George Farndale

The last Farndale of Kilton

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The Young Man

George Farndale (1876 to 1970) was born at Kilton on 24 August 1876 and it was he who continued the Farndale dynasty at Kilton Hall Farm.

By 1892 he was showing horses at the Cleveland Agricultural Show and the Danby Annual Show at Castleton, with his brother William. In 1895 the two brothers passed an examination, after attending a course of 10 lectures on soils, cultivation, poultry keeping, general agriculture.

By 1903 he had joined the Cleveland Hunt and regularly joined their meets.

George in about 1908 and about 1910

George Farndale was working in partnership with his father, Charles by 1911. They lived at Stank House.

George joined the subscription to relieve striking miners in 1911. The appeal for funds to relieve distress in the Cleveland mining area, irrespective of the occupation followed by the people, has been very generous, for inquiries on Saturday showed that the amount received by Alderman Hobbs and Mr Stephens, the secretary and treasurer, roughly totals £1,000. This, of course, does not include the many gifts in kind which the sub communities have received during the past fortnight. Such a liberal answer by the public to the committee's appeal is exceedingly gratifying. Up to the present the claims upon the fund had not been large, but with little or no strike pay from the miners association during the next few weeks, it is felt that there will be a considerable increase in the number of cases of distress to be relieved by the various subcommittees. As a rule adults received 2s each, with 9d each for dependent children, and every case is being taken to prevent overlapping. The following is a second list of subscribers... Mr G Farndale (Kilton) £2 0s 0d.

The Last Farmer of Kilton

George’s father, Charles Farndale, of Kilton Lodge died age 76 and was buried at Brotton on 21 March 1914. On 28 November 1914 George advertised for a hind to work as the farm horseman.

The impact of the war was reflected in the meeting of the hunt committee on 22 February 1916 Mrs Wharton, Skelton Castle, in the absence of her husband, Colonel Wharton, the Master, who is now on military duties, last evening presided at a meeting of the Cleveland Hunt Committee at Guisborough, where Mr Joseph F Whitwell, Langbaurgh Hall, Ayton, was elected to act as secretary until the next general meeting of the members. The vacancy was caused by the death of Mr H Mosman. Mr George Farndale, Kilton, Mr W Scarth, Carlton, and Mr Hustler-Hustler, Acklam Hall, were chosen members of the committee as successors to the late Major Clive Dixon, Mr J Maughan, who has left the district, and Mr A Dorman, who is on active service.

On 27 April 1917 conditional exemption for three months was given to a Carlin How mines check-weighman and to a farmhand at Buck Rush, Kilton. In supporting the appeal Mr G Farndale said the man was the only skilled man he had on both farms. He was two men short on the farm now.

On 12 June 1919 George advertised for a young man, as horseman, for farm work and on 21 June 1919 for a strong youth, for farm work.

Kilton Lodge Farm in about 1920 Buck Rush Farm about 1912 which was part of Kilton Lodge Farm under Charles Farndale Kilton Hall in about 1970

On 20 February 1922 he offered a vacancy for a farm pupil at Kilton Lodge on a farm of 300 acres.

On 12 April 1923, after a lapse of 11 years the Cleveland Hunt Point to Point races were revived yesterday, and the event proved a great success. The course chosen, between Great Ayton and Kildale, is in the midst of delightful scenery. The overnight rain had left small pools on some of the neighbouring highways, and the fields were sodden, but though the low lying clouds held the promise of a further downpour, there was a gathering of about 3,000 people in the fields adjacent to Holy Hill Farm, near Easby, and they were rewarded with excellent sport. There were only four races, but the fields were large and the aggregate number of runners being 36 and in two cases very close finishes added to the excitement....Among those present were... The committee consisting of...Mr G Farndale …

On 10 April 1924 despite heavy snowstorms all the morning there was an excellent attendance at the Cleveland Hunt Point to Point meeting, which was held at Easby, near Great Ayton, yesterday. Intermittent snow storms continued right up to the first race, and there were sleet showers during the afternoon, the weather being piercingly cold, which sadly interfered with the comfort of the visitors.... Major R B Turton acted as judge, Mr J F Whitwell, starter, Mr G Farndale, clerk of the scale.

