A glimpse of the past (From Gazette & Herald)

A glimpse of the past

UNIQUE scenes of the Thornton-le-Dale area of the early 19th century are to form an exhibition next weekend to help raise funds for one of Ryedale's prettiest churches.

The photographs were taken by Thomas Wardill - one of the pioneers of photography in North Yorkshire, and developed in his studio and darkroom behind the store, which still bears his family's name.

More than 100 photographs developed from glass plate images made by Mr Wardill are expected to attract keen interest from both long established and newer residents in Thornton-le-Dale, following their discovery by Coun Wilf Garbutt, one of his descendants, who runs Wardills store and newsagency with his family.

Much of Thomas Wardill's work was of scenes and portraits of individuals and families, said Coun Garbutt, who found the plates in a box which had been undisturbed for some 80 years in a loft.

Mr Wardill was born in 1836, and married Frances Annie Garbutt in 1858. Her brother William had three sons and a daughter and they founded the business of Wardill Brothers in 1910, said Coun Garbutt.

"He seems to have been quite a leading figure in Thornton-le-Dale - he was collector of taxes, ran the post office, was clerk to the church council, a parish councillor and agent for four insurance companies as well as being an expert photographer!"

Indeed, Coun Garbutt has followed in his footsteps in several fields as chairman of today's parish council, leading member of Ryedale District Council, churchwarden of St Hilda's Church, Ellerburn, and a member of several other village organisations. And the name Wardill is still alive through his second Christian name.

An interesting fact revealed in the fascinating array of photographs, many dating back 150 years, is the large number of thatched cottages in the village, says Coun Garbutt. "I estimate there were at least 20 but today we have just one left - the famous Beck Isle Cottage."

The exhibition, he says, will bring to life photographs which have been dormant for generations. "The quality of the photographs compares favourably with those which are taken of Thornton-le-Dale today," adds Coun Garbutt.

Thomas Wardill used three cameras, one for full plate size, another for half plate, and a third, smaller camera which has survived and which will be on display at the exhibition.

As well as portrait photography, he took the earliest picture-postcards of the village. He also produced what was known as Wardill's Almanack - a brochure used to promote Thornton-le-Dale in its embryo days as a tourist spot.

The proceeds from the exhibition will be used to help meet the running costs of Ellerburn church, which is featured in some of the Wardill collection showing it being re-roofed.

One of the plates shows an old watermill which, after extensive investigation, has been identified as Raindale Mill near Stape, whose water wheel is now in the York Museum.

Wardill ranks alongside Sydney Smith of Pickering and the legendary Frank Meadow Suitcliffe of Whitby as a pioneering photographer.

"He was obviously a very talented and no doubt self-taught photographer because it was so much in its infancy in the early 19th century" says Coun Garbutt. "I have been amazed at the quality of the plates and the pictures which have been produced from them. I am sure the exhibition will attract a lot of interest and be a big talking point in the village as well as helping to raise funds for St Hilda's Church."

The exhibition is to be staged at the Old Grammar School, Thornton-le-Dale on Sunday, November 17, from 1pm-6pm, and on Monday, November 18, from 10am-6pm.

Updated: 11:48 Wednesday, November 13, 2002