A HISTORY OF FEATHERSTONE
1925
COUNCIL HOUSES
The January council meeting were told the 20 houses on the site of the
smallpox hospital in Little Lane were now let, and they had been
insured for £200 each. For the other Purston site on Mr Day's land
progress was being made with surveying and preparation of a scheme, and a
sketch block plan would be ready shortly.When council house building started in 1914 the Council decided on a strict no lodgers policy, but the demand became so great they had to relax it, and in February six of the 20 tenants in Little Lane were given permission to take in lodgers.
The surveyor submitted layout plans for 190 houses on the land bought from Mr Day and it was agreed to proceed at once with 100 houses of the same type as those in Brookway.
The Ministry had sent a circular asking for the number of houses likely to be put in hand by 1 October 1926 and it was decided to reply it would be 130. The council were also told in future contracts it should be a condition for contractors to employ at least one apprentice to three skilled craftsmen to overcome the shortage of such workmen.
Cr Ryan asked how many houses would be completed on Day's site by the end of the year. The surveyor estimated 40. The chairman, Peter Darlington, said if twice 40 were not completed they would be doing badly and we must put our shoulders to the wheel and get on with the job.
At the April council meeting it was announced the tender of Messrs Naylor for £17,384 12s 2d for work on the 190 houses on Day's site had been accepted (probably for the roads, drains, water mains etc but not stated). The surveyor was asked to take into consideration the lighting of the houses by electricity.
It was agreed to increase the rates from 2s 9d to 3s mainly because of expenditure on housing schemes at Ackworth Road, Brookway, Little Lane and Streethouse. The chairman said they must pursue their policy of providing houses until the overcrowding ceased.
Next month the clerk told the council the Ministry had objected to the layout of the roads for the Purston housing scheme. A deputation from the council had seen the Ministry in London and agreed an amended layout. The contractors would be told to proceed with the construction of the roads immediately.
The council decided in June the houses on the Purston estate would have electricity supplied. The council told the contractor they expected 18 houses to be ready in six months, and 14 houses each month after that and the whole lot to be done within 12 months.
The county council wrote to local councils regarding housing and tuberculosis. The council replied they would give preference for council houses, where possible, to persons suffering from tuberculosis and living in overcrowded conditions; and also all tubercular tenants would be strictly prohibited from taking in lodgers.
At the August council meeting a letter was read from the Ministry agreeing to the tender price of £43,300 for the erection of 102 houses on the Purston site and giving permission to borrow the money forthwith. There was also a letter from Mr Harold Hirst, the contractor, confirming acceptance of the contract. The council surveyor was to meet Mr Hirst to ask him to employ as many of the local out-of-work men as possible.
In September Mr Hirst was worried about the penalty clauses in the contract for delays. The council agreed not to enforce the penalties for the completion of the works providing 18 homes were completed in the first seven months, six houses in each succeeding month, and the whole of the works completed by 1 June 1927. This satisfied Mr Hirst and he signed the contract.
At the Cricket Club dinner in November Cr Darlington said the council's housing scheme provided for another 200 houses in Purston and 50 more at Streethouse. Then they would have built 500, but the more they built the greater seemed to be the overcrowding.
These houses were now a direct cost to the ratepayers of £8 a year each, and when the Government subsidy ceased it would be £14 per house per year. Also with coal being extracted more and more from outside the Featherstone district the collieries paid less rates to Featherstone. However, they would face the future with confidence.
PURSTON PARK
Cr Edwards asked at the January council meeting why the proposed
purchase of Purston Hall and grounds, which it had been agreed at the
last meeting should be discussed again, had been adjourned. Cr Simpkin,
the chairman of the committee which considered it, said the council had
not got the money either to buy or pay for the upkeep. Cr Ryan said they had all agreed they should have a park if possible, but they had nothing before them to show what would be the cost of maintenance. Cr Edwards said the public are behind us in this and would be quite willing for the park to be maintained out of the rates.
Cr Edwards said the council were shelving the prospect of a park and said he would organise a petition. Cr Ryan said jolly good luck with your petition. We are not shelving the question at all, but you must bring us some details; we have nothing to work on. After much more argument the matter was dropped.
At the May council meeting Cr Edwards said he regretted Purston Hall estate had been allowed to fall into the hands of Tommy Sides. The council had made a very big mistake in allowing it to slip through their hands; it was one of the worst things which could have happened. Now they had lost their only chance of acquiring the estate for a public park.
Cr Evans pointed out they had never refused to buy. They were unanimous in favour of purchasing. The only question was how were they to get the money? The council would have proceeded but failed to find a lender.
Cr Edwards said the estate should have been bought by the Miners' Welfare Scheme. It could have been got for just over £3,000, whereas they (the Welfare Scheme) had paid £10,000 for an institute. Cr Dakin replied if the Welfare Scheme continued for another five years there would be something as healthy for Featherstone folk as the Purston Hall scheme, but he was not at liberty to say more at present.
THE MINERS' WELFARE INSTITUTE
The Featherstone committee of the Miners' Welfare Scheme agreed to use
their share of the national scheme to buy the Assembly Rooms and convert them into a Miners' Welfare Institute. The opening ceremony took place on 2 February and the Express commented
"To those who had not seen the buildings since the old days of
barrenness and discomfort the transformation must have been a
revelation. The assembly room itself had been made into a most
attractive, comfortable room for large meetings and concerts, while
other parts have been adapted for games, reading rooms, library and
committee rooms.
"The scheme had been carried through under the supervision of Mr W H
Fearnley, architect. All is not yet finished, but enough has been done
to silence any criticism of the wisdom of purchasing what many used to
describe as a white elephant".
Mr G Thompson, the chairman of the committee, said a miners' institute
for Featherstone was long overdue, and now they had got it he trusted
both young and old would unite in making it a success. The local scheme
had been well thrashed out. The suggestions included the purchase of
Purston Hall estate as a park, an institute, almshouses for aged workers
and maternity homes. Any one would have been appropriate but the
institute was decided upon as being most essential.
Mr E Hough, vice-president of the Yorkshire Miners' Association,
declared the institute open and said he noted no intoxicants were to be
sold. He was not a teetotaller, and had a drink because he wanted one.
At the same time he was glad the club had been started in Featherstone
where no drink was to be sold. He hoped to see the young women catered
for in the near future and he trusted the library books would not remain
on the shelves but would be well used.
Roslyn Holiday said it would have been an easy source of revenue to
have allowed drink to be sold, but the committee decided not to let the
young lads be tempted, and every effort would be made to make the
institute a financial success without that source of income.
He said the welfare scheme (a small levy on each ton of coal produced)
was set to finish in June, but the coal-owners had realised what great
good the scheme was doing and would do and they were willing for it to
continue, although nothing had been decided yet.
Mr J J Murphy, a committee member, said he was not a paragon, but he
was glad no beer was to be sold in the institute. He said he hoped every
advantage would be taken of the education facilities offered, and while
there is every inducement and facility in Featherstone for drinking,
this is an inducement for thinking.
The evening ended with a musical entertainment by local artists.
BEER PUMPS - FREE OR NOT?
Carter's
Knottingley Brewery Company sued the Featherstone Branch of the British
Legion in February for £53 0s 10d said to be the balance on goods sold
(beer pumps in the Legion's club). The Legion claimed the pumps were a
gift. Mr Bentley, for the brewery, said the case went back to 1920 when
the Featherstone ex-Servicemen's Club was being formed. Tommy Sides,
former landlord of the Featherstone Hotel, was asked what help he could
give in setting up the club. He offered to see a set of beer pumps were
put in and gave advice as to the fitting up of the bar. He said he would
not press for payment if they bought their beer from Carter's. This
they did for a while but then stopped. Mr Sides then said as the club
had not kept to their side of the bargain they must pay for the pumps.
They offered to pay £2 a month and made two payments then Mr Sides
pressed for the balance to be paid within three months.
Thomas Jeffries Sides confirmed what Mr Bentley had said, and also said if the club had continued trading with his firm they might not have asked for payment even yet. It was ridiculous to suggest the pumps were a gift. They (the brewers) don't throw £57 away for nothing. He said he was acting for his company all along, and not as an individual. When asked why he had pressed for payment after the second £2 had been received he said it was because Lord Masham had given the club £500 and they had waited long enough.
