| Home Page
Some Historic Shorts
Guest Page for local historians
Burnley's historic halls and houses
Men of Burnley
Legends and Boggarts
Guest Book Page
Whats New Page
|
|
|
The Following are some historic shorts that appeared in the local newspaper, written by Jack Nadin, along with other local jottings.
THE MERECLOUGH OUTRAGE OF 1874
Its an excepted fact that today we live in an age of crime, violence, and drug misuse. The most atrocious of all crimes are those committed against our fellow human beings, the vicious assaults, the murders and rape. Although such crimes today are still loathed, the older generation will still say they lived in a different age when such infringements never occurred, or so they lead us to believe. "We never had to lock our front door" is still a common expression often added to with perhaps a bit of humour "because we'd nowt to pinch". Of course crime was committed, it always has done, today its simply more widely publicised through the mediums of television, radio and in the newspapers. Every now and then however, reports come across of crimes of such violence and of an unbelievable nature that it sickens us all. Such was the case in 1874 widely reported in the newspapers of the day as "The Mereclough Outrage" The incident happened on Wednesday, October 7th. that year, originating in the Kettledrum Inn, at Mereclough. The sky was overcast with a relentless fine drizzle that continued throughout the day, adding only further gloom to the forthcoming events. Around six o'clock in the evening a woman who presented a bedraggled appearance, wet through and partly drunk, entered the inn with a man described as a navvy. The pair stayed at the inn for about an hour, and while there consumed a large amount of ail. All this time the couple were being watched by a couple of young colliers, named Bracewell and Collinge. As the pair staggered out of the ale-house in a hopeless state of intoxication, the two young colliers also left the premises and went to the Overtown part of the village and informed around eight or nine other youths, also colliers who worked at the Cliviger pits. The gang returned, and found that the navvy had abandoned the woman in the gutter in a state of helplessness, too drunk even to stand.
The teenager Collinge, and one of the other youths named Shepherd went up to the woman, and taking her by the arms took her into a nearby meadow, named Redman's Field. Others in the gang followed, and two of the young men, Lord Durham aged 20, and Crompton Shepherd aged 16, possibly brothers, picked up the poor woman. They then carried her out on to the highway, and led her in her drunken condition in to another field a short distance away where she collapsed near a wall. It was then that the violent outrage against her was committed, while the many of the other young men looked on, none raising a hand to help her. The two lads, who, along with the other youths then left her, hurt, helpless and alone in the field, having twice sexually assaulted the poor female. Nothing more was known of the unfortunate woman, until one o'clock in the afternoon the following day when some children playing in the field found her lying next to the wall, she was now dead. The children informed their headmaster, who in turn notified the police. In December 1874, the two youths Lord Durham and Crompton Shepherd were brought before the Liverpool Assizes before Mr. Justice Mellor on a charge of wilful murder, and a second charge of having raped the woman. Many of the youths who witnessed the atrocity gave evidence that the woman had called out in her drunken state asking for help, shouting "murder" and "the police are coming" but still no assistance was forthcoming. Indeed, one of the youths in evidence stated "I do not think there was anything wrong done in what took place". The judge, evidently in disbelief of his statement asked the youth "Do you mean to say there is nothing wrong with a lot of fellows abusing a drunken woman, dragging her about from place to place, throwing her on the ground and leaving her there in a helpless condition?" "She never said anything" replied the youth. The foreman of the jury was prompted by the witness answer asked what age he was. He was told nineteen.
After a lengthy trial and summing up by the judge, the jury briefly deliberated and without even leaving the dock returned a verdict of "Guilty" against the two Durham lads. They also expressed that in their opinion a number of the other youths should also have been in the dock along with the prisoners. The two were sentenced to fifteen years penal servitude. The two prisoners it was reported, seemed surprised at the severity of the sentence. A sad footnote in this terrible case, is that the identity of the poor woman involved in this vicious and violent crime was never recognised, her identity along with that of the navvy with whom she first went in to the pub with remains a mystery to this day. She was only described in early reports as a tramp. The landlord of the Kettledrum Inn, was later fined for serving the woman and the navvy with drink while in a state of intoxication, a final conclusion to the Mereclough Outrage.
BURNLEY EXPRESS April 4th. 2000
A WEST END TRAGEDY
The following is an account of the tragic pitiful events that took place in the West End of Burnley in mid February 1911, one that resulted in a suicide death and a serious injury and also caused a great sensation in the town at the time. Charles Laffan was a labourer in the bleach department at Pickle's cotton factory, Cairo Mill down Whittlefield. His wife was the widow of Mr. Fletcher and the daughter of a well-known and respected local family named Hardacre. Her sister was the wife of a respectable painter and decorator, and her brother William was the landlord at the Coal Clough Inn. She married Charles Laffan around 1893 following the death of Mr. Fletcher. The marriage was by all accounts an unhappy one although nine children were conceived through the unity, the youngest being just fifteen months old at the time of the incident. What caused the tribulations within the marriage is open to debate although Charles was a big drinker, and this was one of the reasons put forward for their troubles in marriage. Money was certainly tight; his earnings as an unskilled labourer at Cairo Mill were just 22 shillings a week but Charles always tipped up his wage to his wife. She in turn gave him a shilling back, but a shilling would not buy many pints even in those days. The couple separated on a number of occasions but always seemed to get back together. Finally around November 1910 the wife left Charles and went to live at a house on Scotts Terrace off Accrington Road. She applied for and was granted a separation order from the magistrates who also ordered him to pay six shillings a week towards the children. Charles was by no means suited wet back together. Finally around November 1910 the wife left Charles and went to live at a house on Scotts Terrace off Accrington Road. She applied for and was granted a separation order from the magistrates who also ordered him to pay six shillings a week towards the children. Charles was by no means suited with the arrangement and was obliged to take up residence at his father's home at number 14 Napier Street. This street is no longer exists but was just past the General Havelock pub on what remains of the old part of Barracks Road going towards Gannow Top.
