A HISTORY OF FEATHERSTONE
1895
THE GREAT SIDINGS CONTROVERSY
At the first full meeting of Featherstone Urban District Council in
January Cr Swain proposed the railway lines across Green Lane should be
removed. Lord Masham, or anybody else, he contended, had no right to
make the road private. "You will all remember when the battle of the
gate took place, when the Local Board rose to its dignity and swept the
gate away". There was no seconder because the council decided to seek
legal advice as had the Local Board.
A week later George Farrar, a farmer and carting agent, who did carting work at Ackton Hall Colliery, went there on Saturday but found it was a general play day. He was leaving the premises and at the railway lines on Green Lane a light engine approached from Featherstone Main Colliery. His horse became unmanageable and knocked him down and the engine passed over his left leg almost severing it. At his own request he was taken home in his cart, but Dr Steven recommended removal to Clayton Hospital by the Ackton Hall ambulance. He died from shock the next day.
The engine driver told the inquest he sounded his whistle four times and applied his brakes but he could not stop in time. The jury's verdict was accidental death.
The second legal opinion was received in February and it was Green Lane and Middle Lane were highways and it was the duty of the council to prevent any obstruction or nuisance. Lord Masham was entitled to use the lanes but the use of rails could be deemed a nuisance. After discussing that legal opinion the council voted 4-3 to give notice to John Shaw and Lord Masham to remove the level crossings or abate the nuisance within 21 days.
It then became apparent the bridge over Station Lane was not intended as a substitute for the sidings because both collieries decided taking up the lines over the lanes would severely restrict the working of the collieries, so as a precautionary measure all the workers at both pits were given 14 days notice.
The notice posted at the pitheads read "In consequence of our having received an order from the Featherstone Urban District Council, dated 22nd February, 1895, to take up all our rails crossing Green Lane and Middle Lane within twenty-one days, and whereas the doing so will greatly interfere with the working of this colliery, and possibly stop it altogether, we are compelled for our own protection to give fourteen days notice to all the men in our employ to terminate their contracts, and, we hereby give such notice".
The coal owners may have been bluffing but the possibility of the pits closing over what seemed to many as a storm in a teacup caused such a row in the town the council called a special meeting. Cr Denton said they did not want all the rails removed, but they should never allow any man to turn the public roads into sidings. Cr Swain said the inconvenience which had existed for a long time must be removed. He said it was downright nonsense to say they wanted to stop the coal trade. Mr Kaberry, the clerk, said there was an alternative in that the council only wanted doing what was necessary in the interest of public safety.
Cr Swain proposed putting up public posters explaining the council's views. Cr Walmsley proposed those who wanted to put them up should pay for them. The voting was even and the chairman gave his casting vote to Cr Swain.
Mr Holiday gave an interview to the Bradford Observer in which he said the traffic over the lines was so small it could not be called a nuisance and Middle Lane was not a highway but merely a bridleway. He claimed "To a man the whole of the men in the two collieries are indignant about it and are prepared to back us up at both collieries thoroughly".
Mr Holiday blamed the vigilance committee for stirring things up and said it was significant three men with an interest in Snydale Colliery were on Featherstone Urban District Council - the inference being anything bad for Ackton Hall Colliery would be good for Snydale Colliery.
The local tradesmen were very worried about what would happen to them if the pits closed so they called a public meeting at Purston National School. John Waller took the chair. He said the collieries made the staple trade of the neighbourhood, and every consideration should be given to Lord Masham and Mr John Shaw. Had they approached the District Council in a proper manner the council would have met them. What the council wanted was proper protection should be afforded to all using the lanes.
Revd H S Rogers, Vicar of Purston said nothing would be gained by recriminations. He had good authority Lord Masham and Mr Shaw were willing to submit and do what was necessary for public safety. They owed much to Mr Shaw and Lord Masham. He had reason to be grateful to both of them for their liberality in the parish and they ought to be treated with some consideration. The meeting would do a good thing in sending a notice to the council asking them to withdraw their notice and try to get the question settle amicably.
Revd F G Stebbing said it was not only a tradesmen's question, but one for them all. He could see much danger in the notice having been sent to the colliery owners, and if Lord Masham and Mr Shaw closed their pits what situation would the people be in? It was on the existence of the collieries that the district depended. Where would they be if the pits were closed? He asked them to show by resolution the District Council had acted unwisely in issuing the notices, and expressing a desire they should be withdrawn.
Mr Denton was asked to speak but he said he would not unless a resolution was put to the meeting. Revd Stebbing then proposed "That it is the opinion of this meeting that the notice recently served by the Featherstone Urban District Council upon Lord Masham and Mr John Shaw should be immediately withdrawn, and that our council try to get the proprietors of the collieries in question to protect the rails afterwards". After some apparent begging for a seconder, Mr Middleton of Snydale seconded the resolution.
Mr Denton then denied the council had in any way harassed the colliery owners, and Lord Masham's action in laying down the rails was a distinct trespass. Upon the colliery owners rested the responsibility for whatever loss or injury was sustained.
Mr Jaques (of Jaques and Maxwell, grocers) asked Mr Denton to abandon his belligerent attitude and said if Snydale Colliery had been affected Mr Denton would have acted in a different way (Mr Denton lived at Streethouse). He asked who was to feed the 1,500 men who would be thrown out of employment by the closing of the collieries?
Mr Joseph Turner criticised the chairman for calling the working class "paltry ratepayers" and being able to take up their beds and walk when they liked (a reference to the many moonlight flits) while the larger ratepayers were not able to do this. (The Express commented Mr Waller made several similar remarks about the poorer classes during the meeting.)
