A vaccine refuser from 1875 and a builder with a fear of being buried alive are amongst the ‘tales of the unexpected’ featured in the latest heritage trails to hit the streets of Malton and Norton.

Following the success of last year’s Malton and Norton Heritage Trails, a time machine is again taking off in the towns to give people a glimpse of past centuries.

Shops and other locations in the twin towns are opening a window on history for the whole of October by linking up with the Woodhams Stone Collection.

Heritage trails in Malton and Norton will feature a series of photographs showing how the shop frontages looked in past decades and a hundred or more years ago.

John Blanchard, of the Woodhams Stone Collection, said: “We are taking people with us back in time with the Heritage Trails and have expanded from last year’s 80 to just over 100 business and other locations.

“There is an instant contrast with how things once looked and the way we are now - captured in a snapshot of a past era which will be on display in shop windows.

“It is amazing to delve into the collection and with businesses in the towns to show how much – and sometimes how little – has changed.”

With the help of current business owners the information sheets are being displayed in shop windows from the 1 to 28 October.

“The trails provide an ideal opportunity to see images of how we were and discover more about our rich local heritage,” said John.

Maps can be downloaded from the News page of the Woodhams Stone Collection website https://maltonandnortonheritagecentre.com/.

Maps may also be viewed by scanning the QR code shown on the information sheets or posters at local libraries.

There are 66 locations on the Malton trail and 39 on the Norton trail. Each route is circular, but doesn’t have to be completed in one go.

John added: “Our aim is for both trails to be a comfortable walk and to present fascinating photographs and facts.

“We also shouldn’t forget the people who added colour to the towns in yesteryear. Take the trails and you’ll discover among others the bryologist, the builder with a fear of being buried alive, the grocer who objected vehemently to smallpox vaccination, and the first manager of the Malton and Norton Co-op who set up his own business in Norton … … and more!

“We would also love to hear from any trailblazer who knows more than we do about the properties and businesses featured!”

The Woodhams Stone Collection acknowledges the financial support they have received from Tyke 2000 Ltd and Ashley Cooke Retail Group for the Norton and Malton trails respectively.

The Woodhams Stone Collection -The Woodhams Stone Collection Trust was formed in 2011 to secure the future of two very significant local history collections for the communities of Malton and Norton-on-Derwent – those of the late Sid Woodhams and Norton resident John Stone.

The combined collection, now housed at the Malton and Norton Heritage Centre, represents many aspects of life in and around the two towns and is a valuable source for tracing the local and social history of Norton and Malton.

Sid and John very generously agreed to gift their collections to the towns of Malton and Norton with the express wish that they should be displayed to the public in the towns where they originated.

Find out more at https://www.maltonandnortonheritagecentre.com