A HISTORY OF FEATHERSTONE
1970
THE COUNCIL
JANUARY There was a meeting between the council and the newly formed Featherstone Urban Social Centre Committee. The council accepted there was a need for a multi-purpose building which could accommodate most groups, but the present period of financial restraint made it impossible to proceed. Negotiations were still in hand for the purchase of St Peter's Mission Church, now closed. In the meantime the Lister Baths could be used.
After suggestions the rents on the NCB houses in Girnhill Lane could increase by £1 a week, which caused an outcry, the NCB said the increase would be no more than 7s 6d.
The county council had accepted an outline scheme for 37 acres of land, the remains of a muckstack, to become a grassed area for general purposes. Now the NCB said it wanted to keep an 80 feet wide strip of land next to the railway lines for a rapid loading site for the colliery.
FEBRUARY Vandalism continued at the South Featherstone Sewage Works. Entry was gained by slashing holes in fences, tearing a hole in a building roof and forcing strong locks off doors. The public health inspector, Mr J Ellison, said it is heartbreaking for the men to have to clear up the mess every morning. Cr R Widdowson appealed to parents to make sure their children stayed away from the works. He said there are unforeseen dangers and if anything happens it will be the council who gets the blame. We are doing all we can to stop this but our attempts seem to be to no avail.
A report on the Purston Park South Lodge showed it had dampness on internal walls but it could be put right for £120 and the firm who had done the inspection guaranteed their treatment for 20 years. The council was split 50-50 on treat or demolish and on a casting vote the building was saved.
Cr N Longbottom said old people were faced with increased costs in attempts to keep warm during cold spells. The medical officer, Dr J P Fraser, said the heating in old peoples bungalows was adequate but some put bricks in the fireplace to save burning so much coal.
The Lister Baths was running at a loss so the council put up the admission price for swimmers and extended the season because of the lack of bookings during the close season. The secretary of the Featherstone Amateur Musical and Dramatic Society, Mr D Davis, said they were a little worried the baths would open all the year round, but they could fit in their two shows quite easily.
The junction of Green Lane and Station Lane was becoming a blackspot for accidents. It would be suggested to the county council that the white lines should be repainted and brighter street lights installed.
MARCH The throwing of rubbish into the Went Beck was still causing a problem. The public health inspector said the open length down George Street was the worst affected. Children were throwing rubble in from derelict buildings and council workmen had removed armchairs, baths, cookers and milk crates.
A scheme was considered for 24 old peoples bungalows and a wardens house on a site in Green Lane. Cr Norah Edgar asked if trees could be included in the scheme. Cr Lily Fox said out of 30 trees planted on one estate only two remained.
There were still long delays at the Station Lane level crossing. Double-banking coal trains from Ackton Hall Colliery was considered too expensive. The council urged the county council to look into the problem.
The council agreed to let the Jubilee Hotel team play Peggy matches in Purston Park when it was pointed out fielders would ring the playing area.
APRIL Tenants on the Little Lane council estate were being troubled by smoke escaping through faulty chimney brickwork. Cr Lily Fox said about a dozen tenants had visited her complaining about the filth and dirt and having to wallpaper every three months. It was agreed to carry out a survey to assess the scale of the problem.
The council was concerned about speeding lorries on Wakefield Road and wanted the 30mph limit extending to Sharlston. The county council did not agree and suggested a 30mph limit to Lister Road and a 40mph limit to Mill Pond garage.
MAY The election results were:
East Ward Mrs L Fox (Labour) 724 K H Lambert (Ratepayers) 434
Central Ward E Longley (Labour) 563 D Cameroon (Ratepayers) 458
South Ward J W Everson (Labour) 696 J Holt (Ratepayers) 573
North Ward N Longbottom (Labour) unopposed
Cr Roy Widdowson was elected chairman for the 1970-71 year. Cr Bettridge who nominated him said he thought he was the youngest ever Featherstone Council chairman. Cr Widdowson spoke about the future of the council in view of the Maude report, and the possibility of an amenity scheme which would rid Featherstone of the pit heaps.
Two newly elected councillors were made vice-chairman of sub-committees. Cr Holt said he was disgusted as they had never sat at a council meeting. He said the three Ratepayer councillors had been on the council between three and six years. They would register their disgust by walking out, and they left the meeting.
JUNE The report of the chief public health inspector, Mr J F Ellison, for 1969 showed 49 three-bedroomed council houses were built plus another 44 by private enterprise. The year brought to a close the clearance orders when the remaining 104 houses were demolished.
