News Snippets for 1912

What follows are news snippets with Crich Parish interest from various newspapers for 1912.

As with all transcriptions there could be "typos" which is always a possibilty with audio trancriptions, although care has been taken.

The following index shows parish names that appear in some of the reports – allow for spelling variations; plus omissions are possible owing to human error.

ALLSOP COWLISHAW FRITCHLEY KNEEBONE REDFERN
AMATT CRITCHLOW HALL LEE ROWLAND
ASHTON CROOKS HALLAM LITCHFIELD SIMMONS
BOLLINGTON DAKIN HANCOCK LYNAM SIMS
BOWMER DAWES HARRISON MARRIOT SMITH
BROWN DEACON HAWKES MARTYN-SIMMONS STACEY
BUNTING DYSON HAYNES MELLOR TAYLOR
CLARKE ELLIOTT HOLMES MOUNTNEY WALKER
COLEMAN ENGLAND HURT NOWELL WRIGHT
COLLEGE FANTOM JOWITT PERRY WYLES
COOK FARNSWORTH KENYON PRONGER  

In the transcriptions names have been capitalised to aid quick searches; also some transcriptions have had minor edits.

Many newspaper reports (not transcribed) related to the controversial major sewage works due to take place. There was considerable opposition from the ratepayers.

Much was written about the strike at Lea Mills and the subsequent court cases regarding intimidation of workers.

1912 newspapers

Derbyshire Courier 6 January 1912
Much interest was centred in the wedding on Tuesday at the Crich Parish Church of Mr James TAYLOR, second son of the late Mr James TAYLOR and Mrs W. HOLMES, Crich, to Miss Ursula A. SIMS, second daughter of Mrs Thomas ASHTON, Prospect Terrace, Crich.
The bride is well known in Mid-Derbyshire educational circles as a schoolteacher, and has spent many years in that capacity at the then Crich British Schools, now taken over by the County Council. She was also a teacher at Tibshelf for six years, her retirement from that place occasioning much regret.
[there followed a report of the marriage]
A reception was held at the Independent clubroom, which was gaily decorated for the occasion, about 30 guests being present. The happy couple afterwards left for their new home at Park Street, Alfreton.

photo of taylorHolmesmarriage1912
James TAYLOR & Ursula SIMS

Derbyshire Times 20 January 1912
The death took place at Leicester on Friday, of Mr John MARRIOT, son of Mr George MARRIOT, shoemaker of Fritchley. Deceased, who was a bobbin-turner by trade, leaves a wife and several children. He was buried at the Parish Church, Crich, on Monday. Previous to the internment the Rev G.W. STANTON, who officiated at the graveside held a service in the Congregational Chapel, Fritchley.

Derbyshire Times 20 January 1912
A successful social evening, by which the funds of the work people now on strike at Lea Mills benefited to the amount of £2 10s, was held at Crich on Friday.
[a report of the event and attendees followed]

Derbyshire Times 27 January 1912
Little or no change is apparent in the attitude of the employers or the employees now out on strike at Lea Mills. Monday morning saw the departure from the district of several who formerly worked at Lea, they having obtained employment at trade union rates of pay at Loughborough. The train fares on the outward journey were paid by the Lea Mills branch of the Union.

Derbyshire Times 27 January 1912
Twenty-one times was the police record of John LEE, Crich, labourer, who evidently enjoys a bit of poaching, as the above total included five times for breach of game laws. He was summoned by William FANTOM, gamekeeper, with trespassing in search of game on land in the occupation of Charles A.R. JOWITT, at Crich on January 9th. He was fined 10s and costs.

Derbyshire Times 3 February 1912
CRICH RADICALS
A communication was read from the Local Government Board respecting the Council’s application for the loan of £9,070 in connection with the proposed sewage scheme for Crich to be extended over a period of 50 years instead of 40, stating that the President had given careful consideration to the matter and did not see his way to comply with the dissenters of Crich (Laughter).
Mr HAWKES ironically remarked that he was rather astonished with Mr BURNS in not dealing with their radical parish in a more sympathetic manner. He had fallen considerably under his estimation (Loud laughter).
The Chairman: no politics please.
Mr HAWKES: No: politics are the curse of England. (Renewed laughter).
The Clerk stated in response to the advertisement for the loan of £800 for the purchase of land in connection with the Crich sewage scheme he had an offer made at £3 12s 6d per cent interest and £10 other costs, which he suggested they accept. On the motion of Mr DYSON the offer was accepted.

