Scarth Nick — from drovers to abstainers

Scarth Nick, a natural pass in the Cleveland Hills, has likely served as a route throughout history, from prehistoric times to the present. It was probably used by ancient humans and the Romans, and continued to be used as a drove road for cattle during the Medieval era. This pass acted as a precursor to the current road leading to Sheepwash, then the track passing by the former Chequers Inn, which has now been converted into a farm. From there, the route extends across the Hambleton Hills to Sutton Bank.

During the 19th-century, this natural amphitheatre just below the highest point served as a meeting place for dissidents and temperance movements.

On 30 July 1820, 2,000 Primitive Methodists gathered at Scarth Nick to hear preachers. Primitive Methodism had a specific appeal to the impoverished rural population and the labourers who migrated for industrial work. For them, the prospect of heavenly rewards may have appeared as a much-desired source of solace¹North. 2017. ‘A to Z: A Preponderance of Ps’, The Official Blog for the North York Moors National Park (The official blog for the North York Moors National Park) <https://northyorkmoorsnationalpark.wordpress.com/2017/09/11/a-to-z-a-preponderance-of-ps/#:~:text=ignore%20each%20other.-,Methodism,-had%20made%20early> [accessed 27 May 2023].

One preacher possessed such great oratory skills and was so overwhelmed by a divine presence, he was at the point of losing consciousness. Moreover, his influence on the audience was so strong that they would collapse and cry out for mercy. During a subsequent gathering at Scarth Nick, one young man became so impassioned that he enthusiastically performed multiple jumps and somersaults²Barrigan, Alice. 2023. ‘The Faceby Saints Left Today’, Blogspot.com <https://northyorkshirehistory.blogspot.com/2023/02/the-faceby-saints-left-today.html> [accessed 15 February 2023].

Later that century, Scarth Nick became the venue for the Swainby Temperance Society’s festival. It was inaugurated in 1859 and held annually for at least 20 years³TEMPERANCE FESTIVAL. | Richmond & Ripon Chronicle | Saturday 28 June 1879 | British Newspaper Archive. [online] Available at: https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002938/18790628/075/0005 [Accessed 6 Apr. 2022].. The event attracted abstainers from over the North Riding, including neighbouring Stockton. “The well-trained brass band from Swainby made the attraction all the greater. The tea provided was most appetising and welcome, but the speeches, both afternoon and evening, were the most important feature of the celebration.“⁴‘‌A YORKSHIRE TEMPERANCE FETE | Darlington & Richmond Herald | Saturday 26 June 1880 | British Newspaper Archive’. 2023. Britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk <https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0003401/18800626/120/0008> [accessed 27 May 2023]

• 1
  North. 2017. ‘A to Z: A Preponderance of Ps’, The Official Blog for the North York Moors National Park (The official blog for the North York Moors National Park) <https://northyorkmoorsnationalpark.wordpress.com/2017/09/11/a-to-z-a-preponderance-of-ps/#:~:text=ignore%20each%20other.-,Methodism,-had%20made%20early> [accessed 27 May 2023]
• 2
  Barrigan, Alice. 2023. ‘The Faceby Saints Left Today’, Blogspot.com <https://northyorkshirehistory.blogspot.com/2023/02/the-faceby-saints-left-today.html> [accessed 15 February 2023]
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  TEMPERANCE FESTIVAL. | Richmond & Ripon Chronicle | Saturday 28 June 1879 | British Newspaper Archive. [online] Available at: https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002938/18790628/075/0005 [Accessed 6 Apr. 2022].
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  ‘‌A YORKSHIRE TEMPERANCE FETE | Darlington & Richmond Herald | Saturday 26 June 1880 | British Newspaper Archive’. 2023. Britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk <https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0003401/18800626/120/0008> [accessed 27 May 2023]