A calculation of the different number of inmates housed and the proportions of each domination. Good study and preparation to expand how different church following was tolerated.
Again presented in graph format – pie chart with numbers of each religion.
A most unusual record was maintained under the Poor Law Act 1834 that the religion of each inmate was recorded at the time of admittance. The religion of the guardians often had influence on how inmates were treated and therefore is an important contribution to the social and religious history of workhouses. Sadly, the question of religion was a huge issue of the time whereby, one religion did not accept the others creating a high level of animosity between inmates. This is a subject area that no other historian has previously studied despite religion being one of the most contentious issues of workhouse life and therefore a huge contribution to the flavour of workhouse life. Perfect for A level or Humanities students.
Graph format pie chart
This article relating to how Christmas was celebrated at the Stoke-upon-Trent workhouse compared with that of the Wolstanton and Burslem workhouse which was situated in the north of the city at Chell.
Each Christmas was almost a re-run of the previous year. The height of the day would be roast beef and plumb pudding. Ar the Stoke workhouse, this was served by the govenor and staff, whist at Chell they always celebrated Christmas on the 26th why – because the staff wanted the day off with their families. A gift for the women would be a small packet of tea and sugar while the men had tobacco. The young children had a mixture of treats normally donated by the shop keepers of the nearby town.
The afternoos is where entertainment was brought into the workhouse, which provided a much needed rest from the normal works of the day. As usual the govenor finished the day off with prayers in addition to saying Grace before the meal was served.
Two pages A4
Guess winters have now changed from when I was a boy and I recall vividly in 1967, memories of the freeze that lasted for six weeks. Most of all I recall the experience of walking across Trentham Lake with a friend along with many other people and also watching skaters doing their stuff. Followed by a hot drink in the Ball Room cafeteria. Probably will never happen again, even if it does with H & S no one would be allowed to get onto the ice. Never happen again with global warming making this a worthwhile contribution to the history of the UK.
Two Pages
The 1851 census provides and unique account Mrs Allbut’s Ladies Finishing School which occupied the Mount from that date. Again, much material has been un-earthed to capture and provide an insight of its development; problem with having a son in a female institution; fees; lessons taught and where the ladies came from – one even from Calcutta. A great contribution to the history of the largest house in the district and a good product to stimulate discussion is schools or colleges. Three x A4 printed pages.
On a typical early November morning in 1842 a group of friends and relatives stood around and open grave in St John’s churchyard, Burslem, to pay their respects to Thomas Roe, a well-known shoemaker of the town.
But this was not a typical death as it was clouded in mystery and disbelief. Whispers between mourners as to the cause of death almost beggared belief as the word ’blasphemy’ remained unspoken but rather mild in fear of the consequences.t is interesting to read the ’view upon death’ (inquest) held in Burslem three days after the funeral of Thomas Roe, especially following the 1913
As to the cause of death it was agreed that he died by the visitation of God ‘. One witness at the inquest stated that, while arguing with people in a pub he stated: 2 I would rather go to hell than to heaven. I intend to go there!” At another public house he observed:” someday the devil will come to me, and say, ‘I’m come for the now’ and I shall say to him, ‘well, I’m ready for thee!
Such remarks, it was reported, could scarcely be believed to have come from a sane mind. In the case of Roe, it was literally exemplified in the passage ‘in the midst of life we are in death’. All this was within an hour after being in the street in apparent good health. Following the enquiry, the inquest jury returned a verdict of ‘died by the visitation of God ‘- so be aware!’ 1 page.
The thought of Stoke town being transferred to Newcastle in 1831 nearly happened.
The 1830s was a critical time in local and national history with Parliamentary reform top of the agenda. In March 1831, a proposal to abolish the old system of parliamentary elections and to make the voting system dependent upon a £10 per annum rental value of household property to qualify for a vote and then only for men which became the Reform Act of 1832. There was no representation of the six towns by an M.P. The Borough of Newcastle had one. Within the proposed John Russell’s Reform Bill, it empowered a commission to add populous districts such as the six towns to existing Boroughs.
Leading business men in the town including Herbert Minton thought that Stoke would prosper far more by being part of Newcastle. Boothen and Penkhull (Stoke-upon-Trent) would be transferred to the Borough of Newcastle-under-Lyme . A a public meeting held on April 6th 1831 in the old town hall in Hill Street.
It was first suggested that the proposal for uniting Stoke with Newcastle would be in opposition to the wishes of the Burgesses of Newcastle. The only benefit, as advocated to Stoke was that it would provide an effective police force and a local magistrate. Also, there was the advantage of the union with Newcastle. The debate continued with one speaker after another. Large numbers tried to get into the town hall, so the meeting tyransferred to a piece of aloping ground just above. One page only but worth a read to follow just what could have happened that would affected the development of Stoke on Trent as a whole.
This article includes all the known ‘finds’ dating from the first century AD within the area known as Stoke-upon-Trent.
