A HISTORY OF FEATHERSTONE
1960
THE COUNCIL
JANUARY There was a Local Government Commission considering local area boundaries. The council decided not to meet with Normanton Council because there was not sufficient common interest. Several councillors expressed concern at being absorbed by a bigger entity. An application to apply for £70,584 fir improvements to Featherstone Square and Nostell View would be made. The new street lighting system would be extended from Green Lane to the cemetery.
Following a report on disturbances around the cloakrooms at the Lister Baths in which several people had lost coats it was decided all organisations appoint capable people to take charge of the cloakrooms; steps be taken to prevent the public entering the cloakrooms; and attendances be limited to 800.
Permission was granted for Jays and Campbells (Holdings) Ltd to use the first floor of the Green Lane Working Men's Club. The photo of the club by Betty Longbottom shows the upstairs room at the club.
Following a report on disturbances around the cloakrooms at the Lister Baths in which several people had lost coats it was decided all organisations appoint capable people to take charge of the cloakrooms; steps be taken to prevent the public entering the cloakrooms; and attendances be limited to 800.
Permission was granted for Jays and Campbells (Holdings) Ltd to use the first floor of the Green Lane Working Men's Club. The photo of the club by Betty Longbottom shows the upstairs room at the club.
The council objected to a proposal by the head postmaster of Pontefract to close Featherstone Post Office and change it to Post Office counter business on an agency basis.
Because of the danger from shale being dropped in Wakefield Road from lorries removing it from the muckstack, the contractors were warned, and the police informed.
FEBRUARY Members of Ackworth Parish Council came to Featherstone to discuss a proposal to join the Featherstone Urban District. The layout of a Catholic secondary modern school was approved. An alternative route for the Girnhill Lane to West Hardwick footpath was approved as all trace of the original footpath had disappeared.
After consulting the tenants, it was decided to rename Featherstone Square as Lister Road, and the 22 proposed new houses would be Lister Close. Once again there were reports of vandalism in Purston Park and to street lamps.
THE ROVERS
Because of the danger from shale being dropped in Wakefield Road from lorries removing it from the muckstack, the contractors were warned, and the police informed.
FEBRUARY Members of Ackworth Parish Council came to Featherstone to discuss a proposal to join the Featherstone Urban District. The layout of a Catholic secondary modern school was approved. An alternative route for the Girnhill Lane to West Hardwick footpath was approved as all trace of the original footpath had disappeared.
After consulting the tenants, it was decided to rename Featherstone Square as Lister Road, and the 22 proposed new houses would be Lister Close. Once again there were reports of vandalism in Purston Park and to street lamps.
Cr T Morgan said it was noticed many tenants, faced with an eviction order, cleared their arrears at the last minute. He said if they can pay at the last minute they can pay sooner. Some magistrates considered they were being used as rent collectors. It was disclosed that some tenants had taken in lodgers without the permission of the council. This must be disclosed so the appropriate rent increase could be made.
Purston Park Bowling Club were granted exclusive use of the park bowling green.
MARCH It was agreed to put in the 1960-61 estimates a plan to extend the new street lighting to all the remaining stretches of main roads.
An application by the Featherstone and Purston Welfare Cricket, Tennis and Bowling Club to hire the Lister Hall on December 31 was refused, as applications were to be invited by advertisement. This was because some organisations were complaining the cricket club and Rovers had a monopoly on Boxing Day and New Year's Eve.
APRIL The floor at the Baths was no longer safe for dancing and would be replaced. The council was still concerned about the spillage of red shale being removed day and night by contractors from the tips between Commonside Lane and Station Lane. Cr J Harper said the worst affected area was near the Junction Hotel. No sooner was it cleared than it appeared again. He said it was most dangerous for cyclists.
The Head Postmaster explained the reasons for the suggested change of the post office from a Crown Office to a Scale-payment Office. Demolition notices were served for Aberdeen Terrace, Ackton Village, Henry Street and Back Henry Street. An offer of £15 by Messrs Massarella for the sole right to sell ice cream in Purston Park was accepted. Steps would be taken to improved the water supply in Ackworth Road, Wellgarth Road and The Green.
MAY The park staff were having difficulty with youths abusing facilities and threatening staff. It was decided to renovate "Cosy Corner" and provide newspapers and periodicals. No objections would be made to the proposed changes at the post office.
It was agreed to approve a development plan for Station Lane subject to the area between Fearnley Street and Wilson Street being reserved for residential accommodation instead of a market and car park. The contractors removing the spoil heaps were to replace windows broken in Featherstone Square by blasting.
