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As I look out over the snow covered Dales, I’m contemplating how so little has changed since the construction of Eastfield Lodge in April 1863 as part of the Bolton Estate. Initially as a private residence and standing alone as opposed to part of the terrace it later joined, the house was significant within the town. The census dating 1871, lists a prominent name still very much of importance in the area today. The Metcalfes, Richard (just 33) and Hannah, his wife (35) with their son and four daughters lived in the main house with the Governess and three servants and even a groom in the adjoining Coach House. John, the groom, was just 17 years old from Low Row and Ellen, the maid was only 17 years and from Patrick Brompton.

Richard Metcalfe was the local GP and a man of good reputation and standing in the community. Alfred, the son and the daughters, Lillian and Mary were at the local school while little Annie and Ada were still only 3 and 1 years. Hannah, their mother had enough employment simply as wife of the GP, mother of five and with the running such a large home. Her marriage to Richard took her far from her home in London.

We are lucky enough to have some old black and white photographs of the Lodge and of Leyburn, but I do wish we had photographs showing us the faces of this prestigious family and their housekeeping team. It remains a mystery but we can use our imaginations to conjure up ideas of their lives then in a house which has become so familiar to us.

We know that the walled garden, now the car park, housed the pig which was able to graze below a large apple tree. The apples were then stored in the roof space above the Coach House and the chickens had free run of the yard. A deep well still exists, although covered over now behind the house and the coal storage shed is now a very efficient drying room.

The house and garden at Eastfield has therefore been through many changes, soon becoming a guest house and wartime lodgings, a base for the army and back to a guest house once more. Despite this, the view I sit opposite remains that of fields, ancient dry stone walls, hedgerows and rolling hills and we will continue to take responsibility for preserving this beautiful house, it’s history and the natural environment of the Yorkshire Dales.