Appley Bridge

Appleby Bridge is a small village in West Lancashire. It possessed quite extensive industry years ago, but it has descended into quite a laid back "nothing seems to happen" sort of place, however...

I visited Appley Bridge one Saturday morning during the Beacon Bash as a competitor on the notoriously muddy run in Lancashire. The weather was cold damp and chilly. The snow had not long since disappeared. I padded down the road the first thing I saw was a diving bell! Bit unnerving I thought. Expecting a flood? Actually Appley Bridge had been flooded about 30 years ago('87) Council press release says :

Northern Divers

''"When severe flooding occurred in several parts of the district on Saturday 22nd August 1987 - Parbold and parts of Skelmersdale were badly affected, whilst the Millbank estate in Appley Bridge was flooded out, with several houses being filled by water to first floor level and almost all of the remainder having water in their ground floor, varying from about two feet to five or six feet in depth. An amateur meteorologist with a weather station at Hilldale recorded the fall of 3.8 inches (97 mm) of rain during the 48 hours beginning at 8.00am on Saturday, 22nd August: over two thirds of that rainfall - about 2.6 inches - being in a four hour period on Saturday afternoon..."

"...From preliminary information, it would appear that the storm frequency was in the order of 1 in 75 year occurrence and this led to widespread flooding throughout the region..."

OK. Sort of get that...

On the way down I spotted an interesting road sign - and photographed "Skull House Lane" Had to research... This is what Wikipedia turned up.

Skull house lane

"In between Appley Lane North and Miles Lane is a road called Skull House Lane. The lane takes its name from a cottage known as Skull House, which is located about halfway down Appley Lane North.

The story goes that in the time of the war between the Roundheads and the Cavaliers, Oliver Cromwell ordered that the monks of England should be driven out of their monasteries and killed, with their monasteries then razed to the ground. One canny monk fled from his monastery and took refuge in a large cottage in Appley Bridge. To try to avoid discovery by Cromwell's Roundheads, the monk hid in a small cubby-hole halfway up the house's chimney. He hid there for some time, until the Roundheads eventually discovered him, and tried to drive him out. They lit a blaze in the fireplace, and the searing heat and thick smoke eventually forced the monk out, whence he was killed. Ever since then, the monk's discoloured skull has remained on the mantelpiece of the house, in the living room.

The inhabitants of Appley Bridge tell that, throughout the history of the house, there have been many residents who have tried to get rid of the skull, and all have experienced disastrous results from doing so. According to legend, one threw it into the River Douglas at the bottom of Appley Lane North. Shortly after, the skull returned to the house and the offending resident drowned in the river. Another tried to get it as far away from the house as possible, and shortly after, the skull returned once again and this time, the house's inhabitant fell down the stairs and severely injured himself. Others have tried many ways to banish the skull, and all have met with misfortune or fatality—sickness, the death of a loved one, bad luck ... the list goes on and on. The house's current residents have, unsurprisingly, never tried to remove the skull."

Seems to be some interesting parallels with the Affetside Skull there!

But that's not all. Meteorites - Surely not... Wikipedia tells me this:

"At around 8.45 on Tuesday evening of 13 October 1914, the inhabitants of Appley Bridge (indeed Lancashire and Cheshire too) were treated to a sudden and spectacular illumination of the night sky, caused by a meteorite that was subsequently found in a farmer's field in the village the following day. Found just 18 inches below the surface of the field, with the appearance of burnt iron the small rock weighed almost 33lb (15 kg). An article in the "Scientific News" (No. 2588, 30 October 1914) stated 'a small fragment which had been detached from the larger mass was put on view in a shop-window at Appley Bridge.' "

However the purpose of the visit was to get a tea and be on my way losing as little time as possible. Shot out of the checkpoint and just 20 to 30 yards away was a memorial stone in the corner of the grounds. Unfortunately the bottom inscription of the stone refering to the second World War was covered with wreaths, I was on my way, and too cold and wet to venture back and move them. But this is the inscription that I photographed.