In fact the street was but a short distance from Scotts Terrace separated only by the railway, a fact that bears some significance, as we shall see later. Charles was legally bound to stay away from his wife but refused to obey the court order, constantly going round to Scotts Terrace and generally making a nuisance of himself, often late at night much to the annoyance of the neighbours. Mrs Laffan steadfastly refused him entry even to the extent of permanently having both doors locked day and night. Charles became angered at each refusal and the whole affair came to a head on Monday February 13th. 1911. Mr. Laffan went to work as usual on this day, but at breakfast time left the mill saying he was unwell. At ten minutes to mid-day he was seen entering the house of his wife on Scotts Terrace and a few minutes later shouts and screams where heard coming from the residence. Hannah Pickles living at 25 Scotts Terrace on hearing the children crying out went to investigate the sight that greeted her was pitiful. Charles in a raging fit had hit his wife several times around the head with a household axe causing numerous cuts. Her wounds were bleeding freely to such an extent as to cover her face completely. She stood in the front room holding the youngest child who was slowly sliding out of her hands. Hannah Pickles called out hysterically "you have killed her". Charles Laffan never uttered a word, but went to the table and picked up a pint pot and drank the contents, later found to have contained salts of lemon, a powerful poison. Mrs. Laffan screamed when she saw this and tried to pull his arm down but to no avail. Charles then left the house by the back door followed by Hannah Pickles. Mrs Laffan also followed but exhausted through loss of blood collapsed in a heap in the yard. Hannah rushed off to the nearby Cog Lane Police Station to inform the constables there of the terrible events taking place on Scotts Terrace.
Charles was next seen by May Haworth at the corner of Fielden Street and Beresford Street, where he half heartily turned as if to go back, but then fumbled in his pockets and pulled out a razor which he then drew across his throat. Blood rushed from the gaping wound and Laffan staggered momentarily and then fell to the ground. However he regained stature and slowly and clumsily made his way up Fielden Street by grabbing windowsills with one hand and clutching the wound with the other leaves pools of blood everywhere. A few minutes later police constable Wright arrived on the scene and once acquainted with what had happened followed the trail of blood to an alleyway leading to Vicarage Place, which used to be just beyond the present day Peace Street. In the back yard of 16 Peace Street he found the razor and case, the trail of blood continued and led the constable to a seven foot high fence beyond which lay the East Lancashire Railway and its steep embankment. The constable found Charles Laffan on the other side of the fence evidentially trying to get to his father's house on Napier Street on the other side of the track. He was in a dying condition, but before he elapsed managed to write on a piece of paper "I want to be buried with my son Laffan". A doctor was on the scene within minutes but declared Charles beyond help and he died within a few minutes. Meanwhile Mrs Laffan was rushed to hospital by horse ambulance, and although her wounds were serious it was reported a week later that she was expected to recover. The inquest on Charles Laffan was held at Cog Lane Police Station where a verdict was reached to the effect "That Charles Laffan on the 13th. Of February at Fielden Street cut his throat with a razor and then got upon the railway embankment off Napier Street where he died, and that when he so killed himself he was of sound mind". Charles Laffan was buried from his father's house on Napier Street at Burnley Cemetery on Saturday 18th. February 1911.
A large crowd watched the departure from the house, but apart from his father, mother and close friends few others attended the actual funeral at the cemetery. Charles was buried according to his last wishes with his sixteen-year-old son who had died some years previous. This was a particularly sad case, of needless injuries and suffering caused to the wife and a distressingly miserable suicide and for a time caused considerable sensation in the town in particular around the Accrington Road area. Charles Laffan was depicted as being a large sturdy six-footer, and there are other reports of violence to his wife. From his point of view, was he simply trying to get back with his wife and children who he obviously had affection for? One cannot disregard the vicious attack on Mrs. Laffan for what ever reason, it may have been that Charles thought to himself that if the couple couldn't be together in normal circumstances then he was prepared to take both their lives. One also cannot help wondering at the verdict of the inquest jury. Was Charles really of sound mind when he brutally made a murderous attack on his wife in front of his own children? Was he also of sound mind when he downed the pot of salts of lemon or when he pulled out the razor and slashed his own throat? Unfortunately these questions can never now be answered, the events of that sad day long ago along with all those it affected now form a poignant part of Burnley's past history.
Burnley Express May 2nd. 2000
THE WAPPING DISTRICT OF OLD BURNLEY AND ITS ALEHOUSES
Wapping was an old area of Burnley situated at the bottom end of Hall Street, the steep street that goes down to the Woolworth's car park and occupied roughly the same area. The district grew from around the 1800s as small back-to-back houses and cellar dwellings arranged around narrow courts and alleyways. These were obviously subject to flooding being on the very brink of the bank of the River Brun, sanitation was basic or even non-existent, human waste simply being tipped straight into the river or even on to the alley way. It soon acquired a name of notoriety as various premises were converted into alehouses, inns and overcrowded accommodation, a place of thieves and prostitutes. By the late 1860s and 1870s the people of the town were moving to the better class areas that were now springing up to cater for the growing workforce, the terraced rows of housing we know today. One of the many beer houses in the Wapping District, named after Moll of Wapping it is said, was the Greyhound. It was here in July 1859, that Septimus Burke following an argument killed Michael Burke, alias Tom Soldier by a kick to the head. Burke surrendered himself a short while after to Constable Samuel Bradshaw on Bridge Street a short distance away saying "I am the man who killed Tom Soldier in the beer house in Wapping" Burke served in the 6th. Foot having registered at Southwark on the 12th. of January 1855, hence the name Tom Soldier. However he only served just under two years when he was discharged as being unfit for service. Later Septimus Burke was committed on a manslaughter charge and sent for trial at Lancaster assizes. Samuel Baldwin, who also worked as a joiner was running the Greyhound when it was simply listed under beer houses (with no name) in 1868. The Greyhound was a house of ill repute, and the pub is last mentioned in directories in 1902, when Thomas Ward had the place.
