2020 Newsletters

 

In common with similar organisations, our programme of meetings is still suspended. Although Furness Vale Community Centre remains open, social distancing rules prevent us from gathering together. In the meantime, we are still a very active society with a lively social media presence.

 

Please keep in touch with our activities by following the regular posts to our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/furnesshistory/  our website:  https://furnesshistory.blogspot.com/  and our Twitter account https://twitter.com/furnesshistory

 

We always welcome contributions to our publications. Just write to furnesshistory@gmail.com.

Chapel-en-le-Frith Takes Aim

Just published is this new title from Elizabeth McCormick of Chapel-en-le-Frith. The book tells the story of Military volunteering in the district of Chapel-en-le-Frith from the establishment of the Rifle Volunteers in the late 1850s through to the Home Guard of WWII.  Physical features such as the Drill Hall and the Target Wall are described in detail. The subject has been extensively and carefully researched and features many illustrations and maps.  

 

Chapel-en-le-Frith Takes Aim is available from Reading Matters Bookshop at 48 Market Street, Chapel and from Furness History Society at 34 Yeardsley Lane, price £10.   A electronic version is also available from Amazon  Kindle, price £5.

 

Proceeds from sale of the book will be shared with the Royal British Legion.

Reuben Wharmby Part 2

Reuben was born in 1914 and lived at the shop which his mother ran in Canal Row / Furness Row. The shop was in the middle of the row, probably at number 7 and moved in the mid 1920s, to the house by the canal bridge, the former Jolly Sailor / Traveller’s Call beerhouse. 

In the 1990s, the Imperial War Museum recorded an interview with Reuben. The interviewer was Bob Watkins and the story includes comments from Reuben's wife, Alice. This is the account of Reuben’s early life in Furness Vale, his marriage in 1937, his call up in 1940 and his army service. The interview is 2 hours long and the complete transcript is available to read on our website. Further sections will appear in future Newsletters.  In this second part, Rheuben describes his training for the invasion of France.

The interviewer’s contribution is in italics

So, when you were called up, where did you have to go and report to? 

Blackpool

Blackpool, and what happened then

Well, we met Army on train and we said we’re going to Blackpool and well, i’m going, i’m going. as soon as I got on the station these doors opened “come on get out” lined us all up on platform and marched us out

What was it like to be in the Army do you think then at that stage ?

Well, I think we were all concerned because we weren’t used to it. Washing in cold water and shaving in cold water ( you were in tents weren’t you -wife)

You were living in tents at that time?

Oh ah we were in. There was a lot of huts but us were like, we were t’last so we were in a tent and I were always last on parade because we had to roll tents up all round. So I used to be a little bit lost every morning and we had a gas mask in one of them cardboard boxes and it was swinging round me neck

So when you went in and you reported, they gave you all your equipment did they?

Yes

So, what did you get?

A suit, tunic and trousers, a vest, greatcoat, glengarry

What’s a glengarry?

One o’them three corner hats

Ah yes, I know, and some boots, for walking?

And boots, yes

And then you go. Where do you live, you live in the tents then ?

Yes

With other people presumably

Yes, there was about twelve in our tent

But this was in summer time wasn’t it?

Yes

So the weather wasn’t so bad.

No. So after we had been in and had six weeks training, we all lined up and you had to say what you did. I said I’m a driver so I go moved into transport.

Oh. all right

Now. Best thing they ever did

Oh yes, that’s right

And when I got there we had ordinary cars, civilian cars what had been confiscated. That sounds a good word doesn’t it. And we had to go and have a driving test and that bloke took me.

And this is your mate Ferguson, Joe Ferguson who became a very good friend of yours.

He always used to say who passed you?

And before that, before you had your situation driving, you had some training didn’t you?

Six weeks training, and then I moved into transport

What did the six weeks training consist of?

Well, taking bren gun to pieces and putting it together, and rifle, and bayonet, fixing all that

Bayonet ?

And sloping arms, you know, proper marching and stamping of feet

Was there plenty of that sort of square bashing, was there a lot of that?

Oh ah, we got a lot of that

They showed you how to salute did they?

Yes, I had to

What about weapons training. Did they give you any weapons training?

Well, only bren gun and rifle

You had to fire, what did you have to fire at?

We had targets at Rossall. We used to fire into the sea. Targets were there, we had to lie down and fire at targets.

What with the bren gun and rifle?

With the bren gun and rifle. I were t’rifle because we were separate men for bren guns.

You didn’t fire the bren guns?

No, well, I might have done once but there were men trained for that. We’d all had experience at taking them to bits and putting them together, but then he were a bren gun man and I were a rifleman

And were you any good at shooting?

Yes, (laughing) they were big targets

They were big targets, so you hit the big target did you?

Did you do any other training apart from the rifle and the bren gun?

Only square bashing. (you had to go on sand hills didn’t you– wife, Alice) Oh aye we had to drive on sand hills

I wondered whether you did any more training with weapons

No. not once we’d moved into transport.  All we were doing then were maintenance and we must take all (legal fuelens) firing at Rossall. I used to go with em. That’s where the targets were. The banks for the shooting. There’s a big collard there is there

Whereabouts is that then Reuben

Near Fleetwood. Between Fleetwood and Blackpool

And by this stage Dunkirk had happened

When did I go, what date, in’t Army (asks wife) You went in June(wife) June what? (About 20^th I think 1940 - wife) Yes 20^th June,

And do you remember anything about Dunkirk at that time?

No, No

So you are driving. What are you learning to drive at this stage then?

Well, at Blackpool we were training drivers. we were driving instructors Eric and all, we were driving instructors

Oh, I see, because you were an experienced driver

And then, we had a new lurry, a big un. I fetched it from where(asks wife) (Donnington – wife) Donnington. Sergeant took me down for it and I called at New Mills, coming back with this big lurry and next morning, bloke what drove ration wagon he said they had all windows open on canteen. Course, he goes past and knocks all windows off. So then they give me job and sergeant he said can you handle it all right so I finished up on t’ration wagon and I used to go to Preston, every day for rations

Did you learn to drive anything else at that stage or   ?

Well, we had tracked vehicles and we had American vehicles. You had ooh wheel turned round about, I don’t know how many times before they got anywhere.

What, with tracks on?

No, no tracks. they’d a very. Wheel used to go round I don’t know how many times before they. Because they said “have a do at them” so when I got in and drove, and turned it, I were up again wall it wouldn’t go any farther you see. Anyway, we got used to em.

Then you said Carriers did you?

Then we had portee for t’ next. We had one gun in we wound it into the back of a portee they had a cover on and we would it in. They use them at Blackpool now for taking these people out on boat runs 16minutes

What, a sort of cable affair?

Yes, and it used to pull gun on

So, You’d been driving those, and then a Carrier?

And then er. We had them portees we went everywhere with we had to used to drive up hills like this with gun on t’back. We had a lot of experience that way. And then they did away with them and bought us these Carden Loyd Carriers

Carden Loyd which you started to drive or learned to drive at that stage

We we only drive with tillers. I like them better than wheel. A Carrier used to steer with a wheel but with tillers, you can do that quicker than what you can do this

It’s like with a tank is it?

Yes, levers. All it does is lock one wheel and other keeps riding

And did you start going to different places as your training had finished by this time then hadn’t it. Did you stay in the same place?

Well. I was still at Malton (You went from Squires Gate to Malton – wife) Yes Sqires Gate to Malton. (You were two years at Squires Gate – wife) And then we went to Malton. And you know that river what’s just flooded over. Have you seen it on television?

Derwent

Yes it flooded all Yorkshire. Well, that river, there were officer, I were lucky, I’d just joined that platoon and I were on guard and they got em all out and marched them to t’river and they said “right – jump in” and about six got drowned, really good swimmers; because all t’weed and things in t’bottom of thing got fastened to their equipment. There were a good swimmer from Blackpool and he were drowned

So what happened after that, did they say anything about it afterwards

Well, they moved t’officer what made it happen.

Moved him out of the way

And that’s where I come to …..…………... sergeant had me on me own and all people were watching me and he kept trying to make me slow march. I couldn’t slow march and Fernie couldn’t slow march; he was trying to train me in t’chalet and I couldn’t not slow march so I said “get out”. Just as I told him get out ………….. I said “just one more time sergeant”

But you never marched?

I never did it. They took me off that parade. They wouldn’t stand near me. If I went in middle rank they’d shove me away, because, every time I marched, I had everybody skipping, changing step , and they shoved me away.

You sound like the person that marches with his arms ……………...at the same time as his legs

I’ve done that but they shoved me away. They wouldn’t stand near me because I put em out of step and when I looked, everybody was skipping, getting back in step again.

Did you say something about the people that drowned in the river? Did you say something about training for a burial detail or something?

That’s what that slow march were for, to bury them people. Them both were sergeants, you know and they were good swimmers

Why did they ,the circumstances they drowned, why do you think that was? You said because of the weeds.

Weeds, got fastened under equipment. I mean they had full packs on you see and gaiters and heavy boots. Well, they just said “jump in”. He wouldn’t jump in, he didn’t jump

That’s Eric, your mate?

He soon stopped jumping them when he could see these others were struggling in t’water. He just got moved, he did. He just got on to t’bank and said “right – jump in”

Could they have taken different cautions do you think?

Well, they just drowned, they couldn’t get at em. I mean, they was fast with weeds. He wouldn’t know as that would have happened. He thought it was just a matter of swimming across. And it were a fast flowing river, you know that

But there was obviously some trouble after?

Oh aye. He got moved

Who was it, do you know?

No. I don’t know who he was

So that was in Malton. How long were you in Malton?

(You were in Malton 1942, because -wife) And when did I go away? (That were when I went over to….. that’s where you come to see me from Malton – wife)

1942 you were in Malton?

(Yes and then you went to Mere in Wiltshire – wife)

I was in Malton 1942 and then we went to Mere and then we went abroad from Mere

Where was abroad?

