THE FEATHERSTONE .......CHRONICLE........ ..........the 1960s...........: 1968

A HISTORY OF FEATHERSTONE

1968

THE COUNCIL

JANUARY A new sub-Post Office was planned for the Priory Road Estate. The council wanted it to be sited at the western part for the benefit of the old people. The head postmaster at Pontefract said it should be at the eastern end where it would also benefit people on the Coal Board estate.

Members of the Featherstone and Streethouse Tenants' and Ratepayers' Association returned their tickets for the council's dinner and dance at the Lister Baths saying the money could have been put to better use, such has paying the still outstanding bill for the use of the RAF after last year's flooding.

FEBRUARY The Amusement Trading Company of Durham applied for planning permission for an amusement centre in Station Lane which would have bingo and gaming machines. Cr G Holt said it is a very sad state of affairs when the only way we can let this property is for an amusement centre. Cr F G Smith said he was astounded the company was prepared to spend £10,000 on the scheme.

The surveyor, Mr G F Adamson, reported damage to street lamps at Ackton Lane, Jubilee Path, Vicarage Lane, Post Office Road, Albert Street, Moor Road, Crossley Street, Wentbridge Road, Apple Tree Road, Lea Lane and Beech Tree Road. Every lamp was found to have a damaged filament.

The General Post Office granted a licence for a sub-Post Office on the Priory Road Estate. Photo - personal.

The county council would be asked to erect No Entry signs at the Wakefield Road ends of Granville Street and Andrew Street to prevent the nuisance of commercial vehicles parking in these streets.

MARCH A proposed meeting of all interested parties about a new youth centre had still not been arranged. Cr G Holt said it should not be delayed until after the Social Service Centre was demolished.

It was suggested Eureka Cottage and Ashcroft Farm on Pontefract Road should be purchased to enable road widening work to be carried out. Cr R Widdowson said the road at that point was the worst spot in Featherstone from a safety point of view. The clerk, Mr H Tattersall, said it was a county council matter.

There were problems with smoke in the buildings from faulty chimneys in old people's bungalows in Little Lane and Huntwick. It was agreed central heating was the ultimate answer if financially possible.

APRIL The county council said it would not make any changes to Granville Street and Andrew Street. The commercial vehicles did not obstruct the traffic flow, and if a one-way system was operated they might park on the main road.

There was concern over the slow progress of house building on the Ackton Hall Estate. The architect, Mr T Holland, said there was a penalty clause in the contract which the council could apply. The more time it takes him the more it will cost him.

MAY After a period of heavy rain Cr N Longbottom asked the architect if everything possible was done to eliminate the possibility of further flooding. Mr Holland replied despite the heavy rain flooding had not recurred and everything possible was being done. Cr D Gray said the council had spent a lot of money on the project and if there were further floods they could not be humanly stopped.

The election results were:

Central Ward G Holt (Labour) 671 E Longley (Ratepayers) 410

East Ward J W Bettridge (Labour) 637 A Edgar (Ratepayers) 618

North-West Ward H Wright (Labour) 525 Florrie Burnell (Ratepayers) 417

South Ward Nora Edgar (Ratepayers) 854 J Everson 535

JUNE Cr Derek Gray of Wakefield Road was elected chairman for the new financial year. He expressed his appreciation of the services rendered by the retiring chairman, Cr F G Smith and said he had gone through a very difficult year. The photo is from the Express.

The council was considering buying 11 acres of land west of Bedford Close, Purston. A letter of appreciation for his work for Featherstone elderly people would be sent to the leader of South Featherstone Gospel Hall Mr Stanley Renshaw.

JULY The council's surveyor, Mr G F Adamson, recommended the application for an entertainment centre using three shop units in Station Lane be refused. He said the premises were erected as retail shopping units, and the use now proposed conflicts with the original purpose, and would be detrimental to the existing established shops. The council accepted the recommendation.

The council were considering a £35,000 reclamation scheme on 32 acres of land near the Lister Baths. (The old muckstack site.) Government grants and loans were available. The county council made a new by-law making it an offence to allow dogs to foul pavements. The maximum fine was £20.

