A HISTORY OF FEATHERSTONE
1933
THE COUNCIL
JANUARY The medical officer reported a severe epidemic of measles with
206 houses affected, and influenza was spreading rapidly. The infants
schools and welfare clinics were closed, and infants were banned from
Sunday Schools and cinemas.
A scheme was put in hand for a children's playground in Purston Park. The Carnegie UK Trustees had offered £60, and the National Playing Fields Association would give £20 towards the cost of £500.
The council expressed concern about the rush for buses at the end of Station Lane. One member said it was shocking to see the way in which old people were pushed aside, and in some cases trampled upon. About 1,300 had been carried from Featherstone to Pontefract in the Saturday rush hour, and it was decided to write to the bus companies asking them to take steps to regulate the passenger traffic.
A branch library was to be opened in South Featherstone Senior School with 500 books.
FEBRUARY An anti-natal clinic was to be set up in the Gospel Hall on one half-day each month.
The use of the fire engine was granted to carry the coffin at the funeral of George Thomas Gough, the brigade's oldest member.
Cr Coult pointed out the local tradesmen were having difficulty in paying their rates because of poor trade, and this should be kept in mind before any work was begun which might interfere with them.
A scheme was put in hand for a children's playground in Purston Park. The Carnegie UK Trustees had offered £60, and the National Playing Fields Association would give £20 towards the cost of £500.
The council expressed concern about the rush for buses at the end of Station Lane. One member said it was shocking to see the way in which old people were pushed aside, and in some cases trampled upon. About 1,300 had been carried from Featherstone to Pontefract in the Saturday rush hour, and it was decided to write to the bus companies asking them to take steps to regulate the passenger traffic.
A branch library was to be opened in South Featherstone Senior School with 500 books.
FEBRUARY An anti-natal clinic was to be set up in the Gospel Hall on one half-day each month.
The use of the fire engine was granted to carry the coffin at the funeral of George Thomas Gough, the brigade's oldest member.
Cr Coult pointed out the local tradesmen were having difficulty in paying their rates because of poor trade, and this should be kept in mind before any work was begun which might interfere with them.
Cr Edwards expressed disappointment the council had not reduced
officials salaries as had been done elsewhere. Also the council had
voted themselves 31s 6d a day for expenses at conferences instead of 27s
6d - more than an unemployed man with four or five children received in
dole money. Cr Coult said the Featherstone officials were amongst the
lowest paid in the West Riding.
MARCH
The council were to ask The county council to widen Bell Hill Road and
North Featherstone crossroads to provide work for the unemployed. The
WRCC replied there were no funds available to do this work.
The council had lost £200 on their water account because of the reduced working at the collieries. Wakefield Corporation would be asked to reduce the minimum take from 200,000 gallons per day to 175,000.
APRIL The election results were:
South Ward B Bradley (Labour) 459 E Edwards 161
North Ward E Evans (Labour) 756 A Lindley 642
Ackton and Snydale Ward A Evans (Labour) unopposed
Purston Ward J Rodgers (Labour ) unopposed
JUNE Abraham Bullock was given planning permission for a house in Park Lane, North Featherstone, and William Sawyer was given permission for semi-detached houses off Green Lane.
The council had lost £200 on their water account because of the reduced working at the collieries. Wakefield Corporation would be asked to reduce the minimum take from 200,000 gallons per day to 175,000.
APRIL The election results were:
South Ward B Bradley (Labour) 459 E Edwards 161
North Ward E Evans (Labour) 756 A Lindley 642
Ackton and Snydale Ward A Evans (Labour) unopposed
Purston Ward J Rodgers (Labour ) unopposed
JUNE Abraham Bullock was given planning permission for a house in Park Lane, North Featherstone, and William Sawyer was given permission for semi-detached houses off Green Lane.
 |
OCTOBER
The council fixed a rate of 7s 6d in the £1. The Commonwealth War
Graves Commission sent a letter of thanks because the council had agreed
to maintain the eight Great War graves in the cemetery.
NOVEMBER The council was asked to supply coal to the unemployed and boots to the children. Although the council was sympathetic it was not allowed to use public money for such purposes.
NOVEMBER The council was asked to supply coal to the unemployed and boots to the children. Although the council was sympathetic it was not allowed to use public money for such purposes.
COPY CATS
Two
Featherstone boys age 13 and 14 were in court in February for breaking
into a garage and stealing articles valued at 8s 6d. They had removed
two boards from the side of the garage and arranged a trip wire in front
of the garage so anyone approaching would fall and give them warning.
Also they used some sawdust to spell out "Wiv luv from us two" on the
field at the side of the garage.
