Spen Valley Through the Years
by Maurice Popplewell
1906 to 1908

1906

1906 saw the launch of the SS Lusitania, and King Edward now 65, launched HMS Dreadnought, the biggest battleship in the world. Vitamins were discovered and suffragettes became active. The unemployed marched on London and April saw the San Francisco Earthquake.

Our year in the Spen Valley started with our local MP taking his seat when the new Liberal Government, elected in December 1905, assembled on February 13. The results were: T.P. Whittaker (Lib) 5,956; R. Johnson (Cons) 3,082. Majority 2,864. It is interesting to see the election addresses of the two candidates - they both opened with "Gentlemen..." for women at this time had no vote!

Heckmondwike Co-operative Society declared their results for the first quarter on April 2. Sales were £49,454 and profit £8,624, which seems to be a good result. The dividend declared was 3s 4d in the £ of purchases.

The Spen Valley Literary & Scientific Society was founded. Mr John James Stead, an officer of the Antiquarian Society, was soon giving his lectures, with slides from his own photographs. During his lifetime he was to take thousands of pictures, especially of scenes in our Valley, which are still a joy to look at.

Town Crier..."Owd Tilley." At Cleckheaton Mr Alfred Naylor (72) was still officiating as the town crier. He was a tall, gaunt-looking man with grey beard, white hair and elastic sided boots. He had been town crier for 20 years. After announcing that rates were due, or a child was lost, or an epidemic was imminent, he would add special bits of new such as: "an' they've some grand bacon at t'Lion Stores, we eat it ourselves;" for which he no doubt was suitably rewarded by John Wesley Hillard.

Centenary. Whitechapel held a bi-centenary of the rebuilding of the church in 1706. The original church dates back to around 1120. The re-building in 1706 included the unique font with its early Roman markings: a stone embedded in the north wall has the inscription "This ancient place of God's worship was re-built in the year of our Redemption 1706."

Mr Joseph Stead, of Ashfield Villa, Heckmondwike, died in July in his 77th year. He was a drysalter in the town, up to 1891 in partnership with his son, Mr J.J. Stead, mentioned above. A stalwart at George Street Chapel, Joseph had been an original member of the Heckmondwike Board of Health in 1853.

Tradesmen's Annual Dinner. Held in the Commercial Hotel, Heckmondwike. After the sumptuous repast, one speaker, Mr B. Firth, said he remembered when the town had over 1000 handloom weavers, producing carpets. Now there were only 30.

Wages and Prices. The salary of the Divisional Clerk, Mr Rawden Hill, was increased to £3 a week, on condition that it did not carry with it the promise of any further increase. Local textile wages were: men 28s 1d, women 15s 5d, boys 10s 5d and girls 8s 11d. Miss H.H., who died in 1979, aged 87, told me she started at Roundhill Mill, Gomersal in 1906, aged 14, as a fully trained spinner. She earned 8s 6d for a 52 hour week. They worked 6.30am to 8.30am, 9am to 12.30pm. Then 1.15pm to 5.45pm, six days a week including Saturday. Folks used to call Roundhill the 'Slave oyle', she added. When she was 16 she heard that spinners were needed at St. Peg Mill, then owned by Wm Atkinson & Son. "He was a military man," she said, "and it was heaven." And she now earned 10s a week!!

In 1906 nighshift work for women was finally forbidden. We also see the advent of provision of free school meals for children whose education was suffering through lack of food. At Hightown Provided School, the salaries of Ada Pierce and Agnes Hirst were increased from 30s to 32s 6d per week. And a lady living at 5 Thorntonville put an advert in the Guardian...she was ready to take in washing or to go out charring. In the same edition the Lion Stores offered 2½lb tins of pears for 7½d.

Spen Valley Steam Laundry...goods were collected and delivered. Collars ½d, cuffs 1d per pair, fronts 1d, dress shirts 3½d, blankets 4d, lace curtains 6d. We have no such laundry service nowadays. Its a matter of hanging around at the washeteria, taking your own soap powder...it's called DIY...do it yourself!