In that year Ward was charged with three cases of "harbouring thieves, harbouring women of low character, and permitting drunkenness". The house was watched from July 28th to August 4th, when altogether 14 thieves, all of which had been convicted were seen to frequent the premises. The landlord submitted in court that he was not aware of the character of the men and women, and the case was dismissed. Another of those low class beer houses that was situated down Wapping though at the Bridge Street end was the Black Dog the most famed of the Wapping alehouses. The house however was described as being substantial when John Eltoft was living there in 1800. Later John Hargreaves and Son of the Old Brewery took it, probably for warehouse storage before it finally became the Black Dog a short time afterwards. A William Hopkins kept the inn in 1820; He was a veteran of the Battle of Waterloo (June 1815) who was stated to be in receipt of a pension at 6d. a day. William lost his fingers on the plains of Waterloo, and could not handle the reins of his horse and so had to be discharged from the army. One might therefore wonder how he managed to pull the pints!. His wife Hanna was a Derbyshire lass, hailing from Glossop. In conversation she always seemed to end her word with ink. There is a story that went around at the time, which went as follows. Job Pilling kept a millwright shop at the corner of Bridge Street. One night after work was finished, two or three of his employees went to the Black Dog for an evenings tipple. They carried on drinking all, night, but had not paid for the ale come closing time at eleven of the clock. It was then that Hannah came into the room and went to where the men were sitting and confronted them. "Now" she said "I'm comink to tell you that we are givink over fillink, and you've had three quarts, and that comes to a shillink, will you pay now, or must I send it down to Job Pillink". Old William died in that house and is buried in St. Peter's Churchyard where the headstone can be seen to this day.
Hannah lived several years afterwards, but left the business and lived a retired life after William's death. The inns and taverns in Wapping at this time were notorious for badger baiting and reports indicate that this cruel sports went on at the Black Dog as well as cockfights. This is in spite of the warning issued in the Blackburn newspaper on 23rd. September 1799 that: "Any innkeeper who shall encourage such savage diversions (of bull baiting and cock fighting) or shall receive in his house any company that may have assembled upon such an occasion will certainly be deprived of his licence at the end of the present year" The beer house is listed in 1868, though it's not named as such, simply the address is given and the name of the landlord, John Myers. The beer house was rated at 34 poundsin 1888 and was owned by T. Horsfall of Brierfield, and appears to have ended its days shortly after 1902 when Richard Binns is recorded as being the landlord. Richard was fined in May 1902, for serving ale to a drunken customer. Other landlords at the inn have included Richard and John Myers. The man John Myers was a great sportsman in his day, and was considered one of the best hands at getting a cock bird for the fight in the country. It was said he kept the house well, and never had a conviction against during his long tenancy. They were a rough lot down Wapping, but John had his way of dealing with the rowdies. He had a walking stick, a kind of bludgeon with which he argued matters with the rough customers. The licence for the Black Dog actually lapsed in 1924. The building that was the Black Dog was later taken over by Charles Henry Webster, who was followed by Richard his son, although their original premises were next door to Robert Munn's, at Munn's Corner. The inn then became incorporated into what became known as Webster's Toytown. This was demolished in 1968-69. The name Black Dog might have had some connection with the badger baiting that went on here.
Another alehouse down Wapping was the Blue Bell. The old Blue Bell was at the far end of Wapping, at the bottom of Hall Street, where if you turned right into the little alley way that still exists it would be the second door on the left. In 1895, this building was listed as a common lodging house, though previously it was a beer house, and prior to that a dwelling house. Early photos show this to have been a cottage like building and whitewashed at the front. The building was demolished around 1914, though a structure on the right remained until about 1962. John Heaton and his wife, Ann kept this and sometime later the same couple took another house in Wapping, and having obtained a licence, called it the new Blue Bell. The tenant after the Heaton's was a Mr. Brooks, who after a few years left and went to Liverpool, Next came Thomas Greenwood, but better known by the name of Tom Steen, he was at the Blue Bell for many years. When he finally left, he bought a house on the corner of Boot Street and Croft Street, got a beer licence and named it the Oddfellow's Arms. Later the Blue Bell had a cottage added to it, and then became known as the Farrier or sometimes the Horse and Farrier. Much of the old Wapping District disappeared altogether with the building of the Palace Theatre and the Hippodrome in 1907, although many will still remember Cannon Street and Webster Toytown. To others it's always been Woollworth car park and will know little of its notorious past
|
See the Wapping District of old Burnley and its Alehouse
THE ANGEL INN, ACCRINGTON ROAD BURNLEY
The Angel Inn at number 80 Accrington Road is an old Burnley pub dating back to around 1845, and one of the few to retain its original exterior. From a directory we know that Jacob Nowell was the landlord in 1848. Leslie Chapples in his book Taverns in the Town speculates that the pub may have got its name from the fact that it stands above the church, or the former Holy Trinity. This may be a feasible assumption for the church was erected in 1835-36, although its equally probable that the inn was built on church land, as the former Mitre Inn also has church connections in its title. The pub might today considered to be off the 'beaten track' with the closure of both ends of this section of Accrington Road. However, in its early days, the inn was on the 'beaten track' literally. In the 1830-40s only three roads led out of the little village that was Burnley, one of which was up Sandygate, via Coal Clough Lane, Cog Lane and through Wholaw at the top of Manchester Road, giving off a branch along Barracks Road, through Gannow and Rosegrove, to Padiham. These were little more, than what we would consider today to be well used farm tracks, used for the passage of horse traffic, pedestrians and trains of pack-mules. The inn was presumably built to accommodate the travellers along this route. There was an interesting and amusing tale told with a mention of the pub, back in September 1846 concerning the navvies that were building the railway line just beyond the inn. This was reported in the Blackburn Standard on the 16th. of that month, and went on to say:--"On Saturday and Sunday last considerable excitement prevailed in Burnley in consequence of some of the over lookers or 'gaffers' on the East Lancashire Railway having defrauded their workpeople of their wages. It appears that on Saturday afternoon the 'gaffers' received the amount of wages from Mr. Hattersley the contractor, and sent it away with their wives intending to follow at an early convenience. The navvies however smelt a rat, and securing the delinquents, kept guard over them in the Angel Inn, during Saturday and Sunday. In consequence of the crowd of persons attracted to the place on Sunday, the navvies determined to have an exhibition, and parties were admitted inside the room to 'see the wild beasts', at a charges of a halfpenny each, except 'when feeding', when the charge was a penny. The police however soon interfered, and the prisoners were removed to the Courthouse after offering some considerable resistance. On Monday they were brought before the magistrates, but were dismissed on the grounds that the 'single debts' were too small for magisterial interference, and could only be obtained through the Court of Requests".