The resolution was put to the meeting and 53 voted in favour and 22 against. Many abstained, and it was said some who voted were not ratepayers.
The next week the council could see they had not got the residents behind them so they agreed to postpone the notice to the owners for two months and offer to meet them again. They considered the owners were ignoring the second part of the notice ie "abate the nuisance" and refusing to write to the council because it would have admitted the council's responsibility in the matter. A week later the colliery owners withdrew the notice given to the workers.
At the May meeting of the council it was announced nothing had been done in Green Lane. Cr Denton claimed Lord Masham had been bluffing when he said he would close the pit. The lines caused a two feet high obstruction with rails, sleepers and ashes. He proposed taking legal proceedings and the council voted 7-2 in favour, but for some reason they didn't and instead asked the Local Government Board for guidance. That Board replied in August and said they could not interfere in the dispute because it did not come under the Railways Act.
The council were then told John Shaw had laid additional sidings which obviated a lot of shunting over Green Lane, and Lord Masham had also done work to ease the situation, including placing a man with a red flag at the Green Lane crossing. The council voted to refer the matter back to the highways committee, but Cr Denton said he would have to resign from that committee.
The council eventually decided the colliery owners had done enough so they could abandon the matter without too much loss of face. It was later reported the man with the red flag and his box had been removed but the council did nothing about it.
A week later George Farrar, a farmer and carting agent, who did carting work at Ackton Hall Colliery, went there on Saturday but found it was a general play day. He was leaving the premises and at the railway lines on Green Lane a light engine approached from Featherstone Main Colliery. His horse became unmanageable and knocked him down and the engine passed over his left leg almost severing it. At his own request he was taken home in his cart, but Dr Steven recommended removal to Clayton Hospital by the Ackton Hall ambulance. He died from shock the next day.
The engine driver told the inquest he sounded his whistle four times and applied his brakes but he could not stop in time. The jury's verdict was accidental death.
The second legal opinion was received in February and it was Green Lane and Middle Lane were highways and it was the duty of the council to prevent any obstruction or nuisance. Lord Masham was entitled to use the lanes but the use of rails could be deemed a nuisance. After discussing that legal opinion the council voted 4-3 to give notice to John Shaw and Lord Masham to remove the level crossings or abate the nuisance within 21 days.
It then became apparent the bridge over Station Lane was not intended as a substitute for the sidings because both collieries decided taking up the lines over the lanes would severely restrict the working of the collieries, so as a precautionary measure all the workers at both pits were given 14 days notice.
The notice posted at the pitheads read "In consequence of our having received an order from the Featherstone Urban District Council, dated 22nd February, 1895, to take up all our rails crossing Green Lane and Middle Lane within twenty-one days, and whereas the doing so will greatly interfere with the working of this colliery, and possibly stop it altogether, we are compelled for our own protection to give fourteen days notice to all the men in our employ to terminate their contracts, and, we hereby give such notice".
The coal owners may have been bluffing but the possibility of the pits closing over what seemed to many as a storm in a teacup caused such a row in the town the council called a special meeting. Cr Denton said they did not want all the rails removed, but they should never allow any man to turn the public roads into sidings. Cr Swain said the inconvenience which had existed for a long time must be removed. He said it was downright nonsense to say they wanted to stop the coal trade. Mr Kaberry, the clerk, said there was an alternative in that the council only wanted doing what was necessary in the interest of public safety.
Cr Swain proposed putting up public posters explaining the council's views. Cr Walmsley proposed those who wanted to put them up should pay for them. The voting was even and the chairman gave his casting vote to Cr Swain.
Mr Holiday gave an interview to the Bradford Observer in which he said the traffic over the lines was so small it could not be called a nuisance and Middle Lane was not a highway but merely a bridleway. He claimed "To a man the whole of the men in the two collieries are indignant about it and are prepared to back us up at both collieries thoroughly".
Mr Holiday blamed the vigilance committee for stirring things up and said it was significant three men with an interest in Snydale Colliery were on Featherstone Urban District Council - the inference being anything bad for Ackton Hall Colliery would be good for Snydale Colliery.
The local tradesmen were very worried about what would happen to them if the pits closed so they called a public meeting at Purston National School. John Waller took the chair. He said the collieries made the staple trade of the neighbourhood, and every consideration should be given to Lord Masham and Mr John Shaw. Had they approached the District Council in a proper manner the council would have met them. What the council wanted was proper protection should be afforded to all using the lanes.
Revd H S Rogers, Vicar of Purston said nothing would be gained by recriminations. He had good authority Lord Masham and Mr Shaw were willing to submit and do what was necessary for public safety. They owed much to Mr Shaw and Lord Masham. He had reason to be grateful to both of them for their liberality in the parish and they ought to be treated with some consideration. The meeting would do a good thing in sending a notice to the council asking them to withdraw their notice and try to get the question settle amicably.
Revd F G Stebbing said it was not only a tradesmen's question, but one for them all. He could see much danger in the notice having been sent to the colliery owners, and if Lord Masham and Mr Shaw closed their pits what situation would the people be in? It was on the existence of the collieries that the district depended. Where would they be if the pits were closed? He asked them to show by resolution the District Council had acted unwisely in issuing the notices, and expressing a desire they should be withdrawn.