Mr Milner, for the club, said when Mr Sides suggested orders should be given to his firm they replied the committee could give no guarantees. He said they had paid £200 to the brewery for goods received and out of that the firm had probably recovered the cost of the pumps. He claimed nothing had been said to the club to lead them to think the pumps were not a gift until orders to the brewery ceased. Other witnesses for the club confirmed this.
The judge said he had done his best to get the two sides to settle the matter between them but they had failed. He said he could not accept the story that the pumps were given without any guarantee as to orders. It would have been a ridiculous bargain for a business man to promise material worth £60 on the off-chance of getting custom. Why should the club offer to pay £2 a month if their story of a gift were correct? He had not a shadow of doubt the pumps were not a gift and he gave judgement for the amount claimed.
Thomas Jeffries Sides confirmed what Mr Bentley had said, and also said if the club had continued trading with his firm they might not have asked for payment even yet. It was ridiculous to suggest the pumps were a gift. They (the brewers) don't throw £57 away for nothing. He said he was acting for his company all along, and not as an individual. When asked why he had pressed for payment after the second £2 had been received he said it was because Lord Masham had given the club £500 and they had waited long enough.
Mr Milner, for the club, said when Mr Sides suggested orders should be given to his firm they replied the committee could give no guarantees. He said they had paid £200 to the brewery for goods received and out of that the firm had probably recovered the cost of the pumps. He claimed nothing had been said to the club to lead them to think the pumps were not a gift until orders to the brewery ceased. Other witnesses for the club confirmed this.
The judge said he had done his best to get the two sides to settle the matter between them but they had failed. He said he could not accept the story that the pumps were given without any guarantee as to orders. It would have been a ridiculous bargain for a business man to promise material worth £60 on the off-chance of getting custom. Why should the club offer to pay £2 a month if their story of a gift were correct? He had not a shadow of doubt the pumps were not a gift and he gave judgement for the amount claimed.
PRESENTATIONS TO THE JOHNSONS
George Johnson had moved to Wakefield but he was still president of
Featherstone Rovers. At the club's whist drive and dance at the Lister
Hall in February he was presented with a gold watch and a gold and platinum chain, and Mrs Johnson was given a gold wristlet watch.
Mr McTrusty, the vice-president of the club, said he was glad to have
the opportunity of presenting the mementos subscribed for by many of
their football friends in Featherstone. Mr Johnson was with the club at
its beginning in 1902. He had stuck to the club through its many
vicissitudes, and he now had the reward of his labours by seeing
first-class rugby football played by a team of Featherstone lads. He
hoped Mr Johnson would be spared for many years to come and would
continue to be the president.
Referring to Mrs Johnson Mr McTrusty said only those who knew the facts
could realise the enormous amount of self-sacrificing work behind the
scenes that had been done by her to help on the work of the club.
Mr Johnson expressed his gratitude and thanks for the gifts and the
kind things said about him and Mrs Johnson. In the work he had done for
Featherstone Rovers he had had his own pleasure, and it had always been a
delight to him to pick out a likely lad and help to make him into a
class footballer. He trusted although he had moved to Wakefield his
connection with the club, which was so dear to his heart, would not be
severed, and that he would be amongst them for many years to come.
His photo below is from the Wakefield Museums' Collection, and the photo of his inscribed watch is from Alan Johnson.
His photo below is from the Wakefield Museums' Collection, and the photo of his inscribed watch is from Alan Johnson.
DEATH OF DR BUNCLE
At the March council meeting the chairman said since their last meeting
they had lost by death their late medical officer Dr Alexander Buncle.
it was only fitting they should place on record their sense of loss and
their appreciation at the excellent services Dr Buncle had rendered to
the town as medical officer over a very long period. The council thought
so highly of the services Dr Buncle had rendered they continued his
salary as a pension when he retired.
The clerk said Dr Buncle always showed friendship towards the other
officials and took a fatherly interest in them. It was Dr Buncle who
took steps in 1874 towards Featherstone becoming an authority under the
Local Government Board Act, and he was appointed the first medical
officer in 1875, and maintained his connection with the council down to
his death.
A memorial service was held at Purston Church in his memory. The vicar,
Revd H S Rogers, spoke of Dr Buncle's long, active and useful life in
Purston and Featherstone, and said he was the first medical man to
practice in the district.
In February three Featherstone men were accused of stealing coal from Ackton Hall Colliery. Mr Will Bentley, for the colliery, said the value of the coal was infinitesimal but grave danger attended trespass on the coal tips; and trespassers broke down the fences and did other damage. One man admitted stealing coal worth 6d. The Bench said they were determined to stop this class of offence, and to assist the colliery companies. One man was fined 30s and the other two did not turn up.
COAL PICKING
Coal
picking on Ackton Hall Colliery's muckstacks was a constant problem for
the colliery. It wasn't the minimal value of the coal that was a worry
but the possibility of accidents and damage to colliery property.In February three Featherstone men were accused of stealing coal from Ackton Hall Colliery. Mr Will Bentley, for the colliery, said the value of the coal was infinitesimal but grave danger attended trespass on the coal tips; and trespassers broke down the fences and did other damage. One man admitted stealing coal worth 6d. The Bench said they were determined to stop this class of offence, and to assist the colliery companies. One man was fined 30s and the other two did not turn up.
The two men who failed to turn up in court for coal picking arrived two
weeks later plus two brothers. Mr Will Bentley said again they did not press the case. Proceedings were only taken
to stop trespassing and damage to property. The four were fined between
£1 and £3.
In May Edith Collier, Annie Dyas and Amelia Rudge were in court for coal picking. Mr Bentley made the same statement. Arnold William Walton, a pit caretaker, said he was in Featherstone Square and he saw the three women on the muckstack. They were picking coal and putting it in heaps. They had sacks with them. When they saw him they ran away. When he saw them afterwards they did not deny the offence. The value of the coal they had gathered was 1s 6d. They all pleaded guilty and said they were without coal. The Bench said they were determined to stop this practice and fined them 7s 6d each.
At the same hearing Arthur Williams of Featherstone pleaded guilty to stealing coal valued at one shilling. Mr Bentley said his instructions were to press this case because it was different to the previous one. Williams was a miner and entitled to home coal. After stealing the coal he sold it. There was no necessity, hardship, or distress in this case, as probably there was in some others.
Ernest Colley said he was working on the tip and he noticed Williams dragging three bags of coal down the muckstack and saw him enter a house in Featherstone Square with one bag. Selina Cookson said Williams came to her house and asked her if she wanted any coal and she bought two "buckets" from him for fourpence. Because it was his first offence the Bench fined him 30s.
In May Edith Collier, Annie Dyas and Amelia Rudge were in court for coal picking. Mr Bentley made the same statement. Arnold William Walton, a pit caretaker, said he was in Featherstone Square and he saw the three women on the muckstack. They were picking coal and putting it in heaps. They had sacks with them. When they saw him they ran away. When he saw them afterwards they did not deny the offence. The value of the coal they had gathered was 1s 6d. They all pleaded guilty and said they were without coal. The Bench said they were determined to stop this practice and fined them 7s 6d each.
At the same hearing Arthur Williams of Featherstone pleaded guilty to stealing coal valued at one shilling. Mr Bentley said his instructions were to press this case because it was different to the previous one. Williams was a miner and entitled to home coal. After stealing the coal he sold it. There was no necessity, hardship, or distress in this case, as probably there was in some others.
Ernest Colley said he was working on the tip and he noticed Williams dragging three bags of coal down the muckstack and saw him enter a house in Featherstone Square with one bag. Selina Cookson said Williams came to her house and asked her if she wanted any coal and she bought two "buckets" from him for fourpence. Because it was his first offence the Bench fined him 30s.
MORE MUCKSTACK PROBLEMS
At
the May council meeting the chairman raised the question of the Ackton
Hall Colliery muckstack south of the railway line which he said was
proceeding heavenwards. People living in houses close by (Henrietta
Street and Featherstone Square) could hardly see the sun and the children could not get fresh air.
Cr Ryan said tipping was still taking place near the houses. It was
time something was done to stop it. Cr Coult said all Station Lane
residents were complaining as well as those who lived quite close to the
stack. Owners of the houses would not carry out repairs because they
felt when sufficient houses were available (through council house
building) these houses would be condemned.
Cr Edwards asked why the chairman had not mentioned the other two
muckstacks, particularly Featherstone Main, It should be all or none.
The chairman replied they were all alike to him but there had been no
complaints about the other two and Featherstone Main was not next to
houses. It was agreed to ask Dr Kaye, the county council medical
officer, to come and discuss it with the council.