1914     LEST WE FORGET     1918

BARRETT FRANK    FOSTER JAMES  PARKINSON HENRY

BAXENDALE RALPH     GRAY JOHN    PORTER JOHN HENRY

BLUNDELL JAMES     HALTON WILLIAM     TOMLINSON JOSEPH

EASTWOOD REGINALD GEORGE     HODGES FREDERICK     WILCOCK THOMAS

FITZPATRIC THOMAS     HURST WALTER WITTER HAROLD

1939 -1945

H BOND JV RANDALL FA DRAKE.

The rest of the names are covered up.

Its wonderful to see the respects being paid.

However back to the event, completed, and quite enjoyed it. Back again next year, photograph the bottom of the memorial and a couple of other shots too. 

Perhaps I will check my life insurance. Perhaps this town is not so sleepy after all!

(All photos are by lazylikesunday, except the meteorite one - Thanks to wikipedia - I want to provide original material, but in this case they provided excellent copy)

The pictures underneath refer to the bridges. I think there are two or three. However the road crosses the Railway, the Canal and the River Douglas. That must be quite unusual. My route took me along the river. You can see some wet and perplexed competitors on the side, ahead of me...

Appley Bridge Station

The Canal

River Douglas

The Bridge at Appley

The information on the bridge states:

G C APPLEY BRIDGE

REBUILT 1903

Thanks Appley Bridge! interesting...

Little Bedwyn

Entrance to church

Rear of church

On the hunt of my wife's ancestors or more precisely, her fathers ancestors. She always thought that he came from Sussex, but the reality is that the Mills family were Wiltshire born and bred for generations. I did not spot a grave in the church yard that had any link whatsoever with the family. But it is a beautiful church, quite dark inside. My flash had failed hence the shaky photographs. There is also a handstitched map of Little Bedwyn, destined to become a piece of local history. There was a notice on door that told us to leave the door open as swallows had nested in the entrance porch. A History of Little Bedwyn can be found here.

Millennium map inside the church

 Even though the picture is quite fuzzy, here is the information on the Roll of Honour.

To the Glory of God

AND IN FAITHFUL MEMORY

OF THE MENOF

LITTLE BEDWYN & CHISBURY

WHO FELL IN

THE GREAT WAR

1914-1918

___________

Brass Roll of Honour

HERBERT W. BARTHOLOMEW

R. MUNSTER VOLUNTEERS,1913

CHARLES F. FISHER

R. MUNSTER VOLUNTEERS, 1915

JESSE A. POWELL

R. MUNSTER VOLUNTEERS, 1915

CHARLES F.G. CHURCH

ROYAL FUSILERS 1916

EDWIN C. DREW

ROYAL BERKS REGT. 1917

CHARLES HARRIS

ROYAL BERKS REGT. 1917

FREDERICK NEW

SOMERSET LT. INFX. 1917

OLIVER H. MARTIN.

SOMERSET LT. INFX. 1917

________________

FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH

________________

THIS TABLET WAS ERECTED BY THE PARISHIONERS

There is a link to the memorial at Great Bedwyn here. A link to Hampstead Norris here also

Later on during a trawl of the internet I found this picture. I believe this was in the church - but I missed it!

Photographed in May 2004 by D & M Ball
The copywrite is theirs!

The interesting thing there is a Herbert Mills on this Roll of Honour. It ties this family to Little Bedwyn after all. The inscription is underneath.

