From the original held by Cheshire County Record Office
Notes made by June Parker and Lyn McCulloch
1874
June 10 'Joseph and Charles HAYES gone to a boys' school'
July 20 Thos WHITTAKER, Fredk HASSELL, Jane and Mary TOMKINSON admitted.
July 27 Eliz WILLIAMSON & Hannah ACTON off ill
Aug 3 Frederick HASSELL off ill
Aug 24 Scripture Inspection
Sept 14 Frederick HASSELL sick
'Mary HANCOCK absent on leave'
Sept 21 Thomas CLARKE, William BARBER admitted
Sept? 'James MOSES taken dangerously ill'
Oct 5 'Sorry to hear that James MOSES is dead'
William JOHNSON admitted
Oct 12 'Several children sick'
Oct 26 'Sickness & bad throats amongst the children.
Several very ill'
Nov 9 'Glad to find that many of the children are better& at school'
Levi HANCOCK admitted
Dec 7 Lady Mary came to school today & heard the children
answer from Scripture'
Dec 14 'Several children have bad throats and bad heads. If not better it will be wise to close the school for there is much sickness in the neighbourhood'
Dec 21 'Very thin school'
Dec 24 'Hoping the children will be better'
Xmas holidays - 3 weeks
1875
Feb 1 Frances CLARE, Maria HALLOWS admitted
Feb8 Maud DAVIES admitted
Feb 15 'Lady Mary SMITH BARRY was here & heard the 1st class read and answer
questions. Also examined all the copy books'
Mar 1 'Lady Mary called & heard the 2nd class read & all the children answer questions in mental arithmetic'
Mar 15 'Lady Mary heard the 3rd class read & all the children sing'
Mar 29 'Lady Mary called & fixed the tea-party for April 5th & promised to give prayer-books to those who had attended church'
Apr 5 'School opened at 1/2 past 8 because of the tea party at 3 o'clock. The children
go to the hall for tea, play in the gardens & go on the water. Each child received a bun& sweets on returning home. Prayer books were given by Lady Mary to those who had attended church'
May 8 'Lady Mary called & heard the baby class, their letters & the little ones spell'
May10 Frances CLARKE left. Gone to live at Frandley
June 4 'Several of children sick'
June 24 Scripture Inspection (Rev.H.SMITH, Rev.W.L.BENNETT)
'Mr WILLIAMS examined the children on Friday'
July 21 Vicar of Budworth, Rev.W.L.BENNETT wrote:
' Mrs Ormson should study the new code & make herself familiar with its requirements. With a little more acquaintance with the Rules of the Education Department she will do very well'
Aug 13 WILLIAMSONS & TOMKINSONS left the village
Aug 27 'Tea party given by Mr CLARKE - holiday for school given'
Sept 3 Several little children admitted
Sept 24 'Mr HOPKINS called on Wednesday & heard 1st class read'
Oct 7 3 infants admitted
Oct 8 'Lady Mary called on Thursday afternoon to see the children which was a great surprise, the family being from home'
Oct 28 Clara ATKINSON admitted
Nov 5 'Mr HOPKINS called'
Dec 3 'School visited by Lady Mary's sisters'
Dec 10 'Expecting Lady Mary to visit us every day after her return'
Dec 17 3 children admitted
Emily ELLISON: gone to service
Sunday 18 November 2007
Even more of George Robinson's Memories of Comberbach
Even more of George Robinson's Memories of Comberbach
From 1928 to 1933 Mrs Connie Jones lived next door to George. She later lived in Little Leigh and was well known for her charity bicycle rides. In 1988 she was coming round the bend at Harrison's farm and she fell off her bike. At the time of George's talk she was preparing for her 3rd Marathon for Dr Barnardo's.
Mr Hough from Marbury Farm moved to Stretton and his son and later grandson farmed after him. They used to hunt. Ploughing competitions were held at Anderton. Dick Jones was teamsman for Mr Hough . The horses were decorated with horse brasses and red, white and blue ribbons. Dick Jones used to win first prize with his horse Britannia. George has a photo taken in Mr Whalley's field.
The bowling green itself was laid by Mr Evans Senior and Mr Lever. When The Recreation Field and War Memorial were opened there was a procession from Comberbach Cottage and Barnton Silver Band played 'Onward Christian Soldiers' amongst other things. There were free teas for the children and also for those who had lost someone in the war. Lord and Lady Barrymore also gave the Barrymore Cup.
On January 28th 1940 there was a terrible snowstorm. Iris Sadler had scarlet fever. She was stuck in Northwich and had to come home by taxi. There was six feet of snow and the soldiers had to dig out the snow as far as Soot Hill. People were able to skate on the mere.
