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Whilst emptying cupboards, I found some fragmented cuttings saved by my Great Aunt, Violet Hambleton (1893-1983); her father is the organiser of the concert and a brother and sister perform. They are from local papers but no dates or titles included. I cannot put a date (yet) on the concert, but it is before 1909 when Counciller Alfred Garside died. The reminisecences were published in 1900 for the new century!
REMINISCENCES
OF GLOSSOP
1825-1850
[SPECIAL]
"The Adventures of Joshua Goldstraw, by land and sea, to which is added The Cruelties of Abigail; together with her Falsities, as described in a Valentine, and composed by her sweetheart. Price three-pence. Glossop: Printed for J. Nutter, Bookseller and Stationer, 1834"
The above is the
title of a book written by a man who resided in Simmondley and had
retired from selling "Cotton and linen thread, pins and needles,
tapes and moles, etc., etc." It is a most curious book, and
evidently written by a man whose reason had evidently been touched by
disappointed love.
At the date the
book was printed there were no printers in Glossop. printing had to
be sent to Ashton-under-Lyne or Stockport. Shortly afterwards Henry
Dawson came and set up business in Hall Street, but meeting with
financial difficulties he did a "moonlight flit" with a
portion of his trade utensils. The best of the type was wheeled away
in a barrow, and concealed at the Jumble. The business was then
carried on in the name of his father-in-law, Mr Perry, and it was
during his time that they published two interesting poems written by
A LOCAL POET.
Mr William
Bennett, born Jan 5th, 1805, a minder at Wood's was a poet of local
repute. Two of his poems, "The Flying Serpent" and "The
Spire Holly Boggart", both founded on local incidents, were
printed by J.Perry, Hall Street, Glossop. Mr Bennet's preface is as follows:-
as I neither have, nor
want, nor deserve a patron, to whom with sincere respect I can
dedicate the following pages, without fawning sycophancy, lying
panegyrick, or servile adulation, I dedicate my work to myself"
WILLIAM BENNETT.
Glossop,Oct. 17th, 1840
SPIRE HOLLY BOGGART
This composition was as follows:-
"If that is no o
boggart, ther never wor non, if ther'n reetly sifted in too" Tim Bobbin.
'Twas on a dreary
winter's morning, very soon,
And clouds had veiled the
stars and overcast the moon,
I left my easy bed and
quiet peaceful cot,
And hurried down a lane;*
that often was my lot.
I took both drink and
victuals for the coming day;
And in a cheery mood I
bent my lonely way:
A way which timorous
mortals often passed with fear,
Believing some foul
murder had been committed there;
For dismal, doleful
groans, some fancied they had heard,
And ghostly visions to
some eyes had oft appeared.
The morn being chilly
cold, I quickened my pace,
Unthinking of the lonely,
dreaded, haunted place:
And as I hurried on, I
heard a sssstartling hiss;
Which caus'd me to
exclaim, in sudden fear, "What's this?"
I stopped, looked round,
yet nothing could see, still
I heard a noise at hand which sounded loud and shrill!
Long I stood wondering, till the sound was lost:-
Was the sound but fancy? or, was there a ghost?
Unwilling to believe the last, I checked my fears;
Thinking imagination, perhaps, deceived my ears.
Or as the morn was dark, there many things might be,
As birds, or reptiles near, which I could not see,
And whose loud chirping tokened the approach of day:
Concluding this the case, I hastened on my way.
But, dreadful to relate! I'd not gone many feet
Before the sounds again my listening ear did meet!
While I stood trembling near the dismal lonely spot,
A loud report sounds "Pop!" I thought I had been shot.
I started - turned me around, almost as quick as thought:
And by doing, reader, found the biggest boggart out!
A bottle of well-brew'd beer I carried; which, at length,
By jogging in my pocket, needs must show its strength
By pressing past the cork, and chirping at the top:
At last the cork flew out, and boldly cried out "Pop!"
Ah, fickle self, thought I: whither did reason roam
Whilst thou stood trembling here at what thou brought from home?
Hadst though not been abroad, where ghosts and goblins dwell,
Thou would not have been scared by what thou lovest so well:
Or hadst thou quaffed the juice of generous barleycorn,
It would have kept thy spirits up on that drear morn,
And all the spirits that Spire Holly ever bred
Before thy bold, undaunted courage would have fled.
So, when again of drink thy pocket bears a Bottle,
Remember, first, to let a
drop go down thy throttle!
* Smithy Lane .
To amuse his hearers, the author often recited the foregoing piece in public. Previously to its being first heard, a notion that Spire-Holly Pit was haunted. The tale, however, if it had no other merit, had the merit of banishing the Boggart; neither is the sprite now ever seen, nor the rumour believed that the pit was formerly haunted.
The agitation with respect to the fines levied in the cotton mills and the hours of labour led to the publication of a work called "The Chronicles of Glossop and neighbourhood. In two chapters. Addressed to the manufacturers and other classes resident therein. By Once a Little Piecer." It became very popular, and went through many editions. There were no newspapers published nearer than Manchester, but there was published a monthly paper called "The Ashton Chronicle," which contained much local news, but unfortunately there are very few now in existence.
(To be continued.)