The contractor mentioned above, Mr. Hattersley when he had completed the undertaking of building the railway constructed a number of houses off Westgate, said to be the first built of brick in the town. Many will recall them as they were often called 'The Brick Houses' indeed Hattersley Street still exists, at least in part just above Clifton Street. In recognition of the fact that most of the men who worked on these houses came from Northern parts in particularly the North East, the street names had an air of 'northerness' about them. These streets were Alnwick Street, Morpeth Street, Berwick Street, Kendal Street, and Glen Street. Back at the Angel Inn it's interesting to note that the little row of cottages, which are still attached to the pub, on Sandygate or Burnham Gate as it is now called, dates from around the same time. These are marked on the 1844-48 maps as 'Midgley Place' although sometimes referred to as 'Midgley Buildings'. A number of soldiers were billeted here during the early 1840s, and the buildings take their name from Peggy Midgley who classed herself as a 'retired innkeeper' in 1851, but a proprietor of houses a decade later. Hugh Whittam is described as an innkeeper at Midgley Place in the 1850s, perhaps at the Angel Inn that might have been classed then as being on Sandygate. In 1861, there is recorded William Stevenson licensed victualer at the Angel, Henry Tinker was lodging there and Fanny Bootle a servant girl, as one might expect with a name like that hailed from Liverpool. Mine hosts at the Angel in 1871 were William and Mary Stancliffe, also there was a lodger living there by the name of Edward Goodard a cotton spinner. Thwaites owned the inn back in 1888, as they do now when it held a publicans licence, as opposed to being a simple beer house, and its rateable value was £71. 10d. An inn holding a publicans licence were generally the more accommodating, comfortable and allowed to sell spirits as well as beer. The Angel used to have a door on Burnham Gate at one time. This has long since been walled up, although it's still possible to see where the door was now made in to a window. The door was mention during a court case in the 1930s, "When the constable entered through the door on Sandygate, and apprehended the prisoners who had broke into the inn". Today the Angel is a comfortable hostelry, following a recent major refurbishment, and is ably run by mine hosts Ann and Frank Fleming. The obvious gap, between the inn and the row of houses lower down Accrington Road now the pub beer garden, were was once occupied by the establishments of Mrs Ashworth, who ran a tobacconists shop, and Layfields, a confectioners. The next shop still standing but no longer used for its original purpose was Gill's butchers. Before leaving the Angel notice the old foot-scraper, or the remains of it low down on the right hand side of the front door. This is a reminder of the state of the road that used to run up Sandygate in days of yore, the customers would obligingly wipe the mud off their feet on this before entering the inn. The inn sign today appears to depict what appears to be an archangel, one of the highest ranks of angels perhaps reflecting its recent changes from an ancient wayside inn to a modern public house!
Burnley Gazette, October 19th. 1872;--"William Stanicliffe, landlord of the Angel Inn, summoned Richard Pilling and Hezekiah Walsh for refusing to quit his house when requested to do so. Mr. Baldwin appeared for Stanicliffe. Complainant stated that on Thursday, the 3rd. inst, defendants were in his house fighting, and when he requested them to leave, they refused. PC Wilkinson gave evidence against Pilling. Fined 5s. and costs, or seven days. The Mayor said the defendants were liable to a penalty of £5 for this offence. Mr. Baldwin said what the defendants were doing would have subjected the landlord to a penalty on the first offence of £20 on the second offence. It was intimidated that this was the first offence under the New Act, and therefore the defendants were treated leniently". Burnley Gazette May 20th 1875;--"Thomas Shaw for having a cart standing half an hour near the Angel Inn without anyone in charge was fined 20s and costs, or one month. P.C. Robinson said the defendant was in a Beerhouse".
Burnley Express, May 27th. 2001
THE GRAND OLD DUKE OF YORK HOTEL
Few of Burnley's public houses stand out more than the Duke of York Hotel, at Duke Bar, it almost blocks your way, when travelling towards Nelson, Colne or Briercliffe. Duke Bar incidentally, takes its name from the former toll bar that stood here, and I suppose it should be properly named Duke of York Bar. A picture of the old toll bar still survives, and shows a lowly building with gates either side, which 'barred' the way forward until the tolls were paid. This may have been moved here from the toll bar further down known as the Hebrew Bar. This, the Hebrew Bar was mentioned in the local newspapers in August 1855, when, "On Monday last, George Davye, was summoned before T.H. Whitaker and J. Roberts Esq. for refusing to pay the toll at Hebrew tollgate, a short distance from Burnley, on the Blackburn and Addington Turnpike Road".
When the Burnley Militia was formed in 1853, the men paraded and practised in a field near the Duke of York Hotel three times a day, a reflection of a more rural scene that prevailed around Duke Bar at the time. The Duke of York is an ancient hostelry and dates from at least the 1820s, although since re-built of course. Luke Scott is listed as landlord in 1824, and James Scott in 1828, probably related. The Duke of York we know today was constructed in 1881, although extended in later years, and opened just before Christmas that year in time for the forthcoming celebrations. The architect was for the new building was Mr. T. Bell. At the time, the pub was one belonging to Grimshaw’s Brewery, and, although 'Grimshaw’s Sparkling Ales’ can still be seen on a number of the pub windows today, Massey's Brewery later acquired the 'Duke'. The amalgamation was announced in December 1922, two years later, Massey's purchased Astley's Brewery at Nelson, and in 1928 took over the houses and plant of the Keirby Brewery.
Massey's also took over J. Kenyon's brewery at Cloughfold in 1928. One of the landlords at the Duke of York from 1848 to 1854 was Law Brown, who married Mrs. Keirby, the widow of a member of the Keirby brewing family. He came to an untimely end by hanging himself in the brewery’s Church Street premises, the Well Hall Brewery.