After the war the huts at Marbury Park were used for German prisoners of war. Bert Trautmann, the famous Manchester United goalie was a German POW at Marbury. The Italian POWs were housed in brick built buildings near Ideal Gardens, at Cogshall.
Later ICI made Marbury Hall into flats for 'bachelors'. In 1948 East Park and West Park were created from the huts and local people were able to live there.
Mary Moores has a photo of the thatched cottages in Senna Lane. There was a block of three, three more and then a pair.
The landing place for light aircraft was the field behind Home Farm.
During the war the pipeline under the ocean was built (PLUTO) and runs under the car park and playing field.
When the mere was frozen the boys would cycle across it and Harry Hornby once rode across it in his motorbike and sidecar!
From 1928 to 1933 Mrs Connie Jones lived next door to George. She later lived in Little Leigh and was well known for her charity bicycle rides. In 1988 she was coming round the bend at Harrison's farm and she fell off her bike. At the time of George's talk she was preparing for her 3rd Marathon for Dr Barnardo's.
Mr Hough from Marbury Farm moved to Stretton and his son and later grandson farmed after him. They used to hunt. Ploughing competitions were held at Anderton. Dick Jones was teamsman for Mr Hough . The horses were decorated with horse brasses and red, white and blue ribbons. Dick Jones used to win first prize with his horse Britannia. George has a photo taken in Mr Whalley's field.
The bowling green itself was laid by Mr Evans Senior and Mr Lever. When The Recreation Field and War Memorial were opened there was a procession from Comberbach Cottage and Barnton Silver Band played 'Onward Christian Soldiers' amongst other things. There were free teas for the children and also for those who had lost someone in the war. Lord and Lady Barrymore also gave the Barrymore Cup.
On January 28th 1940 there was a terrible snowstorm. Iris Sadler had scarlet fever. She was stuck in Northwich and had to come home by taxi. There was six feet of snow and the soldiers had to dig out the snow as far as Soot Hill. People were able to skate on the mere.
After the war the huts at Marbury Park were used for German prisoners of war. Bert Trautmann, the famous Manchester United goalie was a German POW at Marbury. The Italian POWs were housed in brick built buildings near Ideal Gardens, at Cogshall.
Later ICI made Marbury Hall into flats for 'bachelors'. In 1948 East Park and West Park were created from the huts and local people were able to live there.
Mary Moores has a photo of the thatched cottages in Senna Lane. There was a block of three, three more and then a pair.
The landing place for light aircraft was the field behind Home Farm.
During the war the pipeline under the ocean was built (PLUTO) and runs under the car park and playing field.
When the mere was frozen the boys would cycle across it and Harry Hornby once rode across it in his motorbike and sidecar!
More of George Robinson's Memories
More of George Robinson's Memories
The Marbury Estate was sold in 1932. The sales brochure shows that there was only one farm left. Tom Walker was the occupant of Ivy Lodge Farm and the rent was £26 per annum.
The population of the village in the 1930s was about 300. The village bobby was called Constable Bligh and he lived where Mrs Iosson lives now. (Lavernock, Marbury Road)
On Armistice Day, which was always November 11th, the schoolchildren all stood at the windows as the service took place at the war memorial. Bill Acton (Edith Fuller's uncle) would play 'The Last Post' on his bugle.
Mrs Cox was the only teacher and she lived in the schoolhouse.
In 1933 Marbury Hall became a country club and was opened by Lord Delamere. Lots of cars came through the village which was very exciting for all the young boys as there weren't that many cars then. There was an airstrip at Marbury and people would fly in to go to the country club. The local boys got 2/6 a round, caddying on the country club golf course.
During the war troops arrived straight from Dunkirk. The men asked where they were, as they had no idea. They jumped naked into the swimming pool and gave chocolate to the local lads.
In the 1940s Marbury became a training camp. When people were called up they came to Marbury and did 'square-bashing' on the roads. They had no uniforms - just gas masks. In the field opposite Home Farm you can see the zigzags where the troops dug trenches.
The soldiers fired mortar bombs into the mere. The Fleet Air Arm at Appleton had a target in the middle of the mere and George and his pals used to love watching them.
A special centre was built near Ideal Gardens to house the Italian prisoners of war. They cycled to work. The village boys used to collect willow for them to make into baskets.
In 1941 the air raids got worse. There was an air-raid shelter just outside the Memorial Hall and although several bombs fell on the village none went off. There may still be one up Cogshall Lane somewhere!
When George was young times were hard. His dad was unemployed and there was a means test for the dole. The rent for the house on the Moss where he was born was 3/- a week. There was no water and no electricity in the house and the toilet was 15 yards away. They used to go in pairs with a candle! They ate meat only once a week and a rabbit pie would be a special treat.
