A HISTORY OF FEATHERSTONE
1954
THE COUNCIL
JANUARY
The council got over the difficulties with housing contracts at Little
Lane and Cressey's Corner by having a direct labour force which would
take over if necessary from the administratrix of the J L Darlison firm.
Also No.64 Leatham Crescent would be closed for six months because of
subsidence.
It was decided the whole of Purston Hall should be adapted as offices,
and a cafe and refreshment room built elsewhere. The clerk reported the
final cost of the water tower was £12,192.
FEBRUARY
It was agreed to make improvements to old council houses if the tenant desired and increase
the rent until the cost was recovered. These were
cooking ranges, sitting room ranges, and in the 1914 houses hot water,
electricity and a bathroom.
MARCH
The council decided to take no action at present to install electricity
in 1914 houses. John Cole, the recently retired parks superintendent
for 24 years was thanked for his service. Mr F L Conway was appointed
in his place at a salary of £510 a year.
APRIL
The council approved the building of 23 houses in Featherstone Lane, a
proposed sports pavilion for the Featherstone Miners' Welfare recreation
ground, and application by tenants in St Thomas Road for the
installation of electricity.
MAY There were no nominations for the election other than by the Labour Party so re-elected were:
North Ward Allen Booth, miner, Manor Drive
Purston Ward Mary Lily Fox, housewife, Albert Street
South Ward Joseph Harper, miner, Leatham Drive
Ackton and Snydale Ward Jack Fearnley, miner, Ackworth Road (replaced A Evans who had retired).
Cr H Darbyshire was appointed chairman for the new council year.
JUNE
It was reported 32 miners' houses on the Girnhill Lane site were now occupied. Cr Rowley said we
are informed by our collector some of our council house tenants are not
only content to be in arrears, but are being defiant. There are 900
applicants for council houses and it this type of tenant doesn't pay his
rent there will be a few vacancies in future.
JULY
The proposal for a skittle alley, aviary and greenhouse for Purston
Park were deferred until it was known if a loan could be obtained. Also
deferred was a possibility of using land as a factory site in the
Henrietta Street, Short Street and Arundel Street areas.
AUGUST
The council had launched an appeal for a chain of office estimated at £75,
and a grant of arms estimated at £100. The fund had now reached £120.
SEPTEMBER
A scheme to improve the Lister Baths at a cost of £2,050 was approved.
The proposal for an aviary at Purston Park was dropped because of the
cost. A consulting engineer would be engaged to prepare a full
improvement scheme for the South Featherstone sewage works.
OCTOBER
It was reported 120 houses on the NCB Girnhill Lane estate were now
completed. A tender from Messrs McLaughlan of Knottingley for £18,440
was accepted for the adaptation of Purston Hall into council offices.
A clearance programme under the Housing Repairs and Rents Act 1954
would affect about 300 properties in the first five-year period. The council said many properties, while not justifying demolition, fell far
short of present-day housing standards. Where the owners were not
interested in modernisation schemes the council would buy such property
by negotiation, or would not hesitate to invoke compulsory powers in
order to provide amenities now lacking.
NOVEMBER
The council dropped a proposal to build 50 Wimpey prefabricated houses
on the Common Lane site. It was agreed to build 48 flats and 94 other
units including 24 for old people.
The Earl Marshall had granted a warrant for armorial bearings, so a design for a coat of arms and crest was approved.
DECEMBER
An application would be made to borrow £70,000 to modernise the South
Featherstone Sewage Works. It was reported the 174 NCB houses for miners
were now completed. council house tenants with cars would be prohibited
from parking on grass verges. A tender was accepted from McLaughlan
(Knottingley) Ltd for roads and sewage works on the Common Lane housing
site. Mr J G Windmill was appointed temporary baths superintendent after Mr J Black moved to a new post.
The chairman, Cr H Darbyshire, described as hooliganism an incident
where a wire was thrown over an over head power line in Featherstone
Square which put the street lights out. The surveyor said it was the
fourth similar incident since July, including one where the frame of an
old perambulator was thrown over the wires.
THE ROVERS
The Rovers annual Boxing Day dance was held on New Years Day. The
Express said it was because Christmas fell at the end of the week. The
Lister Hall was full for the dances, prizes and competitions.
A January gale blew most of the roof off the Bullock Stand which had
only been erected a few months as a gift to the club from its president
Abraham Bullock. Debris was still scattered all over the popular side
terracing when the next home game was played and no one was allowed in
that area. The photo is from the Express.
