Author: secretary

Autumn bring out the nuts, so to speak, as the World Conker Championship at Ashton returned for its 24th annual event.

“Almost continual drizzle failed to dampen the enthusiasm of the crowd flocking to the 24th World Conker Championships at Ashton on Sunday.

Vic Owen, the burly King conker, and showbiz celebrities Norman Rossington and Robert Gladwell, were out on the green at Ashton to see fair play among the 200 competitors at this annual event.

Compered by the indefatigable Nigel Croskell from Southams, who kept up a stream of banter throughout the whole procedings, the event looks set to equal the £7,500 raised last yar.

After a series of nail biting heats when competitors thrashed and basjed away at the conkers in the true spirit of the occasion the winners emerged.

For the second time Bill Cox, a retired plumber from Homiton in Devon, became men’s champion, beating restaurant owner Gary Watson (also known as Alan Cotton) in a short, sharp final.

Bill (69), who travel to Ashton regularly for the championships, first won in 1981.

‘There is no technique involved,’ he said. ‘It’s just a matter of luck and hoping you pick the right conker.’

No known as William the Conkerer to hjis friends, Bill is determined to return next year to defend his title.

For the first time in its history, the organisers, Ashton Conker Club, invited ladies to put their skills to the test and 32 accepted the challenge.

Winner was Sheila Doubleday from Peterborough.

The 42-year-old mother of three was entered by her husband – who failed to turn up for the historic event!

Asked how she felt on becoming the first lady champion, Sheila, who runs the Helpston Fish Bar, replied: ‘It’s incredible. I was convinced I would be out in the first round. I haven’t played since I was ten.’

Runner-up for the ladies’ championship was Sharon Shatford from Kettering.

Trophies were presented by Alan Johns, managing director of Six-O-Four Building Supplies, who were sponsors for this year’s event.

In the children’s section 40 youngsters took part with 10 year-old Martin Nikel of Peterborough becoming the winner following an exciting battle with Jeremy Newman (10) of Oundle. . .

The Stamford Mercury, 14th October, 1988.

Luckily for Jos. Robinson (languishing in prison), a Mr. Spurr was a reader of the Mercury and was able to correct some facts about an attempted robbery, which lead to Robinson’s pardon.

“Gainsboro’. – Great sensation has been produced in this town by certain singular relevations which have been made respecting the burglary alleged to have been attempted at the residence of the Rev. J. H. Willan, master of the Grammar-school, on Monday evening the 26th ult. It will be remembered that a man named Jos. Robinson was taken in custody by Mr. Cheney, from a description given by the two servant girls: he was examined before the magistrates, and although a woman with whom he lodged swore that he was in bed at the time the attempt was said to have been made, he was committed to the house of correction. Mr. J. F. Spurr, of Scarboro’, but formerly of Gainsboro’, on seeing the statements in the Mercury , wrote to Mr., Guy, the magistrates’ clerk, to say that the reporter of the Mercury must have been misinformed as to the facts of the case; and it will be seen that other persons were misinformed also – and on this misinformation, if it may be called so, the prisoner Robinson has suffered nearly a month’s imprisonment for a crime of which he is innocent! Mr. Spurr then goes on to say that on the evening in question (April 26th), and at the time stated, viz. ten minutes to nine o’clock, he, in company with a young friend, called on Mr. Willan: the girl refused to open the door, but said Mr. Willan was at home and she could fetch him. Mr. Spurr again rapped, and told the girl she might venture to open the door. He says he then gave his name, and pushed his card under the door. In less than a minute, the school bell began to ring violently, and becoming perplexed he walked down the play-ground and joined his friend, and they met several persons hastening to the house to render assistance. – On the other hand, the servant girls on oath declared there were two men, whose dress they described, that they pushed violently at the door, and threatened to murder them if they did not open it, and that the prisoner Robinson was one of the men. On the receipt of Mr. Spurr’s letter, they were closely re-examined: they persist in their original statement in every particular, and deny that Mr. Spurr told his name, or that any card was ever found under the door. – There is not a shadow of doubt that these conflicting statements refer to one and the same event, as the day and hour and the ringing of the bell stated by both parties exactly correspond, and the girls mention being disturbed only once. ~The statements in evidence, accompanied by a copy of Mr. Spurr’s letter, were transmitted to the Secretary of State, and after some delay Mr. Guy received a communication from the Home-office, stating that Sir Geo. Grey had been induced, from careful consideration of all the circumstances, to grant a free pardon to Robinson, who has consequently been set at liberty. – [Through the kindness of Mr. Guy, the whole of the documents have been submitted to our inspection, and from them we have gathered the above account.]”

