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KING OF THE ROADS
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Message 1.Β
Posted by Grasshopper (U3605803) on Saturday, 16th February 2008
How many readers on here have heard of this remarkable man?
John Metcalf was born in a humble cottage to working-class parents in Knaresborough on 15th August 1717.
He was a bright lad & when aged four, his parents sent him to school. 2 years later, however, tragedy struck when he fell victim to smallpox. He wasn't left scarred, but the cruel disease destroyed his eyesight - leaving him totally blind.
However - he proved very adaptable and was soon getting into mischief with his friends, developing an uncanny ability to judge distances.
He learnt his way around Knaresborough so well that he was often asked to guide visitors. He learnt to ride, was fond of a chase & loved going hunting. He also learnt to swim well.
As he reached his teens he was taught the fiddle, and was soon in big demand as a musician. At one inn he played in, he fell in love with one of the landlord's daughters. He was now a grown man - 6 feet 2 & powerfully built.
He became tangled up with an older woman who tried to force him to marry her - but he gave her the slip & went to London for the winter - earning his keep with his fiddle-playing. In the Spring he walked - yes, WALKED, all the way home (200+ miles in 6 days) to find his intended was being pushed by her mother into marrying a cobbler. Jack & his girlfriend eloped the night before the planned wedding & got married next morning a few miles away. Their runaway union soon produced 4 children.
Now a husband & father, Jack embarked on various projects in order to earn his living. He fiddled, dealt in various goods, & went to the coast for fish - crossing the moors even in the roughest weather.
In 1745 he assisted one Captain Thornton to raise a company of men to fight the Jacobites. He was present at Falkirk and Culloden.
Back in civillian mode, he dealt in various goods (including contraband), started up a horse-drawn 'bus' service between Knaresborough & York, and continued to play his fiddle.
The Turnpike Act led to the career that was to make Jack famous - road-building. One contract led to another, and he soon aquired a reputation for delivering finished work on time and within budget. It was he who devised the cambered road - & it was he who came up with a way to cross boggy ground. He had his men lay a thick 'mattress' made of heather & ling & built the road on top. He also built bridges.
He eventually laid some 180 miles of sound roads, along with numerous bridges & the odd building. He retired from road-building aged 75 and went to live on a farm in Spofforth (a tiny village between Harrogate & Wetherby), where he dealt in wood & hay.
As he approached 80 he walked to York & dictated the story of his life to a publisher.
He died at Spofforth in 1810 aged 92 & his grave can be seen in a local churchyard.
There's a fine figure of him in Knaresborough's Court House Museum, along with the 'viameter' he used when building roads, and one of his walking-staffs.
Local historian Arnold Kellett has written a biography of him & it's due to be published soon.
KOTR -
Message 2
Posted by Caro (U1691443) on Saturday, 16th February 2008
There's some wonderful biographical stories out there of fantastic people. I used to receive a daily email from the Oxford Dictionary of Biography or something, but it involved too much reading really and I still have hundreds there to catch up on.
One of NZ's well-known people was publisher, gum-digger, religious entrepreneur A. H. Reed who came to NZ from England in the late 19th century. At the age of 85 he walked the length of NZ (roughly the length of Britain), and at a late age walked from Syndey to Melbourne, as well as many other walks. He died aged 99.
Some recently told me on another board of a Danish mariner who arrived in NZ in the 1820s and was witness at a Maori feast where their defeated opponents formed part of the meal. He was fascinated (and horrified) and came back and lived with this tribe, marrying three different Maori women during his life, one of whom was killed during the New Zealand wars. Bayoneted by British soldiers when they attacked her pa (fortified settlement). The descendants of Mr Tapsell are still well-known in NZ political life and are known as Maori.