Barbara Jackson of Featherstone Lane was selected as Rugby League Queen
of Featherstone at a dance in February held by the Rovers' Joint Supporters' Club
in the Lister Baths. She received the sash from last year's winner,
Dorothy Smith of Pontefract.
The
grave financial position of the club was stressed at the annual meeting
held in July. The balance sheet showed the loss on the season was
£1,425. Mr A Bullock was unopposed as president for the new season. He
was thanked for presenting to the club a covered terrace, and paying
£193 for its repair when damaged by a storm.
John Willie (Jack) Hirst died in October age 54. He was said to be the greatest
player in the 33 years' history of Featherstone Rovers as a senior rugby
league club. The late George Johnson once said of him "Jack Hirst was
the finest centre-threequarter who ever played football. He was short
of nothing. He was the most artistic player I have ever seen". His
career with the Rovers lasted 10 years and was cut short by a knee injury.
The Rovers paid 100 guineas to a specialist to try and get him fit, but
he eventually had to retire.
At his funeral at Ackworth Parish Church Mr A Bullock and Mr R H
Jackson led a gathering of past and present players, committeemen and
officials. Six of them were bearers, and after the service they preceded
the cortege to the cemetery. The photo was supplied by Mark Kirby.
The
Rovers held two dances in the Lister Baths on Boxing Day, one in the
morning and one in the evening. No explanation for this unusual
occurrence, or if it was successful, is given by the Express.
PURSTON HALL PUBLIC INQUIRY
The council wanted to change Purston Hall into council offices and
refreshment rooms at a cost of £17,000. The Government ordered a public
inquiry which was conducted by Col. E Rhodes in January.
The council clerk, Mr H Tattersall, said the present offices were no longer
adequate and the council wanted to make the best possible use of a fine
Georgian building sat in a public park. The present offices were built
in 1893 and the eight rooms, which in 1937 accommodated a staff of 12,
now had to accommodate 17 people which was likely to increase.
Staff
toilets left much to be desired, there was no strongroom for valuable
documents; waiting space for the public was inadequate; and the council
chamber was cold in winter and hot in summer and was subject to traffic
noise. There were no facilities for entertainment so the chairman could
not reciprocate outside hospitality.
The council believed Purston Hall offered a simple solution to all
these problems. It was previously divided into flats but was now empty.
It was also proposed to provide a refreshment room on the ground floor,
the need for which had increased enormously since the development of the
park.
After the inquiry, the inspector said he would inspect the present
office and the hall and hoped to make his report to the Minister the
following week.
THE CRICKET CLUB
The annual dinner of the Featherstone and Purston Cricket, Tennis and
Bowling Club was held at the Junction Hotel in January. Cr A Booth, the
toastmaster, proposed a toast to the club. He said it was 30 years since
he went to Headingley (from the Featherstone club) and he was proud to
be recalled to teach others. He claimed there were cliques in Yorkshire
cricket and we in a club like Featherstone are beyond the pale. One day,
perhaps, we may get someone with a bit of power and influence which
might get a Purston man in the County side.
The
president, Mr A E England, said the Featherstone club had a good
season. It had paid its way, and efforts held since the annual meeting
would enable them to start the next season with a balance of over £80. He had
hoped to report some progress by the Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation, but nothing had been done on the ground so far.
Dr J Duncan proposed The Town, a town characterised by work and sport.
It was remarkable in the space of 30 years, a small club such as
Featherstone Rovers should twice shake the Rugby League football world.
As to cricket, the town club had had to rely on its women members far
too often (for finance) and that was not good enough. There was a gap
between school leaving and the club and the sooner it was closed the
better.
He congratulated the council on building over 500 houses since the war,
but Featherstone still had too many mean street and poor dwellings. It
was only through the brave hearts of the mothers struggling against very
bad condition that the fabric of the town was kept together.
The usual New Year's Eve dance was held in the Lister Baths. The Express reported more people than ever were in attendance but did not give a figure. All joined hands at midnight to sing Auld Lang Syne. An added attraction were pupils of the Brendron School of Dancing.
THE HOSPITAL COMFORTS FUND
At
the annual meeting of the Hospital Comforts Fund held in the Central
Working Men's Club in February it was said over £700 had been raised in two years,
so generous had been the public's response.
In March it was decided to arrange a concert for the patients of
Headlands Hospital in Pontefract, and to give a television table and an
easy chair for use in the men's rest room.
At
the April meeting it was decided to give Easter eggs to children in
Ackton and Headlands Hospitals. The children at Headlands would receive
theirs at a Punch and Judy show.