During the war George delivered milk twice a day for Yearsleys at Hollybush Farm. He was about eleven or twelve.
In the 1950s when George lived at 32 Mather Drive there was a bad thunderstorm and the Goosebrook flooded. He waded in to rescue a rabbit!
George's brother in law was in the police force and he was the first member of the family to have a radio.
In 1921 Lord Barrymore donated land for the Bowling Green, Memorial Hall and Recreation Field. We had one team in The Mid-Cheshire League in 1936. Now we have three. The Bowls Pavilion used to be a storage hut. It cost £16-17-6. Lord Crichton Stuart and Roscoe Brunner of Belmont Hall were Vice-Presidents and Roscoe Brunner gave £100 to the Bowls Club.
The opening ceremony was on August 27th 1922. Lord Barrymore opened the Recreation Field and Roscoe Brunner the War Memorial.
During the war the bowling green was neglected. The grass was about a foot high! Horses were used to mow it later and now it is one of the best in the district.
Maurice Jones used to visit George's sister. Maurice was once playing with Jimmy Gill, an evacuee (he lived at Smithy House where Coxeys live now) down at Marbury Mill. The brook was dammed and Maurice fell in. Jimmy pulled him out.
Mrs White lived at Marbury Mill then. Threshing machines would come round to each farm; the corn would be stored and then taken to the mill.
Most of the evacuees in the village came from Liverpool.
The present Post Office was a chip shop. It was coal fired. You could wait for two hours. When the Americans came they would buy £1 worth of chips. The average wage was £3 a week in those days! There was a supper bar and you could eat inside. Chips were 3d a portion.
One of George's friends cut off all the prongs on the forks. He used to make pliers in Warrington! The actual shop was where the post box is now.
Pimblott's cottage was next to Hollybush farm. George used to be called 'Spud' like Spud Pimblott.
Mount Pleasant (now Jenny Underwoods) was the Tailors Shop.
There was a Cobbler's alongside Comberbach Hall, next to Percival's Garage.
Lily Millington's shop was a wooden shop on the corner of Senna Lane and Warrington Road. Called Top of Town it was a focal point as it was light. The boys used to swap cigarette cards there and it was always busy, especially in summer when the cycle clubs would call. The cyclists would sit on the grass and drink pop from the shop which you bought by the glass. Lily took the money home in an Oxo tin.
Lily knew everyone. George's brother John went into the shop one day and drank from a pop bottle. It was vinegar! There were wasps but no one ever killed them. 'If you kill one wasp three will come to its funeral,' was the saying.
George lived in Cogshall Lane later on. He got the 10 past 8 bus to Barnton.
During the war the Local Defence Volunteers (LDV) were known as 'Look, Duck and Vanish' to the local lads. The ARP was irreverently referred to as 'Arsin' round Pubs'. There used to be someone on duty at Mulberry House in a room at the back of the house, up some steps.
There used to be a dentist in the village. He took out Frank Jones' teeth (Edna's husband) in a bucket and then moved to Betwys y Coed, sending the teeth on.
Bert Evans, who was killed in the war, had a bomb dropped on his garden. He went to the ARP warden and knocked on his door only to be told, "I'm not on duty tonight. You'd better go and see Mr - - - -."
The doctor lived at Hawthorn Cottage (now White's). He was the first person in the village to have a TV.
The Marbury Estate was sold in 1932. The sales brochure shows that there was only one farm left. Tom Walker was the occupant of Ivy Lodge Farm and the rent was £26 per annum.
The population of the village in the 1930s was about 300. The village bobby was called Constable Bligh and he lived where Mrs Iosson lives now. (Lavernock, Marbury Road)
On Armistice Day, which was always November 11th, the schoolchildren all stood at the windows as the service took place at the war memorial. Bill Acton (Edith Fuller's uncle) would play 'The Last Post' on his bugle.
Mrs Cox was the only teacher and she lived in the schoolhouse.
In 1933 Marbury Hall became a country club and was opened by Lord Delamere. Lots of cars came through the village which was very exciting for all the young boys as there weren't that many cars then. There was an airstrip at Marbury and people would fly in to go to the country club. The local boys got 2/6 a round, caddying on the country club golf course.
During the war troops arrived straight from Dunkirk. The men asked where they were, as they had no idea. They jumped naked into the swimming pool and gave chocolate to the local lads.
In the 1940s Marbury became a training camp. When people were called up they came to Marbury and did 'square-bashing' on the roads. They had no uniforms - just gas masks. In the field opposite Home Farm you can see the zigzags where the troops dug trenches.
