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On Ilkla Moor Baht’at
On Ilkla Moor Baht’at is one of the most well recognised anthems of all time – only surpassed by Auld Lang Syne.
It was probably first sung in the 1860’s by a chapel choir enjoying the fresh air and open spaces of Ilkley Moor. They want to know where you’ve been without a hat. Courting Mary Jane maybe, but no hat can lead to illness, death and a meal for the worms!
The song is set to a hymn tune composed by a choirmaster from Kent by the name of Thomas Clark. The tune is known as “Cranbrook” and was first published in a popular Methodist tune book of the day.
Today we are pleased to identify this patch of Yorkshire with the famous song. May fresh air and open space continue to be an inspiration for our visitors.
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Heritage
The earliest historic remains to feature in Baht 'at Country is the nationally important and internationally renowned group of stones known as carved rocks. These bear various markings that were made during the Neolithic and Bronze Ages, 3,500 - 1000 BC, and can still be seen in their original setting within the open moorland of Rombalds Moor. What the carvings represent remain unknown, but many have been named and one of the most famous is the Swastika Stone found near Hebers Ghyll, which is a popular beauty spot in itself and well worth a visit.
In 79 AD the Romans conquered northern England and the great Celtic tribe known as the Brigantes. As a way of maintaining their control over the Brigantes and the surrounding area the Romans built one of their forts at Ilkley, then known as Olicana. This formed part of a network of military control that lasted for as long as the Roman occupation of Britain until the late 4th century A.D. Little of the fort now survives but part of the western defensive wall can still be seen behind the Manor House Museum which also houses some the artefacts excavated from the fort and surrounding settlement.
Although eventually abandoned by the Romans, the site of the fort was still important to the local population and became the focus of medieval Ilkley.
Victorians and others
It was the popularity of spa treatments that really put Ilkley on the map in the 19th century, and hydropathy in particular. Hydropathy being a treatment of cold water.
Ilkley Spaw (as named by Yorkshire Folk),one of many wells and springs found throughout Baht ‘at Country, developed into the now famous White Wells. Its popularity was by driven the fad for spa treatments, which also drove the demand for Hotel accommodation. Spa Hotels sprang up to cater for the demand and Ilkley thrived.
By the mid 19th century Ilkley was firmly on the map as a spa destination, but was deemed slightly inaccessible. Access was only by coach and horses. The development of a railway through Wharfedale to Skipton was proposed and approved by Royal assent. The first passenger train from Leeds to Ilkley ran in 1865. The line was subsequently extended to Skipton with the first train running in 1888.
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