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History of Mosborough - David English |
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| People of Note of the 20th Century The next few pages will be given over to Mosborough people who come to mind either by achievement or character during the current century. Few would disagree that "Fab" Ashley would not take the pride of place. His full name was Fabian Ashley and he was bom in 1874 and died in 1953. Whilst still at the village school he was first summoned for poaching and over the years he perfected his skill, being taken to court many times, by the Sitwells of Renishaw Hall. They of course owned most of the land in Mosborough and Eckington in those days. He was such a thorn in their side that they made him the gamekeeper over all the vast Sitwell estate. In his early poaching days he had an apt pupil in "Bucket" Newton who he ironically prosecuted 28 times later on in his gamekeeper capacity. Well known in the pubs he could certainly tell a tale for the odd pint or so and he often entertained the company with his pet ferret "Henry the Hustler". He was trained to climb up Fab's trousers on to his jacket, then his shoulders to give him a loving kiss. Fab was capable of mimicking the sounds of all birds and mammals and was even able to call up the pheasants out of the woods. Indeed some people said he even knew some of them by name. His skill was legendary in both making and using poaching nets. Two of his rabbit "long liners" were over a hundred yards long whilst his partridge nets could ensnare a dozen birds at a time. Quite skilled in taxidermy he had a collection of badger, fox and other skins suitably stuffed, mounted and in show cases. hi the closing years of his life he was a striking figure in his Norfolk jacket, breeches, brogues and deerstalker hat. His moustache was always waxed and it was said he put rouge on his face to redden his complexion, m fact he looked more like a village squire than an ex-poacher turned gamekeeper. However it is his tales that will live on. I have been given dozens but will quote just two. "Fab" and "Bucket Newton" were walking on High Street one day when a funeral cortege approached. "Oo's dead" said Bucket, "im in't box" replied Fab. He spread the story around that a nightingale used to sing in a certain tree in Ridgeway Church Yard around 11 o'clock at night. People, mainly Sheffielders, used to come to hear this rare sound. Some young lads though spoilt the fun and started throwing stones up the tree. The singing stopped abruptly and a head popped out of the foliage near the tree-top and shouted "If you don't stop pelting stones up here there'll be no more nightingale tonight" What a character he was!
"Bucket" Newton 1886-1958 The son of a collier "Bucket" went to the old Village School until he was 12. Whilst he was still there "Fab" Ashley used to fetch him out of school to assist him in poaching. A familiar sight in the village with his wooden snuff box and silver watch chain he treasured these which were presented to him by members of the old Coronation Club on South Street, he being a founder member. His favourite pub was The Alma and a caricature of him hung in the tap room of the pub. This was drawn by Heap, the cartoonist of "The Telegraph and Star". His large hands enabled him to shuffle dominoes with magical effect and he was hard to beat when playing for money. He was known locally as the Domino King. Quite a bit of a boxer in his younger days, his favourite hobby was whippet racing. He was also a keen walker always very conveniently timing his walk to finish on "opening time" at the local. Years ago the Mooney Gang were feared in Sheffield so "Bucket", Billy Levick, Pudgy Williamson and others went to Sheffield to sort them out. Many threats and abuse abounded on both sides but no blows were struck - guns and knives were not in vogue in those days. A collier all his working life from 12 to 66 he started work at Seldom Shaft which linked to Westwell pit. Always chasing the money he worked at the following pits - Beighton, Holbrook, Westthorpe, Waleswood, Elsecar, Edlington, Brodsworth and Hickleton. He sported a very large nose which was often the source of many jokes and he often used its size in joke form in his pub sessions. Well known in the tap rooms where he drank and gambled on a very regular basis.
