THE NORTH RIDING PROJECT

Baxter lived for more than forty years at Woodlands Farm, Thorgill, Rosedale.  He was a member of a West Riding family, and for several years after he arrived in the district he took a normal part in local life.  But gradually he withdrew from almost all social contact.  From 1934 until his death in 1959 his seclusion was virtually complete.  Although he would exchange a few words with neighbours as he walked round his fields, he rarely left his farm and did his best to avoid its few callers.  A local woman, Mrs Mabel Blacklock, left his groceries and mail on the doorstep and collected any letters for posting.  Baxter even boarded up his windows.

Mead/Inside