • Fulford Ring Saved  - ​Thanks to grants and public generosity, the beautiful medieval Fulford Ring has been purchased by the Yorkshire Museum and is now on display.  Click HERE to see it and read all about it.
  • Archaeological investigations have begun at Fishergate Postern Tower as part of work to install an electricity supply to the building.  You can volunteer to take part, or pop in to see what's happening.  For pictures see the Friends of York Walls Website HERE
November 2018
  • ​Samples from our Fishergate School Great War book can be seen on our WW1 page HERE
  • New photos added to our Elmwood Street page, Click HERE
August 2018
  • Our colleagues at Red Tower and Fishergate Postern Tower have organised the first 'Festival of the Walls' on Saturday 11th August.  There are a number of Guided Tours, including our Chris Rainger, who is leading a walk around Fishergate, starting at the Postern Tower at 10.15am
  • Click HERE for a Festival Flyer
  • Click HERE for a pic of the walking tour listening to the history of Fishergate House
July 2018
  • During the recent beautiful weather, the low water level in the river Ouse has exposed the sunken remains of two wooden barges nestling under the willows along New Walk, approx. 200m downstream of the Millennium Bridge​.    See Photo Here Specialists from York Archaeological Trust have examined them and we are looking forward to seeing their report (which we will put on this website, of course)
February 2018
  • Allan Francis has written a fascinating history of Well House, which used to stand close to the old church of St Oswald in Fulford.  Read it HERE
  • Do you have a Suffragette in your family history? 
  • 2018 marks the 100th Anniversary of the 1st General Election where (some) women could vote, so we are beginning to look for people who were involved in our area.  Please use our Contact Box to get in touch if you have any information.
August 2017
  • We are delighted to hear that the fantastic website describing the important archaeological excavations at the Mecca Bingo Hall and Fishergate House, has been restored to working order.  Do have a look at it HERE
  • News just in - The developer has withdrawn their proposal for 79 Fulford Road, previously described below.  We await their new proposals with interest.
July 2017
  • ​The developer of 79 Fulford Road in Fishergate has submitted a planning application which includes reconstruction of 2 of the 3 arches from the old Theatre Royal as part of a café at the front of the housing & flats to be built on the site.  We don't particularly like the design of the flats as they will look very stark next to the Victorian terraces, but the application is very likely to be approved by the Council.  Read the developer's Heritage Statement which has a very interesting summary of the building's history - HERE
March 2017
  • Good News for Ordnance Lane!  The proposal to demolish the Edwardian Military Hospital accommodation buildings has been cancelled.   Let's hope the new plans will respect the historic integrity of the site.  Read a York Press article HERE.
  • ​Sadly, York Beer & Wine Shop in Sandringham Street, Fishergate, has closed after 32 years.  The owner, Jim Helsby has been a good friend to FFH and we will miss him and his wonderful selection of beer and wine and cheese.  Read more in this Press article. 
  • We have discovered this amazing film by Shepherd Construction about the building of the University - view it on u-tube HERE
February 2017
  • The stone 19th century masonry façade opposite the Priory Hotel in in Fishergate is under threat.  The owner has posted a notice seeking a decision on its possible demolition.  Not surprisingly, we want it preserved and incorporated sensitively into any redevelopment.  Read more HERE
  • Update - The council have listened to the many concerned comments and have posted an Article 4 Direction Notice, which means it cannot be demolished without Council consent.  Read a Press article HERE
January 2017
  • Good News for Ordnance Lane?  The proposal to demolish the Edwardian Military Hospital accommodation buildings has been stalled by the collapse of the firm the Council wanted to do the work.  Read a York Press article HERE
  • A new page has been added to this website with information about the old church of St Oswald in Fulford.  She page has links to most of the documents relating to the archaeology which was undertaken during the conversion of the church into a private house.  ​Click here to jump to the page  
  • ​Follow this link to read a report on our January meeting, where Jayne Rimmer of YAT gave a fascinating talk about using Tree-Ring sampling techniques to date timber framed buildings, with examples of some in York.  
  • A new link has also been added providing access to part of the (currently inaccessible) information on the archaeological excavations at Blue Bridge Lane, where the lost church of St Helen's was discovered. Here ​​
  • Another new link has been added providing access to the report on excavations at the lost church of All Saints Fishergate, on the corner of Fawcett Street.  Here
​November 2016
  • We have recently gained access to the records from the archaeology undertaken in 1980 when Old St Oswald's Church was converted into a private house.  We soon hope to publish a 'layperson's' version of the findings, including the profound implications for the origins of the church. 
July 2016
  • A very rare gold shilling dating from AD c.620-650 has been found in Fulford near the possible site of the 1066 battle - more evidence for Anglian settlement. For more details click here
  • We had a very interesting talk by Richard Green at our July meeting on Heslington Windmill and the restoration of Holgate Windmill, followed by a guided visit to Holgate windmill.  Click on the links for more information.
  • Watch a You Tube video about Holgate Windmill HERE
  • A text of the guided walk around Fishergate can be downloaded here.  The guided walk leaflet can be downloaded here.
  • Friends of York Walls have found the name of the Watchman at Fishergate Postern Tower in 1652.  He was Richard Wilson.  To read more see the this report on the York Quarter Sessions.
  • We Joined the Fishergate Ward Summer Fair at the field near Millennium Bridge on Sunday 3rd July 2016 and displayed our Fishergate Ring display boards. Picture
June 2016
  • Peter Addyman's talk on the newly published York Historical Atlas was a great success - picture
  • Our response to the Council Planning Application to demolish the former Military Hospital housing in Ordnance Lane
  • A report on the Heslington Hoard of 2,800 Roman coins, found in 1966 during construction of the university.
May 2016 November 2015
  • Publication of our WWI commemoration booklet, selected pages Fishergate pages - Download here.
September 2015 January 2015 May 2013 September 2012 July 2012 June 2012 April 2012 February 2012
Local History Research
Members of our society research a wide range of topics and you can find many of their reports and articles on this website.