Mr Denton was asked to speak but he said he would not unless a resolution was put to the meeting. Revd Stebbing then proposed "That it is the opinion of this meeting that the notice recently served by the Featherstone Urban District Council upon Lord Masham and Mr John Shaw should be immediately withdrawn, and that our council try to get the proprietors of the collieries in question to protect the rails afterwards". After some apparent begging for a seconder, Mr Middleton of Snydale seconded the resolution.
Mr Denton then denied the council had in any way harassed the colliery owners, and Lord Masham's action in laying down the rails was a distinct trespass. Upon the colliery owners rested the responsibility for whatever loss or injury was sustained.
Mr Jaques (of Jaques and Maxwell, grocers) asked Mr Denton to abandon his belligerent attitude and said if Snydale Colliery had been affected Mr Denton would have acted in a different way (Mr Denton lived at Streethouse). He asked who was to feed the 1,500 men who would be thrown out of employment by the closing of the collieries?
Mr Joseph Turner criticised the chairman for calling the working class "paltry ratepayers" and being able to take up their beds and walk when they liked (a reference to the many moonlight flits) while the larger ratepayers were not able to do this. (The Express commented Mr Waller made several similar remarks about the poorer classes during the meeting.)
The resolution was put to the meeting and 53 voted in favour and 22 against. Many abstained, and it was said some who voted were not ratepayers.
The next week the council could see they had not got the residents behind them so they agreed to postpone the notice to the owners for two months and offer to meet them again. They considered the owners were ignoring the second part of the notice ie "abate the nuisance" and refusing to write to the council because it would have admitted the council's responsibility in the matter. A week later the colliery owners withdrew the notice given to the workers.
At the May meeting of the council it was announced nothing had been done in Green Lane. Cr Denton claimed Lord Masham had been bluffing when he said he would close the pit. The lines caused a two feet high obstruction with rails, sleepers and ashes. He proposed taking legal proceedings and the council voted 7-2 in favour, but for some reason they didn't and instead asked the Local Government Board for guidance. That Board replied in August and said they could not interfere in the dispute because it did not come under the Railways Act.
The council were then told John Shaw had laid additional sidings which obviated a lot of shunting over Green Lane, and Lord Masham had also done work to ease the situation, including placing a man with a red flag at the Green Lane crossing. The council voted to refer the matter back to the highways committee, but Cr Denton said he would have to resign from that committee.
The council eventually decided the colliery owners had done enough so they could abandon the matter without too much loss of face. It was later reported the man with the red flag and his box had been removed but the council did nothing about it.
The Ordnance Survey map shows the railway lines over Green Lane and Middle Lane which all the fuss was about.
A SHOOTING IN FEATHERSTONE
At the West Riding Assizes in March a murder charge was heard against
Francis Larcombe, a gamekeeper employed by Lord St Oswald. Larcombe had
been out drinking on the night of December 21 1894 and he was found
lying on the pavement near Poplar Villas by George Herbert Collett of
South Featherstone, a colliery clerk.
As Collett was bending over Larcombe three men came up, namely Edward Connelly, Henry King (a Wakefield miner) and William Cawley. They had been drinking in the Featherstone and Railway Hotels and were walking back to Streethouse. According to Collett they lifted Larcombe up and Connelly asked him to stand them a drink. Larcombe replied "I'll give you a drink", so Connelly took him by the arm and led him towards the New Inn in Phipps Street.
King and Cawley stayed where they were, and after Larcombe and Connelly had gone a few yards Connelly shouted Larcombe had hit him. King and Cawley set off towards them but a shot rang out and King was hit in the chest. Connelly struggled with Larcombe and took the revolver off him. Collett and another man at the scene, Fred Micklethwaite, ser off for the Police Station but they met PC Harris who had heard the shot and was already on his way to see what had happened.
When they returned they found King dying in Connolly's arms. King was carried to Dr Buncle's surgery where he was pronounced dead. Larcombe was arrested and the gun was given to PC Harris. At the magistrates' court Larcombe was sent to the West Riding Assizes on a charge of murder.
As Collett was bending over Larcombe three men came up, namely Edward Connelly, Henry King (a Wakefield miner) and William Cawley. They had been drinking in the Featherstone and Railway Hotels and were walking back to Streethouse. According to Collett they lifted Larcombe up and Connelly asked him to stand them a drink. Larcombe replied "I'll give you a drink", so Connelly took him by the arm and led him towards the New Inn in Phipps Street.
King and Cawley stayed where they were, and after Larcombe and Connelly had gone a few yards Connelly shouted Larcombe had hit him. King and Cawley set off towards them but a shot rang out and King was hit in the chest. Connelly struggled with Larcombe and took the revolver off him. Collett and another man at the scene, Fred Micklethwaite, ser off for the Police Station but they met PC Harris who had heard the shot and was already on his way to see what had happened.
When they returned they found King dying in Connolly's arms. King was carried to Dr Buncle's surgery where he was pronounced dead. Larcombe was arrested and the gun was given to PC Harris. At the magistrates' court Larcombe was sent to the West Riding Assizes on a charge of murder.
At the trial Mr Cyril Dodd QC for the prosecution said the
jury would have to make up their minds if it was murder or the lesser
charge of manslaughter. He was unable to offer any suggestion why the
deceased man was killed by the prisoner or any motive for the crime. He
went through the facts of the case and called George Herbert Collett,
Edward Connelly, William Cawley, Fred Micklethwaite, PC Harris, PS
Sparrow, Supt Whincup and Dr Steven to give evidence.
