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Harold Styan
O.B.E.
Formal portrait of an elderly, clean-shaven man with receding white hair, and spectacles
Harold Styan, c.1972
Born(1895-03-04)4 March 1895
Harrogate, West Riding of Yorkshire, England
Died30 October 1982(1982-10-30) (aged 87)
Harrogate, North Yorkshire
Occupations
Years active1908–1982
Known forServices to youth
Notable workFounded Harrogate Boys' Club

Harold Styan (4 March 1895 – 30 October 1982) was an English gymnast and physical culturist in the music halls in his youth, a P.T. instructor and drill sergeant in the First World War, and a sports teacher and youth worker in Harrogate, Yorkshire, England, for the rest of his life.

He is remembered for running Harrogate Boys' Club and for his work as sports teacher at various Harrogate schools, including Clifton House School. He was awarded the Order of the British Empire in 1972 for his services to youth, and a charity and youth club were named after him.

Background

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Styan was born into a Harrogate family which had moved south from the North Riding of Yorkshire. His grandfather was Francis Styan, a butcher,[nb 1][1] and his paternal grandmother was Mary Styan née Green.[nb 2] Harold Styan was the tenth child of Harrogate plumber and housepainter Alfred Styan.[nb 3] His mother was Elizabeth née Ward, daughter of gardener John Ward.[nb 4][2][3] Alfred and Elizabeth married in 1878 at St Peter's Church, Harrogate.[1]

Styan was born at 51 Nydd Vale Terrace, Harrogate, a terraced house facing the Harrogate railway line.[nb 5] and baptised at Christ Church, High Harrogate.[4] In 1921, Styan was as yet unmarried and living with his widowed mother and his brother Harry at 9 Providence Terrace, Harrogate, and working on his own account at various addresses.[5] In 1923, he married May Waggott in Knaresborough.[nb 6] They had one daughter, Diana Joan.[nb 7][6] Styan died on 26 February 1982 at 63 West End Avenue, Harrogate, where he had lived for much of his life.[6][7]

  • 51 Nydd Vale Terrace, Styan's birthplace
    51 Nydd Vale Terrace, Styan's birthplace
  • 63 West End Avenue, Styan's home for some decades
    63 West End Avenue, Styan's home for some decades

Early career

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At age 13 Styan started his athletic training, being employed as a page boy at Harrogate's Grand Opera House at the same time,[8][9] and making his stage debut as a gymnast at 16. He toured music halls, first in Harrogate then country-wide, including London, with Mademoiselle La Dores' troupe.[8]

First World War

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Styan in c.1915

Styan was a physical training instructor during the First World War.[10][11] Enlisting in 1914 in the 1st West Yorks, his physical skills earned him promotion, and he was trained at Aldershot in Swedish gymnastics. Thus by the age of 20 he was an army PT instructor and drill sergeant, training one battalion after another. "He ... received a testimonial from Captain Milnes of the RAMC for his treatment and massaging of the wounded".[8]

Training, teaching, coaching and youth work

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In 1921 Styan was running a school of gymnastics in the Harrogate area,[12] including classes for men and women at the Belvedere YMCA.[13] "In 1921 the Main Ring attraction [at the Ripley Show] was a display by Harold Styan’s School of Gymnastics".[14] In 1926 he was presented with "a memento of his work in training the Claro division tug-of-war team to win numerous Yorkshire competitions".[15] In 1942 he was refereeing at a boxing match in Harrogate.[16]

By April 1946 he had founded,[17] and was running, the Harrogate Boys' Club in New Park, where he was often visited by former members, now in the military, who came to see their "popular leader".[18][19] In 1947, for the benefit of the RAF Benevolent Fund, Styan organised a gymnastic display by the same club.[20] He was a gym master at various schools including Clifton House School,[21] retiring from Grosvenor House School, Harrogate, in 1982 aged 87.[22]

  • Clifton House School, where Styan taught
    Clifton House School, where Styan taught
  • Styan Boys' Club
    Styan Boys' Club