Turners Ice Cream "Lot" Turner was born in 1905, his full name was Lawrence Turner, kindly supplied me with all the history of the family business. "Lucky Bill" Turner was an inveterate gambler, hence his nickname, was a
collier but actually left the pit for a year and lived off his winnings. Eventually he
went back down the pit, got the sack, bought a horse and "tub" trap, a somewhat
crude freezing contraption that required ice to be brought from Sheffield and set up an
ice cream business which was also sold from the shop at the "Comets" were then a half-penny and wafers a penny, this was in 1919. Later on another horse pulled vehicle was bought, business flourished and sons Howard and "Lol" came into the firm. Vans were acquired and at one time there was a fleet of seven. The first van was bought in 1936 and was a second hand Morris Cowley of 1928 vintage. Pony stables at the rear of the shop were converted into ice cream making premises and garage space as the business became much larger. One pony and ice-cream trap did however continue in service up to 1940. Later on Howard took an interest in bookmaking and "Lol" had more time in the business, along with Howard's son, called Howard and his grandson also named Howard. In 1964 the premises were again enlarged to comply with new health regulations for the manufacture of ice cream. This was the heyday of the firm and then it went on the decline mainly due to government imposed manufacturing regulations and ice cream making finished in the 1980's. It was delicious ice cream and won many local and national awards, including a gold medal at Olympian 1936. "Lol" Turner lived on into his 90's and was well known and respected. "Lydia" Remembers" Still having a remarkably keen memory and of a sprightly disposition, still not needing glasses, Lydia Plant was born in Cadman Street in 1905 and lived there until 1998. Often referred to as "New Street" Cadman Street was not surfaced properly until the 1950's when it was "made up". Before she even started school she recalls taking, with her brother Ivan, Mr. Buxton's lunch to Worral's pit at the bottom of Hollow Lane. Mr. Buxton also ran a grocers shop on Cadman Street, now it is a hairdressing business. When Lydia started at the village school, where incidentally she had a full attendance record for all her school life. Mr. Holmes was headmaster and Mrs. Groves was in charge of the infants. Pupils were seated at long desks that has places for six. Slates were used for writing and "doing sums", but later on ink pots were slotted into holes on the desk. These ink pots were topped up by the ink monitors. Wooden pen holders that housed the nibs (144 in a box) were dished out only when a nib became crossed. Discipline was strict and Mr Butcher, the school bobby used to chase up absentees on horseback. Both scholars and parents were scared of him. Lydia remembers the Electra in Eckington with its silent films. Admission was a penny or two pence with piano accompaniment thrown in. "Stars" of the day were Ruth Roland, always the heroine, Charlie Chaplin and the Keystone Cops. The only Fish and Chip Shop in her early days was on Chapel Street where Tony Buxtons is now. Fish was a penny and chips in a conical wrapper just a half-penny. The owner then was Mr. Thorley. Games in the School Yard at play-time included skipping, battledore and shuttlecock, diabolo, snobs, whip and top, conkers in the season, marbles and chariots. Lydia recalls the village men who went to war in 1914-18, many never to return, and she saw a Zeppelin gleaming in the moonlight toward Sheffield. After the war she saw the Trinity Institute and Church Institute being built in the 1920's. The centre of village life was the old School, auctions, whist drives, meetings, jumble sales (called rummage sales in those days) and dances with violin and piano accompaniment. In the late 1920's she heard her first wireless with the old cat's whisker tuner and earphones - loud speakers came later on. Colliers were hardly recognisable coming home from work - no pit baths and no bathrooms at that time. The old tin bath, before the fire, sufficed for most. She remembers over sixty shops in the village and the galas for Eckington Feast with decorated vehicles, wagonettes and Sunday School processions. Along came the second World War of 1939-45 men went to fight (women too) and once again many did not return. Time has marched on and Lydia has seen bathrooms, television, telephones, all the labour saving devices in the home. Old housing has gone and housing estates have engulfed the old village. The farms have virtually disappeared, we are almost suburbia now and she has seen it all for almost a century . In September 1998 Lydia moved into an Elderly persons residential home.