Cheers, Caro. -
Message 3
Posted by Jak (U1158529) on Sunday, 17th February 2008
How many readers on here have heard of this remarkable man?Β
Since you ask, Grasshopper, we were taught about Blind Jack of Knaresborough at school at about age 14. He was in the same chapter of our books as Turnip Townsend, Jethro Tull, John Loudon Macadam, William Murdock, Thomas Telford, Sam Crompton, James Brindley, Richard Trevithick and other useful people.
But that was a long time ago, and I don't suppose he or any of them are in the schoolbooks now. All they seem to learn about now is Hitler and the Nazis. -
Message 4
Posted by Grasshopper (U3605803) on Sunday, 17th February 2008
I have a couple of books about him, plus numerous articles from other books and a novel.
I think he should be more widely known. Someone who suceeded despite a major disability, and at a time when there was little help for disabled people, is deserving of admiration.
I admire him tremendously & the Knaresborough locals are raising a fund to put a statue of him in the market square.
KOTR -
Message 5
Posted by Grasshopper (U3605803) on Wednesday, 11th June 2008
There's a brand new book about him which is to be published next Thursday.
It's by Arnold Kellett.
KOTR -
Message 6
Posted by Grasshopper (U3605803) on Thursday, 26th June 2008
STOP PRESS:
For anyone who's interested in getting a copy of the book, publication has been delayed until further notice owing to author illness.
KOTR -
Message 7
Posted by Grasshopper (U3605803) on Friday, 18th July 2008
LATEST UPDATE:
Book will be launched at 11.30 on 1 August.
David Blunkett will be signing copies over the lunch hour - as will author Arnold Kellett (health permitting).
And they've just installed the seat on which the statue will be sitting. The statue will prob. be installed next April.
But IMHO he should be standing - he never was one for sitting around!
KOTR -
Message 8
Posted by Lyra (U2293272) on Friday, 18th July 2008
If you go to school in Yorkshire you learn about Blind Jack of Knaresborough. My daughter did a school project about him in Year 6, where the pupils researched his life and went to Knaresborough to learn more.
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Message 9
Posted by Grasshopper (U3605803) on Friday, 18th July 2008
I don't remember learning about him at school - but he had an amazing life, didn't he?
Can't wait to get the book. Will have to go at the weekend tho - I'm working on the Friday 
This will be the first time I've bought a brand new book about him, as opposed to a reprint or an old book that's out of print.
I visit Knaresborough often.
If you ever go between Easter & the end of September, visit the courthouse museum. They have a model of Jack & a fine painting of him.
KOTR -
Message 10
Posted by Grasshopper (U3605803) on Friday, 1st August 2008
Bumping for Boo!
KOTR -
Message 11
Posted by BooCooTwo (U6036289) on Friday, 1st August 2008
Wow, what a man GH and an amazing story!
I had heard his name but not the story so thanks for bringing it to my attention.
Enjoy the book! -
Message 12
Posted by vera1950 (U9920163) on Saturday, 2nd August 2008
I think I've heard the name but definetly not the story.
What a great story that is and I will definetly get the book.
I 've been to Knaresborough several times but it seems to concentrate on mother Shipton.
It would be great if school children were given such stories as I am sure it would stimulate interest in history. -
Message 13
Posted by Grasshopper (U3605803) on Saturday, 2nd August 2008
The book is out now & can be bought from either the bookshop on High Street (opp Woolworths), or the Courthouse Museum. It's priced at Β£9.99.
The statue of him is coming along nicely. The lady who's making him has almost finished a life-sized clay sculpture of him. 2 blokes from Shropshire will then come & make a mould of the model, then this, along with the bench the statue will be sitting on, will be taken to a foundry & the statue cast in bronze & attached to the bench.
The whole thing will then be returned to Knaresborough & set on a paved base.
He is to have a place of honour in the Market Square. The locals have almost raised the full cost of the statue (the Lottery refused to help, of course
)
The statue will officially debut next April, the 199th anniversary of his death - but at the rate things are going, he could be in place by Xmas.
