The first reference to “Owl” Country Club was a newspaper article stating that on 1st February,1937 S. W. Tinsdale would be applying to have the licence removed Harry Seller at the Wheat Sheaf owned by John Smith’s Tadcaster Brewery Ltd and applying for a licence for the ‘Owl’ to be granted at the property known as Hambleton House. In 1939 an application for a full licence was refused as the Police and Magistrates did not feel it was needed to meet the needs of Hambleton residents. The police also reported that in the last year there had been 42 convictions for drunkenness, 22 of which were not residents. The 1939 Census show Stanley Whittaker Tinsdale and his wife Dorothy living in Hambleton House. Mr Tinsdale still owned the property in 1949 and also owned Monk Fryston Hall. During the War he had been a catering officer. The Owl was for a number of years a private Country Club holding dances and various events. It has been said that some of those attending from further afield were not always accompanied by their wives but we have no evidence to substantiate these memories! Many advertisements have been found for the 1930s and 1950s for event to be held at “Owl” Country Club or “Owl” Roadhouse. One example in 1954 was for the Summer programme Wednesdays Bar Radiogram, Fridays light snacks, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays Dinner Dancing. Sundays lunch followed by Tea Dancing. Children welcome. In 1955 the Sheriff of Yorkshire directed that a sale of hotel and general goods should be held and continued until the amount to clear the debt accrued by Mr. A. C. H. Johnson was realized. In 1969 Kaye Webster was reported to have booked a cabaret for Whitsuntide after the success of the Easter event when El Payo and his Spanish Dancers had appeared. The owners and the dates are still being researched. Mr. Jim Price and his wife Gladys where initially joint owners and then sole owners and ran the Country Club for a number of years. Eric and Hilary Widdup purchased it from Mr. Price. The meals provided by the Widdup Family were legendary. The Owl was then sold to Marston’s Inns who still own it in 2018.