South Yorkshire  Times, July 16, 1949

Round Your Way – Hickleton

Hickleton village must be one of the prettiest spots in South Yorkshire to search for a bouquet of wild flowers. It was just before noon. The village cross lay hidden in leaf shade and a handful of children were coming back from the fields to their little school, their arms laden with moon pennies and rose bay willow herb. The little stone school lies back from the road, fringed by lawns and borders of fern, roses, lupins and pinks. There is a little blue plate over the door; the Yorkshire Penny Bank is open every Monday evening from 6 to 6-30. It must be the only bank in Yorkshire with a garden path of roses.

There are only thirty-four on roll at the church school, little ones, and children approaching scholarship age. There were none old enough for the County Minor examination this year, but I was shown a very proud possession — a green book, kept on the wall in a glass case, bearing the names in roll of honour of all the children who, since 1922, have won County Minor scholarships from Hickleton Church School. Most recent entry was in 1948.

The children were busy with their armfuls of flowers. The happy little classroom had a scent of outdoors in early summer.

Hickleton is one of those little villages Of South Yorkshire which the world sees as another stage in a journey—another crossroads marked by the old church of St. Wilfrid and the lovely parkland of Hickleton Hall, once home of Lord Halifax, now a boarding school. The Earl’s new home in Hickleton is only a stone’s throw from the church school, and from the Hall—a house by the wayside. Close by is the institute, which the Earl opened.

THE world sees Hickleton constantly because it lies on the main route to Doncaster. I was surprised, and at once interested, to see that Hickleton had moved ahead of many of its larger neighbours in providing bus shelters–two within thirty yards of each other, for passengers to and from Doncaster. The world sees Hickleton as it passes through; tiny cottages, a cluster of trees round the village cross, farms, leaf greenery overhanging the walls pleasant casements and a delightful church. I am sure that on a gracious day it must heed the charm that rests in this little village.