Roslyn Holiday told the council in July Ackton Hall Colliery hoped to commence a new tip (near Featherstone Main Colliery) in October and cease using the present tips.
Roslyn Holiday told the council in July Ackton Hall Colliery hoped to commence a new tip (near Featherstone Main Colliery) in October and cease using the present tips.
MR SISSON LEAVES
Mr J W Sisson, the council's accountant, decided to leave in June and
he asked the council for a testimonial. The following is part of a
lengthy one given.
"The Featherstone Urban Council have the greatest pleasure in acceding
to the request of Mr J W Sisson for a testimonial. Mr Sisson has been
accountant to the council from 1 December 1900 to 16 June 1925, and
during his 25 years' service he has continually performed his duties
with the utmost credit and satisfaction. His honesty and integrity have
been beyond question, and these qualities together with his unfailing
courtesy have rendered him an invaluable servant whom it will be most
difficult to replace.
"The council have every confidence in recommending Mr Sisson for any
similar position and are certain he would prove worthy and satisfactory.
They are extremely sorry to lose his services and wish him every
success in whatever work he may take up."
The council decided not to replace him and the clerk and accountant
positions would be combined under the present clerk, Mr J A Haigh, whose
salary would be increased by £80 per annum.
A presentation was made to Mr Sisson in the council offices by the council chairman, Cr Rodgers, in front of councillors and council staff.
It was a solid silver tea service and an oak and silver tray which had a
suitable inscription and was contributed to by the councillors,
officials and workmen. It was announced Mr Sisson was leaving to be
sub-postmaster at Heaton Moor, Manchester.
DR STEVEN'S ANNUAL REPORT
Dr W Steven's annual report as medical officer of health for
Featherstone was published in June. It reported 43 houses were erected
in 1924 and another 69 were started. The population had risen by 240 to
15,710. He expressed pleasure that private house building had started
again (the Government gave a subsidy of £100 per house and £50 per
bungalow).
The infant mortality rate (babies dying before their first birthday) was 122 per thousand births compared with the average for England and Wales of 75. He blamed overcrowding as a contributory cause. There were several streets of back-to-back houses with one room downstairs and two very small bedrooms upstairs. The ventilation was very poor and with the smoke-laden atmosphere - the usual accompaniment of colliery operations - one can readily imagine a high infantile mortality.
The quality of the mussels on sale was blamed for some illnesses. He said they came from Holland to Leeds Market and the certificate of soundness was distributed with great laxity. He wrote "We have the resident salesman under control, but the itinerant hawker enters our area without our knowledge and disposes of his goods".
The sanitary inspector's report said 669 nuisances were dealt with during the year, and 70lbs of beef, three pigs, other animal parts and 191lbs of potatoes were destroyed as unfit for human consumption.
In a follow up to his report Dr Steven urged the council to agree to the request of the Royal Sanitary Committee to inaugurate a "Health Week" in Featherstone with a view to educating the residents in matters of hygiene and public health. He said the infantile death rate in Featherstone was very high and he was sure the council would agree they should make this effort to do what they could to educate the people.
After establishing it could be done at little cost it was agreed to form a committee to organise the event. Cr Darlington said he agreed with the idea but he considered all the Health Weeks in the country would not have prevented the high death rate.
The infant mortality rate (babies dying before their first birthday) was 122 per thousand births compared with the average for England and Wales of 75. He blamed overcrowding as a contributory cause. There were several streets of back-to-back houses with one room downstairs and two very small bedrooms upstairs. The ventilation was very poor and with the smoke-laden atmosphere - the usual accompaniment of colliery operations - one can readily imagine a high infantile mortality.
The quality of the mussels on sale was blamed for some illnesses. He said they came from Holland to Leeds Market and the certificate of soundness was distributed with great laxity. He wrote "We have the resident salesman under control, but the itinerant hawker enters our area without our knowledge and disposes of his goods".
The sanitary inspector's report said 669 nuisances were dealt with during the year, and 70lbs of beef, three pigs, other animal parts and 191lbs of potatoes were destroyed as unfit for human consumption.
In a follow up to his report Dr Steven urged the council to agree to the request of the Royal Sanitary Committee to inaugurate a "Health Week" in Featherstone with a view to educating the residents in matters of hygiene and public health. He said the infantile death rate in Featherstone was very high and he was sure the council would agree they should make this effort to do what they could to educate the people.
After establishing it could be done at little cost it was agreed to form a committee to organise the event. Cr Darlington said he agreed with the idea but he considered all the Health Weeks in the country would not have prevented the high death rate.
BABY DAY
Baby Day was held in July in the cricket field organised by the
Featherstone Maternity and Child Welfare Committee. Dr Steven acted as
chairman and introduced Dr Hillman from Wakefield.
Dr Hillman congratulated Featherstone and Streethouse on the large
number of kiddies and happy-looking mothers present, and said the child
welfare movement in Featherstone Urban District was in very good hands.
The work of the clinics was largely responsible for the great drop in
infant mortality but Featherstone had an unfortunate and disturbing year
in 1924 and their rate (see Dr Steven's report above) could not be
describes otherwise than as appalling. That rate showed how necessary
was the work of child welfare.
Mrs Coates from Knottingley said she had come to learn of the work done
at Featherstone so that Knottingley might benefit. Mothers who attended
the clinics had the best of advice from doctor and nurse, which if
followed must result in healthier and better children.
Mr Coult contrasted present-day conditions in Featherstone with those
of 20 years ago. He said many mothers then were content to go about in shawls
and allow their children to go about barefoot. That was very different
from the well-dressed mothers and beautifully conditioned babies present
that day. There were still many hovels not fit to house cattle, but the council were doing their best to supply houses to take the place of
these.
Tea was served to the mothers and an entertainment programme was
provided by the children of North Featherstone Lane Junior Mixed School
trained by Misses Alexander, Cooke and Evans.
In the competitions Mrs Lane of Duke Street won the new garment from an
old garment prize, Mrs Parker of Featherstone Square won the coat and
bonnet competition, Mrs Holford of Vicarage Lane won the prize in the
pram parade and Mrs Mackineker of Streethouse had the best suit for a
child under five.
THE ROVERS ANNUAL MEETING
At the July Rovers annual meeting Mr T Garritty, the secretary, said if
Featherstone wished to have a first-class club they would have to give
their support. They had no imported players, and surely it was better
watching players born in their midst than strangers, and he appealed for
more support during the coming season. He said at the first team games
people could be seen waiting about the gates until half-time so they
could get in for 2d or 3d. They could not carry on if this spirit was to
prevail.
Mr Johnson, the president, agreed with those remarks and said the Supporters' Club had done well. They
had something like £250 at the disposal of the club when they could
find something to do with it. The Miners' Welfare Committee were
considering buying the ground for the club and the money would come in
useful for providing more comfort for spectators.
Mr McTrusty, manager of Ackton Hall Colliery and a committee member,
had a heated discussion with Mr Johnson. Mr McTrusty was critical of Mr
Johnson using his position of president to claim to be chairman of the
committee, and interfere in work he had been deputed to do for the club.
Mr Johnson said he did not seek the position of president, but if he
was elected by the members he would fulfill his duties, and it showed
lack of confidence if a working president was not also chairman.
The discussion between the two carried on for a considerable time until
a club member said they were both good men for the club and men they
could not afford to lose. If they had personal disagreements they should
wrap it up and shake hands. Mr Johnson walked to the edge of the
platform and Mr McTrusty rose to meet him and they shook hands amidst
much applause.
THE CRICKET CLUB FUNCTIONS
The cricket club held their annual fete in July. Rain
tended to spoil the proceedings but the committee carried on
regardless. The fete opened with a cricket match between the ladies and
men. The ladies batted first and did remarkably well until it was
discovered their prolific scorer was Percy Thompson from the cricket
team, excellently disguised. He was ordered off the field but the ladies
managed to declare at over 100. The men had to bat left-handed and made
less than 50.
There was a display of Morris and folk dancing by Featherstone and
Streethouse school children and a children's fancy dress parade. Jennie
Leadbeater won the girl's prize as a dairymaid, and Charles Suthers was
best in the boys as a rag and bone man. The rain caused the sports to be
postponed until the next day and the large crowd was allowed in free.
The annual whist drive and dance was held it the Lister Hall on New Year's Eve. There were about 600 present at midnight to see Father Time (Toby Mason) taken out of the room and replaced by 1926 (Gladys Lowe). A tableau of Eileen McTrusty (Scotland), Bessie Asquith (England), Tilly Cooper (Ireland) and Olive Rowley (Wales) was well received. Dancing then resumed until 3am. Those present considered it the best ever New Year's Eve event.
