This photo must date back to the 1920's? The large building on the left is the current site of the New Inn public house.
The man on the horse and cart would probably have been Mr. Jack Frank. He was the local carrier. A carrier used to take orders from the local villagers for most of their shopping requirements. The carrier would go to Pickering or Kirkbymoorside with an horse and cart, buy the required provisions, and sell them to the people in villages along the way.
Back in the 1870's a Mr.James Featherstone travelled daily to Pickering with a donkey cart. He was succeeded by William Berriman, Mr.Dring and Mr.Spaven in the early 1900's. Mr.Frank was the last known carrier and he retired in 1949. The carriers brought a wide variety of goods to Cropton. They brought flour,sugar,meat,coal & coke to the village. In addition to this they delivered parcels, post and weekly newspapers.
The carriers also provided transport for the local villagers. This must have been the earliest form of public transport available to the locals.
(Photo courtesy David Hodgson)
The following photo was taken from behind the old forge. It probably dates to the early 1900's. If you look closely you can see a young girl to the left of the photo, a group of children sat under the White House and a man drinking water near the house on the right hand side. Do you know who they are?
(Photo courtesy David Hodgson)
The cottage next to the New Inn public house was known as the Old Watchmaker's Cottage shop. The photo is probably early 1900's. In those days there was a giant clock on the side of the house. Apparently the clock is now in the Castle Museum at York. You can now stay in this cottage because it is used for holiday accommodation.
(Photo - Cropton Collection)