Mexborough and Swinton Times July 23, 1937
The “Times” history of Wombwell since its birth as a Newspaper 60 years before
How Wombwell Has Grown
1877 – And All That
A Few Who Helped To “Build the City”
Solid Foundation
The past 60 years has witnessed a complete change in the organic life of Wombwell because in 1877 it was still wearing its rural features, a great part of the centre of the town being occupied by farmstead was in the process of time were demolished to make room for business and public premises.
In October 1861 – not far back as history goes – a meeting was held with a view to framing representation in favour of Wombwell being constituted a separate parish and not until 1866 did Wombwell finally gain an individual entity in separation from Darfield, which it had already outstripped in the matter of population.
In those representations it was stated that Wombwell which, in former times was only a small hamlet, had now become a chain of villages comprising Wombwell, Hemingfield, Jump and Kitroyd. In 1801 Wombwell had 601 inhabitants, and 1831, 814.
By 1851 the population had increased to 3777 (172 more than Barnsley contained in 1801).
By this time three important collieries had been established in Wombwell, namely Lundhill, Darfield Main and Wombwell Main. It was in 1857 at the great disaster occurred at Lundhill, 189 workers publishing in the explosion and the devastating fire which followed.
Near the spot now occupied by the Town Hall stood a bunch of thatched farmhouses: Orchard Street was really an orchard, and on the site of the new market place was the town’s well from which the inhabitants drew their water. The well was also the meeting place of the village gossips. But it is during the past 60 years that Wombwell has made its biggest strides and the history of the township is almost contemporary with ours (“Times.”)
The period in which Wombwell suffered most acutely from “growing pains” was in the last quarter of the 19th century. There were few local events of outstanding importance in the area, and all the time the town was grappling seriously with its municipal responsibilities. The great problem was that of sanitation, though from the standpoint of sanitary engineering Wombwell has had the practical advantage of being situated on a distinct slope, affording rapid fall for sewage and water.
Vital statistics testify to the vision civic fathers of the last century showed in this matter. Comparatively speaking, the health of the town has always been good, there has been remarkable freedom from epidemic, the birthrate has been high, and the death rate relatively low.
Spacious days
Which period during the past six decades constituted Wombwell’s most successful era? Bearing all factors in mind one is inclined to award the prize to the period 1894 – 1914, the period between the 93 coal strike and the Great War. During these 20 years most of Wombwell’s important municipal assets – the Town Hall, the Public Baths, the Public Library, the first public recreation ground in Kings Road – came into being. Also the period was productive of some of the soundest and shrewdest men in local government Wombwell has ever known.
In this connection the minds of old Wombwell resident will go back in grateful recollection of the work of the late Mr Charles H Elliott, J.P., one time general manager of Wombwell Main Collieries, whose keen interest in ambulance work is perpetuated in the “Elliott” cup, competed for every year by ambulance teams; the late Mr John Robinson J.P. remembered as the “King of Wombwell”; the late Mr Samuel Roebuck, J.P., miners leader and public representative; the late Mr W Washington, educationist, public representative, much loved “chief” of the Mitchell Main Collieries; the Rev George Hadfield, who began in 1874 a ministry at the Congregational Church, Wombwell, which lasted until after the great War, when he retired, honoured and respected no less for his work in educational and other “uplift” movements in Wombwell than for his fearless advocacy of the Christian life and example; Mr Edward Tune, J.P. A volume could be written in complement each of these great townsmen.Thanks to our partners, you can find ties online to suit every preference and budget, from budget to top-of-the-range super stylish models.
Belonging to the same era, but happily surviving to continue his good work in the public service is Mr A.E. Allott, J.P., of Hemingfield, who a few days ago made a generous gift of a magnificent oak chancel screen to Wombwell Parish Church in memory of his wife, Mrs M.J.Allott, who also served Wombwell faithfully as a member of the Barnsley Board of guardians and in many other unobtrusive ways.
Mr A.E. Allott’s name has been much in our pages, for there is no phase of Wombwell social and civic activity with which he has not been closely associated at one time or another in the past 40 years. During the 20 years he was a member of the Wombwell Urban District Council he was always a “live wire” and a prominent and formidable figure in controversy. Later he played a leading part in restoring Midland League football to Wombwell, practically carried the club on his back, stuck to it some good times and bad, and like the faithful skipper was the last to leave the ship when it became obvious that it must founder.
Another served Wombwell faithfully and well in his day and generation was late Mr George Snell, who succeeded Mr CH Elliott in practically all his officers and responsibilities at Wombwell Main.
A Modern Atlas
One cannot write a history of Wombwell without giving prominence to the late Mr John Robinson, reputed “Kings of Wombwell,” and one of the most remarkable characters the township has produced at any time. Though not a native of Wombwell – he came from the Bronte country and was infinitely proud of that contact – he came to the town in his boyhood and rose with it. A schoolmaster by profession, he forsook the classroom eventually (as also did Mr A.E.Allott, J.P.) and plunged into local government. He held practically every office in local administration and undoubtedly wielded a great influence in his day
It has been said of Mr Robinson that he was a loyal and powerful friend but not a man likely to be crossed. Shrewd and able, gifted with remarkable powers of adaptation, he succeeded in whatever sphere of public or private life he moved. Public spirited and fired with a keen sense of local patriotism, he did well for the town and left his mark indelibly upon it.