Supt Coates said they needed putting right. When asked why they had
done it one of the boys said "We saw it on the pictures" and they were
very sorry and they would not do it again. They were bound over for two
years.
A MOOR ROAD ACCIDENT
Gwen May Farrar age 7 was playing with other children in Moor Road in
February when she crossed the road in front of a bicycle ridden by
Ernest Theodore Glover of Vicarage Lane and was knocked down. She later
complained of pains in the head and died the next day.
At the inquest Dr W S Finch said there was no external injury. The
child died from convulsions brought on by early pneumonia, probably the
result of influenza. The coroner said "It is extremely fortunate there
is such a thing as a Coroner's Court to inquire into these things,
otherwise this youth might probably never have got rid of the suggestion
his knocking this child down had something to do with her death, whereas
this evidence is it had nothing to do with him". A verdict of death by
natural causes was returned.
A SOCIAL SERVICE CENTRE
In February the council received a letter from the British Legion and
the United Services Fund Benevolent Committee asking the council to
assist in forming a Social Services Committee to assist the unemployed
by teaching a useful trade. A meeting was held in March between the council, British Legion and Adult School and a committee was formed. Mr J
R Bailey, manager of the Pontefract Employment Exchange promised to
help where he could but said there would be no Government money.
it was agreed to pursue the provision of a works and recreation room. Suggestions were St Peter's Parochial Hall and a room in the Miners' Welfare Hall. The council promised support and were urged to approach the appropriate Government department to see if a small sum could be given for equipment.
In June the council agreed to give a grant of £20 to the newly formed Social Services Committee. At their July meeting the committee announced a grant of £10 from the West Riding Distress Fund. The vicar, Revd J Gray, promised the use of the parochial hall in Green Lane as a centre. Featherstone Adult School, in Featherstone Lane, promised the use of a room for a women's centre for sewing and mending clothes.
Nearly 50 unemployed men joined Featherstone Social Service Centre. Mr R Hanson was the honorary secretary. The mothers and wives were under the supervision of Mrs Booth, the health visitor.
In August it was announced there were now 69 paying members, all men. Tools would soon be provided for cobbling and carpentry for the men and garment making and repairs for the women. Dress and shoes for a physical skill class for the women was obtained.
The first social gathering was held in December. Nearly 200 attended a whist drive and supper dance in the parochial hall.
His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales visited the area on 14 December. He travelled from Pontefract to the Social Service Centre in Green Lane where he was received by the council's chairman, Cr A Sharratt. The prince expressed his pleasure at the settlement at Featherstone Main Colliery. He was told about 400 pairs of boots and shoes had been repaired at the centre since it opened. In the woodwork area Christmas toys, desks made out of soap boxes, step ladders and other household goods were on display. He asked about the unemployed and was told about 800 men were out of work in Featherstone. He then left for Hemsworth.
it was agreed to pursue the provision of a works and recreation room. Suggestions were St Peter's Parochial Hall and a room in the Miners' Welfare Hall. The council promised support and were urged to approach the appropriate Government department to see if a small sum could be given for equipment.
In June the council agreed to give a grant of £20 to the newly formed Social Services Committee. At their July meeting the committee announced a grant of £10 from the West Riding Distress Fund. The vicar, Revd J Gray, promised the use of the parochial hall in Green Lane as a centre. Featherstone Adult School, in Featherstone Lane, promised the use of a room for a women's centre for sewing and mending clothes.
Nearly 50 unemployed men joined Featherstone Social Service Centre. Mr R Hanson was the honorary secretary. The mothers and wives were under the supervision of Mrs Booth, the health visitor.
In August it was announced there were now 69 paying members, all men. Tools would soon be provided for cobbling and carpentry for the men and garment making and repairs for the women. Dress and shoes for a physical skill class for the women was obtained.
The first social gathering was held in December. Nearly 200 attended a whist drive and supper dance in the parochial hall.
His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales visited the area on 14 December. He travelled from Pontefract to the Social Service Centre in Green Lane where he was received by the council's chairman, Cr A Sharratt. The prince expressed his pleasure at the settlement at Featherstone Main Colliery. He was told about 400 pairs of boots and shoes had been repaired at the centre since it opened. In the woodwork area Christmas toys, desks made out of soap boxes, step ladders and other household goods were on display. He asked about the unemployed and was told about 800 men were out of work in Featherstone. He then left for Hemsworth.
The Prince of Wales. A photo from the Daily Express.
LOCK-OUT AT THE MAIN
There
was constant trouble at Featherstone Main Colliery over the dirt
allowance. (There were bands of stone and shale in the coal seams which
were difficult to separate out underground. It was washed out on the surface and dumped -
hence dirt tips or muckstacks.) In May 1,650 employees were given one
week's notice after refusing to accept a reduction in the dirt allowance
from 7% to 5%. the management claimed about 12% of dirt was being
filled with the coal.
