Whenever Orion Homes prepare to build at a new location, we always take a keen interest in its history. Our developments become part of a community’s future, but they also present an opportunity to strengthen links with its past. With that in mind, we like to seek out any snippets of detail from bygone eras that we could reflect in a choice of street name or acknowledge with a commemorative plaque.
We’ve already discovered plenty of rich material and historical threads to follow at the site of our latest development, Jubilee Gardens in Gilberdyke, starting with the Staddlethorpe Flax Mill which once occupied the area of land off Station Road. To the casual observer, the current appearance of this quiet, semi-rural location offers no hint of its significance, but a delve into the archives reveals that it was once a busy hub of industrial activity and the setting of an important chapter in the story of this popular East Yorkshire village.
The mill was developed by owner Edward Oliver in the mid-19th century and a large part of present-day Gilberdyke was originally part of the settlement of Staddlethorpe. Mr Oliver was a Staddlethorpe farmer in 1871, but by 1881 he was described as a flax scutcher employing 35 men, 10 boys and 27 women. For over 50 years Staddlethorpe was the centre for flax growing and processing. It played a leading role in the growth of the Gilberdyke community during the late 19th century, when the mill attracted new families into the village.
The above photograph shows the Railway Hotel which once occupied the site of Jubilee Gardens – Staddlethorpe Mill is partially visible behind the hotel.
The mill declined in the early 20th century until the First World War, when it was taken over by the Yorkshire Flax Company, producing around 300 acres of flax linen fibre including material used for aeroplane wings. Production continued after the war but ceased around 1930 and all that remains today is the flax mill pond, now known as Jubilee Pond.
The mill may be long gone, but Orion Homes have plans to recognise its significance with a suitable memorial feature which will be determined in consultation with Gilberdyke Parish Council.
A short walk from the pond is Gilberdyke War Memorial Hall, built in memory of the servicemen of the village who fought in the First World War and the Second World War. It was an obvious destination in Orion’s search for historical background and it was here that we found a roll of honour including the fallen brave who sacrificed their lives.
The list featured six men by the name of Harrison, including one of the fallen brave, James Oswald Harrison of the Royal Scots Greys regiment. To us, the surname stood out for a coincidental reason. In 2007, Orion Homes acquired a North Lincolnshire-based building contractor, Harrison Eastoft Ltd, named after the family which founded it in 1946. For the past eight decades, the company has operated from the village of Eastoft – located just 30 minutes’ drive from Gilberdyke – and its management has been passed through various generations of Harrison until the last few years, when directors Jim and Gordon retired and handed over the reins. In fact, the name is prominent in the industrial narrative of both villages: Gilberdyke was once home to a windmill, known as ‘Stathers Mill’, which was owned in the late 19th century by another Harrison family. We learned that James Oswald Harrison of Royal Scots Greys was brought up in his early years at this mill, owned by his grandfather. By the time James had joined the army, his family were busy running the Bay Horse pub in Garthorpe, less than five miles from Eastoft.
The above photographs show the Bell Harrison family and Stathers Mill
Located either side of the River Ouse, the Harrisons of Yorkshire and the Harrisons of Lincolnshire certainly shared the same spirit of industrial enterprise and it seems fitting that Harrison Eastoft Ltd will be one of the contractors involved in the construction of Jubilee Gardens. The decision for the first street name at Jubilee Gardens is inked in: we’ve already ordered the signage for Harrison Close which will be erected at the entrance to the development. It will be a tribute to J.O. Harrison and his fellow servicemen, as well as a nod to two entrepreneurial families that built their own businesses, one of which continues to thrive today under Orion’s ownership.
When Orion Homes complete Jubilee Gardens, we will leave a legacy of beautiful homes to be cherished by future generations of Gilberdyke residents. Having done our history homework, we also want to leave a legacy of remembrance for past generations who contributed so much to life in the village and for those who gave their own lives in service of their country.
With thanks to Susan Butler of Howdenshire History for her help with the research regarding this article.