The council elections were held two days early because the Saturday date clashed with the Ruby League Cup Final at Wembley. The Tenants and Ratepayers Association contested all wards. The results were:
North-West Ward Jessie Brabbs (Labour) 812 P Brook (T and R) 295
Central Ward F B Dyson (Labour) 708 T Wilks (T and R) 359
South Ward J Harper (Labour) 799 B Smith (T and R) 295
East Ward W Marsh (T and R) 821 H Roberts (Labour) 803
Labour gained one seat so the council was now Labour eight, Tenants and Ratepayers four. At the annual meeting Cr Lily Fox was elected chairman.
After initial troubles with the improvements scheme for Featherstone Square and Nostell View, the contractor gave an assurance the work would be completed at the rate of five houses in two weeks, and no house would have a longer disturbance than three or four weeks. It was decided to provide outside coal bunkers so that the proposed internal coal houses could be used as general stores.
The surveyor was asked to deal with a problem with mice probably though ventilation holes under doors, and also to report on the condition of the prefab bungalows and prepare a layout plan for redeveloping the site.
JUNE A tender of £33,700 from Harlow and Milner Ltd to build 22 houses in Featherstone Square was accepted, and work would start immediately. The council backtracked on it decision about dances at the Lister Hall and said the organisations could keep the same dates as in previous years.
JULY After an allegation of theft at the Lister Baths it was decided to ban the use of articles for under water swimming such as flippers, snorkels and goggles. The chiropody service for old age pensioners and handicapped people was underused. Cr Harper said people were not using the service because they did not know about it.
The riding of motorcycles in Purston Park would be referred to the police. Cr T A Worsfold had inspected a proposed playing area behind the Green Lane bungalows. He said it would take a tremendous amount of money to carry out the necessary work.
Because of the cost involved in collecting insurances for television aerials on council houses it was decided to discontinue the charge.
SEPTEMBER Demolition notices were served on the owners of houses in Green Lane. For Purston Park estimates would be prepared for a bowling green pavilion and two hard tennis courts.
The Radio Relay Service wanted to provide a combined sound and vision service and offered to pay to the council 9s a year for every subscriber on both, and 4s a year for sound only.
The council were to pay half the cost of fencing the vicarage field, and agreed to fence the bridge over the beck.
OCTOBER It was agreed to lay a new 12 inch water main from the water tower to Green Lane. On reports the resurfaced Jubilee footpath was being damaged by a heavy vehicle, the allotment tenants would be told posts would be erected at the eastern end of Victoria Street.
NOVEMBER It was agreed in principle standard garages could be erected behind premises in Featherstone Square and Nostell View, but application must be made to the council. To provide boundaries on housing estates 15,000 quickthorn plants would be bought.
If there were more incidents at dances in the Lister Hall it would be closed. Cr Bessie Major said there was deep concern about the disturbances, and the council realised closing the baths in the winter months would deprive many voluntary organisations of their lifeblood, but it might be compelled to do so.
She also condemned vandalism in Purston Park. She said we have a place of beauty, full of amenities, and in return we have nothing but sheer hooliganism and vandalism. We have got to such a stage it can no longer be tolerated. Prosecution seems to be the only way.
DECEMBER The previous decision for garages at Featherstone Square and Nostell View was rescinded. The council would now build nine concrete garages on a Central island. The windows allegedly broken by blasting on the muckstacks would be replaced and the tenants charged half cost. The tenants in Arundel Street had complained about the condition of their houses.
The council decided to ask the West Riding County Council for a Thursday election day again. Cr A J Davies said "I don't suppose anyone can quarrel with a majority Party decision to hold elections at a time they consider most favourable to them, but to pretend otherwise (to avoid the Rugby League Cup Final) is sheer hypocrisy and a travesty of the facts. It was unfair for candidates and their helpers to have to take time off work for a mid-week election. Fewer helpers and cars were available, and many aged and handicapped could not be conveyed.
The percentage vote last year was 51, and the heavy rain was blamed. But in 1958 on a Saturday, it also rained and the percentage was 60, representing nearly 700 more voters.
Cr H Wright said if Featherstone Rovers reached the final again the town would be deserted. Cr H Woodcock said If the Ratepayers' Association had enjoyed a sweeping success last year they would have been delighted to have Thursday elections again.
PUBLIC HEALTH ANNUAL REPORT
The chief public health inspector, Mt J F Ellison, gave his annual report in September. He wrote regarding the Clean Air Act, in a district where so many people work at the collieries, it is obvious some fair agreement must be reached about concessionary coal. He noted that badly-maintained diesel engines gave off black smoke on the roads.
