Earby Chronicles

Edition 69 SUMMER 2013

SOCIETY AIMS: to raise awareness, EARBY MAY DAYS IN THE 1950s foster an interest Researched from programmes lodged in the EDLHS Archive and facilitate by Stephanie Carter£1.50 research into the heritage of Earby & district including Thornton in Craven, Sough, Kelbrook, Harden, Hague and Salterforth.

OFFICIALS Chairman & NRCC Rep. : Bob Abel phone 01282 843850

Vice Chairman & Edi- tor of Chronicles: Stephanie Carter Phone 01756 794099

Secretary : Margaret Brown phone 01282 843932 Throughout the 1950s the Earby & District Social & Festival Com- mittee organised some superb May Day celebrations, when the streets Treasurer & Archi- and Recreation Ground were thronged with people from Earby and vist : Wendy Faulkner neighbouring towns and villages. There were colourful souvenir pro- phone 01282 863160 grammes, the spectacle of the procession through the town, activities on

Programme Secretary the field and the annual highlight of crowning the May Queens: Vacant Marjorie Horsfield (1951), Mary Ward (1952), Catherine Lancaster (1953), Judith Dingley (1954), Marlene Nutter (1955), Rita Collins (1956), Merle Archivist: Margaret Greenwood Griffiths (1957), Sylvia Evans (1958) and Gloria Halstead (1959). phone 01282 843394 1951 was Festival of Britain Year. On 26 th May all the “walking Web Site / IT Vacant classes” assembled in Linden Road for judging and there was a competi- tive spirit amongst the participants in the variety of classes, which in- Committee: Trevor Tattersall cluded: Mary Corteen Children – best decorated doll’s pram, cycle, pedal car; best fancy dress – Colin Dalby Ken Ranson Website Recent talks & features www.earbyhistory.co. uk Page 3 Tuday I go on Hollyday, Ken Ranson Page 8 Short History of Salterforth Inghamite Chapel Part 2, Colin Dalby £2.50 Page 10 Bus route Barnoldswick to Skipton...Winter of 1962-63 Malcolm Jarvis Members of 1 Society free Earby Chronicles nursery rhyme or fairy story; best representation of children from other lands; best representation of safety first; child with domestic pet; best decorated maypole etc. Adults – best fancy dress; best female impersonation; best decorated cycle; best comical pair; best national costume etc.

All vehicles taking part, including tableaux, assembled in Main Street Kelbrook for judging, prior to proceeding to Earby Station, where the full procession, headed by mar- shalls, Earby Prize Brass Band and the Retiring Queen and her retinue, moved off along Colne Road, Skipton Road, School Lane, Water Street, Riley Street, Green End Road, New Road, Victoria Road, Albion Road to the recreation ground. And what a spectacle these tableaux made! Richard 1 and the Crusaders Kelbrook Infants and Junior School Old Gypsy Encampment Riley Street Methodist Sunday School Courtesy on the Road Earby Road Safety Club Tableau Springfield Infants School Trade with the Phoenicians Earby New Road Junior School Tableau George Street Methodist Church Old English Garden Earby Allotment Holders Association Pre factory Spinning & Weaving Earby Modern School Tableau Kelbrook Church 1950 Rose Queen Riley Street Methodist Church Tableau Earby Parish Church Tableau Kelbrook Young Farmers Club Tableau Earby Baptist Church The Accrington St. John Ambulance pipe band preceded the May Queen elect and her retinue, followed by a large number of trade exhibits and turnouts.

Above left to right : Marjorie Horsfield (1951), Mary Ward (1952), Catherine Lancaster (1953), Judith Dingley (1954), Marlene Nuttall (1955) Below left to right : Rita Collins (1956), Merle Griffiths (1957), Sylvia Evans (1958), Gloria Hal- stead (1959)

On the field, following the crowning ceremony, there was maypole dancing and a display of piping, marching and dancing by the Accrington Pipe Band. The day finished with a whist drive and ball in the Albion Hall, with dancing to the Regal Dance Band.

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How the people of Earby joined in the fun of those May Days of long ago! Processions were long and varied and new novelties were introduced on the field. 1953 was Coronation Year, when Catherine Lancaster was crowned on 30 th May, with the celebrations continuing for a week. These included an open air dance, church services, children’s sports and tea, aged people’s tea and concert, cricket match, fancy dress ball, a presentation of Blithe Spirit, and a monster whist drive and presentation ball in the Albion Hall with the Skyliners Band.

Miss Millicent Turner wrote the introductory remarks in the 1954 programme on the theme the Merry Month of May, and she urged people to enjoy the simple pleasures of life and forget cares and worries. A tug-of-war competition was inaugurated, with teams from George Prestons, Rolls Royce and Carlsons taking on the Liverpool Police and a team from Kellogs Manchester. The crowds were also entertained by a canine troupe of alsations.

Maypole dancing, the pipe band and tug-of-war were the simple pleasures which became regular features of the May Day celebrations. The Grand Challenge Cup for tug-of- War was open to all mills, workshops and other organisations within a ten mile radius of Earby and was very popular. In 1957 the Columbines, Earby’s Morris Dancing Troupe were a feature of the annual highlight, as was the great balloon race. The day always concluded at the Albion Hall with a whist drive and grand ball.