William Drabble & Sons Ltd. 1873-1979 The originator was John Drabble from Harthill who was apprenticed to his uncle a Mr. Grant, a stone mason, living in The Pingle. John eventually employed nine men and built 32 High Street which for many years was the H.Q. of the business. It was from here that all the stone was dressed for the building ofMosborough Methodist Church in 1888. It was actually built by his son William, supervised by John from a wheelchair as he had acute arthritis. Before this time however, actually in 1873, William had founded William Drabble & Sons but he died on 13th May 1913. However his father John lived on until November 1916. William Hugh Drabble then inherited the business at the age of 20. This was a huge responsibility with five brothers and sisters all younger than himself. Mrs. William Drabble (nee Olive Riley) saw to it that the business kept together. The three brothers Hugh, Jack and Eric went into the business. Hugh was the practical man, Jack did most of the pricing work and Eric was responsible for accounts and office work. Business flourished between the two wars and for a long tune afterwards when a large amount of local authority work took place. The number of workmen rose to be over a hundred and by far these most highly skilled men came from Mosborough and the immediate vicinity. The Hollow Lane estate was started in 1964-65, on land attached to Mosborough Hall Farm, and is now completed. Time marched on and the three directors died Hugh 1966, Jack 1966 and Eric 1973. When the firm was founded in 1873 a clause stated there were to be no female directors so it was left to Hugh's two sons Derrick and David to carry on the business. Derrick had joined in 1947, after War Service and David joined in 1948 on leaving school. Sadly it all came to an end . Derrick died of a terminal illness, leaving two daughters, whilst David's two sons had no desire to be part of a building concern. Barratt bought out the business in 1979. There are a number of "memorials" to the firm including Eckington Drill Hall, Eckington Church Hall, numerous Fire Stations, St Peters Round Church at Gleadless, Hackenthorpe Methodist Church, Hollow Lane Estate and William & Olive Road named after the founders William and Olive Drabble. They were builders "par excellence" and their houses are much sought after even today, this being a tribute both to the firm and its excellent work force.
Maurice Peat 1915-1995 "Moggy" Peat lived at Vine Farm on School Street and achieved notoriety as an eccentric person who seemed to delight in being awkward, un-neighbourly and frightening to other people. Children were scared of him and he did a lot of nasty things to older people. One example will suffice. Horace Bacon was a butcher on High Street and his wife Vera used to exercise his dog daily along the footpath off Station Road belonging to "Moggy". The dog did its "business" just off the path and "Moggy", who was watching, scooped up the mess in his shovel and deposited it at the butcher's shop door with the remark "It belongs to you". However it is his Will that shows the anti-social side of the man. Most of Vine Grove Farm land was purchased by the council for the building of Westfield School and council houses for a considerable sum. His father and mother having died he inherited the farm yard and house as his mother had left him everything except a chair, a picture, and a table to her daughter Marion (Mrs. Harry Smith). His Will (approaching one and a half million pounds), dated 8th April 1993 shows the selfishness and meanness of the man. Briefly he gives all real and personal property ON TRUST to his nephew John, and his sisters Sheila and Patricia- these being his sister Marion's children. However the Trust Period is for 80 years starting with his death. In plain language, without going into the ramifications of descendants rights it means no money will be paid out for at least 80 years which effectively cuts out the living and the yet to be born who even may not survive to benefit. The Law allowing this state of affairs is an ancient Medieval Trust Law, being the maximum legal period allowed "beyond the grave". Fund Raisers Par Excellence Betty Bramall and Ena Newbold started in 1972 to raise money for cancer research. They started off with a coffee morning every year for a few years. The cause for their efforts was a very special one because Ena had lost her mother and Betty lost her father with cancer and Betty herself was in hospital for a mastectomy. They started making and selling cakes and fancy goods from proceeds from Webb Ivory cards. Jam making and pickle making followed and by then they were raising over £1000 a year. Ena's husband Brian then suggested they help nearer home so Weston Park Hospital and St. Luke's Hospice became the beneficiaries. They have also helped financially the Day Care Unit, George Bloomfield Travel and Care Trust and a Body Scanner which is used on the wards at Weston Park Hospital. Both Betty and Ena are very grateful for the support ofMosborough people which has enabled them to raise over £20,000.
Air Vice-Marshall Eric Plumtree C.B. O.B.E.D.F.C. Born in 1919 Eric Plumtree was one of the very small band of pilots who served in army co-operation at the beginning of the Second World War. In his Blenheim he spotted 16 enemy ships in a Dutch port and raked them with machine gun fire. He then saw a nearby German military camp, attacked it and was set upon by three Messerschmitt 109's and on landing safely at base he was found to have multiple wounds along with shrapnel in his head which remained until his dying day in 1990. Later in the war he commanded a Mustang Squadron in the Normandy campaign and after the war flew Vampires in 54 Squadron which he commanded. This squadron was the first R.A.F. acrobatic team and was the forerunner of "The Red Arrows". In 1953 he was personal staff officer to to the Chief of Air Staff and had attained the high rank of Air Vice Marshall before he retired in 1974. , He fought a long fight against cancer and died aged 71.
