Skep and Pole Tryal at the Staithes Feast

Oct 1, 2024

2 min read

From Staithes Museum Newsletter issue 6, for October 2024

One of our most intriguing artefacts has been sparking curiosity among visitors: a charming poster from the Staithes Feast of 1797. Its language, rich with old customs and local games, can be hard to decode. But thanks to a serendipitous find among photocopies of records of Hinderwell baptisms, we now understand how a Skep and Pole trial was performed over 200 years ago.

“Some explanation is needed to make this task understandable. A large basket (probably a wide creel) had a strong pole thrust through the wicker-work or handles improvised for the occasion; each end of the pole was then rested upon some suitable support, leaving the basket free to swing about a foot from the ground. On each support and near to the pole a shell or other light object was placed. The thing to be done would not be easy of accomplishment. Those contending for the prize had in turn to seat themselves astride of the pole with both feet inside the basket; thus seated, and firmly grasping the pole with one hand, they had to knock off the shell with a stick (which in the meantime they used to steady themselves with), then turn round, reseat themselves, knock off the other shell, and then get out without overbalancing. You try it, but have something soft to fall upon. It is marvellous how soon it is the next person’s turn. “

(Taken from Wit, Character, Folklore & Customs of the North Riding of Yorkshire: With a Glossary of Over 4,000 Words and Idioms Now in Use”, by Richard Blakeborough)

As for “Genning thro a barfan”, Colin (Harvey) found by accidental discovery that this meant, “Gurning through a horse collar”.

The last remaining mystery

Thanks to John Howard’s Staithes in Olden Times, we know that the original document was handwritten, and we assumed that our museum’s copy was a transcription of this original. But we now see that it was likely copied from Blakeborough’s text, raising a curious discrepancy. Our copy says that racers with “light wives (were) to be put back,” while Howard’s version states “teams with right wives to be put back.”

So, was it a heavier wife that gave racers an advantage, or did an “upside- down” wife play a role in getting ahead? Until the original document surfaces—lent to Blakeborough in 1898 by Mrs. Chaloner, the Lady of the Manor—we may never know. These are the types of puzzles that make us excited to rummage through the photocopies under the table!