TUDAY I GO ON HOLLYDAY by Ken Ranson

The excitement grew and grew, as day by day the days were ticked-off on the calendar, until the morning arrived when I woke up, jumped out of bed and dashed to the calendar, and there it was, written in my eight-year-old’s writing in very large capital letters "TUDAY I GO ON HOLLYDAY." Mum and dad were woken up, and younger brother, not yet four, was prodded into life (an event that, fifty-seven years later, he still reminds me of). And so the day began of the most exciting week of a young lad's life. For year after year holidays meant a week in North Wales in a wooden bungalow, on a holiday site a stone's throw away from the sea, beyond the most wonderful sand dunes, accompanied by grandma and granddad (whom I think paid for it). The large sturdy suitcase packed, dad would check his wallet (once again) to ensure that the large white, five-pound note was still there that had taken all year to save up and the short walk from the estate where I lived (known affectionately as The Ranch) to the railway station, was made. I stood on the platform as near to the edge as I dare (or my mum would let me), neck craning, watching for the train to appear in the distance. And there it was! Smoke billowing into the sky, the clickety-click sound of the wheels on the track and the majestic beast ground slowly to a halt in front of me. My heart thumping I climbed the steep step into the train, a posh train, it had a corridor and a toilet! The suitcase was put, with a certain amount of struggling, onto the luggage rack and all were seated, me next to the window, so I could look out and devour every minute of the trip, and my brother (already asleep) on my mum's lap. The guard waved his green flag, blew his whistle and the train, with a great deal of

3 Earby Chronicles hissing of steam and blowing of whistle, slowly left the station but within minutes was going at full speed. Five minutes into the journey, under the pretence of wanting a wee, I went ex- ploring. At each end of every carriage was a door and the window could be let down with a leather strap, this was duly done and the exhilaration of sticking my head out and letting the steam from the engine flow across my face told me that my holiday had started. It wasn't until many years later, as an adult, that I discovered how long the journey took, for the moment I fell asleep was the same instance that my mum shook me awake saying "we're here," and mysteriously my grandma and granddad were now sitting across from me. With dad carrying the large suitcase and mum carrying my brother and gripping my hand tightly, a slow progress through the thronged station was made until, finally, we all stood slightly bewildered outside the railway station. "Taxi!" shouted dad and within minutes we were on our way to our final destination, "hour hollyday." After what seemed an eternity the taxi pulled off the main road, drove along a small lane, over a bridge across the railway line (I was asleep when the train went under this bridge) and there, stretching for miles, were the most amazing sand dunes, almost desert- like, they seemed to carry on forever. The taxi slowly drove along a rough rutted track which ran parallel with the dunes, (alongside of which were dozens of caravans, chalets, converted railway carriages etc) until it stopped outside a large green wooden bungalow, which was to be my home for the next week. Our accommodation was a wooden bungalow which, judging by the other ones around, it was quite posh. A short distance from it was a little wooden shed, which, to my amusement, was the toilet, a chemical toilet, which at varying periods of time was carried by two adults (names drawn out of a hat) as far away from the bungalow as possible, a large hole dug (hopefully not in the same place as last weeks) and the contents dis- posed of.

At all the crossroads of the tracks throughout the site was a water stand-pipe. Granddad used to take me to help him fill and carry a bucket of water. They were our pre- cious moments alone. He would ask me how I was getting on at school and, when no one was looking, he would give me a 6d piece out of his waistcoat pocket. I loved him (and still think of him). At the rear of the bungalow was a swing on which was spent many happy hours. Every morning, very early, a van from the local newsagents/grocery store would drive slowly along the rutted track that ran along the length of the site by the sand dunes. My job (and my first paid one) was to go and get the daily paper, a loaf of bread and a pint of milk for which I was given my daily wage of 6d. I would take with me a small wheelbarrow to carry back The Wagon Wheel which in those days were 18" in diameter and weighed one and a half pounds and would get the comic of the day. After taking the bread and milk back to mum I would escape into the dunes and sit on my own to read my comic and savour every last crumb of The Wagon Wheel. Granddad's job was to peel the potatoes, he would sit outside in the sun, even though the temperature was (as it was in those days) 90 o F. He always wore a jacket, pull-