The annual whist drive and dance was held it the Lister Hall on New Year's Eve. There were about 600 present at midnight to see Father Time (Toby Mason) taken out of the room and replaced by 1926 (Gladys Lowe). A tableau of Eileen McTrusty (Scotland), Bessie Asquith (England), Tilly Cooper (Ireland) and Olive Rowley (Wales) was well received. Dancing then resumed until 3am. Those present considered it the best ever New Year's Eve event.
AN UNPAID RAILFARE
Arthur
Bennett was a local well-known conveyor of racing pigeons. One day in
October he went to Knottingley Station to assist with loading 30 baskets
containing about 1,000 pigeons from seven clubs. When asked for his 7d
ticket he said he couldn't find it. He was allowed to go to Normanton
with the pigeons and then to Cambridge. On his return the LMS took him
to court for attempting to evade payment of the 7d fare.
In court he said he forgot he hadn't got a ticket and he was sorry he
told the ticket collector he had lost it. Railway Detective Inspector
Davidson said he knew Mr Bennett very well as a pigeon conveyor, and he
would also be well known to all the officials on the line.
Mr
Bentley, defending, said the defendant was a man of absolutely
unblemished character, and this was the first time he had been in a
Police Court. Season after season he was entrusted with the conveying of
valuable pigeons to many parts of the country, and he was paid for that
purpose. Being known to all the officials on the line was it to be
thought that defendant for the sake of 7d would run the risk of
jepardising his character and position?
The fact was, owing to a complaint pigeons had been crowded, defendant
was instructed to meet about 1,000 at Knottingley and see them properly
accommodated. It was suggested as he was doing the railway company's
work he would not require a ticket. Unfortunately when suddenly asked
for it at Knottingley, he lost his head and said he had a ticket but
could not find it. When subsequently charged he offered to pay the fare,
and the idea was monstrous that he was trying trying to defraud the
railway company. After hearing this the Bench dismissed the case.
DEATH OF ROBERT COWEY
Robert Cowey was the headmaster of North Featherstone Lane (Gordon
Street) Boys' School. One Thursday afternoon in October he cycled to
Snydale to see his school football team play Snydale School. After the
game he accompanied them to Snydale School and while there he suddenly
collapsed. He was rushed to Dr Finch's surgery in Purston where he was
pronounced dead. It was decided that as he had suffered for many years
from diabetes this was the cause of his death and no inquest was
necessary. He was 54 years old.
He was born in Normanton and entered the teaching profession in his
youth. He taught at George Street School for a while, and when the first
part of a new school was built in what was to become Gordon Street he
was appointed headmaster, a position he held for 26 years. He was also
leader of the North Featherstone Lane Primitive Methodist Bible Class
and was a local preacher. He is the teacher on the right on this
Featherstone Library Collection photo.
ANOTHER RATE RISE
In October the council decided to put the rates up to 3s 3d. The
chairman said the public were entitled to some explanation as to why the
rates were rising. he said it had been a good summer so they had been
able to do much more in the way of road repairing and other outside work
than had been estimated for, and the cost of water from Wakefield had
also exceeded the estimate.
Another
factor was the rents from council houses had not brought in the amount
estimated, mainly because the Streethouse housing scheme was behind
schedule. The loans had been applied for, and these had to be met
whether the rents were coming in or not. He was of the opinion the rates
had been too low for the past two years and now they had to find more
money.
Cr Coult agreed the ratepayers should know exactly how the money was
spent, but it should be remembered during the war years streets, roads,
sewers and other work had been neglected, and now the work had to be
done at a greatly increased cost. He was afraid they would not be able
to keep the rate at its present figure.
Cr Evans said they were doing their best to keep the rates down and to
get value for money. They owed this to the large number of ratepayers
who were on short time. During the last three months Snydale Colliery
had worked on the average only three days a week, and the men had not
enough to pay the rent, let alone rates.
At the November council meeting Cr Coult said there were many complaints some landlords were putting up the rent more that the increase in rates justified. The chairman said he did not see how this matter concerned the council; it was a matter between landlord and tenant. Cr Darlington said the council were out of order discussing the matter. If the tenant was being overcharged he had his remedy through the courts.
At the November council meeting Cr Coult said there were many complaints some landlords were putting up the rent more that the increase in rates justified. The chairman said he did not see how this matter concerned the council; it was a matter between landlord and tenant. Cr Darlington said the council were out of order discussing the matter. If the tenant was being overcharged he had his remedy through the courts.
ACKTON HOSPITAL PRECEPT
The clerk to the Normanton and District Joint Isolation Hospital wrote
to the council in November to say the receipts from patients had not
come up to the estimate and Featherstone's precept (yearly share of the
costs) would go up from £576 to £759.
Cr
Evans said formerly the hospital has 60 beds but this was found to be
insufficient so it was increased to 100. On one recent visit there were
only two patients, one of typhoid and one of scarlet fever, which meant
two separate lots of nurses.
Cr Darlington asked why if there were so few patients the precept was
increased. The clerk said they make their profit on the patients. So Cr
Darlington said if they had 50 patients the precept would be reduced, to
which the answer was yes.
Cr Simpkin said the hospital had gone into the question of maintenance
charges and they were assured the expenditure would compare favourably
with other institutions. The discussion was then dropped.
LISTER HALL TO OPEN
It had been normal for the Lister Baths to have a floor put down for
the winter months for social gatherings and be renamed the Lister Hall.
This year the council had voted not to do it. In November the National
Institute for the Blind asked for the use of the hall for a whist
drive.
Cr
Coult said when the decision was first made it was thought the Miners'
Welfare Institute would meet the demands for social gathering but it was
said it was not big enough for some of Featherstone's annual events,
and the council should be satisfied it was doing the right thing in
closing the baths.
Cr
Evans said in view of another hall being available, and the loss the council made in keeping the Lister Hall open, it would be saving money
by not covering the baths this winter. He now thought they had made a
mistake and had acted hastily. The Rovers Football Club, the
Featherstone Cricket Club and others were pressing for the Lister Hall.
The Welfare Institute had not sufficient accommodation to make these
events the success they had been in the past. He moved as a matter of
urgency the council change its mind.
Cr Darlington seconded on the understanding the bookings would be
sufficient to cover the expense. Cr Evans pointed out there was always a
loss on the baths, both summer and winter, but the bookings would be
such that the loss would be no more than in previous years.
Cr Ryan was against. He said the matter had already been thrashed out and not a new argument had been put forward. They
should remember they were trying to keep to their estimate. They could
not do this if they went back on their previous decision. The vote to
put the floor down was passed with only Cr Ryan voting against.
In December the council fixed the fee for the hire of the hall at £5 up to midnight, and 5s an hour after that time. The council would consider reductions for charitable organisations.
In December the council fixed the fee for the hire of the hall at £5 up to midnight, and 5s an hour after that time. The council would consider reductions for charitable organisations.
THE CRICKET CLUB ANNUAL DINNER
The Featherstone Cricket Club held their sixth annual dinner at the
Travellers' Hotel in November. The president, Roslyn Holiday, was away
on business so Mr J W McTrusty took over. He said the membership was
larger than ever, and the 500 members ranged in age from two to 70
years. He complimented the team and said the standard of play had been
higher than in any previous season. He said there was a movement afloat
to develop and strengthen sporting facilities in Featherstone, as to
which he could not say any more at present.
Mr G F Goulding, the secretary, said it cost £400 a year to run the club, and they had to rely on their efforts in the winter to pull them through. He was glad the council had decided to open Lister Hall, because if they hadn't the club would have lost money. He said the tennis section were anxious to have the courts off the cricket playing field and they had raised £20 towards this end.
The total paid at the gate last season for all games was only about £40, and when the umpires and other expenses were paid there was only £7 left. There was no paid work among the officials, and but for the voluntary work the club would not be able to continue. Next season they would issue cheap season tickets and he hoped the public would support them in this.
Mr P Darlington said Featherstone ought to be proud of the club. They had two bowlers and possibly one or two batsmen who would be seen in the Yorkshire County Cricket Club trial practices next season. They already had a connection with the Yorkshire County in Herbert Sutcliffe who, when war broke out, was a stores clerk at Ackton Hall Colliery. But for the war he would have had a much longer association with Featherstone. (Herbert Sutcliffe joined the county cricket team in 1919.)
