THE DIARY OF WILLIAM SELLERS

Jan 9^th. The weather is still unsettled. Very heavy rains nearly every day.
Sheepfolds are in a bad state.A nice milk cow sold at Bridlington on Monday last for 65 pounds.
17^th. Saw a red admiral butterfly in the house today.
21^st. 24 hours rain. The flag at the Coast-guard station is flying at half mast owing to the death of the King’s youngest son, Prince John who died on the 18^th.Feb 7^th. Weather dry & frosty, Wold hills white over with snow
15^th. Too hard to plough all this week.
17^th. Mr Brigham left Speeton today. He has taken a place at Wetwang.
Wind east, very cold.
19^th. Started second ploughing.
23^rd. Mild day. Saw a few scouts on the cliff
25^th. Mr Swaby left today for Wetwang. There are now seven empty houses in the village. Two stacks of straw in a field on Buckton lane were found to be on fire this morning. The coastguard saw the fire at half past three and roused a few people but nothing could be done and the stacks were allowed to burn out.
15^th. Weather very bad. Very heavy rains this week.
Mr Hinds has taken Mr Brigham’s place as shepherd at Butterworth’s
17^th. Speeton volunteers handed in all equipment tonight.
Weather much better, dry & cold. Saw a corn drill at work.
22^nd. 11 p.m. A fire is burning. It is either Mr Burdass’s strawstack above the station or Mr Watson’s at Road Top.The Wold hills were white over with snow this morning.The stack fire was Mr Watson’s stack.
There has been a large number of changes this Lady day in the district. Nearly every village has had one or more farm sales. All the big farmers are leaving Speeton. Mr Burdass has sold out and is retiring to Scarboro. Mr Wheldon is moving to Howe farm at Hunmanby. Mr Butterworth has bought two farms at Brigham and is going there to live but is keeping Speeton on.