Appleton Wiske is a small village that sits just to the north of the River Wiske and in the shadow of the North Yorkshire moors. Northallerton, the county's administrative centre, is nine miles to its south and Middlesbrough is about 15 miles to the north-east.

Appleton Wiske in history

The village is thought to date back to Saxon times and is referred to in the Domesday Book as Apletona. The village church is not quite as old - the first reference to it is in 1299, when Edward I visited and heard mass. Parish records indicate that it was being called The Chapel of St Mary Magdalen in Appleton by 1586.

Local economy

The traditional source of revenue in Appleton was obviously farming, though weaving enjoyed a brief ascendancy during the industrial revolution. Records show that 200 looms were in operation in 1850, but the industry had almost completely disappeared by 1900. The modern population of the village still includes a fair share of farmers and farm workers, but nowadays most people commute to jobs in nearby towns.

Amenities

Today the village boasts, in addition to the church, a primary school, a village hall, a petrol station and garage, a general store and two pubs: The Lord Nelson and the Shorthorn Inn. The Nellie, as it is known locally, is a traditional village pub and a focal point for the natives. The Shorthorn Inn is less of a local stronghold. Its large dining room and good quality pub grub attracts punters from as far away as Middlesbrough.

The village's recreation field comprises a football pitch, a cricket square and pavilion, and two tennis courts.

Plaudits

In 2004 the village won a Silver Gilt Award in the Yorkshire Village category of the Britain in Bloom competition.