A HISTORY OF FEATHERSTONE
1965
THE COUNCIL
JANUARY A request was received from Garforth Urban Council to visit Jaglin Court, an old people's home in Pontefract Road nearing completion.
The council had built three-bedroom houses in Huntwick Crescent to a higher standard then usual and found difficulty in letting them because the rent was £2 10s against a typical pre-war house rent of 27s 6d. Some had been let to key workers who had come to Featherstone for a new factory. The others were offered to people who had been on the housing list for 12 months - the qualifying period - but now it was agreed to work down the list of those who had been on for less than 12 months. Once they were all let the 12 months rule would be reinstated.
FEBRUARY A proposal by the council to move the 30mph sign at Nostell View nearer to Snydale Colliery was rejected by the county council divisional road engineer. The British Transport Commission would be asked to provide twin flashing lights at the level crossing in Station Lane.
Vandalism continued at the Earle Street public toilets. The surveyor, Mr G F Adamson said we just can't keep track of it it. The pull chains have to be replaced every day; there is no Gents sign left, and the Ladies sign reads Lads. We have put foolproof toilet roll containers in the lavatories so they can't take the rolls, but now they just set fire to them.
MARCH Law Land Property Company of London, who had planning permission to build the precinct, now applied to have 35 market stalls behind it. It was announced there would be no increase in rates or council house rents in the coming financial year.
APRIL The council accepted a tender of £47,775 for the building of 26 bungalows on the Ackton Hall Estate as the first phase of the Loscoe rehousing project. it was also agreed to purchase 1,733 square yards of land in Green Lane for housing development. It was agreed to resume the loans scheme for house buyers. It was suspended because the Bank Rate increase had made it uneconomical for the Council.
It was decided to fence the right hand side of Bell's Hill going towards Castleford and ask the county council get the other side cleared and fenced.
MAY The election results were:
North-West Ward H Wright (Lab) 691 D H Grace (T & R) 508
Central Ward G Holt (T & R) 702 T J Watton (Lab) 490
East Ward J W Bettridge (Lab) 725 A Edgar (T & R) 705
North Ward Norah Edgar (T & R) 651 H Woodcock (Lab) 604
Cr Herbert Wright of Featherstone Lane was elected chairman for the new year. He said the council would continue improvement schemes during the year. The photo is from the Express.
JULY Plans were approved for an old people's home, bungalows, flats a community centre and a warden's house in Green Lane. There would also be a communal room and warden's house at Halfpenny Lane.
SEPTEMBER The Ministry of Health informed the council it was of the opinion fluoridation of water was now a proven public health measure. The council agreed in principle and would inform the Wakefield and District Water Board of this decision.
It was agreed to press for a bus lay-bye at St Wilfrid's Catholic School. The police would be informed lorries were parking on the double yellow no waiting lines while making deliveries to shops in Station Lane. Part of the Went Beck running between Priory Road and a proposed recreation ground would be culverted.
OCTOBER A tender was accepted for the provision of traffic lights at the bottom of Station Lane. The council expressed the hope that the work would be done as soon as possible.
because of continued vandalism at the public toilets in Green Lane it was decided to erect iron gates at the toilets entrances and lock them at dusk. It was deplored having to take this action but something had to be done to stop the damage.
An application by clothing firm Alexander Rose Ltd to use the premises of the former Methodist Church in Featherstone Lane was approved.
The council were told the cost of building a stage at the Lister Baths was £3,000. Cr D Gascoyne said he was surprised at this estimate when all they wanted was just a stage for the dramatic society or anybody who wanted to do a concert. Cr D Gray said it was imperative to purchase the stage because the dramatic society put on some wonderful shows and they should be helped as much as possible. It was agreed to erect a stage as soon as possible.
NOVEMBER The council decided any more windows broken in bus shelters would no longer be replaced but would be boarded up. A site in Wilson Street for a new Methodist church was approved. It was agreed to support the move for concessionary bus fares for old age pensioners.
