Puppeteer Walter Wilkinson

A Yorkshire Journey – 400 miles in the footsteps of the Puppet Man

Walter Wilkinson, a puppeteer based in the south of England, wrote several books about his travels on foot, in the late 1920s and 1930s. In his book, 'Puppets in Yorkshire' which was first published in 1931, Wilkinson declares that his aim was to see the 'renowned & mighty Yorkshire'. The result was a charming book which detailed his encounters with locals and their communities as he pushed or pulled his cart, (which doubled as a puppet booth) all over the county and gave performances on village greens.

He commented on everything from the way the motorcar was ruining the county to the marvellous quality of Yorkshire baking, from the strident individuals he encountered to the strong family ties which allowed people to smile in the face of adversity. This, he thought, summed up the 'spirit of Yorkshire'.

Although many things have changed beyond all recognition since Wilkinson's time, Britain was enduring similar financial crises and economic circumstances to today and many of his comments still ring true. 

To follow the wandering puppeteer's route through Yorkshire seems a very fitting way to highlight the work of the Community Foundation  and to explore that sense of community & pride in the county that was very evident 80 years ago.