There was a spot of trouble in May 1924 when for moving pigs from Guisborough Auction Mart without the licences required under the Foot and Mouth Diseases Order, Henry Fawcus Armstrong (Brotton), Henry Armstrong (Moorsholm), and George Farndale Kilton, were ordered by the borough magistrates on Tuesday to pay the costs.

In December 1924, by a two to one majority Loftus Wesleyan Methodists decided in favour of the scheme for Methodist Union on Wednesday. Mr George Farndale, Kilton Lodge, and Mr. John G Glover, Loftus, were reappointed stewards for the Loftus and Staithes Wesleyan Circuit. Mr Thomas Enoch, Loftus, was re appointed circuit Chapel secretary. An income of £135 for the quarter was reported. The membership is 291.

Kilton Lodge about 1925 - George and Grace Farndale sitting Photo of George Farndale taken about 1925

In early December 1926 followers of the Cleveland Hounds experienced a very exciting chase the other day and, had dark darkness not set in, no doubt a kill would have been recorded. A very fine fox was put up in a covert near Moorsholm, and making his way towards the village, with the hounds hot on his trail, Reynard passed close to the Plough Inn. He made a sharp detour in the direction of Kilton, and from thence on to little Moorsholm. By this time the only horsemen anywhere near the hounds were Mr T S Patch, Mr G Farndale and the huntsmen. The fox rushed into the yard of Messrs Pease and Partners’ Lingdale Mine, and then raced over the high refuse shale heap adjoining the mine. From Lingdale the chase continued to Boosbeck, and the quarry sought refuge in the gardens of Boosbeck Vicarage. The fox jumped the garden fence and again got away, and after running along Boosbeck station platform, and through the football field, Reynard escaped, as hounds, owing to darkness, were called off.

In November 1928 two exciting incidents marked the opening meet of the Cleveland hunt, held yesterday in the picturesque grounds of Skelton hall. The House of the senior “Quartermaster” of the Hunt, Colonel W H A Wharton, the castle is surrounded by a fine wooded park and the imposing building with its background of rich autumn tinted trees afforded in admirable setting for the large gathering of scarlet clad black hatted riders. A fox which broke cover from Saltburn Gill led the hunt along the Saltburn Promenade. Out of the Gill the fox passed through the grounds of Rushpool Hall - through the pleasure gardens, and emerged on the promenade near the top of Saltburn Beck. After running for several yards along the promenade, it finally eluded its pursuers by going to earth in a drain. Mrs Weil, wife of Captain Weil, of Boosbeck, was riding through a gateway when a closing gate caused her horse to shy and the rider was jammed against the gate post. Mrs Weil was conveyed to her home suffering from a broken leg... Others present included... Mr George Farndale and Miss Farndale, Kilton Lodge.

In January 1929 there was an appeal against his convictions of the old Kilton Vicar for using obscene language brought at Worthing, Sussex when Charles Thomas Nightingale JP of Edinburgh, solicitor of the Supreme Court of Scotland and others including George Farndale of East Yorkshire, farmer, all testified as to the excellent of the appellant’s character.

The sixth annual Farmers’ Ball of the Cleveland Hunt was held in December 1931 at the Swan Hotel Redcar on Wednesday. Among those who accepted invitations were Mr George Farndale.

In March 1932 a dual success for the popular Cleveland sportsman, Mr T S Patch and his son Captain Leslie Patch, and with the equally popular rider, “Gunner” Welburn, was a feature of the Cleveland Hunt Point to Point races on Saturday. The course was again held at Easby, on the outskirts of Great Ayton, and is an ideal one from every angle. The event was one of the most successful of the series held by the hunt, and a great deal of it is attributable to the enthusiastic efforts of Captain Patch, the secretary... Stewards: Colonel Wharton... Honorary secretaries and stakeholders: Captain L Patch... Judges:... Starter:... Clerk of the Scales: Mr G Farndale.