The soldiers fired mortar bombs into the mere. The Fleet Air Arm at Appleton had a target in the middle of the mere and George and his pals used to love watching them.
A special centre was built near Ideal Gardens to house the Italian prisoners of war. They cycled to work. The village boys used to collect willow for them to make into baskets.
In 1941 the air raids got worse. There was an air-raid shelter just outside the Memorial Hall and although several bombs fell on the village none went off. There may still be one up Cogshall Lane somewhere!
When George was young times were hard. His dad was unemployed and there was a means test for the dole. The rent for the house on the Moss where he was born was 3/- a week. There was no water and no electricity in the house and the toilet was 15 yards away. They used to go in pairs with a candle! They ate meat only once a week and a rabbit pie would be a special treat.
During the war George delivered milk twice a day for Yearsleys at Hollybush Farm. He was about eleven or twelve.
In the 1950s when George lived at 32 Mather Drive there was a bad thunderstorm and the Goosebrook flooded. He waded in to rescue a rabbit!
George's brother in law was in the police force and he was the first member of the family to have a radio.
In 1921 Lord Barrymore donated land for the Bowling Green, Memorial Hall and Recreation Field. We had one team in The Mid-Cheshire League in 1936. Now we have three. The Bowls Pavilion used to be a storage hut. It cost £16-17-6. Lord Crichton Stuart and Roscoe Brunner of Belmont Hall were Vice-Presidents and Roscoe Brunner gave £100 to the Bowls Club.
The opening ceremony was on August 27th 1922. Lord Barrymore opened the Recreation Field and Roscoe Brunner the War Memorial.
During the war the bowling green was neglected. The grass was about a foot high! Horses were used to mow it later and now it is one of the best in the district.
Maurice Jones used to visit George's sister. Maurice was once playing with Jimmy Gill, an evacuee (he lived at Smithy House where Coxeys live now) down at Marbury Mill. The brook was dammed and Maurice fell in. Jimmy pulled him out.
Mrs White lived at Marbury Mill then. Threshing machines would come round to each farm; the corn would be stored and then taken to the mill.
Most of the evacuees in the village came from Liverpool.
The present Post Office was a chip shop. It was coal fired. You could wait for two hours. When the Americans came they would buy £1 worth of chips. The average wage was £3 a week in those days! There was a supper bar and you could eat inside. Chips were 3d a portion.
One of George's friends cut off all the prongs on the forks. He used to make pliers in Warrington! The actual shop was where the post box is now.
Pimblott's cottage was next to Hollybush farm. George used to be called 'Spud' like Spud Pimblott.
Mount Pleasant (now Jenny Underwoods) was the Tailors Shop.
There was a Cobbler's alongside Comberbach Hall, next to Percival's Garage.
Lily Millington's shop was a wooden shop on the corner of Senna Lane and Warrington Road. Called Top of Town it was a focal point as it was light. The boys used to swap cigarette cards there and it was always busy, especially in summer when the cycle clubs would call. The cyclists would sit on the grass and drink pop from the shop which you bought by the glass. Lily took the money home in an Oxo tin.
Lily knew everyone. George's brother John went into the shop one day and drank from a pop bottle. It was vinegar! There were wasps but no one ever killed them. 'If you kill one wasp three will come to its funeral,' was the saying.
George lived in Cogshall Lane later on. He got the 10 past 8 bus to Barnton.
During the war the Local Defence Volunteers (LDV) were known as 'Look, Duck and Vanish' to the local lads. The ARP was irreverently referred to as 'Arsin' round Pubs'. There used to be someone on duty at Mulberry House in a room at the back of the house, up some steps.
There used to be a dentist in the village. He took out Frank Jones' teeth (Edna's husband) in a bucket and then moved to Betwys y Coed, sending the teeth on.
Bert Evans, who was killed in the war, had a bomb dropped on his garden. He went to the ARP warden and knocked on his door only to be told, "I'm not on duty tonight. You'd better go and see Mr - - - -."
The doctor lived at Hawthorn Cottage (now White's). He was the first person in the village to have a TV.
George Robinson's memories of life in Comberbach during the 1930s and 1940s
Some of the houses in Comberbach were thatched cottages.
George's Mother had two girls with her first husband and five children with her second husband. The family lived in a house on the Moss. There was no running water. There was only cold water and no electricity. Sometimes the family had rabbit pie to eat. Times were hard. George was born in the house on the Moss in 1927.
In those days you went to the village school until you were eight and then to Winnington, Great Budworth, Barnton, Rudheath or Antrobus which became popular in later years. George walked to Winnington, past the Anderton Lift and over the swing bridge, to school, every day.