SEPTEMBER The 64 houses on the Ackton Estate were still not completed. The original completion date was in February, but the council agreed to extend it to August 31. Cr N Longbottom visited the site and found only three men working there so the penalty clause was applied. The architect, Mr N T Holland said it cost the contractor £2 10s a week for every uncompleted house.

The Miners' Welfare Hall was due to close on 2 October. Cr Lily Fox said every effort would be made to find alternative premises for organisations which held meetings there. Among them were the Old age Pensioners' Association, the Labour Party and the women's section of the British Legion. The Pensioners and British Legion were offered a room at the Baths during the closed season. Cr Fox said Featherstone Baths have never paid; they have always been a service to the public.

OCTOBER Because of the new development at the end of Ivy Street some residents suggested it should have a new name. It was decided to call it Avon Walk.

The council were informed a woman with a baby in a pram was trapped inside the barriers at the Station Lane level crossing and was very frightened as a train went by. The clerk said he would look into the matter. The woman was later named as Mrs Hurdley of Featherstone Lane.

The company wanting to have an entertainment centre in Station Lane appealed against the council's refusal. Cr N Longbottom said if Featherstone people did not want it they should write to the council.

Cr G Holt said it was wrong to get the remedial work done after last year's floods without ah estimate. He said £5,000 was allocated but it would soon be £10,000. The chairman said "I don't care if it costs £50,000. The officials have my confidence, and I am certain every penny is being properly spent. I don't want to go down Priory Road again and see a yard of water in the houses".

Cr D Townsend said looking at this job now, I say we were very badly advised - this job cost far too much.

NOVEMBER A request from the Featherstone and Streethouse Ratepayers' Association to change the South Ward polling station from Girnhill Lane School to Purston School was rejected on the grounds of safety. Cr F G Smith said the change would create a very serious traffic hazard.

Featherstone Miners' Welfare RLFC were told they could not have the Lister Baths for a dance on New Years' Eve, so they requested a meeting with the council. Cr S Gascoyne said the cricket club get New Year's Eve every time. I think we should start sorting out the dances, and the good dates should be switched round a little bit, and no one should get the plum every time.

At a council meeting a member of the public was allowed to criticise a council official who was not present and so not able to reply to the accusation. The National Association of Local Government Officials sought an assurance it would not happen again. The council agreed to give written assurance that no member of the public would be allowed to speak at meetings of the council or its committees.

DECEMBER The council clerk, Mr Herbert Tattersall, was suspended by the council, and the deputy clerk, Mr B Copley, was appointed acting clerk. The voting was eight to four. One apparent problem was correspondence which had been received but not replied to or put before the council. Mr Tattersall, age 56, resigned shortly after for health reasons. He told the Express the whole thing was becoming too much for him.

After complaints by residents, the engineer and surveyor, Mr G F Adamson reported there were serious defects in some houses in Leatham Park Road. He was instructed to make an examination and costing of the whole estate.

The Goldcross Co-Operative Retail Services Ltd asked for a site on the Priory Road estate for a store with a car parking area. There were mixed views on the council. Cr H Wright said the co-operative shop in Station Lane used to have a turnover of £1,000 a week, but when other shops opened nearby it went down to £180 and had to close. It was agreed to forward plans.

Brick cladding was being considered for the Howard houses on the council house estates at a cost of £480 per house. The architect, Mt T Holland, said there were cheaper treatments, but cladding was the best and would guarantee the external stability and appearance of the houses for the remainder of their expected life.

There was a bypass plan for a road to go from Wakefield Road to Pontefract Road via Post Office Road. The surveyor told the council it was not in any programme at the Ministry of Transport. The County Surveyor's Forward Planning Department said it could not be taken off their map as it formed part of a transportation study for five towns. Cr N Longbottom said it is a ghost road on a map at County Hall. The surveyor agreed.

Street lamps were still being damaged. Cr Lily Fox said in some areas netting was used for protection. The surveyor pointed out netting would not stop slugs from air rifles or ball bearings from catapults.

A meeting was to be arranged between the council and the county council at St Wilfrid's School about a lay-by for buses. The county suggested 2.30pm. Cr H Wright suggested two meetings, morning and afternoon when the pupils were arriving and leaving.

