Ella Pontefract

Ella Pontefract (1896 – 23 February 1945) was the writer of six books on the social history of the Yorkshire Dales related to disappearing rural traditions.

Pontefract and her partner Marie Hartley developed a rigorous transcription method for recording Yorkshire dialect, and vocabulary including the subtle distinctions between adjacent valleys. They showed great enthusiasm for the skills, crafts and the work in the Dales.

Early days Ella recorded the oral history of places like Dibbles Bridge in Wharfedale. Pontefract was born in the textile valleys of Yorkshire into prosperous families

Quotations "She loved people and was the best listener I have ever met" Joan Ingilby.

Pontefract had "great strength of mind and independence of thought. In the villages she was deeply loved for her infinite kindness and abiding affection for the stone villages." David Brooks, The Yorkshire Post 1945.

Book list + Books by Ella Pontefract and Marie Hartley Title Illustration Binding Pages Date Publisher ISBN Swaledale woodcuts, photos Hardcover 174 1934 J. M. Dent & Sons — " " Paperback 233 1988 Smith Settle Publishing Wensleydale woodcuts, photos Hardcover 244 1936 J. M. Dent & Sons — " " Hardcover 75 1988 Littlehampton Book Servs " " Paperback 229 1989 Smith Settle Publishing The Charm of Yorkshire Churches pen and ink Hardcover 199 1937 Yorkshire Weekly Post — Wharfedale woodcuts, photos Hardcover 229 1938 J. M. Dent & Sons — " " Paperback 229 1988 Smith Settle Publishing " " Paperback 229 1992 Dalesman Publishing Yorkshire Tour pen ink, photos Hardcover 336 1939 J. M. Dent & Sons " " Paperback 336 2002 Dalesman Publishing Yorkshire Cottage pen and ink Hardcover 158 1947 J. M. Dent & Sons — " " Hardcover 176 1978 Littlehampton Book Servs " " Paperback 176 1984 Dalesman Publishing

Collecting Ella wrote of Alice, a 'wild' 4-year-old child living here at Crackpot Hall overlooking Swaledale. When war broke out they still lived with their parents and served at the Ambulance Depot in Wetherby. But in 1941, when a sister took over nursing their mother, Pontefract and Marie moved into the 17th-century cottage they had been having restored up in Wensleydale at Askrigg. When they travelled collecting stories they also recorded in detail every item they collected on their visits to markets, auctions and house sales, describing the exact context of their use. These items of personal, domestic and working life in the Dales were used by Marie for her woodcuts and drawings. When others heard of this they donated more.

In 1941 "Mr Horne's Museum" was put up for auction. This museum in Leyburn had been in existence for over a hundred years. Their collection was a substantial basis for the Dales Countryside Museum at Hawes, Wensleydale.

Death and legacy "Ella Pontefract struggled long with ill health. Though in those later years very frail she was no trembler." David Brooks, The Yorkshire Post, 1945. After a year of illness she died 23 February 1945. After some time Marie Hartley wrote "Yorkshire Heritage"