The Overlooker. An elderly lady tells me "You could tell what a man did by the clothes he wore. A thick wire drawer had a white smock and a thin one a white apron. A woolsorter wore a checker-brat, and an overlooker a checked smock. To me, the overlookers seemed most arrogant, never dirty, and their boots shone even on weekdays." There is a tale told, (I Cannot vouch for the truth of it), of a local weaver who visited London, and in Westminster Abbey was shown where the famous were buried, including Poets' Corner. "Aye, that's as may be," she told her guide, "but where's t'overlookers buried?"

1907

Edward, our King, is now 66. Women can now become councillors, aldermen and mayors. And a man can marry his deceased wife's sister! Someone steals the Ascot Gold Cup, and the SS Mauretania is built: she was to hold the Blue Riband of the Atlantic for 20 years. Baden-Powell founded the Boy Scout Movement.

Found at Norristhorpe. A stone axe-head, 4½ inches long with a 2 inch cutting edge, a household tool of 1000BC, was found at Doggus, the local name for Norristhorpe, harking back to the days when the hounds from Liversedge Hall were kept there.

The Heckmondwike Manufacturing Co. held their Annual General Meeting on January 23. Profit was announced at £2,817. Directors' remuneration was fixed at £25 per annum plus two second class rail fares. The Chairman got £75!

Horse Ambulance. Dr. James Prior, of Brookroyd, Heckmondwike, appealed for the town to have a horse ambulance of its own. Attempted suicides and serious mill accidents were not uncommon, and on such occasions he had had to send for the Dewsbury vehicle to move the individual to Dewsbury Infirmary. Just try to imagine a man with a number of limbs broken, and in severe pain, being moved in a horse-drawn vehicle with solid tyres bumping up the cobbled High Street...and all after waiting for an hour for the ambulance to arrive! No wonder that so many of them were "dead on arrival."

Post Office. A new post office was planned for Albion Street, Cleckheaton, on the site of an old foundry. The post-master was Mr F.C. Winter, with 20 employees.

Speech day at Heckmondwike Secondary School. One of the prize winners was Hubert Houldsworth who won a County Major Scholarship worth £60 per annum. He was later to become a barrister, and first chairman of the National Coal Board, as Sir Hubert Houldsworth, Baronet.

Spen Beck. The River Spen, on its way down our valley, ran through a culvert underneath the road by the Marsh Hotel. A cloudburst in October produced such a volume of water that the culvert burst and the road collapsed, flooding all the surrounding land. Trams had to stop, and passengers boarded waggonettes to reach dry land. From an examination after the water subsided, it was found that a wheelbarrow and some planks were jammed in the pipe, which had not helped matters.

Lifeboat Demonstration. The Scarborough lifeboat, "Henry Harris," with full crew in sou'westers and kit, took part in a long procession at Heckmondwike on July 13. £200 was raised for Coxwain Owston and his lifeboat station. Tom Wood, President of the Fire Brigades' Association, led the procession on horseback, dressed as the King. Mr T Eaton was Britannia and there were wagons from the Co-op, Fountain Pottery, Spen Valley Laundry, the Valley Pierrots and the Glee Unions.

Heckmondwike Cricket Team, under their captain Joe Kitchingman, won the HWD Cup by defeating Ossett in the final, played on the Dewsbury & Saville ground.

Wood's Charity. The annual distribution of bread took place at Heckmondwike rate office on December 21. Joshua Wood, an old Heckmondikian who died at Lyme Regis in 1734, left £30 to buy a piece of land in Dale Lane. It was called "The Poor Close" for it was the £4 annual rent from it which paid for the bread. And at Gomersal £20 worth of coals and tea was given to 40 poor people under the will of the late Thomas Burnley.

