Family History

My late wife Anthea's maiden name was Riddolls, the daughter of two General Practitioners who worked in York and retired to Sleights. Her mother, Dr. Brenda Riddolls was also a prolific author and poet, often taking her inspiration from the landscape and dialect of the Whitby area. Her last book was entitled 'Five Generations of a Whitby Medical Family' by Brenda H. English (her maiden name).

All her books are long out of print, but a reprint of 'Five Generations' is a possibility.  Please watch this space...

'Bed-ends' by Brenda H. English (on seeing an iron bed-end in a hedge):

'E ware liggin' asleep on 'is floour

Wi' 'is 'ed on a bit o' a ledge.

Ah sed 'Whoat iver foar is tha liggin' asleep on thy floour?'

'E sed 'If tha mun get to knaw, me bed ends is stoppin' up t' hedge!'

An' 'e ligged 'issel' back on 'is floour

Wi' 'is 'ed on a bit o' a ledge.

[Translation: He was lying asleep on his floor, with his head on a bit of a ledge. I said 'Whatever for, are you lying asleep on your floor?' He said 'If you must get to know, my bed ends are stopping up (a gap in) the hedge!' And he laid himself back on his floor, with his head on a bit of a ledge]. One of Anthea's favourites!