In the 1930s there was a really bad depression. Jobs were scarce. George used to run errands such as collecting paraffin oil. The radio ran on a battery and George would get a wet battery accumulator from Cyril Johnson.
The War started in 1939 and in 1940 George's father died. Three of the children were still at school so George got a job delivering milk to supplement the family income. Holly Bush Farm was where the British Telecom Exchange is now. He delivered milk before going to school to Anderton Post Office and the village and again in the evening to the village.
Mr Cox had 30 to 40 pupils at the school. George used to go home for his dinner, as there were no school dinners in those days.
Milk was 2 1/2d a bottle. In the summer holidays George enjoyed rides on the horse drawn carts to and from the cornfields on Woodcocks Farm. Actual holidays were non-existent. The seaside was only seen on Sunday school outings. Lots of horses were shoed at the Smithy.
In 1935 the Silver Jubilee of King George V and Queen Mary was celebrated and in 1937 the coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth.
Before the war Marbury Estate was beautiful. There was a fence right round the perimeter. Lots of village folk worked there. George's Grandma was a maid and his Grandfather was a groom to Lord Barrymore. He would drive Lord Barrymore in his trap to Hartford station to catch the train to London.
George and his friends knew the story of the Marbury Lady. His Grandma never saw the ghost despite coming home very late after balls and other social events. His Grandfather thought he did, once.
Some of the chaps from the village used to go and play cards with the men who lived in the bothies at Marbury Hall. George's uncle was there one night when the clock in the courtyard struck twelve midnight and a lady walked past. They all said, "Goodnight" but she did not reply. One of the uncle's friends said he'd catch up with the lady and see her safely home. He never did catch up with her so they all decided it must have been the ghost of The Marbury Lady.
George's Auntie Lena knew where the 'mummy' was. The supposed Egyptian Princess who had been rejected as a bride by one of the Barrymore family swore that she would never leave Marbury until 'holly wasn't green'. When she died she was buried at Great Budworth. Such strange things happened at Marbury Hall that the body was brought back to Marbury and buried in the rose garden.
One of George's pals was coming home in his car through Marbury Hollows one night and saw a lady in evening dress. He stopped and turned the headlights off and the lady was not there. Stuart Hubbard thought he saw the ghost once but it could have been someone playing a joke. It wasn't unknown for the locals to dress up and pretend to be The Marbury Lady.
To be continued..........
George's Mother had two girls with her first husband and five children with her second husband. The family lived in a house on the Moss. There was no running water. There was only cold water and no electricity. Sometimes the family had rabbit pie to eat. Times were hard. George was born in the house on the Moss in 1927.
In those days you went to the village school until you were eight and then to Winnington, Great Budworth, Barnton, Rudheath or Antrobus which became popular in later years. George walked to Winnington, past the Anderton Lift and over the swing bridge, to school, every day.
In the 1930s there was a really bad depression. Jobs were scarce. George used to run errands such as collecting paraffin oil. The radio ran on a battery and George would get a wet battery accumulator from Cyril Johnson.
The War started in 1939 and in 1940 George's father died. Three of the children were still at school so George got a job delivering milk to supplement the family income. Holly Bush Farm was where the British Telecom Exchange is now. He delivered milk before going to school to Anderton Post Office and the village and again in the evening to the village.
Mr Cox had 30 to 40 pupils at the school. George used to go home for his dinner, as there were no school dinners in those days.
Milk was 2 1/2d a bottle. In the summer holidays George enjoyed rides on the horse drawn carts to and from the cornfields on Woodcocks Farm. Actual holidays were non-existent. The seaside was only seen on Sunday school outings. Lots of horses were shoed at the Smithy.
In 1935 the Silver Jubilee of King George V and Queen Mary was celebrated and in 1937 the coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth.
Before the war Marbury Estate was beautiful. There was a fence right round the perimeter. Lots of village folk worked there. George's Grandma was a maid and his Grandfather was a groom to Lord Barrymore. He would drive Lord Barrymore in his trap to Hartford station to catch the train to London.
George and his friends knew the story of the Marbury Lady. His Grandma never saw the ghost despite coming home very late after balls and other social events. His Grandfather thought he did, once.
Some of the chaps from the village used to go and play cards with the men who lived in the bothies at Marbury Hall. George's uncle was there one night when the clock in the courtyard struck twelve midnight and a lady walked past. They all said, "Goodnight" but she did not reply. One of the uncle's friends said he'd catch up with the lady and see her safely home. He never did catch up with her so they all decided it must have been the ghost of The Marbury Lady.
