Harthill, which is mentioned in the Doomsday Book, is the most southerly village in South Yorkshire. It is situated in rural surroundings close to the borders of North East Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire. However it is only a short drive from the busy city of Sheffield, famed for its steel and cutlery, Rotherham where the screw down bottle cap and the army’s Bailey bridge were invented and Worksop, Gateway to the Dukeries. For those who prefer the great outdoors, the rugged and often wild Derbyshire Peak district is also within easy reach.
Harthill has many interesting historical and traditional connections. In the week before Carnival Day, the village has its annual well dressing. The ceremony, undertaken alternately by the local Parish church Rector and the Methodist church Minister, is accompanied by music and dancing provided by Harthill Morris and Three Shires Ladies clog dance teams. The village Well Dressing Group make a mosaic picture each year for display at the well. Using a flat moist clay base, flower petals and foliage are pressed into the clay to form the picture, which is then left at the well site for public viewing during the following carnival week.
Around Christmas and the New Year, a mumming play called the “Derby Tup” (also known as T’owd Tup) is performed in public houses, clubs and restaurants in the area. Originally, this was performed by members of the village Carnival Society and has, over the years, raised over £40.000 for local charities. In 2005, Harthill Morris took over the organisation of the annual Tup and this has ensured that the village tradition is maintained. In 2006, £2050 was raised and presented to the Rotherham Breast Cancer Support Group.
Boxing Day each year sees the Harthill Morris perform displays of dancing outside the two village pubs. This tradition is testament to the fact that after lunch on Boxing Day in 1899, Cecil Sharp was awoken by the sound of Morris dancing and music. Sharp then dedicated his life to the collection of Morris dances and the promotion of Morris and Folk dancing. Each year, on this particular occasion, we are joined by The Three Shires Ladies Clog dance team and all collections are distributed to local causes.
Within the village are three ponds, built in the 18th century as feeders for the Chesterfield Canal. The ponds are now the home to a variety of wildlife and the local sailing club regularly uses one of the ponds. Over the last few years the Chesterfield Canal has been extensively restored and there are now pleasant walks along the canal banks.
As you walk through the old central part of the village, near the mini roundabout, you pass a restored stone building that was originally a 17th century threshing barn. Whilst many of the older properties in the village have their gable ends facing the main road Danby House has a different aspect. This was originally a 16th century coaching inn and still has an example of “wattle and daub” as part of its internal fabric.
Further along Union Street you find the Parish Church. Deep within its sealed crypt, lie the mortal remains of the various Dukes of Leeds who once owned the area.
At the junction of Thorpe Road and Union Street near the Beehive pub, (home to Harthill Morris) ponder on the thought that in the 17th century a skirmishing party of Roundheads passed this way. They were on their way to attack the royalist Sir Edward Osbourne who was visiting Thorpe Hall in the nearby village of Thorpe Salvin. On the “flatte” midway between the 2 villages, there was an altercation with a marauding band of Cavaliers. It is perhaps no surprise to learn that the area known as Street Flatt is at Jawbones Corner! And, it is said that at certain times of the year on quiet nights, you can still hear the ghostly sounds of the hoofs of a horse…… said to be carrying a headless rider! The ruins of Thorpe Hall are still clearly visible, but sadly not open the public.
Other historical figures have left their legacy within road names in the village. Following the 1066 Battle of Hastings, William the Conqueror confiscated almost all the land that was in Saxon hands. For those who supported his incursion, he distributed some of these lands. One such recipient was William de Warrenne of Normandy who was, given, amongst other property, the village of Harthill. He is remembered in De Warren Close. In the Bodleian Library in Oxford, there is an entry referring to Oliver de Serlby, who in 1330 during the reign of Edward III held a manor in Harthill. His name lives on in Serlby Lane. And so the list goes on.
So now that you have a flavour of Harthill, why not come to see the village. Tarry a while and enjoy the atmosphere of our ancient village.
Norman Anderson
March 2007