There was a very sad case involving the Keirby family in June 1855, when the local newspaper reported:--"A lamentable accident occurred at Well Hall Brewery, in Church Street, about three o'clock in the afternoon of Monday last. Mr. John Keirby, the proprietor of the brewery, had just gone into the room containing the liquor boiler, which is in an upper storey, when he was followed by his only son, a child about three years of age. Mr. Keirby, as we understand, took the child in his arms, and at the moment he had done this, the boiler burst at its side, the child was scalded to death almost instantly, and Mr. Keirby himself severely injured by the steam and liquor from the boiler. The building containing the boiler rises at the back of the premises in Church Street, and is connected therein. The building itself does not appear to have sustained any injury. Other parties connected with the brewery were about at the time, but being below, fortunately escaped". John Keirby was in later publications stated to be himself in a precarious state. The following is taken from the Burnley Express of June 18th. 1887, when the premises were being extended again, and recalls a remarkable escape;--“Shortly before 10 o’clock on Wednesday morning, the neighbourhood of Duke Bar was startled by the collapse of an old building which formed the stable and scullery of the Duke of York Inn. It had been proposed to alter the premises, which are situated between the principal buildings and the old toll house which form a portion of the same block, and convert them into a vault for the inn with one frontage to Colne Road, and the other to Briercliffe Road. The work was under the supervision of Mt. T. Bell, architect, and was being carried out by Messrs Laycock and Sons, contractors. Mr. Bell and Mr. Laycock senior, were however absent from town at the time of the occurrence of which we write. It was intended to place a cellar underneath the proposed vault. The floor of the old building had been removed, and excavations for the cellar were in progress, and it is supposed that it was owing to inadvertence in getting the excavations too near the outer wall—that which fronts on to Briercliffe Road, it suddenly gave signs of being insecure. Whatever may have contributed to this insecurity it is certain that its discovery was providentially made. The workmen engaged in the work have frequently noticed rats on the premises, and on Wednesday morning, Mr. Laycock junior, attracted by a noise which he attributed to one of these rodents went to investigate. He then noticed a crack in the causeway, and saw unmistakable indications of the collapse of the building. He immediately called to the seven workmen who were in the cellar to leave the place, which they did by ascending a short ladder leaving by an exit on the Colne Road side. They had only just succeeded in making good their escape, when the wall on the Briercliffe Road side was seen to bend in the centre, and to fall, carrying with it half the roof with a tremendous crash. The upper portion and the roof fell into the road, whilst the lower portion was deposited where the men had just left. The portion of the footpath at this point is very narrow, and our readers will remember that some time ago the re-arrangement of the line of frontage was under consideration, but no agreement has yet been made between the Corporation and Mr. Grimshaw, the brewer and owner…” All though I have lived in Burnley all my life, I can never remember the clock at the Duke of York ever working, can anyone remember when it last worked? The pub is now centralised in the gyrator system, but at one time you could still drive either side. This is probably the world's first triangular roundabout, if there can be such a thing.!
Jack Nadin
Published in the Burnley Express July 27th. 2001
|
|
SOME LOCAL THIEVES AND HIGHWAYMEN AND ROBBERS
As we reminisce of days of our youth, the good old days when crime apparently did not exist. When it was safe to leave your front and back door unlocked, if only because we'd nowt to steal. Pondering as you will on the crimes of today, the drugs, and drink, the permissive age in which todays youngsters live, and remember how it used to be when you were young. No acts of violence then, no muggings, robberies, or murders. But crime did happen then, and has done from time eternal. Romanticised tales of days gone by, of highwaymen like Dick Turpin whose reckless exploits held the country in terror, do nothing to hide the fact that crime was being committed. We even have our own local highwaymen and robbers from long ago, along with other villains. One such pair of highwaymen were "Briggs and Dickinson" two highway marauders who plied their villainous activities on that loneliest of roads between Burnley and Bacup, around Deerplay Top. These men originally hailed from Gisburn, however their poaching operations there forced them to move to a safer habitat near Deerplay Woods. Peregrine Edward Towneley planted the Deerplay Woods around the turn of the nineteenth century, a wood of larches so thick that daylight rarely perpetrated its foliage. The woods extended about a mile on the moorland road from the Deerplay toll-bar in the direction of Burnley, being cut down about the year 1868. For decades brigand and footpads accosted people, robbing them beneath the leafy recesses. One of the last exploits of Briggs and Dickinson was to rob the Deerplay Inn before being taken prisoners near Colne. On this occasion they threw the landlord, an aged man onto a blazing fire, and shot and almost killed a blacksmith who came to his aid. On being arrested near Colne they were brought through Burnley and on to Preston escorted by constables and a troop of dragoons, and finally transported to penal servitude for life. Dickinson, by far the worst rascal of the two, according to tradition escaped to America where he was eventually hung for murder ended for good his life of crime.(1)
Another outrage occurred at the Law Clough Farm on the moors high above Burnley in April 1827, when William Heyworth alias "Bill o' Rodgers" his son Roger and son-in-law John Jackson committed burglary there. The robbers had been informed, through gossip or otherwise that an old lady from Todmorden often took refuge there for the night after collecting her rents on the Rossendale side of the valley. James Fielden was working the farm at this time, also known as "Owd Jim o' Law Clough" who supplemented his income as did most folk at this time with a little handloom weaving. On the night in question all the family, save for the youngest daughter had retired for the night, she was doing a little ironing. The kitchen door had not yet been latched for the night, and on hearing the door opening the young lass gave out a scream in alarm. She was at once seized by one of the intruders and held. One of the men got hold of a large knife whetted it on the slopstone pressing it close to the terrified girl's throat threatening to slit it should she make more noise. "Owd Jim" however, a son of the soil had heard the confusion below and began to come down the stairs, where he came face to face with the intruders. In his hand was a drying iron which he used in defence and with which he heavily marked the nocturnal criminals. "Owd Jim" stood his ground and was not mastered by the burglars until his drying iron broke, and when overpowered was beaten quite badly by the bludgeons the men were carrying. Following this the men appeared to have lost courage and immediately fled the scene, although they were soon cradled in the arms of the law. "Owd Jim's" daughter who'd been dancing a few hours previous with him at the New Inn on the Rochdale road identified Heyworth's son, Roger. John Jackson made a full confession, not only of this crime, but also of sheep stealing, highway robbery and other outrages done by the family. All the men were duly committed to long sentences in prison. (2)