When
the week's notice was up over 300 byworkers and surface men presented
themselves for work but were turned away. The miners showed confidence
in their union men by re-electing unopposed G A Sharratt as president, B
Dakin as secretary, and J Roberts as delegate.
Two weeks into the strike the Yorkshire Miners' Association made it official and paid strike pay. The men received £1 a week less 1s union subscription and 4s for each child. The manager of Pontefract Employment Exchange compiled 22 test cases to decide if some men could receive unemployment pay.
in July Herbert Smith of the YMA agreed to a compromise 6% dirt allowance. A meeting of the colliers refused to accept it because if the dirt allowance was exceeded they would all be penalised instead of only the actual offenders. They held a ballot and refused the offer by 734 votes to 73. They said if the penalty clause affecting all the men was withdrawn the dispute would end immediately.
At the council meeting Cr Coult said they should protest at the penalisation of men employed at the colliery who had nothing to do with the dispute. Some had to apply for food vouchers to the Public Assistance Committee, the health of the children and mothers was suffering, and the rates would be seriously affected because colliery rates were based on tonnage. The council agreed to enter a protest re the refusal of unemployment pay.
In August the chairman of the council, Cr A Sharratt, said the dispute was now in its tenth week and all tenants who were in a position to do so must be compelled to pay their rent. Those who had lodgers must pay at least the amount of rent they received from them.
Although the colliers had rejected Herbert Smith's compromise he said they would still receive strike pay but it might have to be reduced. Nothing would be given to non-union men, some of whom were willing to resume work on the terms he had agreed.
The Ministry of Labour had turned down a suggestion from the council for those at the pit who were out of work but not involved in the dispute to get unemployment pay. The Salvation Army began giving dinners to non-union men at their hall from money collected locally. Another mass meeting was held at the end of September and decided not to give in. The union said it was costing £1,000 a week in payouts.
With no end in sight the Featherstone Main Colliery union asked representatives from Ackton Hall, South Kirkby and Hemsworth to attend a mass meeting. They were told representatives from the three collieries were a party to the agreement which the men at Featherstone Main had rejected, so the meeting was abandoned.
Another mass meeting was held in October at which Herbert Smith attended. The colliers refused to go back to work unless the penalty to all workers was removed.
In November Herbert Smith told a meeting of the mine's workers the management now proposed reducing the dirt allowance down to 4%, and an individual penalty would be made as well as the general penalty. He could not recommend the men to accept such terms and he would ask for the support of the Council of the Yorkshire Miners' Association.
The dispute ended in December when the management agreed to return to the 6% allowance offer. A mass meeting decided by an overwhelming majority to go back to work and not have a ballot. The dispute had cost the Yorkshire Miners' Association nearly £30,000 in strike pay. The Mayor of Pontefract, Alderman J J Frain, was credited with getting negotiations going again because of the impending visit by the Prince of Wales.
The Yorkshire Evening Post reported "Featherstone rejoiced quietly today because a settlement has been reached in the dispute which has kept 1,600 men and boys out of their usual employment at Featherstone Main Pit. It has been an unhappy time for the women and children, who were thankful the dispute had been settled before Christmas.
"Six months of scheming to feed and clothe the children, while fathers and sons resolutely stayed away from work, hoping each day for a settlement, have left in their wake a trail of poverty and debt. Mr B Dakin, secretary of the local miners' union, said "We are glad the dispute has been settled, but the pit has been idle so long that we cannot expect many men to be back in employment until after Christmas."
"Mrs Nash in charge of the feeding centre, said we've still got our problems to face. We are praying for a fine and dry winter. So many boots are worn out, cracked and split beyond repair. In cases of absolute necessity they try to patch up jerseys and replace very old boots, for the problem of clothing the children adequately is as pressing as satisfying their appetites.
"The women and children who have suffered most belong to families where the fathers have been receiving no union money. They have had a stern struggle."
THE COUNTY COUNCIL MEDICAL REPORT
THE MEDICAL OFFICER'S REPORT
Two weeks into the strike the Yorkshire Miners' Association made it official and paid strike pay. The men received £1 a week less 1s union subscription and 4s for each child. The manager of Pontefract Employment Exchange compiled 22 test cases to decide if some men could receive unemployment pay.
in July Herbert Smith of the YMA agreed to a compromise 6% dirt allowance. A meeting of the colliers refused to accept it because if the dirt allowance was exceeded they would all be penalised instead of only the actual offenders. They held a ballot and refused the offer by 734 votes to 73. They said if the penalty clause affecting all the men was withdrawn the dispute would end immediately.