YOUR PRAYERS ARE ASKED FOR THOSE WHO HAVE GONE TO SERVE OUR KING AND COUNTRY BY LAND AND SEA AND AIR

OUR ROLL OF HONOUR

BARRETT FREDERICK

BARTHOLOMEW ARTHUR  Prisoner of war

BARTHOLOMEW FREDERICK

BARTHOLOMEW HERBERT Died of Wounds

BOWSHER BENJAMIN

BROOKS EDWARD

BROOKS JOHN

BURDEN ALBERT JOHN

BUTCHER JAMES

CASWELL HARRY

CHURCH CHARLES Missing

COWARD WILLIAM ARTHUR

COX ELI Prisoner of War

COX RICHARD

CRIPPS CHARLES

DE CASTRO BERNARD

DREW EDWARD

FISHER CHARLES  Died of Wounds

FISHER WILLIAM

GINGER PERCY

GRANT ALFRED

GRANT GEORGE

GRANT JAMES  Missing

GRANT WILLIAM

HARRIS CALEB

HARRIS CHARLES

HUMPHRIES WILLIAM

HUNTLEY ERNEST

HUNTLEY JAMES

HUNTLEY STANLEY

JAMES ALBERT

JAMES GEORGE

JAMES HARRY

MAKEHAM LESLIE

MARTIN JAMES

MARTIN OLIVER

MILLS HERBERT

NEW FRED

POWELL JESSE  Died of Wounds

SARGENT HARRY

SHEPHERD CHARLES

SHEPHERD JOSEPH   Died of Wounds

WATERS HARRY

WOMERSLEY LAURENCE

Herbert Mills is emboldened.

The surnames are first. Those that did not survive are on the brass plate.

Wrea Green Memorial

The dub and the village green

The memorial from the village green

Close up of memorial

Wrea Grea is a very pretty village in Lancashire quite close to the bustling Blackpool and close to Lytham and St. Annes. It is still in the Borough of Fylde and is considered one of the nicest places to live. It possesses a lovely pub, The Grapes, and a post office a couple of shops and that is about it.

There is a windmill that has been converted into a private dwelling - that is the character of the place. However it is a village steeped in history, and has been the home to some quite well known people as well as characters. The focal point of the village is "the Dub", the local pond. The road has to go round the Dub, even though there is a road that cuts across, almost out of sight. If you are driving you miss it! You would expect the the memorial to be on the village green, but it does face the Dub and the village green. It is certainly low profile and beautifully tended.

Here is a village, even though its in Fylde Borough is fiercely independent. There is new build in Wrea Green, but it is conveniently hidden away. I suspect the "incomers" have taken on the character of the residents.   The memorial is low set and is at the west end of the Dub, situated under some trees. It is modern and seems to have been built quite recently. There is also some very nice stonework used in tin the capstones if you examine a close up.

There does not seem to be any evidence of the date of building although there are some references to major revamp in the village website. The website is excellent and deserves a visit, just like the village!

The Centre

Right wing

Left wing

IN MEMORY OF 

THE MEN OFWREA GREEN AND DISTRICT

WHO LAID DOWN THEIR LIVES

IN THE GREAT WAR 1914 1918

AND IN THE WORLD WAR 1939 - 1945

1914-1918

SIMON B.CLARKE

HARRY DICKINSON

W.CLARENCE DUCKWORTH

JAMES GERALD FAIR

ARTHUR HATTON

CECIL HUTCHINSON

THOMAS McSPIRIT

THOMAS RIGBY

RICHARD ROSSALL

WILLIAM ROSSALL

THOMAS SHORROCK

WILLIAM SHORROCK

1939- 1945

THOMAS BLACKLOCK

THOMAS I.S. CHENEY

HAROLD EDWARDS

WILLIAM H.KINGSBERRY

TOM NICHOLSON

EDWARD PORTER

KENNETH WILLACY

JOHN WRIGHT

This Memorial is listed on the United Kingdom National Inventry of War Memorials  as UKNIWM Ref: 54936

General Service Medal - Captain Kingsberry

General Service Medal -
Captain Kingsberry

Additional info for
Captain Kingsberry

From Ancestry it seems that a William H. Kingsberry married in 3rd  quarter of 1927, a certain Alice Barbara Mary Birley. The registration district is Fylde. Information suggests that he is a Captain at the time. The name Birley is mentioned in the Wrea Green website above. The Birley arms is still the name of a local pub in the area.William Kingsberry had an extremely distinguished Army career and died in service as a Colonel. More research needed here. The link on his name takes you to a Facebook page dedicated to William Kingsberry. His name is mispelt on Ancestry as Kingsbury. Clearly the same man.