4 Earby Chronicles over and tie. A very quiet, gentle, man he would quietly puff away on his pipe as he me- thodically peeled away. Grandma on the other hand was always cold and had a hot water bottle in bed throughout the summer much to granddad’s consternation. Dad had relations, aunties, uncles, cousins, who lived in Liverpool which was only an hour's drive away, or in some instances a four-hour cycle ride away, and most days there would appear some of them, all happy to have a day out at the seaside and the hopes of a free lunch (I was cynical even at that tender age). It was always sunny so tea was had on the beach. No one had swimsuits in those days so the men took off their sweaters and rolled up their sleeves whilst the ladies hitched up their skirts to just above the knee, apart from grandma who loosened her scarf and took off her gloves. But there was one uncle who took all his clothes off and put his underpants on back to front "in case it popped out". Sandwiches, cake and buns were carried across the track to the dunes and a shel- tered spot found. A large brown teapot was carried back and forwards throughout the meal with a fresh brew. There were other kids about and I soon made friends. One of them was my age who had a brother the same age as mine. We would spend hours every day on the beach (photos in album) and by the end of the week we would be black with the sun. Sun cream? And what a sight when stripped off for a bath. He was staying in a converted railway carriage, of which there were many, and we would often go in and play cards with his mum who, to my downcast eyes, had only one arm and I watched with wonder as she dealt out the cards with only one hand. Despite the basic accommodation and, I suppose, not having much money (I think grandma and granddad were comfortably off) meals seemed to be quite formal, all sat around a large table waiting for my mum’s contribution to haute cuisine, “Fray Bentos Steak and kidney pie in a tin”. It’s still a standing joke that my mum’s pastry came out of the oven whiter than when it went in. A walk along the beach to the nearest village set me off on a lifelong love of pubs. Neither mum or dad were big drinkers but twice during the week we would sit outside the pub on wooden benches and wait for dad to appear with a tray laden with a half pint shandy, a bottle of Mackeson, two glasses of lemonade and two packets of crisps (only po- tato flavour in those day with a small blue packet of salt). And then one year we had a car, well a quarter share in a car as they did in those days and we went “on holiday” in it. The contents of “the large sturdy suitcase” were stuffed in the small boot, sandwiches were made and flasks of tea made to sustain us on our epic journey, which nowadays would take one and a half hours. With everyone seated (brother asleep already) we set off and as soon as we got around the first corner the car spluttered to a halt. Out of petrol! Dad was always loath to spend money and always waited until the dial on the fuel gauge disappeared from view. And who had the job of carrying an empty can and walking a mile to the nearest garage, which was at Salterforth? Year after year until I was ten this happened, the same week every year but the calendar now said “Today I go on holiday”. Many wonderful memories remain, photographs (which I still have), plas- tic triangular stick-on badges "We've been to Prestatyn" filled up the car windows until you couldn’t see out, and the garage I walked to with an empty can has long since been demol- ished but I still smile when I drive past where it had been.

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ANNUAL DINNER

Some thirty members and guests enjoyed the Society’s 2013 annual dinner held this year at Ghyll Golf Club. The after-dinner speaker was the ever popular Ian Dewhirst from Keighley whose theme was Life on the Home Front in World War II. He gave a light hearted look at some of the less recognised ways in which local life was enhanced and the opportu- nities afforded to local people to broaden their horizons in what was otherwise a difficult period of history. Earby has a tenuous but real connection with the Ghyll Golf Club in that the first discussions about setting up a golf club took place in a café in Earby.

Members and guests at Ghyll Golf Club

Speaker Dr Ian Dewhirst with Society Officials at the Dinner

JOHN HENRY’S JOURNEY - 1879 A Report by Bob Abel Our speaker at the March meeting was author Alan Plowright whose talk was based on the diaries of John Henry Wilkinson a Victorian pioneer of long distance walking. A man of many interests, Wilkinson was a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, a member of The Thoresby Society and The Yorkshire Archaeological Society and Leeds Choral Union. With his cousin Richard he undertook a number of long-distance walking tours in

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Yorkshire and Alan chose a walk from Skipton to Richmond as the basis for his talk. draw- ing on John Henry Wilkinson’s copious and often humorous diaries. Setting off at 4-30am they walked the three miles from home to Leeds station to catch the 5-35 train to Skipton. Arriving at Skip- ton they breakfasted on ham and eggs at the Ship Inn before going in search of a shop selling Ordnance Survey maps for their walk. They obviously hadn’t done much pre walk planning. After a visit to the castle they set off heading for Rylstone, ob- serving farm labourers harvesting corn with their scythes and passing None-Go-Bye farm where it is said that it was an ancient cus- tom for any passing bride to leave her left shoe. The walkers viewed the remains of Norton Tower built by the Norton family to protect their rights against their mortal enemies the Cliffords. Passing the church and the site of the former Rylstone Hall (only the fishponds remain), they made for Cracoe. John Henry and Richard seemed to spent quite a lot of time in the inns en route and were soon enjoying pints of local brew at the Devonshire Arms. Their accommodation was usually in local inns and this is where they met most of the local characters. Passing through Linton, admiring the almshouses known as Fountaine’s Hospital and Linton church and Falls, they arrived at Grassington and slaked their thirst on this hot July afternoon at the Jobbers Arms where they learned about life in the area from the village constable. Passing Kilnsey Crag but not before imbibing at the Tennant Arms they headed for Kettlewell, for their first overnight stay. After dining at one of the inns they sat on the bridge talking to the locals until quite late and on returning to the inn were surprised to find that their room had been let to some late arriving ladies and they were moved into a room with two talkative youngsters, but the walkers were so tired they were soon fast asleep. Their second day was an 18-mile hike via Buckden, Cray and Semerwater to Hawes. The previous hot and sunny day had given way to torrential rain as the two set out. By the time they reached Starbotton they were soaked to the skin and they “dived in to the first inn we came upon – the Fox and Hounds”. More local ale was quaffed while they dried them- selves by the fire. At Buckden they had arranged to visit the Kendalls where they ordered lunch which consisted of “six mutton chops, potatoes, mashed peas, blancmange, sago pudding and cheese, washed down with beer and half a pint of sherry”. Following Lady Ann Clifford’s route they traversed Buckden Pike, Cray and Semer- water arriving in Hawes where they lodged at Ye White Hart. Their third day dawned fine for the next 18-mile slog over the Butttertubs pass to Reeth. They had a good view of Hardraw Force, the beck being in spate with the previous days rain. At Muker they visited the old church and out of curiosity looked at the church records, noting the large number of Calverts registered and that the average life expectancy was 33 years. After enquiring about the lead mining at Gunnerside they continued their journey to Reeth, their next overnight stay. The conversation with locals in the Shoulder of Mutton about the local lead mines resulted in an invitation to visit the mine of George Calvert. The following day they set off to the mine near the village of Booze. On arriving at the mine they were taken via a level shaft into the hill side and despite a good explanation of the working of the mine they were glad to see daylight again. Returning to Reeth by mail

7 Earby Chronicles cart they continued the last stage of their walk to Richmond, where they relished the rich history of the place, the church, the castle and the Georgian theatre. Their adventure was at an end and they returned by train to Leeds the following day. Alan’s talk was illustrated by a selection of slides showing old and new photographs of places visited and Alan’s book “John Henry’s Journeys – Two Long-Distance Walks in the Yorkshire Dales in 1879” is a good read.