Atrocities were not confined to the secluded moorland roads around Burnley, but also occurred in town itself. The following are from just one year in the town's history, 1856. In June that year, a young man named Joseph Rawson, a factory operative, residing in Union Street, in the Club House District of Burnley between Calder Street and Brown Street was charged with having been concerned in a garrotte robbery on the night of Whit-Tuesday. A man named Thomas Harrison of Clowbridge had been drinking in the King's Arms tap, an alehouse of ill repute with a woman and several men. Around twelve o'clock, midnight the men went out of the pub followed by the woman. In a short time, she returned and beckoned to Harrison, who followed her. When about ten or fifteen yards from the door of the tap, in Water Street, down the old Wapping District, now the area taken by the Woolworth's car park he was seized by the throat by two or three men. They took from him his silver watch, and all the money he had, amounting to three or four shillings. They then left him senseless on the ground. Police Constable Jervis, learning that a young man, named Thomas Hartley, recently had a silver watch, went to him early on the Sunday morning, making inquiries as to where he got it. Thomas Hartley replied that he had bought it from the prisoner and paid him 22s. For it. Constable Jervis took the watch to the prisoner, Joseph Rawson who lived near Hartley, and asked him if he had a sliver one recently, when he replied he had never had one in his life. Thomas Hartley was sent for, and he stated in the presence of the prisoner, that he had bought it from him. The policeman then left the house, and sent immediately to Clowbridge for Harrison, who came and identified the watch. Rawson was taken into custody about half past five o'clock on Monday morning. When charged with robbery, he said he had obtained the watch from a girl named Ruth. He was committed for trial. (3)
There was yet another garrotte robbery in the town just a few months later in September the same year. A man named George Eastwood, alias "Dawdy" was charged with being concerned with two others, names unknown, in a garrotte robbery on John Emmett, a dealer in milk, a little after midnight one Saturday. The prosecutor stated that he had been paying his club money at the same King's Arms on Bridge Street, and then he went to the Clock Face Inn that stood in St. James' Street, where he remained until midnight. Emmett then went down Hall Rake, intending to proceed through the Market place to Newtown, where he resides. Hall Rake was the old name for Hall Street, the steep street that runs down to the Woolworth's car park, the hall in question being the old Hall Inn which stood at the top. About half way down Hall Rake he passed three men, and when a little beyond them, he heard one of them say "That's milk Jack, he'll have some money on him". When Emmett had got about ten yards past the men, two of them seized him from behind, and passed their arms across his throat, the third went in front of him and searched his pockets, taking all the money he had about him, about 16s or 17s. One of the men who got hold of him asked their companion how much he had got, to which he replied "Not much". He was then told to search him again, which he did, turning the pockets out, but found nothing more. They then let him go, and he fell to the ground. In a few minutes he recovered, his tongue however protruded from his mouth from the violence of the pressure on his throat. He then went into the street, (St. James Street) where he met Sergeant Jervis, and told him of the robbery, saying that he knew the man who had searched his pockets, and described his dress. Sergeant Jervis immediately went to Cannon-Street, into which Hall Rake leads, where he found the prisoner, who was identified by Emmett. On being charged, the prisoner said he had never seen Emmett in his life. On searching him however, a half crown, a shilling and sixpence in silver, and some copper were found. He too was committed to trial.(4)
Also in 1856, there was a rather strange robbery at the Swan Inn. One Sunday evening in February that year between seven and eight o'clock, a young man, a stranger in town, who was somewhat shabbily dressed in dark velveteen jacket, and plain light fustian trousers went to the Swan Inn, the house kept by Thomas Diggle, in St. James' Street, and asked for lodgings for the night. The stranger said he had relatives in Burnley, but had not yet been able to contact them. He was shown into the front parlour, where he sat down among the company of drinkers. While he was there he was seen to eat something, which he took from his pocket, on being asked to drink by those present he declined, saying he had not taken drink for some time. About a quarter past eleven o'clock, the stranger was shown to a bed in the top most room of the pub, in which were several beds, one of which was occupied by a stableman at the inn. No candles were left with him, and the only light came from the obelisk (the owd gawmless gas lamp) in the middle of the street. Thomas Diggle, the landlord retired for the night about midnight. At sometime early the following morning, the stranger took from the box belonging to the stableman, which was in the bedroom, and unlocked, a pair of new stockings, a silk handkerchief, a waistcoat, and a pair of trousers. He then descended into a lower room, where some of the rest of the family slept, he took from the trouser pocket of Mr. Diggle's oldest son, who was in business as a grocer, his shop door key, and the key of his safe. He then went down and opened the lock of a drawer in the bar, and took about 30s. and a bottle belonging to another son, and several other articles of dress. The keys taken from the pocket of the eldest son were found on a stand in the bar, he also left the stableman's trousers on a chair in the back kitchen. The stranger left the house by the door of the kitchen, which opens into the back of the premise. Leaving it unclosed. The stableman got up about five o'clock in the morning, and finding the kitchen door opened, and other signs of what had taken place immediately awoke Mr. Diggle. It was found that the thief had never even been in bed, and no clue remained of his identity was ever found. (5)