The Stamford Mercury, 26th May, 1848.

Several diverse snippets were stuck together in this column of the Mercury of 1860. From lock-jaw to transatlantic cable laying – it seems its pages covered every subject known to man.

“Fatal case of Lock-jaw. – Mrs. F. M. Moore, housekeeper to the General Dispensary, Euston-road, has died from lock-jaw. It was caused by an operation, apparently properly performed by a professional dentist, of snipping two molar teeth for the purpose of fixing artificial teeth, which she was in the habit of wearing.

The Earl and ‘The Traviata’ in the Hunting Field. – the sportsmen of Melton and Market Harboro’ have been not a little excited by the warning which has been given to a lady, who is as great an adept at ‘skittles’ as in riding, that she must no longer hunt with the Quorn, but seek her amusement with other packs, the masters of which are not so straight-laced.

An Old Sailor. – A very old craft has come to her end during the stormy weather this week, – the Flying Fish, wrecked off Filey. She was built at Whitby in 1783, and was consequently 77 years old. Mr. Edmund Woolterton, the master and owner, sho resides in Bath-street, South Shields, and who is a fine specimen of the British sailor, has weathered the storms of 71 winters, having spend 60 of them at sea, and 50 of them on board the Flying Fish.

The Arctic Regions. – The exploring ship Fox, Captain Allen Young, arrived in Portland Roads on Friday from the coasts of the Faroe Islands, Iceland, and Green land, where she has been employed in surveying the route for the proposed North Atlantic Telegraph. The severity of the late season in the northern regions had been greater that has been experienced during the last 20 years, but, by remaining in Greenland until November 8, when the winter has fairly set in, the Fox succeeded in examining and sounding fiords on the south coast, and proving their practicability for the reception of the of the cable. The Fox has also coasted down a considerable extent of the east coast of Greenland, hitherto supposed to be inaccessible, besides making a series of deep-sea soundings, and brings home a variety of specimens in natural history, and photographs of the scenery and costumes of the countries visited. The Fox belonged to the late Sir Rd. Sutton Bart.: it was his pleasure yacht.

The Stamford Mercury, 30th November, 1860.

To us, this sounds like the script to a Two Ronnies‘ sketch, but presumably people wishing to travel on the York mail could work it out – or maybe end up in Edinburgh?!

“Considerable alterations will be made in about a month’s time, in the arrangements of the mails which pass through Stamford. The present ‘York mail’ will go northward by Northallerton, and not at all to York. Its time is to be still further accelerated, so that it will reach Edinburgh (394 miles) at six o’clock on the second evening, or in 46 hours after leaving the General Post office in London: its speed, therefore, must be more than ten miles an hour when travelling, or nine miles an hour including all stoppages. It is to reach Stamford at a quarter before six in the morning. – The Glasgow mail is to be taken entirely off this road, (it is to be made a branch or continuation of the Leeds mail;) but a new coach, to be called the York mail, is to travel at the same time as the Glasgow now does: it is to come from London by Biggleswade, and to go through Selby and Thorne to York, and forward to Newcastle and Edinburgh. This new coach is not to travel quite so fast as the other Edinburgh mail: it is to reach Stamford from London at half-past six in the morning, and is to pass upward at about the same time as the Glasgow mail now does, viz. 11 o’clock in the day. The coaches are to take separate lines northward from Bawtry instead of Ferrybridge.”

The Stamford Mercury, 25th March, 1825.

Many human bones, coins and artefacts were found in Chapel Close, Langham, Rutland. We wonder if more have been found since.