The county council engineer said checks taken along Wakefield Road to Sharlston did not indicate any dangerous degree of speeding, and the council's proposals would be unacceptable to the Ministry. The council did not agree, but decided to leave the matter in the hands of County Councillor Widdowson.
Another matter left to Cr Widdowson was the county council informing Featherstone Council that a review of North Featherstone crossroads, considered an accident blackspot, would not be carried out until December.
The council was considering a new council yard off Wakefield Road but were deterred by old plans showing a mineshaft over 100 years old in the middle of the site. Seven boreholes were drilled to find it without success.
JULY The council decided it had been lenient long enough with those tenants reluctant to pay their rent. Rent arrears were increasing, and tenants would did not keep up with their rent payments would face being evicted.
AUGUST Express Dairy (Northern) Ltd wanted planning permission for a piece of land in Andrew Street. The council delayed a decision because they wanted to build a central depot near the sewage works, but if that did not work out they would need the Andrew Street site as an alternative.
Plans for the adoption of the closed St Peter's Mission Church into a youth centre at a cost of £3,540 were ready. The council were determined to complete the work as soon as possible. The county council would supply equipment costing about £700 which would include table tennis tables, hi-fi equipment and a record player, and special lighting. If che demand was there it could open five nights a week.
SEPTEMBER The Council urged the NCB to hurry up and demolish Ashcroft Farmhouse and outbuildings because they were a danger to trespassers. The NCB and council were also in disagreement about a layby for the Roman Catholic School at North Featherstone. The NCB said it would interfere with a right of way for a farmer on their land. Cr Longbottom thought the position was absolutely ridiculous.
OCTOBER Cr Longbottom said they would fill the cemetery and crematorium if something was not done about the road dangers at North Featherstone. He cited the crossroads, the dangerous bend at the Sun Inn and the volume of traffic on Church Lane and Willow Lane. He suggested making the last two one way streets.
A tenant in Lea Lane with a cracked bath asked for a new one. The council did not consider it fair wear and tear and said they would put in a new one at the tenants expense.
The council appealed to the Press, police and public to curb vandalism in the town. Cr Longbottom said the council could not afford to pay for the increasing damage by vandalism. Lighting, fencing and public amenities were all in peril because of vandalism.
The council received a letter from the Graysim Group of Companies,
which specialised in markets, suggesting an open-air market would be
beneficial to the town. The clerk, Mr G B Copley, said they had the
power to agree to markets, but they would have to consult surrounding
local authorities to see if they had any objections. The council agreed
to open preliminary discussions.
The council was concerned £28,000 had been spent on housing repairs in the first half of the year leaving only £19,000 for the second half when the weather could be worse. Cr G Holt said it was about time suitable tenants were allowed to buy council houses which could be a saving.
NOVEMBER An estate of 25 bungalows was proposed for Green Lane, and the council was considering installing a district heating scheme. The council was satisfied with the bricking of 50 Howard Houses on the Leatham Park Estate. Photo - Dr J Gatecliff.
The residents of Rhyl Street sent a petition to the council saying hooliganism and rowdyism had increased since it was made a through road for a housing estate. The surveyor, Mr G F Adamson, said planning permission had been given for the through road. Cr Widdowson said it had opened up the whole area, and there is more inconvenience because of schoolchildren using it for a short cut to go to North Featherstone Secondary School in Gordon Street. Cr G Holt said the people in Ivy Street and Mount Pleasant Street had also been inconvenienced when roads went through but they had to put up with new development.
An application by Alexander Rose Ltd to turn the Welfare building into a covered market was turned down. The area planning officer said the application site was allocated for residential purposes. Also the provision of retail facilities without parking facilities would be contrary to development already built in the town. The council were concerned about what would happen to the library because no alternative building or site seemed to be available.
The council then decided to review the project. Mr Alexander Rose said his view was Featherstone people went to markets at Castleford and Pontefract, and if one was provided in Featherstone they would use it.
DECEMBER When the council discovered there was no mention of improvements to North Featherstone crossroads in the county council estimates for next year they decided to seek the help of the police to back their case. Motorists leaving Church Lane had to move into the road before they could see down Featherstone Lane and accidents were caused.
It was agreed to keep the Lister Baths open from March 3 until December 4 next year. Cr D Townsend felt the Baths could be opened earlier because of the few applications for use of the building. The superintendent, Mr G Windmill, pointed out the Musical and Dramatic Society used the baths every February. The clerk felt the council had to provide some facilities for dances, plays or dinners.
