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THE RANCH
Northolme Estate; known locally as The Ranch; is situated in a rural situation on the outskirts of Earby;
a small town on the Lancashire/Yorkshire border. It got its name from the shape of its community centre
which looked like a ranch house.
The Ranch was one of many built during the war years to alleviate the housing shortage. The original houses
were pre-fabricated and made of asbestos.
The houses were very spacious, comprising of a large kitchen; with a black range; a living room, three bedrooms,
a bathroom and; weren't we posh; an inside toilet. All the houses had large gardens which were mainly used for growing vegetables. One neighbour even had a hen hut.
The estate was split in two by a main road which led to there being two separate communities "us" and
We tended to stay on our own side of the Estate and I do not have many recollections of the t'utherside or the
people that lived there. This site is aimed mainly at the people who lived on the Kenilworth Drive side of the Estate 1940's to 1960's, but any input from others will be welcome.
These were the days during and just after the War when everything was in short supply and so everyone helped
each other, to go next door to borrow a cup of sugar was a very commonplace event.
There was a great sense of community spirit and everyone joined in, whether it be a street party to celebrate the
Coronation or a picnic in the fields.
Everyone who grew up in this period has very fond memories of the Ranch and would like to share them.
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