SHREWSBURY STREET SUNDAY SCHOOL, GLOSSOP
GRAND CONCERT
On Saturday last a grand concert was held in the above school, promoted by Mr J Hambleton and family on behalf of trust funds. The affair was a complete success and was a striking demonstration of what untiring zeal can accomplish. The spacious schoolroom was crowded to excess, and the concert itself was worthy of the great company. The room had been tastefully decorated, and presented a nice appearance, a striking motto, "Welcome," in the forefront adding to the beauty of the decorations. Mr E. W. Allen, of Lee Mount, presided, and was suitably introduced by the Rev. J Barnes. In the course of an interesting address, the Chairman said he appeared before them with mingled feeling of pleasure and diffidence. His experience was of so limited character, yet he regarded it as a great honour to be called upon to preside over such a successful gathering and in so worthy a cause. All honour was due to those who gave of their time and substance to promote such gatherings in the interest of the great work of the church. We must not overlook the fact that our boys and girls of today are the men and women of the future, and it was highly essential that they should receive a good moral and religious education in their youth. He was aware that there was a growing disposition in the minds of our young men today that that they became too big for the school, but after all, they who received a sound training in the Sabbath schools made the best citizens. He trusted their labours would continue to be successful , and that night's proceeds would be sufficient to help them in carrying on of this great work. The programme opened with a finely executed overture on the piano by Messrs Er and Ellis Sidebottom, which was much appreciated. Mrs J. Bradbury sang, by request, "See yon rose," and her rendering was a great success. Miss B. Hambleton gave an excellent interpretation of that pathetic poem "The newsboy's debt," and Mr W. Jepson was applauded for Gounod's song, "The guardian angel." Mr G.A. True, of Hyde, a humourist of no mean order, had a good reception in his clever arrangement of a medley of songs, and the audience insisting on his return, he responded with "Things made very lively," which completely touched the risibility of the audience. Miss R. Hindle sang "The Holy City," and it is some time since we heard this beautiful song so well sung. Miss Hindle has a good future and we wish her success. Councillor A. Garside and Mr F. Platt did full justice to the duet, "Battle Eve," and their excellent rendering provoked much applause. Miss Henneker also sang "the vales of Arklow" in a most praiseworthy manner, and Mr W. Booth was quite at home in the humorous song, "Riley did it" and was enthusiastically recalled. Councillor A. Garside sang "Because of you" and his rendering won the admiration of his auditors. Miss K. Robertson's song, "Home, dearie home," was also greatly appreciated, and the plaudits she received were richly deserved. A special feature in the programme were several miscellaneous selections by the Old Glossop Handbell Ringers, which created much pleasure, and these instrumental were recalled on each occasion. Mr G. A. True's humorous sketch, "The wedding party," was given in his most inimitable style, and greatly enhanced his reputation in this department of the entertainment. Miss Hennifer also sang "Songs we used to sing" in a meritorious manner, and was deservedly applauded. An interval was now taken for refreshments, and ample justice was done to the various delicacies which were supplied by an army of ladies most anxious to please. Upon the programme being resumed an overture by Mr W. Hambleton (violin) and Mr Er Sidebottom (piano) was rendered with pleasing effect, and Miss K. Robertson gave a very sweet interpretation of the song "Some day." Mr W. Booth was again encored for his humorous song, "I took it off," and responded with "Didn't get to look at 'em." Miss Hambleton's recital of "Billy's rose" was very much appreciated and Mr F. Platt sang "out of the deep" in his best style, and made a good impression. Mr G.A. True concluded his engagement with a humorous Scotch song, in which he gave an excellent interpretation of the pipes. Miss R Hindle sang "Killarney," and maintained her reputation by her sweet expression. Mrs Bradbury's song, "For the children's sake," was worthy of every appreciation and would doubtless have ensured a recall, but for the late hour. Mr Jepson sang "I seek for thee in every flower," in a pleasing manner, and was well received. Mr Er Sidebottom, A.L. and V.C.M., accompanied, and, it is needless to say, these duties were performed in a most accomplished manner. Votes of thanks to the chairman, artistes, and promoters terminated the gathering, successful in all its aspects, the proceeds amounting to the respectable sum of about £16.
On the reverse of the report above is part of the report about parish rates and the cost of the workhouse.
COLLECTORS' MONTHLY STATEMENTS
-- The collectors' monthly statements were read by the clerk as follows:-
Parish of Glossop, collected during the past month,
£344 3s 2d.
Parish of Charlesworth, collected since last month,
£19 3s 8½ d; leaving recoverable £94 4s 4½ d.
Parish of Ludworth, there had been nothing collected in the last
month; amount in collector's hands £4 7s 8d.
Parish of Chisworth, nothing collected.
MAINTENANCE OF LUNATICS -The clerk read the bill showing the cost for the maintenance of lunatics for the past three months to be £168 1s 9d.- Several members expressed their astonishment at the amount.- Mr Howton remarked that the same state of things had prevailed in connection with other unions; insanity was on the increase.
SEASONAL GIFTS - The master's
report contained acknowledgement of the following gifts for the
inmates at the new year:-
Buns from Mr Roberts;
oranges from Mr Charles S Harrison;
books for the children, Mrs Cooper, of Chisworth;
oranges, Mr Hardy, of Glossop market;
coloured paper, from Captain Partington;
and cotton wool from Mr T P Hunter, for the decorations.
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