At the council meeting Cr Coult said they should protest at the penalisation of men employed at the colliery who had nothing to do with the dispute. Some had to apply for food vouchers to the Public Assistance Committee, the health of the children and mothers was suffering, and the rates would be seriously affected because colliery rates were based on tonnage. The council agreed to enter a protest re the refusal of unemployment pay.
In August the chairman of the council, Cr A Sharratt, said the dispute was now in its tenth week and all tenants who were in a position to do so must be compelled to pay their rent. Those who had lodgers must pay at least the amount of rent they received from them.
Although the colliers had rejected Herbert Smith's compromise he said they would still receive strike pay but it might have to be reduced. Nothing would be given to non-union men, some of whom were willing to resume work on the terms he had agreed.
The Ministry of Labour had turned down a suggestion from the council for those at the pit who were out of work but not involved in the dispute to get unemployment pay. The Salvation Army began giving dinners to non-union men at their hall from money collected locally. Another mass meeting was held at the end of September and decided not to give in. The union said it was costing £1,000 a week in payouts.
With no end in sight the Featherstone Main Colliery union asked representatives from Ackton Hall, South Kirkby and Hemsworth to attend a mass meeting. They were told representatives from the three collieries were a party to the agreement which the men at Featherstone Main had rejected, so the meeting was abandoned.
Another mass meeting was held in October at which Herbert Smith attended. The colliers refused to go back to work unless the penalty to all workers was removed.
In November Herbert Smith told a meeting of the mine's workers the management now proposed reducing the dirt allowance down to 4%, and an individual penalty would be made as well as the general penalty. He could not recommend the men to accept such terms and he would ask for the support of the Council of the Yorkshire Miners' Association.
The dispute ended in December when the management agreed to return to the 6% allowance offer. A mass meeting decided by an overwhelming majority to go back to work and not have a ballot. The dispute had cost the Yorkshire Miners' Association nearly £30,000 in strike pay. The Mayor of Pontefract, Alderman J J Frain, was credited with getting negotiations going again because of the impending visit by the Prince of Wales.
The Yorkshire Evening Post reported "Featherstone rejoiced quietly today because a settlement has been reached in the dispute which has kept 1,600 men and boys out of their usual employment at Featherstone Main Pit. It has been an unhappy time for the women and children, who were thankful the dispute had been settled before Christmas.
"Six months of scheming to feed and clothe the children, while fathers and sons resolutely stayed away from work, hoping each day for a settlement, have left in their wake a trail of poverty and debt. Mr B Dakin, secretary of the local miners' union, said "We are glad the dispute has been settled, but the pit has been idle so long that we cannot expect many men to be back in employment until after Christmas."
"Mrs Nash in charge of the feeding centre, said we've still got our problems to face. We are praying for a fine and dry winter. So many boots are worn out, cracked and split beyond repair. In cases of absolute necessity they try to patch up jerseys and replace very old boots, for the problem of clothing the children adequately is as pressing as satisfying their appetites.
"The women and children who have suffered most belong to families where the fathers have been receiving no union money. They have had a stern struggle."
THE ROVERS AGM
The Rovers held their annual general meeting at the Junction Hotel in
July. Mr H Goodall, the financial secretary, said from some standpoints
his report was the finest he had presented. A bank overdraft of over
£300 had been wiped out, and tradesmen's accounts owing had been reduced
from £181 to £76. The profit on the season was £718 but it was mainly
due to transfer fees (£947) and cup-tie receipts (£450) which might not
recur next season. Not counting the game against Castleford the average
league game receipts were only £35 which he considered deplorable. The
club still owed the Rugby League £1,534 for the stand loan.
The
president. George Johnson, said he was delighted with the financial
statement, but he was bound to express disappointment at the attendances
which despite the depression should have been larger, and must be
larger if the club was to continue. The club had some of the best
supporters in the league, loyal to the core; the pity was they were not
very many in number. The club had to dispose of three players last
season, but others came along as they always did. He said it rests with
the public whether Featherstone Rovers are going to be able to keep
their players or serve as a feeder for other clubs, as they have had to
do in the past. All we ask for is average gate receipts of £80 for home
games. This ought not to be too much in a sporting district, and I make
the appeal for better support. He ended by saying he would willingly
give way to another president, and would continue to serve the club in
any other capacity.
A public meeting was held later. Nominations for the
post of president had been invited but none were made so George Johnson
continued. A new supporters' club was formed with a one shilling
membership fee, and it was proposed to form a ladies' committee. The
supporters' club would produce the match programme.
George Johnson. A photo from the Tony Lumb Collection.
