Goodbye to a Barn
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Buildings & Byways No. 2
Goodbye to a Barn
March 1988
Another ancient landmark has disappeared recently. In
October 1987, the old barn at the junction of Leeds Road and
Main Street was taken down to make room for housing
development. This was the last remnant of a farm which
once occupied the whole corner and through to (the present)
Elmwood Lane. Available deeds date the properties here at
240 years old, so it is evident that here was one of the
village's early farmsteads.
Watching the bulldozer at work, I was joined by Mr Fred
Thorp of Lime Tree Farm nearby. He told me that he was
born in the house, which at one time was attached to the
eastern end of the barn. Then, the Thorps moved from this
farm about 80 years ago to their present location, which
adjoined at the rear.
In 1861, the farmhouse was occupied by
Thomas Barton, who farmed 137 acres of land, most of it
owned by the Rector and si tuated along the Garforth Road.
Other owners of the farm included the Colletts and the
Howards. In recent times, the barn has been used for
storage, and by the late Maurice Wood In his florists and
market garden trade .
Bart Hammond
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