A Heritage Trust was formed in 2000 by the amalgamation of the Hickleton Parish Council and the Parochial Church Council of St. Wilfrid's to create a group that would be focused in overseeing the fund raising for village community projects.
AIMS
The Hickleton Heritage Trust is a joint venture between the Parish Council and Parochial Church Council working together for the long term improvement of the village, the community and its environment. We want to hand on, to future generations, the rich heritage we enjoy today.
MEETINGS
Regular meetings are held usually once a month.
MEMBERSHIP
Joint Chair: The Rev. Canon Dr. A. J. Delves Vicar of Hickleton
Councilor M. J. Elliot Chair of Hickleton Parish Council
Secretary: Mr. J. Brook
Treasurer: Councilor G. Green
Local Historian: Mr. J. A. Dabell
You can contact any member through this e-mail address johndabell@freenetname.co.uk
THE HICKLETON HERITAGE APPEAL
The Hickleton Heritage Appeal was established in 1999 and is administered by the Hickleton Heritage Trust, a joint liaison committee with members from the Hickleton Parish Council, St. Wilfrid’s Parochial Church Council and has been joined by a former resident born in the village.
Its current aim is to restore and enhance the monuments and features listed below, that are situated within the bounds of St. Wilfrid’s Church in Hickleton, to their former splendor.
So far nearly £9000 has been raised by the residents through various funding activities, but there is a long way to go, we need £77,230.00 at April 2001 prices!
HICKLETON VILLAGE
Hickleton is a small village just off the A1(M), Junction 37, seven miles west of Doncaster in the County of South Yorkshire.
Once an Estate Village for Hickleton Hall, formerly the home of Lord Halifax, it is now a commuter village of 300 residents (including the Sue Ryder home).
RICH IN HISTORY
Hickleton’s history goes back to Saxon or even Roman times. The Hall is now a Sue Ryder Home. The Church, with Norman features, is a beautiful medieval gem, restored in Victorian times by the great architect G. F. Bodley, saved from mining subsidence by a unique system of underpinning and is the home of Anglo-Catholic Reunion.
WHAT NEEDS DOING?
We want to safeguard this heritage, not just for its residents, but also for the whole area. Hickleton is surrounded by former mining communities where there is now considerable hardship and social deprivation.
For them, Hickleton is the local beauty spot, near enough to be within walking distance, to visit and enjoy.
It is an exciting place for school parties to visit because it is full of interest and character, socially, historically and architecturally.
In short we have a local, interesting resource to share in an area officially recognized as seriously impoverished and deprived.
CAN YOU PLEASE HELP US IN THIS ENORMOUS TASK?
WHAT ARE OUR IMMEDIATE PLANS?
The Hickleton Skulls
The most famous part of Hickleton’s Heritage are the three skulls in the Lych gate which form our logo.
They are absolutely unique in this country and are surrounded by legends which abound in the local community. They may be Highwaymen, Sheep-stealers, Servant-girls or even evil ancestors of the local gentry, punished for their crimes.
However, the stern warning, for all to see reads:
“Today for me
Tomorrow for thee”
Click here for photograph of the skulls
They are a famous part of Hickleton’s Heritage. People come from far and wide just to see them.
Unfortunately, since they were vandalized in August 1996 and one skull stolen, they have been removed for safe keeping. We wish to return them to their rightful place. The Niche, which will house them, will have an oak lining and will be fitted with laminated glass and a very strong iron grille for their protection.
The Lych Gate
This roofed porch structure covers the entrance to the Churchyard through which coffins were traditionally carried before laying out in the Church for the funeral service and burial. The very word ‘Lych’ was a Saxon word meaning ‘corpse’ and literally defines the gates role as the final threshold or passage way of the body’s journey to its final resting place.
The Lych Gate has suffered considerably over the past Century from erosion and corrosion from acid rain, the result of industrial pollution of past years. It is a Grade II Listed Structure. A considerable amount of stone work needs to be replaced and/or made good if it is to survive. This structure houses the above skulls, so the integrity of this structure plays an important part in the preservation of Hickleton’s heritage.
The Crucifix
The impressive Crucifix, built in the 1890’s, also located in the Churchyard, is in desperate need of repair. Bold and imposing, the richly painted monument attracted visitors from far and wide. An anonymous writer in 1893 describes the scene in the local paper. “That image of Christ in Hickleton churchyard is a form of perfect loveliness, and although no living pulse beats within the dead wood from which it is carved, it yet speaks to us with an un-erring voice of the resurrection”. Let us not be the ones responsible for its loss.
The Crucifix needs careful conservation in that the Christ figurine requires some timber splicing and re-carving to replace rotten features. Nowhere is this more evident than on the face of Christ where a significant portion of face is missing. The Cross itself is becoming structurally unsafe and needs replacing in English Oak. The Liturgical Inscription under the figure, “By Thy Cross and Passion, By Thy Precious Death and Burial. In the hour of Death and in the day of Judgment, God deliver us” needs repair and repainting also.
Pathways
In addition to the work on the Lych Gate and Crucifix the Churchyard pathways also need attention. At present the paths are uneven and are completely broken up in parts. These will need to be re-leveled and re-surfaced if we are to prevent accidents and upgrade the access to this communal area.
We would like to provide seats in the Churchyard. It is a lovely place to sit and admire the fine views. To return to our anonymous writer “one could sit in the churchyard, and muse and fancy oneself back in the middle ages, so great is the influence of this venerable looking structure”. Certainly it is a place for quiet contemplation.
HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?
The whole of the work will be supervised by the leading Church Architects — Wiles and Maguire of York in conjunction with English Heritage.
The work will cost an estimated £68,000 (at April 2003 prices).
HOW MUCH HAS BEEN RAISED SO FAR?
Although only a small village so far we have raised £10,700 by fundraising events and donations. Will you help us to build on this great beginning?
Your help is urgently needed.
Every donation is valuable.
With your help we will get there and achieve our aims.
HOW CAN I HELP?
All donations are gratefully received and should be sent to :
The Hickleton Heritage Appeal
c/o The Treasurer
Councillor G. Green
6 Lady Mary View
Hickleton
Doncaster
DN5 7BH
Cheques should be made payable to: The Hickleton Heritage Trust
Gift Aid: If you are a UK taxpayer we can reclaim tax to the advantage of our appeal.
Please contact the Treasurer for further details.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP
The Hickleton Heritage Appeal is a registered Charity No. 10085332