THE COUNTY COUNCIL MEDICAL REPORT
Dr T N V Potts had this to say about Featherstone in his July annual
medical report for the West Riding County Council schools. "Here
subsidiary milk ration and
meals have been provided, but the older boys do not show so much
improvement as the younger children, even though they have a double
ration, probably because it is not sufficient to counteract the many
other adverse factors. Poverty, which is increasing, slackness,
overcrowding (in many cases still extremely prevalent), lack of proper
rest, and even over-anxiety of the parents, all play their part in
producing this unsatisfactory result."
THE MEDICAL OFFICER'S REPORT
The medical officer, Dr W Steven, in his report for 1932 published in
August said the population is a declining one, and the income of the
inhabitants restricted. There were at the end of the year about 900 men
wholly in receipt of the dole, and 2,100 partially employed. The Public
Assistance Committee issued relief to 315 cases weekly, which, with
their dependents, amounts to about 750 persons. if you add to these
numbers the
old age pensioners, many of whom subsist on their meagre pensions, you
will readily appreciate the amenities of life are not in evidence here.
There were 191 deaths in the year of which 20 were children under one
year old. There were 327 cases of measles and 39 of tuberculosis. There
were blocks of unsatisfactory houses which fell short of modern
requirements. Only four were not connected to the water supply, but
there were 42 cesspools. Another problem was litter in the streets.
The sanitary inspector's report said there were 3,149 sanitary conveniences and 463 of them were still privies.
1933 NEWS ITEMS
JANUARY
To ease their financial difficulties Featherstone Rovers transferred
Ernie Winter to Hunslet and put Darlison, Killingbeck and Padgett on the
transfer list. Killingbeck was later transferred to Dewsbury.
Twenty-seven people were taken to court for stealing coal from muckstacks at Ackton Hall, Featherstone Main and Hemsworth Collieries. Most were unemployed and said they had no coal and no money to buy it. William Faulkner of Featherstone said he had not worked for five years and he had four children down with measles. He was fined 15s.
Harold Bailey of Purston age 34 of Purston was killed in the Haigh Moor seam at Ackworth Pit by a fall of roof. The inquest jury decided it was death by misadventure.
FEBRUARY The Maternity and Child Welfare Clinics resumed after the measles epidemic died down. The first gathering was for the postponed Christmas treat.
Ephraim Dixon age 65 of Little Lane got off a bus and ran in front of it. He was hit by a lorry and killed. The inquest jury decided it was accidental death.
Twenty-seven people were taken to court for stealing coal from muckstacks at Ackton Hall, Featherstone Main and Hemsworth Collieries. Most were unemployed and said they had no coal and no money to buy it. William Faulkner of Featherstone said he had not worked for five years and he had four children down with measles. He was fined 15s.
Harold Bailey of Purston age 34 of Purston was killed in the Haigh Moor seam at Ackworth Pit by a fall of roof. The inquest jury decided it was death by misadventure.
FEBRUARY The Maternity and Child Welfare Clinics resumed after the measles epidemic died down. The first gathering was for the postponed Christmas treat.
Ephraim Dixon age 65 of Little Lane got off a bus and ran in front of it. He was hit by a lorry and killed. The inquest jury decided it was accidental death.
The Featherstone education sub-committee said many children were still away
from school through illness, and there was much malnutrition because of
the short-time working at the collieries.
There was a meeting at the Welfare Hall to protest against a new scale of relief and transitional benefit payments issued by the West Riding Public Assistance Committee which was £50,000 overspent. It was intending to introduce a stricter means test to reduce some benefits. Some said their benefit could be cut by 8s a week. The Ministries of Health and Labour later said this would be illegal.
A snow blizzard cut off the electricity for Featherstone and Purston. There were only small congregations at the churches. Oil lamps and candles were used at Featherstone Parish Church and everyone sat in the choir stalls. At Purston Methodist Church the service was held in the vestry, and at Purston Church candles were set at the end of the pews.
Children suffering from malnutrition were given meals at the Welfare Hall. It was proposed to change the venue to the Salvation Army Hall.
George Thomas Gough age 53 of Mill Cottages died. He was the oldest member of the fire brigade. His coffin was taken to Featherstone Parish Church and then to the cemetery on the fire engine.
There was a meeting at the Welfare Hall to protest against a new scale of relief and transitional benefit payments issued by the West Riding Public Assistance Committee which was £50,000 overspent. It was intending to introduce a stricter means test to reduce some benefits. Some said their benefit could be cut by 8s a week. The Ministries of Health and Labour later said this would be illegal.
A snow blizzard cut off the electricity for Featherstone and Purston. There were only small congregations at the churches. Oil lamps and candles were used at Featherstone Parish Church and everyone sat in the choir stalls. At Purston Methodist Church the service was held in the vestry, and at Purston Church candles were set at the end of the pews.