During 1959 the council built 76 houses , and 14 houses and five bungalows were built by private enterprise. The total built since 1946 were council houses 1,066 and private enterprise 271.
The medical officer of health, Dr J Fraser, said the principle cause of death in 1959 was again heart disease. It was a high measles year with 268 cases. There were 49 in 1958 and 474 in 1957.
GIRNHILL LANE INFANTS' SCHOOL
The Girnhill Lane Infants' School was officially opened in April by Cr J Harper. He recalled it was the first one to be opened in the town since South Featherstone Modern School was opened 30 years ago. He hoped it would be the forerunner of others.
He thought the foremost requirement of education was a proper place in which to work, and that meant new buildings. He hoped it would soon be possible to provide a nursery class so that mothers who wished to go out to work could do so. "Let us provide the opportunity for every one to do as they wish".
The chairman of the West Riding County Council, Ald W M Hyman, urged the mothers to visit the school regularly to see their children at work, and to observe the miraculous changes which had taken place in teaching technique. The photo is a Frith postcard.
The annual meeting was held at the Miners' Welfare Institute in June. The financial secretary, Mr A Greaves, said there was a profit of £1,511 on the season and a bank overdaft of £1,203. Receipts since the accounts were closed for the year, mainly from the Joint Supporters' Club weekly competition, had cleared the overdraft, and the club, probably for the first time in its history, had a credit balance.
The secretary, Mr R Bailey, said the club was in its most prosperous financial position since it entered senior football in 1921, and had also had its finest playing season. Forty-seven senior matches were the highest number ever played, the Yorkshire Cup was won, and the Australian tourists were beaten.
Referring to the resignation of the previous chairman, Mr R H Jackson, he said "We shall never forget the efforts of Mr Jackson which helped the club to reach its present standard".
The new chairman, Mr J Jepson, also mentioned the resignation of Mr Jackson, and said it must have been a hard decision to make, but he would not change his mind, and the club had lost a very good friend.
DR MARJORIE RETIRES
In September Dr Marjorie Steven retired. She was the daughter of Dr William Steven who came to Featherstone from Leatham in Scotland in 1890. She trained in Edinburgh and then joined her father.
She then went into partnership with Drs J Duncan, T Gardner and J P Falkingham. When the last named went to New Zealand in 1957, Dr J Gatecliff joined the partnership. Dr Steven was succeeded by DR N M Harland. The Express commented "Featherstone without a Dr Steven will indeed seem a strange place".
Revd R A Nelson wrote in the Featherstone Parish Church magazine "The family has been held in great affection by countless families in Featherstone for all its selfless service and care for all. I am sure what the family has been and done in the life of Featherstone will be remembered and cherished for many years to come".
Dr Marjorie, as she was known to thousands to distinguish her from her father, wrote a letter to the Express. "On leaving Featherstone to live in Cornwall, I would like to take this opportunity of saying goodbye and thanking everyone for their good wishes and lovely gifts. I would like to express my thanks to patients and friends in Featherstone for the most handsome gift of a writing bureau, and in Streethouse for a very beautiful handbag. I shall treasure them all. I take with me the happy memories of my life and work here. With good wishes to everyone. Marjorie Steven".
THE MUCKSTACKS CYCLOCROSS
Featherstone Road Club hosted a cyclocross event in November for the West Yorkshire Cyclocross Association. The Rovers allowed their ground to be used for refreshments and its amenities. The circuit was the western part of Green Lane and round the Featherstone Main Colliery muckstacks. There were crowds of spectators all round the route and those at the start saw 63 riders sprint 100 yards to their bikes.
The race was five laps and Featherstone's Barry Lycett was the winner. His colleagues D K Mounty won the rear light for coming last, and J Price got the prize for the muddiest rider. Stan Dawson was working his way through the riders in front of him when he suffered a puncture. The photo below of Barry Lycett was uploaded to Featherstone Bygone Days by Sam Spragg and that underneath of Stan Dawson is from the internet.
1960 NEWS ITEMS
JANUARY Mr J Hobbs, a butcher in Green Lane, retired after 40 years because of ill-health. He took over the business from his uncle, George Dobson, who had it for 20 years.
FEBRUARY At the cricket club's annual meeting held at the Junction Hotel, a profit on the season of £40 was reported, mainly due to the success of the knock-out competition. But the playing results were poor. The Yorkshire County team only won three of their 18 matches.
The West Riding County Council bought the site recommended for the proposed Roman Catholic secondary school for £1,800, and agreed to fence off the site.
At a Joint Supporters' Club dance in the Lister Hall Dorothy Fitton age 18 of Normanton was chosen as "Miss Featherstone Rovers".