The council's chief financial officer, Mr G Pashley, asked for approval to pay architect's fees totalling £5,687 14s. Cr N Longbottom said when will the council wake up. We should set up our own architect's department. The architect was doing a first-class job and not charging more than he was entitled to, but the council could do it cheaper. He later told the Express the council had paid over £1,000,000 in architect's fees in the last six years. He estimated the council could save £12,000 a year.

THE ROVERS

   The Rovers played their first Sunday game at Post Office Road, against Salford in January. To conform with the Sunday Observance Act they couldn't charge for admission so had to sell a programme for 4s. The attendance was 4,479, described as encouraging.
   At the half-yearly meeting in January the financial secretary, James Reed, said the club was running at near maximum bank overdraft despite a donation of £2,500 from the Development Fund. The secretary, Derrick Hobbs, said it was illogical for the R L Cup holders (the Rovers) not to be given a fixture against the touring side.
   Some members considered the club needed floodlight, but were told it would cost at least £11,000 and the club could not afford it.

The bar on the Rovers ground had stood idle since the social club was opened so young members of the Joint Supporters' Club asked if they could take it over for a youth club for members of the Supporters' Club. Chairman John Jepson agreed so they set about renovating it themselves and opened it three night a week for games music and a snack bar.

The photos from the Express show Lynne Parker and Elain Leadbeater with a transistor radio and a bottle of pop, and a large group of members.

In July John Jepson was appointed chairman of the Rugby League Council in Leeds. He was previously vice-chairman.

The annual meeting was held at the social club in July. Mr J Reed, the financial secretary, reported a profit of £1,171 on the season but the bank overdraft was £2,365. He welcomed the profit but said it is the cash at the bank that matters.

The secretary, Mr D Hobbs, said the hopes raised at Wembley were not realised and the Top 16 was missed for the second successive season. He congratulated Mr J Jepson on being the first Featherstone man to be elected chairman of the Rugby League Council.

Mr Jepson regretted the increased ground admission charges due to steadily rising costs even though they had applied the utmost economy. The social club was doing well, and in future its year end would be the same as the football club so the position could be reported in the club's accounts.

A fashion show, dance and social was held in the social club in October in aid of the club funds. The clothes were provided by Mrs Kath Evans and the evening was organised by the ladies' committee. Over 150 people attended.

LINPAC CONTAINERS LTD

The Linpac factory at the junction of Wakefield Road and Commonside Lane was destroyed by fire two days before last Christmas. The firm committed to rebuilding on the same site, and in an attempt to keep as many workers as possible about 40 were sent to the parent firm at Louth in Lincolnshire where they would stay in lodgings and return home at weekends.

More than a dozen women began travelling daily to Slaithwaite near Huddersfield. The office staff of over 30 were accommodated in the former Purston Methodist Church.

The firm then took over a closed-down paper mill at Rawcliffe near Goole. All the office staff spread amongst the church building and Louth and Slaithwaite would go there. Machinery would be installed and more Featherstone employees would have a job.

The factory was rebuilt on the same site, but in August when the new factory was not yet in full production there was another fire which was not as serious as the first although the damage was estimated at £250,000. Fire engines were sent from Featherstone, Pontefract, Castleford, Normanton and Wakefield. It took over 40 firemen two hours to control the blaze.

The general manager, Mr K J Pontin, said it was hoped to replace the roof and possibly have machinery running again in three to four weeks. Meanwhile the majority of workers would stay at Rawcliffe. The photo is from the Express.

THE AMDRAMS

For the first time for many years the Featherstone Amateur Musical and Dramatic Society put on a pantomime last December at the Lister Baths. They reported a profit of £40 on the effort.

They put on the show Rose Marie at the Lister Baths in March. The Express described it as a lively production which was enthusiastically received, and it was a well dressed production backed by a really first-class chorus.

The pantomime Mother Goose was performed at the Lister baths in December. The Express reviewer wrote it was one of the most delightful pantomimes he had ever seen. The children walking through the audience bearing lanterns and singing Christmas carols brought a lump to the throat.

THE METHODISTS

At the ceremony for the laying of the foundation stone in January for the new Methodist Church in Wilson Street, the chairman of the Leeds District, said "I think Methodism in Featherstone has shown its new trend. Once it gets this new church it will be a power in the town". The cost was £21,500 and the local Methodists were only £1,000 short with further fundraising to come.