1 Burnley News, January 24th. 1914
2 Burnley News, March 10th. 1917.
3 Burnley Advertiser, June 4th. 1856.
4 Burnley Advertiser, September 16th. 1856.
5 Burnley Advertiser, February 21st. 1856.
REMEMBERING 'PEY BOB'S' SHOP
The rather dilapidated at block of buildings at the bottom of Sandygate, now a sad sight holds no doubt at least some scant of memories for the locals around this, the west end of town. What remains of these building looks likely in the very near future to face demolition, although a sign put up recently says that the buildings have been sold. What better time then, to recall some of their history before they are gone forever? The building at the very end, number 2, Sandygate, now gone and replaced by grassed area, was the premises of George Waddington, a dentist, whose practice had been in existence for over fifty years. George Waddington lived at number 32, Lockyer Avenue. Next came the premises of Angelo Corrallo, a clothier, as he described himself, at numbers 4-6 Sandygate. Who can fail to recall Corallo's shop, where if pushed, a suit would cost you from £3.00 upwards. Here you could purchase 'collar attached shirts' bib and brace overalls, men's aprons and boys pyjamas, You could also get the blue and black pin striped 'ratters' the type of flat cap popular in the 1960s, donkey jackets, wellingtons, industrial boots with steel toe caps, and 'winkle picker' shoes. Fingers tipped jackets with velvet collars were also readily available for the 'teddy boys' of the era, as were 'drain pipe' trousers. As jeans came into fashion, around the same time, Corallo's shop window offered a marvellous display of jean jackets and pants, even denim waist-coats. It's been said that Angelo would take hold of the backs of jackets, gripping the surplus cloth, whilst at the same time remarking what a good fit the garment was, as the unsuspecting customer gazed proudly at his new suit through the full length mirror. Angelo lived at number 97, Ormerod Road. The Corallo business was actually started by Arthur Corallo, probably Angelo's father, who described himself as a 'pawnbroker, jeweller and clothier' who had these two premises and one on Peel Street, directly at the back of his main shops. He was in business from around the 1920s. In 1945 at number 3 Peel Street lived Laurie Carton, who strangely enough was a cartoonist!. Corallo's shop was in later years taken over by Brun Lea Antiques shop. From a directory of the same year, we can see that next up Sandygate came the premises of Josiah Thornton, a eating house, at number 10, where besides a pie and peas meal you could also get a pint of black peas. The eating house was always known as 'Pey Bob's' something of a mystery, as the owner was called Josiah. Perhaps a previous owner was called Bob, in earlier days. Josiah opened the shop around 1893, and by the time of his diamond wedding in May 1948, had been serving pie and peas for fifty-five years. Josiah was an active member of the Trinity Conservative Club on Trafalgar, and lived on Swindon Street up Coal Clough Lane for over fifty years. Sadly, Josiah's wife died just three weeks after their anniversary, and he himself died in January 1953.
'Pey Bob's' was closed down soon after this, marking the end of a remarkable era. Above at number 14 Sandygate was Mrs Elizabeth Birtwell, who ran a confectionery shop. The last two shops, those still standing, were the premises of Dexters (Paints) Ltd., paint manufactures, who of course still survive on Trafalgar Street. This business was founded by Cornelius Eatough in 1907, but was then called 'Decorators Supplies' selling decorating materials to the trade and public. Cornelius was joined by his two sons, Harry and James, and in the late 1940s acquired premises on Caldervale and began to make their own paints. It was at this time that the name changed to Dexter, a name apparently picked out of the phone book and used 'because it sounded right'. The Sandygate shop ceased trading in 1959 and Dexter's' moved to Albert Works on Trafalgar. The old Sandygate School was bought by the firm in the mid 1980s, and in 1991 they acquired the Mitchell's' Plastics premises on Gannow Lane. The Sandygate premises were later taken over by a taxi firm, Intacabs'. The bottom end of Sandygate is now blocked off, and the road that meets it today from Queens Lancashire Way is what remains of King Street, named after King George III (1760-1828) which gives an indication of its antiquity. Pitt (named after William Pitt) and Hanover Streets occupied the area recently taken over by a car dealer, but formerly used as a little car park a little further up Sandygate. Further up still was Clock Street named after, and just before the Clock Tower Mill that was destroyed on the fierce blaze in 1987. The area now occupied by the little garden just below, and to the left of the Plane Tree Inn was formerly the site of Plane Tree Alley pulled down under slum clearance in the 1933. These were low class houses with a wide open gutter with no drain running through the centre of the alley, the steps leading up to the landing and the alley can still be seen today. Sandygate was formerly named Whin Hill, the place where the whinberries grew, but the reason for its later name became apparent when constructing an underground sewer some years ago. The contractors came across a large bed of glacial sand, which not only slowed down the progress on the sewer, but added considerably to its cost. Sand Street, which used to be near old Padiham road before the construction of the motorway was so named for the same reason, and gives an indication of the extent of the sand bed.
Jack Nadin
This article appeared in the 'Express' on July 24th. 2001
|
|
ONE OF OUR FOUR BRAVE V.C. WINNERS
Alfred Victor Smith (1891-1915).
Alfred Victor Smith, was the only son of William Henry Smith, and was born at Guildford, Surrey on 22nd, July 1891. His father William Henry Smith, was a former postman, who later served with the 11th. Prince Albert Own Hussars, where he became a lance-corporal gaining the medal and star for active service in the Nile Expedition of 1884-85. Following this, William Henry joined the Guildford Borough Police force in 1888, and was later asigned to the Cambridge Borough Force where he was raised to the rank of sergeant, later Chief Detective, and later still Chief Inspector. For four years from 1901 to 1905 he was appointed to the Chief Constable of St. Albans.
In May 1905, from a list of 57 applicants, and later a short list of four candidates he was appointed to Chief Constable of Burnley. This position was the third such assignment since the formation of the Burnley Borough Police. The new chief constable along with his wife and young son, Alfred Victor, then aged just thirteen years took up residence in Burnley. The young lad had a fine voice, and prior to his move to Burnley was connected with the Trinity College choir. During his fathers time at St Albans, Alfred Victor was also a soloist at the Cathedral there. His removal to Burnley saw Alfred Victor complete his education at the Burnley Grammar School, where he showed great enthusiasm at gymnastics and swimming, and a most successful competitor at the annual Grammar School Sports Day. During this time he also became closely connected with the St. Catherine's Sunday School. Here, he was a keen supporter of the Amateur Operatic Society, and gave much time and effort to performances, particularly those in connection or on behalf of charity.
Leaving school, Alfred Victor found work locally in the Labour Exchange, but soon found an inclination to follow the work of his father in police work. To this end a position was found for the young man at the Chief Constables Office at Blackpool, where hard work was rewarded by his promotion to Inspector by the Blackpool Watch Committee. However, the atrocities in Europe were soon to lead to Britain's involvement, and the start of World War One. Alfred Victor immediately applied for a commission in the Burnley Territorials, then a reserve battalion in the course of formation. He was gazetted as a second lieutenant on the 10th of October 1914. For a while he was stationed at Burnley, and later to the 25th. Battalion at Southport. In 1915, he volunteered to go out with a draft detachment, having, at this time attained the rank of lieutenant. He sailed for Egypt on the 1st of April that year arriving at Port Said on the 11th. Following a brief period in Cairo, he returned to Port Said, and on May 5th 1915 set sail for Dardanelles arriving on the 13th. Here, Lieutenant Smith was attached to the Royal Munster Fusiliers on the Peninsula, and afterwards the King's Own Scottish Borders, and was engaged in various battles.
