Echoes of our past News...... 2nd November 1901

 

Read all about it……. Echoes of our past NEWS

What was news in the local news this weekend in 1901?

MAIN NEWS –
 

*A model mining village –
 

Creswell village in Derbyshire was being hailed a great success “an up to date village”.  Its success was attributed to the coal trade and its need for more housing for the growing workforce at the mines.
 

Just seven years ago in 1894 Creswell was a tiny hamlet, with 30 – 40 houses and a population of less than 100.  In 1901 Creswell is now the home for 4000 persons.
 

Creswell Colliery was formed after Mr Emerson Bainbridge had opened Bolsover Colliery in 1894; the assumption being that Creswell would also have a coal seam, sinking operations began there in September 1894.  Coal turning was commenced in April 1897, 2 ½ years after digging had begun.
 

When it was seen that the coal mining would be a great success then it was necessary to build housing for the workers, land was obtained from the Duke of Portland and 280 two storied cottages were built over an area around 10 acres.  The cottages were special in that they were built in a double octagon shape, an inner and an outer “circle” of cottages.  Each cottage consisted of 5 or 6 rooms and had a back and front door, with an enclosed yard area.  Within the yard were enclosed ash pits and outhouses, the later being cleaned out at the night time between 10.30pm and 5am.
 

The centre of the inner circle was the home for the centre piece; an “artistically designed band stand” within the green.  Other attributes included a circular playground, shrubs and flowers and a number of rustic seats set out at intervals.  A cricket ground, said to be one of the best in the district was used by the Colliery Company during the cricket season.
 

Perhaps the most important place for the miners; a clubhouse was erected more recently in 1899, in between the colliery and the village (this may not have been the best place for the poor miners wives as the men would reach the beer house before they reached their homes).  The club was not free; the men would pay a small sum of 4s per year to use the many facilities that the club offered.  There was a reading room which contained daily / weekly papers, magazines, a billiard room, recreation room and the bar.  Above the building was a large lecture room where the Creswell Colliery Company would hold meetings.  The club boasted “admirably conducted” patrons, the Creswell miners were said not to follow the usual expectation of miners as being “given to drunkenness”.
 

Some men would take an allotment for 4s per year.  As for places of worship, there were three places available; The Church of St Mary Magdalene, the Wesleyan Chapel and new to be opened the following Thursday the U.M.F.C (United Methodist Free Chapel).
 

Schools were built jointly by the Colliery and the Duke of Portland and were well equipped.  The old school has been renovated and is now in use for the primary children.
 

OTHER ITEMS –
 

*Bigamy –
 

Henry Bombroffe of Chesterfield a “middle aged man” was charged with marrying Emily Dewick of Sheffield whilst his former wife was still alive. 

Emily Dewick was a widow living at 12 Court, 9 House, Penistone Road and she had married Henry at St Philip’s Church, Sheffield on 17^th December 1900.  Henry had deceived poor Emily and his son had also been involved in the con.  Both Henry and his son had stated that the wife had been dead 5 years.  They lodged with Emily for 6 months paying her 12s per week lodging money.  Unfortunately for Emily she “became in trouble by him four months before she married him”.
 

Witnesses were called to ascertain the facts regarding the first marriage of Henry.  A Mr John Wilson, accountant had been present at the marriage of Henry to Anne Wilson (his sister) on 19^th June 1882 at Ashover Parish Church.
 

Anne was still alive and was an inmate at the Mickleover Asylum near Derby.  It seems that the married lives of Ann and Henry were turbulent and she left to live back with her parents, but after a while and “new clothes” she again returned to Henry.
 

Detective Yates of Chesterfield confirmed that Henry stated he “did not know she was alive” when he was arrested.  Henry protested his innocence throughout.  Henry told how he lived at Chesterfield for 7 years after his wife had been sent to live in the asylum, and then he went to Leeds.  Two years on and his son had written to the asylum authorities and had received a reply stating that there was no one of the name “Anne Bombroffe”.  A friend at Chesterfield had told him that he had heard that she was dead. 