Please get in touch if you want to join us to discover more about our area, or wish to undertake your own research.

We have an ever-increasing archive of maps, photographs and documents, and many folders of information about Fishergate, Fulford and Heslington.

Our archives have information on the following topics:
Heslington
  • Heslington Hall
  • Heslington Village
  • Heslington Church
  • Heslington Windmill
  • Heslington Flax Mill
  • Heslington War Memorials
Fishergate
  • Backhouse and Riggs Nurseries
  • Cattle Market
  • Fishergate House
  • The Fishergate Ring
  • Fishergate School, including its Great War Memorial
  • Cavalry & Infantry Barracks
  • Military Hospital and Ordnance Depot
  • Archaeology in the Novotel & Blue Bridge Lane Area
  • Rialto Cinema
  • Elmwood Street
  • Winterscale Street
  • Fulford Grange Estate
  • Fishergate Shops
  • Glassworks
  • New Walk
Fulford
  • Fulford Primary School
  • Fulford Church (medieval and Victorian)
  • Pavilion Hotel
  • Fulford Main Street houses
  • Fulford Park House
  • Fulford Shops
  • Fulford War Memorial
  • River Ouse – Naburn to Ouse Bridge
  • Designer Outlet - Hospitals, Manors, POW’s, Farms, Golf Course, Orchard and Shopping
  • The Saddle Inn
  • Water Fulford Hall 
  • Fulford Park House
  • Geophysical survey of the grounds of the John Hunt Memorial Cottage Homes
  • Henry VIII's Royal Progress
Fulford Families
  • Atcherley’s of Fulford Villa
  • Beverley – From Shop Keeper to Director of Social Services
  • Britton - Dairy
  • Duffield - Garage
  • Feather, Jackson and Calvert
  • Fenwick - Gate Fulford Hall
  • Hick – Vet and Blacksmith
  • Hotham, Hotham Newton and Barstow of Fulford Park
  • Key – Water Fulford Hall
  • Leaf and Leaf’s Yard
  • Leng – Fulford Biscuit
  • Medd and Medd’s Lane
  • Palmes – Naburn Hall
  • Richardson of Fulford House
  • Sandys of Fulford House
  • Taylor – Lord of the Manor of Gate Fulford
  • Wilberforce and Mawdley – Delwood Croft
  • Wilson – Gate Fulford Hall/Fulford Grange
  • Wilson – The White House
 
  • And much more.....
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
There are some topics we would like to research but need people to help us find information. Maybe  you would like to get involved in the search?
Subjects include:
  • The Enclosures of Fulford and Heslington
  • Heslington Hall
  • Fishergate House
  • Fulford Field House
  • The White House
  • St Oswald's Road
  • Windmills in our area
And many many more....
Please let us know if you have an idea for local history research.

FFH Publications
As well as the Guided Walks and other leaflets you can download elsewhere from this website, we also have a number of publications for sale via the Contact Us page HERE

​We researched the lives of all 179 men named on local Great War memorials:
St Oswald's Church memorial:
£5 each or all 3 volumes for £10
Volume One: Men of Fulford.
Volume Two: Men of the Barracks and Alma Terrace Area
Volume Three: Men of Fishergate
Men of Heslington - £3
Fishergate School - £10

We have Greetings Cards with historic pictures of Fishergate Tower, New and Old St Oswald's and Old Heslington Church:
£1.50 each or £4 for all four.
(click on the images below to see them)
Buildings and People of Fulford:
The Saddle Inn - £10
More booklets to follow
Find out about our Area

Fulford

A linear village south of the City, with many 18th and 19th century houses and a 12th century former church. The site of the Battle of Fulford is at the south end of the village.

Fishergate & Fulford Road

Picture
An area of 19th and 20th century housing, from the City Walls, Fishergate Postern Tower and Fishergate Bar, running south down Fulford Road past Imphal Barracks and east to Walmgate Stray

Heslington

Dominated by Heslington Hall and the University of York, the village of Heslington retains the charm and county feel of a small rural farming village.