George's Auntie Lena knew where the 'mummy' was. The supposed Egyptian Princess who had been rejected as a bride by one of the Barrymore family swore that she would never leave Marbury until 'holly wasn't green'. When she died she was buried at Great Budworth. Such strange things happened at Marbury Hall that the body was brought back to Marbury and buried in the rose garden.
One of George's pals was coming home in his car through Marbury Hollows one night and saw a lady in evening dress. He stopped and turned the headlights off and the lady was not there. Stuart Hubbard thought he saw the ghost once but it could have been someone playing a joke. It wasn't unknown for the locals to dress up and pretend to be The Marbury Lady.
To be continued..........
Friday 21 September 2007
Philip Rayner Remembers-Life in Comberbach
Philip Rayner Remembers- Life in Comberbach
29th March 1989
Mr Rayner (83) and his sister Audrey (Mrs Hyett) (77) came to my house for a chat in 1989.
Me: Where were you born?
Phil: I was born at 27 Cogshall Lane but I lived at Glaslyn, Marbury Road before I moved to Morecambe to live with my son.
Me: What shops were in the village when you were young?
Phil: There was 'The Top Shop' in Cogshall Lane, run by the Woodcocks. Mr Woodcock was Superintendent of the Sunday School at the Chapel. Mrs Porter ran it in 1914. She was a niece or something of the Woodcocks. It was a General Store.
Mr T B Taylor had a Cobblers and shoe shop at Willow Cottage opposite Mulberry House. That became Wyatt's shop.
The Post Office was where Old Post Office Cottage is now. You collected your letters on a Sunday morning and got your newspaper which cost 1d!
There was a Butcher's Shop in Chapel Cottages in the house nearest the road where Mrs Maddocks lived later on. It was Wrights or Booths from Lostock, I think.
Me: Any more shops?
Phil: The present Post Office was an off-licence. They used to sell barrels of ale! It was a small holding. (Lightfoots?)
Me: What about the Smithy?
Phil : That was run by Watt (Walter) Hulme. He always had two fires going, for shoeing. He was a very clever Blacksmith and Engineer.
The Undertaker's was where Fred Moores' Builders' Yard is now, on Budworth Lane. (Note: No longer there!) Amos Johnson and his son Albert ran that.
Mount Pleasant was Cowaps, a Tailors and Drapers' Shop.
Me: What did your Grandfather do?
Phil: Thomas Rayner was a Tailor. He lived at the Tailors' House in Great Budworth and made livery for all the big houses. The Rayners came from Bolton, originally. There was a Shoemaker in Antrobus called Joseph Hindley who charged £2 for a pair of shoes stitched by hand. He lived at Hammersmith Cottages. John Hindley lived at Gamekeepers' Cottage in Comberbach. He was the Gamekeeper at Marbury Hall.
Me: Who else lived in Comberbach then?
Phil: There was a row of thatched cottages on the left hand side of Senna Lane. Joe Atkinson lived there with his Mother and Father. Charlie Smith lived there and Joe Hazlehurst, Father of the Florist. Then there was Alf Cocksey the Stonemason, and Tom Keen, Mrs Hartley's Father, who lived in the middle one. Mrs Doris White (Colin White's Mother) was born in the house next to the Cockseys. The end one was a tied cottage belonging to the Clarks of Cogshall. I can't remember who lived there. It may have been Billy Clark. Jack Platt and his wife had two children and his Mother and Father lived next door.
Me: Where did you go to school, Mr Rayner?
Phil: I went to Comberbach School but there were only two classes so at 8 you had to go to Winnington, Barnton or Great Budworth.
Me: Who were the teachers?
Phil: Miss Lynny Taylor was the Teacher. She became Mrs Alan Frith. Then there was Miss Annie Jones, the daughter of the Head Gardener at Marbury Hall. About 1910 the Head was Miss Schofield and there was a Lilian Robinson.
Audrey: I remember Major Boyd from Frandley House. I've lived at Frandley for 24 years now but I lived in Hartford before that. I used to come to Comberbach WI when I was in Hartford.
Me: What about transport?
Phil: There were no buses then. It was all horses. Jack Percival had a van with windows and he charged 6d a time, return, to Northwich. Dr Love at Great Budworth had a steam car and Ralph Platt was the chauffeur.
Me: Who lived at Cogshall Hall?
Phil: Seymour Mead. He had shops in Altrincham. Then Kemps and Nicolson. He was a director of ICI. Then during the war it was turned into flats.
Audrey: I was an ambulance driver during the war. We were based at Hartford. Everyone was sent to the Spinner Pavilion but one bomb fell very close to it!
Phil: I knew Ted Hughes, Doug's father. Elizabeth Lees had the Spinner then. When I was a lad the Avenue Inn was a pub and a shop. Hitchens ran it but we called it 'Scratchins' Shop'.