Burdetts* Coaches Fred Burdett started with taxis in 1945, when he took people to Skegness, in a Rolls Royce of 1928 vintage. This service (not the vehicle) lasted 50 years. In 1960 he bought Tom Smiths' House, Yard and shop on Station Road and he bought a mini-bus, which was used for school service, carrying school dinners and for private hire. Two full size coaches were then purchased in 1969 and further coaches were bought between 1970 and 1980 and Fred's two sons Jeffrey and David entered the business. The coaches were then parked on Allsop's Petrol Station on High Street (now Church Mews). During this period the first modem long distance touring coach was bought also operating Bingo contracts, school contracts, swimming bath contracts and private hire. In the early 1980's Snowden's Garage, opposite the "Wheel Inn" was purchased, and a further two modem coaches with all "mod cons" were bought. Continental tours now were undertaken with a brand new coach giving the opportunity to have tours abroad to Italy, Austria, Spain, Germany.Denmark, France, Belgium, Switzerland and anywhere else in Europe. With 7 coaches this is as far as the company wished to expand and in 1996 it integrated
with Grant and McAllin's although running as separate companies. Burdetts use the Westwell
garage
Bob Herbert Local Horticultural expert. National Judge and Broadcaster. Born in 1935 Bob moved to Plumbley Lane Estate in 1963 and started growing roses, dahlias and chrysanthemums. Exhibiting them on a local basis he achieved a lot of success. In 1970 he acquired an allotment on Plumbley Lane, joined the National Vegetable Society and gained many awards on the Show Benches, not only locally but in a much wider field. Bob then joined he National Vegetable Society committee, sat his National Judges exam in 1975 and passed. In 1980 he was awarded a Fellowship and then in 1985 the Society's Silver Medal, one of the highest honours attainable. A qualified lecturer, on behalf of the N.V.S. he broadcasts often on local radio and has appeared on T.V. In 1995 he was asked to judge at the National Vegetable Championships of The Royal Horticultural Society at Wisley. Along the way Bob has, and still does grow vegetables to a very high standard and has won, and is still winning countless awards, cups and medals for his efforts. Always willing to give help with advice and encouragement to others he has certainly given the "know how" to many village gardeners to gain awards on the Show Bench.
Wright Plant Born in 1915 Wright was educated at The Village School and when he was 10 years old the
Birds came to the "Fitzwilliam Arms" where they had a Fowler Steam Engine, a
Ransome Drum, After his school days his first job was for the local ice-cream maker "Lucky Bill" Turner. Next he worked for George Alf King at Westfield Farm where he lived in and got 3 Op a week plus food. Later on with Ben Rose and Fred Bacon he went as a concrete mixer for Henry Boot for £2.75 a week. His next move was to Rhodes Woolley (Plumbley Lane Farm) and he drove the first tractor to operate in Mosborough in 1941. He used to start work at 6.30am to milk the cows, then off to Frechville with the milk float to deliver milk - all for £2.10 a week plus a free quart of milk daily. Meanwhile Tommy Bird still had his threshing machine and accoutrements and Wright joined him, but. Tommy died ten days later. William Bird, Tom's father, said to Wright you carry on, and after four years. Tommy's widow let Wright buy the whole outfit, become sole owner and pay for it out of his wages. Wright expanded his working machinery, a new Ransome Drum and the old engine was swapped for a 1918 vintage Fowler twin cylinder machine. Later on a Fordson tractor was purchased, and a Claus combine harvester in 1957 and further ones in 1961,1963 and 1967. In the meantime son John joined the business which by now had become diversified with harvesting, mowing, ploughing and in season, snow shifting. The engines were eventually cut up but one remains in full working order for rallies, galas and exhibitions. In 1985, Wright lost three fingers in a belt accident. Son John took over the business but his father still continued to work. To us of the older generation it was a thrilling sight to see the threshing machine at work. The noisy engine, belching smoke, the whirring of the drum, the straw going up the elevator to the stack and corn and chaff pouring out of the drum.
"Joe" Large 1900-1985 Joseph Large lived in Mosborough all his life and gave 52 years of service as secretary to Mosborough Trinity Institute and 32 years as Cricket Club Secretary. He went to the village school where he was never late or absent and served in the first World War at Cambrai and St Quentin, returning to work at Glovers Flour Mill at Hallway and later on at Killamarsh. In his younger days he played cricket for Trinity Institute and was a prominent member of the Methodist Church all his life. Prudence in all his financial matters was his motto. Woe unto them who were behind with their Institute subscriptions. He would even cross the road to extract dues from any backslider. A neat and accurate accountant everything had to be just right to the penny. He could also conjure up some remarkable adaptations to cut costs on repairs and renovations as many can testify. The expression when something needed doing was "leave it to Joe" and he did it. He literally lived for the Institute, the cricket team and The Methodist Chapel (not necessarily in that order). In his later years he enjoyed car touring holidays (especially in Scotland), gardening, his greenhouse and especially his tomatoes, chrysanthemums and grapevine. Having a somewhat dry sense of humour, he was a warm hearted man who did a lot of good for his village and will be remembered with gratitude by many.