DECEMBER The type of cooker installed in new council houses had gone out of production. Crs Norah Edgar and Lily Fox selected two new types costing £24 and £30 for future houses.
The NCB informed the council it intended to prospect for coal in Little Lane. The council replied that objections would be made. An application from Featherstone Rovers for outline approval of a site for a supporters' social club and a flat for a steward was agreed.
The West Riding Education Committee decided not to have a school crossing patrol for St Wilfrid's High School, but to recommend a lay-by and improvement to the footpath.
THE ROVERS
The Rovers were in financial trouble so in January the players agreed to forego their match pay for one game. The chairman, Mr J Jepson, said the gesture was much appreciated.
The half-yearly meeting was held at the ground in January. The secretary, Ron Bailey, said liabilities amounted to nearly £9,000. The major predicament was too much was going in wages. The player wrongly compared wages with other clubs. We always endeavour to pay well, but their must come a time for the line to be drawn. The club became more indebted to the Development Scheme which had handed over £4,282 this season. Individual branches had given £475 - without these gilts the club could not carry on. Economy measures had been introduced but the only solution lies in selling players.
The chairman, John Jepson, said there was no question of the club closing down, but the difficulties were very real and he could give no assurance that leading players would not be sold.
The annual meeting was held in July. A profit in the season of £1,826 was reported by the secretary due entirely to £5,000 being handed over from the Supporters Pool. The membership showed a rise to 1,330. The auditor, Mr E Holstead, said those responsible for the economies deserved the highest praise. He hoped the tight hold on expenditure would continue.
Mr Bailey said the coming season put tremendous responsibility on four veterans - Fox, Dixon, Cooper and Greatorex. Our last signing from a professional club was in February 1964. More and more concentration would have to be on juniors. I still feel the events of last season were just part of a bad nightmare, when the season's start was the worst since 1946-47, and we have the nucleus of a side capable of restoring our fortunes.
The chairman, Mr J Jepson, said without special money raising efforts the club would not survive. He also spoke of the fine work of Mr and Mrs Bailey for the club.
TRAFFIC LIGHTS AT LAST
The council had been campaigning for years for traffic lights at the bottom of Station Lane where there had been numerous accidents and some fatalities. In January the county council said a scheme would be prepared.
Joe Harper MP said "I don't think traffic lights are the answer to the problem, but this scheme is the only one that would not cost an exorbitant price. The police have always stated it is better to keep the traffic moving, but this scheme will cause it to stop. However, it should serve to reduce the number of accidents and that is a good thing. When we have had them for a length of time we can see if they are doing their job or not. The best possible answer is a flyover or a roundabout".
JAGLIN COURT OPENED
A new home for old people was opened in February in Pontefract Road, Purston, called Jaglin Court. It comprised 18 bed-sitters for single persons and four flatlets with a living room and separate bedroom for married couples.
There was a common room, television lounge, a laudrette and a communication system to the warden's quarters situated on the first floor. Facilities for posting letters and parcels were provided, and there was a guest room so visitors could stay the night.
A deputation from Garforth Urban Council visited the home and afterwards the Featherstone Council clerk, Mr H Tattersall, said they were much impressed by the building. The photo is from Google Street View.
THE AMDRAMS
The Featherstone Amateur Musical and Dramatic Society put on their production of Calamity Jane at the Miners' Welfare Hall in March. The Express commented a rainy, blustery evening did not stop large numbers of people leaving their fireside for two hours of boisterous entertainment. Derek Davis and Alma Nicholson took the leading roles.
While she was on the stage, and her husband Kenneth was stage manager, someone broke into their shop in Station Lane and stole over £60. Alma commented while we were helping charity, someone helped themselves.
DAVID MATTHEWMAN SCOUT HERO
David Matthewman age 16 of Priory Road was awarded the Royal Humane Society's Resuscitation Certificate and the Chief Scout's Commendation for Meritorious Conduct in April for his part in saving a boy from drowning at Castleford.