The Roll of Honour which is in St Nicholas' vestibule

The other "memorial" is at Fox Lane Ends. The cross is completely clear of writing, the date of its origin is unclear and to most people it only represents a bus stop. However the only evidence information-wise is shown on the Lancashire Lantern image below. The name Birley is synonymous with Wrea Green. Ancestry seems to have narrowed down only one Hutton Birley. Born on 6th of August 1840, married Alice Mary Howard in Kirkham in 1865, and died in 1921. However the "cross" is clearly seen on a 1893 map and also before. It has figured on all OS maps since. But it really does not have the evidence for 130+ years wear and tear!
Birley information is here.

1893 Map showing the cross at Fox Lane Ends

But: This is information supplied by the Archaeology Data Service

906,"KM0647","Fox Lane Ends Cross, Wrea Green, Westby with Plumptons",

"The ‘Stone Cross’ mentioned on the map, is three eighths of a mile north west of
Wrea Green.

{4}
The modern cross, 1.7m high is socketted into an old base stone, 
measuring 0.6m square, and 0.2m high. 

The socket is approximately 0.2m by 0.25m.  The cross is cemented into it.

 A metal plate affixed to the west face of the stone shows the cross to be 

dedicated to the memory of Hutton Birely J.P. of Wrea Green.  January 19, 1922. 

The site is on a grass patch in the centre of a road junction. 

The socket stone of a probable wayside cross restored with a modern latin shaft
as a memorial. 

It could not be established whether or not the cross is on its original site. {5}
Base of wayside cross, with cross erected 1922.  Square-shaped boulder, 

the exposed part with roughly-chamfered sides. 
Simple modern cross of punched stone. {6}
Restored cross, 69 inches high, above the much older base, 

which measures 26 by 24 inches and stands 7 inches above the ground.  {7}

This confirms the view that the cross was a modern cross. 

The socket can be seen - but it does not look particularly old. 
The cross is considered to be a Latin style

Fox Lane Ends - Wayside Cross

Directions next to my trailer(oops)!

Full on view from the "Front"

From the rear of the crass - The road into Wrea Green goes to the left.
To the right heads towards Kirkham.

Socket clearly seen

Lancashire Lantern image with the annotation highlighted
"Dedicated to Mr. Hutton Birley"

I did not get the opportunity to go into the church but the actual entrance vestibule is fascinating - and is rewarding. Further study needed here I guess

This is found high in one of the walls in the vestibule and reads:
AD 1750
This C. Ribby with Wray was augm
And AD 1703 Lands purch with 1000( there is an L above the figure)
Whereof given by
Q. Anne's Bounty _ _ _ _______________ _ _ _ 600
By executors. of Wm. Stratford L.L.D _ _ _ 100
      By other Benefrs 50,  School Trust, 100.  160 (?)
By Mr Thos Benson _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _  _ _100
By Mr Wm Shepherd  _ _  _ _  _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ 50
                                                                 ______  
                                                                1000

1884
REVR.S.STONEY B.D. VICAR
This inscription is just to the left as you enter the church and
represents the name of one of the incumbents. More info below:

Detailed information about the vicar of Wrea Green.
The Reverend Ralph Feltham Sadleir Stoney died at Wrea Green Vicarage, Co Lancaster, age 72 on Saturday 7th of June, and was buried at at Wrea Green 11th June 1902. A stained glass memorial window has been placed in the church. Will dated 4th of April with Codicil dated 27th of April 1902, proved (Prin.Reg. 1463,1902) 28th of November 1902, by the Rev. Ralph Sadleir Stoney, the Rev Travers Strathmore Stoney, and the Rev. Edwin Fazakerley Stoney, the sons, three of the executors.

The two images are together and are a bibliography of Reverend Ralph Sadleir Stoney. However there is information of considerable importance to those reseaching the Stoney family. Like mine is is clear that the church runs strong and deep in the  Stoney family. All this information is to be found on the Internet and Ancestry.