KOTR -
Message 14
Posted by Grasshopper (U3605803) on Saturday, 2nd August 2008
BTW - book is V.good & def. worth a read!
Almost cried when I got it, as I was so happy
KOTR -
Message 15
Posted by cheezy_jingles (U6315084) on Saturday, 2nd August 2008
I will look out for that next time I'm up in that area
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Message 16
Posted by Grasshopper (U3605803) on Sunday, 3rd August 2008
Cheezy - it can also be ordered from Amazon or any good booshop chain.
KOTR -
Message 17
Posted by Grasshopper (U3605803) on Friday, 22nd August 2008
BOOK REVIEW
'Blind Jack Of Knaresborough' by Arnold Kellett, with a forward by David Blunkett MP
PRICE Β£9.99
This is an incredible story. For the first time, a fully-detailed and extensively-researched biography of one of British history's 'originals' has been published. Dr. Kellett reveals the fascinating life of his subject, from losing his sight at the age of six, to his death some 86 years later - and beyond.
John Metcalf led a very colourful & active life - as a guide, musician (he played the fiddle & the oboe), gambler, horseman, hunter, a dealer & trader in various commodities, a prodidgous traveller (on foot as well as on horseback), a military musician at the time of the '45 rebellion, a horse-drawn 'bus' driver, a smuggler, a waggoner, and, to cap everything else, a pioneer road & bridge builder, pre-dating men like Telford, Macadam & Brunel.
Kellett paints a vivid picture of a man who refused to be beaten by anything. We witness his youthful pranks with his boyhood friends, his marathon walk from London to Yorkshire, his runaway marriage with a landlord's daughter, and many other incidents.
A phenomenally talented man, a self-taught genius & a witty bon-viveur who could hold his own among any company, be they drinking-mates or lords & ladies. He enjoyed life to the full & never showed any bitterness over his lost sight.
Dr. Kellett deeply admires Jack, as do modern-day Knaresborians.
A man worthy of comemmoration & long overdue for national recognition.
KOTR -
Message 18
Posted by Grasshopper (U3605803) on Saturday, 13th September 2008
LATEST UPDATE:
A rubber mould has now been made of the model. This has been taken to Powys in Wales (not Shropshire as prev. stated).
The casting of the actual statue will involve several processes & will take some time.
If all goes well, the statue could be installed in early December.
KOTR -
Message 19
Posted by Grasshopper (U3605803) on Friday, 3rd October 2008
A guide, musician (he played the fiddle & the oboe), gambler, horseman, hunter, a dealer & trader in various commodities, a prodidgous traveller (on foot as well as on horseback), a military musician at the time of the '45 rebellion, a horse-drawn 'bus' driver, a smuggler, a waggoner, and, to cap everything else, a pioneer road & bridge builder.
A phenomenally talented man, a self-taught genius & a witty bon-viveur who could hold his own among any company, be they drinking-mates or lords & ladies. He enjoyed life to the full & never showed any bitterness over his lost sight.
Top THAT Isambard!
KOTR -
Message 20
Posted by Grasshopper (U3605803) on Thursday, 13th November 2008
Bumping!
KOTR -
Message 21
Posted by Grasshopper (U3605803) on Friday, 16th January 2009
UPDATE:
The statue is to be unveiled on Sunday February 22nd at noon.
He is to have a place of honour in the Market Square, opposite the pub that bears his nickname.
KOTR -
Message 22
Posted by Grasshopper (U3605803) on Tuesday, 17th February 2009
UPDATE:
The finished statue will be delivered to Knaresborough Market Place & installed on THURSDAY 19 February in preparation for the unveiling ceremony which will take place on SUNDAY 22nd February.
Unfortunately I won't be able to make it on Sunday but I will be going to see him (along with my camera!) the following Saturday.
KOTR -
Message 23
Posted by Grasshopper (U3605803) on Friday, 20th February 2009
UPDATE:
The statue has been delivered and was put into place yesterday.