A SHORT HISTORY OF THE SALTERFORTH INGHAMITE CHAPEL PART 2 by Colin Dalby

As time went on the building had become increasingly dilapidated, the main floor and the sloping floor of some of the pews gave way and it was decided to pull it down and rebuild. During the previous years funds for this purpose had been growing slowly. The de- cision to go ahead was taken in the early 1930’s and a building committee was formed. Regular meetings with long discussions and great attention to detail led to the building of the present chapel. The main contractor was Briggs and Duxbury from Barnoldswick, with most of the labour and materials being supplied by local firms and workmen. The stone for the new building came from the village quarry in High Lane. As the new building commenced, a stone-laying ceremony was held on the 18 th June 1932 with named stones from Inghamite members as far away as the Fylde coast and Dumfries in Scotland. The first services in the new chapel were held on the 29 th and 30th April 1933. From thereon each year, the last Sunday in April was des- ignated as Anniversary Day. John Swire of Hague near Kelbrook preached at both opening services. Not only had he been a trustee of the chapel since 1883, but had preached there for 63 years. He was the grandson of John Swire of Lothersdale who was named as a trustee of the chapel in the deed of 1832.

At these services the lessons were read from Benjamin Ing- ham’s family bible. This was presented to the Salterforth chapel by Judge Theophilus Hastings Ingham of East Marton, grandson of the founder Benjamin Ingham. He has recorded that: John Swire 1850 – “My reverend grandfather and George Whitfield and Wesley all 1933 preached there,” that is to say at Salterforth.

The Reading Room - the building at the corner of the front graveyard by the Earby road, was used before chapel services for the discussion (by the men) of a part of the bible. In earlier times evidence shows it had been a dwelling house, possibly pre-existing the original chapel. During the Crimean War (1854-1856) villagers assembled there one night a week to hear the newspapers read. In later years the room was also used as the col- lecting point for the payment of rates for the Skipton Union. Underneath the reading room were stables for the horses of itinerant preachers and any members of the congregation. Most people though, would come to the chapel on foot, like Henry Swire who walked from Lothersdale and carried his children.

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The Graveyard - The chapel has graveyards to the back and front of the building. The graveyard to the front adjacent to Earby Road is of note because it has a double layer of graves. In earlier times when the yard was declared full, local farmers carted earth and covered existing graves deep enough to allow the area to be used again. The ‘new’ graveyard to the rear of the chapel was opened in 1878 and rapidly filled up. According to records in existence, although incomplete, the total number of interments is probably in excess of one thousand. The earliest existing record of a burial is September 1756.

The new 1933 chapel and caretaker’s cottage shown circa 2009. After the closure of the chapel it was sold into private ownership. The graveyards have been maintained, and memorial stones that were originally laid flat have been raised in order to protect the inscriptions for the future. Flowering blossom trees have been planted. The upper floor chapel area remains as it was formed in 1933. At the time of going to print it is understood that the lower school room area may be converted to a Chapel of Rest, therefore the religious connection to the building will be continued. We are indebted to Mrs Madelene Charnley of County Brook and Miss Helen Baxter of Barnoldswick, former members of the Salterforth congregation, for notes and historical information.

CRAVEN’S OLDEST LOCAL PREACHER – DEATH OF MR JOHN SWIRE OF KELBROOK Research from Craven Herald 1 st December 1933 by the Chronicles’ Editor

“Mourners from far afield attended the funeral of Mr John Swire, the Inghamite octogenarian preacher, at Salterforth yesterday (Thursday) afternoon. A service was conducted at the Hague House Farm, Kelbrook, by Mr J Harrison of Nelson, and afterwards a further service took place in the Salterforth Inghamite Chapel, under the leadership of Mr E Green. The last rites were performed by Mr E Duerden of Cottontree, Nelson, the remains being laid to rest in the family grave in the Chapel graveyard. His death took place on Friday.

In his 84th year, Mr Swire was believed to be the oldest local preacher in Craven. For no less than 63 years he had been a preacher, while for a period of 41 years he had also been a deacon of the Salterforth Inghamite Chapel.

He was born at Clough Farm, Lothersdale, and came of an old Quaker family. His father, the late Henry Swire, saw to it that he was given a strict religious training as a child, and

9 Earby Chronicles used to carry him on his back from Lothersdale to the old Quaker Meeting House at Salter- forth each Sunday for divine service. When only 12 years of age Mr Swire learnt to play the bass violin and for some time provided the only instrumental music at the Salterforth Ingha- mite Chapel with which he had become associated. Eventually the family left Lothersdale and came to live in Barnoldswick.