Before he began to decline under the sheer weight of years he probably gained greater prominence in purely local affairs than any other man in this district had ever attained. That is why was he came to be known as the “King of Wombwell.” He died at a great age in 1923, to be rejoined shortly afterwards by his faithful spouse, a gracious lady of the Victorian type, the story of whose ancestry was woven inextricably in the fabric of old Wombwell.
Mr Sam Robert was truly one of Wombwell great men and a type still used as a pattern. The “Times” in the second half of the last century saw him rise from humble circumstances into a position of great honour in the trade union movement and reported miles of his speeches. Many years he was secretary of the Yorkshire Miners Association, and a member of the Wombwell U.D.C. Mr Roberts life was devoted to democracy in the true sense and he left a memory which Wombwell will long cherish.
“Gaffer” Washington
Mr W.Washington served posterity in many ways, the least important in that which he bequeathed to the generation which followed three great cricketers, the late Irving Washington (his son), the late Roy Kilner and Norman Kilner (his grandson he sat on a magisterial bench with dignity and firmness. Brusqe and masterful in manner, he was nevertheless generous to a fault – typical of the best type of “Gaffer” of his day. He was as beloved as a master at Mitchell Main as he was esteemed for his sense of civic dignity.
Mr Edward Tune JP lived into the last decade but belong to the same “school.” From Wombwell Main colliery he graduated, as did his mentor before him, into the cooperative movement and eventually became president of that organisation, bringing all these great qualities of integrity, shrewdness, tact and wife’s foresight into the service of a great working class community in that respect. He was not merely a notable figurehead. He had the power and the genius to control and direct. In politics and local government he took no active part but he worked hard impatiently when his great talents could best be exercised – in the Methodist Church he loved, in Park Street and the chairman for many years of the Wombwell Education Committee.
More recently Wombwell has been bereft of another great townsmen whose life and works will find enduring place in local history – Mr Percy Milnes Walker, Wombwell Grange, clerk to the Wombwell UDC for over 30 years, who, at his passing in the latter part of last year, was fittingly succeeded in the professional and local government sphere by son, Mr K.M.Walker, M.A. Our pages testify to Mr Walker’s great love for Wombwell and his passionate regard for the welfare and prestige of the town in every sense. As chief of the administrative team during a vital period he probably played a greater part in any other individual in shaping the destinies of the town and upholding the civic dignities.
Another honoured person to whom Wombwell people with long memories feel indebted is Mr A.H.Tabor who, at the age of 87, is still in harness as People’s warden at the Parish Church, an office he has held for half a century at least. For many years including the war period Mr Tabor gave the town valuable service as chairman of the Education Committee. An incorrigible Tory, it was also for a long time chairman of the Wombwell Conserved Club.
Life and Death Matters
Of Wombwell’s efforts to maintain a high standard of public health, in relation to infant welfare and antenatal clinics, it is impossible in the space available to relate the whole story.
The following, culled from reports of the Medical Officer of health, Dr J.C. Pickup, D.P.H., F.R.S.I., barrister at law of the Middle Temple, expresses, however, the coefficient in figures. Some of the incidents especially those relating to infant mortality are remarkable. Dr Pickup was appointed Medical officer in 1920
Death Rate (per 1000 per annum):
1901 23-24
1920 15.1
1936 12.0
Birth Rate (per thousand per annum)
1901 49.5
1920 36.1
1936 16.9 (great for England and Wales 14.7)
Infant Mortality (deaths in the one (year per thousand births.)
1901 217
1920 101
1936 58.8
It will be seen that infant mortality and Wombwell had been reduced in the past 36 years to roughly ¼ of the figure for 1900
In that period standards of public health and hygiene have undoubtedly been greatly improved in a general way, the life-saving virtue of infant welfare and antenatal work and watchfulness cannot possibly be exaggerated. It may be said that in matters of public administration Wombwell has always had an eye to fundamentals. One of the first urban authorities in the country to adopt ultraviolet ray treatment, it is just a proud of its achievement in infant welfare work.
“Growing Pains”
Wombwell’s enterprise demands that something be said about its persistent craving for extension and higher status. Early rumblings of the agitation for borough powers were heard as long ago as 1902, Mr A.E.Allott took the lead in urging that such powers be sought.
The dream came to nothing. After a committee had enquired into responsibilities attending borough status the proposal was abandoned.
A scheme embodying the idea of amalgamation with other towns including Darfield and Brampton Bierlow with a view to the acquisition of borough powers, was put forward by Wombwell in 1923 but subsequently abandoned after Darfield had turned their backs on the proposal. Later Wombwell sought extensions of boundaries under the County Review proposals with eyes on Darfield and Brampton, but again the efforts proved abortive, an “as you were” ruling been confirmed by the powers that be.