The opening and dedication was in September. The dedication service was conducted by Revd W Walker Lee, chairman of the District. The Featherstone Methodist Minister Revd Michael Collings, thanked everyone for their support.

The church had a final cost of £23,000 which had been put together by special efforts, grants, loans and the sale of the old Methodist churches so it began its life debt free. The sale of the Purston Methodist Church would be used to repay the loans. The photo of the Featherstone Methodist minister is from the Express, and that of the church is from the Aire and Calder Methodist Circuit website.

DR DUNCAN

There was a large gathering at Purston Parish Hall in February to see Dr John Duncan presented with a cheque (amount not stated) to mark his retirement. It was presented by Cr Lily Fox who had organised it. She also presented a handbag to Mrs Duncan.

Dr Duncan said "I have been here 40 years, a small-time doctor in a small town, but I can say without contradiction, that for a small town it packs a big punch. I am amazed at the advancement that has been made over the past years due to a forward-thinking council and a great-hearted people".

TRAGEDY AT ACKTON HALL COLLIERY

One Sunday in April four Ackton Hall Colliery miners, Dennis Earley of Pontefract, Willis Fawley of Went Avenue, Gordon Goode of Went Grove and Jack Westerman of Leatham Crescent were doing maintenance work in the Haigh Moor Seam pit bottom but were in the snap cabin at the time.

The redundant upcast shaft had been filled with red shale, and over the years water had percolated into the shaft and turned the shale into slurrry. The walls put in to seal off the shaft could not withstand the hydrostatic pressure and they burst open allowing the slurry to pour into the place where the men were.

As the slurry rose around them they stood on a form and a table. Jack Westerman didn't manage it ans was engulfed by the slurry. The slurry continued rising, so they took the risk of duck under it into an adjoining cabin with a higher ceiling.

The three survivors were eventually rescued by the shaftmen and taken to the pit offices to be cleaned up, dressed in their clothes and examined by a doctor. They were all found to be fit enough to go home. The photos of the men and their wives leaving the pit offices are from the Express in descending order Mr and Mrs Earley, Mr and Mrs Goode and Mr and Mrs Fawley. The photo of Jack Westerman is from Featherstone Bygone Days.

In May the three survivors and their wives went to a miners' convalescent home. The secretary of the Ackton Hall Colliery branch of the National Union of Mineworkers, Mr T Watton, said the holiday had been arranged free of charge by the North Yorkshire Miners' Welfare Convalescent Homes in conjunction with the Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation and the NUM. The widow of Jack Westerman would go at a later date if she so wished.

The inquest was held in May. It revealed the three men were rescued by the shaftmen knocking a hole in the brick wall of the cabin they were trapped in. Colin Jacques of Jardine Avenue, said on the day after the accident he formed a chain with other men and began bucketing the sludge out. In the inner office the sludge was about 18 inches from the roof. When the level had bee reduced he dug down and found Jack Westerman's body. His foot was trapped between a form and a table which explained why the other men couldn't pull him up. A verdict of accidental death was returned.

ANNUAL REPORTS

In is report for 1967, published in March, the council's chief public health inspector, Mr J F Ellison, acknowledged there had been problems with clothes coming out of spin driers with with stains on them .He said it was because if a different water supply from Wakefield which had iron oxide in it, but the problem had now been solved.

The council built 118 new dwelling and private enterprise 30. Sixty-three houses across the district were demolished (most in Loscoe), Installation of appliances capable of burning solid smokeless fuel continued in new and improved houses. Some new houses were fitted with central heating.

The report of the medical officer of health, Dr J F Fraser said the population was 15,100. Children continued to be vaccinated against diphtheria, tetanus and poliomyelitis.

ANOTHER COMMUNITY CENTRE

A £69,000 community centre to serve 52 bungalows on the Ackton Estate was opened in April by the chairman of the council Cr F G Smith. He said the seven aged people's centres in Featherstone are wonderful pieces of architecture which are admired throughout the county.

Cr D Gray said the homes are our pride and joy. The local authority knew what the old people needed. If you can't look after the old and the young it is a poor show.