If someone was playing up rough in the pub he'd say, "This is the Avenue Inn but I'm 'avin' you out!"
Me: What happened to Comberbach House at the top of Gibb Hill?
Phil: It was owned by Newall. He had a Decorator's business in Knutsford. Tom Ford from Brownslow House bought it and built houses on it. There used to be a huge yucca plant in the garden.
Me: What about Sandicroft?
Phil: That was Lady Barnes School. It was owned by Major Renwick. Boxhedge was owned by the Boumphreys. Marbury Mill was worked until the Second World War. The Masseys had it and then the Byroms. There was a policeman's house down by the Iossons, before those semis were built. Later on the village bobby was based at Great Budworth.
Me: I notice that Glaslyn had a water pump in the garden.
Phil: Yes, that was one of the village pumps. I nearly fell in so I had it covered over. There was a pump by the present Post Office.
Fred Thurlwell, June Parker's Father, was born at Senna Lane Farm. Fred's father worked for Eaton Williams and Fred's parents lived at Senna Lane Farm.
Where the GPO building is now was Holly Bush Farm. Mrs Pimlott (nee Curbishley) lived in a cottage joined onto the farm.
Me: Did you mind when houses were built behind Glaslyn?
Phil: The Moss Field was zoned for housing for a long time. Joseph Mathers was a County Councillor. No, I didn't mind.
Me: What about Marbury Mere?
Phil: We used to go night-skating with a tilley lamp. The mere used to freeze over quite often but it wasn't often thick enough for skating. There was one Easter in March when it was frozen for more than a week.
Me: Tell me about the Bowling Club Green.
Phil: George Woodcock, Harold's father gave some land for the Memorial Hall and George Walker gave some too. The bowling green was laid by Albert Lever and Fred Evans.
Me: Did you get up to any mischief as a boy in the village?
Phil: We used to play all sorts of tricks on people. We'd put a button on a piece of string on the window and pull the string so it rattled on the window. There was a gate across the yard by the old Post Office. We'd put a parcel down with string attached to it so that when they picked it up it pulled the string.
Me: Thanks, Phil for sharing all your memories of Comberbach with us.
29th March 1989
Mr Rayner (83) and his sister Audrey (Mrs Hyett) (77) came to my house for a chat in 1989.
Me: Where were you born?
Phil: I was born at 27 Cogshall Lane but I lived at Glaslyn, Marbury Road before I moved to Morecambe to live with my son.
Me: What shops were in the village when you were young?
Phil: There was 'The Top Shop' in Cogshall Lane, run by the Woodcocks. Mr Woodcock was Superintendent of the Sunday School at the Chapel. Mrs Porter ran it in 1914. She was a niece or something of the Woodcocks. It was a General Store.
Mr T B Taylor had a Cobblers and shoe shop at Willow Cottage opposite Mulberry House. That became Wyatt's shop.
The Post Office was where Old Post Office Cottage is now. You collected your letters on a Sunday morning and got your newspaper which cost 1d!
There was a Butcher's Shop in Chapel Cottages in the house nearest the road where Mrs Maddocks lived later on. It was Wrights or Booths from Lostock, I think.
Me: Any more shops?
Phil: The present Post Office was an off-licence. They used to sell barrels of ale! It was a small holding. (Lightfoots?)
Me: What about the Smithy?
Phil : That was run by Watt (Walter) Hulme. He always had two fires going, for shoeing. He was a very clever Blacksmith and Engineer.
The Undertaker's was where Fred Moores' Builders' Yard is now, on Budworth Lane. (Note: No longer there!) Amos Johnson and his son Albert ran that.
Mount Pleasant was Cowaps, a Tailors and Drapers' Shop.
Me: What did your Grandfather do?
Phil: Thomas Rayner was a Tailor. He lived at the Tailors' House in Great Budworth and made livery for all the big houses. The Rayners came from Bolton, originally. There was a Shoemaker in Antrobus called Joseph Hindley who charged £2 for a pair of shoes stitched by hand. He lived at Hammersmith Cottages. John Hindley lived at Gamekeepers' Cottage in Comberbach. He was the Gamekeeper at Marbury Hall.
Me: Who else lived in Comberbach then?
Phil: There was a row of thatched cottages on the left hand side of Senna Lane. Joe Atkinson lived there with his Mother and Father. Charlie Smith lived there and Joe Hazlehurst, Father of the Florist. Then there was Alf Cocksey the Stonemason, and Tom Keen, Mrs Hartley's Father, who lived in the middle one. Mrs Doris White (Colin White's Mother) was born in the house next to the Cockseys. The end one was a tied cottage belonging to the Clarks of Cogshall. I can't remember who lived there. It may have been Billy Clark. Jack Platt and his wife had two children and his Mother and Father lived next door.