Mr Dodd
wanted Collett to look at some photographs but the judge refused to
allow it saying they were often misleading. When all the prosecution
evidence had been given the judge told Mr Dodd after what he had heard
it would not be proper to proceed on a capital charge. Mr Dodd said they
could all feel relieved at that, but while they could agree there was
no deliberate attempt at murder there was criminal negligence. For the
defence Mr Felix Palmer suggested the gun had gone off by accident.
His Lordship in summing up said drunkenness was no excuse for crime, but it should be taken into account when considering if there was special intent in the mind of the person charged. He spoke strongly against the practice of persons, whether gamekeepers or not, carrying loaded pistols about with them. After a long absence the jury returned a verdict of manslaughter.
His Lordship in summing up said drunkenness was no excuse for crime, but it should be taken into account when considering if there was special intent in the mind of the person charged. He spoke strongly against the practice of persons, whether gamekeepers or not, carrying loaded pistols about with them. After a long absence the jury returned a verdict of manslaughter.
The next day the prisoner was brought up for sentencing. When asked if
he had anything to say he said he had only drunk four whiskies on the
night in question and had his suspicions about them being drugged. He
had lost his job and character, and his wife and children were
unprovided for.
The judge said because of his previous good
character and the facts of the case he would not pass a severe sentence.
He sent Francis Larcombe to prison for four months with hard labour.
FEATHERSTONE RUGBY CLUB
Featherstone were drawn away at Alverthorpe in the first round of the
Yorkshire Challenge Cup, commonly called "T'owd Tin Pot" and open to all
the rugby union clubs in Yorkshire. The game was played at Alverthorpe
on March 16 and ended with no score so the replay took place at
Featherstone the following Wednesday in front of what was described as a
very large gate. Once again there was no score and the very next day
they were back at Alverthorpe, but to no avail. This time the score was
3-3.
It was now getting desperate. The winners were due at Ossett in two days time (Saturday March 23) for the second round. Mr Hirst, the county secretary, said the teams must play again on Friday March 22. George Stubbs, the Featherstone secretary, met the Alverthorpe secretary and they agreed this would be more than the players could stand, and in any case Alverthorpe could not raise a team.
They agreed they would play on Saturday if Ossett would agree to a postponement. Ossett refused and Alverthorpe said if they could not play on Saturday they would scratch from the competition. George Stubbs asked Mr Hirst to refer the matter to the county committee. He received a telegram from Mr J A Arthur, the county president, saying the game could be played on Saturday at Featherstone and he (Mr Arthur) would personally referee the game.
Fortunately, at the fourth attempt Featherstone won 17-0, but there was no happy ending. At Ossett three days later Featherstone lost 8-0. No doubt the fact it was their fifth game in eleven days had a lot to do with their defeat.
It was now getting desperate. The winners were due at Ossett in two days time (Saturday March 23) for the second round. Mr Hirst, the county secretary, said the teams must play again on Friday March 22. George Stubbs, the Featherstone secretary, met the Alverthorpe secretary and they agreed this would be more than the players could stand, and in any case Alverthorpe could not raise a team.
They agreed they would play on Saturday if Ossett would agree to a postponement. Ossett refused and Alverthorpe said if they could not play on Saturday they would scratch from the competition. George Stubbs asked Mr Hirst to refer the matter to the county committee. He received a telegram from Mr J A Arthur, the county president, saying the game could be played on Saturday at Featherstone and he (Mr Arthur) would personally referee the game.
Fortunately, at the fourth attempt Featherstone won 17-0, but there was no happy ending. At Ossett three days later Featherstone lost 8-0. No doubt the fact it was their fifth game in eleven days had a lot to do with their defeat.
THE NEW COUNCIL
The change from the Local Board to an Urban District Council led to a
new innovation. The chairmen of all the new councils were automatically
made a magistrate, so in January Mr Wardman along with the other
chairmen attended the Quarter Sessions at Wakefield for the purpose of
being appointed an ex-officio magistrate for the West Riding.
When the qualifications of those elected to the new council were inspected it was found Harry Wormald did not qualify and so he had to give up his place. Alexander Alexander claimed his seat because he was the fastest loser. This had not happened before so the clerk had to write to the Local Government Board to see what the correct procedure was. The answer was a by-election would have to be held to fill the vacant seat.
The by-election was held in April and the voting was James Booth 403, Alexander Alexander 335 and Mr F Moore 92. No reason was given why James Booth had changed his mind when he did not stand for election last December, but he now became another member of the old board to carry on in the new council.
When the qualifications of those elected to the new council were inspected it was found Harry Wormald did not qualify and so he had to give up his place. Alexander Alexander claimed his seat because he was the fastest loser. This had not happened before so the clerk had to write to the Local Government Board to see what the correct procedure was. The answer was a by-election would have to be held to fill the vacant seat.
The by-election was held in April and the voting was James Booth 403, Alexander Alexander 335 and Mr F Moore 92. No reason was given why James Booth had changed his mind when he did not stand for election last December, but he now became another member of the old board to carry on in the new council.
A COTTAGE HOSPITAL?
A meeting was held in May at Purston National School to consider building a cottage hospital in Featherstone
and Dr Buncle was appointed chairman. He said he was very much in
favour of such a project, but at first it should just be for accidents.
Then a dispensary could be added which would be able to give medicine to
poor people. If the money given to all the other hospitals by the
collieries was kept in Featherstone they could do it. It would cost
about £100 a bed to build and he suggested six beds as a start. The
running costs would be about £150 a year.
It was agreed to hold an annual Hospital Sunday and a committee of 25 members was formed to organise such an event from the friendly societies, miners' branches, religious bodies, colliery owners and tradesmen. A second committee was formed to take the necessary steps for the hospital and they would be given the proceeds of the Hospital Sunday. Walter Hoyle was appointed secretary and Revd H S Rogers was appointed treasurer.
