Eliza Gutch
The
Mill's last private owner was Eliza Gutch of Holgate Lodge. This grand
mansion was located in the vee of the junction, between Acomb Road and
Poppleton Road. Eliza owned all the surrounding triangle of land, between
these two roads, plus the present day Grantham Drive. This included Holgate
Windmill and its successive tenant millers.
Eliza arranged that after her death, Holgate Lodge would be demolished, and her land sold to York Corporation for residential development. She was also an early conservationist and helped to plan the new estate of houses. Notice the long avenue of trees alongside Poppleton Road. Eliza had these planted, to shield the new houses from the extensive railway carriage works sidings.
Eliza also had roundabouts built to protect two large trees, which alas have not survived to present times. One of the roundabouts is located at the foot of Windmill Rise's junction with Poppleton Road and the other halfway along St. Swithin's Walk. A new tree was planted in the latter roundabout, a few years ago. She also had the roundabout constructed at the base of Holgate Windmill, and tried to ensure that the Mill's new owners, York Corporation, would keep the surrounding area free of new housing. This would have enabled the Mill to form the centrepiece of a small park. Alas, this was not to be. By the mid 1950's houses were built close to the Mill, which by then had fallen into disuse and was being denuded of its sails.
Eliza's family connections are recorded in several local street names. She was born on St. Swithins Day and originally lived at Manthorpe Lodge, Lincolnshire. Her husband who predeceased her by many years, originated from Seagrave, Leicestershire Two ancestors complete the picture. Clement Gutch was christened at Tisbury, Witshire in 1563, as was John Gutch in 1640 at Chelwood, Somerset
.Eliza's final decree was that no new roads should be built on the site of her demolished home. Instead, a snicket crosses the site, joining the two cul de sacs of Holgate Lodge Drive and Tisbury Road.
We have a couple of articles on Eliza Gutch of unknown origin. The first is written by local historian Geoff Hodgson (now deceased), and the second gives no indication of it's author or publisher at all. If you are aware of the origin of either of these articles we would be grateful if you would let us know so we can credit them accordingly.
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