Reverend RALPH SADLEIR STONEY B.D. Vicar of Ribby-cum-Wrea co. Lancaster. Born March 27th, 1830, being the third son of the late Rev. Ralph Stoney, M.A., of Terryglass and Ballynockane, by his wife Abigail, dau of Thomas Sadleir of Castletown, of County Tipperary, eldest brother of Dr Sadleir, Provost of Trinity College, Dublin Married first, 1859, Eliza, eldest daughter of John Drinkwater of Liverpool( brother to Sir George Drinkwater), and sister of Sir William Drinkwater; and had isssue -Eliza and Selina, both d. young. He married secondly, July 22 1870 Sibilla Frances, second dau. of Rev. William T. Homan, Rector of Modreeny; and had Issue - (1)Rev Ralph Sadleir Stoney B.A. Oxford b. Sept. 1st 1872 (2) Edwin Fazakerly Stoney, Gentleman, B.A. Trin. Coll., Dublin, b March 26, 1875. Residence Wreagreen Vicarage, Preston.

Stoney, Ralph Sadleir, M.A., TRINITY COLL., Dublin, 1857 (B.A. 1854); adm. 'ad eundem' 23 Feb., (s. Ralph of Terryglass, cler.), vicar of Ribbey with Wrea, Lancashire, 1866

This for the moment concludes part of the investigation int Wrea Green. I will make a visit to the church and I am sure othe interesting things will show up.

Blackpool and the Fylde College

On the 7th of February 2012, the college had an official visit by H.R.H. Edward The Earl of Wessex. I can not recall an official visit by royalty before although it seems that other members of the royal family have visited the college as students.

Edward, the Duke of Wessex about to meet the principal Pauline Waterhouse O.B.E.

There are other photographs in the Datastore here

Hidden away at the top of the stairs in the main building are two plaques dating back to the beginnings of the college. At the time the college was known as "Blackpool Technical College"  Who knows how many staff and students have walked past these two plaques and not even noticed them let alone even read them. Of course I can include myself in this, as I have even attended twice!
There are some more photos of the college now after the rebuild and modernisation in the Datastore too.
This is the information on the plaques.

BLACKPOOL TECHNICAL COLLEGE

DEDICATION 22ND NOV 1937

BY THE REV C.W. MACREADY.B.A. AND REV J.J.L.CLAYTON

MEMBERS OF THE EDUCATION COMMITEE 1936-37

ALD W.S. ASHTON J.P.  MAYOR

COUNR. W.R.DUCKWORTH J.P. M.P. CHAIRMAN

COUNR.D.J.BAILEY. J.P.  VICE-CHAIRMAN

ALD. J. COLLINS J.P.  ALD.T.P.FLETCHER. J.P.  ALD.T.G.LUMB J.P.  ALD. J. POTTER. J.P.  COUNR.W.DUGDALE  COUNR. F.W.HALTON   COUNR. J.HILL.  COUNR. E.HOLT. J.P.  COUNR. F.I.NICKSON  COUNR. MABEL A.QUALE  COUNR J.ANDERSON JUNR.  COUNR. J.B.SINGLETON COUNR. E SMITH COUNR. J.SMITH
COUNR. H.A.THICKETT. J.P.  COUNR.C.WILKINSON  MISS M.E.GARNER  MRS. F.W.HALTON. J.P.  MRS. L.J.HILLMAN  MRS.L.NEWSOME  MRS. L.STANSFIELD  REV.F.A.FARLEY M.A. B.D.  REV C.W.MACREADY. B.A.  REV. FATHER OLDHAM.S.J.  SIR CUTHBERT GRUNDY J.P.  DOCTOR J.HARRIS  MR. A.P.ANDERSON BSc.  MR S. DAWSON  MR. G FOX J.P.  MR. G, HUMAN

J.C. ROBINSON F.R.I.B.A  ARCHITECT
F.E. HARRISON. M.C. M.A.  DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION

The second plaque referring to the opening on the same day faces the dedication plaque. Many of the names are the same.
This is the information:

BLACKPOOL TECHNICAL COLLEGE

OFFICIAL OPENING 22ND NOV: 1937

BY THE RIGHT HONORABLE THE

EARL OF CRAWFORD AND BALCARRES

K.T. P.C. LL.D. D.C.L. LITT.D. F.R.I.B.A. F.S.A. F.R.S.