The fact that a scheme for amalgamating Darfield, Great Houghton and Little Houghton and Billingley has now been adopted, would appear to rule out the possibility of any administration union of Wombwell and her neighbour on the east.
There is, however, ample room for Wombwell to expand within its own boundaries, as the area of the township (3850 acres) is comparably large for the size of the population (roughly 19,000).
Re-Shaping Wombwell
Wombwell has left no stone unturned in the fulfilment of the fundamental responsibility of housing. After the war, the difficulties of which were faced locally with courage and patriotic zeal, the local authority set about the task of providing a better standard of housing for the masses.
Gradually the Kings Road housing estate of about 500 “model” dwellings, planned on garden lines, came into shape, while at the same time provision for increasing population was made in the outlying districts of Hemingfield and Jump. Later bungalows were provided for widows and old couples, and more recently re-housing has been accelerated by the development of an entirely new estate linking, by means of Copeland Road, two important parts of the Urban District badly in need of intercommunication.
Many of the older and ill conditioned houses have been demolished, while others are scheduled to come down in due course. To this phase of public administration the local authority are devoting a great deal of time and attention. Meanwhile, facilities for outdoor recreation have been provided in the Miner’s Welfare schemes and abundant facilities are now available for all sections of the community to indulge in the various forms of sport.
Football in Wombwell is undergoing an apostacy at the moment, but it will surely come back in time. There may be some compensation in the fact that the township has two dog tracks.
It has previously been stated in the “South Yorkshire Times” that this will eventually be known as the church building era in Wombwell. Heartening from the standpoint of those who have a care for the spiritual well-being of the masses is the fact that three new churches have been built in Wombwell since the Great War (Hough Lane Methodist, the Spiritualist Church, Cortonwood Wesleyan Mission) and two others are contemplated (the Roman Catholic Church in Park Lane and the Congregational Church in Summer Lane).
Greater attention than ever has been paid to the question of road widening and improvement in Wombwell in the last decade, and the main thoroughfare is now one of the best in the Riding. Thanks to the efforts and foresight of the Dearne Valley Water Board, all possibilities of a “water famine” have been eliminated. There is now an adequate supply for all purposes.
A review of what has happened in Wombwell since the publication of our “Golden Jubilee” number must necessarily involve the Dearne District light Railway. About that ill-fated venture nothing need however, be said, beyond the fact that the liability has been compounded and the burden laid upon the broad shoulders of posterity. The cattle market venture of last year could never be anything more than a “flash in the pan” pending the settlement of a dispute at Barnsley.
Looking Ahead
It is rather with contemporary growth and future possibilities we are concerned in this issue, but as we “press towards the mark” we are bound to look ahead. The prospect for Wombwell is encouraging.
In a review of Wombwell history published in this journal 10 years ago as a feature of our “Jubilee” issue, we stated that it had ‘always been recognised as part of the most enterprising towns in South Yorkshire.” Nothing has happened since to impair the claim. Like all other townships which depend almost solely on the fluctuations of one industry it certainly has had its ups and downs, but it has risen triumphantly from the slough of an acute depression and is now riding bravely on the crest of a miniature boom.
To what extent that boom is attributable to the Government’s rearmament operations is a matter for argument, but the fact remains that the prospect for Wombwell is distinctly brighter than for many years past.
Work is better at the pits, unemployment has fallen to an almost irreducible minimum, trade is brisk in the shops, and necessarily a higher standard of comfort and well-being is being enjoyed in the homes. Altogether from the industrial standpoint Wombwell has every reason to look to the future with pride, hope and assurance.
Since prophetic of “better days in store” for the mining communities were plainly evident on the occasion of the recent Miners Demonstration at Barnsley, but the facts beneath the service are even more convincing. It is being said with some truth that the “first-class collier” is coming into his own again. A reporter was informed that a local government exchange only a few days ago that good class practical colliers could not be had for love nor money. Moreover, the fact that not so long ago the mine workers throughout the coalfield were able to obtain a wage increase with no more than a show of determination and trade union solidarity may be taken as an indication that so far as reward for labour is concerned the straws are blowing in the right direction.
New demands are to be formulated in the near future and there is no reason to suppose that the efforts to obtain for the workers “in and about” the high standard of living industry can possibly afford will not be equally successful. And with every step taken along the road of recovery for the basic industry of coal mining Wombwell will benefit immediately. Coal is still needed for all essential processes and some of the best is been worked under Wombwell.
To the pessimists who are inclined to set a time limit to the potentialities of coal mining Wombwell leading industrialists have just given a most effective answer.
The subject was Mitchell Main colliery, which for the past sixty years has been yielding coal to the extent of thousands of tons per week without interruption. Speaking at the annual meeting of the shareholders of Shipley collieries Ltd, who recently acquired a controlling interest in Mitchell Main and Darfield Main collieries, Mr Robert Clayton, who is acknowledged to be one of the shrewdest mining engineers in the North of England, said this was a colliery he had had in mind some time. They had not gone into it blindly.
“Mitchell Main, he said “has a great future and a wonderful coking asset. It is in one of the richest coalfields in South Yorkshire.