Woolley's Farm In 1950 they farmed around 280 acres at Plumbley. At this time there were around 14 farms operating in the village. Today there are just two, Woolleys and Peats who are on South Street and specialise in Jersey Cows and Channel Isle breeds, However reverting back to Woolley's Farm, it employed 7 men with three horses still being used along with a Fordson Major tractor of 25 horse power. Lots of harvesting was still being done by the reapers and binders. Corn sheaves had to be "stocked" in groups for 3 Sundays to dry off and then carted to the stackyard and stacked to await the threshing machine (Wright Plant was the man for the job then!). The farm progressed through several phases, milk production, beef farming alongside with general cereal, potatoes and root crops. Tragically Colin Woolley was accidentally killed in a road accident 39 years ago leaving his two young sons and their mother to carry on. The rest of the story is one of success by the two brothers Raymond and Brian who have, by modem machinery and methods, become one of the leading farmers in the area. They also ventured into the abattoir business on a large scale at Holbrook, and came to an amicable agreement with Brian at the abattoir and Raymond at the farm. Now Raymond Woolley is farming 1230 acres and the farm machinery includes corn driers, combine harvesters and a Case International Tractor of 200 horse power amongst other items, but only employs 4 men. Raymond does not see a very bright future in farming as the supermarkets have become virtual dictators as far as farm products are concerned and in the case of meat buy cheaper foreign stuff which does not conform to the health regulations our farmers have to work with.
Eric Woodhead Eric started work in the gardens of Renishaw Hall and then moved to work in the same capacity for Miss Margaret Wells, at Elmwood, in 1945. Then followed a two year period of National Service, and back to Elmwood.. He also ran a part-time plant growing and raising garden where he lived in Queen Street. This continued to 1960 when he left his full time job at Elmwood. He purchased a field on South Street and started his own business as Nurseryman and Rose Grower. From small beginnings he built up a large concern, noted for the quality of his plants and shrubs. Large greenhouses were erected and eventually Eric retired in 1990. Along the road he was a keen chrysanthemum grower and showed successfully for many years. However since his retirement he has concentrated on showing roses, having been a member of the Rose Society since 1959, and has achieved much success at Shows nationally. He has been awarded the Silver Rose Award and there are only 54 recipients of these in the world. Truly a great achievement!
John Bull (Cup and Medal Winner) John Bull has won over 150 cups, medals and trophies, during his long career, at both football and cricket, with Mosborough Trinity. A somewhat resolute tackier at football, he played to win and was an astute captain. At cricket he was an excellent bowler who bowled off a comparatively short run and yet was quite quick both through the air and off the pitch. Once again he captained the side well. His playing career with "Trinity" at football was from a fifteen year old to the age of fifty-two. He was also manager and secretary of the football section for 20 years and is still performing that duty. As far as the cricket team is concerned he played from a nineteen year old up to the age of sixty. What a record - well done John.
Gordon Newton Gordon Newton is a very successful businessman. He was born in 1935 and his first job was in an accountants office. After his two years National Service he worked for the Firestone Tyre Company and later on acquired a milk round. He then used the old Killamarsh bakehouse and commenced pickling onions and making mixed pickles, piccalilli and cheese preserves. Business improved rapidly, and various automatic devices were purchased to increase production to meet a growing market. Gordon did his own marketing and then got into cheese and his first "cheese shop" was opened in Maltby market in 1963. Further ventures into shops took place in Sheffield Castle Market some 28 years ago and then in Rotherham. All the above premises were called "Top Farm". Their specialities were cheese, cooked meats, pickles, pork pies and black pudding. His black pudding won a silver award in Paris against strong opposition. Further shops opened in Low Pavement Chesterfield, Crystal Peaks and Meadowhall, the latter now has closed down. Sons Andrew and Stephen are now incorporated in the business and his wife Pat has supported him in all his ventures along the way. |