Featherstone Main Colliery Accident Society met a few weeks later and the accounts showed they had paid £20 each in the last six months to Pontefract Dispensary, Leeds Infirmary and Clayton Hospital. The secretary, Mr S H Garside, said he would be willing to prepare plans and supervise the erection of a cottage hospital free of charge, or subscribe £50 to the fund and charge for his services.
The first Hospital Sunday was held in August on the cricket and football field at the back of the New Inn. The highlights were a procession with Featherstone, Sharlston and Kinsley brass bands followed by a concert with a choir of over 100. Street collections were held and large sheets laid out in the sports field for contributions. The total amount raised was £20 8s 8½d.
It was agreed to hold an annual Hospital Sunday and a committee of 25 members was formed to organise such an event from the friendly societies, miners' branches, religious bodies, colliery owners and tradesmen. A second committee was formed to take the necessary steps for the hospital and they would be given the proceeds of the Hospital Sunday. Walter Hoyle was appointed secretary and Revd H S Rogers was appointed treasurer.
Featherstone Main Colliery Accident Society met a few weeks later and the accounts showed they had paid £20 each in the last six months to Pontefract Dispensary, Leeds Infirmary and Clayton Hospital. The secretary, Mr S H Garside, said he would be willing to prepare plans and supervise the erection of a cottage hospital free of charge, or subscribe £50 to the fund and charge for his services.
The first Hospital Sunday was held in August on the cricket and football field at the back of the New Inn. The highlights were a procession with Featherstone, Sharlston and Kinsley brass bands followed by a concert with a choir of over 100. Street collections were held and large sheets laid out in the sports field for contributions. The total amount raised was £20 8s 8½d.
The local population was ever increasing and the School Board was told
there were now 1,010 children on the register and the Boys' School was
even more overcrowded. It was decided to make another extension to the
school and a tender for the work was accepted in May.
The development fund for Purston National School was making slow progress. In June the Education Department declared this school was no longer able to satisfy the needs of Purston and gave the managers 18 months to make improvements, or a School Board would be formed (ie it would no longer be a church school).
A meeting was held in the school and it was explained the improvements previously agreed would cost between £700 and £1,000, but by utilising the schoolhouse the cost could be reduced to £500. The managers had collected £300 so far and it was decided to re-appoint the bazaar committee as the building committee. It was hoped the Purston residents would agree to a voluntary rate to avoid having a School Board.
Work commenced two weeks later. The infants' department was to be enlarged, Mr Goodwin's house was to be changed to a cloakroom and classroom, and the old closets were to be demolished and replaced. The Very Reverend F Paget, Dean of Christ Church, Oxford, laid the foundation stone for the extension. The cost was now estimated at £600 and £350 had now been raised.
The development fund for Purston National School was making slow progress. In June the Education Department declared this school was no longer able to satisfy the needs of Purston and gave the managers 18 months to make improvements, or a School Board would be formed (ie it would no longer be a church school).
A meeting was held in the school and it was explained the improvements previously agreed would cost between £700 and £1,000, but by utilising the schoolhouse the cost could be reduced to £500. The managers had collected £300 so far and it was decided to re-appoint the bazaar committee as the building committee. It was hoped the Purston residents would agree to a voluntary rate to avoid having a School Board.
Work commenced two weeks later. The infants' department was to be enlarged, Mr Goodwin's house was to be changed to a cloakroom and classroom, and the old closets were to be demolished and replaced. The Very Reverend F Paget, Dean of Christ Church, Oxford, laid the foundation stone for the extension. The cost was now estimated at £600 and £350 had now been raised.
Miss Bird, headmistress of
the Infants' School in Regent Street said she would have to resign
because of failing health. The School Board did not wish to lose her
services and asked if she would be willing to carry on after three
months rest. However, in August she declined the offer so her
resignation was accepted. At the next meeting Miss Tupman of West View
was appointed headmistress.
All the goods wanted by the local tradesmen that had any distance to
travel came to Featherstone by rail and were off-loaded in the station
yard. Each tradesman had to arrange his own transport from there to his
premises. This caused a lot of ill feeling because goods were delivered
by the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Company from the stations at
Wakefield and Pontefract right to the traders' door.
This problem was one of the main reasons for the founding of the Featherstone and District Tradesmen's Association in March, who hoped as a collective body to put some pressure on the railway company for a delivery service. By November they had got nowhere so they wrote to the Board of Trade to see if there was a legal way of enforcing deliveries. The board wrote back to say there was no such statutory provision. The railway company also wrote to the Board of Trade saying the trade at Featherstone did not warrant the expense of delivery staff and the prices charged took this into account. As an example they quoted the rate from Liverpool to Featherstone for Mr Waller's spirits which was 22s whereas to Pontefract it was 25s including delivery. So no change was made to the delivery situation.
This problem was one of the main reasons for the founding of the Featherstone and District Tradesmen's Association in March, who hoped as a collective body to put some pressure on the railway company for a delivery service. By November they had got nowhere so they wrote to the Board of Trade to see if there was a legal way of enforcing deliveries. The board wrote back to say there was no such statutory provision. The railway company also wrote to the Board of Trade saying the trade at Featherstone did not warrant the expense of delivery staff and the prices charged took this into account. As an example they quoted the rate from Liverpool to Featherstone for Mr Waller's spirits which was 22s whereas to Pontefract it was 25s including delivery. So no change was made to the delivery situation.