Children suffering from malnutrition were given meals at the Welfare Hall. It was proposed to change the venue to the Salvation Army Hall.
George Thomas Gough age 53 of Mill Cottages died. He was the oldest member of the fire brigade. His coffin was taken to Featherstone Parish Church and then to the cemetery on the fire engine.
MARCH
In 1926 a subscription fund was opened for cancer research and then
postponed because of the coal stoppage. The committee now decided to
give the £55 3s 5d to the Yorkshire Committee for Cancer Research. From
the annual effort for medical charities £45 was given to Pontefract
General Infirmary, and £20 each to Leeds General Infirmary and Clayton
Hospital.
APRIL An unnamed youth saw smoke coming from a poultry shed belonging to Mr J C Roberts of Manor Lane, Purston. He went to the Fire Station but didn't break the glass for the fire alarm because the notice said "£20 fine for improper use". So he went back to tell Mr Roberts. The brigade eventually stopped the flames spreading to Mr Robert's works and some cottages, but more than 100 chickens, the shed they were in and other appliances were lost.
The death was announced of Fred Hall, the MP for the Normanton Constituency which included Featherstone. He was replaced unopposed by Tom Smith, who was recently MP for Pontefract.
APRIL An unnamed youth saw smoke coming from a poultry shed belonging to Mr J C Roberts of Manor Lane, Purston. He went to the Fire Station but didn't break the glass for the fire alarm because the notice said "£20 fine for improper use". So he went back to tell Mr Roberts. The brigade eventually stopped the flames spreading to Mr Robert's works and some cottages, but more than 100 chickens, the shed they were in and other appliances were lost.
The death was announced of Fred Hall, the MP for the Normanton Constituency which included Featherstone. He was replaced unopposed by Tom Smith, who was recently MP for Pontefract.
This photo of Fred Hall is from Wikipedia on the internet.
MAY
The Featherstone Rovers players entertained the committee to supper at
the Junction Hotel. The club president, George Johnson, said he hoped
better times were in store for the club.
A new tenant of a house in Pontefract Road found a Mills bomb in the house and put it in the dust bin. Some children retrieved it, tied a piece of string to it, and played at throwing it over a wall and pulling it back with the string. Ernest Sargison saw them and took the bomb to the police station where it was found to be "live".
Benjamin Brow age 18 of Robbins Terrace was cycling with four others when he collided with a bus in Ackworth. He died from his injuries in Pontefract General Infirmary.
JUNE Featherstone Rovers accounts showed the club had received £947 from selling players. The profit on the season was nearly £700. The total amount paid for admission to the first team games was only £1,079. The secretary, Mr G A Appleyard, said it was the largest profit in the league.
Unemployed miners used picks and spades to tidy up Featherstone Churchyard. They said they did it as a labour of love, and anyone who stopped to watch was invited to take off his coat and join in at "the basic rate of pay".
Willie Ellis Hough of Hill Top Farm, North Featherstone, was fined £1 for shooting a homing pigeon belonging to Cr Evan Evans of Featherstone.
JULY John Fox of Featherstone Lane suffered from nystagmus and was receiving compensation of 26s 1d from Ackton Hall Colliery. The company appealed on the grounds he was capable of doing some work. For Fox who was 54 years old it was said he was slightly deaf and unfit for work. Pontefract Court decided he was capable of earning 35s a week and his compensation was reduced to 8s 9d. In evidence Samuel Chesney said he paid the council's labourers one shilling per hour for a 47 hour week, and the demand for the work was always greater than the supply.
Ellen Venner of Crossley Street had to go to Callington in Cornwall where Hector Redvers Venner was in court accused of bigamy. She said she met him in Dewsbury in 1921 and they married in December 1922. After the wedding they returned to Featherstone but a few hours later he left her and they had never lived together again. He was accused of going through a form of marriage with a woman in Plymouth in 1927.
Daylight saving was blamed by teachers in reports to Featherstone education sub-committee for the late attendance of many scholars. It was said parents allowed children to stay out late at night, many of them in Purston Park.
A County Review Committee had recommended Featherstone Urban District should remain the same. Whitwood Urban Council had suggested Loscoe should be included in the new Castleford area because Featherstone Council was not in a position to give sewage or water supply facilities.
So far 36,920 free dinners had been served to schoolchildren, plus 999 which had been paid for. It was claimed some of the symptoms of apparent malnutrition were caused by children going to bed late and appearing at school "pale and pasty, listless and languid".
A new tenant of a house in Pontefract Road found a Mills bomb in the house and put it in the dust bin. Some children retrieved it, tied a piece of string to it, and played at throwing it over a wall and pulling it back with the string. Ernest Sargison saw them and took the bomb to the police station where it was found to be "live".
