Reader Rex North has been in touch with some interesting contributions on recent topics. He says: “I was interested to hear about the ‘Bird Fair’ at Kirkham. It seemed to me that this must have happened during the 1840s, and prior to that if the band travelled by boat, as the York-Scarborough railway opened in 1845 and it would have then been possible to travel by train from Malton to Kirkham Abbey station more quickly.
“I have an 1840 directory of the East and North Ridings published by William White, and some reference is made to this fair, as follows: ‘A pleasure fair is held near the ruins (of Kirkham Priory) on Trinity Monday, when the principal traffic is in blackbirds, throstles (thrushes), magpies and other birds, taken in the neighbouring woods and plantations.’ This rather suggests a trade of wild birds caught and sold for their singing capabilities, with magpies being capable, I believe, of being taught tricks etc, so perhaps having a value in those days. I would suspect that the trade died out soon after the railway came, but it would be interesting to know more!”
It would, wouldn’t it, Rex, and the added details you have provided are fascinating indeed. I must admit I made the assumption that these avian trades would have involved birds like poultry, pigeons or birds of prey, that were used for food, competition or pest control. It never occurred to me that they would be kept for their singing! These days most of us wouldn’t dream of doing anything as cruel as snatching songbirds from the wild and placing them in a cage purely for our own entertainment. Their song may have sounded sweet, but I can’t imagine the birds were remotely content in their domestic prison.
I was also tickled by the use of the phrase ‘pleasure fair’. It conjures up images of a simpler time, where happiness was gained in less complicated ways than today.
Rex also has some information on Samuel Bean, known to reader Katherine Hill as ‘Grandpa Samuel’ whom she believed had been born at Peep o’Day farm near Husthwaite, Easingwold in the 1880s.
Rex writes: “I was also intrigued by the name ‘Peep o’Day Farm’, and, being interested in family history I found that Samuel Bean was in fact baptised at Acomb, near York, on 27th July 1879, the son and 4th child of Samuel and Sarah Bean. Samuel (senior) was born at Marton in the Forest, near Sheriff Hutton, being baptised at St Mary’s Church there on 19th November 1848, the son of James and Anne, who farmed at Marton Bridge. Sadly there seems to be no link to ‘Peep o’Day’ at Husthwaite as such, but by 1861 James and Anne had moved with their family to Rising Sun Farm at Easingwold, and had arrived at Acomb by 1871. Samuel and Sarah themselves were not only farming, but running the ‘Skip Bridge Inn’ on the York to Knaresborough Road by 1881, as well as managing the four young children. I wonder if your correspondent’s reference to ‘Peep o’Day’ might refer to ‘Rising Sun’, the meaning being virtually the same?”
I passed this information on to Katherine and she replied: “To get such a positive and interesting response is wonderful. The information is really helpful. My mum also told me that some of Grandpa Samuel’s family farmed at Rising Sun. This all links up with our information. Do you know where/which farm they went to in York? One source suggests they were at Rufforth Grange (enclosed by the airfield in WW2). We do know that Grandpa Samuel and siblings were brought up living at Grange Farm, Acomb.”
I can’t answer her question, but perhaps Rex or another resourceful reader might be able to find out.
Katherine added: “My ‘Bean’ cousins and I are having a get together soon to talk about our family history. I am recording as best I can the information we’ve got and hope to put it together for a booklet for each branch of the family.”
I wish Katherine the best with her booklet and hope all the Beans have a wonderful family celebration! And if any of you reader sleuths can help further in her quest, do get in touch in the usual ways.
Do you have opinions, memories or ideas to share with me? Get in touch with me using the ‘Contact’ button on the top right.
This column appeared in the Darlington & Stockton Times on Friday 20th and the Ryedale Gazette and Herald on Wednesday 18th Feb 2026
The Countryman's Daughter 