The centre had a common room, a television lounge, a kitchen and a lauderette. There was also a link to the warden's house from each of the bungalows by an intercommunication system. The photos of the kitchen and lounge are from the Express.

OLD FOLKS' FUND

For the last two years Gala the council had sold the programmes for the Gala instead of the Featherstone and District Hospital Comforts Fund and intended the proceeds to go to their Old Folks' Fund. In May there was £107 in the fund and it was decided to share it out among the 13 centres and associations in proportion to the number of old folk they catered for.

Crs Lily Fox, D Gray, F G Smith and the clerk toured the district to hand the money over. The amount varied from £5 to £17.50. The Express photo shows Mrs D Padgett at New Priory receiving a cheque for the highest amount from Cr Smith.

BUS OVERTURNS

A double-decker bus on the South Elmsall to Leeds road in May run stopped on a narrow stretch of Cutsyke Road, North Featherstone, to let a bus from Castleford pass. When it set off again it slid off the road and dropped six feet into a field and ended on its side. The driver and conductor realised what was happening and shout to the passengers to brace themselves.

Nineteen passengers were taken to hospitals in Pontefract and Castleford and were treated for shock and cuts from flying glass. The others carried on with their journey on a replacement bus.

A spokesman for the West Riding Automobile Company said the road was notorious for accidents and the cambering was terrible. The photo is from the Express.

LIFTING BARRIERS AT THE LEVEL CROSSING

British Railways informed the council in May it would be applying for consent to install manually controlled, electrically operated lifting barriers at the Station Lane level crossing. Also, the council refused permission to abandon the subway, so the superstructure would be removed.

Cr S Gasgoine said he was concerned about children being able to gain free access to the railway lines whenever the barriers were up. Cr R Widdowson said he was satisfied it was safe. The signal man could watch for children who tried to get on to the lines. Cr N Longbottom said all automatic crossings throughout the district were open and children could get on to the lines whether they were open or not.

The clerk said the other level crossings were open, and the council had one month in which to make representations.

NEW METHODIST CHURCH FUND

The annual gift day at the Wilson Street Community Centre was held in May passed the intended total of £1,000 and brought the total of the New Methodist Church Fund to within a few hundred pound of the sum needed. Revd M J Collings said he hoped when the new church was opened in would be debt free. We still need a little more for furnishings and fittings. Shown counting the day's proceeds in the Express photo from the left are Mrs Pat Simmonds, Mrs Pat Watson, Mrs Evelyn Kirby and Mrs Jessie Johnstone.

A YOUTH CENTRE?

At a Council meeting in May Cr G Holt asked if a meeting had been arranged with youth leaders or if any suitable premises had been found for a youth centre. The clerk said a room above the Green Lane WMC had been suggested but this was not acceptable to the youth leaders. Cr Holt replied he did not want youth coupled up with the clubs, they needed a place of their own.

Cr R Widdowson asked if the disused Co-operative Society building in Green Lane could be turned into a temporary youth centre. Obviously the youth needed a proper centre, but that building could prove highly suitable in the meantime.

Cr Widdowson told the Express it would be large enough to fit the bill, but he did not know how much it would cost to convert the premises. A second possibility was the other Co-operative Society store in Station Lane. We have got to get this job cracking for the youth because the Social Service Centre will have to come down soon in order to complete the Green Lane housing scheme. The photo is from the Express.

It was then announced St Peter's Mission Church in Green Lane would close at the end of July and that was suggested as a possibility, but in October a firm applied for permission to have light industry or housing on the site.

That didn't happen, and in December the clerk said the church authorities were prepared to negotiate a sale with the district valuer. But Mr H J Taylor of Green Lane, who owned property adjacent to the site, He said without the most stringent supervision the scheme would become misery to the many people living in the vicinity. A meeting between all interested parties was suggested so planning permission could be granted.

SAVED BABY FROM FIRE

Last November Mrs Marjorie Hall of Stanley Street discovered a fire in a bedroom where her five months old daughter Christine was. The room was full of smoke with flames round the fireplace so she summoned help. Mr Frederick Bell, also of Stanley Street, was unable to see through the thick smoke so he felt his way round the room until he located the cot. He rescued the child and she was taken to hospital. He then tackled the fire with the aid of Mr Stainburn until the arrival of the Fire Service.

