February 6th 2001.
Author C.Skelton.
Historical Content Mr Ces Mowthorpe (With thanks).
Photograph the Ces Mowthorpe collection c1955

A Brief History of the White Swan Inn.


Situated on Church Hill, Bridlington Street, Hunmanby. North Yorkshire. The White Swan Inn Hunmanby is typical of many old coaching inns sited across England, they tend to be found in the close proximity of the local parish church, mainly due to the fact that early travellers on England's roads were in fact clergymen or other church dignitaries. Coaching inns in the early century were more often than not recognised by a simple sign. For example, The Crown, The Star, The Globe, The Black Swan, or as in this case The White Swan. In other words, something conspicuous that could easily be recognised as opposed to being read. Few people in those days who ventured onto the roads, apart from the clergy, could read. Around 1809 Church Hill (the small hill on which Hunmanby Parish Church stands) and the nearby Cross Hill (including the White Swan) were radically changed to create a superior entrance to the newly altered Hunmanby Hall and Park. It is believed that the White Swan stood back, more in line with the neighbouring cottages, before being re located to its present position. As a coaching inn the White Swan would serve the stagecoaches, Wellington and British Queen on their thrice-weekly journeys on the Hull to Scarborough rural route. First landlords of the newly altered White Swan were the Bourdass brothers David and George, who also presided over more than, adequate stabling to the rear of the White Swan in the newly formed yard. The Bourdass brothers went on to develop a prized hackney stud with a sire called Denmark. Denmark sired Dangelt, a prized racehorse, which sold at auction for Five Thousand Guineas. Other racehorses went on to be sold to the royal stables and also exported to France. From the proceeds of this stud they built Denmark House (which still stands on cross hill) and stables (named after the horse itself). This later became a boarding kennel's managed by Mrs Joan Megson. A Mr Miggings on behalf of the Bourdass brothers, who was well respected within the horse breeding fraternity, managed the stud. Following on from the Bourdass brothers was the well known, Mr Young who was succeeded by Mr and Mrs Crabtree. After Mr Crabtree's death, Mrs Crabtree and her two daughters carried on trading at the White Swan until 1952. During the 40s and 50s the small room at the White Swan (once known as the Cygnet Room), was an extremely exclusive place to visit on a weekend, often frequented by the local farming fraternity. Sadly in 1952 a fire broke out in the chimney breast above the bar area, and only prompt action by the Filey fire brigade prevented major damage from occurring. With her business scaled down for several weeks, as a result of the fire Mrs Crabtree took the decision to retire to Filey. Going back to the 19th century alteration, a large room was constructed at the rear of the White Swan. It was specifically used by the Hunmanby Lodge of the Star of Bethlehem Free and Independent Shepard's, (an early form of Friendly Society). This room became known as the clubroom, and each month the lodge would meet with 60 to 70 members attending. Annually, after a parade through the village headed by the Hunmanby Brass Band, members and their ladies would assemble in the club room for a good meal (Club Feast). It was then turned into a dining room and restaurant with full silver service under the guidance of the then landlord Mr Haywood. Meanwhile the Swan yard at the rear continued to trade after the demise of the horse. It has been used for garaging, storage, winter stabling for seaside horses and not forgetting, Mr Jack Milners engineering works and traction engine thrashing outfit, which later moved to Bay View House in Northgate becoming a well established Agricultural Engineering Company. Jacks blacksmith was the well known, Mr Brown who went on to work well into his eighties. Ron Bayes founded his photography business in the White Swan yard in 1954, and later moved it to Middlesborough. He became well known for covering scores of local weddings. Eddie Neesom also founded a business in the White Swan yard, and it is from these humble beginnings that the Hunprenco Engineering Company was born. David (dippy) Wainright is a landlord that springs to mind when we move forward to the late nineteenth century who spent many years manning the pumps at the White Swan. He eventually moved a few doors away, to The Lynden Café, and converted it to what is now The Cottage public house on Cross Hill. Later still he took over the Star Inn at Burton Flemming, closing the pub (the Star), and carrying out alterations, before reopening it as the Burton Arms. Harvey Lee and his wife Judith then took over the White Swan for a few years before handing over to Peter Wrightson and his family around 1978. Jamie Lister, Lionel Harland, Alan & Dorothy Scotting ran the pub from 1992 - 2001 and have now moved on to the Bull Inn at Gristhorpe. Maisy and Brian Bradley were other landlords/landladies that spring to mind. Many local organisations adopted the White Swan as their headquarters. Hunmanby Hornets Sunday Football Club held their weekly fund raising activities there on Sunday lunchtime's (as well as many end of season dinner and dances). Hunmanby Pigeon Club also held their weekly tote draw on a Friday night, two events which were well attended by the locals as prize money could often peak at the £100 mark. As with other public houses the White Swan underwent many alterations over the years, the lounge and bar area were knocked into one around the early nineties. The upstairs restaurant (the clubroom) continued with some minor alterations, as well as the newly formed Gun Room downstairs. New toilets were added, along with a rear entrance. Demolishing the old stables at the rear of the property enlarged the car park. Present landlord Mr Merv Taylor and his wife Helen took over at the White Swan during Christmas 2001. They have continued the tradition of good food and accommodation, which the inn has been reputed for over the last century. The White Swan can be found on Church Hill, opposite the parish church, both are situated on the main street running through the village.

Note: The motor -lorry in Swan yard was an ex-WD 2-tonner owned by the late Mr George Raylor.
Slaughter-man.