1895 NEWS ITEMS
The licence of the Junction Hotel was transferred from John Waller to his son Tom. Supt Whincup told the magistrates Mr Waller had held his licence for 30 years and there had not been a complaint against it. The chairman said he had always heard of the house as one of the best kept houses in one of the most difficult places in the division.
The photo of the Wallers' Junction Hotel is from the Tony Lumb Collection.
There was an outbreak of rabies in the West Riding Petty Sessions Division and all dogs were ordered to be muzzled.
William Hutchinson age 50 of Ivy Street hadn't worked much since the coal dispute of 1893. He went to the closet in the yard and cut his throat with a razor borrowed from a lodger and then rushed to the back step where he collapsed. He missed the jugular vein and was treated by Drs Buncle and Steven before being taken to Clayton Hospital in the Ackton Hall Colliery ambulance. Two weeks later he developed septic pneumonia and died.
FEBRUARY A Saturday night service was held in Purston Church for the benefit of the Welsh parishioners. The hymns, lessons and sermon were all in the Welsh language.
There were 280 children registered at the Gospel Hall Sunday School. This was considered exceedingly good considering the short existence of the movement in Featherstone.
At the council meeting Cr Denton proposed taking out a summons against Lord Masham because he had nearly completed the Ackton Hall Colliery offices before submitting his plans to the council. The clerk said he had consulted the bye-laws and found plans were not necessary because offices were exempt. They had only been sent in because it was now intended to build two houses at the other side of the entrance. Only one other councillor supported Cr Denton. The council also took no decision on a letter from Pontefract Corporation who wanted to turn Halfpenny Lane into a proper road. The clerk said it would cost the council £1,000.
The houses and offices at the colliery entrance are shown below. A photo from the Dr J Gatecliff Collection.
William Hutchinson age 50 of Ivy Street hadn't worked much since the coal dispute of 1893. He went to the closet in the yard and cut his throat with a razor borrowed from a lodger and then rushed to the back step where he collapsed. He missed the jugular vein and was treated by Drs Buncle and Steven before being taken to Clayton Hospital in the Ackton Hall Colliery ambulance. Two weeks later he developed septic pneumonia and died.
FEBRUARY A Saturday night service was held in Purston Church for the benefit of the Welsh parishioners. The hymns, lessons and sermon were all in the Welsh language.
There were 280 children registered at the Gospel Hall Sunday School. This was considered exceedingly good considering the short existence of the movement in Featherstone.
At the council meeting Cr Denton proposed taking out a summons against Lord Masham because he had nearly completed the Ackton Hall Colliery offices before submitting his plans to the council. The clerk said he had consulted the bye-laws and found plans were not necessary because offices were exempt. They had only been sent in because it was now intended to build two houses at the other side of the entrance. Only one other councillor supported Cr Denton. The council also took no decision on a letter from Pontefract Corporation who wanted to turn Halfpenny Lane into a proper road. The clerk said it would cost the council £1,000.
The houses and offices at the colliery entrance are shown below. A photo from the Dr J Gatecliff Collection.
Two
Featherstone Men were fined 8s 6d each for not muzzling their dog. A
third man, Ambrose Makin, produced both dog and muzzle in court so the
case against him was dismissed.
MARCH John Henry Thomas was crossing the lines at Featherstone Main Colliery when he was knocked down by a wagon. Both his legs were severely injured and he was taken to Clayton Hospital by ambulance where he died a few hours later. The inquest was held in Wakefield and the verdict was accidentally run over.
At North Featherstone National School a marble clock was presented to the vicar. The inscription read "Presented to the Revd and Mrs F G Stebbing by the miners of Featherstone for the interest they took on their behalf during the dispute of 1893".
The Purston String Band, the Model Brass Band and the Featherstone and Purston Cricket Club had all applied to use the Boys' School for dancing and socials. The School Board gave permission providing all the lights were turned off and the building was closed by midnight.
Messrs Jaques and Maxwell sent out a circular to 98 tradesmen about the founding of a Featherstone and Purston Tradesmen's Association. About 30 people turned up to a meeting in Purston National School and Mr Jaques was appointed chairman. He spoke of the need for reduced fares on the railway and for goods to be delivered from the station by the railway company as they were at Pontefract and Wakefield. Extra gas lamps were needed at the west side of Station Lane and they should be kept in a cleaner and better order. The meeting agreed to form an association. It was later decided to add District to the title and include members from Ackton, Snydale and Streethouse. The association would be non-political and non-denominational.
APRIL The council appointed Harold Kaberry as temporary clerk in place of his father who died recently. He was also appointed temporary clerk to the School Board.
MAY Mr H White addressed the tradesmen at their first meeting. He said the things to go for were a horse and dray to be provided by the railway company, an improvement in the gas supply, the houses to be numbered, and earlier and more regular delivery of letters.
At the council meeting it was said some streets were still in an unsatisfactory condition and if the owners did not rectify them the council would do the work and charge it to them. There were 80 applications for allotments and Mr Fearnley had offered a field off Wakefield Road at £9 a year, but some argued it should be used as a recreation ground for children.
Albert Fearnley aged 22 of Masham's Square was crushed by a fall of stone in Ackton Hall Colliery. He was taken home and attended by Dr Burrell but he died the same afternoon.
Six sets of men commenced work in the Haigh Moor seam at Ackton Hall Colliery. It was hoped to build up the output to 1,500 tons per day.
