Booklet on the History of Boldron

BOLDRON is not the prettiest of villages ~ it will never grace the front of a chocolate box ~ but it’s unpretentious and much-loved by those who live here.  It has its charms, but its geography helps it to keep them well hidden.  Ask people in Barnard Castle, just two miles down the hill, for directions and you’re likely to be met with a puzzled stare.  Passing travellers take the roads to either side ~ up to Bowes, or past Rokeby ~ but rarely choose the route in between.

But do we mind?  No, not really.  The lack of through-traffic means we have the village to ourselves most of the time, and that it’s safer for the village children to race up and down on their bikes and scooters.  There is a lively group of youngsters who play together, and they pop in and out of each other’s homes, often without so much as a by-you-leave.  Mothers can often be seen roaming the main street as bedtime approaches, in search of their missing kin.

As the year draws to a close, the village will soon be battening down the hatches and going into hibernation.  The neighbours that we pass the time of day with in the spring and summer will soon pass by with a hurried “hello”, as they rush inside to light the fire.  We brazen out a lot of “weather” up here, unlike the people in Barnard Castle.  The steep climb uphill from the town takes you into a different climatic zone.  If it’s raining in the town, we’ll have hail; if it’s hailing there, we’ll have snow; and if they’ve got thick snow, we’ll need the 4x4 to get home.

But when the bitter wind stops whistling down the slope, when winter’s over and we all venture out again, there’s a good sense of community here.  And now the hall’s had its much-needed revamp, we’ll probably be meeting up more often for quizzes, and barbecues and other social events.

As the first years of the new century pass by, the village is full of vitality.  There are now 48 households within the bounds:  48 homes and a very mixed bunch to boot ~ doctors (two), farmers, voluntary workers, contracting businesses, a journalist, chartered surveyor, policeman, an accountant, various administrators, lorry drivers, a solicitor, publican, teacher, Glaxo employees, a computer expert, nursery inspector, the retired, a growing band of children and many more.

This history has been written to give us all a better sense of how our village came to be and what has happened since.  If “outsiders” read it, perhaps they’ll be intrigued enough to take the middle road next time.  They can be sure of a welcome.

If the above introduction has intrigued you then go to,The History of Boldron  for more information or contact contact Hazel Yeadon 01833 638710.