France ( You know you went Sittingbourne – wife ) Oh yes, Sittingbourne. We went to Mere. From Malton to Mere, and from Mere to Sittingbourne And Alice come and I got her fitted up and there was tanks and traffic all day (convoy all day – wife – D Day) No, It weren’t D Day 45 were it? ( It was when D Day, when it was after because I never heard from you – wife - and I went visiting) So it were D Day when they were all moving ( I went to Sittingbourne just before th’invasion and I went for t’weekend and on the Sunday morning, you got some leave and we walked all round and this convoy never stopped all day went through; then I went back home and I never heard from you and then I got a field card B A R, British Army of Rhine and it just said on “I am alright” - Alice)

So lets go back a bit there then Reuben because you mentioned Mere in Wiltshire. Do you remember what was happening there?

Well, we were training at all them, going out with Carriers and pulling gun and it were training. All them places, we were training

Special training for. Any specific training?

Well, you know, we had to go in fields and up hills and Action he what driving that big un, he couldn’t keep up with us and officer Allen played heck with him. He said “what’s to do with you, you mind guy. He said “Wharmby’s altered governors on them others “you see they’d only go so fast they’d all put governors on. I took seals off and altered them because you needed the power to rev up and we could handle ours and he couldn’t because he hadn’t enough power. So officer come to me he says “Get that Carrier altered of Action’s but don’t bloody tell anybody I’ve told you”

And all this is in Mere?

I think it was. Mere yes

And then you mentioned another place, You said Sittingbourne.

Yes, Sittingbourne. That’s where we went abroad from. We went to France from Sittingbourne.

We must be getting on now to maybe ‘43, ‘44 time

And we loaded Carriers onto railway wagons. We had to drive on t’railway wagon and turn em round

What did you think when you got the news? Or how did you get the news that you were going overseas?

We didn’t. I mean, we just went to docks. I mean they just said “right, get ready” They didn’t , nobody said where we were going they said that every time we were going on train. “Right, line up” so we just went and then we were at docks.

And what did Alice think with all this situation going on? War’s on, you’re going overseas, she’s got/ one child at this stage, or two? Had you got two children at this stage, or one?

One. We’d only one. Yes, we lost one. (He only lived 12 months. Born ‘42, he died ‘43 – Alice)

So, was Alice anxious about you possibly going abroad at this stage?

She didn’t know, she just knew me letters used to stop. ( I just went for this long weekend and said ta-ra and I came home and I never got any mail and I kept ……………. I can’t understand him not writing -Alice) I was busy pushing em back ( And then this little card came, and it said “I’ve been” - British Army of the Rhine and it just said “I am alright” and he just signed it – Alice)

O.K. So at Sittingbourne then, you are just loading up onto something. Where did you go to load up for?

Well, we had all the equipment there in t’cab. All t’shell boxes. I mean we just put so many in one carrier and so many in another and oil all guns an all that. We had to do maintenance. We had to waterproof em. We had a concrete thing made and when we waterproofed em we had to run through this water

To test them?

To test them for waterproofing. Well, mine went through alright, but being last off, it kept shoving it farther back so I finished up in deep water

This is later on when you get over there. Where did you go from when you finally got on a boat to go overseas?

(It were called Millwall – Alice) Millwall Docks

That’s London ?

Oh yes, we went from London

What sort of date would that have been Reuben? Any ideas?

(Well, it were 6^th June D Day -Alice – it wouldn’t be so long after you went) No about ‘43, ‘44 weren’ it? (in June, 6^th June D Day -Alice so it would probably be just before end of June when you went)

What do you remember when D Day happened Reuben? Did you get news from the newspapers?

No, we never heard anything. I don’t remember anybody saying anything about it

You’ve no memories of that at all? So the first you knew was when they said you were going and getting on boats and so on.

No I mean I didn’t know have to tell us all photos and what not because we were all training all time you see.

So, Millwall Docks you left from. It must be about the third week of June something like that

Yes

Because we know what time you had left to go to France and the day you arrived in France was about the 24^th, 25^th June. So what was the journey like over the sea?

Going across? Well we were all down in t’bottom and there were hammocks, we used sleep in hammocks, you know and Galdar he pulled knot and crashed down onto t’floor

Who did that?

Galdar to t’boat He were a good mechanic him. He wouldn’t start till he had warmed the spanners

All right, Seems strange. So what do you remember about going over, on the boat? Did you see anything

No, nothing at all. All the way over. We did see occasional, dead bodies, floating, but they were always face down. Now, when we got abroad and you saw all t’Germans dead it didn’t bother you at all but as soon as you saw some of the English lay down, you know, it come to you a bit stronger.

Bound to yes. Now is there anything else you saw on the way over?

No, only them bodies floating about because we were down, we were kept down in t’bottom. Well, we were told to keep down there.

And you were driving a Carden Loyd.?

Yes

And which unit were you with?

First Batallion Support Company. There were t’mortars in Support Company and bren gun carriers in t’Support Company and six pounders.

So you were down below. What happened then when you eventually had to go off and go ashore

Well. Get in t’Carrier. I don’t know if they lowered us down with Carrier. I think they did. They got us in to t’Carrier and they lowered us on to this like a pallet

You got into the Carrier first and then they lowered it down and then you go towards the beach presumably?

Beach. And this pallet thing. It had four motors on, one at each corner. Three of them had either been shot off, two of them had been shot off and it weren’t powerful enough so every time a Carrier ran off, it went back. So these motors.

So you're heading towards the beaches, you've just got off the boat you're heading towards the...

Yes, but they'd all gone. Between they'd pulled me out of water, I was on me own with these others what had sunk. There was tanks and other Carriers what had sunk beside me. So all them lot what could go had gone. I can't remember what happened but not long after, me carrier were ready and I think somebody come down for t'take me up to gun crew, and that's when Johnny Price was shot. He just put his gun out in position and B Company were patrolling and Johnny were on t'gun and he moved and this bloke just shot him. His wife had just had... No she hadn't seen em. Now Ted Hartley, his wife had twins and he didn't see em. I've got a passport for Rome before we went abroad and he didn't get one, so he never saw them twins.

Was he the first one that you knew who was shot in the Battalion?

No that were Johnny Price. From Liverpool

And that was just after you landed you say?

Yes, It were first position.

So when you came off the boat, your Carrier sunk or it carmenloyd with it

Carmenloyd

Carmenloyd sunk didn't it? That means it was put out of action.

I don't know if they put a new engine in but it weren't long before I were going.

So,however, somebody came along and..

And took me back to gun. And all t'guns were in position.

Yes, this was just on the edge of where the beaches were.

Rheuben Wharmby’s story will continue in our next Newsletter

 

A Carden-Loyd Carrier, similar to that driven by Reuben

 The Furness Vale Tollbar

From the High Peak Reporter on 21^st October 1905

Last of the Toll-gate Keepers.

On Sunday, death removed a most familiar local figure in the person of Mr. Jno. Shrigley, better known as " Captain" Shrigley of Waterside. The deceased, who was nearly 80 years of age, was the last of the local toll -gate keepers, and for many years kept the toll-bar at Jow Hole. Even after toll bars were were abolished, he resided at the old toll house, though it was quite a miniature building, and he continued to live there until it was demolished

Marsh Lane and Station Road were maintained by the Thornsett Turnpike Trust and their toll cottage was adjacent to the bridge at the foot of Station Road. The raised section of masonry, behind the chevron in the picture above, shows where the cottage once stood.  The tolls were abolished in 1886 when the turnpikes became public roads.

There is no known photograph of the Furness Vale Tollbar. The Tithe Map however shows the outline of the cottage and position of the gate. It is a similar layout to the cottage at Marsh Lane Head. As both were built by the Thornsett  Trust it is possible that they were alike. On that assumption, we have created a 3D computer model which is illustrated below.

It seems surprising that there were tollbars at each end of Marsh Lane. Travellers between Furness Vale and New Mills would have to pass through both. The reason may have been to catch people going to or from Dolly Lane.

In John Warren’s diary, he records a sad event on 13^th May 1851. John and Elizabeth Southern were tollkeepers at the time and their son William was playing on the “battlement” of the bridge. He slipped and fell to the rocks below.

 “The Reverend Joshua Brookes – An eccentric Manchester Parson”

One of Manchester’s most noted churchmen was Reverend Joshua Brookes, chaplain of the Collegiate Church, now Manchester Cathedral. Although he died as long ago as 1821, his memory lives on, especially in the pages of Mrs Banks’s “The Manchester Man” where he featured so prominently.

Joshua was the son of Thomas Brookes, a cobbler of Cheadle Hulme and was baptized at Stockport in May 1754.  His father, ill educated, eccentric, intemperate, with a violent temper, was a cripple and bore the nickname “Pontius Pilate”. When Joshua was still a young child, they moved home to a passage off of Long Millgate, opposite Manchester Grammar School where he was educated.

His father meanwhile, being a keen angler, gained permission to fish the pond at Strangeways Hall. He placed an empty hogshead, a large barrel, on the bank where he would frequently spend entire nights in his favourite pursuit. In old age his habit was to sit at his door wearing a red night cap. He attracted the attention of a passing woman whose rude remark infuriated him. Calling for a sedan chair he was conveyed in pursuit, and catching up, attacked the woman with his crutch. Only the intervention of a policeman prevented serious injury.

 Joshua came to the notice of Rev Thomas Aynscough of the Collegiate Church who entered his name for Brasenose College, Oxford. His father solicited his wealthier neighbours in order to finance the boy’s education. He gained his M.A. in 1771 and in 1790 was appointed chaplain to the Collegiate Church.

 Brookes also held the post of  Assistant Master of the Grammar School for some years. He was not popular with the pupils who named him “The Knave of Clubs” on account of his appearance, although he was more commonly known as “St. Crispin”. On occasions he would be physically ejected from the schoolroom by his pupils whilst screaming out that they were “blockheads”.  On one such event he was saved by the High Master from being pitched over the wall into the River Irk below.

