HISTORY OF CHAPEL COTTAGE, STUTTON, YORKSHIRE
1954 - 1984

End of the Wilkinson Era

Chapel Cottage, Stutton

Following the death in 1948 of Annie May Wilkinson the cottage passed, with the whole of Wilkinson Terrace to her brother the Reverend Frank Dodgson Wilkinson. He sold off the houses individually during the 1950s and 60s (despite the terms of his sister's Will), selling the cottage, number 12, on the 7th September 1954 to Florence Atkinson. So came to an end the era of the Wilkinson family after over 80 years of ownership.

Florence Atkinson with her husband Harold bought the cottage and associated yard and also a half share of a water closet higher up the road jointly owned with No 4 (no inside toilets in those days!). Harold and Florence had lived in Armley in Leeds and he had worked at the famous Hunslet Engine Company for 35 years and retired to live in the county in Stutton.

1954 Wilkinson Terrace Plan

1954 Deed Plan for Wilkinson Terrace, Cottage highlighted Red

It is believed that the Atkinson's added a single storey concrete block extension on the west end of the cottage in the late 1950s. As Stutton got mains waters and sewerage around this time they installed an inside toilet and bathroom in the downstairs single storey extension to the cottage. A balcony on the roof of the extension accessible from the bedroom using the old Chapel door allowed views over the surrounding countryside.

1964 OS Map, Stutton

1964 OS Map, Stutton, Cottage highlighted Red

Mr. & Mrs. Atkinson outside the Cottage in 1964

Mr. & Mrs. Atkinson outside the Cottage in 1964

During the 1950s and 60s the condition of numbers 1 to 5 Wilkinson Terrace deteriorated to such an extent that they were demolished between 1964 and 1970. In 1974/5 four stone terrace houses replaced them so losing number 5 in the process!

1970 Air Photo, Stutton

1970 Air Photo, Stutton, Cottage highlighted Red. Notice cleared land where numbers 1-5 Wilkinson Terrace once stood



In 1966 the Tadcaster to Church Fenton Railway Line which runs just to the west of the Cottage closed as part of Dr. Beeching’s cuts of uneconomic and under-used lines, much traffic having transferred to the roads. The track was lifted and in subsequent years houses have been built on part of the track-bed.

Railway at Stutton

Circa 1965, Railway at Stutton, looking north towards Tadcaster. From right to left, Stutton Station in distance, Malt Kiln Terrace level crossing, Stutton Gatehouse, Kiln building.



Back to the cottage, Florence Atkinson died on the 28th April 1964 and it passed to her husband Harold. In memory of his wife Harold bought a Bible for St. Aidan's Church.

Bible in St. Aidan's Church, Stutton

Bible in St. Aidan's Church, Stutton

Yorkshire Evening Post, Family Notices, April 1964

Yorkshire Evening Post, Family Notices, April 1964

Harold lived in the cottage alone until his death in 1984 aged 92.

Mr. Atkinson outside the Cottage in February 1981

Mr. Atkinson outside the Cottage in February 1981



Back to Menu Page