In recent years, Mr Swire lived with his daughter and son-in-law at Kelbrook, but despite his great age he walked over to Salterforth each Sunday until the last few months to take part in the Inghamite services. His proudest moment was on April 29 th of this year when he dedi- cated the new Salterforth Chapel and Sunday School. His wife pre-deceased him about 20 years ago.”

BUS ROUTE BARNOLDSWICK TO SKIPTON AND THE NIGHT OF THE SNOW PLOUGHS -THE WINTER OF 1962/63 Malcolm G Jarvis

I lived in Skipton and at just 16 years of age started work as a trainee fireman at Skipton engine shed, a place of huge iron machines that drivers, firemen, fitters and others worked on to haul large goods and passenger trains around the country. I had gone to see my girlfriend Helen King at Barnoldswick, the idea being I would catch the bus back to Skipton and go straight to work at the engine shed; I was due to start at 10pm. I was dressed for it. I caught the last bus back from Barnoldswick, 9.30pm I think. It was snowing heavily. The bus set off and went through lower Barnoldswick en-route to Thornton, and then it should have turned left to go to West Marton. However this small road was totally blocked with snow drifts up to the hedge tops. Also the road that went up to Thornton was so narrow because of the deep snow that there was only enough room for one-way traffic. Then it happened that two sets of traffic coming to meet from opposite di- rections totally blocked the road. There was no way that any vehicles could pass each other. So a couple of us decided to walk up the hill to Thornton. When we got to the top of the hill by the church we managed to catch a Ribble bus that was travelling from Earby to Skipton. Ribble was a local bus company, (named after the River Ribble, I think) and the bus we caught was a double-decker type, usually working on the Manchester to Skipton route, via Earby. I got off at the engine shed lane in Skipton and walked into work. I was late for the 10pm to 6am shift, but they accepted my excuse. I think I was the shed runner at the time, but was also a fireman, having passed my exam in November on the Skipton to Liverpool early passenger train. However, we did all sorts of jobs which due to our young ages, we were not yet supposed to do. There were strict rules about young people under 18 years of age working after 10pm. I was ordered to the foreman’s office and there given the shed bi- cycle, three or four addresses, mainly Burnside Avenue, and told to go and wake the fitters up and tell them to report in to fit snow ploughs onto the engines. Off I went in driving snow, deep drifts, difficulties cycling and with three or four addresses. Some I knew but one I did- n’t. However, I did get to the fitters’ addresses; some I had to knock up but all agreed to turn in to fit the ploughs. When I had finished I returned to the shed where I was well on to the end of my shift. Part of my job that night was to go all round the engine shed and make sure that the fire braziers were all full up with coal to keep off the heavy frost that came with the snow.

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A night to remember! When I eventually got home and got to bed, I slept well that night. During the following few days I saw the ploughs return to the shed to refuel and re- crew. The double back-to-back snow ploughs looked like a large block of moving snow with two trails of smoke coming out of the chimneys. The engines and ploughs were back-to- back so they could dig each other, forwards or backwards, out of drifts if stuck in the snow- drifts either way. There were just two small slits on each side of the engine where the crews got off and on the footplate. (the area where the driver and fireman worked with the engine controls, and the firebox where coal was shovelled in). A couple of days later one of the sets of ploughs crashed near Thornton which blocked the railway there. Poor Helen and the other girls and boys had to travel to and from school by special buses laid on especially for the journey, instead of by the special school train, locally nicknamed ‘the Barlick Spud’.

EARBY 100 YEARS AGO Culled from the Craven Herald by Stephanie Carter April-June 1913 May Cadets for Earby The cadet movement has now extended to Earby. Already a number of youths, imbued with the patriotic spirit, have commenced their duties. An appeal for help has been made and Earby will have the gratification of knowing it is doing something to inspire the youth of the present day with the love of their country preparing them to take their place in the ranks of the Territorial Forces in after years…

The Boy Scouts – new headquarters were opened in Back Water Street.

June A cake and apron sale was held at All Saints Church.

A very pretty wedding was solemnised at the Parish Church Thornton-in-Craven between John Douglas Green and Clara the youngest daughter of manufacturer Charles Shuttle- worth… The bride was attired in a dress of ivory satin charmeuse trimmed with Mechlin lace and wore a veil of embroidered Brussels net and also she carried a sheath of lilies. Her bridesmaids Miss Annie Shuttleworth and Miss Cissie Green were attired in dresses of white crepe de chene with overdresses of floral crepe and hats to match. They carried sheaths of sweet peas and wore pearl pendants, the gifts of the bridegroom… After the ceremony the guests were entertained at Beechcliffe and later the happy pair left for Bournemouth, the bride wearing a grey costume with hat of white aeroplane trimmed with royal blue ribbon and white pleated lace. Many valuable presents were received including: Bride to bridegroom – pearl and platinum scarf pin Bridegroom to bride – silver tray Mr & Mrs Green – cheque and antique chest of drawers Mr & Mrs Shuttleworth – cheque, household linen, cutlery and table glass Also received - alarm clock, brass kerb, framed etching, Wedgwood dinner and tea services, silver mounted bread trencher, silver tea service, brass inkstand, silver teaspoons,, silver peppers, case of carvers, silver hot water jug, silver salts, silver entrée dish, case of

11 EARBYEarby CHRONICLES Chronicles fish eaters, set of silver mounted salt, pepper and mustard, marmalade jar, silver flower vase, aneroid barometer, silver candlesticks, silver electric kettle, netted d’oyley, coal vase, case of carvers, silver cake stand, thermos hot water jug, brass plant pot, oak grandfather clock, glass bowl, bedroom towels, cushion, pair of sheets, fish servers.

