This photo is at Appleton Mill, near Cropton. The people in the photo are at the crossing of the River Seven. This river runs from the Rosedale area to the River Ouse via Sinnington. Normally the water goes over the stones and forms a waterfall, but back in 1956 the river was very low.
These people were doing the "Boundary Walk". Everytime the 'Lord of the Manor' changes in the village of Spaunton a group of walkers 'mark' the boundary of the manor. Back in 1956 this involved a two day walk around the boundary. Various stones were visited on Rosedale and Hartoft moor, including the "Boundary Stone" and "Hangman's Stone". The walk finished with a lunch party at Spaunton Manor.
The man holding the flag (on our left) is Geoff Swales and his brother Reg is next to him (wearing the cap). Two further to our left is Norman Headley.
The hunting photo is believed to be dated in the 1920's. The location is the Chestnut Tree at Cropton and the Sinnington Hunt used to meet there. One unusual feature is the wooden seat built around the bottom of the tree.
Cropton Reading Room - The main room in the 'Village Hall' was once known as the lecture hall. The hall seems to have been decorated in a very patriotic way for this photograph.
If memory serves me right the Cropton Reading Room changed it's name to the Cropton Village Hall back in the 1970's, although many people still refer to the hall as the Reading Room. Originally, around 1898, the building was a chapel and the room above was an extension. The room has served Cropton well over the years, with many functions being held there.