It is for his great eccentricity that Brookes is remembered, behaviour that led to his being held in great affection by some whilst crossing swords with many others. 

He was widely known as “Jotty Bruks”. He was no respecter of persons, whether they be the lowly poor or his superiors in church or school.

He was at one time banished from the Chapter House until he apologised for some minor offence, which he refused to do; instead, standing outside, announcing to all who passed that “They wont let me in. They say I can’t behave myself”.

It was common for mass weddings to be held at this time, as many as 20 or 30 couples would be married at the same time. In his lifetime, Brookes officiated over more weddings, baptisms and funerals than any other clergyman in the Kingdom. The ceremonies were not always without incident, if one or more of the bridegrooms had been delayed at a local inn, the proceedings continued without them,  a stand-in being chosen from the congregation and a ring borrowed. On one such occasion, it was pointed out to the Parson had wed the wrong couples. He replied: “Pair as you go out; you’re all married; pair as you go out”.

“Jotty” would sometimes disapprove of the name chosen for a baby and would baptise the child with one of his own choosing. When the name “Citizen” was declared by Mr Cowdroy, the Chaplain replied “that’s no name. I shall not give a child a name like that”.  “I have a right to call my child what name I please” responded Cowdroy, to which Brookes answered “ Oh, you may call him Beelzebub if you like”.  The parson yielded but in later years when the son took over the business, the printers shop next to the Cathedral bore the name “C. Cowdroy” as a reminder to the Chaplain.

No more respect was shown at the graveyard. On seeing a chimney sweep sitting on the church wall, just as he read the passage from the funeral service “I heard a voice from Heaven saying”; he shouted out “Knock that little black rascal off the church wall”. As the beadle gave chase, the ceremony continued.

He had a liking for horehound lozenges which soothed his throat and these were stocked by Mrs Clowes, who ran an adjacent confectioners shop. He would often interrupt a funeral while he called  at the shop for a supply, which he never paid for, continuing the service on his return.

 Despite all of his foibles, the Reverend Brookes was a highly intelligent, well read man who kept an extensive library. He was a notable minister of religion and a fine and generous friend to many who knew him.

 Mrs Clowes, a widow, had her own eccentric ways.  For many decades, she ran a successful shop in Half Street, manufacturing, together with her assistants, a range of sweets such as lozenges, toffy and humbugs.. Such was her business that she would use up to 9 tons of sugar a week. She became quite a wealthy woman leaving £20,000 to her relatives and a thriving business to her successors. . Many of her customers were the pupils of both the Grammar School and Chetham’s Hospital for whom she had a great affection.  Every Sunday she gave a dinner to 14 poor pensioners, often serving them herself and refusing to sit down to her own meal until her guests had eaten.  She never failed to attend church of a Sunday and insisted on her household accompanying her. Joshua Brookes died in 1821, aged 67.  His old friend Jane Clowes outlived him by some years although the date is not recorded.                          

 

 

  The Footprint in the Snow – A tale from Tony Beswick

Together with my good mate Jon Prior we used to travel to Hillsborough for every Sheffield Wednesday home game, Saturday afternoon and midweek night matches.

Now everybody knew I had always been interested in local history and that’s how they caught me. One Saturday we were on our way to the match and Jon suddenly mentioned that it was a pity I wasn’t in the Sheps (Shepherd’s Arms) on Tuesday night. Well he would have known because he went in every night without fail. ‘Why’s that then Jon?’

‘Well there was a quiz on local history. I bet you would have got the lot.’ So this naturally awakened my interest.  ‘Well give us a few of the questions then and I’ll see how I do’ ‘OK’

Now he started off with a few really easy ones that I obviously knew straight away and then he brought out the sting. ‘Give the names of two pubs in Whaley Bridge and District with unique names’ Immediately I gave the answer The Jodrell Arms which he said was correct and then after a pause I named The Soldier Dick in Furness Vale. I should have noticed the very short pause in his answer and to be honest I did but was eager to find out the answer. ‘No it’s not The Soldier Dick there are a couple of those down South somewhere.’ ‘Well go on what is it then?’

‘The Footprint in the Snow’. ‘Piss off Jon there’s no such pub’. ‘Oh yes there is. It's in Kettleshulme’. ‘Look Jon there are two pubs in Kettleshulme: The Swan and The Bull’s Head’

‘No there is definitely a pub called The Footprint in the Snow. A couple of the lads go up there quite often for a drink’. ‘Oh do they really?’ ‘Yes they do’ ‘Sod off’.

A few miles further on I started to think about this mysterious pub and I started to doubt myself. When we arrived at the ground and parked up I said to Jon: ‘Hey mate have you ever heard of The John Turner Stone?’ ‘No’ ‘Well there’s a sort of gravestone set in a banking just outside Kettleshulme which mentions John Turner’s death and the fact he was found in a field with a woman’s footprint found by his side in the snow. And a bit further on is a building that does look like a pub but I’ve never taken much notice of it to be honest.’ ‘Well that’s got to be it then’ ‘OK well I’ll have a look this week. I can go that way on my way to the airport’. At that time I was always busy at the airport and used to go there virtually every day. But I forgot about the pub and went my usual way via Pott Shrigley. The next match Jon asked me if I’d been to the pub and I told him I’d forgotten but would do it this week without fail. He told me a few of the lads from The Sheps had been up that week and the Guinness was fabulous.

Later that week I was at The Botany bleach works in Whaley Bridge where I had a maintenance contract and I called in to see the works engineer, Tony Barnett, and I told him about The Footprint. Just the same as me he thought it was nonsense but we should go and have a look anyway. We went up past Wingather Rocks, turned right at the t junction, down to Jenkins Chapel and went towards The John Turner Stone. But in the dip Tony spotted a farmhouse with what looked like a sign outside. So we turned in to the farmyard and were met by the farmer who had seen us coming up his drive. ‘Right. What do you two lads want then.’ ‘Er, is this a pub then? ‘ Does it look like an effing pub? ‘ Well not from here but it might do from back up the road’  ‘Which pub are you looking for boys?  ‘The Footprint in the Snow actually.  ‘ Ha ha ha. Not that old chestnut. It’s a few years now since somebody called here asking the same stupid question. You’ve been had lads. Now bugger off I’ve got some sheep to sort out.’

So all along it was a scam. But I was determined to get my own back if only in a small way.

I went home and printed out a menu from The Footprint in the Snow.  On the menu were items that could not possibly exist.  Like. Brontosaurus pate, pan fried pterodactyl eggs, woolly mammoth steaks and so on.  The next morning I got up at 5.00am and posted the ’menu’ through Jon’s letter box. The next day we were off to Hillsborough for a night match and he never mentioned a thing about the menu.

 On the way back home I always dropped him off at the Sheps and I would go home. But I said to him I really did fancy a drink and he said to join him in the Sheps.  ‘Oh no Jon we will just be in time to get in The Footprint in the Snow. I believe they have a Christmas menu out now.’

With that he started laughing and admitted it was a hoax.  ‘We never thought we would catch you out with that one. It’s nearly seven years since we caught Mick Chanley out with the same trick. But one night somebody asked if we could pull the same stunt on anyone else.’  Apparently my name came up and it was 50-50 whether I would fall for it. I had seen Mick Chanley loads of times since I was the selected victim and he never said a thing.

 The following Saturday night I ambled down to the Sheps and went into the tap room as usual which was about three quarters full. I was a bit later than I usually used to get in but I can’t remember why.  The tap room went quiet and I ordered a pint and turned to face the lads who all had massive grins on their faces. There was a lot of tittering and Alan Kelsall said he thought I was a bit later than usual and had I been up Kettleshulme looking for a non-existent pub? 

I did have to laugh although I called them a shower of low life bastards before I stood a round for the lot of them.  All good lads, great friends but they got me and good luck to them. I did enjoy it although I came out of it looking a bit like the village idiot.

 Happy days.

 P.S: Just a bit further on from the John Turner Stone is a farm that I thought could have been the pub; it is  called The Blue Boar. An unusual name for a farm but it sounds like a pub.

One night I was in The Bull’s Head in Kettleshulme and I mentioned the story to Neil the Landlord and he did tell me he thought The Blue Boar was a pub once upon a time.

Change at Middlewood

The History Society has recently obtained this ticket for a journey between Furness Vale and Bollington.  Although undated, the ticket is over 100 years old. It was necessary to change trains at Middlewood. The Bollington train departed from the upper level platforms on a route which is now the Middlewood Way footpath.

 The photographs of Middlewood Lower and Upper Stations are from the J W Sutherland Collection

Bugsworth 174

Newsletter 174 was the journal of The Inland Waterways Protection Society and was published 3 or 4 times each year between 2001 and 2012. 

The Newsletters include articles about the village of Buxworth, the canal basin and canals in general. A useful historical archive. Well worth exploring

The Newsletters may be found online: http://archive.bugsworthbasin.org/pages/news.

 

“Houses For Nothing”

A report from the Manchester Guardian of August 1926.

Father and Son Fined for Lottery

  At Stockport yesterday, Robert Derbyshire of Jodrell Street, New Mills was fined £20 with £15. 15s. costs for publishing a lottery, or in default, three months imprisonment, and £1 or 14 days for keeping a place for a lottery. His father, James A. Derbyshire, of the same address, wasalso fined £20 or three months and £1 or 14 days for aiding and abetting in the offences.

  Mr E. Helm who prosecuted,said Robert Derbyshire was the proprietor of the Pre-war Building Company, with an office at Jodrell Meadow, Whaley Bridge. Early in April, a leaflet was issued,which read :-

  "Houses for nothing.  If you don't want a house, throw this away.  The Pre-war Building Company, Whaley Bridge and Stockport, are giving houses away for nothing. If you are interested read on : We are offering for sale our own matches, onepenny per box delivered free once weekly by our own van.  No hawking. No coupon. Each box is numbered. Keep that number. The lucky number is drawn each week by a blinded ex-service man.  If the number drawn is yours, you are given, absolutely free, a £400 house on the Pre-war Building Company's garden city estate at Whaley Bridge.  This scheme is being run by a disabled ex-service man, and the whole staff are also ex-service men. Send your order for matches at once, whether one box weekly or more, to the Pre-war Building Company, Whaley Bridge."