“There is a small close near the village of Langham, in Rutland, which has for many centuries been known by the name of the Chapel Close; and it is supposed from the rise of the ground in one part of the close, that a Romish chapel formerly stood on the spot, but there is not any record which shows how long it has been destroyed, though that event is supposed to have occurred long before the Reformation. This ground is now in the occupation of Mr. John Messing, of Langham; the parishioners are making a pit through it for getting stone to repair the roads, and the workmen have found at different times eight complete human skeletons, one of which was measured as it lay on the earth, and was found to be considerably more than six feet from the skull to the bottom of the leg bones; and at the bottom of one of the arm bones lay a ring, which is supposed to have been on the finger of the deceased person. Not any remains of a coffin of any kind have been found; and the ring was so decayed that is broke into small bits on slight pressure. The persons employed have likewise found five pieces of ancient silver coin, about the size of old sixpences, but worn very thin, and having on them the figure of some monarch, and a Latin inscription scarcely visible; – also a small copper coin, of the size of a farthing; the date under the tail-side is very much defaced, but it seems to be 850, which makes it nearly a thousand years old: it is supposed to be of the reign of Athelwolf, who died in 856. A great deal of melted lead and slate has likewise been found, and some small bits of beautiful pavement, &c.-The hill or rising ground is dug about halfway through, and it is conjectured that something still more curious may yet be found.”

The Stamford Mercury, 11th February, 1825.

The Bull Running festival was part of Stamford life and folklore for over 600 years. In this obituary published on 15 July 1808, The Mercury described it for those who knew nothing about it: “…an annual festival is kept here on the 13^th November when, the shops being shut, all business deferred, and the streets and every outlet from the town stopped up, a mad bull is let loose to range all day, followed by thousands of intrepid “bullards”.  The obituary recorded the death of “Mrs Ann Blades, …Empress of the Bullards in Stamford. On the day of the festival it has been her practice to be splendidly attired in blue.” Skip forward 179 years and the festival was revived by a local publican. Much fun was had by all!

“The word had evidently got around . . . there were no animal rights campaigners and even the police kept a low profile as crowds waited expectantly for the start of the bull-running.

It turned out that there was nothing to beef about – just a few pantomime-type bulls and a crowd of runners in red T-shirts.

Revival of the ancient custom – the brainchild of publican Dave Ladd – got its fair share of laughs from the good-humoured crowd, many of whom got a soaking from the over enthusiastic runners and bulls, armed with water pistols.

But Dave, landlord of the town’s Green Man, revealed after the ceremony that he nearly decided to bring in a live bull at the last minute.

‘The only thing that put me off was its size,’ he said.

Dave said the original plan was to used pantomime characters and to have a real bullock on show in a cattle truck.

But his plans, which received national publicity, blew up after organisers refused to reveal details and animal lovers caused a storm of protest.

Shop assistant Jayne Addison drove into Broad Street in a vintage car to start off the bull-running. She won a ‘Lady in Blue’ competition and became the traditional figure in charge of the ceremony.

Dressed in blue period costume, Jayne released the ‘beasts’* from the two cattle trucks before handing out posies to the crowd.”

The Stamford Mercury, 10th July, 1987.

*It is believed that the beasts were none other than Brian Studd and Aubrey Johnson.

Mr. Watson, is seems was indeed a musician of wonder! His ‘one man band’ apparently sounded like an entire orchestra, involving his whole body, even more of a wonder because he was blind.

Another famous blind musician was Doc Watson (perhaps a distant relation?), the American guitarist, singer and songwriter.

“Mr. Watson, a Scotch artist, gave two evening concerts in the Guildhall on the 5th and 7th inst. The peculiarity of this performance renders it worthy of special notice. Mr. Watson, who has been deprived of sight from his infancy, performed on five instruments, bringing into simultaneous musical action his mouth, hands, and feet, – on two harmonicons*, two first violins, and a violincello, producing in combination the effect of a complete band. This, as we observed by the inspection of the instrument allowed to the audience by Mr. Watson, is produced by the addition of a sounding board and steel-bar to the violin, two additional sounding boards to the Victoria guitar. The contrivance is most ingenious, and does the inventor infinite credit, considering the physical disadvantages under which he labors.”