The review of the application to turn the former Welfare Hall into an indoor market reached the same conclusion. Shopping facilities should be kept in the Station Lane area, and there were no adequate parking facilities.
THE AMDRAMS
Max Klodz was born in Poland but lived for a while in Featherstone and worked at Snydale Colliery, and being a mural artist by trade he helped out with the scenery for the Featherstone Amateur Musical and Dramatic Society shows. He was asked if he would help with the 1970 production and he readily agreed. It took him 14 days and would save the society £60. The photo of Mr Klodz painting the scenery is from the Express.
The King and I was put on at the Lister Baths in March. The Express called it a right royal success. Derek Davis took the part of the king. He bared his chest and painted himself brown, but he stopped short of shaving his head. He said "I thought about it, but after all there can only be one Yul Brynner". The photo of Doreen Robson and Derek Davis is from the Express.
Everyone's favourite was tiny Andrea Taylor, just three years old. All the cast were word-perfect, graceful in movement and beautifully costumed. The accompaniment was just organ and percussion played by Colin Malpass and Mr C Bearns. Cyril Chilton was musical director and Basil Phillips was his assistant.
In November the society announced it was abandoning the Christmas pantomime. The secretary, Mr Davis, said the shortening of the close season for swimming gave only about six weeks for preparation, and it was difficult to put on two shows in the time available. Also they were short of members which made two shows impracticable.
Derek Davis of Girnhill Lane said in December he had to resign as secretary because of pressure of work, but he would still take part in the productions. Mrs Amy Gott of Lea Lane would replace him.
THE ROVERS
The half-yearly meeting was held in January in the Social Club. The financial secretary Jim Reed said the attendances so far were only half that which the club needed to pay its way, and out of a membership of 1,432 there were still 625 who hadn't paid. Gifts of £1,300 from the Development Fund and £500 from the Ladies' Committee had been invaluable. The chairman John Jepson appealed to the members concerned to settle their accounts.
At the annual meeting in July, Jim Reed said the club lost £3077 on the season, the bank overdraft was £2,849 and the guarantors were owed £3,392.
The chairman, Mr John Jepson, said £6,500 would be loaned from the Rugby League to improve the main stand. Named seats would be available, the sides would be protected and the roof extended to cover the paddock at the front. The photo of the new stand seats is from the Express.
A dance was held in the Social Club on New Year's Eve. A message was received that a bomb had been planted to go off at midnight. There were 500 people in the club, and the police, considering it a hoax, asked them to search everywhere for anything suspicious. Nothing was found and the police left at 11.40pm.
The secretary of the club, Cr R Heckingbottom, paid tribute to the calm way in which those present behaved after being told not to panic. The hoax did not seriously interfere with the entertainment.
THE GALA
After last year's successful two day event, when the council decided not to have a gala, and it was organised by two of their employees, the council decided to take it over again.
The Gala Queen was usually chosen from girls nominated by the schools,
but this year it was an open competition in May. Jacqueline Hand age 15 of
Priory Road was chosen over another 20 entries. Her sister Susan was the
Gala Queen in 1966. The photo is from the Express.
The Gala was held over two days in June. It began with a procession from Cressey's Corner Headed by the Ackton Hall Colliery Workmen's Band. The fancy dress competition attracted 70 entries, and there were bowling and peggy contests and athletics. On the Sunday there was a gymnastic display by King's School, Pontefract, and a day-long regatta by the Featherstone Model Power Boat Club. The Express photo shows Mr K Auty on his 1897 quadrant trike and his daughter Janet on a penny farthing replica. They both took part in the Gala.
EDUCATION
FEBRUARY
The West Riding Education Committee approved a project to upgrade two
classrooms at George Street Junior Mixed School to bring them into
conformity with the standards being provided in the new extensions. The
estimated cost was £3,200.
MARCH The West Riding Education Committee recommended the demolition of the air-raid shelters at North Featherstone C of E School.
APRIL Cr N Longbottom raised the problems at Gordon Street School with the Pontefract Divisional Executive. He said there was no headmistress's room or staff room. If she wanted to interview a parent she had to do it in the hall, and if one of the teachers wanted a dining break cigarette she had to smoke it in the toilets. Those in industry would not tolerate what the teachers have. The chairman, Ald J Blackburn, promised to take it up with the county council.