When asked why he had not made enquiry of his wife Henry replied “Well I have had a lot of trouble.  It is twelve years since she began to go out of her mind”.  On being asked to provide the letter, Henry no longer had it as he had lodged in Chesterfield, Leeds and Rotherham since it was received.
 

The trial was adjourned until the following Thursday.
 

*Football –
 

There was an appeal to the Council from the linesmen at Chesterfield for their views on the actions of the referee in last Saturdays game at Chesterfield.  The linesman Mr T Johnson of Brampton described the events which occurred when Chesterfield played Preston North End.

Mr Johnson said that the referee was “very faulty” during the game and especially towards the end.  At one point on of Chesterfield’s forwards was deliberately tripped when he was about 2 yards from the goal.  This should be a penalty for Chesterfield and both linesmen put up their hands to indicate this was the case, but the referee carried on with the game.  No penalty was given.
 

The Council decreed after consulting the rules that the linesmen were neutral and should alert the referee of any foul or rough play but that the referee is not “compelled to consult his linesmen when they hold up their flags”
 

The score had been Chesterfield 2 - Preston North End 0
 

*Sandwiches and ice cream -
 

Mrs Susannah Sykes charged her husband George Sykes a collier from Dronfield of having “thrashed her” during the past six months.  George said it had all started when Susannah had “miss-conducted” herself with another man.  Susannah said George worked and was earning 7s a day but he had given her nothing for the past week.  A female witness gave evidence to support Susannah’s statement.  George admitted he earned 6s 9d a day to which a woman shouted out “and spends it on sandwiches and ice cream”.  George was ordered to pay 12s a week.
 

MARRIAGES –
 

Lomas & Webster
 

Miss Mary Ellen Webster, daughter of George Webster, Monyash married Mr Walter Lomas, son of James Lomas of One Ash Grange at the Parish Church Monyash on Wednesday 30^th October.
 

The bride wore a blue grey satin dress, trimmed with white satin and buckles.  The only bridesmaid Miss Martha Webster (sister of Mary) wore a dress of blue cloth trimmed with white satin and buckles.  Both Mary and Martha wore white picture hats, trimmed with white satin, ostrich feathers, buckles and chiffon.
 

The bride was given away by her brother Mr Samuel Webster and the best man was Mr Samuel Lomas (brother of Walter).
 

The Clergyman was Rev G H May, Vicar of Monyash.  There were a large number of guests invited and they were entertained at Monyash Reading Room, the music provided from Messrs Allen of Flagg for dancing.
 

The happy couple received lots of presents including –
 

Household linen from the mother of the bride, copper tea kettle from the sister of the bride, toilet service from Mr Samuel Webster, counterpane from Miss Martha Ann Webster, plaques and enamelled teapot from Miss Bertha Webster, set of carvers from father of the bridegroom, many flower baskets and white table cloths.
 

DEATHS –

*Marion Agnes Hargreaves on 25^th October at 27 Fairfield Road, Chesterfield, 29 years old.

*Mary Crossland of Spital died on 26^th October aged 88 years, widow of the late John Crossland of Nether Padley, Grindleford Bridge.

*Rosana Spooner Taylor, wife of Emanuel Taylor aged 40 years died on 28^th October at Whittington Moor.  Interred at Newbold Church.

*John Saxton of Greenside, Hasland died 26^th October aged 60 years.

SPORT –

* Hockey -

Loughborough V Chesterfield

Last Saturday Chesterfield played away at Loughborough in their first fixture with the great Loughborough club, who had only been beat once in the last two seasons.  The first half was steady but only ten minutes into the second half Chesterfield’s Taylor scored their first point.  Royle secured the second Chesterfield point with Taylor again taking the final point.  The daylight was fading towards the end of the game and difficulty was found in following the ball.

The final score – Chesterfield 3 Loughborough 1

Chesterfield team –

J.Lowe, H E Edmunds, H G Marsden backs
J McLanachan. G J Edmunds, M Ferguson half backs
W McClure, Royle, H M Taylor, A Westlake, J H W Jendwine forwards

AND FINALLY…

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