   The matches were small boxes of a foreign manufacture.

  Three people drew lucky numbers and received written certificates certifying that they were the winners and would receive in due course a house, and were taken by Robert Derbyshire to see the sites. Oneof these persons said he had not received posession of the house, but it was alsmost finished. Two other winners said the houses when finished were to be sold and the proceeds handed to them.

  The defendant Robert Derbyshire said his father was the prime mover, and he was only the figurehead.

  James A. Derbyshire said the object of the scheme was to find work for discharged lads and not to make a profit. If there had been any lottery it had been innocently done.

The bungalows in Jodrell Meadow, were thereafter known as “The Matchbox Bungalows”

Whaley Bridge and WWI

Julian Thompson’s website features the history and lives of soldiers from Furness Vale and Whaley Bridge who served in the First World War. This site is invaluable to those who are researching family histories as well as events in our neighbourhood at that time.

https://old-high-peak.co.uk/blank_web/index.htm 

 

Lieutenant Henry Farmer

One local serviceman who doesn’t feature in Julian’s website is Lieutenant Henry Charles McLean Farmer. His regiment was the King’s Royal Rifle Corps which was based in the south of England. He was attached to the 4^th Battalion and lost his life on 10^th May 1915 on the Western Front, aged 22.

Henry Farmer was the son of Rev. J.  E. G. and Margaret Farmer, of Yeardsley Cottage, Furness Vale.  We know little about him as his name does not appear on any local records. His father appears to have been vicar of Millbrook, Cornwall in 1886 so it is possible that Henry never lived in our village.

Rev Farmer is mentioned at Woodstock in 1895 and at Slough in 1929 so he appears to have moved around the country.

GALLERY

Waiting for the train at Buxton c 1965 –66

 

Looking in the other direction at Buxton towards the fan window.  The station still appears to be lit by gas. There is a profusion of posters and advertisements including one on the bookstall for the Radio Times.  Behind the livestock basket can be seen a weighing machine. 

 

A photograph from Furness Vale Carnival with Coronation Street actress, Betty Driver.

 

Farm hands and children photographed with the

dairy herd at Hockerley old Hall.

 

Views of Buxton Road from Marsh Lane. Canal Row is in the foreground of the first photograph.

 Britannia Mill at Buxworth photographed from the air.

 

Brookside, Bugsworth. At this time, the Post Office was located in the same building as the Navigation Inn.

 

A day out by train in 1882. The fare from Furness Vale plus the admission charge equate to about £15 today.

The Royal Pomona Palace, surrounded by the Pomona Botancial Gardens was the biggest concert hall in the country, seating up to 30,000 people.

 

Royal Pomona Palace

 

New Mills 1905. Photo courtesy of Tony Beswick

 

A carnival float at New Mills Town Hall. Photo courtesy of Tony Beswick

 VILLAGE POST OFFICE

The Village Post Office and Shop at the Community Centre, Yeardsley Lane remains open. Tuesday and Thursday afternoon 13.30 – 16.30.  

The programme of films is suspended until further notice.

SOCIETY SHOP

The History Society offers a wide range of publications but at present we are not in a position to sell printed copies.   A number of our titles are available as e-books and may be purchased from Amazon Kindle. A list of titles may be viewed here:  https://amzn.to/2xnLDQi

 

We hope to introduce internet shopping in the near future.

 MEETINGS

We have suspended our programme of meetings until further notice. Neighbouring societies have done likewise and we have therefore omitted our usual listings. Our Website and Newsletter will advise when the situation changes

Growing Up In Whaley Bridge

This is a very lively Facebook group with 1000 members. Reminiscences and numerous historical photographs are regularly posted by its contributors. Scroll down through its pages to view a large resource of scenes from the past.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/438388482840816/?fref=ts

 

Similar groups serve other localities including:

Buxwoth Reunited       https://www.facebook.com/groups/202542456586634/

 

Eh Up New Mills          https://www.facebook.com/groups/165879423592725/      

 

Growing up in Chapel  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1642762309270765/

 

The Buxton Line – featuring our local railway:   https://www.facebook.com/groups/BuxtonLine/

 

There are many other groups. Search Facebook to find those to suit.

Don’t Forget the Website

Remember to visit the History Society website. http://furnesshistory.blogspot.com

 

We always welcome contributions to both the website and to this newsletter.  Please hand these to David Easton or email them to furnesshistory@gmail.com  tel 01663 744080

The next edition of the Newsletter will be distributed early in October 2020

 

---------------------------------------------------------------

We still don’t know when we will be able to resume our programme of monthly meetings. We do still have a programme arranged for the Autumn and Winter season and hopefully we will be able to open for at least some of those dates. We will advise as many members and friends as soon as this is possible.

 Please keep in touch with our activities by following the regular posts to our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/furnesshistory/  our website:  https://furnesshistory.blogspot.com/  and out Twitter account https://twitter.com/furnesshistory

 We always welcome contributions to our publications. Just write to furnesshistory@gmail.com.

Chapel-en-le-Frith Takes Aim

Soon to be published is this new title from Liz McCormick of Chapel-en-le-Frith. The book tells the story of Military volunteering in the district of Chapel-en-le-Frith from the establishment of the Rifle Volunteers in the late 1850s through to the Home Guard of WWII.  Physical features such as the Drill Hall and the Target Wall are described in detail. The subject has been extensively and carefully researched and features many illustrations and maps.  The price and purchase information will be advised in the coming weeks.

 

Reuben Wharmby

Reuben was born in 1914 and lived at the shop which his mother ran in Canal Row / Furness Row. The shop was in the middle of the row, probably at number 7.  The shop moved in the mid 1920s, to the house by the canal bridge, the former Jolly Sailor / Traveller’s Call beerhouse. 

In the 1990s, the Imperial War Museum recorded an interview with Reuben. The interviewer was Bob Watkins and the story includes comments from Reuben's wife, Alice. This is the account of Reuben’s early life in Furness Vale, his marriage in 1937, his call up in 1940 and his army service. The interview is 2 hours long and the complete transcript will soon be available to read on our website. Further sections will appear in future Newsletters.  The part below takes us to Reuben’s arrival at Squire’s Gate Army Camp in Blackpool.

Reuben, can you just tell us your date of birth please, and where you were born? (interviewer)

12^th of August 1914

And you were born where?         

Furness Vale, Derbyshire

and. Brothers and Sisters?

Two sisters

are they older than you?

One was born 14 years older than me. And the other was 17 years older than me.

You didn’t have any brothers at all?

No

What did your dad do for work?

He worked at a printworks. You know, print cloth, he used to get rollers ready for printing.

And did your mum work at all?

No, she always had a little shop, she sold everything.

It was her business, her shop?

Yes, she sold everything.

Like a little general store?  A mini enterprise, a little general store

Yes

O.K. What are your first memories, Rheuben, of early years?

Well, I was only educated at Furness Council School

And that was?

I left at 14

So your first memories are of schooldays?

Yes

So, what did you do at school? What were you good at?

Average

So you were average at school?  Was there anything that you liked doing more than others?

Well I was practical, I was good at joining and metalwork.

O.K. so you preferred that did you to maths and writing and reading and those things, O.K.

So, what about sports, did you do sports at all?

No time, I were always working when sports were on

When did you start working then?

I started at a joiner’s shop , I were only there six months and they went bankrupt. Not because of me though. And they went bankrupt. And then – I got a job in a wireworks, making car seats and I used to hook on car springs and then when they thread em in netting you used to squeeze that hook to and it held thing in. But my hands were green and full o’ cuts so my mother said you’d best leave there. So she bought a horse and cart and some greengrocery and sent me out selling that.

 Lets go back to your first job for a minute with the wire. How old were you when you first did that job?

I’d be about sixteen

So that was your first job after leaving school?

After apprentice joiner.  Yes, that’s right. Second job after leaving school

So now, your mum’s bought you this em…

Horse and cart

Horse and cart. With some vegetable and she sends you out with the horse and cart

selling them. What, just around the streets?

Well, there were a lot of villages. I must go all around the villages

Did you have to shout out anything?

No, No, I had customers when I knocked on door they come out and knew. They were more or less, regular.

Well, how did you get your customers first of all?

I had to knock on doors there before I could get em going.

So how long did you do that for?

I did that for about twelve months and then I bought a bull nosed Morris. Do you remember them? And it had a flat on. So I did away with the horse and cart and had this motor

What, a flat back to it, like a pick up truck?

Well, they were them, a Morris Minor but they had a proper chassis on. So you chop cab off and put planks on, and boards and made a little flat

How old were you when you bought that Bullnose Morris then?

I were about seventeen. (you could drive - Alice) I could drive, I learned myself drive

How old were you when you learned to drive then?

Seventeen

I’m not sure whether you can. Can you get a license at seventeen?

1933 I had a license. I’ve got it upstairs.

So you must have made some money or earned some money out of this horse and cart vegetable business to be able to buy a car.

Yes, well my mum were helping me

Right. So now. You sound as though you are quite well set up now

And then after that me mother bought a brand new lurry, a brand new one

A brand new which?

Lurry, a ton Morris and it had gold writing at doors ‘through to colour is’ and it had a board across thing and it had a hood on and a sheet, everything, and it was only £269. I’ve got bell upstair

Yes. Now you’ve got two vehicles then

Well, only use this one, this ton one?

What year was this Rheuben?

Well, it was just before 1940 ( you got married in 1937, you had lurry then – Alice) Yes 1937
This is about 1937?  Then you hadn’t met Alice yet, or had you?

Well, Had I met you then? (addresses wife) (Yes, oh yes, when you bought that lurry, yes – Alice) She were lucky, there were a lot after me. (It would probably be 1936 when you had that lurry – Alice)

Yes, there were a lot after you because you were a successful business man at this time weren’t you? O.K. So you had met Alice then and you got married in? 

