With its picturesque setting alongside Fewston reservoir, and famously good cakes, Washburn Heritage Centre is a popular place to visit.

But the centre’s tranquil location belies a harrowing and less well known past that local volunteers have helped to piece together over the last decade.

In 2009 and 2010, before the centre was built alongside St Michael and St Lawrence Church, volunteers worked alongside academics and archaeologist John Buglass to investigate human remains buried in the graveyard.

Child workers were transported from London to the Washburn Valley to work on mills in Blubberhouses in Victorian times. The bodies of many lay unmarked alongside Fewston.

Sally Robinson (left) and fellow volunteer Sarah Stead outside the heritage centre.

Sally Robinson, chair of the management committee at the centre, who led the team of volunteers, said:

“We knew there were remains, but we didn’t know how many.”

The remains of 154 individuals and artefacts were discovered and now form what has become known as the Fewston assemblage.

The assemblage has assumed international significance for archeologists because of the social history it reveals.

Scientists and community volunteers analysing the skeletal remains from Fewston

An academic paper published last month detailed how the investigation led by Durham University pieced together the story of forgotten ‘pauper apprentices’ from Washburn Valley. Many were aged between eight and 20 years when they died.

Analysis showed the children were distinctive from locals because of their stunted growth and malnutrition, as well as evidence of diseases associated with hazardous labour.

Examination of the bones and teeth highlighted many had died from tuberculosis and respiratory disease associated with millwork, or from diseases of deprivation, such as rickets.

Lead author Rebecca Gowland, a professor in the department of archaeology at Durham University, said:

“This is the first bioarchaeological evidence for pauper apprentices in the past and it unequivocally highlights the toll placed on their developing bodies. To see direct evidence, written in the bones, of the hardships these children had faced was very moving.

“It was important to the scientists and the local community that these findings could provide a testimony of their short lives.”

From the excavation site in Fewston where the remains were discovered. Pic: John Buglass Archaeology

The remains were reburied in a ceremony in 2016. Artwork inspired by the analysis and an exhibition are on now on permanent display at Washburn Heritage Centre.

Ms Robinson said:

“It’s easy to forget that the Washburn valley had an industrial past given the beauty of the reservoirs that visitors see today. It was important to us to find out about the children who worked in the mills.

“They were overlooked in life and treated as a commodity — but we hope we have done them some justice by telling their stories and creating a lasting commemoration.”

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The story is sponsored by WhiteTop Productions.

How does a Yorkshire man in this late 50’s, who works in property, set about a career change to become a voiceover artist?

David Waterhouse recently worked for the Stray Ferret Business Awards in Harrogate voicing up videos of all the finalists and winners for the big night. His voice work is a far cry from his day job in property, but he puts his success partly down to a rise in popularity for his ‘soft northern tones’.

In 2016, David fell into the voiceover industry after requesting to record an advert for his property company on a local radio station. After some pushback from the station, they eventually agreed – and lo and behold a star was born.

After falling in love with voiceover work, David trained with RichCraft in Bath.

His big break came when he was hired by Pixel House Media, who worked with a university in the North East, which turned into a series of voiceover jobs thereafter. Following that, David has also done work for the AA, The Virtual College and many more.

He said:

“I did something for an AA product launch during covid.

“Apparently it was one of the most successful launches they’d had to date”.

David previously owned Angus Roberts, an Ilkley-based lettings agent, and is currently the Director of Fresh Approach Management. Property is still his main occupation, but he hopes that one day voiceover work may become a big part of what he does.

It could be as a VO…but then maybe an MC, for events like the Stray Ferret Business Awards!

David has since launched WhiteTop Productions to further his new career venture and showcase his work.

It hasn’t all been bright lights and Hollywood signs, however, as David has faced challenges in the industry. David described it as “so competitive” and explained “covid brought an influx of artists entering the marketplace, and has driven prices to be even more competitive”.

Despite this, David’s love for voiceover remains a constant. He said:

“I’m not doing this to feed my kids.

“I’m doing it because I love it…and apparently ‘soft northern’ is very en vogue at the moment!”.

Speaking about the inaugural Stray Ferret Business Awards,  David said it was an opportunity for him to showcase his talent to hundreds of attendees.

“I really did enjoy the Stray Ferret Awards.

“I was so proud to be associated with it”.

Visit his website to find more information and to listen to David at work.

Oh, and if BBC Sounds needs a continuity announcer, or a northern bloke on The Archers, David is “definitely available!”

Find out more:

David Waterhouse is professional voice over talent for TV & radio ads, online corporate videos, IVR, e-learning, narration and more.

For more information, go to whitetopproductions.co.uk or for a conversation about your project, call David on 07917 807784.