Mr G F Goulding, the secretary, said it cost £400 a year to run the club, and they had to rely on their efforts in the winter to pull them through. He was glad the council had decided to open Lister Hall, because if they hadn't the club would have lost money. He said the tennis section were anxious to have the courts off the cricket playing field and they had raised £20 towards this end.
The total paid at the gate last season for all games was only about £40, and when the umpires and other expenses were paid there was only £7 left. There was no paid work among the officials, and but for the voluntary work the club would not be able to continue. Next season they would issue cheap season tickets and he hoped the public would support them in this.
Mr P Darlington said Featherstone ought to be proud of the club. They had two bowlers and possibly one or two batsmen who would be seen in the Yorkshire County Cricket Club trial practices next season. They already had a connection with the Yorkshire County in Herbert Sutcliffe who, when war broke out, was a stores clerk at Ackton Hall Colliery. But for the war he would have had a much longer association with Featherstone. (Herbert Sutcliffe joined the county cricket team in 1919.)
A BOARD AND LODGINGS CON
Albert Timmins and Joseph Garbutt, soldiers from Halifax, were in court
for obtaining board and lodgings from Hanah Dawes of Carlton Street by
false pretences. She said they came to her house on 5 December saying
they were working at Featherstone Main Colliery and had money owing for
shifts worked.
She
provided them with board and lodgings until 8 December when they
disappeared. During the weekend she had provided beef, mutton, fish, ham
and eggs, and other food. She put the cost at £1. The men told the
court they would have paid if they had had the chance.
Supt
Fairbairn said the two men went from the house to Pontefract Barracks
where they enlisted and were then sent to Halifax where they were
arrested. They were fined 33s each and they said they would pay as soon
as possible. The Bench said Mrs Dawes would be recouped from the fines.
A COVERED STAND FOR THE ROVERS
In December the Rugby League Council granted an application made by
Featherstone Rovers for a loan of £1,500 to enable them to provide the
long-discussed and greatly-needed covered stand. The Rovers were
represented at the meeting by Mr G Johnson and Mr J W McTrusty who
convinced the RL Council the club was run on sound lines.
The estimated cost of the stand was £2,500 and it would provide
accommodation for 2,000 spectators. The Rovers would have to find the
remaining £1,000, and the loan would be paid back at the rate of £150 a
year.
The Express
commented the Rovers' committee claimed the club was the most
economically conducted club in the league. Even with such miserable
gates as the one of £80 last Saturday the club is more than paying its
way. The covered stand should prove an excellent investment, and should
make a marked difference in attendance at home matches on wet days.
1925 NEWS ITEMS
JANUARY
Gilbert Scholefield age 25 of Housley Terrace, North Featherstone,
died when he was crushed between tubs at Featherstone Main Colliery. The
inquest held at the Gospel Hall decided it was accidental death. Albert
Asquith, one of the jurors, had not turned up at 11am, the time fixed
for the inquest, so he was fined 10s. He turned up immediately
afterwards and said he had mistaken the time so the coroner let him off
the fine.
A Featherstone schoolboy (not named) was in court for stealing an electric light bulb from a milk van in Featherstone Lane belonging to Harry Fisher of Moorside Farm. PC Hardy said he was in plain clothes and he saw the boy take the bulb from the rear light and run away. He chased him and caught him and was told he had taken it for his flashlight. His mother, much distressed, told the court he had been a good boy hitherto. The chairman said he must let this case be a lesson to him and bound him over for two years on payment of the costs of 19s.
At the Featherstone Tradesmen's Association annual meeting the secretary, Mr A Staples, said "Economic conditions during the year had caused much anxiety to traders. The mining community, upon which the traders chiefly relied, had had a very bad year. Wages had fluctuated considerably, often sinking to a very low point. This, and the bus services to other towns, had made business in Featherstone very difficult. Still, we must all keep smiling, and endeavour to serve the public to the best of out ability".
Michael Jean O'Connor age 41, an Irishman lodging at "Heathfield", Purston, was buried by a fall of roof at Featherstone Main Colliery and taken to Clayton Hospital where he died from his injuries two days later.
A cat was chased by a dog and it ran up an electric standard and would not come down. It was there all one Saturday and Sunday until noon. Would-be rescuers were put off by the "Danger, live wires" sign until eventually a Mr Orange of Freeman's Buildings decided it had been there long enough and got a ladder and brought it down to cheers from the large crowd.
Featherstone Rovers played Castleford in the annual Lyon Cup game in aid of Pontefract Infirmary. There were over 5,000 spectators to see the third game in the series and the Rovers won all three, this time 7-0. The games had raised £470 in the first two years, and another substantial sum was expected this year.
FEBRUARY Mr and Mrs Birmingham were returning home to North Featherstone on a Sunday morning from the Gospel Hall by motorcycle and sidecar. Something went wrong with the machine and they were both thrown out and rendered unconscious. Mr Birmingham was taken home but his wife had to be taken to Clayton Hospital where she died the next day.
John William Caswell age 18 of Earle Street was crushed between tubs at Ackton Hall Colliery on 27 November 1924. He was taken to Clayton Hospital and sent home on 3 January. He was readmitted two days later and died on 22 February. The inquest was told the cause of death was infection of the blood with bacteria from a septic focus, caused by being crushed. The jury decided it was accidental death.
MARCH In the county council elections Roslyn Holiday decided not to stand for re-election so it was between Mr J Poppleton and Mr E Hough who had the backing of the miners' union at all three local collieries. The number entitled to vote was 5,471 but only 1,952 turned out. Mr Hough won by 1,113 votes to 837. There were two spoilt papers.
An inquest was held in the Gospel Hall on Ben Crossley Potts age 31 of St Thomas Road who had been found in the mill pond in Wakefield Road. His wife said he left home at 3pm saying he was going for a walk. He was pulled out of the water two hours later by Thomas Banks who fetched PC Stubbs. They tried artificial respiration but to no avail. Dr Finch told the jury there was a history of depression and Mr Potts was such a man who might commit suicide. The jury decided it was suicide while of unsound mind.
A Featherstone schoolboy (not named) was in court for stealing an electric light bulb from a milk van in Featherstone Lane belonging to Harry Fisher of Moorside Farm. PC Hardy said he was in plain clothes and he saw the boy take the bulb from the rear light and run away. He chased him and caught him and was told he had taken it for his flashlight. His mother, much distressed, told the court he had been a good boy hitherto. The chairman said he must let this case be a lesson to him and bound him over for two years on payment of the costs of 19s.
At the Featherstone Tradesmen's Association annual meeting the secretary, Mr A Staples, said "Economic conditions during the year had caused much anxiety to traders. The mining community, upon which the traders chiefly relied, had had a very bad year. Wages had fluctuated considerably, often sinking to a very low point. This, and the bus services to other towns, had made business in Featherstone very difficult. Still, we must all keep smiling, and endeavour to serve the public to the best of out ability".
Michael Jean O'Connor age 41, an Irishman lodging at "Heathfield", Purston, was buried by a fall of roof at Featherstone Main Colliery and taken to Clayton Hospital where he died from his injuries two days later.
A cat was chased by a dog and it ran up an electric standard and would not come down. It was there all one Saturday and Sunday until noon. Would-be rescuers were put off by the "Danger, live wires" sign until eventually a Mr Orange of Freeman's Buildings decided it had been there long enough and got a ladder and brought it down to cheers from the large crowd.
Featherstone Rovers played Castleford in the annual Lyon Cup game in aid of Pontefract Infirmary. There were over 5,000 spectators to see the third game in the series and the Rovers won all three, this time 7-0. The games had raised £470 in the first two years, and another substantial sum was expected this year.
FEBRUARY Mr and Mrs Birmingham were returning home to North Featherstone on a Sunday morning from the Gospel Hall by motorcycle and sidecar. Something went wrong with the machine and they were both thrown out and rendered unconscious. Mr Birmingham was taken home but his wife had to be taken to Clayton Hospital where she died the next day.
John William Caswell age 18 of Earle Street was crushed between tubs at Ackton Hall Colliery on 27 November 1924. He was taken to Clayton Hospital and sent home on 3 January. He was readmitted two days later and died on 22 February. The inquest was told the cause of death was infection of the blood with bacteria from a septic focus, caused by being crushed. The jury decided it was accidental death.