Towards the end of July, Lieutenant Smith fell ill with dysentery, and was ordered to rest at Alexandria. He returned to base a fortnight later, and went through a course on bombing which he passed first class, and was ultimately made brigade bombing officer around the middle of October. The day before Christmas Eve 1915, Lieutenant Smith was in the battlefield at Helles, Gallipoli, a peninsula on the European side of Dardanelles. The scene was one of heavy fighting, and the young lieutenant rose from the trench to throw a grenade. The sides of the trenches were thick with glutinous mud, and confusion reigned from the bombing and shell fire. The young officer stumbled and the grenade fell from his hand into the trench. Lieutenant Smith called out to his fellow officers and men of the danger, and he ran for cover. He immediately realised that his comrades had no means of escaping, and with seconds to go before the blast sacrificed his own life by throwing himself on top of the bomb. He was instantly killed by the explosion, his heroism and split second timing though saved those in the trench from death or injury. The news of his death was dispatched to his father's home at Scott Park road a few days later. His mother at the time was away at Worcestershire attending to her sister who was ill.
She was contacted, and she returned home. The telegram was from the Records Office at Preston and simply read;-- Regret to inform you War Office report Lieutenant A. Victor Smith, 5th East Lancashire Regiment, was killed in action, December 23rd. Lord Kitchener expresses his sympathy. Many similar letters were sent during that sad and hatred conflict, and many young lives were lost. Page after page the local newspaper reported the death of sons and fathers, not only in Lancashire but around the country. One can only imagine the despair felt by Mr and Mrs Smith, and the other families in similar situations, but still the war had to go on. That fact that many of the sons and fathers died 'a heroes death' would be of little consolation to those left to grieve their loss. For his Magnificent Self Sacrifice as the local newspaper put it, Lieutenant Alfred Victor Smith was awarded the Victoria Cross on the 3rd of March 1916.
On that same day, his father, the Chief Constable of Burnley got the following letter by post from Brigadier General A. W. Tufnell, commander of the 126th Infantry Brigade---Dear Sir,--I did not know your son, as I took over command of the brigade about a fortnight after his death, but I have heard much about him, and about his death. So besides offering you my heartfelt sympathy in your loss, I can perhaps give you particulars almost as well as anyone else. He was employed in the trenches in Gallipoli at the time, and had just lighted a grenade for throwing himself. It was wet and slippery, he unfortunately fell and the lighted grenade rolled out of his hand into the trench. Smith ran to take cover, as it was clear that the grenade must explode in a very few seconds, but as he ran, he evidently realised that there were many other officers and men in the trench and that many of them would be killed or wounded by the inevitable explosion. His mind was made up in a moment, and, without an instant's hesitation, he ran back and threw himself upon the lighted grenade. Possibly he may have thought he could have still extinguished it, possibly he had no time to consider whether there was such as possibility. More likely he deliberately forfeited his live to save others from death and injury. Whatever his thoughts and decision may have been, his act was one of bravery such as I personally have never heard surpassed. There was only one result possible, the grenade exploded with all its force, and his life was sacrificed to save others. His name has gone forward with strong recommendation for the award of the Victoria Cross, which is the highest aim of every soldier, and, at present nearly every gentleman in Britain, and I hope with all my heart that this gallant action may receive this highest recognition which it merits. I'm afraid no decoration can compensate for the loss of an only son, but my explanation must be a consolation to you in its self, and if the hopes I have outlined are realised, it must make you one of the proudest men in England. When everyone reads the story and couples the memory of his name with that old and honoured phrase . A soldier and a gentleman. I cannot close without assuring you that the admiration expressed in these lines is not mine alone, but the thought of every officer, non-commissioned officer and man in the brigade which I have the honour to command.---Your very truly, A.W. Tufnell, Brig. General, Commanding, 126th Infantry Brigade.
In December, 1916 almost to the day of Lieutenant Smith's heroic action there was a presentation of his portrait to the Towneley Art Gallery. The painting was bought out of the subscriptions to a fund to perpetuate the officers gallant action that day. The commission to paint the portrait was given to well known artist John Cooke of Trafalger Studios, Chelsea. The three quarter length painting depicts a suggestion of the hills of Gallipoli, with a glimpse of the Dardanelles and warships. Lieutenant Victor Smith is shown holding a grenade, and in the top right hand corner are the representations of the Victoria Cross and the French equivalent medal and their ribbons.
The inscription of this painting which can still be seen at Towneley Hall reads;-- Second Lieutenant A. Victor Smith V.C. 15th Battalion East Lancashire Regiment, aged 24 years. Gallipolli Peninsula, 23rd December 1915. Awarded the Victoria Cross and the Croix-de-Guerre. He gave his life to save others. As a further tribute, following a service at St Catherine's Church with which he was closely associated in January 1916, a memorial was unveiled to his courageous deed. The father of Alfred Victor Smith, William Henry went on to serve as the towns Chief Constable until September 1924 when he took retirement. Mr. Smith will be remembered as the father of one of Burnley's V.C. winners and the donation of the of the W.H. Smith Cup which was annually donated to the member of the police force judged to have performed the most gentlemanly act for the year. William Henry Smith died in late November 1933 at his retirement home Rose Mary" Burleigh-road, West Southbourne, Bournemouth. Memorials to his brave son, Alfred Victor Smith can be seen at Towneley Hall, Burnley, St Catherine's Church, Todmorden road, Burnley, St. John's Church Blackpool and at the Twelve Tree Copse Cemetery, Gallipoli.
|
ALFRED VICTOR SMITH 1891-1915
|
You can leave your messages here, anything you want about Burnley. Did you work in the mills or the mines?. What about school days in Burnley?.
|
|
|
