History

Introduction

Ordinary farmworkers have always had it tough, but the gradual process of enclosure which took place between the 16th and 19th centuries, along with the introduction of agricultural machinery, created a landless and homeless class of rural folk. Many of them migrated to the growing industrial towns and found work in the factories, but a few remained, travelling the countryside looking for seasonal work and being allowed to graze their cattle on what was left of common land. The Wold Rangers were one such nomadic group, living off the land on the Yorkshire Wolds, travelling from farm to farm using the network of footpaths, green lanes and bridleways. They were hardworking and trustworthy and were never turned away when they appeared looking for work; at the very least they would be given some food. The last of the Wold Rangers were George Smith, better known as Dog Geordie, who died in Driffield at the age of 76, in March 1987 and Mary Murray, or Croom Mabel, who died in March 1990 at the grand old age of 90. 

Between 1877 and 1894 wheat prices repeatedly collapsed and these conditions increased the mass of itinerant agricultural labourers countrywide.  From being the greatest single industry, employing one third of the population at the beginning of the century, the agricultural labour force sank to 6% of the total by the 1890s and Wold Rangers were now a familiar sight camping out on the green lanes and chalk pits. So many and pitiful were they that a tradition started amongst farmers never to refuse some help to those who asked for it. The custom was adopted of leaving a barn door open at night time and this tradition continued on Wolds farms.

Sir Tatton Sykes was renowned for his generosity and became known as the “Wold Ranger’s friend”. He instigated the hanging of a bell over the back door at Sledmere House and ordained that anyone who rung it would be given on demand a meat sandwich and mug of tea. (The custom remained in full use until the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939). It was fortunate for the country that the farming community did not give up easily for, all too soon, agriculture on the home front was to become a matter of life and death with the outbreak of WWI.

During those war years the Wold Rangers melted away, many of the younger ones joined up and there were plenty of jobs going for those who wanted work but in the years immediately after 1918 the Wold Rangers multiplied again, nearly all having served in the army and, when they came out to no work, they just couldn’t stick the towns.

Not all Wold Rangers were originally from the Wolds as their names indicate (Cambridge Charlie, Isle of Wight Jimmy, Norfolk Bob , Manchester Lily). People from all parts of the British Isles decided to become Nomads of the East Riding Wolds, together with some from Ireland (who fled the famine of 1845-49). A rising number were ex service men, some from conflicts as far back as the South African wars (1879 - 1915) as well as WW1. The Crimean War (1853-56) also contributed its quota. This military brotherhood loved to exchange tales of Army days in the pubs and round the Forge fire at Sledmere (a favourite gathering place, especially in bad weather, with Old Tom Scott and son Ernest never minding how many Rangers crowded in, so long as they left him elbow room).

A great attraction of the Wolds was the tradition of Yorkshire hospitality. It was rare any Ranger was sent away without some food and the open barns, horse boxes and ruined cottages at their disposal showed how they were accepted. Though the Wolds climate could be harsh, the light soil dries out quickly after rain and the chalk pits and green lanes were free for all.

It is said there existed a mutual trust between farmers and the Wold Rangers, that they were renowned for their honesty and even those who were exceptions to the rule were tolerated as being a bit daft. It is said also that most were not by nature keen workers and some went so far as to pride themselves on their indolence and ability to live off their wits.

Some Wold Rangers were old soldiers and gentleman, many were hard workers even entrepreneurs facing life’s challenges as best they could, others were thieving ruffians. They fell out and fought (especially after heavy drinking) but also watched out for each other and would leave secret signs in the hedges near farm gates with such messages as ‘bad house’, ‘work to be had’, ‘dog bites’ or ‘good for a touch’.

They were independent and, though rough in appearance and mode of life, conservative in their views believing in individual choice, private enterprise and self reliance. It was a life that brought satisfaction to a strange assortment of people who shared a determination to live as they please, whatever the cost in hardship. They entirely lacked the saving instinct they did not ‘live it up’ but ended their careers as they began, with nothing, and it seemed that was the way they wanted it to be. For some the way of life may have been born of necessity, but to many it seems the free life was a choice and breath of air. There was no welfare state for them to depend on they were paid by results and their fall backs were the workhouse and prison. Most poached for the pot only, not selling the game if they caught a lot, they ate a lot.

Places of Abode

Green lanes in the Wolds landscape were not once Roman roads (straight though they are) but made at the time of the late 18th century enclosures. The lanes have the advantage of being ‘rights of way’ whilst also at the heart of farmland, with game abounding.  Chalk pits were originally dug for two reasons. With chalk lying only inches beneath the soil the stones were easily quarried for metalling the new farm roads. Before local roads were tarred they were snowy white. The quarries also providing slaked lime for the fields. By the 1920s these were largely disused, but made excellent camping grounds, with a bit of privacy provided by the bushes of hawthorn and sloes that had grown in their shelter.

Spike (the workhouse).

Though Dickens creates a grim picture of the workhouse, Spike Casualty Ward was a welcome break from the outdoor life. According to Dog Geordie, you could stay for 3 days and got a bed and somewhere to sit. In exchange for odd jobs chopping sticks, washing up you got 3 meals a day. During the winter Dog Geordie used to do the rounds of York, Malton and Driffield, then back to York, where work in the boiler house was nice and warm, he was allowed to wash his shirts and got 2 slices of bread with cheese and a mug of tea at midday.

Prison.

Dog Geordie was one time caught by the police with poached rabbits on his shoulder. When summoned by the Magistrate and fined £2, he said “where will I get that from?” and was told it was £2 or a month in jail. He thought he could do worse than a month in jail in the winter, so he went in. “Just a wash and brush up and shave is what they call a month”. It was not common for vagrants to orchestrate arrest for a minor offence to get a short time inside.

The Wold Rangers have a special place in the folklore of rural East Yorkshire, and in the hearts most of especially the older farming generation, who as children, still recall the Rangers visiting their farms.

Discover our Trods named after Ginger Joe, Horse Hair Jack, Dog Geordie, Mad Halifax, and Croom Mable for shorter circular routes.

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