GOVERNORS OF THE TECHNICAL COLLEGE 1936-37
COUNR. F, I, NICKSON  CHAIRMAN
MR. GEORGE FOX, J,P,  VICE-CHAIRMAN
COUNR. J.B. SINGLETON CHAIRMAN SITES AND BUILDINGS SUB-COMMITEE

GOVERNORS REPRESENTING BLACKPOOL EDUCATION COMMITEE
ALD. W.S.ASHTON J.P. ALD. T.P.FLETCHER J.P.  COUNR.D.J.BAILEY.J.P. COUNR. W.R. DUCKWORTH J.P. M.P. COUNR. F.W. HALTON  COUNR. J.HILL COUNR. MABEL A.QUALE  COUNR. H.A. THICKETT J.P.  MISS M.E. GARNER MRS L.J.HILLMAN  MR G.HUMAN

GOVERNORS REPRESENTING LANCASHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL
ALD. C.F.CRITCHLEY J.P. ALD.G.M.ROBERTSON J.P. MRS.H.BADDERLEY J.P. MISS J HODGSON

Wm. JONES F.COLL. H. A.M.C. PRINCIPAL

H. BANKS. M.I.M.  & CY.E.

BOROUGH ENGINEER AND SURVEYOR

The college was built in 1936 to 1937 by Potts, Son and Hennings, They also built the town hall as well as Raikes Parade, which was another part of the college. These architects were very busy in the north of England. Edward Potts was well known for designing Mills.

Buried away in a corridor out of the way there are 4 framed pieces. 2 are photos  and 2 are old timetables. Seems a pity to let them either disappear into a skip. or into somebodies study.

The Foundation Stone laying

Outwardly little has changed
Even the telephone box is the same, more cars too,
but almost the same.

Some of the subjects are no longer taught!

I think the prices of courses are pretty much the same too!

This is an image of the St Anne's Campus. It did seem to be used for mainly night schools and practice by the "Big Band" The college sold it under a previous administration. Much of the college buildings were sold and then flattened for building. This is one of the few that actually remain.

This photograph shows the front of the old Blackpool Grammar School. It is now part of Blackpool and the Fylde college. Called South Building it is now largely devoted to mature students as well as Higher Education. Extensively remodeled over the years at least twice when I was there. Many of the Further Education courses have gone to Bispham campus.The South Building entrance is literally 60 yards from the rear of the main building. Built in 1912, the Grammar School predated the college by 25 years.

There is a selection of  photographs from this area of the campus here as well as Fleetwood.
 Many people may not be aware that the college also has training facilities in the port of Fleetwood itself. There are also pictures added to the data store of the inflatable as well as the radar station. The website of the college is here also

Broadway, the 'Jewel of the Cotswolds'

Broadway and the memorial

 Broadway is situated in the Cotswolds and was for long a stopping off spot on the families journey to the south. Fortunately I managed to dig out a picture of the memorial in the centre of the village. As I remember nothing changed in all the years we visited. As you can see from the text and Post office stamp the date was 31st of May 1960.
This needs to be enlarged to see the car just to left of the memorial. The name of the cafe is "The Cotswold Cafe" the tailors name is Harold I Green.

Rear of card

It is clear that exams are just an issue in the 1960's as they are today.

Will be going back shortly, reenacting the trip that my father and I did in the '60's when he visited his Aunts' in Cornwall.

East Ardsley - St Michael's with St Gabriel's

I had the fortunate task of photographing a wedding in this church. It really is quite a small church but lovingly cared for and well maintained. There is clearly a dedicated and loyal bunch of people who work for their church. There is a good up to date website. I had the good fortune to speak to the vicar, well informed, great service too!

There is a war memorial close to the entrance of the church which is also has the appearance of being remade. Some of the letters on the memorial are starting to peel off, and some renovation work would be useful, but all the letters are still legible. A good visit a nice church and good weather. Biting wind though!  Apart from the "standard" pictures of the memorial and the church I have added other pictures in the store as well as the inscription and names.

This memorial is also registered in the UK National Inventory of War Memorials as

EAST ARDSLEY

UKNIWM Ref: 29228

Some of the information recorded by them is incomplete I will forward web address to them.