In May he was presented with a certificate on behalf of the Society for the Protection of Life from Fire by the chairman of the West Riding Magistrates at Pontefract, Mr F C Howdle.

LEATHAM PARK ROAD

Mr B Walker of No.36 Leatham Park Road sent a letter to the council in June about the lack of amenities. He listed six necessities which were:

1 A public telephone

2 A bus service for the estate and Little Lane

3 A general store

4 A fish and chip shop

5 A club for the estate

6 Seats at given points on the hill

He said his proposals were only the needs of modern living to make tenants happy and contented. He told the Express he regarded the area as "The Legion of the Lost". (A phrase from the 1800s meaning those who are cast out, destitute or abandoned). All the other estates have buses running through them and this one hasn't. By the time you have been down to the telephone near the Travellers' Hotel someone could have died.

THE GALA

The annual Gala was held in Purston Park in June. The event began with a procession from Cressey's Corner led by the Pontefract and District Caledonian Society Pipe Band and the councillors. A tractor pulled the float carrying the Queen, Lynn Gummerson of Streethouse, and her attendants. Pupils from Ann's School of Dancing gave a display on a lorry which was following the float, and fancy dress competitors made up the rear.

For the first time it was decided to hold a schoolboy's seven-a-side rugby league competition and the response was very good.

PURSTON CHURCH OF ENGLAND SCHOOL

At the October meeting of the Pontefract Divisional Education Executive Cr J H Livesey said George Street School was falling down, and Purston C of E School was like another Black Hole of Calcutta. There is not another school around here half as bad by any standards.

Mrs E M Townsend said the Purston governors felt there was a desperate need for a new school. There was no school hall, outside toilets, only one toilet for a mixed staff; children had to cross a busy road for physical training and school meals; they had to pass through other classrooms while work was going on, and the only heating was from coke stoves.

The divisional education officer, Mr E Johnson, said within the available estimates we will see what we can do. Cr Livesey said rehabilitation would cost more than a new building. The chairman, Ald J Blackburn, said the education problems of Featherstone should be considered to be the number one priority of the Executive, and it was left to Mr Johnson to take matters up with the county council.

The headmaster, Mr Ronald Barstead, told the Express despite all the disadvantages of the school, we have maintained a very high academic standard. Yet I am sure the children would benefit from better surroundings. The facts mentioned at the meeting illustrate the need for a new school. It was unfortunate the phrase Black Hole of Calcutta was used, although I realise the man was sincere about what he was saying. There is a happy atmosphere here, but I hope that with these disadvantages coming to light, we will get a new school.

The Vicar of Purston, Revd R H Taylor, said if we are asking for some priority in this case, it is because the facts stand up to prove that we need it.

ABRAHAM BULLOCK

Abraham Bullock age 81 of South Close, Park Lane, died in October. He was one of the founders of the Bullock and Sons transport business which began in the days of the horse and then converted to motorised transport with first charabancs and then buses. They had nearly 200 buses when they sold out to West Riding Automobile Company.

He became president of Featherstone Rovers in 1937 when the club was in a perilous position, and was able to change the policy of selling players to survive. His biggest regret was being unable, because of medical matters, to attend the two Rovers Cup Finals at Wembley in 1952 and 1967. He paid for the ground's popular side Bullock Stand, and for committee and refreshment rooms.

He was president of the Featherstone Amateur Musical and Dramatic Society and the St John Ambulance Brigade.

A memorial service was held in Featherstone Methodist Church. Revd M J Collings said "Featherstone is richer because he lived and worked here. Mr Bullock did many things, all of them quietly. We are in this new church tonight because when we wanted to buy the site it was to Mr Bullock and his nephew, Mr Reg Bullock we turned and they spoke on our behalf. Wealth did not change him and he used his money well to serve the local community. In later years he suffered more than many people knew, but he suffered quietly". The photo is from Ron Bailey's book Featherstone Rovers Rugby League Club.

THE POLICE

The police decided on a new system in December whereby districts would be split into area patrolled 24 hours a day by Panda cars with distinctive police signs. There would also be residential officers who would work from their own homes and be in close and friendly touch with all who lived and worked on their beats.

