The British Heart Foundation walk at Westow (From Gazette & Herald)

The British Heart Foundation walk at Westow

3:40pm Thursday 8th September 2011 in Country walks By Brian Beadle

A cresset stone is an ancient form of lighting which was used in monasteries and churches in medieval times.

It is a four-sided slab of stone with holes cut out of the surface in which to place candles.

The stones differ in size, the largest being found at Brecon which has room for 30 candles. This is exceptional as others had less, 12, four or just one candle.

The candles in the cresset would be lit at night to guide the monks to matins. They would also be lit in passageways and at corners and entrances to guide the monks about their business in the dark, winter nights.

The word cresset comes from the French word meaning beacon and a single light would have been lit on top of a pole for use as a torch.

The church of St Mary in the Westow countryside started life as a house for a monk in charge of a travellers’ beacon as Westow was on the route for Kirkham Priory and York from Beverley Minster.

The first church was operating in 1304 and the township of Westow and its church was given to non other than Walter l’Espec who founded Kirkham Priory.

St Mary’s Church in Westow has one of the few remaining cresset stones in the country. It is a 12-hole stone and probably came from a nearby monastery.

The village of Westow was a busy place to be in the 19th century. Village trades included three tailors, two grocers, two drapers, a joiner, bootmaker, blacksmith, carrier, carter, mason, builder, butcher, dressmaker and, of course, several farmers.

There was also the Blacksmith’s Arms and the Fox and Hounds inns, two chapels, a church and a school. There was a post office for the sending and receiving of mail but the telegraph office was just a short ride away at Kirkham. Nearby at Eddlethorpe was a water mill which, I presume, would be used for grinding corn. Quite a community.

So let us set off on this walk among the Howardian Hills and try to imagine what life must have been like in the once busy community of Westow.

The BHF Route

Long trousers are a must for this walk as many paths are overgrown in places. Please wear boots or strong shoes in case of muddy conditions underfoot.

I will give you a brief route description to give you a taste of the walk, detailed route directions and a route map will be handed out at registration.

The walk starts from the Blacksmith’s Arms at Westow and heads off on the road through the village in a southerly direction, soon to go right onto a wide track over Spy Hill and into Howsham Wood.

A quiet walk through the wood eventually returns to the road and heads back towards Westow. Just before the village, the road goes left across a field. This is where the shorter route starts.

A pleasant walk to Firby now, then through open countryside to soon join the bank of the River Derwent before crossing more fields to return, via the historic church of St Mary’s where you will find the cresset. Continue along to join a quiet road to return to the village of Westow.

Please remember to sign off and return your route details to the organisers.

British Heart Foundation walk

THE British Heart Foundation sponsored walk takes place on Sunday, October 2, starting from The Blacksmith’s Arms, Westow.

Please register any time after 10am, finish by 4pm and then sign out. On registration, a detailed route map will be given, please return at end of walk.

Sponsor forms available from the walk organisers on 01653 695021 or 01653 658312, or from the Gazette & Herald office in Yorkersgate, Malton.

Alternatively, please put a donation in the collection box on the day.

The facts

Distance – Long route is approximately 6½ miles (10½km). Shorter route is approximately 3½ miles (5½km).

Time – Long route 2½ hours, Shorter route 1½ hours.

Grading – Easy.

Start/grid ref – Blacksmith’s Arms in Westow, five miles west of Malton, grid ref 754653.

Best map – Ordnance Survey Explorer 300.

Parking – Roadside in Westow.

Refreshments – Soft drinks available at the start and finish.

View a map of the British Heart Foundation walk at Westow>>