past and present
The Tanyard
It is said the Tanyard was reminscent of a village green.
In the photograph above, the area regularly flooded on the bend and that is why it was referred to as "pond corner."
The Fair
Each year a Fair was held here in October.
Recently someone recalled their memories of the much looked forward to event:
I would stand in awe and stare up at the waltzer as it went round and listen the latest records that were being played. It was frequented by the teenagers of the day.
My favourite was more sedate - rolling the penny down the slot and hoping that you would win a prize if it did not land on a line! I also liked the electric shock machine - thankfully it was not too shocking - and the coconut shy - great fun boring holes in the coconut when you got home and draining the milk out then eventually hitting the thing with a hammer to break it up. Coconuts were a bit exotic then.
You always hoped that the weather would not be too wet when the fair came, as it made the going heavy for walking around the fairground.
Tanyard Farm
Tanyard Farm was owned by the Warde-Aldams estates and was farmed by Fred Helliwell until 1955.
The Coy family then lived in the farmhouse for several years until it was demolished to make way for the Tanyard Shopping precinct.
Members of the Coy family are still living in Wickersley.
Tanyard Shopping Centre
In 1966 the shopping centre was developed.