People who were in need of assistance or service, or who wished to pass on information, could contact their own officer, or stop any of the mobile patrols, or telephone Pontefract Police Station. All the officers would have their own radio.

The local areas were:

Purston - PC Gordon Storr of Huntwick Crescent

Featherstone - PC Terrence Sitdown of Huntwick Crescent

Ackton - PC Harry Clarke of Castleford Lane

North Featherstone - not yet chosen

The photo is from barons-auctions website.

1968 NEWS ITEMS

JANUARY Ever since it opened there were problems with buses setting down and picking up pupils at St Wilfrid's Catholic High School. In an attempt to solve the problem the Roman Catholic Leeds Diocese said it was willing to give up an area of land in front of St Wilfrid's Convent.

About 300 parishioners and visitors attended Purston Parish Church to see Revd R H Taylor instituted as Vicar of Purston. The ceremony was performed by the Rural Dean of Pontefract and Rector of Ackworth Canon A F Armstrong.

Cr Norman Longbottom had been fund raising to provide a guide dog for Paul Leake of De Lacy Avenue, North Featherstone. He had reached the £300 target so he handed over a bankbook to Paul who would now leave for Bolton for a month's training with his dog which he would then bring home to Featherstone. There was money left with more promised, so it would go towards another guide dog.

Revd M J Collings approached the county council with a proposal to convert the community centre in Wilson Street into an open youth centre (not just for Methodists). The estimated cost was £11,000. Mr L Bullock of the Miners' Welfare Boys' Club said the Scout hut (the Social Service Centre) is coming down, the Welfare is in a bad state and something wants doing.

FEBRUARY Former councillor Tommy Morgan of Manor Drive, North Featherstone, attended a function at the Old Featherstone WMC where he received an automatic alarm and tea-maker in appreciation of his services on the council as the North-West Ward representative. It was subscribed to by his colleagues and friends in that ward.

The annual dinner of the Featherstone and Purston Cricket, Tennis and Bowling club was held at the Green Lane WMC. The chairman of the council said the Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation had asked the council to take over the maintenance of the ground. He said it would mean that instead of it being available to just the club and employees of the colliery, it would be open to everybody in the town. The president said he was disappointed the new pavilion promised by CISWO had not yet got underway. Cr Smith said he would do all he could to ensure a successful outcome.

MARCH There was an Easter bonnet parade at the Green Lane Community Centre for old people. Afterwards Mark Stanley, Derek Davis and Basil Phillips gave a concert which was greatly enjoyed. The photo is from the Express.

APRIL The West Riding Education Committee reported preliminary plans had been approved for the proposed junior school in George Street.

MAY Members of South Featherstone Gospel Hall added the new old folk's centre at Ackton to the places they visited.

The Featherstone and District Hospital Comforts Fund had lost the right to sell programmes for the annual Gala, but they were told they could use the Purston Park pavilion to sell light refreshments during the season, and could also have stalls at the Gala.

JUNE The precinct in Station Lane remained boarded up two years after it was built. The new agents, Anthony J Blaza of Pontefract, said one of the reasons was probably because the first agents were a firm in Newcastle who could hardly be expected to travel to Featherstone each time someone showed interest. The rents had now been reduced by half.

Nearly 200 people crowded into New Priory community room for the 100th service on old people's homes held by the South Featherstone Gospel Hall.

The West Riding Power Boat Regatta was staged at Purston Park. Featherstone Model Power Boat Club won the trophy provided by a Bradford Newspaper in its first season. Ackton Hall Colliery Workmen's band added to the proceedings.

JULY Youths were climbing over the wall of the George Street Junior Mixed School at weekends and playing cricket. Some windows had been broken.

St Peter's Mission Church in Green Lane was due to close at the end of the month and the possibility of it being used for a youth centre was raised. The vicar, Revd R A Nelson said no decision would be made until after the church had closed and the Church Council had met. There was also the possibility of acquiring the Salvation Army Hall. A price of £400 had been quoted. The church was closed because of increasing overhead costs. It was estimated £1,700 was needed to remedy dry rot.

The members of Featherstone Methodist Church Male Voice Choir were given permission to use the town's coat-of-arms on their ties.