Derby Daily Telegraph 7 February 1912
Mr F. HALL, the secretary of the Lea Mills branch of the Ilkeston and District Hosiery Workers Union, is lying seriously ill at his home at Crich with pleurisy.

Derbyshire Times 10 February 1912
The meeting of the Crich Parish Council, held on Wednesday, revealed a singular state of things regarding the village fire apparatus, but as to its whereabouts and its condition little seems to be known either by the members of the Council, the ratepayers generally or the committee responsible for supervision.
The equipment was wrapped up in a shed practically unfit for the purpose, and had never been tested for a considerable time. They were paying £2 per year for storing the apparatus, and in addition there was the insurance of the fireman, and yet they would not know where to go in case of fire.
[this was part of a long report into the neglect of the fire operators]

Derbyshire Times 17 February 1912
The dance held in the British School, Crich, on Friday, was deservedly well attended, the object being to raise funds for Mrs MARRIOTT, whose husband’s death was reported in these columns a few weeks ago. Messrs Donald HAWKES and Gerald KNEEBONE were the M.C.s

Derbyshire Times 17 February 1912
A pretty wedding was solemnised at the Parish Church, Crich, on Monday. The contracting parties were Sarah, second daughter of Mrs A. SMITH, the Archway, Crich, and Jabez ALLSOP, eldest son of Mr and Mrs William CROOKS, of Denby Old Farm, Ripley.
[there followed a full report of the wedding]
After the ceremony a reception was held at the Archway, and in the evening a special dance party was held in the British School. The bridegroom’s present to the bride was a gold bracelet, and the bride to the bridegroom a gold ring. During the day the church bells rang out merry peals in honour of the event.

Derbyshire Times 17 February 1912
The death took place at Crich on Saturday, in her 67th year, of Mrs Sarah HANCOCK, widow of the late Mr John HANCOCK, who preceded her some 19 years ago. Deceased, who was a well-known resident, was a native of Crich, leaves one son, Mr George Draycott HANCOCK, who holds an important position on the Midland Railway at Kings Norton Birmingham, and two unmarried daughters. She was interred in the Parish Churchyard, Crich on Thursday.
[There followed a long list of mourners]
Messrs HAYNES Brothers (Crich) were the undertakers. There were no flowers, by request.

Derby Daily Telegraph 22 February 1912
Mr H.HENSON, made a formal application for the renewal of the license of the Bull’s Head, Crich. Police- sergeant WYLES said the house was 373 yards from the Jovial Dutchman one way, and 473 yards from the Cliff Inn the other way. He did not think the house was needed, and added that there was a public footpath back across fields. There were only 39 houses between the Bull’s Head and the Cliff Inn. Mr HENSON said the house was rather in a district to itself, and if the license was removed the people would have to go down the hill or up for some way. He said the trade was good; there was good stabling for five horses, and the house was the headquarters of a good local football club. Mr SMITH, jun., son of the landlord, who attended in the absence through illness of his father, said the customers lived round the house near the church; the stabling was used considerably, and the licensee making a good living, and for the last quarter ending December the turnover was £10 per week.
The house was referred.

Derbyshire Times 24 February 1912
John Thomas, the four year old son of Mr John and Mrs Ada WALKER, of Mansfield, and later of Crich, died at the house of his grandparents Mr and Mrs James MELLOR (Crich), on Friday, and was interred at the parish churchyard on Sunday afternoon.

Derbyshire Times 24 February 1912
The old established custom of ringing the pancake bell was observed as usual Crich on Tuesday.
[The pancake bell was rung at 11am on Shrove Tuesday as a reminder to stop work and start making pancakes; recorded use from as early as 1600. Also associated with pancake races another associated jollifications. The tradition of ringing the pancake bell is still kept alive in some areas by keen bell-ringers as part of their traditions.]

Derby Daily Telegraph 14 March 1912
Edward BOLLINGTON, Crich, collier, was charged with an offence under the Poaching Prevention Act, on March 3, at Cromford, and Isaac COLEMAN, also of Crich, a labourer, was charged with the like offence. The Bench order the defendants to pay 10s each including the costs. Thomas COWLISHAW, Crich, quarryman, was charged just with trespassing in pursuit of conies on the third inst., at Cromford. Defendants did not appear. All to pay 13s 6d including the costs.

