As Poor as a Church Mouse

The Mouseman of Kilburn, North Yorkshire, someone I first heard about when I walked the Dales Way many moons ago. In the church at Hubberholme in Upper Wharfedale I saw my first carved church mouse. 

It was the trademark of Robert Thompson a Kilburn born carpenter who trained himself in the use of medieval tools to recreate 17th century oak furniture. In early days of being a carpenter he felt he was as poor as a church mouse so he started to carve a mouse into the furniture he was working on. 

He only used English Oak and sourced them from managed estates and planted 3 for every one that were felled, a practice still done today. All timber is left to season outside for a minimum of 5 years. 

His workshop continues today run by his descendants and the mouse can be found in homes, churches and even in Abbys across the land.

Needless to say this was one of our 'visit a new tearoom' trips. The drinks even came with a shortbread mouse. See extra. 

Kilburn is also known for the White Horse cut into the Hambleton Hills next to Sutton Bank. Unlike chalk cut hill sculptures this one is in limestone which needs a little help to be a true white. The White Horse of Kilburn was created back in 1857.

I have added a number of images from the workshop and museum in my Flickr page.