At the half-yearly meeting of the Featherstone Main Colliery Accident Society a letter was read from Drs Buncle and Steven offering to take all the men working at that colliery and their families in whatever capacity and wherever residing into a sick fund at the lowest possible weekly rates of 2d for married men and 1d for single men. The men living at a distance would be treated equally with those in Featherstone either by Drs Buncle and Steven or a fully qualified practitioner in their own area. The meeting was in favour and agreed to take a vote of all workers.
In Parliament it was said rabies was increasing to an alarming extent in Cheshire, Lancashire and the West Riding, but it was not necessary to take action outside the local authorities order for all dogs to be muzzled.
JUNE Trade was bad in 1895. The Express commented "A correspondent informs us in all probability the average shifts worked by miners in the district do not exceed three per week, if indeed they are as much as that".
Lord Masham held a supper at the Featherstone Hotel to celebrate the opening of the Haigh Moor Seam. All the principle workmen and officials and the leading tradesmen and others were invited. There were speeches and singing by the workmen "who proved to have ample talent and to spare". Mr Durnford, the manager, outlined what had been done so far and what it was hoped to achieve in the future.
Lord Masham offered a field of eight acres south of the railway for use as a recreation ground and allotments at 1s per annum for ten years. The Council decided to accept providing it could be for 14 years as required by the Parish Councils Act. Lord Masham later agreed to this. The Council met a deputation from the Tradesmen's Association who asked for Station Lane to be cleaned on Saturday night or Sunday morning, another water cart and extra fire hose. The Council agreed with these requests and the deputation said the tradesmen were willing to learn how to connect the hoses and to give assistance in case of fire.
MARCH John Henry Thomas was crossing the lines at Featherstone Main Colliery when he was knocked down by a wagon. Both his legs were severely injured and he was taken to Clayton Hospital by ambulance where he died a few hours later. The inquest was held in Wakefield and the verdict was accidentally run over.
At North Featherstone National School a marble clock was presented to the vicar. The inscription read "Presented to the Revd and Mrs F G Stebbing by the miners of Featherstone for the interest they took on their behalf during the dispute of 1893".
The Purston String Band, the Model Brass Band and the Featherstone and Purston Cricket Club had all applied to use the Boys' School for dancing and socials. The School Board gave permission providing all the lights were turned off and the building was closed by midnight.
Messrs Jaques and Maxwell sent out a circular to 98 tradesmen about the founding of a Featherstone and Purston Tradesmen's Association. About 30 people turned up to a meeting in Purston National School and Mr Jaques was appointed chairman. He spoke of the need for reduced fares on the railway and for goods to be delivered from the station by the railway company as they were at Pontefract and Wakefield. Extra gas lamps were needed at the west side of Station Lane and they should be kept in a cleaner and better order. The meeting agreed to form an association. It was later decided to add District to the title and include members from Ackton, Snydale and Streethouse. The association would be non-political and non-denominational.
APRIL The council appointed Harold Kaberry as temporary clerk in place of his father who died recently. He was also appointed temporary clerk to the School Board.
MAY Mr H White addressed the tradesmen at their first meeting. He said the things to go for were a horse and dray to be provided by the railway company, an improvement in the gas supply, the houses to be numbered, and earlier and more regular delivery of letters.
At the council meeting it was said some streets were still in an unsatisfactory condition and if the owners did not rectify them the council would do the work and charge it to them. There were 80 applications for allotments and Mr Fearnley had offered a field off Wakefield Road at £9 a year, but some argued it should be used as a recreation ground for children.
Albert Fearnley aged 22 of Masham's Square was crushed by a fall of stone in Ackton Hall Colliery. He was taken home and attended by Dr Burrell but he died the same afternoon.
Six sets of men commenced work in the Haigh Moor seam at Ackton Hall Colliery. It was hoped to build up the output to 1,500 tons per day.
At the half-yearly meeting of the Featherstone Main Colliery Accident Society a letter was read from Drs Buncle and Steven offering to take all the men working at that colliery and their families in whatever capacity and wherever residing into a sick fund at the lowest possible weekly rates of 2d for married men and 1d for single men. The men living at a distance would be treated equally with those in Featherstone either by Drs Buncle and Steven or a fully qualified practitioner in their own area. The meeting was in favour and agreed to take a vote of all workers.
In Parliament it was said rabies was increasing to an alarming extent in Cheshire, Lancashire and the West Riding, but it was not necessary to take action outside the local authorities order for all dogs to be muzzled.
JUNE Trade was bad in 1895. The Express commented "A correspondent informs us in all probability the average shifts worked by miners in the district do not exceed three per week, if indeed they are as much as that".
Lord Masham held a supper at the Featherstone Hotel to celebrate the opening of the Haigh Moor Seam. All the principle workmen and officials and the leading tradesmen and others were invited. There were speeches and singing by the workmen "who proved to have ample talent and to spare". Mr Durnford, the manager, outlined what had been done so far and what it was hoped to achieve in the future.
Lord Masham offered a field of eight acres south of the railway for use as a recreation ground and allotments at 1s per annum for ten years. The Council decided to accept providing it could be for 14 years as required by the Parish Councils Act. Lord Masham later agreed to this. The Council met a deputation from the Tradesmen's Association who asked for Station Lane to be cleaned on Saturday night or Sunday morning, another water cart and extra fire hose. The Council agreed with these requests and the deputation said the tradesmen were willing to learn how to connect the hoses and to give assistance in case of fire.
A
photo from Durham Mining Museum which shows the start of the muckstack
at the south side of the railway lines which would eventually engulf the
cricket/rugby field. Is this why Lord Masham offered a new recreation
ground? According to Ian Clayton's book 100 Years of Featherstone Rugby the rugby union club moved further down Wakefield Road to a field owned by Lord St Oswald.
