North Duffield History and Conservation Society was formed to research the history of the village and to carry out conservation duties. In the 1980's the Society researched and produced a village history book entitled "Duck's Crossing" a reference to two signs erected in the village to warn motorists of ducks crossing the main road through the village to migrate from the village pond on The Green to a pond on private property. The book proved extremely popular to the extent that a number of reprints were necessary.

Since then many new records have come into our possession and, largely due to the research of the late Frank Underwood, much more information has been discovered. The Society holds monthly meetings in the Village Hall through the winter when speakers either from within the group or from other organisations address the meetings. During the summer organised visits to places of historical interest are arranged. 

In 2006 it was decided that Duck's Crossing had become dated and needed to be brought into the 21st Century using all the new information in our possession. Each member of the group undertook to pull together various sections of the book, funding was obtained and a co-ordinator sought out suitable printers to carry out the production of the book. The new book is at an advanced stage.

Searches at Northallerton Records Office have uncovered aerial photographs, and records are held at The Borthwick Institute and the Library of Hull University. There is still much research to be done that could form the basis of a more detailed follow-up to the current project.

Within the village environs there is the site of Knights Hospitallers Temple of the 11/12thC and the site of North Duffield Castle. The Castle is referred to, as is the village, in the Domesday Book of 1086 when it is thought to have been a wooden Castle. It was destroyed and later became a fortified manor house. This too, was demolished leaving only the moat and underground structures.. Both these sites are on land which are owned by a farmer who is reluctant to allow investigation.  The 'castle' site is presently partly covered by a farm building although some evidence of its former use can still be seen both in visible land features and from stone being unearthed from the site.

The Society has recently been invited by York Archaeological Trust to get involved in a Land Survey investigating why cropmarks appear on sands and gravels, but much less frequently or not at all on silts and clays and alluvium. All three soil types come together in very close proximity to each other AND in relation to cropmarks indicating extended human activities back at least as far as the Iron Age. The Survey will take the form of field-walking, geophysical survey and selected excavation. The first field has been completed and finds await cataloguing. The next field will be walked on Tues 27 and Fri 30^th Oct 10am to 4pm at GR SE 683366 just off the A163 down a track by 100m opp the end of Broadmanor. All volunteers welcome.

The local Primary School children have already been involved with field-walking and finds-washing and a further events will take place in early November, 

Secretary of the Society is Tony Stevens, 29 Ash Close, North Duffield, Selby, North Yorkshire YO8 Tel No 01757 288941 email:  ndchs@talktalk.net 

Chairman, John Ellwood, Park Farm, North Duffield, Selby North Yorkshire. YO8 

THE NEXT MEETING OF THE SOCIETY WILL BE IN NORTH DUFFIELD VILLAGE HALL AT 7.30pm Tues 17^th November when Chris Tuckley will speak either on ‘Jorvik’ or ‘Manuscripts in the York Minster Library’

We have no meetings during the summer..Entry fees £1 to members and £2 to guests which includes refreshments. Annual membership subscriptions are currently £5. New members always made welcome.