He was a patrol leader in the 1st Featherstone Scout Troop and was working at Cutsyke Welfare ground last December when Kevin Simpkin age two fell into a nearby pond when he was trying to break the ice. With Raymond Probert of Castleford he rescued the boy and applied artificial respiration. He told the Express "The boy was purple with cold and at first I thought he was dead". But he recovered.
He was a patrol leader in the 1st Featherstone Scout Troop and was working at Cutsyke Welfare ground last December when Kevin Simpkin age two fell into a nearby pond when he was trying to break the ice. With Raymond Probert of Castleford he rescued the boy and applied artificial respiration. He told the Express "The boy was purple with cold and at first I thought he was dead". But he recovered.
WILSON STREET METHODIST CHURCH CONVERTED
The decision of the Featherstone Methodists to merge and have a new church led to it being decided to convert their Wilson Street Church into a youth and community centre. By May the plastering, plumbing and painting had been completed by qualified workmen and the materials provided all free of charge,
An unnamed woman member provided a sink unit and coffer bar, and other members did the labouring. Revd M Collings, the minister, said "We nearly lived at the place until the job was done".
An unnamed woman member provided a sink unit and coffer bar, and other members did the labouring. Revd M Collings, the minister, said "We nearly lived at the place until the job was done".
ELECTIONEERING BAN
The Tenants and Ratepayers Association held meetings in the communal rooms at Jaglin Court and Streethouse before the May elections, and had arranged one at Huntwick Road. At a following council meeting the Labour Party voted in an immediate ban on such meetings.
The ratepayers issued a statement which included *Both visits to the aged persons communal rooms had prior approval of the residents and proved very popular, and both common rooms were filled. Residents could ask questions and make suggestions without leaving their armchairs and the comfort of the common room.
"Because of their age and inability to move very far from their homes, old people are unable to attend ordinary meetings. This monstrous decision deprives them of the pleasure of a communal room meeting where they can see and question prospective councillors of either party."
Cr Harry Woodcock (Labour) told the Express the Ratepayers Association had not had the decency to ask for permission to use the common room. He said these rooms were for the comfort of old people without their being indoctrinated by any political party.
When asked about the East Ward Labour Party taking residents of Jaglin Court to a fish and chip supper at the Travellers' Hotel he said it was quite common for the Labour Party members to give the old folk a party once every two or three weeks. It was not something just done at election time.
The ratepayers issued a statement which included *Both visits to the aged persons communal rooms had prior approval of the residents and proved very popular, and both common rooms were filled. Residents could ask questions and make suggestions without leaving their armchairs and the comfort of the common room.
"Because of their age and inability to move very far from their homes, old people are unable to attend ordinary meetings. This monstrous decision deprives them of the pleasure of a communal room meeting where they can see and question prospective councillors of either party."
Cr Harry Woodcock (Labour) told the Express the Ratepayers Association had not had the decency to ask for permission to use the common room. He said these rooms were for the comfort of old people without their being indoctrinated by any political party.
When asked about the East Ward Labour Party taking residents of Jaglin Court to a fish and chip supper at the Travellers' Hotel he said it was quite common for the Labour Party members to give the old folk a party once every two or three weeks. It was not something just done at election time.
AMALGAMATION PUBLIC INQUIRY
A public inquiry was held in Pontefract in May on the proposed merger of Pontefract, Featherstone and Knottingley Councils. Miss M Viner, representing Featherstone Council, said Featherstone would not join with Pontefract either as a free or willing partner. The move would destroy two independent and vital communities simply in the interest of the will-o'-the-wisp of greater efficiency. It would not improve Featherstone's house building record, which was better than Pontefract's.
Featherstone had its share of derelict land,but was anyone suggesting after amalgamation the colliery spoilheaps would disappear overnight by magic. Featherstone changed from gas to electric street lighting in 1924, and Pontefract did not do so until 1945. And Featherstone had the finest baths east of Wakefield.
Featherstone people are perfectly happy with the present position. Fourteen organisations wrote letters fully supporting their council's stand against the proposals.