APRIL The Featherstone Amateur Musical and Dramatic Society put on Oklahoma at the Miners' Welfare Hall. Any profits were for the National Operatic Cancer Relief Fund.
The Featherstone and District Hospital Comforts Fund provided Easter eggs for all the child patients at Ackton and Headlands Hospitals.
After a break, the annual dinner of the Cricket Club was revived and held at the Junction Hotel. Unlike the dinners of previous years the speech making was reduced to a minimum, and most of the evening was devoted to entertainment. The Miners' Welfare were thanked for providing a new motor roller.
MAY Frederick Walker age 54 of Pontefract was killed by a fall of roof at Ackton Hall Colliery.
Rogation Sunday, not often observed locally, was revived at Featherstone Parish Church. After Evensong a procession walked through Fairfax Avenue to the open country and asked for God's blessing on the crops. On the return journey stops were made and blessings sought on the homes and industries.
A fault at the North Featherstone sub-station caused an outage for two hours. Ackton Hospital relied on a portable generating set, and a visiting BBC unit for the programme Points North had to wait until the power was back on.
Three lorry drivers and two employers (none from Featherstone) were fined for carrying insecure loads of red shale from Ackton Hall Colliery's dirt tip. The Bench remarked it was very pleased to see the police taking action in this matter, which was becoming a nuisance.
JUNE The death occurred of William Sawyer age 86 of Field House, Purston. He was well known as a builder in Snydale and then Purston. He was made a life member of Featherstone Rovers after many years as a committee member. The photo of his house on Ackworth Road is from the Dr J Gatecliff Collection.. The photo of the name plate he put over his front door is a personal one.
The three Methodist churches, Purston, Wakefield Road and Wilson Street, met to consider amalgamating into one society. The principle was approved, and the individual congregations were to discuss details. A joint service (also including Featherstone Lane Church) was held at Purston Methodist Church.
An Act of Parliament said churches should be surveyed once every five years. The one at Purston Church showed repairs costing £500 were necessary. The National Coal Board agreed to contribute as some of the damage was caused by subsidence.
The annual outing organised by the Green Lane Working Men's Club needed three trains to take 1,600 people to Bridlington. More than half were children who received £1 to spend plus sweets, mineral water and crisps.
JULY The Featherstone and Purston Sunday Schools movement held its 12th annual demonstration and gala in Purston Park. The queen was Ann March of Wilson Street Methodists who was congratulated by the retiring queen, Emmeline Baker of the Salvation Army.
Barry Atack of Leatham Crescent was driving along Wakefield Road when he hit one of the newly erected bollards at the bottom of Station Lane. His car burst into flames and he was immediately rescued by people nearby. Firemen had to use foam to put the fire out.
AUGUST James Kirton of Back Duke Street was driving along Went Lane when he ran into the ditch. He and his two passengers, Edward Tartt of Priory Road and Roy Barker of Station Lane, escaped unhurt. The car was left there on its side and four hours later it burst into flames and was a write off.
SEPTEMBER The secretary of the Featherstone Hospital Comforts Committee, Mr F G Smith, tendered his resignation because of ill health, but agreed to carry on until a successor was found. It was agreed to install a new type of big-screen television in a ward at Ackton Hospital at an estimated cost of £120. The patients would have individual headphones.
OCTOBER The Ratepayers Association began publication of a monthly news sheet delivered by hand to every house and farm.
The annual meeting of the British Legion noted the membership had fallen by about 20 members during the year, and the membership was below the 200 mark for the first time in many years.
Purston suffered a 25 minutes electricity cut when a sub-station tripped. An examination of the line showed no cause so the power was restored. Some foreign body on the line caused a short circuit was the official explanation.
NOVEMBER The annual meeting of the Featherstone Amateur Musical and Dramatic Society reported a loss of £90 on the year which was put down to the high cost of production and royalties. A proposal to have a weekly football competition was turned down on the grounds it did not comply with the aims and the cultural well being of the society. Next year's production would be Showboat.
The Featherstone Hospital Comforts Committee launched an appeal for £720 so that independent sound (headphones) could be installed at Ackton Hospital for the televisions. It would be possible to add a relay service from the Rovers home games.
Remembrance Day was observed as usual with services at the Ackton Hall Colliery Memorial and the Purston War Memorial.
DECEMBER The brass band of South Featherstone Secondary Modern School went to Purston Church Hall to accompany carol singing by pupils of Purston School. An oak hymn board was presented to the church by the band. The band is pictured here with Mr T Sellers, conductor of the Ackton Hall and Snydale Collieries' Band. A photo uploaded by Jacky Robinson to Facebook.