Benjamin Brow age 18 of Robbins Terrace was cycling with four others when he collided with a bus in Ackworth. He died from his injuries in Pontefract General Infirmary.
JUNE Featherstone Rovers accounts showed the club had received £947 from selling players. The profit on the season was nearly £700. The total amount paid for admission to the first team games was only £1,079. The secretary, Mr G A Appleyard, said it was the largest profit in the league.
Unemployed miners used picks and spades to tidy up Featherstone Churchyard. They said they did it as a labour of love, and anyone who stopped to watch was invited to take off his coat and join in at "the basic rate of pay".
Willie Ellis Hough of Hill Top Farm, North Featherstone, was fined £1 for shooting a homing pigeon belonging to Cr Evan Evans of Featherstone.
JULY John Fox of Featherstone Lane suffered from nystagmus and was receiving compensation of 26s 1d from Ackton Hall Colliery. The company appealed on the grounds he was capable of doing some work. For Fox who was 54 years old it was said he was slightly deaf and unfit for work. Pontefract Court decided he was capable of earning 35s a week and his compensation was reduced to 8s 9d. In evidence Samuel Chesney said he paid the council's labourers one shilling per hour for a 47 hour week, and the demand for the work was always greater than the supply.
Ellen Venner of Crossley Street had to go to Callington in Cornwall where Hector Redvers Venner was in court accused of bigamy. She said she met him in Dewsbury in 1921 and they married in December 1922. After the wedding they returned to Featherstone but a few hours later he left her and they had never lived together again. He was accused of going through a form of marriage with a woman in Plymouth in 1927.
Daylight saving was blamed by teachers in reports to Featherstone education sub-committee for the late attendance of many scholars. It was said parents allowed children to stay out late at night, many of them in Purston Park.
A County Review Committee had recommended Featherstone Urban District should remain the same. Whitwood Urban Council had suggested Loscoe should be included in the new Castleford area because Featherstone Council was not in a position to give sewage or water supply facilities.
So far 36,920 free dinners had been served to schoolchildren, plus 999 which had been paid for. It was claimed some of the symptoms of apparent malnutrition were caused by children going to bed late and appearing at school "pale and pasty, listless and languid".
An inquest was held at the Gospel Hall into the death of Steven
Hemingway age 19, a butchers assistant. He was killed when his cycle
collided with a lorry in Purston. Dr John Duncan said Mr Hemingway was
dead when he arrived at the scene of the accident. In evidence it was
said Mr Hemingway was having a bit of a game with another cyclist and
he swerved in front of the lorry. The other cyclist (George Cadman of
Purston) said they were never abreast and there was no contact between
the two cycles. The jury decided it was death by misadventure and the
lorry driver was exonerated from blame.
Dr Duncan. A photo from the Tony Lumb Collection.
AUGUST Featherstone Gala Day was held in aid of medical charities. The Express commented
in spite of the Featherstone Main strike the town was en fete, and
seldom, if ever, have the streets presented a brighter appearance. St
Thomas Road was judged the best decorated street. The procession, with
carnival queen Rita Waring, set off from Old Featherstone to the field
opposite the Jubilee Hotel. In the speeches it was said there were eight
beds for Featherstone and Purston in Pontefract General Infirmary, and
the people of Featherstone more than paid their share. The gate money
was £71, about £45 down because of the pit dispute.
The Central Working Men's Club held a sports day on the Rovers ground. Luke Morgan, the Rovers hooker, created the biggest surprise by winning the 220 yards race.
Claud William Peel of Pontefract was in a car with Phyllis Clewlow of Crossley Street when he collided with a car in Purston. Mr Peel's car overturned but neither he nor Miss Clewlow were injured.
The Central Working Men's Club held a sports day on the Rovers ground. Luke Morgan, the Rovers hooker, created the biggest surprise by winning the 220 yards race.
Claud William Peel of Pontefract was in a car with Phyllis Clewlow of Crossley Street when he collided with a car in Purston. Mr Peel's car overturned but neither he nor Miss Clewlow were injured.
Walter John Garnham of Pontefract was riding a motorcycle in Sheffield
with Ernest Shaw of Stanley Street on the pillion. he collided with a
car and they both suffered leg injuries. After treatment they were
transferred to Pontefract Infirmary.
Harold Goodall of Pontefract, financial secretary to Featherstone Rovers since 1919, tendered his resignation which was accepted with regret.
Harold Goodall of Pontefract, financial secretary to Featherstone Rovers since 1919, tendered his resignation which was accepted with regret.