1937

And where did you live then?

We lived at Furness for about six months at me mother’s house, and then we moved to New Mills and we had a shop there, in New Mills. So we had that ‘till I was called up.

And you were called up in which year?

June 1940. And the stuff we had, butcher down t’road bought it all off us. You know, sauce and pears, and cream and all the shelf stuff, and paid us what we were selling it for. So we thought he were doing us a good turn. But when I used to come on leave, he had it all on a shelf covered up and he unveiled it about a year after

I see, so he kept it until the war started? He was very shrewd then wasn’t he?

So he sold all that at probably double what I sold them for, but he were paying me what I was selling it for

So when you were called up in 1940, did you sell the two vehicles then?

No, no, my mother sold it while I were away.

Alice, she kept ringing up because she’d never been broke as a second child died. So Alice had never been to t’market, so she couldn’t buy. So she kept ringing up and asking me, and sergeant were trying to tell me how to fire a bren gun, so I said “shut up and go back to your mother” (because in the meantime I’d had Brian you see - Alice)

Yes, now that’s right, so you’d had a child at that stage?

Yes, So she shut up and went back to her mother. And then boss at bakehouse, where she’d always worked, come and asked her if she’d do part time. So she got a job part time. She only got 28 shillings for her and Brian. And I got five shillings.

You got five shillings in the Army ?

Yes, and you had to salute for it

So, when you were called up, where did you have to go and report to?

Blackpool

 A Morris 1 Ton similar to that owned by Reuben

 News from the High Peak Reporter

13th May 1905. Station Platform Extended.  Furness Vale Station platform is being extended. It was only a very short one and the extension will be great convienience for passengers.

15th July 1905. The Royal Train.   At about six o'clock on Wednesday evening, the Royal train on its journey from Sheffield to Knowsley on the Midland line, passed through Furness Vale at about 6 pm. Considerable interest was aroused in the village and many people went to the bridge between New Mills and Furness Vale where a good view of the train was possible.

Scholar's Success.  George Berrisford a scholar at Furness Vale Council School, who resides at Waterside, has been successfull in winning one of the scholarships offered by the Chinley and Bugsworth Educational Charities. This enables him to have 2 years instruction at New Mills Secondary Day School with a railway contract to and from New Mills Station.

22nd July 1905. Accident at the Wakes.  An accident happened at the Wakes Ground at Furness Vale on Monday evening to a youth named Booth, from New Mills. He was hit with something connected with the aerial flight and was badly cut. He was conveyed home and received medical attention.

13th August 1905. Life and death. Death of Mr. Statham.  We regret to have to record the death of Mr. Alfred Statham of Furness Vale which occured on Sunday evening. The deceased, who was about 68 years of age, was formerly a collier for many years at Jow Hole Colliery. He was a man of a quiet dispostion and was very much respected. He leaves a wife and a grown up family.The interment took place at Bugsworth Church. As a matter respect the blinds of all the cottages en route were drawn as the funeral cortege passed.

13th January 1912. The first building to have Gas at Furness Vale.

The mains of the Chapel, Whaley and District Gas Company have now been laid to Bank End, the new Institute is the first building in Furness Vale to be iluminated by gas. Several houses in Bridgemont have been connected, and residences in Furness Vale will be as soon as possible. Several pipes are being laid to street lamps, these previuosly have been decked with oil lamps. This will be a big improvement on the ordinary candle.

“The Roman Invasion of Marple" by Jack Turnbull

"Yer'll 'appen have heard about t'Romans

Who went about conquering folk,

Invadin' and rapin' and pillage

Then killin' all t'men fer a joke.

 

Well one day Caesar were studying th'atlas

He stood there, 'is 'ands on 'is 'ips.

He said he were fed up wi' red wine and pizza,

And fancied some Vimto and chips.

 

So his legions advanced towards England,

And landed on t'shores close to Rhyl.

They marched up the A6 to Stockport,

And stopped for a pint at Rose Hill.

 

"This seems like a good place to conquer."

Said th'Officer. "Best that we've found."

Then followed his lads into t'Railway

And ordered chip butties all round.

 

The landlord of t'pub he were beaming.

It were t'best trade he'd had for a week.

Ten thousand Romans all wanting a drink,

(And five thousand wanting a leak).

 

But the folk of Rose Hill were right grumpy,

What wi' so many Romans around.

They moaned 'cos the bus queues were seven miles long

And crisps had gone up to a pound.

 

The news soon spread up the village

That t'Romans had come for a fight.

But the good folk of Marple weren't worried,

'Cos the village had shut for the night.

 

The Romans assembled next morning,

Presenting a fearsome sight,

But they'd all had a skinful of Robbies,

So they weren't feeling much like a fight.

They marched up the road towards Marple,

Passing t'Bowler and t'Jolly en route.

While the villagers booed and chucked insults,

Not to mention half bricks and bad fruit.

 

The Romans advanced through the village,

And stopped at the Navi' by t'Cut.

"HAIL CAESAR!" the officer bellowed.

"SOD OFF!", said the landlord, "WE'RE SHUT!"

 

The officer got quite aggravated

At not being served at the inn.

So he gathered his soldiers around him and said,

"Righto lads, let t'fighting begin."

 

The captain of t'Romans were Brutus,

And Albert were in charge of us.

Now Brutus, he came in a chariot,

And Albert .... he came on a bus.

 

So t'battle kicked off Monday morning,

A bit of a one sided do,

'cause t'Romans had ten thousand archers,

And Marple could muster ... just two.

 

Now both of our archers were bakers,

But that day they'd shut up the shop.

They said, "If yon Romans are comin',

They'll have t'get their bread from t'Co-op."

 

The fighting raged all over t'village,

Through High Lane and onto the Ridge,

Wi' cavalry charges through Compstall,

And punch-ups around Possett Bridge.

 

"We'll only be warrin' five days a week."

Said t'Marple Shop Steward, Alf Platt.

"Five days a week, and if tha' wants any more,

It's time and a half after that!"

 

So t'battle were halted come Friday,

And everyone stopped for a brew.

There were racin' and snooker and darts on the telly,

So our lads took t'weekend off too.

 

When t'fightin' restarted on Monday,

Both sides faced each other in t'mud.

It hadn't stopped rainin' since Friday,

And t'forecast weren't lookin' too good.

 

The Romans had set up a rest camp,

Wi' a stall sellin' pizza and cakes,

And a pond so the soldiers could paddle,

At a place what they called t'Roman Lakes.

 

The fighting went on for a fortnight,

Wi' rapin' and pillage on t'side,

And most of it done by our own lads,

(Plus a couple of fellas from Hyde).

 

But the weather weren't kind to the Romans,

The rain turned to ice as it fell.

It rusted their swords and their armour,

And shrunk all their togas as well.

 

It weren't much fun being a Roman,

Wi' yer toga all soggy and wet,

Wi' rain comin' down like big stair rods,

And wellies not invented just yet.

 

The captain in charge of the Romans,

(Seeing things were not going quite right),

Called a meeting wi' t'leader of our lads,

Which was held at The Hatters that night.

 

"Let's call it a draw", said the Captain,

(Who was missing all t'sunshine in Rome).

"Let's call it a draw, and on Friday,

The lads can all bugger off home."

 

"I'll settle for that", said our leader,

"Our lads don't like fightin' in t'rain.

Besides, that reminds me, next Friday,

It's Wakes Week and we're all off to Spain."

 

So the Romans packed up their equipment,

Their weapons and all t'other stuff.

They'd been and they'd seen, but not conquered,

So they marched off to Rome in a huff.

 

There's not a lot left of th'invasion,

No statues or castles on t'Ridge.

Nowt at all to remind us of t'Romans,

Just The Legion, The Lakes and The Bridge."

 

Class of 1950 and 1955

A photograph from Les Jones, sent to us by Carolyn Featherstone.  Furness Vale Primary School. C1950

from left to right back row, Mrs Lord, Anne Bramhall, Doroth Wood, Kathleen Bowden, Christine Potts, Fay Drinkwater, Lillian Cross, Barbara Davies, Carol Heap, Miss Turner.

Middle row, Alan Lofthouse, John Lomas, Brian Bradley, Dorothy Briggs, Jennifer Hartle, Peter Ingram, Joan Shore, unknown, Les Jones, Alan Lola's, Stephen Griffin, David Clayton, John's Burton, David Fielding, Jimmy Ruehorn, Alan Massey, Peter Jackson, Rodney Evans, Kenneth Paton.

 Five years later, also from Les Jones.

A school photograph from the early 1960s. Picture courtesy of Paul Redfern

Early Days at Furness School

Children weren’t always well behaved in the past as will be evident from these entries in the School Log Book of 1877 and 1878.

 Several boys locked the school door with the teachers inside for the purpose of getting a half holiday. They were punished next day before the whole school.

A boy rang the bell on leaving school ( There was a large bell in a tower on the roof, the rope hanging down in a cloakroom by the front door) He was punished next day.

A boy who stayed home to do haymaking could not be punished as he lived outside

The Board’s jurisdiction.

A boy used insolent language, refusing to do what he was told. The hat pegs in the

Cloakroom were broken. Dirt was thrown at a passer-by. Boys played truant and boys were

Punished for fighting in school.

Several upper class children came to school very late (they had been sliding) and were punished

A boy commenced fighting in school, he was punished but continued to fight afterwards.

Three windows were broken and boys were punished for throwing at a luggage train.

Boys playing cricket in the road broke one of the large windows. 

Children were repeatedly hurt by swings in the yard.

12 boys in upper class stayed away from school to watch a wedding and a large number of children stayed away to watch a funeral.

The staff were: Mr Goodwin, headmaster;  Miss Leach, pupil teacher; Adam Fox and a man from Newtown, pupil teacher apprentices.

News from the High Peak Reporter

Marriage of Miss. Annie Shrigley.