Awards and recognition

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Styan was awarded the Order of the British Empire in 1972 for services to youth.[23] His name was given to the Harold Styan Charity for Youth (HSCY), registered in 1964 and based in Harrogate,[24] also the Harold Styan Football Club,[25][26] the Jennyfield Styan Community Centre,[27] and a youth club.[28]: 817 [29] The Harold Styan Boys' Club was in existence until at least 1962.[30] As of 2024 the HSCY was still in existence.[24]

Reminiscences of Styan

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Former Clifton House School pupil David Hitchen remembered Styan for, "endless exercises and jumps!! and the amount of snuff he used to take to clear his throat!". Another pupil from the same school, Jack Ogden, later related a tale that, "well into his old age [Styan] was attacked by two yobs on the Stray and laid both of them out flat".[31]

Notes

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  1. ^ Francis Styan (Kirkby Overblow 1820 – Harrogate 25 September 1891). GRO index: Deaths Sep 1891 Styan Francis 71 Knaresbro' 9a 73.
  2. ^ Mary Styan née Green (Bradford 1827 – Harrogate 8 April 1868). GRO index: Marriages Dec 1846 Styan Francis and Green Mary Knaresboro XXIII 391. Deaths Jun 1868 Styan Mary 41 Knaresbro' 9a 81.
  3. ^ Alfred Styan (Harrogate 1854 – Harrogate 1916). GRO index: Births Jun 1854 Styan Alfred Knaresbro 9a 99. Deaths Mar 1916 Styan Alfred 61 Knaresbro 9a 139.
  4. ^ Elizabeth Styan née Ward (North Stainley 1855 – Harrogate 1926). GRO index: Births Mar 1856 Ward Elizabeth Gt Ouseburn 9a 84. Marriages Sep 1878 Styan Alfred and Ward Elizabeth Knaresbro' 9a 151. Deaths Mar 1926 Styan Elizabeth 70 Knaresbro' 9a 151.
  5. ^ Harold Styan (Nidd Vale Terrace Harrogate 4 March 1895 – Harrogate 30 October 1982). GRO index: Births Mar 1895 Styan Harold Knaresbro' 9a 113. Deaths Dec 1982. Styan Harold. 87 Claro 2 2057. The family name was probably originally Stein.
  6. ^ May Styan née Waggott or Waggett (Bubwith 16 August 1901 – Harrogate 1975). GRO index: Births Sep 1901 Waggott May Chester le S. 10a 614. Marriages Mar 1923 Styan Harold and Waggott May Styan Knaresbro' 9a 186. Deaths Sep 1975 Styan May 16 AU 1901 Claro 2 1820.
  7. ^ Diana Joan Styan (Harrogate 1925 – Harrogate 2005). Unmarried. GRO index: Births Dec 1925 Styan Diana J. (mother nee Waggott) Knaresbro' 9a 146