He arrived from the foundry wrapped in plastic, which will stay on until he is unveiled on Sunday.
He was hoisted off the lorry & gently lowered into place onto a specially-laid section of paving.
The sculptress who designed him had a look at his face.
He was said to look 'calm' amid all the fuss around him.
KOTR -
Message 24
Posted by Grasshopper (U3605803) on Sunday, 22nd February 2009
UPDATE:
The plastic was removed this morning & the statue covered with a green cloth.
At noon, the mayor delivered her speech before pulling off the cover.
He looks really good & I'm looking forward to seeing him myself on Saturday.
KOTR -
Message 25
Posted by Grasshopper (U3605803) on Saturday, 28th February 2009
HELLO!!!!!!!!!!
Went to Knaresborough today to have a look at the statue & take photos.
He is sitting on a specially-donated bench near the Market Cross. One hand is holding the wheel of his viameter & the other arm is leaning on the back of the bench. He is in 'workman' mode - dressed for outdoors with a hat & coat & knee-length boots.
There is braille on the back of his his hat saying who he is and what he's famous for. Similar information can be found on the edge of the paving around him.
He's already proving a hit with visitors and locals alike. Many people are coming to take photos of him, say hello & sit next to him. There have been ladies cuddling him & touching his knee, (he's well-built & good-looking) & somebody has been seen feeding him chips!
He is very finely detailed & when you sit next to him you realise how big he is (he was 6ft 2 in life).
I'm sure he will help boost visitor numbers,and the more people see him, the sooner he may get the national recognition he richly deserves.
KOTR -
Message 26
Posted by Grasshopper (U3605803) on Friday, 3rd April 2009
Ummmm - Andrew? Are you about?
Can we post links to photos on here?
I've got some good ones connected with the gentleman this thread is about, & I would love to post some
KOTR -
Message 27
Posted by Andrew Host (U1683626) on Friday, 3rd April 2009
Hi GH,
Provided the content does not break the House Rules links are fine.
Cheers
Andrew -
Message 28
Posted by Grasshopper (U3605803) on Friday, 19th June 2009
Will be posting some pics soon.
Watch this space
KOTR -
Message 29
Posted by Grasshopper (U3605803) on Thursday, 10th September 2009
And here they are!
In the market square
The sculptress at work on the model for the statue
They even have a pub named after him.
Based on the best known picture of him
A plaque placed near the site of the house where he was born
The figure is over 30 years old - the viameter well over 200.
Looks very 'coversational', doesn't he?
The one and only true king of the roads!
KOTR -
Message 30
Posted by Grasshopper (U3605803) on Friday, 11th September 2009
Andrew - you about???????
I've got pics - wanna see 'em?
TP - you wanna look too?
KOTR -
Message 31
Posted by TwinProbe (U4077936) on Friday, 11th September 2009
Hi Grasshopper,
I'd love to see pics. How can it be arranged; I'm not very computer literate!
TP -
Message 32
Posted by TwinProbe (U4077936) on Friday, 11th September 2009
GF,
I've seen them! How do you do that?
Regards,
TP -
Message 33
Posted by Grasshopper (U3605803) on Friday, 11th September 2009
I got myself registered with photobucket. W've got a scanner, so I was able to upload some photos & get them onto photobucket.
Managed it all yesterday
KOTR -
Message 34
Posted by Grasshopper (U3605803) on Wednesday, 7th October 2009
A good thing there wasn't an elf 'n'safety brigade around in the 18th Century!
Peawit -
Message 35
Posted by Grasshopper (U3605803) on Friday, 9th October 2009
THIS JUST IN:
Before he sadly died earlier this year, the late Dr. Arnold Kellett, author of the latest biography about Jack, as well as many other works, wrote a poem in his honour. This has now been printed as a postcard with a b/w photo of the statue on the front.