The map below shows the field offered by Lord Masham. The proposed recreation ground is the large field numbered 156 on the right. It is between the footpath from Purston to Green Lane (the line up the middle) and the Went Beck (the wavy line on the right). At this time there was no access from Station Lane.
The map below shows the field offered by Lord Masham. The proposed recreation ground is the large field numbered 156 on the right. It is between the footpath from Purston to Green Lane (the line up the middle) and the Went Beck (the wavy line on the right). At this time there was no access from Station Lane.
A
fire brigade was formed at Ackton Hall Colliery. They had 1,000 yards
of hose and used it to practice in Masham's Square. It was found the
water pressure was enough for the water to carry over the houses.
The miners' demonstration was held at Leeds. Featherstone Main had 695 bookings for the train and were led by the Leeds Artillery Volunteers' Band, Snydale had 500 and the Skelmanthorpe Band, and Ackton Hall's contingent of 439 was led by the Featherstone Model Brass Band.
The Junction Hotel was struck by lightning but the damage was only minor.
JULY PC Coomes was transferred from Castleford to Featherstone which brought the strength up to PS Sparrow, four policemen for Featherstone and one for Purston.
A meeting in the Boys' School was held to endorse Sir John Austin as the Liberal candidate for Osgoldcross in the forthcoming General Election. He won the election beating the Conservative candidate, Job Harling, by 5,119 votes to 4,064.
The gas company were making large extensions to the gas works in order to meet the big increase in demand put on them by the rapid rise in the population. The new works were intended to increase the gas production to three times the present level.
AUGUST The council approved plans for a new hotel at the top of Phipps Street for the Tadcaster Brewery.
A procession was held by the local societies ending at Purston Church. The Model Brass Band headed the Oddfellows, President Lincoln, May We Prosper, Travellers' Rest, Crown and Anchor, Foresters and Free Gardeners. After the service sports and dancing were held in a field in Purston. The proceeds were given to the cottage hospital fund.
SEPTEMBER The Tradesmen's Association asked the council to put notices on the gas lamps in Station Lane asking the public to keep to the right. They also objected to some tradesmen blocking the causeway by putting goods for sale outside their shops. The council thought the request about notices on the gas lamps was ridiculous, and decided to take no action at present about extra lamps in Station Lane.
The Brewster Sessions refused applications for a licence from Ann Jessop (beer off-licence on Wakefield Road), Henry Wardman (off-licence in Turnpike Road) and Richard Cowling (full licence for a house at the bottom of Station Lane). The only one granted was to Rueben Johnson of the New Inn for transfer of the licence to the new hotel being built at the top of the street. It was said the New Inn was so crowded on Saturday nights it was difficult to keep order.
OCTOBER The council set a half-yearly rate of 2s in the £1. The gas company were responsible for lighting and putting out the street lamps. The council asked for them to be kept on from 11pm until midnight on dark nights, and to be put out at 11pm on moonlit nights. Cr Swain said the lighting of the lamps was erratic and the sooner the council became independent of the gas company the better.
William Scott aged 57 of Featherstone Green was injured by a fall of coal at Featherstone Main colliery. He was taken to Clayton Hospital where he died the next day.
NOVEMBER The Burial Board decided to have a grave digger at 7s 6d per grave instead of so much per day. The salary of the curator was raised from 22s 6d to 25s a week.
Abraham Wardman died aged 68 after three months illness. He came to manage Snydale Colliery 32 years ago and had been there ever since. He lived at Yew Tree House, Purston. Hundreds gathered to see the funeral in spite of heavy showers. The Express commented the miners and workmen connected with the Snydale Collieries have lost not only a kind manager, but one who has always endeavoured, and with success, to make peace between master and men.
At the council meeting tributes were paid to Mr Wardman the late chairman by acting chairman David Denton. The clerk said they had to elect a new chairman, but it was not necessary to fill the vacancy because it was within six months of the elections. Cr Denton was unanimously elected chairman.
It was agreed to provide another six gas lamps in Station Lane, the surveyor to choose the sites. The arrangements for street lighting were altered to keeping the lamps on until midnight on Saturday nights and to turn them off one night near the full moon.
A meeting was held at the Girls' School to consider an offer from Lord Masham. He was willing to sell plots of land near Featherstone Green at about £30 plus £2 10s cost of transfer. If the plots were sold Lord Masham would pay for a main street to be made. The houses would be available on mortgage at about £200 each to be paid back in 23 years at 3s 6d a week. Revd Stebbing said he had had this scheme in hand for two years and regretted there was not a larger attendance.
An overheated stove caused a fire at Ackton Lodge occupied by Mr Durnford. It was discovered around midnight in the harness and store room by PS Sparrow and PC Whittaker. It took two hours to put out using buckets of water.
Featherstone beat Kinsley 6-0 in the final of the Charlesworth Hospital Cup at Wakefield. The team arrived home at 8pm by waggonette and was met by the Model Brass Band playing See the Conquering Hero Comes. They were marched to Dr Buncle's house where the cup was filled and passed round. The team then went round Purston, up Station Lane and back to the New Inn. Large crowds gathered to watch them.
DECEMBER Property owners near the new railway sidings bridge complained their property had been damaged, so they sought compensation from the council
Lord Masham tried again to give mineworkers a chance to own their own
home by putting up for auction some houses in Ivy Street. The best offer
for one house was £80 so they were withdrawn.