Hightown Old Folk's Tea. In February, at Hightown School, 263 sat down. A covered waggonette brought in folks from Moorbottom, then regarded as part of Hightown, and 200 tram tickets were given away. Sam Crossley (82), the oldest man, got a couple of rabbits, and Mrs Ibbertson (80) went home with a pound of tea.

Odd Adevrts. January 25 - Lost, black spaniel with name "Sam Binns, Hightown," finder rewarded, detainer prosecuted; Madame Whiteley, palmist and crystal vision, Mount Street. 1s; Cleckheaton Golf Club, Garden Party on the links at Roundhill; Presents for servants, good serviceable cloth 1s yard; Grand Rainbow Bazaar, St. Paul's, Birkenshaw-cum-Hunsworth; Pony for sale, accustomed to children or drive in governor's car, apply J.G. Mowat, Kenmore.

Attempted Suicide at Low Moor. It is worth remembering that trying to take one's life was a criminal offence in 1907. A young man from the district, Harry Scott, pleaded guilty to taking salts of lemon. When the magistrate's clerk asked "why did you do it?" he replied, "Gotten stalled!" For those who are not too familiar with our local dialect, he meant that he had become tired of life.

Religion. The United Methodist Church was established. It was formed by an amalgamation of the Methodist New Connection, the Bible Christians and the United Methodist Free Church.

Wages and Prices. William Fenton, a young lad of 16, later to become Sir William C Fenton, started work at the Moorend Mills for 6s a week. He "went through the mill" like other employees. Omnibus drivers could earn £2 12s for a working week of 100 hours. You could order 14lbs of fish from Bolton Brothers of Grimsby for 3s 6d, delivered to your door. J Nelson & Son, Heckmondwike had rabbits for 7d each, beef and mutton 4½d per lb, and a special offer, 1 large rabbit, 1 splendid steak and a kidney, all for 1s.

Christmas Competition. Mr S Smith of 94 Mount Street, got an award from the "Guardian" for the following:
At Christmas Eve there's a treat on
At one of the pubs in Cleckheaton;
And there'll be six or seven,
When the clocks strike eleven,
Who'll not know which end has their feet on!

1908

Our King Edward is now 67 - he has only two more years to live. Mr H Asquith followed Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman as Prime Minister. Suffragettes chained themselves to the railings of No. 10 Downing Street, and Henry Ford produced his model 'T' car. Songs of the year were "Oh! Oh Antonio," "My Girls a Yorkshire Girl," and "I hear You Calling Me."

Kathleen Moorhouse. There was a music shop in Albion Street kept by Ben Moorhouse. His daughter Kathleen, a little girl in 1908, already had a head full of music, to the delight of her father. She was to become one of the finest cello players in the country, marrying Eric Fogg, a brilliant musician, who became "Uncle Eric" in the radio "Childrens Hour." He died tragically, when still young, by being run over in the London tube.

Thomas William Thompson (43) was appointed Heckmondwike's first librarian. He was selected from 44 applicants at a salary of 27s a week. At 18 he had joined the Heckmondwike Post Office as a "letter carrier" but at 42 he had an accident to his foot, whilst on duty. His life was not without problems, but by his determination and hard work he became one of the town's most respected citizens. In 1925 he published "Spen Valley - a Local History." One of his many awards was for a dialect phrase most likely to puzzle a southerner. It was "Ah newped him wi' mi' neive for nifleing mi' nawpings:" (I struck him with my fist for stealing my gratuities (tips)). His son John, a retired bank manager, lives in Cleckheaton.

New Post Office. The new office in Albion Street was duly built and opened, and a dinner was held at the George Hotel. The building was claimed to be heated on the hot water principle and lighted by electricity.