Derbyshire Courier 16 March 1912
Much interest was centred in the wedding on Wednesday of Miss Jess FARNSWORTH, sixth daughter of Mrs FARNSWORTH, and the late Mr William FARNSWORTH, of Crich Carr and Florida, to Mr Harrison ASHMORE, second son of Mr Thomas W. ASHMORE, of Ringwood Road, Brimington. The marriage was solemnised in the Primitive Methodist Chapel, Crich Carr, where the bride has been a member of the choir for many years. Mr Samuel WRIGHT, of the Canal House, Whatstandwell, officiated as the best man, and Mrs WRIGHT as bridesmaid.
[there followed a full report of the wedding and gifts received]

Derbyshire Advertiser and Journal 30 March 1912
On Tuesday, a sale at the Kings Arms Inn, Crich, of gardens and property belonging to the estate of the late Mr Samuel AMATT. Three cottages and gardens, situate on the Common, Crich, was sold for £311 to Mr J. BOWMER. It is interesting to note that the property was offered for sale in 1881, and bought by the late owner for £305.

Derbyshire Times 30 March 1912
The interment of Miss Evelyn Ford TAYLOR, aged 20 years, of Bull Bridge, took place at the Parish Church Crich on Friday last. The Rev W.D. PRONGER officiated and the chief mourner was the husband.
[A list of mourners and floral tributes followed]
The interment of Beatrice May, the ten year old daughter of Mr and Mrs George LITCHFIELD of the Hat Factory, Fritchley, took place at Crich on Wednesday.
[mourners and funeral details followed]

Derbyshire Courier 6 April 1912
After having frequently expressed the wish that he should die in his sister’s house, a Crich man named Charles HARRISON died suddenly while paying a call on his sister, Mrs Herbert ELLIOTT, at Town End, Crich on Tuesday.
Deceased, who was 67 years of age, started from his home at eight o’clock on Tuesday morning to do some jobbing work at the Cliff Inn, and, according to his custom, called at his sister’s house for breakfast. HARRISON complained of feeling “a bit starved,” and his sister gave him a cup of tea and some toast. A few moments later he suddenly collapsed. Dr RANKIN was immediately summoned up, but when he arrived HARRISON had expired, death being due to heart failure. Deceased, who was formerly a carter at Sims quarries, Whatstandwell, had his leg run over by a cart in April of last year, and had been ailing ever since. It was decided that an inquest was unnecessary.
Arrangements had been made between deceased and the ELLIOTTs to remove his effects the following week, and reside permanently with them. He had often expressed the desire to die under his sister’s roof. The funeral took place at Crich on Thursday. Deceased wife predeceased him several weeks ago.

Derbyshire Times 13 April 1912
The annual meeting of of the Parish Council was held on Wednesday. The clerk read the minutes of the previous meeting, which contained a glowing account of the efficiency and good repair of the Fire Brigade’s pipes and apparatus. Mr Thomas DAKIN appearing for the first time since his illness questioned the correctness of the report, and wanted to know in case of fire where the Council’s appliances might be found. The chairman replied that the stands and pipes were at Fritchley, but the cart, hatchets, lamps and ropes were at various other places. Mr J.R. SMITH, another member of the committee of inspection, also disagreed with the report, and said the pipes were in a leaky condition, and the cart had undergone repairs since the report. If the efficiency of the brigade was not better maintained than it had been in the past, he would scrap the whole lot and save the ratepayers a deal of expense. He differed most strongly from the report as recorded.
The Chairman (who is taking the post of captain of the Fire Brigade pro tem), offered to collect and store the missing articles, and also provide horses free, and 50 men if necessary at 15 minutes notice after Saturday noon. He hoped the whole of the Council would attend at Fritchley at 2pm Saturday, for practice. The chairman’s offer was accepted excepting the Saturday practice which was declined. The Clerk received communication from the ex-captain of the Fire Brigade (Mr J.W. DAWES). This was considered much out of place from a public servant, and the letter was ordered to lie on the table.
Mr J.R. SMITH gave the deputations report on the new fire station. The site selected is behind the water troughs in the centre of the marketplace. At the suggestion of Mr REDFERN this matter was left over until the June meeting.
[this is an extract from a long report on Crich Council issues]

Derbyshire Advertiser and Journal 19 April 1912
Mr J.T. LEE was again appointed people’s warden, and Mr Joseph BUNTING Vicar’s warden.

