Until the mid-18th century the only way to cross the River Ouse at Aldwark was by ferry. In 1768 John Thompson of Kirby Hall, is reputed to have ridden to London to seek permission to construct a bridge,in exchange for collecting tolls. Parliament agreed that as he paid for the bridge they would not tax the toll charges and to this day no taxes are collected on the tolls paid. The Thompson family owned everything around the current Scouts centre – The Toll Bridge, The Toll House, The River frontage and the Landings Wharf.
The working History of what is now the Scout Centre starts in the Census of 1841 with the birth at Aldwark Bridge of William Inchbold Johnson. In the Census of 1871 he is, at 30 years old, Head of the Family and his Occupation is given as Guano and Seed Merchant, he employs a Housemaid and a cook and has 2 men working as Coal Porters. So he must have also been landing, dealing and distributing coal from what we now call The Mill.
This is confirmed 10 years later in the Census of 1881 were he gives his Occupation as Coal, Seed and Manure Merchant, he still has a house maid and cook but now employs a Groom. He now also has 3 children, a girl and 2 boys all born at Aldwark Bridge. Much the same is recorded in the Census of 1891. But things change in 1898 when William Inchbold Johnson passes away.
His second son, also called William Inchbold Johnson then takes over the family business and in the Census of 1901 at the age of 26 is living with his wife Alma at Aldwark Bridge, and gives his Occupation as Farmer and Manure Merchant.
Things Change dramatically in 1919 when the whole of the Kirby Hall Estate, including Aldwark Mill is sold by the Thompson family, the then First Baron of Knaresborough, Sir Henry Meysey-Thompson. He sells up everything following the death of his only son, Claude Meysey-Thompson at Ypres in 1915, with The Mill being purchased by Yorkshire Farmers Ltd., who in 1920 became West Cumberland Trading Society Ltd.
On the 5th January 1966 the Mill is sold to JD Weatherell. Then exactly 1 year and 1 day later, on 6th January 1967, it is sold to Central Yorkshire Scouts Council and it becomes The Aldwark Water Activity Centre.
Aldwark Water Activity Centre has now been successfully in operation for over 50 years, and with our volunteers supporting us we hope to continue for at least another 50 years!