The Stamford Mercury, 8th October, 1847.

*A harmonica or mouth organ.

Johann Pestalozzi was a Swiss educationalist who wrote many works explaining his revolutionary modern principles of education. His motto was “Learning by head, hand and heart”.

“PESTALOZZIAN Preparatory BOARDING and DAY SCHOOL for Young GENTLEMEN, STAMFORD.

THE Misses HEATLEY, in announcing their Removal from St. Peter’s Hill to a capacious Residence on Barn Hill for the reception of Pupils, avail themselves of this opportunity to rep[eat their thanks for the support their friends have given to principles which are silently, though successfully, making way in England; a result long since foretold by their ablest advocate, the late Dr. Mayo. He always said they were so consonant with good sense, so much in harmony with the spirit of the People of England, that they must be adopted, though it might be that the name of Pestalozzi would not be appended to them. The general principle seem universally recognised, that Instruction is not Education; that the Child is to be treated as a moral, intellectual, and physical being; or to repeat the well-known words of Pestalozzi, that education must work on the Heart, the Head, and the Hand. It is not the amount of knowledge (in a Preparatory school) which Children may obtain, – but what is of far more importance than positive knowledge, and far more pleasing to witness, is the freedom of mind, and intelligent sympathy with the meaning of questions. This system attains the important end of sending Children into the world with well-furnished minds, capable of easy development. In whatever direction occasion may call for further progress, there is good ground-work laid: such as will bear ample testimony to the merits of the system.

The Autumnal Quarter will commence on the 29th of September.

Barn Hill, Stamford, Sept. 15, 1847.

The Stamford Mercury, 24th September, 1847.

It seems Pilgrim had a superb pedigree and won many races. At seven years old, he was now available as a stud.

“To cover this season, at Two Guineas and a Crown each Mare

The property of Mr. R. Loyde and Mr. T. Butterfield.

Pilgrim was got by Restless; his dam, Rosaletta, by Nabob; grandam, Rosetta, by Shafto’s Squirrel; great grandam, Rose, by Blank; great great grandam called Look at me Lads, by Grasshopper; Newton’s Arabian, Old Put, Saint Martin’s, Sir Edward Hale’s Turk, out of the Oldfield mare.

Restless was got by Phaenomenon, out of Mr. Burdon’s Duchess, which was allowed to be the best mare England ever produced.

Pilgrim in 1800 (the first time of his running, and then 3 years old) was beat at Chester, by Collector, for a sweepstakes of 15 gs. each, 12 subscribers, he beating the same time Dick Andrews; (which is now allowed to be the best horse in the kingdom), Britannia, and Kill-Devil; and the day following he won the £50 for all ages, at three severe four-mile heats, beating collector, Gift, Prosper, Lord Howe, and Astark; and won a sweepstakes at Litchfield of 100 gs. each, h. ft. for 3-year-olds, beating Mr. Arison’s colt, by Overton – In 1801 he won the cup, value £30, at Chester, at three four-mile heats, beating Dapple, Tityrus, and Magnight; and £50 at Manchester, beating a chestnut filly by Buzzard, Ambo, and Babalon. – In 1802 he won a sweepstake at Ludlow’s of 10 gs. each (with 20 gs. added), 4 miles, 5 subscribers, betting Meteor and Frolic; and the day following he won £50 at three four-mile heats, beating Dapple, Meteor and Frolic; and Mr. Phillips’ Rolla. – In 1803 he won a sweepstekes (sic) at Ludlow, of 10 gs. each (with 20 gs added). 5 subscribers, beating Dapple, and a brown filly by Marske; and the gold cup, value 65 gs. at Chesterfield, beating Rival Fieldfare, and Meteor; and £50 at Warwick, at two four-mile heats, beating Pyrrhus, Knutsford, Eliza, and Galloper.

He is now rising 7 years old, and free from all blemishes; a good black, without white; full 15 hands 2 1/2 inches high, with great substance, and remarkable good action; and for soundness and constitution must be equal to any horse in the kingdom, for the time he was in training, besides other different lengths, he run in England and Wales forty-one four mile heats, during which time he was never known to be lame.