Derbyshire Courier 20 April 1912
[The following poem concerned the controversial proposal for a new sewage system in Crich]

Poem about `crich issue 1912

 

Derby Daily Telegraph 16 May 1912
A very interesting licensing case was heard at the Belper Petty Sessions this (Thursday) morning, when Herbert MOUNTNEY , licensed victualler, of Whatstandwell, was summoned for keeping open during prohibited hours for the sale of intoxicating liquor at Crich on April 24th.
[a long report into the sale of liquor at a hunt supper in the Derwent Hotel, which was attended by Mr HURT, local squire and land owner of the hotel. There was confusion over the drinking up time as at other houses it was 11.00pm not 10.00pm as at the Derwent. Mr MOUNTNEY had been complaint free for over 19 years. There was an issue as to the distinction between private room and public room. It seems that HURT’s chauffeur and footman who had a drink in a passageway caused the case to arise.]
Mr HURT (who was about to respond to his toast when the police entered) gave evidence as to the engaging of the room, and admitted that the two men seen drinking in the passage were his chauffeur and footman.
The Bench retired some time, and on returning her further legal arguments by Counsel. In the end the Chairman told MOUNTNEY that he had bought this trouble on himself. They were convinced that an offence had been committed; it was, however of such a trivial nature that they did not propose to go further order him to pay the costs, as this was an oversight. Thus the case was dismissed on payment of the costs 10s.

Derbyshire Courier 25 May 1912
Mr John STACEY, of Crich, formerly for many years a leading partner in the firm of Messrs Stacey and Pearce, cutlery manufacturers, and Australian merchants, of Howard Street, Sheffield, afterwards manager of a large engineering concern at Manchester, who died on 12 March last, aged 82 years. Probate of his will has been granted to his widow, Mrs Jane STACEY, of The Bungalow, Crich.
[this is an edited version of the announcement]

Derbyshire Advertiser and Journal 1 June 1912
DEATHS
May 17, of Crich Carr, Whatstandwell, John BOLLINGTON, aged 32.

Derbyshire Times 5 June 1912
A Somercotes bride Miss Maud BONSALL, the third daughter of Mr and Mrs Jno. BONSALL, of Somercotes Hill, was married at the Alfreton Wesleyan Chapel on Whit Monday, the bridegroom being Mr James COOK, of Crich. The officiating minister was the Rev Joseph BONSALL, of Bradford, the brother of the bride.
[further details of the wedding followed]
The honeymoon is being spent in Huntingdonshire.

Derbyshire Times 12 June 1912
The funeral took place at Crich on Tuesday of Samuel KENYON, quarryman, 23 years of age, of Fritchley, and son of Mr John KENYON. Deceased had been in failing health for some considerable time.

Derbyshire Times 12 June 1912
There sailed for Australia today (Friday) two Crich Carr families in Mr and Mrs Walter CLARKE and Mr and Mrs Joseph CRITCHLOW. The former is a son of Mr and Mrs CLARKE , of the Sawmills, Ambergate, Mrs CLARKE being daughter of Mrs NASH, now of Crich Carr, and formerly of Coddington. Mrs CRITCHLOW is the eldest daughter of Mr and Mrs Fred YATES, Crich Carr, whose marriage to Mr CRITCHLOW was reported in the Derbyshire Times a fortnight ago. Both Mr and Mrs CRITCHLOW were members of the Primitive Methodist Chapel at Crich Carr, where Mrs CRITCHLOW was a Sunday school scholar up to the time of her departure, and took a deep interest in the church and Sunday School work. Leaving Whatstandwell on Thursday night the party joined the mail at Derby and sailed on Friday on the ss Otranto, Orient Liner, from Tilbury Docks. They will be met at Perth by Mr Harold SPENCER, late of Belper. Another local friend who is to meet the party is Mr Arthur BROWN, formerly in business in the Market Place, Crich. He is a native of Crich, and the son of Mr and Mrs George BROWN, the Market Place, Crich. Mr CLARKE had been employed at the Hartsay Kilburn pit, and Mr CRITCHLOW at the Wireworks, Ambergate.
[Slightly edited]

Ripley and Heanor News and Ilkeston Division Free Press 14 June 1912
DEATHS
On June 10th, at Crich, Charlotte TAYLOR, aged 70 years.

