A look back at spring through the years
Spring is an uplifting and hopeful time of year for many of us as we watch the natural world burst into life. It is a joy to see the garden wake up after winter – the highlights are spring bulbs, tree blossom and flowering shrubs. With it being one of the busiest times of year for gardening enthusiasts, we have delved into our archives to see how our communities across North Yorkshire sowed the seeds in preparation for the new season.
Spring is also a time for a good spring clean - perhaps you are painting the house or banging the dust out of your living room rugs? This month’s collection will certainly inspire you to spring into action. So, whether you are potting up in the shed, or sorting through household items ready for the car boot sale, we hope this series of images from years gone are enjoyed by our green fingered readers and all those needing inspiration for a good sort out at home.
These archive images are among more than 6,500 available at the County Record Office – where you can browse the collection or buy photos.
If you have any further information about any of the images on this page, our archivists would be keen to hear about it. Please email yny@northyorks.gov.uk
Two people hard at work in Garsdale, giving a cottage a springtime whitewash (undated). From the Bertram Unné photographic collection.
Crowds at the Harrogate Spring Flower Festival in Valley Gardens in 1958, from the Bertram Unné photographic collection.
Ladies choosing plants at the Harrogate Spring Flower Festival (undated), from the Bertram Unné photographic collection.
A lawnmower sales stall at the Harrogate Spring Flower Show in Valley Gardens (undated). From the Bertram Unné photographic collection.
A lawnmower sales stall at the Harrogate Spring Flower Show in Valley Gardens (undated). From the Bertram Unné photographic collection.
The Harrogate Spring Flower Show in Valley Gardens (undated). From the Bertram Unné photographic collection.
A mother and a young child among the wild daffodils in Farndale (undated). From the Bertram Unné photographic collection.
Bobbie with a Ransomes Sims and Jefferies lawnmower, Lower Dunsforth, circa 1917. From a collection of photographs by local amateur photographer Louisa Kruckenberg.
Spring blossom in full bloom. From the Bertram Unné photographic collection.
Telford’s of York catalogue of seeds from the 18th century, from the Darley family of Aldby archive.
A plan of a flower garden at Aldby Park (no date, but thought to be circa 19th century), from the Darley family of Aldby archive.
Observations for March, including gardening and beekeeping tips. Pages from the almanack in Thomas Cholmeley's diary of 1717, in the Cholmeley of Brandsby archive.
Observations for April, including gardening and beekeeping tips. Pages from the almanack in Thomas Cholmeley's diary of 1717, in the Cholmeley of Brandsby archive.
A beeswax furniture polish recipe, from a handwritten recipe book in the records of the Blakeley family of Middleton near Pickering, dating from the 19th century.
Front cover of “Daylight Saving Bill” pamphlet. Builder William Willett made the case for Daylight Saving in 1909, and it was implemented in the UK 1916 – we have been changing our clocks each spring and autumn ever since. From the Whitby Museum Manuscripts collection.