*** He will attend at Louth on Wednesdays, Wragby on Thursdays, Lincoln on Fridays, and Caistor on Saturdays; and will travel in that circuit during the season.”

The Stamford Mercury, 2nd, March, 1804.

Following a recent post about a fire in Fleet Street, another was reported in the same edition. This one was in Ludgate Hill near many workshops and warehouses.

“On Monday night about eight o’clock, an extensive fire commenced at the stables of Messrs. James Wilkinson and son, of Ludgate-hill, perhaps the largest upholsterers and cabinet makers in London; the stables were at the back of their large warehouses, and situated in a narrow lane called Little Bridge-street, – across which, above the houses, was a wooden bridge passing over the roofs leading from Messrs. W.’s workshops, &c. to other warehouses belonging to the same firm. The fire burst out in the course of a few minutes into an amazing blaze, illuminating Fleet-street and St. Paul’s-church-yard, and the uppermost portion of the cathedral being as distinguishable as at noon-day. Every avenue (and all the avenues are remarkably narrow) leading to the spot, was soon crowded to a painful and alarming excess, the curiosity being the greater from the rumour that ‘Apothecaries’ Hall’ was on fire: this rumour gained credence from the vivid and various appearances of the flames, which however were occasioned by the dry and large rooms, containing furniture and seasoned woods, having caught fire. Each sifde of Little Bridge-street, which was literally covered as well as surrounded with the workshops and warehouses belonging to Messrs. Wilkinson, were soon in flames; and the inhabitants of those humble dwellings, consisting of working people, had great difficulty in escapoing with their lives – if all did escape, whch is exceedingly problematical, as the street was soon blocked up with people and engines. Engines arrived at the spot soon after the fire broke out; indeed, several were in tne neighbourhood, around the premises where the fire had been in Fleet-street on Sunday morning. Water was soon afterwards obtainable, aa the plugs in Bridge-street were drawn; but it was still some time ere thee engines could be brought into effective operation. By half-past nine, however, they began to produce some some effect, as was visible by their volumes of black smoke that rose and curled frightfully amongst the extensive atmosphere of flame. But it was long before the conflagration would be readily brought under, there being such an immense extent of buildings on fire, and it being difficult to get many engines near enough to play on them. Saying nothing of the numersous small houses in Little Bridge-street, (and the inhabitants merit the most active commiseration,) the premises of Messrs. Wilkinson alone (now a ruin) consituted what might be termed a village. The property therein was valuable and immensely extensive; Mr. John Kay, a rich and extraordinary man, still well remembered in the city of London, and who on his death was succeeded by Messrs. Wilkinson and Son – The following are the names of the paarties ascertained to be sufferers by the above calamitous event: – Messrs, Wilkinnson and Son, upholsterers, who have experiences damage to an enormous exteent; Mr. Harveym linen-draper, the back of whose premises are considerably damaged; Messrs. Barlow and Blake, wine-merchants; and Mr. Blades, glass-manufacturer, sustained very serious losses; Mr. James, the foreman to the Hand-in-Hand Fire-office, had his house entirely destroyed, besides most of his household furniture; the houses of Mr. Larkin, a glass-cutter, – Smith, a rocking horse-maker, – Gregory, Jones, and Holland, in Evangelist-court, – were extensively injured; – all those houses were mostly let out in tenements to labouring artizans. As yet it is not precisely ascertained how the disaster originated. At one o’cock the walls of the burning pile fell down with a tremendous crash, and smothered the fire, but still an immense column of smoke continued to ascend. The light-fingered gentry were, as usual, on the alert, and made a successful harvest upon the property of the persons assembled, and that of the unfortunate sufferers. Some of the thieves are in custody. – This calamitous event has, in addition to the destruction of a vast quantity of uninsured properpty, caused an inconvenience almost immeassurable to Messrs. Wilkinson and Son, as the entire of the stock packed for foreign markets is destroyed. The workshops being also destroyed, all their workmen are thrown out of employ, and the loss of these poor artizans (their tools being included in the general wreck) is very great.”

The Stamford Mercury, 19th November, 1824.