SEPTEMBER
The Salvation Army moved the dining room for adults to the Wakefield
Road Methodist School because the Post Office Road hall was needed to
feed the children.
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| Feeding the children. A Yorkshire Evening Post photo. |
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| The volunteer workers. A Dr J Gatecliff Collection photo. |
A Featherstone man was admitted to Ackton Hospital suffering from
spotted fever. It was the first case for some years in Featherstone.
Featherstone Rovers transferred Billy Stott to Broughton Rangers on the day he was due to make his first appearance for the Yorkshire team.
William Roberts of St Thomas Road was wounded and captured in the Great War. A German doctor had operated on him and inserted a glass tube into his lung. It was now giving him trouble and at an operation in a Leeds hospital the surgeon removed a piece of glass tubing two inches long.
John Wilson, the Rugby League's secretary, attended a meeting of the newly formed Rovers Supporters' Club at the Junction Hotel. He said Featherstone Rovers had been battling against adversities and difficulties and deserved all the support that could be given by the local people.
A lorry belonging to a Hull firm loaded with cotton seed caught fire near the Jubilee Hotel. The driver and mate jumped out, and the fire brigade prevented the fire in the cab from spreading to the load.
Featherstone Rovers transferred Billy Stott to Broughton Rangers on the day he was due to make his first appearance for the Yorkshire team.
William Roberts of St Thomas Road was wounded and captured in the Great War. A German doctor had operated on him and inserted a glass tube into his lung. It was now giving him trouble and at an operation in a Leeds hospital the surgeon removed a piece of glass tubing two inches long.
John Wilson, the Rugby League's secretary, attended a meeting of the newly formed Rovers Supporters' Club at the Junction Hotel. He said Featherstone Rovers had been battling against adversities and difficulties and deserved all the support that could be given by the local people.
A lorry belonging to a Hull firm loaded with cotton seed caught fire near the Jubilee Hotel. The driver and mate jumped out, and the fire brigade prevented the fire in the cab from spreading to the load.
OCTOBER William Roberts age 37 did not recover from his operation and he died a month later.
A Featherstone miner was sent to prison for stealing a collecting box from the Featherstone Strike Relief Committee and using it to make collections and keeping the money.
NOVEMBER Featherstone Rovers were bottom of the league and for their game against Leigh only 300 spectators turned up and the receipts were £9.
Thomas Hetherington of Halton Street age 18 was cycling near Methley Park to his work at the Yorkshire Copper Works when he was hit by an overtaking lorry coming in the opposite direction. He died in hospital and the inquest jury said it was accidental death due to the lorry driver making an error of judgement.
The Featherstone Labour Party selected Cr Ben Bradley to stand in the West Riding County Council election against the retiring member Cr E Edwards. Mr G T Rodgers, a past chairman of Featherstone Council, was apparently aggrieved at the choice and said he would stand as a Labour or Independent candidate.
Out of work miners had transformed Featherstone Parish Church
churchyard into one of the neatest in the district. New grass and a path
had been laid and gravestones made secure. The vicar estimated it would
have cost £150. He had first asked for help in June and only one man
turned up. Others came along in batches until their were 42. They were
entertained to tea in Featherstone National School to celebrate the
completion of the work. Mr W H Fearnley said it was the first time the
churchyard had been improved in 45 years.
William Blower pleaded guilty to stealing a collecting box and envelopes from the Featherstone Main Strike Committee and obtaining money by false pretences. He was sentenced to three months in prison.
DECEMBER Wigan arrived late for their game with the Rovers. The game had to be abandoned after 60 minutes when it was too dark to continue. The Rovers, still bottom of the league, were winning 8-6.
The Featherstone education sub-committee was concerned about providing boots for schoolchildren and decided to open a fund. Mr McCowan, head of Purston National School, was to act as secretary, and Mr Cockburn, manager of Barclays Bank, as treasurer.
An appeal was made to the West Riding Education Committee saying the
attendance was only 87% and in 136 cases the reason given was no boots.
The WREC said there was no fund from which boots could be supplied.
The 1,000 children of Featherstone Main miners were entertained to tea and a concert in the Welfare Hall by the colliery company. The local trade union leaders helped with the arrangements. The children were transported free by J Bullock and Sons.
J Bullock and Sons sent £75 to the Yorkshire Evening Post Bairns Christmas Fund saying it should be earmarked for Featherstone. The gas company and grocery multiples had also contributed, so instead of the usual 100 parcels value 10s each Featherstone would received 300. The councillors, clergy and teachers would chose the recipients.
Dr James Butler Fairclough died suddenly on the last day of the year. He had lived with Dr W Thomas at The Green, North Featherstone. He came to Featherstone 27 years ago to be assistant to Dr Thomas.