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Memories of Emroyd Valley


The tale of the Arnotts at Gate Farm


The Arnotts, Percy (Pete) and Mary moved from Leeds to Gate Farm in the Emroyd Valley in 1945 with their 5 children, John(10), Edward(9), Peter(8), Muriel(7) & Margaret(5). The farm had no electricity and no water supply - water was drawn from a nearby well.

Mary (nee Grandorge) had grown up on a farm near Newark and had been a nurse at Leeds General Infirmary prior to her marriage to Pete Arnott.

Pete had grown up in Horsforth, the eldest of 5 brothers.

The children attended Middlestown Primary School and then either Ossett Grammar or Horbury School.

Pete suffered a heart attack in 1957 and died. His eldest son, John, took over the farm, married Enid (nee Peace), and raised 3 children - Eric, David & Carol.

Mary died in 1964.

The Emroyd Valley was lined up for outcropping by the NCB in 1976 and John and his family moved to Low Laithes, Ossett. Gate Farm was demolished and ceased to exist.

The valley was returned to some form of normality post outcropping and is still a beautiful valley.

The other 4 siblings remained relatively local - Edward (Thornhill), Peter (Notton), Muriel (Shepley) and Margaret (Haigh). Edward sadly died last year (2010) following a long battle with cancer.

By Neil Arnott, son of Peter Arnott

Do you have any memories of the Arnotts, Gate Farm or Emroyd Valley that you'd like to share with us and Neil Arnott? If so, please get in touch.

1955 - Ossett Grammer School - Peter Arnott, front, bottom left.

1955 - Ossett Grammer School - Peter Arnott, front, bottom left.
Arnott siblings c. 1945
Arnott siblings c. 1945
 		Arnott family in Emroyd Valley c.1950
Arnott family in Emroyd Valley c.1950
 		Arnott siblings c. 1950
Arnott siblings c. 1950
 		1955 - Ossett Grammer School - Peter Arnott, front, bottom left.
1955 - Ossett Grammer School - Peter Arnott, front, bottom left.



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