MARCH In the county council elections Roslyn Holiday decided not to stand for re-election so it was between Mr J Poppleton and Mr E Hough who had the backing of the miners' union at all three local collieries. The number entitled to vote was 5,471 but only 1,952 turned out. Mr Hough won by 1,113 votes to 837. There were two spoilt papers.
An inquest was held in the Gospel Hall on Ben Crossley Potts age 31 of St Thomas Road who had been found in the mill pond in Wakefield Road. His wife said he left home at 3pm saying he was going for a walk. He was pulled out of the water two hours later by Thomas Banks who fetched PC Stubbs. They tried artificial respiration but to no avail. Dr Finch told the jury there was a history of depression and Mr Potts was such a man who might commit suicide. The jury decided it was suicide while of unsound mind.
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| The mill pond. A photo from the Tony Lumb Collection. |
The
Miners' Welfare Institute Committee agreed to the institute being made a
centre for a circulating library under the county council scheme.
The dispute between the council and Mrs Driver rumbled on. At the March council meeting Dr Steven, the medical officer, reported on the sanitary state of backyards in Halton Street. The clerk was instructed to write to Mrs Driver re the delay in converting the privies and pointing out she was not keeping to the agreement she made with the council.
Because last year's whist drive and dance in aid of the three hospitals had been a success, the council decided to have another in the Lister Hall. About 200 turned up for the whist drive and many more for the dance. The fancy dress competition was won by Florrie Roberts' "Grandma" and Mr W E Day's "Bluebeard". It was hoped last year's receipts would at least be equalled.
The dispute between the council and Mrs Driver rumbled on. At the March council meeting Dr Steven, the medical officer, reported on the sanitary state of backyards in Halton Street. The clerk was instructed to write to Mrs Driver re the delay in converting the privies and pointing out she was not keeping to the agreement she made with the council.
Because last year's whist drive and dance in aid of the three hospitals had been a success, the council decided to have another in the Lister Hall. About 200 turned up for the whist drive and many more for the dance. The fancy dress competition was won by Florrie Roberts' "Grandma" and Mr W E Day's "Bluebeard". It was hoped last year's receipts would at least be equalled.
The balance sheet produced later showed £177 had been collected
leaving, after expenses, £148. It was decided to give £50 to Leeds
General Infirmary and £30 each to Clayton Hospital and Pontefract
Infirmary. The balance would be divided between Featherstone Maternity
and Child Welfare Committee, and Featherstone Tuberculosis Care and
Aftercare Committee. The latter also received £14 from an entertainment
put on by Miss Mabel Alexander's pierette troupe.
Samuel Moxon of Pontefract was charged with attempted false pretences at Featherstone Main Colliery. It was the practice at the pit that if a tub was upset on its way to the pit bottom as much coal as possible was put back in and the deputy chalked "tip-up" on the tub. The collier was then paid the average weight of a full tub.
Mr Moxon was seen to bring out a tub only partly filled and write tip-up on it. Mr Clayton-Smith, for the company, said this was the first case of this kind he had known to be brought. The offence might not be as bad as false mottying but it was still fraud. The chairman said it had been a near thing whether they sent him to prison or not, but they decided to fine him £2.
APRIL An inquest was held in the Gospel Hall into the death of John Wright age 25 of Featherstone Lane who was killed by a fall of roof in Featherstone Main Colliery. He was completely buried and the rescuers were handicapped in not knowing exactly where he was. After hearing the evidence the coroner said it was one of those accidents which no amount of foresight could prevent. The jury decided it was accidental death.
In the council elections Herbert Hall had a walkover for the Snydale Ward (which included Streethouse). The result of the other wards were:
North Ward A M G Prest 787 T Garritty 611
South Ward A Lindley 253 A Sharratt 215
Purston Ward T Ryan 456 H Staples 237
The dispute with Mrs Driver neared its end. At the council meeting it was said, subject to certain minor items, to be finished within seven days, the work is considered satisfactory and a certificate would be given when all is completed.
There were complaints of pilfering from the ladies cloakroom at the Miners' Welfare Institute. PC Lee hid in a false roof during a dance and saw a 15 year old girl taking things from pockets. In court Inspector Elliott said she was a respectable girl of respectable parents, and the chairman said the Bench were pained and surprised at her conduct. They would give her another chance, and she was bound over to be of good behaviour for three years.
A Featherstone miner was in court for attempting to obtain money by
false pretences, namely changing the motty on a workmate's tub to his
own. It was said there had been a series of complaints of false mottying
so a deputy was keeping watch and caught the defendant doing it. The
chairman said the Bench took a very serious view of this case. This was
the most despicable form of offence one miner could commit against a
workmate, and the Bench were determined to suppress it. He was sent to
prison for two months with hard labour.
At the council's annual meeting the chairman Peter Darlington declined to be re-elected and said he had held the office for two years and he thought some other member should have the honour. Cr Rodgers, last year's vice-chairman, was elected by five votes to four.
Roslyn Holiday performed the opening ceremony for the new Salvation Army premises in Post Office Road which had cost £360. Major Beaumont gave the financial statement and said Mr Holiday had given them a cheque for £50 from the trustees of Ackton Hall Colliery. He said this was the outward expression of the late Lord Masham's interest in what the Salvation Army was doing in the town.
At the council's annual meeting the chairman Peter Darlington declined to be re-elected and said he had held the office for two years and he thought some other member should have the honour. Cr Rodgers, last year's vice-chairman, was elected by five votes to four.
Roslyn Holiday performed the opening ceremony for the new Salvation Army premises in Post Office Road which had cost £360. Major Beaumont gave the financial statement and said Mr Holiday had given them a cheque for £50 from the trustees of Ackton Hall Colliery. He said this was the outward expression of the late Lord Masham's interest in what the Salvation Army was doing in the town.
 |
| The Salvation Army Songsters. A photo from the Featherstone Library Collection. |
MAY
William Barnes age 66 of Lord Street was seen to leave his home. lock
the door, and put the key under the door. Then he walked towards Green
Lane. He was found the next day drowned in the Featherstone Main
reservoir. No suicide note was found but the inquest jury decided Barnes
drowned himself while of unsound mind.
A telephone exchange was installed at the post office for the 40 subscribers in Featherstone and Purston.
JUNE The British Legion organised a day trip to Scarborough for 120 children of Featherstone and District soldiers who died in the Great War. They left the British Legion Club at 7.30am and stopped for breakfast at Malton. Scarborough was reached at noon and they were given dinner. Then followed six hours boating and playing on the sands. On the return trip another stop was made at Malton for refreshments, and they arrived home at 10pm. They had each been given 8d spending money, a stick of rock and fruit.
The Normanton and District Joint Isolation Hospital committee told the council the decrease in the cost of medicines enabled them to reduce the charge to the council for typhoid and diphtheria cases to 6s a day. The charge for scarlet fever patients would remain at 3s a day.
A telephone exchange was installed at the post office for the 40 subscribers in Featherstone and Purston.
JUNE The British Legion organised a day trip to Scarborough for 120 children of Featherstone and District soldiers who died in the Great War. They left the British Legion Club at 7.30am and stopped for breakfast at Malton. Scarborough was reached at noon and they were given dinner. Then followed six hours boating and playing on the sands. On the return trip another stop was made at Malton for refreshments, and they arrived home at 10pm. They had each been given 8d spending money, a stick of rock and fruit.
The Normanton and District Joint Isolation Hospital committee told the council the decrease in the cost of medicines enabled them to reduce the charge to the council for typhoid and diphtheria cases to 6s a day. The charge for scarlet fever patients would remain at 3s a day.
JULY
PC's Stubbs and Senior saw a large crowd in Wakefield Road and found
John Roberts of Purston and Robert Hughes of Featherstone fighting. They
were sent home and later received a summons for obstructing the highway
by fighting. They failed to appear in court but were fined 5s each.
Five Featherstone pit lads were in court for doing damage to a field of grass belonging to Joseph Hoyle a Featherstone butcher. They said they were digging for cat nuts and were bound over for 12 months on payment of 6s each costs.
George White age 32 of Purston Terrace was hit by a fall of coal at Featherstone Main Colliery and died from a fractured skull. The inquest jury decided it was misadventure.
The sixth annual Old Featherstone and Ackton Treat was held in Farmer Copley's field at Ackton. There was a procession from Old Featherstone headed by the Castleford Town Band in which "Britannia" (Nora Popplewell) was the chief attraction. There were other children in fancy dress and comic costumes. On arrival at the field 300 children had tea while the old folk had their meal in the National School.