In June six deck chairs for patients and lawn tennis equipment for the
nursing staff were provided for Ackton Hospital. The secretary, Mr F G
Smith said they had about £400 in hand.
A ward at Ackton Hospital was furnished in July with six easy
chairs, two children's chairs and two high chairs at a cost of £84. Two
ward cabinets would be provided at a cost of £100, and £15 would be
spent on toys for Hydes's Children's Hospital in Pontefract.
In October it was decided to buy a third ward cabinet, cushions for
easy chairs, and children's fireworks. Arrangements were made for a
concert and Christmas entertainment.
THE AMDRAMS
"In
pursuing these objects it shows commendable enterprise in ranging over a
wide field for lighthearted entertainment. It is a virile and
experimental organisation which refused to become stereotyped in its
choice and stick grimly to the familiar Gilbert and Sullivan operettas.
"The singing throughout is good and there are some rousing and lifting
chorus numbers. The acting too is most commendable and the dance
sequences are attractive and well executed. The orchestra provides
excellent accompaniment."
The Christmas pantomime was Dick Whittington performed
in the Miners' Welfare Hall. The Express critic's opinion was "From the
moment the orchestra struck up a well-tried Featherstone formula
applied again. Colourful and adequate sets, lively dancing, tuneful
songs and individual enjoyment only required the talent of the
principals to round things off".
CR EVANS TO RETIRE
Cr
A Evans announced in April his retirement from the council. He recalled
when he was elected in 1909 he was the only Labour member. He had to
alter his whole life to take part in local government work and to give
up music, and he often wondered whether he did his duty to his family.
He had seen the Labour Party grow, and had seen two women join the council. They were not welcomed at first, but had since proved great
assets.
He
said when he was appointed a magistrate in 1923 he was not welcomed at
first. His colleagues had the qualifications of responsibility, money
and property, and all I had was six kids.
He was soon welcomed however by a colleague who told him for years
magistrates had been dealing with working-class people about whose
living conditions, trials and tribulations they knew nothing, and added
"You weren't welcome at first, but I am beginning to think we want a few
more like you".
He ended I am quite satisfied to retire in favour of a younger man, and
so long as he retained his health he was certain he could find
something useful to do.
Tributes were paid to him by council members and staff. Cr Major
described him as a lively young 80 (he was 82), and said she was very
sorry indeed to learn he was going. Cr Griffiths said we know the
regrettable way in which he is leaving us. Cr Harper said it was the party which Cr Evans represented which were responsible. (Note: It seems
the local Labour Party declined to re-select him for the next election
because of his age.)
At the Featherstone Local Labour Party annual dinner and dance in
December he was presented with a pipe and tobacco pouch by Cr Harper in
appreciation of his past services.
PURSTON METHODISTS ANNIVERSARY
The
Purston Methodist Church celebrated its 50th anniversary in July. The
church had been closed for renovations and was reopened for the
anniversary. There was a new children's chapel and a new kitchen in the
schoolroom.
The
church was filled for the re-opening dedication, and the company then
moved to the schoolroom for Mrs Burton of Ackworth to declare the new
kitchen open. There were further well filled services on the Sunday and
Monday.
The renovations cost £550, the children's chapel £75, and the kitchen
£100. The chapel was the gift of Misses M Williams and H Blakestone, and
the kitchen was paid for by the women members.
THE GALA
The fourth Featherstone Gala was held in July in Purston Park. There was
no parade or queen, but thousands of people gathered to hear Cr H
Darbyshire declare it open. He said the council attempted to provide
some new attraction each year, and he described a race meeting as a
unique event in Featherstone. There was a motorcycle football match, aerial gymnasts and wire rope walkers
A
new innovation was races for donkeys, ponies and cart horses. The
Ackton Hall and Snydale Collieries Workmen's Band was in attendance, plus a fun fair, and the gala ended
with a fireworks display which attracted a large crowd.
The
horse racing was so successful the council had another meeting in
August and 1,000 people turned up to watch the donkeys, ponies and cart
horses race again.
DEATH OF JANE ALEXANDER
In
September Jane Alexander was taken to Pontefract General infirmary. An
operation was performed but she died the next day aged 84. This is a
much shortened version of her obituary in the Express.
Long after Featherstone people have become accustomed to the absence from their midst of Miss Jane S Alexander MBE of Grace Dieu Villa, Featherstone Lane, they will remember a remarkable woman.
She
lived a life of self-sacrifice and service to the need of her fellows.
No task was too irksome if it was to benefit someone, and she was the
helper, adviser and friend of generations of children and adults.