In the late 1920s and early 30s there were numerous Roman finds in the area, mostly documented by the late Thomas Pape of Newcastle. It was a further twenty years later in July 1955, when a group of volunteers excavated a series of trial holes in which Pape had worked. Two excavations were made, the first showed signs of occupation as a post hole were discovered. Adjacent to this lay a charcoal deposit, intermixed with pottery sherds and on the floor lay pottery consisting of lamp-holders, cooking pot lids, platters, flagons, and an incense burner. A crude hearth was found together with an iron poker. The pots were fashioned from local clay but at this point no kiln was unearthed. It was possible to deduce that the post holes supported a wattle and daub structure and with the profusion of potsherds, indicated a potter’s workshop. The building it would seem had been burnt to the ground suggesting a sudden vacation of the site perhaps the rebellion of Boudicca (A.D.61) demanding the return of all Roman outposts. Two x A4 pages and photographs.
The cinema was operating silent movies when it opened. At the same time a debate was being held between film directors and actors if to proceed with ‘talkies’ because of the costs and wondered if they would oust the silent picture or even rival the appeal of the theatre. It was only two months following the opening of the Regent that the cinema along with a further sixty of the Gaumont circuit cinemas were equipped with the Western Electric Company’s talking film installation whereby full-length films such as “The Singing Fool” and “Show Boat” could be shown.
The Regent Theatre in Hanley was opened in 1929 and waas the largest and most lavish seating over two thousand partons. It was not long after that the very first ‘Talkie’ in the Potteries was shown at the Regent in July 1929 when “The Singing Fool” starring Al Jolson took to the screen filling the 2134 seats at four performances a day. At the end of the week the demand was so great with constant queues around the block that the management decided to run the film for a further week. This meant that around 26,000 people came to see history in its making at The Regent and to witness actual words and music coming for the first time from actors. I doubt if there was one dry eye as he sang Sonny Boy. The Sentinel reported “Whenever it has been shown enormous crowds have been drawn to see it. It is a remarkable production and has secured almost universal approval. In it Al Jolson is revealed as one of the most powerful emotional actors on the screen”.
Two pages long
This beautiful building of Holy Trinity, Hartshill was opened on Monday, 10 October 1842. From an early hour Hartshill was crowded by of what were called at the time “respectable visitors” wishful to attend the ceremony of consecration. At 11 o’clock, the Bishop of Hereford arrived by which time the clergy of the neighbourhood, and many from a distance had been in attendance to receive his Lordship. About fifty members of the clergy were present.
The arrival of the Bishop was the signal for a procession from the main road the church drive and into the church. The children of the infant’s school headed the procession, immediately followed by the bishop and clergy; after whom came a vast body of ladies and gentlemen who took an interest in the proceedings. The entire number was calculated at above 2000 people very many more than the church could contain. Notwithstanding the solemn nature of the ceremony, the great admiration excited by the architectural beauty of the building caused a sense of admiration by the gathered company. The consecration service was conducted impressively after which the Rev C. Leigh of Newcastle, preached the sermon from Romans “for whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe on him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach except they be sent?”. Sermon was considered most appropriate by the congregation and the greatest expression was shown by all to the benevolence of the worthy founder of the church Mr Herbert Minton.
Hopefully this account will prove to be welcomed by the current residents of the district as a reminder of just how Hioly Trinity Church, Hartshill was indeed a great asset to the district. One page
The name of Margaret (Molly) Leigh of Burslem has been vilified by the press and so-called amateur historians who have taken pleasure in perpetuating the myth that she was actually a witch coming up on a regular basis.
Hardly a month goes without a further slant has been added to these ridicules theories in attempt to draw attention to the writer as an authority where history is concerned. Nothing could be further from the truth.
So, in attempt to place on record the actual FACTS I have studied these and present and with my own research provide a true account re Margaret Leigh the supposed witch buried at St. Johns, Burslem 1st April 1748 and the copy of her will dated 25th March 1748 written just one week before her death. In my experience over many years this was normal practice. The explanations I give destroys all the exaggerations and wrong information in an attempt to be known as an authority on the subject and further stretch the imagination to include their theories.
This article is there for all to make up their own mind on this subject. Two pages
Bluebird 1935 land speed car in storage at London Road, Stoke during WWII.
The resurgence of the name Bluebird as the speedboat in which Donald Campbell was killed in 1967 as it crashed on Coniston Water in his attempt to break his own water speed record and now following years of restoration following its being brought to the surface years after the crash has once more finally been tested in the water.
His father, Sir Malcom Campbell was a British racing motorist and motoring journalist. He gained the world speed record on land and on water and holder of 13 world speed records during the 1920s and 1930s.
Campbell broke the land speed record for the first time in 1924 at 146.16 mph at Pendine Sands near Carmarthen Bay in a 350HP V12 Sunbeam, now on display at the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu. He broke nine land speed records between 1924 and 1935, with three at Pendine Sands and five at Daytona Beach. His first two records were driving a racing car built by Sunbeam.
I wonder if there is anyone reading this who remembers the car in storage at 245, London Road as it would be great to receive their memories. Two pages of the life of Malcolm Campbell.
