Cottingmingham is an exceptional East Riding village. Its early history was like that of many other rural communities but its close proximity to an ever- expanding Hull affected the development of its economy, its appearance and its character. Though fiercely protective of its independence and defiant of any who dared regard it as a suburb of Hull or a prime target for a take-over, by the 18th century easier access by improved roads made it a convenient address for wealthy men who made their money in Hull but aspired to a prestigious country residence. A railway service, well established at the beginning of the period enabled many more to commute daily from Cottingham homes to employment in Hull. In the early years of the 20th century it was still an agricultural village. Traffic passing through the streets was mostly horse-drawn and carts bringing night soil from Hull to spread as rich fertiliser on the fields of Cottingham were an environmental hazard. So too were pig-keepers, whose animals were offensively close to their neighbours' homes, Health was a constant worry and ill heath meant the inability to work. infant mortality was high, housing often unsanitary and epidemics spread like wildfire among schoolchildren update soon