The Boy Scouts held a Jumble Sale at their headquarters and within an hour all the articles were sold realising a profit of £1.12s.6d. On Saturday afternoon a route march was conducted to East Marton.

On Sunday afternoon a motor car collided with a cyclist between Thornton and Earby and the cyclist was thrown off his machine. Scoutmaster R Kershaw happened to be at the scene of the accident and rendered first aid and afterwards conveyed the rider to Dr Pick- les, where he was medically attended.

Gruesome discovery – Still-born child found in sewage tank Coroner Edgar Wood held an inquest at the Station Hotel (Mr E Lindley was foreman of the jury) to inquire into the circumstances surrounding the discovery of the body of a child in one of the tanks at Earby Sewage Works on Tuesday evening….Evidence was given by Thomas Nussey an employee at the sewage works and Dr Pickles who had carried out a post mortem examination and testified that the child had never lived….The jury brought in a verdict that they were of the opinion that it was an unknown child and stillborn.

EARBY 50 YEARS AGO April-June 1963

April “Attractive new look for Earby Methodist Church” – The official opening by Miss Turner of the Riley Street reconstructed Methodist Church was an inspiring occasion. The Minister was the Rev. Illsley. When the old church, now used as a garage, was closed, services were held in the old Sunday School and it is this which has been converted into a bright and attractive church.

May Mr Gordon Jackson’s business, Dalesfarm Eggs, which was set up in 1961, is expanding off Salterforth Road on the Northolme Estate. 72,000 eggs per week are handled from the firm’s premises, and 25 people are employed there. Barnoldswick and Earby Rotary Club gets its Charter. “May Day’s brave show in heavy rain” – Following the crowning of the May Queen, Pat Shipley, the plan to move the event indoors to the Albion Hall was abandoned because most of the spectators went home to get dry. New Post Office premises are opened by Miss Turner in Colne Road; Mr Malcolm Mosley is the sub-postmaster.

June An exhibition of Ben Green’s paintings is held at Mount Zion Baptist Church

On a personal note, in 1963 I left Training College—50 years ago! Where has it all gone?! (Editor)

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WAR MEMORIAL REFURBISHMENT

In preparation for the centenary of the start of World War I, the grade II listed war memorial in Sough Park has been refurbished. The project was instigated by Vera Cocker who writes as follows. Our War Memorial was starting to look a little tired having stood in Sough Park since the 1920s and we felt that it needed a spruce up, particularly as it was originally a memorial to the fallen of World War I and with the centenary of the start of that conflict approaching. Pendle Borough Council (PBC) are custodians of the Grade II listed memorial and the project was overseen by Rob Careswell their Memorials Officer The finance was raised as follows, 50% from English Heritage/War Memorials Trust, 25% PBC Parks and Memorials, 25% from the Earby Ward funds at West Craven Commit- tee; £7000 in total. The Portland Stone monument needed specialised cleaning and the plaques con- taining the names of men killed in both World Wars have been cleaned and waxed. The stone steps which were showing signs of subsidence have been realigned and stabilised. The work was done by Stone Edge who are authorised by the War Memorial Trust and English Heritage to work on listed monuments; they have also refurbished Helli- field’s memorial.

Earby War Memorial before and after the Clean A re-dedication ceremony will take place on June 23 rd, the Sunday before Armed Forces Day. The Mayor of Pendle will attend and lay a wreath. Other wreaths will be laid for the Royal Navy, the Army and the Royal Air Force by three of our local WW2 Veterans, along with the Merchant Navy, the Royal British Legion and others on behalf of Earby Town Council and Kelbrook and Sough Parish Council. Heritage Open Days in Earby The Society will be taking part in the national Heritage Open Days event this year. On Saturday 14th September we shall be launching the new publication “The Clatter of Clogs in Earby’s Mills” and the archive room will be open to the general public. We also hope to have a display of mills related artefacts in the Society collection.