JULY The West Riding Education Committee bought further plots of land where houses had been demolished in Wakefield Road, Phipps Street, Chapel Street and George Street.
Cr Longbottom complained to the Pontefract Executive about North Featherstone C of E School. He said one classroom was supposed to hold 14 children but it had 28. There were 91 children in the school and the seams were bursting. Another 40 children wanted to come in in September but it was impossible. He claimed a temporary classroom was promised but nothing had happened.
Mr E Johnson, divisional education officer, said no-one had promised a temporary classroom. It was an aided school and was therefore responsible for providing its own classrooms.
NOVEMBER The Pontefract Divisional Education Executive had had a budget of £25,000 to spend on a minor building programme and it was suggested it should all be spent on rehabilitating Purston Church of England School which was described as being in a terrible condition. The Executive agreed if this was done it would jeopardise the building of a new school. The Featherstone representatives urged the Executive to turn this idea down and press for a new school. This was agreed. Part of the budget would be used to provide staff facilities at North Featherstone Infants' School.
DECEMBER The Department of Education design list proposals for new and replacement schools, probably to be started in 1972-73, included North Featherstone Church of England Junior School and a new secondary school in Featherstone.
At the Pontefract Divisional Education Executive meeting Mr E Johnson, divisional education officer, set out the proposals for Featherstone. There would be first schools (five to nine), middle schools (nine to 13) and a comprehensive school (13 to 16). Sixth form pupils would go to Pontefract until Featherstone had a viable education unit of sufficiently large size.
The Government approved the plan for a 720 place 13 to 16 comprehensive school in Featherstone, and a new school in North Featherstone to replace the Church of England School for 5 to eleven year old pupils.
SOUTH FEATHERSTONE YOUTH CLUB
The Express published a feature on South Featherstone Youth Club in August. One of the two leaders, Mrs Marjorie Smurthwaite of Pontefract, said "For too long people have had the impression Featherstone children are rough, but this is not so. All it is is a high degree of keenness" That won them the Area Youth Swimming Championship at Knottingley. The girls won the area netball and athletics competitions.
Mrs Smurthwaite and her assistant Mr E Bullock supervised the activities of 70 members on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at South Featherstone Secondary Modern School which provided good facilities. It was hoped to add badminton and gymnastics to the activities.
Cooking facilities were available, so Mrs Smurthwaite said in the winter the girls could cook chips and peas to keep the boys happy. The photos of Mrs Smurthwaite and the members are from the Express.
THE WELFARE SPORTS GROUND
The scheme to build a clubhouse at the Featherstone Miners' Welfare sports ground (the cricket and football field) was abandoned in November. Instead the Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation agreed to provide £3,000 to erect modern changing facilities.
The chairman of the local welfare committee, Mr Horace Lyman of Vicarage Lane, said the documents for the sale of the Welfare Institute had been signed. The sale would realise about £8,000, and £4,000 had been received from Featherstone Rovers for the sale of a nearby field. There was a suggestion this money could be used to provide a club room and tea room. The provision of a gymnasium for the Miners' Welfare Amateur Rugby League Club was also under consideration.
Mr Mervyn Haytack, chairman of the cricket club, said any improvement of facilities would be welcomed by all the teams concerned. It was long overdue. Facilities had been shabby for some time and clubs at the field could not carry on like that for ever.
A FAMILY AT WAR
A Family at War was a drama series made by Granada Television and was networked beginning in April. Its connection with Featherstone was it was created and written by John Finch who had previously spent many years in Featherstone.
When preparing a further series of A Family at War he decided Kimberley Street would be ideal for one episode. The house of Mr Wilfred Lawson Cranswick was chosen with the old Featherstone Main Colliery in the background and it was filmed in November. The photos of actor Colin Douglas talking to Mr Cranswick is from the Express.
Mr Finch was born in Liverpool and came with his family to Featherstone in the 1930s. He was 14 when the war broke out and he became a messenger for the first aid post in the Palace building. As soon as he was old enough he joined the merchant navy and saw the devastation caused by the bombing of Liverpool which became his inspiration for the series A Family at War.
After the war he returned to Featherstone and took a job as a librarian, but after six months he left and went to London. His breakthrough came when his play Dark Pastures was screened on ITV Television Playhouse in 1958. The photo is from the Express.
