A Report on our meeting held on 5 October 2026 – Barbara Walker Memorial Evening

Mark Blakeston encouraged members to tread the “Wold Rangers Way” and entertained us with stories about the Wolds Rangers themselves, itinerant farm workers who roamed the high Wolds.
Mark described the “Wold Rangers Way” which is a 44 mile circular walking route starting in Driffield. It is administered by a small charity whose aim is to promote the route and educate about
the history of the Wold Rangers. They have a website, and seating and information boards have been set up on the route.

The Wold Rangers appeared in two waves, in the 1800’s and then the 1900’s. Mark explained how the first wave came about when land enclosures and the agricultural depression following the
Napoleonic Wars forced some farm workers to travel to look for work. The second wave followed in the 1900’s. Mark said they numbered about 200 after the First World War and surmised that maybe PTSD meant many found it difficult to return to a normal family.

For many, chalk pits became sheltered camping grounds. Some farmers left barns open to give them shelter, for they were generally found to be honest and hardworking individuals. Sir Tatton Sykes of
Sledmere through acts of kindness was known as the “Wold Rangers’ Friend”. Sir Mark’s Sykes’ daughter, Angela Antrim wrote a book about them which our speaker has had reprinted with
permission. Mark showed some of the illustrations from this book.
The Wold Rangers would meet up occasionally at a “Drumming Up”. From Mark’s description, this had the nature of a scout jamboree. In 2022 Mark and his friends reenacted a “Drumming Up” to
promote the 44 mile walk. Following requests, shorter circular walks based on Driffield have been set up named after individual Wolds Rangers.

Mark told us about many of these individuals who all used pseudonyms. Ginger Joe was big man, well educated with an air of authority, and keen blue eyes. Horsehair Jack sold horsehair he
collected to upholsterers. Grumbling Soldier loved to polish brass. Tommy Rooks camped out around Woldgate. There were women too. Two of them were Manchester Lily, and Croom Mabel who
collected discarded clothes pushing them in her pram along the green lanes.

Mark rued the fact that the Wold Rangers have now all gone. Dog Geordie died in 1987 aged 76.
Croom Mabel died in 1990 aged 90. Even in her 80’s she would spend summers in the countryside whilst wintering in a care home. Croom Mabel’s gravestone describes her as the last of the Wolds
Rangers and gives her real name, Mary Murray.

The vote of thanks was given by Christine Gatenby.