Considerable interest was shown in the marriage of Miss. Shrigley, daughter of John Shrigley and Mr. John Atkin, son of Mr. Luke Atkin of Woodhouse near Rotherham. The bride who is a teacher at Furness Vale United Free Church Sunday School, is a very active worker in her connection with the place. The ceremony took place at the New Mills United Methodist Free Church, was conducted by the Rev. W. S. Micklethwaite, the circuit minister. The bride looked exceedingly well in a dress of slate colour trimmed with silk and a hat to match, and she carried a bouquet of white flowers. The bridesmaids were Miss. Elizabeth Shrigley, her sister, Miss. Sarah Bowden, cousin of the groom, and Miss. Edith Atkin sister of the groom, who all wore dresses and hats similar to the bride, The honeymoon is to be spent at Bournemouth.

Marriage of Mr. Joe Smith.

On Thursday of last week the marriage took place between Mr. Jno. Smith, of Yeardsley Lane and Miss. Elizabeth Osbaldiston, daughter of the late Mr. Charles Osbaldiston. Both parties are connected with the United Methodist Free Church. The bridegroom is also the organist at the Bridgemont Mission Room. The ceremony took place at Taxal Church, conducted by the Rev. S. Evans, M.A. the Rector. The wedding repast was served at the home of Mrs. James Exley, Whaley Bridge, the groom's sister. Mr& Mrs Smith are to live in Yeardsley Lane, Furness Vale.

21st October 1905. Last of the Toll-gate Keepers.

On Sunday death removed a most familiar local figure in the person of Mr. Jno. Shrigley, better known as " Captain" Shrigley of Waterside.The deceased,, who was nearly 80 years of age, was the last of the local toll -gate keepers, and for many years kept the toll-bar at Jow Hole. Even after toll bars were were abolished, he resided at the old toll house, though it was quite a minature building, and he continued to live there until it was demolished

The Toll cottage was alongside the Goyt Bridge on the Marsh Lane side of Station Road. A change in the masonry of the parapet still indicates where it once stood

Top of the Poll.

Mr. Thomas Rowley formerly the village postmaster at Furness Vale, was a candidate for a seat on Disley Rural District Council and Hayfield Board of Guardians on Monday. He was returned at the head of the poll by a large majority. His achievement has given the liveliest satisfaction In Furness Vale and he is to beheartily congratulated.

23rd September 1911. Now the District Scoutmaster.

Sergeant Slack the Scoutmaster of the Furness Vale Boy Scouts has been made the Scoutmaster for the whole District. This comprises, New Mills, Hayfield, Whaley Bridge, Dove Holes, Chapel-en-le-Frith, Furness Vale, Chinley and Bugsworth. He retains his leadership of the Furness Vale Troop.

ChoirTrip.

The Choir of the United Methodist Church had their annual trip on Saturday, the White City, Manchester being chosen as their place for visitation. The party, numbering 24, and accompanied by Mr. T. Rowley, the organist, left the village shortly before 2 o'clock. A pleasant time was spent at the fireworks and all the other attractions at White City. Home was reached about half past eleven, all the party having thorughly enjoyed themselves.

An Overnight Stay

In 1863, John Warren wrote in his diary:   "William WELCH of Whaley Bridge was put in the Buxton Lockups for being Drunk and Disordley the cost was all together £4.2s.6d." 

The fine was the equivalent of £450 today, a hefty penalty for being drunk.

 The location of the Buxton Lock-up is unknown. It had opened in 1829 and was in use until about 1899.  The inspector of prisons described it in his 1850 report. It was a detached building with two cells, but no  accommodation for a keeper. The building is very ill adapted for its purposes. It had been built at the cost of the township and was intended chiefly for vagrants in want of a nights lodging, and that was its main use. Only one cell was used, the other used to store coal and other articles. This cell is about 9 feet long, 6 feet wide and 6 feet high. It is dry, with an open fire. It had unglazed window, through which people outside might be hand anything in. There were two poles fixed on each side of the cell for seats, and there was some loose straw for bedding. The constable said that there were formerly proper benches, but that they had been pulled to pieces and burnt.'

Many towns and villages had their own lock-ups, established mostly in the 19^th century as local police forces were established although some were of a much earlier period.  They only served as temporary accommodation, usually for a night or two. Apprehended for a minor offence, an offender might be held whilst waiting to appear before a magistrate or released, their temporary incarceration having been considered sufficient punishment.  Most of these were closed when replaced with police stations which had their own cells.  Many were accompanied by a set of stocks and often a pen for seized livestock.

Another local lock-up was that at Chapel-en-le-Frith. Built in 1844, its situation was described as convenient and unobjectionable although it had no provision for heating the cells. When inspected one of the cells was found to be damp although the keeper said that this was improving as the new building dried out. The inspector found that the airing yard was insecure and said that no prisoner should be left there unattended.

New Mills had been well provided for.  The famous “Drunkard’s Reform” on Dye House Lane had originally been called “The Town Jail”. It is an 18^th century building and a former lock-up. The building was purchased in 1854 by Thomas Handford and converted into his home. Handford, a teetotaller for ten years had previously been a notorious drunkard and had spent many  a night in the lock-up.

This facility was replaced with a police station on Market Street, possibly at number 58. Between 1854 and 1875, an office named Swallow lived there with his family and another officer. The building also contained a “strong room”

The Police Station in Hall Street, opposite New Mills Library appears to have been built at some time between 1875 and 1878. It was famous for housing in its cells, the ramblers arrested in the Kinder Trespass of 1932. The Constabulary Station closed in 1993, described as “the worst police station in Derbyshire”

Many local lock-ups have survived. They are often distinctive little buildings, commonly with conical roofs. Below are some examples from Derbyshire:

 

   Smisby Lock-up. Built in 1790

                                          The “Round House” or “Honey Pot” at Curbar.

Village Sports from the High Peak Reporter

10th October 1903.

There was a tremendous crowd on the ground on Saturday afternoon when Furness Vale met their rivals and neighbours New Mills St George's in the Stockport and District League. Great excitement prevailed and at times it was exceedingly rough. A keen fought and contested game ended in a draw at 3 goals each.

24th December 1904. Furness Vale Football Club.

There was a good attendance at the Methodist Free Church Schoolroom on Saturday evening when the Furness Vale Snowball Minstrel Club gave an entertainment to raise funds on behalf of the Furness Vale Football Club. A spirited programme was of a great interest to watch from begining to end. The performers included Messrs H. Littlewood, H. Gough, W. Littlewood, J. Oakes, H. Taylor, W. Bowden, J. Smith, N. Smith, J. Wrigley, J. Bowden and H. Holt. A good sum was raised for the club funds.

 Draughts Handicap.

The draughts handicap between Furness Vale Reading Rooms and Whaley Bridge Mechanics Institute

terminated on Wednesday evening at the reading Rooms.There were eight aside and after some interesting play Furness Vale were declared the winners.

 Homing News.

The New Mills Flying Club joined the Great Northern Race from Mareanes on 11th July. Mr Vere liberated 27 birds at about 4-45pm. The only two birds to return to Furness Vale from Mareanes belonged to Messrs. Bernard & Simpson and Mr. Hinchcliffe.

9th April 1910. Scout versus Scout.

The game of scout versus scout was played at the Furness Vale Scout Troop on Saturday. The Kangaroos versus the Peewits were pitted against the Wolves and Curlews, and after a good aftenoon's scouting the later won the game.

The Legend Of Ron

Now listen people to my tale                                        For it came to pass in Park Crescent fair

Of the legend of Ron, from Furness Vale,                   That a mighty explosion did rend the air,

When one fine evening in the nineties                         As people came into the street

The neighbours gathered in pyjamas and nighties      What chaos would their wide eyes meet?  

 

One asked "Is it the wrath of God?"                             Some evidence must be there to be seen

Another cried "Call the bomb squad"                           And all eyes turned to number 13,  

But damage none, there seemed to be                       Then people spoke with one clear voice

Park Crescent now quiet, quite eerily                          "It must have been poor Ron and Joyce"

 

And rushing quick to save their friends                        But as they hurried double-quick

( Who they now feared had met their ends),                They found their feet began to stick 

Fast up the garden path they ran                                 And slugs they noticed, all around

To save fair Joyce, and the Great Man                        And shards of plastic on the ground

 

They knocked upon the door and waited                     Then they heard "What's going on?"

But no reply, so with breath baited                               And turned to find both Joyce and Ron

They feared that things were getting badder                Returning from a night-time stroll

A cry went up "Quick, fetch a ladder"                           Some exercise had been their goal

 

The gathered crown quickly explained                         Ron, now fearing they'd been robbed

The thunderous bang and how they were pained        Took out his house keys (leather fobbed)

To think their friends had met their doom                     But as he eyed his porch anew  

In the evening's gathered gloom                                  He said out loud "Where's my home brew                          

 

For when he had last turned the lock                             The tub, though fit to grace a mansion

A batch of fresh dandelion and burdock                         Had been no match for the expansion

Had bubbled like a witch's cauldron                               Of Ron's home brew, and as it aerated

In a plastic tub from Saffron Waldon -                            The plastic tub it devastated

or possibly somewhere else (probably

New Mills)

 

Exploding with a mighty road                                           The mystery solved, the crowd abated

The home brew sprayed the path and door                     No further news was now awaited

And startled local people too,                                           Park Crescent once again knew peace

Such was the power of Ronald's brew                              While slugs enjoyed a fruity feast

 

And that good people ends my tale

Of the legend of Ron from Furness Vale.

 

This poem commemorates the occasion when Ron Mosley decided to brew some traditional Dandelion and Burdock. Having collected the leaves, boiled them and added yeast to the drained liquid, he filled two 2 litre bottles. These were left in his porch to mature with explosive consequences. The poem was written by Ron’s son to mark his recent birthday.

News From Buxton

The long awaited restoration of Buxton’s Crescent is nearing completion. The hoardings have recently been removed to reveal the full Georgian façade. The 81 bedroom spa hotel is due to open this summer although a final date is yet to be announced. 