In August 1933, introducing Counsellor Mrs H W Pilkington who declared new gardens at Saltburn open, Alderman Charlton said that he was pleased that Saltburn Council, like Redcar, had added a woman to their number. Redcar had found the feminist advice of great value in civic matters. He had no doubt that Saltburn was doing likewise, for he knew the work that Councillor Mrs Pilkington had done, and was prepared to do. Councillor Mrs Pilkington, declaring the grounds open, said that Mr and Mrs Kerridge had every reason to be proud of their gardens. She paid tribute to Mr. Wilson, Mr Farndale, and Mr. A Bradley for their work. The garden party was held in aid of the Guisborough, Redcar and Saltburn Methodist Circuit, who on the eve of the amalgamation of the former primitive Methodist churches in Cleveland.

In March 1934 the Ripon trainer, Mr R Renton, made a successful visit to the Cleveland country, to which he brought Tattie Bogie, an unsexed son of the north Northumberland plate winner, Carpathus, to run for the maiden race... A bright finish in the Cleveland Hunt farmers’ race brought to a conclusion and an interesting afternoon sport... the following were the officials... clerk at the scales: Mr G Farndale.

On 26 December 1934 over 300 guests attended the Cleveland Hunt Farmers Ball, which was held last night at the Swan Hotel, Redcar. The company included the two joint masters, Colonel W H A Wharton and Mrs C H Rengrass, of Skelton castle, and many other prominent residents of the district. The acceptances included Mr George Farndale (Capping Master).

By 1939, George Farndale was living at Stank House in Kilton, with his sister Grace. They continued to be involved with the local Wesleyan Church.

The end of the Farndale era at Kilton

In 1940 George sold the stock at Kilton and this was the end of the Farndale association with Kilton. He and his sister moved to Saltburn and George Farndale died there in 1970.

In March 1940: expressions of goodwill were accorded to Mr G Farndale, of Kilton, who is shortly leaving the circuit. Mr Farndale’s departure ends 100 years of for unbroken family connection with the quarterly meetings of the Loftus and Staithes circuit. The membership report showed that there were 335 full members.

The end of the Farndale era was summarised by the Wesleyans on 8 March 1940. For over a century the Farndale family have been associated with the Loftus and Staithes Wesleyan Circuit, a connection which is soon to be severed by the removal of Mr George Farndale from Kilton Lodge to Saltburn. A member of the third generation of the well known family, Mr Farndale has been a circuit official for over 20 years, and a steward for seven. His grand father was a local preacher in the circuit for a number of years, and the late Charles Farndale upheld the family tradition by serving for the major period of his life as circuit official and steward. In the outlying districts of the circuit Mr George Farndale has worked equally hard, and stands as Trustee for many of the circuit chapels.

The farm sale at Kilton Lodge to take place on 18 April 1940 at 12 noon was advertised by T S Petch who was favoured with instructions from Mr George Farndale to sell by auction his valuable farming stock comprising 4 horses, 72 head of cattle, 140 sheep, poultry, implements, gears etc.

George Farndale died on 14 February 1970, the last of the Kilton Farndales and he was buried on 18 February 1970 at Saltburn Cemetery. The gravestone reads, In loving memory of Grace Farndale died March 1st 1966 aged 86 years and her brother George Farndale died February 14th 1970 aged 93 years. Late of Kilton Lodge.

Mr George Farndale of 37 Marske Mill Lane, Saltburn, a retired farmer, who died on February 14, left £41,881 (£41,773 net, duty £10,575).

He did not marry nor have a family.

How does George Farndale relate to the modern family?

George Farndale was a central figure in the extended family at Kilton in the early twentieth century. He did not marry and has no descendants. However those who trace their ancestry through the Kilton 1 Line are likely to be relatively closely related to George.

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The webpage of George Farndale includes research notes, a chronology and source material.