After the tea there were sports for the children and in the evening there was a maypole display and folk dancing by children from the school and musical selections by the Castleford Town Band and the Ferrybridge Comic and Charity Band.
Friend Brook age 63 of Gordon Street was hit on the foot by a piece of stone which fell from the roof at Ackton Hall Colliery in March. He died 25 July and Dr Steven told the inquest gangrene developed after two or three weeks and there was no chance for the man. He said amputation was out of the question. The jury decided it was death from misadventure.
Nine Featherstone men were in court for playing pontoon in Purston. The penalties varied from 20s to three years probation depending on previous convictions.
A Rugby Union club was formed in connection with Featherstone Parish Church and with Revd J Gray as president. They had been admitted to the Yorkshire Ruby Union and had obtained a ground in Halfpenny Lane. A fixture list of 22 matches had been arranged apart from the cup-ties.
AUGUST Miss Owen, the health visitor, resigned. The council accepted her resignation with regret and decided to advertise the position at a salary of £180 per annum plus £10 per annum for a uniform and a bicycle. The candidates must possess full qualifications.
The Featherstone Rovers committee said if the proposed purchase of the ground by the Miners' Welfare Fund went ahead they would apply themselves to providing covered stand accommodation.
The fourth Hospital Sunday event was held on the Rovers ground. There was a good attendance to see and hear the Featherstone Permanent Orchestra and the Salvation Army Band. A massed choir of the churches and chapels sang religious songs and hymns including the Hallelujah Chorus. The sum raised was £14 7s with expenses of £3 10s.
A wall and ornamental gates were being built around Purston Church. The stone was given by Ackton Hall Colliery through the kindness of Roslyn Holiday. The cost was £250 of which £100 was still to be raised.
An inquest was held in Wakefield into the death of Frank Early age 44 of Station Lane who died in Clayton Hospital the day after he was injured by a fall of roof at Snydale Colliery. Dr Barr said Early had a two inches long wound in his stomach as if he had fallen onto his pick. Death was due to shock. The jury decided it was accidental death.
Calvert Hewitt of Purston Buildings was hit by a fall of roof at Featherstone Main Colliery and died before he could be taken out of the pit. The inquest jury at the Gospel Hall decided it was death by misadventure.
The Featherstone feast closed down at midnight on a Saturday and James Thoyle claimed in court he had been assaulted by five men when he got to the Station Lane end of Maxwell Street. He said his injuries had cost him £8 15s 6d in lost wages. They were Lister, Edward and Arnold Edwards, Frank Dean and Leonard Higson. Arnold Edwards admitted the charge but the others denied it. Thomas Henry Parker said he too was assaulted by the defendants. After a great deal of contradictory evidence Lister and Arnold Edwards were fined 40s each, half of which was compensation to James Thoyle for loss of wages, and the other three were found not guilty.
SEPTEMBER The council agreed to have white direction lines painted on the roads at important corners and crossings in the district, and applied to the county council for lines to be painted on the Pontefract and Wakefield main road. The two bus companies were to be asked to provide covered stands at the principal bus stops.
James Wolstenholme age 26 of Scarborough Terrace was killed by a fall of stone at Snydale Colliery. The inquest jury decided it was accidental death.
Amelia Land was hanging out the washing at her grandmother's home in Pretoria Street when she heard her scream and found she had tripped and fallen. Sarah Guy, a widow age 81, was taken by ambulance to Dr Steven's surgery and he sent her to Pontefract Workhouse Infirmary, She died later from shock and exhaustion consequent on a fracture of the left femur. A verdict of death by misadventure was returned at the inquest.
Five Featherstone schoolboys were in court for throwing stones at trains from the Sandygate Bridge. An engine driver reported it at Pontefract Station and PC Barker saw the boys who admitted the offence. The railway company decided they must take proceedings even though they were small boys because it was a dangerous practice. PC Barker said there was half a hundredweight of stones tipped on the railway, and one parent complained it was putting temptation in the way of boys when stones were tipped near a railway bridge. They were fined 10s each and the parents were told to impress on their sons the seriousness of the offence.
Nine boys were in court for doing 18s damage at the sewage works. They were fined 10s each and the parents were urged to have better control of their children. One father said it would be better if the lads were given two strokes of the birch rather than parents paying the fine.
Joseph Watson had been secretary of the gas company for nearly 50 years. On his retirement he was presented with a double settee which he said now he had arrived at his days of ease he would be able to make good use of it. It was noted there were 100 shareholders when he became secretary and he had survived all but one.
OCTOBER Four little schoolgirls and one schoolboy were in court for stealing potatoes from a farm owned by the South Kirkby, Featherstone and Hemsworth Collieries Company. The children were seen carrying potatoes from a field on the farm. Mr Guy Clayton-Smith, for the company, said over a ton of potatoes had been taken from the field but he did not allege these children were responsible for the lot. The chairman said each of the parents would be fined 6s, and for one boy who did not appear his parents would have to pay 8s.
Robert Peel Smith, a 16 years old Featherstone bus conductor, was in Leeds Court for allowing a bus to be overcrowded. Two policemen doing a stop and search on the road from Leeds to Castleford stopped the bus and found 24 persons seated and 11 standing. The measurement regulation only allowed 24 seated. The Bench said they were determined to stop overcrowding and fined him £5.
Robert Henry Jackson, a Featherstone bus driver, was in Leeds Court for speeding. Two policemen were in a car testing the speed of buses and they said he had driven at 30mph. Mr Jackson said he thought the Heavy Vehicles Act only applied to vehicles over three tons, and his bus weighed 45 cwt. He was fined 40s.
Mrs Swift took up her duties as the new health visitor. The council decided to offer her the first vacant house in the Church Fields area, and to allow her one free gallon of petrol per week for her motor-cycle.
NOVEMBER The surveyor reported a fatal accident to a cyclist when the council's Foden steam waggon was being taken for repairs. It happened in Manchester and there was no blame attached to the driver. The council sent its sincere sympathy to the parents and contacted the insurance company to see if an ex-gratia payment could be made to the witnesses and parents.
Five Featherstone pit lads were in court for doing damage to a field of grass belonging to Joseph Hoyle a Featherstone butcher. They said they were digging for cat nuts and were bound over for 12 months on payment of 6s each costs.
George White age 32 of Purston Terrace was hit by a fall of coal at Featherstone Main Colliery and died from a fractured skull. The inquest jury decided it was misadventure.
The sixth annual Old Featherstone and Ackton Treat was held in Farmer Copley's field at Ackton. There was a procession from Old Featherstone headed by the Castleford Town Band in which "Britannia" (Nora Popplewell) was the chief attraction. There were other children in fancy dress and comic costumes. On arrival at the field 300 children had tea while the old folk had their meal in the National School.
After the tea there were sports for the children and in the evening there was a maypole display and folk dancing by children from the school and musical selections by the Castleford Town Band and the Ferrybridge Comic and Charity Band.
Friend Brook age 63 of Gordon Street was hit on the foot by a piece of stone which fell from the roof at Ackton Hall Colliery in March. He died 25 July and Dr Steven told the inquest gangrene developed after two or three weeks and there was no chance for the man. He said amputation was out of the question. The jury decided it was death from misadventure.
Nine Featherstone men were in court for playing pontoon in Purston. The penalties varied from 20s to three years probation depending on previous convictions.
A Rugby Union club was formed in connection with Featherstone Parish Church and with Revd J Gray as president. They had been admitted to the Yorkshire Ruby Union and had obtained a ground in Halfpenny Lane. A fixture list of 22 matches had been arranged apart from the cup-ties.
AUGUST Miss Owen, the health visitor, resigned. The council accepted her resignation with regret and decided to advertise the position at a salary of £180 per annum plus £10 per annum for a uniform and a bicycle. The candidates must possess full qualifications.
The Featherstone Rovers committee said if the proposed purchase of the ground by the Miners' Welfare Fund went ahead they would apply themselves to providing covered stand accommodation.
The fourth Hospital Sunday event was held on the Rovers ground. There was a good attendance to see and hear the Featherstone Permanent Orchestra and the Salvation Army Band. A massed choir of the churches and chapels sang religious songs and hymns including the Hallelujah Chorus. The sum raised was £14 7s with expenses of £3 10s.
A wall and ornamental gates were being built around Purston Church. The stone was given by Ackton Hall Colliery through the kindness of Roslyn Holiday. The cost was £250 of which £100 was still to be raised.