Featherstone had its share of derelict land,but was anyone suggesting after amalgamation the colliery spoilheaps would disappear overnight by magic. Featherstone changed from gas to electric street lighting in 1924, and Pontefract did not do so until 1945. And Featherstone had the finest baths east of Wakefield.
Featherstone people are perfectly happy with the present position. Fourteen organisations wrote letters fully supporting their council's stand against the proposals.
PURSTON METHODIST CHURCH VANDALISED
Vandals broke a window to get into Purston Methodist Church in May and caused considerable damage to the organ, chairs and choir stalls. Books and manuscripts were scattered about. Mr Billy Williams, church steward, said it seems obvious a hammer or some such heavy object was used to commit the worst of the damage.
The minister, Revd M Collings, said it was very difficult to estimate the cost of the damage because it was not known how much it would cost to repair the organ. He did not think it was insured, and the church would have to raise the money or continue with a piano.
The minister, Revd M Collings, said it was very difficult to estimate the cost of the damage because it was not known how much it would cost to repair the organ. He did not think it was insured, and the church would have to raise the money or continue with a piano.
They did try with a piano for a while, but gave up and joined the other Methodist Churches in the amalgamation. The photo is from the Express.
A NEW SCHOOL - BUT WHERE?
A new school was proposed for Featherstone by the county council, but where to put it was changed a few time. It was originally intended for Girnhill Lane, then other sites were suggested. It was finally settled to be on the north side of the Pontefract to Wakefield Road. Then a month later it was changed again to the Pontefract side of Houndhill Lane in land marked as green belt.
Featherstone councillors at the July meeting of the Pontefract Divisional Education Executive objected. The acting education officer, Mr G E Nicholson, said the objection to the site shown on the town map was the access was considered dangerous. Also the school would cost about £750,000, it would be an asset to the town and should be in a place where its beauty could be seen. It was agreed to take up the matter with the county council.
At the September meeting the Featherstone representatives asked if there had been any further discussion about the site. Mr Johnson, for the county council, said as far as he was aware, no. Cr Wright said everyone was in favour of the northern site then there was a sudden change of mind by the county. Mr Johnson said there were difficulties with the purchase of the land and also road safety matters.
Cr Morgan said the site was changed nine months after it was first agreed. Mr Johnson said he did not think the site question made any difference to the school's inclusion in the estimates for 1967-68.
The acting chairman, Cr W O'Brian, considered local people should stick our for what they felt was best. He would help Featherstone press their site, and also for the deputation to meet county as soon as possible.
SNYDALE COLLIERY TO CLOSE?
The council had decided to raise no objection to an opencast mine at Old Snydale, but then it was learned in July that the NCB was considering closing Snydale Colliery, so the council reversed its decision and would object to the opencast mine.
Mr S Schofield of the NUM said it was concluded by a meeting of the NUM and NCB their was some difficulty in keeping the pit open. Output was only about 1.4 tons a manshift, just over a third of the Yorkshire average. Mechanisation had been tried and failed because of geological conditions. The men had to revert to mining with pick and shovel, and they were leaving for better conditions elsewhere.
The management and men would meet to discuss the future of the colliery, and if necessary its closure. There was an assurance from the NCB not one man would be made redundant.
The inevitable happened in August and the colliery ceased coal production, but the surface plant was maintained in working order to help out with coal preparation while Ackton Hall Colliery's coal preparation plant was modernised.
NORTH FEATHERSTONE INTIMIDATION
North Featherstone residents complained they were being frightened and intimidated by the behaviour of youths. They would only speak to an Express reporter on the undertaking their names would not be revealed. One old man said "If I say anything they might come back and make thing worse".
Cr T Morgan brought the matter up at the October meeting of the council's housing committee. He said the old people on the Ackton Lane estate were frightened to leave their homes at night. It was decided to make the police aware of the problem.
Comment from the residents were - they make a noise and break down trees, jump over the churchyard wall and bang on widows shouting we are ghosts - one group including girls stood outside a house occupied by a deaf and dumb couple mocking them.
