BALK is a township in the parish of Kirby-Knowle, on a branch of the Cod Beck, called the Thirkleby Beck, 3 miles east-south-east from Thirsk and north of Great Thirkleby. The principal landowners are Viscount Downe K.C.V.O., C.B., C.I.E. and Lady Payne-Frankland, of Thirkleby Park. Acreage, 945; rateable value, £806; the population in 1911 was 67.