Archive open 10-00-4-00 with the book launch at 11-00am

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DAME RUMOUR AT SALTERFORTH What’s in the Wind? Rumoured site for large Munitions Stores The following article appeared in the West Yorkshire Pioneer and East Lancashire News on 26th November 1915 The war is responsible for many unforeseen eventualities, both in a national and local sense. For a generation or more the little village of Salterforth has endured the taunts of its more opulent neighbours, Barnoldswick and Earby, on its lack of railway facilities, though the branch line that connects these two thriving towns runs over its door-step, so to speak. The village with its Quaker traditions, has thus been left behind in the march of events, though “Salterforth Setts”, the product of the quarries on the steep hillside to the westward are known far and wide. There is also an up-to-date cotton-weaving shed which finds em- ployment for a good proportion of the 600 inhabitants. The Leeds and Liverpool Canal runs alongside the village, and minimises its disability in regard to railway communication. It is doubtless the presence of the canal, and its potentialities as a commercial water- way that has been responsible for the luxurious crop of rumours which have recently clus- tered round Salterforth and transformed it – in anticipation- into a colossal storehouse for munitions. For the past fortnight the inhabitants have been kept on the tip-toe of expectation over the mysterious comings and goings of certain learned-looking gentlemen said to have been engaged in surveying the land in the vicinity over an extensive area, and as furtive in movements as any prospector for gold. The strictest reticence has been observed as to what it all meant; even the local agents of the Canal Co. (who were supposed to be primarily affected) could learn nothing definite up to a week ago. Meanwhile Dame Rumour left no stone unturned in order to improve the occasion with the result that as each day dawned some new marvel was foisted on a credulous public. First the Canal Co. were contemplating the building of a new wharf of large dimensions for the Government, who had comman- deered a fleet of the Company’s barges; next the Midland Railway Co. were to link up the site with their main line; and that day the “lying jade” had extended her vision until it em- braced anything from 20 to 360 acres of the adjoining land, upon which were to be erected a colony of buildings, the contracts for which had already been let; and lastly, that all the oc- cupiers of land within the area, including the chief elder of the community, had received per- emptory orders to quit at short notice. “Change at Salterforth” indeed; though of a far more drastic character than that im- plied in the sentence. If one half of these prognostications are realised, Salterforth will soon be a name to conjure with, and Earby and Barnoldswick had better be on the qui vive unless they are content to sink their boasted independence and become a mere appendage to their once despised neighbour. While it is true that these persistent rumours have provoked a certain amount of ridi- cule, it has to be admitted that they are not devoid of foundation, although the facts so far as can be ascertained at present fail in some particulars to keep pace with the imagination of the quidnuncs. Some colour of authenticity is afforded by the fact that a few days ago an officer in khaki, presumably representing the Minister of Munitions visited the scene and was in consultation with representatives of the Canal Company and the Railway Company. Since then the Canal Company’s staff have been busy erecting plant on the site of the pro- posed new wharf some 250 yards on the Foulridge side of Salterforth Bridge, while at Sa- gar’s Wharf on the Barnoldswick side a further batch of men, with steam-driven machinery on a barge are engaged in crushing stone for concrete. While all this tends to give an air of probability to the scheme, those who are sceptics as to its ultimate development are content to “wait and see”.

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From the Editor The Munitions Store was built in Kelbrook Bottoms during 1916. If anyone has any information about or photographs of this Store, Stephanie Carter would love to hear from you in relation to her forthcoming book for the Society on the First World War. Please contact her on 01756 794099 or [email protected]

PENDLE WALKING FESTIVAL Margaret Brown

Pendle Walking Festival, the largest free walking festival in the UK, celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. Using the myriad of footpaths criss-crossing Pendle, 73 guided walks of all grades (very hard, hard, moderate and easy) have been devised to suit all abili- ties. Two of these walks will start at Earby Youth Hostel. The Society was also asked to lead a History walk starting from the Youth Hostel and Wendy Faulkner and I have put together a walk which takes us through the old part of Earby and on to St. Mary’s Church, Thornton, following the old route from the early part of the village to the parish church. We will return via Booth Bridge. Starting at the old “top of the town” the route takes us down Red Lion Street, passed the old cottages, the site of the first Baptist chapel with baptism steps which lead into the beck, over Keb Bridge into Water Street. Then we walk up Riley Street to pass the old village green and onto the White Lion Inn, one of the oldest remaining buildings in Earby. We return to Water Street via Aspen Lane on to School Lane to view probably the oldest building in Earby, the old Grammar School (now the lead mining museum); then following the foot path over the railway line and across the fields to Thornton, where we hope to have a guided tour of the Church and the Holy Well. There we will have a rest stop at the well, then return via Booth Bridge and the lane following the mill race back into Earby. Our plan is to put together a guide with then and now photos to put on the web site.

Peter Smith is reviving the Pendle Walking Marathon, first inaugurated in 1982, which covers some 23 miles from the Earby hostel to its sister Youth Hostel at Slaidburn, not a walk for the faint hearted. Return transport from Slaidburn will be offered for which a charge will be incurred, but it is hoped that the walk will encourage visitors to stay overnight in either establishment.

Details of the two walks are as follows: Monday 2nd September History Walk - Meet at Earby Youth Hostel (parking available) for an 11-00am start. The walk is classified as moderate and is 5 miles in length. There will be an opportunity after the walk to visit the historic Earby Youth Hostel and light refreshments will be available. Tuesday 3rd September Pendle Walking Marathon – Depart Earby Youth Hostel at 9-00am. The walk is classified as very hard and numbers are being limited to 20 walkers. There will be a charge of £8 to in- clude the cost of the return coach to Earby after the walk.

These are only two of the walks in Pendle being offered and the whole programme of walks runs from 1st to the 8th of September 2013. A festival brochure is available which will also be available on the Pendle Borough web site www.pendle.go.uk

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RAILS TO THE LANCASHIRE COAST