Ash-pits and Middens were in the news in Heckmondwike, and disturbing cases were quoted by the health inspector. At 34 Regent Street the ashpit door was off and the contents had not been cleared for some time, resulting in overflowing. At No. 35 there was water around a closet of the midden type - it was unused because of rats. 5 closets had to serve 18 houses. Some closets had no seats. In Centre Street was an ashpit from which water. etc. percolated into the cellar. On June 17 sinking fish heads were lying about in the Market Place at 6am.

John Wesley Hillard lived at Wilton House, Westgate (now the Cleckheaton Fire Station). On February 6, a piece of wood, used for nailing on a skirting board, had protruded under the fire. It became alight causing £150 worth of damage. An electrical fault caused the maid's bell to ring, and she roused the family. Mr Hillard was loud in his praises for the fire brigade. I would have thought he could have praised the maid as well. Perhaps he did!

Mr Alfred Law, of The Grange, Cleckheaton, died on November 5, aged 76. His grave at White Chapel was lined with ivy, chrysanthemums and lilies by Mr Mathers, gardener at The Grange. Mr Alfred was the eldest of the five sons of the late Samuel Law, and spent 40 years with the local company.

Serious Charge against a married man. At Milton Mills, Heckmondwike, a married man attempted to act indecently to a prepossessing girl of 17, Beatrice Lambert, of Liversedge. According to the press report, ""she screamed, then told defendant that he ought to know better. She would make him smart for it!" And so he was fined 10s or 14 days.

Charity Carnival at Cleckheaton. June 15, in aid of the Bradford Hospital Fund. Only one band entered the comic band contest, the Cleckheaton Frying Pan Mummers, from St. Peg Mills. The 11 players got 2s each. In the Street Decoration Competition, Heaton Street was first, Mrs F Dean and Mrs C Stead...15s prize. The second was Springfield Terrace, Miss Plows...who got 7s 6d. Mrs E Knowles of 130 South Parade got 5s for being the oldest woman on the field. She was 85.

Suffragettes. Miss Pankhurst and Miss Mary Gawthorp addressed a meeting in the Co-op Hall at Heckmondwike. Many stink bombs were dropped, presumably by men of the town.

Vestry Meetings. At Heckmondwike, Mr R.S. Cahill, vicar's warden and head at the Secondary School, reported a balance of £9, and was pleased to say that collections had averaged £4 3s 9d. The Rev. Canon Fowler at Liversedge was announcing to applause, that they had £4 6s 3d in hand, and were solvent!

Wedding in the Valley. The bride, at Heckmondwike Parish Church, wore a cream empire gown of pan cloth trimmed with chiffon and silver iridescent fringe. The vest of the bodice was cream folded chiffon and the coatee was covered with old French lace...she had a cream silk and velvet Gainsboro hat, trimmed with ostrich plumes and carried a muff covered with myrtle and orange blossom. The bridegroom gave the bride fox furs, his parents gave a piano, cabinet and stool.

For Sale. Small stack of 1908 hay...apply A Lear, Cleckheaton Golf Club; At Heckmondwike Co-op...manure from 21 horses: Roasted potatoes, oven and cart...owner giving up.

Doan's Back-ache Pills. Mrs Mary Clegg of Moorbottom said, "My back troubled me - where the kidneys are - I did my work in agony - tried Doan's pills - have felt nothing since taking them!" I wonder if they are still around and still as good?

Local Gamblers. In March, William Horner and James Poutney of Roberttown, and Fred Townend of Hartshead, were summoned for gaming at cards on a flat stone by the roadside. They were each fined 5s and the cards were destroyed!

The Lewis's Hall, Heckmondwike. Geoffrey Burnley of Sunnyside, (everyone knows Geoffrey!) tells me that when he was a nipper he went to what was the very first cinema show in the town, earlier than the shows at the baths. It was to be found in the ground floor of the "Herald" building, in Cemetery Road. The machine was in the middle of the room, operated by hand, and the children sat on forms. In the interval to change the spool, a Miss Lillian Preston used to sing "A Pretty Little Home in Nowhere." Thank you Geoffrey.