One resident said most of them don't live in this part of the estate. They use the green outside the old people's homes as a meeting point. Some nights there are more than 40 of them, some cannot be more that nine years old. The council must bear some responsibility. They used to have a playing field but now it is part of the Catholic School. A police spokesman said no complaints had been made to them. The vicar, Revd R A Nelson, said he was not aware of young people using the churchyard as a playground.
The photo of the churchyard with the old people's bungalows on the left is by Dr J Gatecliff.
ACKTON HALL COLLIERY FUTURE?
The National Coal Board's plan, published in November, for streamlining the industry put Ackton Hall Colliery in the doubtful category. Cr D Gray, president of the branch of the National Union of Mineworkers said "Featherstone cannot afford this pit's closure. It would make the place a ghost town". He said the men were determined to keep on increasing their output level and make it an economical pit.
The news came as a surprise after a big modernisation plan was announced earlier in the year. Mr J Harper MP said it was disappointing to find a pit like Ackton Hall on the list of possible closures, but he was sure Ackton Hall could pull itself off the list.
A Coal Board official said "We are not giving out details why pits are on the list because the reasons are being considered by the unions. It was hoped some of the pits on the list would move themselves on to the list of collieries who future is secured.
Mr H Tattersall, clerk to the council, said if the colliery closed there would be a severe impact on the community, especially if people had to leave the area. Any large transfer of labour would be serious and the present housing scheme would have to be reviewed.
The council chairman, Cr H Wright, said if the men and management work together there was no fear of the pit closing, and at this stage the council had made no plans.
FERNDALE OPENED
The Council's care home, called Ferndale, at the entrance to Purston Park was opened. A personal photo.
NEW SHOPS
A row of shops was built to replace the houses and shops in Station Lane severely damaged by two gales. Photo by Dr J Gatecliff.
1965 NEWS ITEMS
JANUARY A one and a quarter million pounds scheme was commenced to modernise Ackton Hall Colliery. All the coal would be wound at the Silkstone shaft by a 2,000 horse power electric winder in a new winding house, and there would be a new coal washing plant. The coal would come out of the pit in an eight tons capacity skip, instead of hundreds of 10cwt tubs.
At the Pontefract Divisional Education Executive, Cr J H Livesey asked what was being done about the the hardy annual - George Street School. He was assured by the chairman, Ald J Blackburn, the school was on the priority list and it was in the estimates for the coming year.
FEBRUARY Mr Robert Nicholson Greenwood of Featherstone Lane died age 82. He was manager of the Hippodrome Cinema for 40 years from the silent films ere when he would play the piano if the pianist was missing. He did not retire until he was 73.
MARCH Mr J G Lee, a building inspector, said the worst floor at George Street School had been repaired, and it was all that was allowed in the last set of estimates.
At the next meeting Mr G E Nicholson, acting divisional education officer, said there were £2,300 to be spent on George Street School. He thought the summer holidays would provide the time to complete all the work.
MAY The British Legion Gold Badge was presented to Mr E Lee of North Featherstone Lane, the highest honour of the Legion. He had been treasurer for 19 years. Mr Lee served in the Royal Navy. The badge photo is from Pinterest.
Mr and Mrs L Gilligan of Castleford had completed 40 years of taking their horse drawn roundabout all around the area.
JUNE The Express reported brilliant sunshine, the pipe band of the Pontefract and District Caledonian Society, and a host of events attracted a large crowd to the council's annual gala in Purston Park. Members of the Caledonian Society gave a display of Scottish country dancing.
Officials of the Soviet Coal Miners' Union visited Featherstone as part of their tour of the Yorkshire Coalfield.
JULY Barry Lycett of the Featherstone Road Club won the national five-mile cycling championship for the third year running, this time at Norwich. He was only the third rider to do the hat-trick in British Cycling Federation history.
Firemen dealt with a fire among cartons at Linpac Containers Ltd on Wakefield Road.
AUGUST Stanley Thomas Hugh Paterson resigned as Purston Church organist. He held the post since the 1930's apart from a two-year break in the 1940s. The vicar, Revd I O Jay paid tribute in the parish magazine where he wrote Mr Paterson was responsible for welding the choir into one of which the church was most proud.
