Yorkshire Words Of The Week

I do not know the meaning of the word ‘fothered’ and cannot find it in my dictionary.

Sarah Todd writes: My farming family has always used the term “fother” with regard to feeding the animals – eg “We didn’t get fothered up until dinnertime”.

However, a perhaps more common term is “fodder up” and, I presume, the inspiration behind the name of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society’s cafe and farm shop Fodder at the Harrogate showground.

From: Mrs Mary Bielby, Cromwell Avenue, Loftus in Cleveland, North Yorkshire.

Please excuse a belated letter in reply to your other correspondents on these topics below.

In and around East Cleveland twine has always been known as “Charlie Turner” or “Charlie Band”.

The suppliers were based at Lazenby and the company is still there (Charles Turner & Sons, Farmers Friends) though the telephone directory wrongly lists them as Middlesbrough.

I think their twine was available in various outlets throughout the area in ironmongers/hardware shops, farm suppliers etc.

Sam Turner & Sons of Stokesley are probably a connection.

The Kirkleatham Estate (close to or including Lazenby) was owned by Sir William Turner (Guisborough- born, highly successful, Lord Mayor of London and very charitable in his care for his home area, founder of schools and colleges).

His estate passed to relatives, as he had no children, and one of these, a Charles Turner, concentred on becoming a wealthy gentleman farmer.

Presumably the Turners in the farming supplies businesses are of the same line.

My inherited copy of Goodies was printed by ETD Dennis & Sons of Scarborough (& London) and appears to have been bought from Albert Holloway, Stationer, Scarborough.

I seem to remember some of the tales, or similar, appearing in Major Fairfax-Bakeborough’s long-running newspaper column and being performed by my godmother at chapel concerts when I was small.

Sitting behind her on the stage, having sung my solo, I roared with laughter at one tale – and was severely told off later by my mother. I should have sat still and quiet.

I couldn’t possibly be still and quiet during a “Lizzy Leckonby” story.