Building with unusual sign at Mytholmes

Image: © Gordon Hatton Taken: 2 Oct 2019

Having passed this house several times in the past, I assumed that it was an old toll cottage, but on stopping and photographing the house and inscription on the upper wall I discovered its real purpose. The now weathered sign reads as follows...… 'CAUTION AND PUBLIC NOTICE This is a private occupation road to common [?], Oakworth Hall and Ebor Lane Top and is the private freehold of John Craven of Berridge House in Bingley. No person can lawfully pass here without his leave. Except persons going on ordinary business to and from the estate of the late Hiram Craven of Dockroyd, deceased and of the said John Craven. And persons going on like purposes between Oakworth Hall and Lower Laithe, the Lodge and Oakworth Corn Mill Farm the property of John Wright of Lower Laith and between Oakworth and the Lower Providence Mill the property of Caleb Leach of Halifax. All other persons passing here on after this NOTICE will be treated as Wilful Trespassers. Borridge House Bingley July 1843 John Craven.' A look at the first edition OS map of the area confirms that the road passing this notice was indeed labelled as a Private Road. Spellings as seen on the inscription.

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