TWO books giving a fascinating insight into the history of Kirkbymoorside and the surrounding area are being launched next week.

To celebrate the launch, members of Kirkbymoorside History Group are holding a coffee morning and exhibition at the town’s Moorside Room, including artefacts for visitors to view.

Louise Mudd, from the group, which has produced the books, said the first was dedicated to Kathleen Rickinson, nee Dowson, who at the age of 96 was able to give the group a fascinating insight into her childhood and the people she knew in town.

“Kath recalled her school days and lessons in cookery, baking pies in a coal oven in the school. Her father Fred Dowson was the local blacksmith in Gillamoor and her grandfather had a blacksmiths in Kirkby itself,” Louise said.

“One of a family of nine, they all lived in a tiny terraced house in Dale End, but the picture Kath was able to paint showed a loving family who gave her an incredible passion for life.”

Louise said the title of her story was Digging for Yennits, which is one of the children’s favourite pastimes while exploring in Manor Vale.

The second book is related in its theme, entitled Bread and Cheese, it was a minglement or collection of recollections of a number of residents who came not only from Kirkbymoorside but also the outlying villages.

Louise said: “It includes Rosie Magson, who told us of growing up in Rudland and her life on the family farm, Stonely Woods. Rosie is affectionately remembered by many in town as a real character and dialect enthusiast.

“Another chapter is dedicated to local farmer Harry Ward who lived and worked for many years at Sinnington Manor.

“However, he grew up in Harome and recalls his time working with horses to plough and bring in the harvests.”

Louise said the group was also lucky enough to interview Patricia Kew, nee Pilmoor, shortly after her 100th birthday, who was a childhood friend of Kath Dowson and told of her childhood growing up in Castlegate, where her father was the local barber and her grandfather, Charlie Magee, had a marine chandlery in Crown Square.

“Combined they bring back some fascinating facts about life in the 1920s in and around Kirkbymoorside,” she said.

“We will have some everyday artefacts for people to see and both books will be available to buy on the day and we have extended the time to allow anyone at work to call in to see us.”

The coffee morning and exhibition will be held at Kirkbymoorside’s Moorside Room, formerly the Old Library, on Wednesday, December 3, from 9am to 7pm.