The Featherstone and District Hospital Comforts Fund agreed to hold a hospital week next month which would include various competitions in the clubs, and two harvest festival services. Events at the Purston Park Gala had raised about £100 for the fund.
SEPTEMBER The employment exchange moved from the now closed Featherstone Lane Methodist Church to Wakefield Road Methodist Church.
The working men's clubs held individual efforts for the benefit of the Ackton Hospital Comforts Fund. The proceeds were combined and a cheque for £117 was handed over.
OCTOBER An application for a betting office licence in Girnhill Lane was refused. Two householder living against the proposed shop and two other bookmakers had objected at the hearing. The residents claimed it would lower the value of their houses, there would be a nuisance through noise, and possible bad language by betters. Charles Raybould and Kenneth Varley claimed the demand for betting shops was well catered for.
The Featherstone and Purston Welfare, Tennis, Cricket and Bowling Club sued A L Gill of Rawden for £100 because his band failed to turn up for the New Year's Eve dance at the Lister Hall. It was said dancers had paid £73 for tickets and £64 was taken at the door and when the band failed to arrive they were told they could dance to records or have their money back. The refunds to those who decided not to stay totalled £76. Mr A Simpson, representing Mr Gill, admitted there was a contract but contested the amount claimed. However, judgement was given for the full amount.
Wakefield and District Water Board was considering adding fluoride to the water and asked their manager to prepare a report on the work required and the cost. It would then be sent to the constituent authorities (including Featherstone) to decide whether or not to go ahead.
Demolition work on the site of the new Methodist Church in Wilson Street was completed. A meeting was held of all concerned to discuss the size, shape and plan of the building.
NOVEMBER A gale caused flickering lights and power cuts where falling trees damaged overhead lines. Men from the Yorkshire Electricity Board spent all night doing repairs. Some people walking in Station Lane were hit by flying tiles but none were badly injured.
A boiler part for the new Eggborough power station passed through Featherstone. It was 100 feet long and weighed 240 tons.
Two first prizes were won by the Ackton Hall and Snydale Collieries' Band at a concert held by the West Riding Brass Band Society at Doncaster. One was for the best march and the other for the best selection.
The Featherstone and District held its seventh annual late chrysanthemum show at the Clock Cafe. Public support was said to be poor.
A Sankey Service was held at Featherstone Methodist Church where all the hymns were by the same composer. There was also a rhythm group which gave songs made famous by the Salvation Army's Joy Singers. The address by Revd M Collings concerned the protest record by Barry McGuire The Eve of Destruction.
The Remembrance Day Parade started at Cressey's Corner and made a halt at the Ackton Hall Colliery Memorial where Captain Carrington-Moule conducted a service, then on to the Featherstone War Memorial. The Vicar of Purston conducted the service and wreaths were laid. The parade reformed and the salute was taken outside Purston Police Station by Cr H Wright.
DECEMBER There was a heavy snowfall which caused some disruption. Mr F G Smith, personnel manager at Lin-Pac, said quite a number of people did not turn up. Most of them could not get to Featherstone. Other people did not get in until well into the morning. Mr J Pell, headmaster of South Featherstone Secondary School, said it was not until after 11am that all his staff arrived. There were a lot of absentees at St Wilfrid's School. Those that turned up were sent home early.
Sketches of the new Methodist Church were approved by the united trust and building committee and the architect was instructed to proceed with the project.
The Gospel Hall put on a slide show for the inmates of Ferndale, and songs were sung by a group from the Sunday School.
Ackton Hospital Comforts Fund made arrangement to broadcast religious services at Christmas, the Rovers two games, and have the usual Boxing Day visit.
Over 140 people enjoyed a turkey supper in the Wilson Street Community Centre. It was announced the building fund had raised £1,400 so far. Revd M Collings said it was a remarkable achievement for a society with only 115 members. It was hoped to have a gift fair in April with a target of £1,000.