An inquest was held in Wakefield into the death of Frank Early age 44 of Station Lane who died in Clayton Hospital the day after he was injured by a fall of roof at Snydale Colliery. Dr Barr said Early had a two inches long wound in his stomach as if he had fallen onto his pick. Death was due to shock. The jury decided it was accidental death.
Calvert Hewitt of Purston Buildings was hit by a fall of roof at Featherstone Main Colliery and died before he could be taken out of the pit. The inquest jury at the Gospel Hall decided it was death by misadventure.
The Featherstone feast closed down at midnight on a Saturday and James Thoyle claimed in court he had been assaulted by five men when he got to the Station Lane end of Maxwell Street. He said his injuries had cost him £8 15s 6d in lost wages. They were Lister, Edward and Arnold Edwards, Frank Dean and Leonard Higson. Arnold Edwards admitted the charge but the others denied it. Thomas Henry Parker said he too was assaulted by the defendants. After a great deal of contradictory evidence Lister and Arnold Edwards were fined 40s each, half of which was compensation to James Thoyle for loss of wages, and the other three were found not guilty.
SEPTEMBER The council agreed to have white direction lines painted on the roads at important corners and crossings in the district, and applied to the county council for lines to be painted on the Pontefract and Wakefield main road. The two bus companies were to be asked to provide covered stands at the principal bus stops.
James Wolstenholme age 26 of Scarborough Terrace was killed by a fall of stone at Snydale Colliery. The inquest jury decided it was accidental death.
Amelia Land was hanging out the washing at her grandmother's home in Pretoria Street when she heard her scream and found she had tripped and fallen. Sarah Guy, a widow age 81, was taken by ambulance to Dr Steven's surgery and he sent her to Pontefract Workhouse Infirmary, She died later from shock and exhaustion consequent on a fracture of the left femur. A verdict of death by misadventure was returned at the inquest.
Five Featherstone schoolboys were in court for throwing stones at trains from the Sandygate Bridge. An engine driver reported it at Pontefract Station and PC Barker saw the boys who admitted the offence. The railway company decided they must take proceedings even though they were small boys because it was a dangerous practice. PC Barker said there was half a hundredweight of stones tipped on the railway, and one parent complained it was putting temptation in the way of boys when stones were tipped near a railway bridge. They were fined 10s each and the parents were told to impress on their sons the seriousness of the offence.
Nine boys were in court for doing 18s damage at the sewage works. They were fined 10s each and the parents were urged to have better control of their children. One father said it would be better if the lads were given two strokes of the birch rather than parents paying the fine.
Joseph Watson had been secretary of the gas company for nearly 50 years. On his retirement he was presented with a double settee which he said now he had arrived at his days of ease he would be able to make good use of it. It was noted there were 100 shareholders when he became secretary and he had survived all but one.
OCTOBER Four little schoolgirls and one schoolboy were in court for stealing potatoes from a farm owned by the South Kirkby, Featherstone and Hemsworth Collieries Company. The children were seen carrying potatoes from a field on the farm. Mr Guy Clayton-Smith, for the company, said over a ton of potatoes had been taken from the field but he did not allege these children were responsible for the lot. The chairman said each of the parents would be fined 6s, and for one boy who did not appear his parents would have to pay 8s.
Robert Peel Smith, a 16 years old Featherstone bus conductor, was in Leeds Court for allowing a bus to be overcrowded. Two policemen doing a stop and search on the road from Leeds to Castleford stopped the bus and found 24 persons seated and 11 standing. The measurement regulation only allowed 24 seated. The Bench said they were determined to stop overcrowding and fined him £5.
Robert Henry Jackson, a Featherstone bus driver, was in Leeds Court for speeding. Two policemen were in a car testing the speed of buses and they said he had driven at 30mph. Mr Jackson said he thought the Heavy Vehicles Act only applied to vehicles over three tons, and his bus weighed 45 cwt. He was fined 40s.
Mrs Swift took up her duties as the new health visitor. The council decided to offer her the first vacant house in the Church Fields area, and to allow her one free gallon of petrol per week for her motor-cycle.
NOVEMBER The surveyor reported a fatal accident to a cyclist when the council's Foden steam waggon was being taken for repairs. It happened in Manchester and there was no blame attached to the driver. The council sent its sincere sympathy to the parents and contacted the insurance company to see if an ex-gratia payment could be made to the witnesses and parents.
The Featherstone Branch of the British Legion was busy around
Remembrance Day. They spent time selling poppies, placed a wreath on the
Ackton Hall Colliery Memorial and attended North Featherstone Lane
Girls' School to lay a wreath at the school's memorial and take part in
the service where the roll of honour was read out by schoolgirl Yelma
Brealey.
On Remembrance Sunday the Legion attended a crowded Purston Church. At
the conclusion of the service Mrs Darlington laid a wreath on the War
Memorial on behalf of the woman and children of those who gave their
lives, and another wreath was placed on the memorial by the Legion "In
memory of our fallen comrades".
PC Beaumont told Pontefract Court he signalled a lorry to come out of Station Lane and put his other hand up to stop other traffic. A van ignored his signal and collided with the lorry. Joseph Wilkinson of Bradford, the van driver, said he did not see PC Beaumont give a signal. He was travelling at about 15 mph and gave notice of his approach. When he saw the lorry he did his best to avoid a collision. he admitted 15 mph was too fast to pass Station Lane but he would have slowed down. He was fined £2.
Walter Lunn of Fox Row and Edith Woodhead of Wesley Place were sliding on Wakefield Road and they were hit by a bus. The driver found both underneath his bus and they were pulled out and found to be uninjured.
There were 62 applications for the vacant position of headmaster at North Featherstone Lane Boys' School. Featherstone education sub-committee put forward Harold Birch, headmaster at Saddleworth School, and Mr A Alexander, headmaster at Purston National School, to the county council to decide. The West Riding Education Committee chose Mr Birch, a Featherstone man, who had already been offered a job in London. He elected to return to Featherstone.
Mr J A Haigh, the council's clerk, and Miss M Maxwell, an assistant in the council's surveyor's department had recently married and they were presented with a solid silver teapot by members and officials of the council. They were also presented with two bronzes from the workmen.
DECEMBER Horace Gilbert, a greengrocer, admitted in court he had scales which were unstamped and untrue. The scales had been condemned and marked by Inspector T S Roberts who said when the weights were placed in a certain position the scale was two ounces against the purchaser. Mr Gilbert said the scales had not been right since being dropped, and he would have done better if he had bought new instead of having repairs. He was fined 20s and the scales were ordered to be forfeited.
The council decided a house in Featherstone Square was so overcrowded it was dangerous or injurious to the inmates, and the renter, Mr H Baker, was given 14 days to abate the nuisance.
PC Beaumont told Pontefract Court he signalled a lorry to come out of Station Lane and put his other hand up to stop other traffic. A van ignored his signal and collided with the lorry. Joseph Wilkinson of Bradford, the van driver, said he did not see PC Beaumont give a signal. He was travelling at about 15 mph and gave notice of his approach. When he saw the lorry he did his best to avoid a collision. he admitted 15 mph was too fast to pass Station Lane but he would have slowed down. He was fined £2.
Walter Lunn of Fox Row and Edith Woodhead of Wesley Place were sliding on Wakefield Road and they were hit by a bus. The driver found both underneath his bus and they were pulled out and found to be uninjured.
There were 62 applications for the vacant position of headmaster at North Featherstone Lane Boys' School. Featherstone education sub-committee put forward Harold Birch, headmaster at Saddleworth School, and Mr A Alexander, headmaster at Purston National School, to the county council to decide. The West Riding Education Committee chose Mr Birch, a Featherstone man, who had already been offered a job in London. He elected to return to Featherstone.
Mr J A Haigh, the council's clerk, and Miss M Maxwell, an assistant in the council's surveyor's department had recently married and they were presented with a solid silver teapot by members and officials of the council. They were also presented with two bronzes from the workmen.
DECEMBER Horace Gilbert, a greengrocer, admitted in court he had scales which were unstamped and untrue. The scales had been condemned and marked by Inspector T S Roberts who said when the weights were placed in a certain position the scale was two ounces against the purchaser. Mr Gilbert said the scales had not been right since being dropped, and he would have done better if he had bought new instead of having repairs. He was fined 20s and the scales were ordered to be forfeited.
The council decided a house in Featherstone Square was so overcrowded it was dangerous or injurious to the inmates, and the renter, Mr H Baker, was given 14 days to abate the nuisance.