The "Tall Yorkshire Tent" was in Huntwick Road. Mr George Tryon, in co-operation with Yorkshire Tent and Bible Carriage Trust, and the South Featherstone Gospel Hall, had been preaching the gospel to all age groups. After ten days the total attendance had passed 1,000. A group from Leicestershire paid a visit.

On the last night after five weeks about 150 children and parents attended. Throughout the period a large number of copies of the Bible, the New Testament, mystery treasure bags, books and small prizes were given away. The Gospel Hall said they had gained between 30 and 40 new Sunday School pupils.

SEPTEMBER The annual yearly flower and vegetable show was held at the Clock Cafe by the Featherstone and District Horticultural Society. There were 200 items from 22 exhibitors and an extra room had to be used to accommodate them all.

The now redundant Wakefield Road Methodist Church was to be sold to the Salvation Army for £1,650. The Welfare Hall was reported as being sold to Alexander Rose Ltd for £9,000.

Thieves stole part of the lightning conductor from All Saints' Church tower, from the ground to has far as they could reach.

For a month 20 members of the Purston Church Youth Club spent their spare time painting and redecorating the church hall. Members of the women's sewing group made new curtains.

OCTOBER The West Riding Education Committee said it would seek compulsory purchase powers for land required to extend George Street Primary School. The properties were in George Street, Wakefield Road, Phipps Street and Chapel Street.

Featherstone Miners' Welfare Youth Club held their last meeting in the Welfare Hall under their leader Mr L Bullock. They had been there for about 30 years. The Old Age Pensioners' Association decided to move to St Gerrard's RC recreation room. The Miners' Welfare Hall then closed as a community centre. The photo is from Featherstone Bygone Days on Facebook.

Ackton Hall Colliery began offering redundancy to miners over 60 years old. Eighteen were due to leave this month.

A management committee was formed by the council, the Welfare trustees and CISWO to take over the running of the Miners' Welfare recreation ground which included the cricket field. The council would take over responsibility for the ground and the groundsman.

Ken Varley of Cutsyke was granted a betting licence for new premises at Market Street. He said his premises at Green Lane would be closed and that licence surrendered.

British Rail wanted to do some track replacing which would involve the Halfpenny Lane and cricket field level crossings. There was no legal way to close the footpaths, so a man would be stationed at each crossing to warn people.

Gavin Nicholson age 3 of Southfield Avenue went to the sewage works near his home with Gary Whiting, also age 3, who lived next door. Apparently Gavin climbed over the side of a tank and fell into six feet of water and drowned. The council told the inquest posts and barbed wire would be put round to prevent a reoccurred.

NOVEMBER A fashion show was held in Purston Parish Church Hall for the benefit of the church. Mrs K Stanley of Station Lane provided the fashions and women members of the church were the models.

The usual Remembrance Day parade was led by the Ackton Hall Colliery Workmen's Band. A stop was made at the colliery's War Memorial where a service was conducted by the Salvation Army's Captain Philpot. The service at the Purston War Memorial was conducted by Revd R H Taylor. Afterwards the council chairman took the salute.

The annual combined effort by the working men's clubs raised £99 for the Featherstone and District Hospital Comforts Fund. Mr W Bingley, the fund's chairman, said it was a grand effort which would give great pleasure to hospital patients in the near future.

DECEMBER The governors of St Wilfrid's High School told the Pontefract Divisional Education Executive they were not in favour of a proposal to use some land in front of the convent as a setting-down area for the school buses. They suggested the question should be examined with the plans for extending the school.

Mr T Watton, secretary of the Ackton Hall Colliery branch of the NUM discounted rumours about a visit of the director and chairman of the North Yorkshire Area of the NCB being about the closure of the colliery. He said it was about inspecting the effect of the mechanisation programme started last September and expected to be completed in March.

The Salvation Army held a Christmas sale and concert in the former Wakefield Road Methodist Church which they wanted to buy. Revd M J Collings said the deal had not been completed but they had let the Featherstone Corps take over the church while negotiations were taking place.

Jaglin Sports FC was formed to play matches in Purston Park on Sundays. The photo of a training session is from the Express.

The cricket club's annual New Year's Eve dance in the Lister Baths Hall was poorly attended with only about 200 there.