The formal opening of the majestic, the latest picture house in the district situated in Campbell Place Stoke was held before a large invited guest list.in . The building is architecturally admirable, ihaving so many advantages over other buildings used for the same purpose that it is certain to become extremely popular place of resort.
A gallery, holding around two hundred, is so well pitched that every seat holder can be sure of an uninterrupted view of the screen, and at the same remark applies to the holders of eight hundred seats on the ground floor. The seats themselves are exceedingly comfortable, and there is a roominess about the place which will be generally appreciated. In another respect the architect Mr R T Longsden of Stoke and Burslem is to be congratulated. The building is splendidly ventilated. Notwithstanding the crowded state of the hall the atmosphere on Saturday afternoon remained practically the same throughout the 2 ½ hours that the entertainment lasted. Early in the proceedings a message was thrown on to the screen from the Mayor and Mayoress, (Alderman Philip Elliott and Mrs Elliott), were spending a short and well-earned holiday in Harrogate, expressing regret of being unable to attend, and successful future. One feature which is to distinguish the house of entertainment will meet with public recognition. The management has engaged a small band consisting of a piano, a violinist, a cello player, a clarinettist, and a double bass player. The men are very capable players and have good instruments. On this occasion, they provide music which synchronised with the picture subjects. Thus, during the exhibition of the principal film, a four-part historic picture ‘Napoleon,’ the band played the Marsellaise and snatches of the famous 1812 of Tchaikovsky. The pictures also included the Kentish industries, Tiny Tim, the Letter Writer – a drama, With Eyes, so Blue and Tender, Troubles of a flirt, That Suit So blue, General Bunco’s victory and the Pathe Gazette. Tonight, will be given exclusively a sporting drama, in the hands of London crooks. One additional feature of the new cinema that it had tip-up seats. A nice piece of Social History at 1000 words in two pages with photographs.
For those coming up the hill to Penkhull from Stoke, the question was where did Stoke end and Honeywall start? In fact, the name of Honeywall, a rather strange name, did not start from the bottom as it does today. That area was originally called Castle Cliff- changed to Cliff Bank. The next higher section was called Upper Cliff Bank followed by Princess Street before being known the whole length by the name of Honeywall. The name of Castle Cliff is really important and yet there is no evidence to support this name of a castle at the top of the hill. Perhaps this explains why parts of what Honeywall is now went by the name of Castle Cliff. Food for thought! The area known as Honeywall commences from just about where the Beehive now stands to its junction with Penkhull Terrace and in fact refers to the hamlet of Honeywall and not the road name.
To add even further to the mystery in 1870, whilst digging near to the White Lion an ancient boulder pathway was found. Could this have any connection with some form of early settlement?
Rev.Aston, in his little book of 1942 suggests without any evidence to support his claim that it could mean Hole in the Wall, pointing to a possible wall around the ancient royal forest where a hole in the wall was used for game hunters! But in saying this there is an argument presented to that part of Honeywall being the boundary of the once Iron Age Fort that capped the hill of Penkhull. Why? We have the name of Castle Cliff, and we have the evidence of a boulder pathway being uncovered outside the White Lion. Also, the name of Honeywall could derive from the old English – ‘hill fortress’ and lastly, it’s the name given to a small hamlet not a road. People would be known by the place where they lived (not a street name, but a district) and the name Hole in the Wall, the entrance area of the hill fort, could be just that place where a group of small traders resided. Lastly, it was recorded in the 19th century that beekeepers were resident in the area, so could the name originated from there? The Bee Hive Inn could be named following the known occupation of Bee Keepers in the area. A further conundrum. Two pages and photographs.
Stoke Market, built in 1900 still dominates the central section of Church Street. It is of red brick in the Flemish style with curly gables and a central tower. Next to this stood the former National Provincial Bank dating from the 1890’s built also of red brick in the Jacobean style. The opposite side of the road there is a mixture of properties, but mostly of the mid-late 19th centuries for which the upper floors still retain the original architecture.
The history of Stoke-upon-Trent is interrelated with the parish church of St. Peter-ad-Vincula. It is known that there has been a church on this site from 805a.d. but probably was a firmer site for Pagan worship.
Prior to the coming of the industrial revolution Stoke was the place where the parish church, rectory and parish clerks house was situated. There were no other buildings in the immediate vicinity except an old Inn known by the sign of the Red Lion. (now demolished). In 1296, Stoke was the joint largest parish in the country and lates there became a number of Chapels of Ease dotted around North Staffordshire but remained under the authority of the Rector of Stoke. They became separate parishes by an Act of Parliament in 1807 as the parish was becoming too burdensome for a single priest and a curate.
Stoke town formed a part of the Township of Penkhull with Boothen until it became a Borough in 1875. From early times, the inhabitants of the township did not live in Stoke town, but in either the small hamlet of Boothen, half a mile to the South or the larger Domesday Village of Penkhull standing high above the town to the Southwest.
This article is packed with date from 1807 and follows through with details of the towns development to become a commercial success with the building of a Town Hall which still remains the base of authority but other advances such as the public market and so many other examples of early developments during the 19th century. Again, a good read but also an asset for students of all levels.
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