The postcard is priced at Β£2.99 & can be obtained from the Knaresborough Bookshop.
All proceeds are to go to Henshaws, a local arts project for visually - impaired people.
I will, of course, be making every effort to get one myself
KOTR -
Message 36
Posted by Grasshopper (U3605803) on Monday, 7th December 2009
UPDATE:
I got a copy of the poem on Saturday. The pic on the front is in colour, not B/W. The poem is good, & over 21 short verses, paint's a brief sketch of Jack's long & busy life.
It is available from either The Knaresborough Bookshop on High Street, Castlegate Books on Castlegate, or the Tourist Information, which is in a small arcade just off the Market Square.
All proceeds go to Henshaws Society For The Blind.
KOTR -
Message 37
Posted by Grasshopper (U3605803) on Monday, 7th December 2009
Umm Andrew? If you spot this tomorrow, could you answer a little question?
Will I be able to quote the poem in full on here? Or is that not allowed for copyright reasons?
Cheers!
KOTR -
Message 38
Posted by Andrew Host (U1683626) on Tuesday, 8th December 2009
Hi Cricket,
I'm no expert but I doubt the whole work would be admissable under the usual copyright laws - a short section for illustrative purposes would probably be ok.
Cheers
Andrew -
Message 39
Posted by Grasshopper (U3605803) on Tuesday, 8th December 2009
Righto!
KOTR -
Message 40
Posted by Grasshopper (U3605803) on Saturday, 16th January 2010
Have just seen this on another site.
The statue sitting in the snow.
Poor bloke looks as if someone's squirted him with a fire hose
They should let him in the pub for a warm
KOTR -
Message 41
Posted by Grasshopper (U3605803) on Saturday, 27th February 2010
Found this on the Knaresborough Post website.
It appears he's becoming very popular!
KOTR
06/05/09 IWNF -
Message 42
Posted by baz (U14258304) on Monday, 1st March 2010
At school we used to get radio broadcasts on history, and I remember one about a blind fiddler taking people to Newark. They also used to broadcast a programme called Music And Movement to us, when we were a bit younger.
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Message 43
Posted by TwinProbe (U4077936) on Monday, 16th August 2010
Hi Grasshopper,
Are you still around?
I've been doing some work on the colliery and brick works associated with Shibden Hall, Halifax. This interesting old house was made famous by its association with Miss Anne Lister in the early 19th century.
An earlier Lister in the mid-18th century had a new road to the property constructed. According to the Shibden Hall guidebook the engineer was a certain Blind Jack of Knaresborough. He did get about!
Regards,
TP -
Message 44
Posted by mismatched (U14242423) on Monday, 16th August 2010
Grasshopper is often around in the evening and posts on the food board. I will remind her to check here.
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Message 45
Posted by Grasshopper (U3605803) on Monday, 16th August 2010
Ello!
Yes, he did work on the road which goes past Shibden Hall.
In fact, he worked in about 4 or 5 different counties - often in v. difficult country.
Brunel built Britain? BAH! He didn't tame the North of England - Jack did that!
KOTR
06/05/09 IWNF -
Message 46
Posted by Grasshopper (U3605803) on Friday, 29th October 2010
Have just found this on another site:
KOTR -
Message 47
Posted by NormanRHood (U14656514) on Sunday, 22nd May 2011
if true an amazing man
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Message 48
Posted by raundsgirl (U2992430) on Sunday, 22nd May 2011
It is, and he was. -
Message 49
Posted by Grasshopper (U3605803) on Thursday, 2nd June 2011
Give that I last posted on thos thread back in October, I'm surprised you two managed to find it amongst all the others
It's truly an amazing story!
Hope to post again soon!
TTFN!
KOTR -
Message 50
Posted by Grasshopper (U3605803) on Thursday, 2nd June 2011
It should have been THIS!
BTW I've posted links to several photos on earlier posts - check them out
KOTR
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