In 1948 she was made a member of the Order of the British Empire for
public work in Featherstone. She became a schoolteacher in her teens.
She was the headmistress of Gordon Street School for 32 years, and when
she retired in 1935, she had completed 50 years of teaching Featherstone
children. She had been for 68 years a teacher at Purston Parish Church
Sunday School where she was the superintendent.
For 48 years she was the local leader of the Girls' Friendly Society, a
member of the Church Council and its representative to the Diocesan
Conference. During the two world wars she was a worker for the Red
Cross, and in the last was in charge of the first aid depot in the
Palace building.
Her social work with recognised organisations included the British
Legion, the National Savings Movement, the Royal Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Children, and the Benevolent and Orphan Fund of
the National Union of Teachers. The photo is from the Dr Gatecliff
Collection.
REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY
Remembrance
Sunday began with a civic parade from Cressey's Corner to Purston
Church. Headed by the Ackton Hall and Snydale Collieries Workmen's Band
it consisted of councillors and council officials, Police, Special
Constables, British Legion, St John Ambulance Brigade, Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes, Ladies Glade, Scouts, Cubs and Girl
Guides.
A stop was made at the Ackton Hall Colliery War Memorial, and the church service included the two minutes silence and The Last Post and Reveille by
a bugler. Wreaths were laid at the War Memorial, and the parade
reformed and marched past the Police Station where Cr Darbyshire took
the salute.
1954 NEWS ITEMS
FEBRUARY
After a bring and buy sale in the Parochial Hall the vicar, Revd H R
Haworth, was to show some film strips. When the machine was plugged in
the lights fused. So supper was brought forward and eaten by
candlelight.
MARCH
The Ackton Hall and Snydale Collieries Workmen's Band gained second place at the
CISWO contest at Sheffield, one point behind the winners. The band
received extra tuition from Mr A H Whitehead of the Yorkshire Copper
Works Band.
APRIL
The band came fourth in the North-Eastern Area brass band championships
in St George's Hall, Bradford. They were conducted by Mr A H Whitehead
instead of the usual Mr T Sellers.
MAY The Featherstone Working Men's Club billiards and snooker section celebrated winning five trophies during the season.
The Ackton Hall and Snydale Collieries Workmen's Band won its seventh successive trophy in a contest at Belle Vue, Manchester.
JUNE
About 50 women members of the Featherstone Lane and Wakefield Road
Methodist Churches left Featherstone on a train to join about 250 others
on a day trip to Edinborough. They arrive in the early afternoon and
got back to Featherstone in the early hours next day.
SEPTEMBER
Mr L Pringle of Wakefield Road invented a petrol and oil mixer for
two-stroke engines and it was now patented in England and six European
countries.
Mr P Thornton of Houndhill Lane went to Wales for an international
six-day motor cycle trial. But after one day he damaged his machine and
arrived over one hour late for the second day after doing repairs, and
he was disqualified.
OCTOBER A new innovation was a launderette opened in Station Lane.
The
women's section at the Social Service Centre celebrated their 21st
anniversary with a social gathering at the centre. Mrs Booth of
Bridlington, better know as Nurse Booth, and a founding member and first
secretary, traced the birth and early history of the club. Miss Willett
had baked and iced a cake for the occasion, and the evening concluded
with games and dancing.
At the annual meeting of the British Legion it was said the membership
was 392, which meant they had lost about 40 members from last year. The
secretary of the social committee expressed regret about the lack of
support for whist drives so they had ended them.
NOVEMBER
Herbert Walters age 38 of Dixon Street was killed in a haulage accident
at Snydale Colliery. Evidence at the inquest was he died as he was being carried to the pit bottom of a fractured
skull and lacerated brain.
The verdict was death by misadventure.
The Ackton Hall and Snydale Collieries Workmen's Band, playing at
Halifax, won the first prize in the selection contest, and third prize
in the march contest. They were conducted by Mr A H Whitehead and
bandmaster Mr T Sellers played in the cornet section.
An electrical fault in a storeroom at the shop premises of Mr H Fox in
Pontefract Road gave of a great deal of smoke. Firemen from Featherstone
and Pontefract had to use breathing apparatus to deal with it.
DECEMBER
Purston Parish Church raised a record £365 at their annual sale of work
in the Church Hall and used it to pay two years' installments on the
Church Hall debt.
Mr J Black, superintendent of the Lister Baths moved to a new
appointment in Nottingham. He came to Featherstone in 1949 and was the
coach of the local water polo team. His wife was a prominent member of
the Featherstone Amateur Dramatic and Musical Society.