Our guest speaker on Tuesday 16 th April was Steve Williams from Chorley who gave us an excellent presentation entitled “Rails to the Lancashire Coast” covering the rise and fall of the railways serving the holiday towns and coastal ports of Lancashire. The Southport to Preston line opened in 1878 and had 11 stations along its 14 mile length. From Southport Central station passengers continuing their journey by boat from Southport could catch a tram to the end of the pier. The station was closed in 1964 and is now a shopping centre. During the traditional Lancashire Wakes Weeks the line through Preston to Black- pool was one of the busiest in the country. Steve showed us photographs of Blackpool Cen- tral station with its 14 platforms, many of which were special “excursion” platforms. One picture in particular, taken in 1949, showed the station and roads leading to it packed with many hundreds of holidaymakers both disembarking from trains or queuing to catch one home. There were two other stations, Blackpool North and Blackpool South, but it was Cen- tral station which brought people right into the heart of the town. This line and station were closed without consultation in 1964, and the whole area eventually became an enormous car park with only the toilet block remaining. Steve told us that the pennies spent in the toilet block used to pay the rates for the whole station complex! The direct line to Blackpool is now a motorway, and the only rail line to Blackpool runs round the coast to Blackpool North Station. The railway to Fleetwood was built in 1840 and investors, believing that a railway to Scotland was impossible and that Fleetwood would be the main ferry port for travel to Scot- land from London, built the impressive North Euston Hotel in 1841. They hoped for a large influx of passengers, but by the end of the 1840’s the line over Beattock Summit from Car- lisle to Glasgow had been built and the North Euston Hotel became a white elephant. The station closed in 1966 and the ferry port in 2011. The line to Morecambe Bay was completed in 1850 and linked the industrial York- shire towns of Bradford and Leeds directly to the Lancashire coast through Skipton and Lancaster. This was the main reason why Yorkshire folk went to Morecambe for their holidays (and retirement) rather than Blackpool. Morecambe was a ferry port as well as a holiday destination with steamers leaving from the pier heading for Ireland and Scotland. More- cambe Promenade Station opened in 1906 and the line from Lancaster was electrified as early as 1908. The art deco Midland Hotel, which replaced an older hotel, was built opposite the station in the 1930’s. The line to Morecambe terminates at Heysham Harbour, where ferries left for the Isle of Man and Ireland. The boat trains to Belfast stopped in 1975, but one train a day still connects with a ferry to the Isle of Man. At one time there were 4 trains an hour on a Saturday between Skipton and Morecambe, and the line survived Beeching’s cuts but follows a different route. The Midland Railway station at Lancaster, called Green Ayre Station, was the junction with the Morecambe line and closed in 1968 when the line through Carnforth became the main route to Morecambe. The Greyhound Bridge, built to take the Morecambe Railway over the Lune in Lancaster is now the A6. Steve’s final pictures were of the British RaiIways “camping coaches”. These coaches, fully equipped for eight persons and painted in a smart green and cream livery, were parked in the goods yards at coastal stations throughout the UK and were popular for holidays from the 1930’s until the 1960’s. There were camping coaches at Heysham, Hest Bank, Squires Gate and Bassenthwaite Lake.

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SOME EARLY CHARABANC TRIPS

NORTHOLME ESTATE Sunday July 28th 2013 10-00am to 4-00pm

The Society will be hosting a Northolme Estate (aka The Ranch) heritage day at Northolme Community Centre on Churchill Avenue.

There will be an exhibition, living history workshops and refreshments will be available. Come along and learn about and contribute to the history and heritage of the “Ranch”. Bring along memories, photographs and documents of life on Northolme Estate. Scanning facilities will be available to copy your items.

The exhibition will then transfer to Earby Library for August

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CHRONICLES BY EMAIL? Would you be happy to receive your copy of the Earby THE SOCIETY Chronicles via email? Sending out copies by post is becoming increasingly expen- Meets at the Community Centre, sive, and subscriptions are barely covering the costs of printing and New Road, EARBY postage. We are already making a loss posting copies to our mem- on the 3rd Tuesday bers outside Europe. of the month at If we can email your copy as a PDF file out of town and over- 7.30 p.m. (except seas members subscription will be reduced to the same as a local for outside visits). member from next year onwards. We will be sending out an email to all members whose ad- ANNUAL dresses we already know, or you can contact us at SUBSCRIPTION [email protected] if you would like to get your copy this way £7.00 UK £9.00 Overseas £13.00 NEW PUBLICATION Please support the Society and purchase one of the long- awaited and limited number of copies of our new publication which Contents: looks at life in Earby’s cotton mills. Whilst tracing the history of the Whilst every effort is mills, which turned Earby from a small largely agricultural village into made to ensure a thriving industrial town, “The Clatter of Clogs” looks primarily at the accuracy of entrepreneurs who built and managed the mills and the lives of their information in this edition, this cannot be workers; twisters, sweepers, balers, weavers, engine drivers, over- guaranteed. lookers, loomers, smash-hands, reachers-in etc. The memories of many Earby folk and over a hundred illustrations make this a very interesting read and a memorial to a vanished way of life. The publication will first be available at the Heritage NOTE FROM THE Open Day on Saturday 14th September in the New Road Commu- EDITOR nity Centre. Do come along and get your copy—you won’t be disap- pointed! Don’t forget this is your newsletter. Send PROGRAMME in articles, photos and Sunday 28th July Exhibition Northolme Estate (aka the any other anecdotes, 10-00am to 5-00pm Ranch) Note venue—Northolme so that we get as wide Community Centre, Churchill Avenue. a flavour of Earby & District, yes that means Thornton in Tuesday 17th September “The Origins and Development of the Craven, Kelbrook, Co-operative Movement” Adam Shaw Sough, Harden and Tuesday 15th October “The North West in the 1950s & 60s” Salterforth as well. Joe Midgley Tuesday 19th November “The Lives of the Navvies who Built EDITOR Ribblehead Viaduct” Dennis Brickles Stephanie Carter 01756 794099 PRODUCED DATA PROTECTION ACT & printed by Members details are held on computer for mailing and Earby & District compilation of a membership list. The details will not be used for any other purpose without the express permission Local History of the member. If you do not wish your details to be held Society. on computer please inform the Treasurer immediately.