References

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  1. ^ a b West Yorkshire Church of England Marriages. St Peter's Church, Harrogate: Church of England. 6 July 1878. p. 10. Retrieved 15 November 2024 – via Ancestry. Marriage at St Peter's Church Harrogate. Sixth July 1878. Alfred Styan age 24 painter of Harrogate, son of Francis Styan, butcher.. Elizabeth Ward age 23, spinster of Harrogate, daughter of John Ward, gardener. Both were literate, having signed the marriage certificate.
  2. ^ "1901 England Census. 51 Nidd Vale Terrace, Harrogate. RG13/4055. Schedule 284". ancestry.co.uk. H.M. Government. 1901. p. 45/71. Retrieved 30 October 2024 – via Ancestry.
  3. ^ "1911 England Census. 9 Providence Terrace, Harrogate. Schedule 301". ancestry.co.uk. H.M. Government. 1911. p. 598. Retrieved 30 October 2024 – via Ancestry.
  4. ^ West Yorkshire Church of England births and baptisms. P32/1/9. Christ Church, Harrogate: Church of England. 7 April 1895. p. 11. Retrieved 15 November 2024 – via Ancestry. Baptised 1895 Apr 7th. Born March 4th (1895). Harold, child of Alfred and Elizabeth Styan. Father: painter of 51 Nydd Vale Terrace (Harrogate).
  5. ^ "England 1921 Census. 9 Providence Terrace, Harrogate. Schedule 124". findmypast.co.uk. H.M. Government. 1921. Retrieved 17 November 2024 – via Find My Past.
  6. ^ a b West Yorkshire Electoral Registers. Harrogate: HM Government. 1960. p. 65/19. Retrieved 17 November 2024 – via Ancestry. Diana J. Styan, May Styan, Harold Styan, at 63 West End Avenue, Harrogate
  7. ^ England and Wales National Probate Calendar. HM Government. 1982. p. 9/8886. Retrieved 17 November 2024 – via Ancestry.
  8. ^ a b c "To our boys on service". Harrogate Herald. 1 December 1915. p. 4 col.3. Retrieved 29 October 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive. The article is reproduced here
  9. ^ "Untitled". Harrogate Herald. 24 January 1973. Retrieved 30 October 2024 – via Ancestry.
  10. ^ England and Wales Civil Registration Death Index. Harrogate: HM Government. 1982. p. 883. Retrieved 29 October 2024 – via Ancestry.
  11. ^ England and Wales National Probate Calendar. Leeds: HM Government. 26 November 1982. p. 8886. Retrieved 29 October 2024 – via Ancestry.
  12. ^ "Ripley Show: history". ripleyshow.co.uk. Ripley Show. 2024. Retrieved 29 October 2024.
  13. ^ "Interesting items from the Ridings". Leeds Mercury. 26 July 1921. p. 4 col.3. Retrieved 4 November 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  14. ^ "History". ripleyshow.co.uk. Ripley Show. 2024. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  15. ^ "Mr Harold Styan". Leeds Mercury. 28 March 1925. p. 3 cols 4,5. Retrieved 4 November 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  16. ^ "Holiday boxing". Harrogate Herald. 12 August 1942. p. 4 col.6. Retrieved 4 November 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  17. ^ "The Dale Hall". hampsthwaite.org.uk. Hampsthwaite Village. 2011. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
  18. ^ "The Harrogate Boys' Club". Harrogate Herald. 17 April 1946. p. 1 col.2. Retrieved 16 November 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  19. ^ "The Boys' Club". Harrogate Herald. 6 February 1946. p. 6 col.3. Retrieved 4 November 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  20. ^ "Battle of Britain week in Harrogate". Harrogate Herald. 17 September 1947. p. 1 col.6. Retrieved 4 November 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  21. ^ Eden, Anthony (14 July 2009). "Gym and Mr Harold Styan". Anthony Eden. Retrieved 3 November 2024 – via web.archive.org.
  22. ^ PHS (7 October 1982). "The Times Diary: Bruce Haxton". The Times. No. 61356. p. 10. Retrieved 30 October 2024 – via Gale.
  23. ^ United Kingdom list: "No. 45678". The London Gazette (Supplement). 23 May 1972. p. 6271. There is an image of him with his medal on Ancestry.
  24. ^ a b "Harold Styan Charity for Youth". register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk. Charity Commission for England and Wales. Retrieved 29 October 2024.
  25. ^ "Soccer". Pateley Bridge & Nidderdale Herald. 10 July 1987. p. 15 col.5. Retrieved 16 November 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  26. ^ "Working for you. Killinghall Moor Football – Pitch Rent Refund" (PDF). edemocracy.northyorks.gov.uk. Harrogate Borough Council. 24 July 2009. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
  27. ^ "New Mayor and Deputy Mayor for the Borough of Harrogate". Harrogate Informer. 12 March 2013. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
  28. ^ Neesam, Malcolm (2022). Wells and Swells: The Golden Age of Harrogate Spa, 1842–1923. Carnegie Publishing Ltd. ISBN 978-1859362389.
  29. ^ "New mayor and deputy mayor for the borough of Harrogate". harrogate-news.co.uk. Harrogate Informer. 12 March 2013. Retrieved 29 October 2024.
  30. ^ Chalmers, Graham (12 March 2021). "Rediscovering a lost Harrogate legend for International Women's Day". Harrogate Advertiser. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  31. ^ Eden, Anthony (14 May 2012). "Clifton House School old boys' tales". Anthony Eden. Retrieved 3 November 2024 – via web.archive.org.
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