1970 NEWS ITEMS
JANUARY The Ackton Hall Colliery Workmen's Band held its first social gathering in the newly renovated headquarters at the Railway Hotel. Dennis Metcalfe, the band leader, said during the last year they had raised over £300 in engagements and hoped to continue during the coming year.
Norman Longbottom built a room big enough to accommodate 200 people at the back of his house in North Featherstone and placed it at the disposal of local organisations free of charge. It had cost nearly £3,000. It had already been used by the Salvation Army, Featherstone Road Club, Featherstone Power Boat Club, Scouts and Labour Party.
So many youngsters went to the Methodist Church Youth Club last year that the organisers couldn't cope and it closed. It now reopened under new leaders Brian and Margaret Dutton of Hillcrest Avenue. The attendance was limited to 30 on Tuesday's junior night and the same on Friday's youth club night.
The Salvation Army arranged a tea and party for 80 Sunday School children. Films were shown including Charlie Chaplin. The photo is from the Express.
FEBRUARY A concert was held in Wilson Street Methodist Church. The Express photo shows some Sunday School girls dressed as nurses. From the left are Irene and Ann Pearson, Maureen and Janet Payne, Pamela Eastwood, Carol Payne, Julie Harper and Angela Fox. At the piano - Colin Malpass.
MARCH David Steel age 17 won the North East solo bagpipes competition at Newcastle. Photo - Pontefract and Castleford Express.
A bus load of Newcastle United supporters and a lorry collided in fog on the A1 near Norman Longbottom's cafe. He received a phone call to open it up and it was used as an emergency medical centre. Norman said it was like a battlefield. Later the Scotswood Social Club and Institute made him a life member in appreciation of his hospitality during the accident.
The second Untied Service (Methodist, Roman Catholic and Church of England) was held in the precinct. The attendance was lower than last year because of the bitterly cold weather.
Ackton Hall Colliery produced 18,868 tons of coal in one week, said to be the highest ever weekly output.
APRIL Purston Parish Church Dramatic Society put on Running Riot in the church hall for three well attended nights. The photo is from the Express. The names of the actors in the photo were not given.
JUNE Revd R A Nelson, Vicar of Featherstone for eleven years. announced he had accepted the living of Birstall near Batley. He said "I have always enjoyed my stay in Featherstone. I have always been very happy and one cannot live in a place for so long without the roots growing fairly deep".
The General Election result for the Pontefract Constituency which included Featherstone was:
J Harper (Labour) 31,774
L Deslands (Conservative) 10,687
JULY Members of the Featherstone and District Hospitals Comforts Fund were disgusted at continuing vandalism at the Purston Park pavilion where they kept gifts including pop and crisps for hospital patients. It was reported £83 12s was raised for the fund at the recent Gala.
Firemen from Featherstone and Pontefract attended a fire consisting of three derelict cars behind the Hippodrome.
SEPTEMBER Raymond and Alan Roberts of Alexander Road were entertainers in illusions and escapes. They had already won the Charles Sowden Shield at the Northern Magic Circle's Easter Parade, and appeared on opportunity knocks. They were now due to appear at the International Brotherhood of Magicians at Hastings.
OCTOBER Ernest Cross of Pontefract Road retired after 10 years as crossing patrol for Purston Church of England School. In the school playground he was presented with money from a collection and a box of cigars. The photo was uploaded to Featherstone Bygone Days by Paul Guest.
NOVEMBER Work started on converting St Peter's Mission Church on Green Lane into a youth centre, but vandalism was already causing problems.
About 100 members of various organisations tool part in the Remembrance Day parade headed by Ackton Hall Colliery Workmen's Band. Mr J Harper MP laid a wreath at the Ackton Hall Colliery Memorial and Captain J Panton of the Salvation Army conducted the service. Captain Panton and Revd R A Taylor conducted the service at the Purston War Memorial.
The Salvation Army said attendances were improving at their North Featherstone Sunday School in Cr N Longbottom's premises. They introduced a weekly "joy hour" session at which the children could play table tennis, snooker and dance to records.
The Express included an article on Alan and Norah Edgar who came to Featherstone 26 years ago from Ackworth to run a fish and chip shop on Wakefield Road. Also, for the past three years they had the lease on the Clock Cafe across the road but it was running out and they were going to give it up.
DECEMBER The Purston Parish Church Dramatic Society put on The White Sheep of the Family in the Church Hall. The Express report said John Walker, who had established a reputation as a fine farcical player was again hugely popular, and Jane Taylor, age 13, made a promising debut. The photo is from the Express. There were no names.
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