How Haxby’s Ethel Ward Playing Fields got their name

ETHEL Ward Playing Fields have been a talking point of late after locals were left with a massive clean up following a short stay by a group of Travellers.

The fields have been a popular attraction for generations of local people people in Haxby, featuring play equipment and sports grounds and facilities.

They are currently held in trust and managed by Haxby Town Council.

This weekend will see the playing fields host the annual Haxby Carnival, which will take place on Saturday.

But when did the playing fields actually open – and why are they named in honour of Ethel Ward?

Ethel Ward Playing Field, Haxby. Image: Google Maps

A dip into The Press archive reveals the story.

Ethel Ward was the late wife of Kenneth Ward, former resident of the now-demolished Haxby Hall.

Haxby Hall was a grand Grade-II listed house on York Road, dating from 1790 which sat in 22 acres (89,000 m2) of land. It was used to house evacuees from Hull during the Second World War.

A postcard dating from the 1910s shows its grandeur.

Postcard showing Haxby Hall, probably taken around 1910, demolished in 1960 and replaced by the Haxby Hall Residential Home in 1965

Following Ethel’s death in 1944, Kenneth donated a large proportion of the house’s grounds to the town, on the proviso the new playing fields would be forever named in her memory.

The playing fields opened and hosted their first cricket match – between Haxby and Wigginton and local rivals New Earswick – on May 8,1948, and The Press has an account of it, and photos.

The actual match ended in a draw – but what it may have lacked in excitement, made up for in sheer importance.

It marked the beginning of an enduring memorial to Kenneth’s wife.

The ‘new’ pavilion at the Ethel Ward playing field, opened on August 27, 1964

When Kenneth gifted the land his one stipulation was that the playing field be “for ever hereafter… known and designated as the Ethel Ward Playing Fields”.

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On that May day, the new playing fields were officially opened by former Yorkshire and England cricketer Maurice Leyland, who said most great cricketers began their careers on a village ground.

“I started my cricket in a back street and the dustbin lid was knocked off many a time,” he said.

“Through the generosity of Mr Ward you have got some beautiful grounds and a good start.

“There is no reason why, at some future date, Haxby or Wigginton should not produce a cricketer for England.”

Maurice Leyland bowling the first ball of the inaugural cricket match at the Ethel Ward playing fields between Haxby and Wigginton Cricket Club and New Earswick Cricket Club on May 8, 1948. Photo: Haxby and Wigginton History Group

Mr Leyland then went on to bowl the opening over of that inaugural cricket match.

New Earswick romped to a total of 141 all out, with opening bat H Freer scoring 33. In reply, Haxby and Wigginton scored 87 for 8 before the match was declared drawn.

As for Haxby Hall itself, it was demolished in 1960, and replaced in 1965 by the 52 bed Haxby Hall Residential Care Home, with an ambulance station next door.

Mrs M Butterfield receives the title deeds for teh Ethel Ward Playing Fields. Also on the front of the platform at the official opening ceremony were (l-r): Sir William Worsley; Mr Maurice Leyland; Alderman RS Butterfield and Mr Kenneth Ward

On its website, Haxby Town Council, outlines its responsibility for the Ethel Ward Playing Fields, and the current facilities on offer.

It posts: “Ethel Ward Playing Field is held in trust by Haxby Town Council, and is administered by the playing field committee which consists of two town councillors and representatives of each user club.

“There are two football pitches, two netball courts, a multigames wall and a children’s play area. The sports pavilion incorporates changing facilities, and also houses a nursery school.

“The council employs groundsmen, who maintain the pitches, play area, and pavilion on a day to day basis.”

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