Ironbridge Gorge Community Archive

EXTRACTS FROM THE WELLINGTON JOURNAL

21st January 1905
Narrow Escape

Mrs A Smith’s child had a very narrow escape on Saturday from being burnt to death.   Whilst the mother was shopping the child fell off a chair into the fire, and was badly burnt about the face, body and legs.  Had it not been for the timely assistance of a man named Brookshaw, who was attracted to the house by the child’s screams, the results might have been of a serious character.

The child is progressing favourably under medical care.

18th February 1905

Bankruptcy

Joseph Vincent Prince, clerk, of the Poplars, Coalbrookdale, appeared for public examination at Madeley County Court.  Liabilities were estimated at £134.9s and assets at £23.14s.

Also John Walter Smith, fruiterer and fishmonger formerly of Tontine Hill.  He said his debts were £216.4s 2d and assets £18.5s.  He attributed his failure to old debts and family sickness.

4th March 1905

Welcome home

Mr T Curzon, who has just returned from America after an absence of 25 years was entertained by his many friends at the Talbot large room, to a smoking concert.  The musical programme was sustained by Mr Hill, Mr Roberts, Mr Hewitt, Mr Peskin, Mr W Roberts, Mr W T Chattaway, Mr T Curzon, Mr G Barrett, Mr Davies, Mr W Bennett, Mr George Curzon, Mr F Allcock, Mr W Simmonds, Mr A Dixon, Mr H Wilkes, Mr H Cornish and a glee party.

22nd April 1905

A sad case

George Williams, landlord of the Three Tuns Hotel, Ironbridge applied under the Married Woman’s Act for a separation order against his wife Sara A Williams on the grounds that she was an habitual drunkard.  The applicant said his wife had given way to drink and had become violent.  They had six children and his wife was not capable of managing her domestic affairs.  After other evidence the application was granted, Mr Williams having to pay the costs and to allow his wife 10s a week, the money to be paid to her father.

29th April 1905

Elsie Briscoe, daughter of Mr John Briscoe Manager of Messrs Legge’s Brick and Tile Works,

Madeley Wood, was killed on her way to the bakers.  She had a ride on the “tea bob” which pumps water for the engine in the works.  In less than a minute she fell off, with the result that she was instantly killed.

Wellington Journal
SNIPPETS OF LIFE IN THE GORGE – 1901/2
29th June

A horse attached to a baker’s trap belonging to Mr Bloomey, grocer, Jackfield, was startled at something on Tuesday afternoon and descended Madeley Hill at a great speed, and passed through the main street without doing any material damage.  It was indeed a miraculous escape.

Frank Morris, a groom in the employ of Dr Whitfield, was riding a bicycle down Farley Dingle on Sunday when he lost all control of the machine with the result that he was dashed against the wall and seriously hurt about the face and body.  The machine was also bent in many shapes.  Morris was subsequently conveyed to the residence of Dr Whitfield.

Much regret is felt here at the death of Mr W Phillips, butcher, Waterloo Street. which occurred on Wednesday.

Robert Nevett (Ironbridge) aged 50 died at Bishops Castle.

6th July

St Luke’s Church Choir journeyed by excursion train to Llandudno and spent a pleasant day.

13th July
Garden Party at Ironbridge

A large company attended Mr and Mrs E M Webster’s garden party, given to the tradespeople of Ironbridge, the Angling Society, and also the teachers and scholars of the National Schools who last year made handsome presents to Mr Webster on the occasion of his marriage.  “Hillcote” lies in its own grounds by the side of the limekiln banks at Benthall Edge.  The gardens had put on their summer garb, and the chinese and fairy lights at night added to the picturesque scene.  Excellent music was supplied by Mr M Amphlett’s String Band.  Refreshments were plentiful and those who didn’t trip the “light fantastic toe” sat in nooks and conversed agreeably.  Social distinction was, for once, forgotten and all went merry.

HINTS FOR THE HOUSEHOLD

1,       To clean a carpet throw some green grass on it and then brush it off.  There will be no dust and the carpet will look beautifully fresh.

2.                 When ironing collars, coil then round and place in a warm, suitably sized jam pot in front of the fire.  When thoroughly warmed, they will turn out quite crisp and stiff and a perfect shape, ready for wearing.

3.       To prevent cakes burning whilst baking, either in gas or fire ovens, place 5 or 6 thicknesses of stout brown paper between the cake tin and the oven shelf, and the cake will cook thoroughly without burning, even if the oven be very hot.  The paper should be slightly larger than the bottom of the cake tin.

4.       Of all dangerous things, the most dangerous is that of sleeping in a damp bed.  Many and various ills may accrue from it.  When travelling, or always before sleeping in a strange bed, it is safer to test it by placing a hand mirror between the sheets for 5 minutes.  If the glass is at all blurred or misty the sheets are damp and should be taken off and rest sought between the blankets.

21st December

Mrs Anstice, of Marnwood, presented the children of the Lloyds Schools, Coalport, with buns, crackers, jugs and bags of sweets and many other articles both useful and ornamental.  Cheers were given for Mrs Anstice’s kindness, which has been shown on many other occasions, and the children went home well pleased.

1902
January

Mr T Millington, landlord of The Abbey Hotel, Buildwas,  was driving to the station to meet a nurse when he was thrown out of the trap and broke one of his legs.  Mr Millington’s wife is seriously ill and also his only son, for whom he was fetching the nurse.

Mr W Harrison of The Black Swan, Jackfield, entertained all the old women in the village to tea.

5th July

At the Police Court on Thursday, before Col. J A Anstice (Mayor) and Mr W Y Owen, George Pope, an old offender and an inmate of the Madeley Workhouse was brought up in custody charged with disorderly conduct in the Workhouse on the previous evening.  George Watson (Master) said one the inmates pulled the electric bell and he went up to the room and found Pope behaving like a madman.  He was threatening another inmate and when he (the witness) remonstrated with him the prisoner threatened to strike him.  Miss Shepherd, assistant Matron, corroborated.  Pope was sentenced to 21 days imprisonment with hard labour.