Fishergate and the Fulford Road
There is a rich history in this area that follows the expansion of the City of York beyond the walls, eventually connecting up to the village of Fulford. Notable elements, now lost, are the nurseries that populated many of the post-enclosure fields between Fishergate and Fulford (see more on the Nurseries page of this website) and the huge Glassworks near Castle Mills Bridge, which at one time was the largest employer in York. Read more about the Glassworks on our History Topics page. The late and much missed local historian, Van Wilson, has written an article about the Glassworks, which you can download HERE.
The area has its share of big houses like Fishergate House and Fulford Grange and others now demolished like Fulford Lodge (now the Kilburn Road estate) and Fulford Field House (was behind Aldi) Other interesting buildings include the earliest 'out of town' large terraced houses on the Ouse at New Walk Terrace (see more below). Fishergate once contained the Gilbertine Priory of St. Andrews and other lost churches like All Saints, which was found on the corner of Kent Street and Fawcett Street in 2007, and St Helen's which was found in the grounds of Fishergate House in 2001. Read the excellent report on the excavations undertaken by Field Archaeology Services between July 2000 and July 2002 at Fishergate House and the Mecca Bingo Hall HERE. In the late 19th century and early 20th century, new housing was built further and further out from the City towards Fulford village. This also brought new schools, pubs, shops, trams, and other amenities. Fancy a walk around Fishergate? Christopher Rainger, one of our members, has prepared this excellent walking tour of the area from the walls to Blue Bridge Lane. You can download the leaflet here. A text of the guided walk can be read here. You can see photos of Fishergate and Blue Bridge on our Local Photographs page HERE The tall terrace of houses at the west end of New Walk Terrace, were built in 1825 on land described as Lady Well Close, an ancient well opposite the houses. After New Walk was laid out along the banks of the river Ouse in the 1730s, people could hire a towel and bathe in the waters of the well. The first two of the 1825 houses in New Walk Terrace (next to the carriage drive pictured right) were once a boys school, set up by Francis Melbourne Armstrong. He also had a girl's school in Fulford Field House, which stood in large grounds behind where Aldi now is. You can read more about the New Walk Terrace school HERE. You can also read some work in progress about Fulford Field House Ladies School, HERE. (thanks to members of the York Past and Present Facebook page for much of the information in these papers) The MECCA Bingo Hall has now been demolished and replaced by blocks of flats for students. The Rialto, and later music and dance venues like the Cat's Whiskers, were very popular, attracting people from York and nearby villages, with coaches from Leeds and Bradford to hear top class bands. The bingo hall was also very popular. Beginning life in 1908 in a tent behind Fishergate School, the City Roller Skating Palace moved across the road and soon began staging concerts. In 1913 the Rialto Cinema opened and after J X Prendergast and J E Winder took over, and the skating rink was converted into a grand ballroom. Jack Prendergast (father of John Barry, the film music composer) was very well connected and brought top musicians to Fishergate. In her book Something in the Air, Van Wilson reports that in August 1932 'the world's greatest trumpet player, Louis Armstrong, and his New Rhythm Band' played at the York and District dance band contest run by the Melody Maker at the Rialto. Banks record store announced that it had all Louis Armstrong's records in stock and offered readers the chance to call and hear them on the telephone! The Evening Press announced that 'he plays the instrument with wonderful skill, his presence at the contest will be attractive to those interested in modern dance music and Mr Prendergast has done well to secure his visit to York'. The building was quickly rebuilt in the Art Deco style after a fire in 1935 and continued to show films and stage concerts. Many residents will recall the Beatles and Rolling Stones playing there as well as resident band Tin Biscuit. You can read Van Wilson's website article on the Rialto HERE Use the drop-down tabs to find website pages on:
Nurseries in Fishergate, The Cavalry and Infantry Barracks, The Military Hospital and Ordnance Depot, Chelmsford Place and the old Theatre Arches, Elmwood Street, Winterscale Street and Fishergate Shops, Fishergate Postern Tower, Fishergate Corner Tower, The Fishergate Ring, The Fishergate Roman Intaglio, Fishergate Conservation Area Appraisal |
 
Fishergate Shops, C.1910. (note that some do not have shop frontages.
Image Mike Pollard Collection
Melbourne Boys School, New Talk Terrace - Picture Mike Pollard
Fulford Field House Ladies School
Fulford Grange Sales Brochure 1894. Image: Geoff Shearsmith Collection
Ladies cycle race during a 'posh' ball at the Rialto in the early 1930s - photo private collection
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Grange Street Corner Shop. Image York Explore
Our House is a Very Nice House...
After living in the area for over 30 years, Christopher Rainger has researched and written a history of the Fulford Grange Estate.
The booklet begins with Roman burials. Then the ridge and furrow farming on the medieval open fields. After the 18th century Enclosure of the medieval open fields, some strips of land were purchased in 1774 by John Maud, a York tea merchant, who built a grand mansion 'Fulford Grange' that still stands today. the house developed to have extensive parkland and formal gardens, but this began to be built over in the 1870s, when the estate was bought by Ambrose Walker. The terraces were built by Isaac Poad at the end of the century, and Grange Garth by Robert Pulleyn during the 1930s.
You can download a copy of this fascinating booklet HERE or you can by a copy for £10 via the About Us page on this website.
The York Press had an article about the Grange Estate, which you can download HERE
One of our researchers has discovered that rugby matches were played on 'Poad's Field' in the late 1800s! You can read more about this and other newspaper reports on the people living in the new houses around the Grange, HERE
After living in the area for over 30 years, Christopher Rainger has researched and written a history of the Fulford Grange Estate.
The booklet begins with Roman burials. Then the ridge and furrow farming on the medieval open fields. After the 18th century Enclosure of the medieval open fields, some strips of land were purchased in 1774 by John Maud, a York tea merchant, who built a grand mansion 'Fulford Grange' that still stands today. the house developed to have extensive parkland and formal gardens, but this began to be built over in the 1870s, when the estate was bought by Ambrose Walker. The terraces were built by Isaac Poad at the end of the century, and Grange Garth by Robert Pulleyn during the 1930s.
You can download a copy of this fascinating booklet HERE or you can by a copy for £10 via the About Us page on this website.
The York Press had an article about the Grange Estate, which you can download HERE
One of our researchers has discovered that rugby matches were played on 'Poad's Field' in the late 1800s! You can read more about this and other newspaper reports on the people living in the new houses around the Grange, HERE