The 1816 painting below, comes from Netta Christie’s article about Anne Lister, a Yorkshire gentlewoman, her visits to Buxton and her “partiality to the ladies".  Do enjoy this, and other fascinating stories on the Discover Buxton website: https://discoverbuxton.co.uk/tourism-news/anne-lister-gentleman-jack-buxton-and-a-partiality-to-the-ladies/

 

GALLERY

                                                    The Beehive Inn, Combs, c 1947

 

Gartsides Brewery was founded in 1847 and by 1939, the tied estate had grown to 180 public houses. They were then taken over by Bents Brewery of Liverpool although they continued to trade under their own name. Bents were themselves acquired by Bass Charington in 1967 and the brewery at Ashton ceased production in 1970

 

Walter Chatterton’s butchers shop at 52 Albion Road is now occupied by “The Plant Shop” Walter, with his wife, Vera, regularly attended History Society meetings.

 

The Dog and Partridge at Bridgemont in 1905. The earliest known

Photograph of the pub. At the far end of the row of houses was

The Navigation beerhouse

 

A newspaper cutting from 1986 when members of the Gardening Club

 held their Spring Show at the Methodist Chapel

 

Simpson’s Park Brewery only supplied eight pubs including the Beehive and the Crescent in New Mills and the Sportsman’s in Hayfield. Stancliffes of Macclefield acquired the business in 1910 and continued operating from the Chapel site seen in the photographs below.

 

 

The next three photographs come from Everybody’s Magazine which published a supplement in September 1955 “Beautiful Britain in Maps and Pictures”. It contains over 60 pages of photographs from throughout the country.

Many thanks to Susanne Lomas for donating this publication.

 

The Cenotaph in St. Peter’s Square with Mosley Street in the distance. The Cenotaph has now been re-located and a large tram station now occupies this space

A medieval manor house which has its origins in the 11^th century, Haddon was home to the Dukes of Rutland and is currently occupied by Lord Edward Manners, brother of the 11^th Duke.

 

Dating from the 14^th century, Bramhall Hall is owned by Stockport Council.

 Until 1877, this was the home of the Davenport family.

 

 

200 years of changes mapped out

 

VILLAGE POST OFFICE

The Village Post Office at the Community Centre, Yeardsley Lane remains open. Tuesday and Thursday afternoon 13.30 – 16.30. 

The Community Shop will re-open on Tuesday next 7^th June at the same hours.  Please support these village enterprises. 

The programme of films is suspended until further notice.

SOCIETY SHOP

The History Society offers a wide range of publications but at present we are not in a position to sell printed copies.   A number of our titles are available as e-books and may be purchased from Amazon Kindle. A list of titles may be viewed here:  https://amzn.to/2xnLDQi

We hope to introduce internet shopping in the near future.

MEETINGS

We have suspended our programme of meetings until further notice. Neighbouring societies have done likewise and we have therefore omitted our usual listings. Our Website and Newsletter will advise when the situation changes

Growing Up In Whaley Bridge

This is a very lively Facebook group with 1000 members. Reminiscences and numerous historical photographs are regularly posted by its contributors. Scroll down through its pages to view a large resource of scenes from the past.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/438388482840816/?fref=ts

Similar groups serve other localities including:

Buxwoth Reunited       https://www.facebook.com/groups/202542456586634/

 

Eh Up New Mills          https://www.facebook.com/groups/165879423592725/      

 

Growing up in Chapel  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1642762309270765/

 

The Buxton Line – featuring our local railway:   https://www.facebook.com/groups/BuxtonLine/

 

There are many other groups. Search Facebook to find those to suit.

Don’t Forget the Website

Remember to visit the History Society website. http://furnesshistory.blogspot.com

 

We always welcome contributions to both the website and to this newsletter.  Please hand these to David Easton or email them to furnesshistory@gmail.com  tel 01663 744080

The next edition of the Newsletter will be distributed early in October 2020

 

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Sadly it has been necessary to cancel our programme of meetings until further notice. We will advise you when we are able to re-commence our monthly agenda, through our internet activities.

The History Society remains active and we intend to increase our website and social media presence in the coming weeks.  We are posting frequently to our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/furnesshistory/  not only items of historical interest, but also village news and announcements. Our contributions are also shared to other local interest groups in the neighbourhood. The website https://furnesshistory.blogspot.com/  has new articles almost daily, largely thanks to contributions from Tony Beswick.

If you are forced to stay at home, why not put pen to paper and record some of your memories for us to publish and for our community to enjoy?  No need to worry about spelling or grammar, we will happily edit your contributions should you wish. Just write to furnesshistory@gmail.com.

 

Chris Wilman was due to speak at our next meeting about last year’s Toddbrook Dam Emergency. Living just 200 metres away, Chris was able to closely follow events as they unfolded. She took a large number of photographs and videos and was able to talk to the key people involved. Chris was briefly in the spotlight as press and television sought her local knowledge. Chris has prepared a multi-media presentation for us and has updated her talk to reflect on the official reports that have just been released. We will certainly be re-scheduling her visit to the History Society for a future date.

                                                          A visit to the railway in 1947

Neil Ferguson-Lee is Vice Chairman of the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway, a heritage line that runs for 14½km between Duffield and Wirksworth in Derbyshire. Neil, originally from Disley, was to speak at our May meeting about the history of the railway. He has promised to visit us on a future occasion.

Deprived of revenue during the present emergency, the railway, like many such attractions is struggling to meet its day to day expenses. Neil is campaigning for donations and suggests £20 being the average cost of a day out at Wirksworth. If you would like to give your support, or just learn about the railway, visit the  web site: www.e-v-r.com/victory

Joseph Hague

The following is an extract from a book “All About Derbyshire” by Edward Bradbury, published in 1884

 Hayfield might have been made for the late Mr. Joseph Hague, who died at nine score in 1786. He was one of the men who begin life with the traditional two-and-sixpence and attain to the opulency of Croesus.  Joseph Hague's first trading transactions were done as a peddler with a few small articles in a basket. Then he bought a donkey, went to London, and became wealthy. Somebody asks with a laugh whether the ass in question had the same happy influence over his commercial destiny as a certain cat exercised over the fortunes of one Dick Whittington, sometime Lord Mayor of London? Certain it is that Joseph Hague became fabulously rich, and in the years of his retirement came to live near Hayfield, where he died. The Charities of Hayfield are his bequests. In the church there is a sonorous mural monument in marble, surmounted by a handsome bust, to his memory. This church - standing between the River Kinder and the stream from Phoside Valley - is neither ancient nor architecturally attractive; but the young man, who is well up in Cox's Derbyshire Churches, tells a good story about the Hague Monument, as we leave the church behind and drive as far as the first of the Kinder Scout passes. It appears that the beautiful monument was first erected in the neighbouring church of Glossop, where the good man it commemorates is buried. The chancel of that edifice was to be rebuilt, and the churchwardens were sorely exercised as to the removal of the Hague memorial to a place of safety. Fearful lest it should be stolen (it had cost £420), these sagacious Dogberrys placed it in - the lock up.

When thus "in durance vile", the occupancy of the cell was shared by a violent "drunk and disorderly", who, in a state of liquid lunacy, commenced a violent attack on the white and silent bust. The monument to this day bears marks of the disfigurement. So discreditable a transaction excited the indignation of one of the heirs of the Hague estate. The monument was at once taken out of custody, and erected in Hayfield Church, where it has received better treatment than it met with at Glossop. There is a strange sequel to this strange story, which is not without a tender touch of pathos. A few years ago, an elderly stranger sought the parish clerk of Hayfield. He desired admission into the church to see the Hague monument. After gazing at the memorial with reverent earnestness for some time, he expressed his satisfaction at seeing it so well cared for. The verger, concluding that the visitor was connected with the family, told him of the ignominious incident in the lock-up. With tears in his voice, the stranger stopped the recital of his story. "Nobody knows that better than myself", he said. "I was the drunken man who knocked the monument about in Glossop lock-up. I have since been abroad for many years, and have only just returned to England.  The damage that I did to that monument has often troubled my conscience, and I determined that as soon as I set foot in England again, I would at once journey to Derbyshire to see what had become of it; and now I am satisfied".

Joseph Hague was born at Chunal in 1695.

The house that he retired to was Park Hall at Little Hayfield. In 1779, he founded a school at Whitfield, the beginning of a charity, The Joseph Hague Trust that helps the people of Glossopdale to this day. He died in 1786 and is buried in Glossop. The bust referred to was by the famous sculptor, John Bacon. The memorial is still to be seen in Hayfield Church.

 

 

The Bell of Whaley Hall

This photograph is from Father Jamie McLeod of Whaley Hall.

According to the bell hanger, it was cast around 1100 in Belgium and brought to England by the church.  This makes the bell certainly one of the oldest bells in England.

The bell has been at Whaley Hall for many years.  Some people dowsed the grounds, in the belief that there are two bells buried at the side of the chapel,  but to date nothing has been discovered other than some old coins with cut marks in them.

 

Drivers Eye View

Scenes from the drivers cab of a train passing through Furness Vale. These are stills captured from a video of a journey between Buxton and Manchester.

 

                        

 A Map Of Derbyshire

Extract from a map of Derbyshire. The heavy line indicates the boundary with Cheshire. Most of the place names are familiar although in some cases the spelling has changed. Interestingly the Group of cottages on Dolly Lane, now known as Ancoats is shown here as Bagsworth Green. This map by P. P. Burden was published in 1791.

Dove Holes History

 

John French has provided  a splendid photo courtesy of Jenny Nicolson and it shows a view towards Higher Bibbington. There was a rough roadway from Lower Bibbington up to Higher Bibbington.
I did go into a house at Lower Bibbington but I can’t remember why or who with.
But I remember Higher Bibbington much better. It wasn’t just a row of cottages like Lower Bibbington but more of a place with a courtyard. Mr Bibbington himself lived up there in a splendid house at the back of the courtyard behind a row of cottages. As the excavation works in Victory quarry got closer to the houses Mr Bibbington took his house down stone by stone and rebuilt it on the site of the last house out of Dove towards Buxton. It is known as Bibbington House. He had named his quarry Victory as everyone thought him a fool to have bought it in the first place so he told them “You won’t be laughing when I have my Victory.”
At the time of this postcard most houses in Dove were rough but none more so than Higher Bibbington Cottages.