Derbyshire Advertiser and Journal 31 August 1912
A pretty wedding was solemnised at St Andrews Church, Birmingham, on Saturday, the contracting parties being Mr Walker PERRY, eldest son of Mr and Mrs Charles PERRY fifth, of the Market place, Crich, and Miss DAWES, only daughter of the late Mr and Mrs Jos. DAWES , of Birmingham. The bride, who was attired in Quaker grey, with black hat, was given away by her brother, Mr Jos. DAWES.

Derby Daily Telegraph 27 June 1912
Thomas LYNAM, of Crich, licence victualler, was charged with being drunk while having the control of a horse and cart at Crich on June 13. Defendant pleaded guilty, and expressed sorrow. Police sergeant WYLES deposed that he saw the defendant in charge of a horse and cart on Crich Common when he was under the influence of drink. The fine was 5s and costs.

Derbyshire Advertiser and Journal 31 August 1912
Joseph FRITCHLEY, a youth, of Crich, was summoned by Pc WHITAKER for riding a bicycle in the Corn Market in a manner dangerous to the public. The officer stated that the defendant knocked the lady down as she was crossing the road. Defendant denied the offence, and called a witness named DAKIN, of Cambridge Street. The Bench decided to fine the defendant 10s and costs 19s 6d.

Derbyshire Advertiser and Journal 20 September 1912
PILFERING AT CRICH
During the past week several of the light-fingered gentry have been very busy in different parts of the parish, and the Vicarage, during the absence of the Vicar, has suffered from the depredations of some of these unwelcome visitors. A metal knocker has been wrenched off the kitchen door, whilst several valuable fruit trees have been practically stripped of all their fruit. Other fruit owners are complaining of losses sustained as a result of fruit tree raiders.
BUTTER-MAKING CLASSES FOR CRICH
Arrangements are now completed for the conducting of butter-making classes. Miss ROWLAND is to give a 10 days’ course of instructions to the classes commencing next Monday afternoon. As the outlying parts of Crich are almost entirely devoted to dairy farming, these classes should be a great success.
PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHAPEL’S LOSSES
The Crich Primitive Methodist have sustained a loss during the past week owing to the departure of Mr Walter HALLAM, who has commenced two years course of study at the Sheffield City Training College. Mr HALLAM has been the church organist for the past four years. Mrs HALL and Mr Fred HALL, two of the church's most valuable members and workers, and who have had a lifelong connection with the place, are also shortly leaving the district, and are to reside at Mansfield, where Mr HALL has secured an appointment.

Derby Daily Telegraph 3 October 1912
Three men, John BOLLINGTON, and Isaac COLEMAN, Crich and Henry COWLISHAW, Heage, quarrymen, were all summoned by Frederick SARGEANT, gamekeeper, for night poaching had Alderwasley, on September 21st.
[a report of the case followed]
BOLLINGTON had been 30 times before the court, and COLEMAN 22 times, and each was sentenced to two months hard labour; and COWLISHAW (nine times) to one month.

Derbyshire Courier 22 October 1912
The wedding was solemnised very quietly at the Crich Parish Church on Tuesday, by the Rev J. MARTYN-SIMMONS (vicar of Crich), assisted by the Rev J. PRONGER, of Miss Gladys DEACON, daughter of Mr Maurice DEACON, of Chase Cliff, Whatstandwell, Matlock, who is married to Lieut. E. OLIPHANT, R.N., of Ilfracombe, Devon. Although the event was to be kept very quiet, a few well-wishers of Miss “Queenie” assembled in and about the church to give her a send-off.
[there followed a report of the wedding]
It is understood quiet character of the ceremony was due to the indifferent state of health of the bride – the wedding had been postponed from last year for this cause – and the probability of the bridegroom, a naval officer, being ordered abroad.

Derbyshire Advertiser and Journal 8 November 1912
[part of a report regarding the appointment of foster mother at the Children’s Home at Belper Workhouse]
Mr PYM went on to state that in accordance with the Board’s wishes he wrote to the second applicant, Miss COLLEGE, of Crich, and offered her the position, which she had accepted.

Derbyshire Courier 28 December 1912
A wedding which created a considerable amount of local interest was solemnised at St Augustine’s Church, Derby, on Saturday of last week, when Mr Ernest A. NOWELL, of Manchester, and late of Tor View, Crich, second son of Mr and Mrs NOWELL of Gorton, Manchester, led to the altar Miss Essie ENGLAND, youngest daughter of Mr Samuel ENGLAND, of Church View, Crich.
[there followed a report of the wedding]