Tony Beswick

Tony Beswick lived in Dove Holes until he was 13 and has taken a close interest in the history of the village. Our website features a growing number of photographs, historical facts and anecdotes about this community:  https://furnesshistory.blogspot.com/p/some-dove-holes-history.html

A chapel, in the form of a “tin tabernacle" was built nearby in 1907 and named Longridge Lane Chapel. William Bray who was a local quarryman and preacher known as "Praying Billy". At "Longridge Lane" he pounded his sermons home with great thumps on the pulpit which often made the congregation jump. When he prayed he began at one end of the aisle and finished at the other. Once, when preaching about the "Prodigal Son". Billy Bray commented. "Would my father have killed the fatted calf for me if I'd a done those wicked things? Not likely! You know what he'd a done; he'd have belted my arse!"

The Ebbing and Flowing Well

The book, “Description of Buxton" by William Adam was published in 1847. It includes an account of the Ebbing and Flowing Well, a natural phenomenon at Barmoor Clough.

We shall therefore hasten over it, as the traveller generally wishes to do, simply observing that he takes through Fairfield, where the left hand road is to be taken; then, on arriving at the toll-bar (five miles from Buxton) at Barmoor Clough, (where we get into the " Chapel road,") turn to the right, and on proceeding about a quarter of a mile, we find the EBBING AND FLOWING WELL. This extraordinary Well (one of the wonders of the Peak) appears to be used as a watering-place for cattle, and is a small pool The side next the hill forms the segment of a circle  defended by a wall, beneath which there are nine apertures, about equidistant one from another  out of which the water flows when it is in action. These openings are protected from the cattle by stone ledges, flowing over which the water must have a singular effect.  It has its origin in the limestone, and is situated at the foot of a steep hill, close by the turnpike road. It is an intermittent spring, the frequency of its action depending upon the quantity of rain which falls; so that in dry weather the stranger may wait, as we have done, in vain for the manifestation of this wonderful phenomenon, but in very wet seasons it will ebb and flow sometimes twice in an hour. The action when it first commences is scarcely perceivable, but before the expiration of a minute the water issues with considerable force from the nine small apertures on the south and west sides. It continues to flow about five minutes; and in this space of time it is supposed to throw out a hundred and twenty hogsheads of water. The greatest part of the water runs off under the road, and part lapses back again and the Well speedily resumes its original quiet appearance. The ''modus operandi" of this spring can be accounted for on the principle of a siphon; a beautiful illustration of which may be exhibited by the "Tantalus cup," thousands of which have been imported into this country from China within the last twenty years, and are now so common, that any particular description of it would be almost superfluous. A basin of water in the adjoining eminence, supplied by infiltration with water from the surrounding districts, and connected with a narrow channel or duct on the same principle, and proportionate to the extent of the mass of water, would produce the same effect.

 

Tony Beswick points out that the well partially dried up when an underground river was diverted during construction of the nearby Dove Holes Tunnel.

Tom Middleton 

 

Our Tom is set during the First World War and is the story of Thomas Middleton, a lonely 36-year-old labourer from Derbyshire, though well-respected and a pillar of the community he is lonely and sees the outbreak of war a chance to escape his humdrum life. Upon hearing of the sinking of the Lusitania, decides to enlist not only to get away from his life but to protect his family and the country he loves. What he discovers on his journey is that the welcome world of men, and the strict regime of military life are not everything. Amid this turmoil, he meets a feisty young nurse, Ella, who helps him come to terms with the death of a friend and shows him what love is and what it means to be loved. As romance blossoms, Tom’s life merges with the life of this young nurse. As the eve of the third battle for Gaza looms, Tom and Ella are torn apart by the rigid rules and a hidden secret.

 

The book is available from Amazon  in hardback, paperback and Kindle versions: https://amzn.to/3dpdIr4

 Tom Middleton was the eldest son of William and Ann Middleton . The family had, in the 19^th century farmed at Yeardsley Hall. William had possibly farmed at Diglee and had also lived at Shady Grove on Buxton Road where he may have been a shopkeeper. Tom was a bachelor who worked for Williamson builders of New Mills. A member of the Furness Vale Methodist chapel and the Oddfellows Lodge, he was also active in the founding of the village Institute and served on its committee. He went to war in 1915 and two years later was sent to the Middle East to fight the Turks. Injured when serving with the Egyptian Expeditionary Forces, he died aged 38.

Emma Gaulton, a descendant of William Middleton now lives in Melbourne and has taken a great interest in researching the family history, especially the story of Tom, her Great Uncle. This is her first novel, a story based upon Tom’s life and travels.

Bradshaw Hall

 

The illustration and following text are extracts from Highways and Byways in Derbyshire by J. B. Firth 1868:

A Long mile out from Chapel, midway between the two roads to Whaley Bridge and pleasantly situated on the lower slopes of Eccles Pike, a smooth hill which just succeeds in rising to a tip, lies what remains of Bradshaw Hall. A beautiful Jacobean gateway bearing the date 1620 and the name and arms of Francis Bradshaw, attests its importance in days gone by. This Francis Bradshaw, was a second cousin of the regicide, John Bradshaw, whose grandfather, a younger son of the Chapel family, had settled at Marple, near Stockport, a few miles away. The regicide died without issue in 1659, after suffering—according to Royalist traditions of doubtful authenticity—agonies of remorse in the Deanery of Westminster, where he had taken up his quarters. This old Hall is said to have been built originally in the shape of a cross ; it was transformed into two dwellings half a century ago in order to accommodate the families of two brothers. Some relics of ancient grandeur still survive, a fine oak panelled room in one house, and in the other a handsomely moulded ceiling at the top of the staircase, with the legend in plaster, " A man without mercy of mercy shall miss, But he shall have mercy who merciful is. Love GOD but not gold."

 

Bradshaw Hall dates from 1620 and was extensively restored in the 1960s. It is now a working farm. The house is Grade II listed. The stone gateway, similarly listed is decorated with a stone plaque and coat of arms carrying the inscription “1620 Francis Bradshaw"

 

Oil painting by J. C. Morley 1902

Hayfield Fair

From Highways and Byways in Derbyshire by J. B. Firth 1868

 

Hayfield Fair, once the pride of the neighbourhood, has fallen from its high estate, but the jigging lilt of the song to which it gave rise still sets one's foot a tapping:

" Come, lasses and lads, take leave of your dads,

And away to the Fair let's hie ;

For every lad has gotten his lass And a fiddler standing by.

For Jenny has gotten her Jack,

And Nancy has gotten her Joe,

With Dolly and Tommy, good lack,

How they jig it to and fro ! "

Those who are learned in Hayfield lore will tell you that the Polly Simpson of a later verse was a real character and no mere figment of the ballad maker's imagination.

GALLERY

The Palace Hotel, Buxton.  A wintry scene in the 1950s

 

 

A goods train crosses Ladypit Road in February 1968 as it departs from Gowhole Sidings. The electricity station is very much in evidence behind the railway. The embankment has since become densely covered in trees.

 

A photograph of Hockerley Hall recalling the days when this was a working dairy farm.

 

Illustrations by Mabel Lucy Atwell.  The Dorma factory at Chinley closed in 2005.

 

Advertisement from the programme of Whaley Bridge Grand Bazaar 1902

 

Gowhole sidings were once spanned by a long footbridge. This carried a path from Big Tree Farm on Dolly Lane to Waterside. On reaching the “fast” lines, the path descended some steps then passed beneath the railway. The bridge has been replaced by a ground level footpath and only the tunnel remains. Photographs courtesy of Neil Ferguson-Lee

 

Disley Police pictured in 1929.   Disley Police Station was built in 1895 of locally quarried stone and had three cells. Sergeant Harry Miller was stationed at Disley and lived in the Police House between 1921 and 1930. He was on call 24 hours a day and was often roused by the telephone during the night. He would then proceed to the green near the Ram’s Head from where he would summon the duty constable by blowing his police whistle. The fountain here, featured one of the few gas lamps in the village. Harry Miller later lived in Furness Vale at a house near St. John’s Church

VILLAGE POST OFFICE

 

The village post office remains open until further notice. The Community Shop and Café however, are currently closed

The programme of films is suspended until further notice.

SOCIETY SHOP

The History Society offers a wide range of publications but at present we are not in a position to sell printed copies.   A number of our titles are available as e-books and may be purchased from Amazon Kindle. A list of titles may be viewed here:  https://amzn.to/2xnLDQi

 

We hope to introduce internet shopping in the near future.

 

MEETINGS

We have suspended our programme of meetings until further notice. Neighbouring societies have done likewise and we have therefore omitted our usual listings. Our Website and Newsletter will advise when the situation changes

Growing Up In Whaley Bridge

This is a very lively Facebook group with 1000 members. Reminiscences and numerous historical photographs are regularly posted by its contributors. Scroll down through its pages to view a large resource of scenes from the past.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/438388482840816/?fref=ts

 

Similar groups serve other localities including:

Buxwoth Reunited       https://www.facebook.com/groups/202542456586634/

 

Eh Up New Mills          https://www.facebook.com/groups/165879423592725/      

 

Growing up in Chapel  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1642762309270765/

 

The Buxton Line – featuring our local railway:   https://www.facebook.com/groups/BuxtonLine/

 

There are many other groups. Search Facebook to find those to suit.

Don’t Forget the Website

Remember to visit the History Society website. http://furnesshistory.blogspot.com

 

We always welcome contributions to both the website and to this newsletter.  Please hand these to David Easton or email them to furnesshistory@gmail.com  tel 01663 744080

The next edition of the Newsletter will be distributed early in July 2020

 

 

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