Me: Where did you go to school, Mr Rayner?
Phil: I went to Comberbach School but there were only two classes so at 8 you had to go to Winnington, Barnton or Great Budworth.
Me: Who were the teachers?
Phil: Miss Lynny Taylor was the Teacher. She became Mrs Alan Frith. Then there was Miss Annie Jones, the daughter of the Head Gardener at Marbury Hall. About 1910 the Head was Miss Schofield and there was a Lilian Robinson.
Audrey: I remember Major Boyd from Frandley House. I've lived at Frandley for 24 years now but I lived in Hartford before that. I used to come to Comberbach WI when I was in Hartford.
Me: What about transport?
Phil: There were no buses then. It was all horses. Jack Percival had a van with windows and he charged 6d a time, return, to Northwich. Dr Love at Great Budworth had a steam car and Ralph Platt was the chauffeur.
Me: Who lived at Cogshall Hall?
Phil: Seymour Mead. He had shops in Altrincham. Then Kemps and Nicolson. He was a director of ICI. Then during the war it was turned into flats.
Audrey: I was an ambulance driver during the war. We were based at Hartford. Everyone was sent to the Spinner Pavilion but one bomb fell very close to it!
Phil: I knew Ted Hughes, Doug's father. Elizabeth Lees had the Spinner then. When I was a lad the Avenue Inn was a pub and a shop. Hitchens ran it but we called it 'Scratchins' Shop'.
If someone was playing up rough in the pub he'd say, "This is the Avenue Inn but I'm 'avin' you out!"
Me: What happened to Comberbach House at the top of Gibb Hill?
Phil: It was owned by Newall. He had a Decorator's business in Knutsford. Tom Ford from Brownslow House bought it and built houses on it. There used to be a huge yucca plant in the garden.
Me: What about Sandicroft?
Phil: That was Lady Barnes School. It was owned by Major Renwick. Boxhedge was owned by the Boumphreys. Marbury Mill was worked until the Second World War. The Masseys had it and then the Byroms. There was a policeman's house down by the Iossons, before those semis were built. Later on the village bobby was based at Great Budworth.
Me: I notice that Glaslyn had a water pump in the garden.
Phil: Yes, that was one of the village pumps. I nearly fell in so I had it covered over. There was a pump by the present Post Office.
Fred Thurlwell, June Parker's Father, was born at Senna Lane Farm. Fred's father worked for Eaton Williams and Fred's parents lived at Senna Lane Farm.
Where the GPO building is now was Holly Bush Farm. Mrs Pimlott (nee Curbishley) lived in a cottage joined onto the farm.
Me: Did you mind when houses were built behind Glaslyn?
Phil: The Moss Field was zoned for housing for a long time. Joseph Mathers was a County Councillor. No, I didn't mind.
Me: What about Marbury Mere?
Phil: We used to go night-skating with a tilley lamp. The mere used to freeze over quite often but it wasn't often thick enough for skating. There was one Easter in March when it was frozen for more than a week.
Me: Tell me about the Bowling Club Green.
Phil: George Woodcock, Harold's father gave some land for the Memorial Hall and George Walker gave some too. The bowling green was laid by Albert Lever and Fred Evans.
Me: Did you get up to any mischief as a boy in the village?
Phil: We used to play all sorts of tricks on people. We'd put a button on a piece of string on the window and pull the string so it rattled on the window. There was a gate across the yard by the old Post Office. We'd put a parcel down with string attached to it so that when they picked it up it pulled the string.
Me: Thanks, Phil for sharing all your memories of Comberbach with us.
Thursday 23 August 2007
John Henry Thurlwell and the Brunner Family
Dan Parker of Comberbach has reminded me ( from New York! ) that John Henry Thurlwell from Comberbach worked for the Brunner Family. Roscoe Brunner was dead by then ( He killed himself in 1926.) and so was his brother Sir John Brunner (died 1929).
Thanks to Dan's Mum, June Parker, nee Thurlwell, I have a copy of the newspaper article from The Guardian of 30th May 1930. It is a strange story, following so closely the Roscoe Brunner Tragedy.
Comberbach Groom Drowned While Exercising Horses - An Old Servant of The Brunner Family
Harry Swires, age 40, Groom, a native of Comberbach, Cheshire , and an old servant of the Brunner family, was drowned in Penn Pond, Richmond Park, Surrey on Friday of last week, in singular circumstances.
Swires, whose real name was Thurlwell - his Mother changed her name by remarriage and he, having adopted a new name, was exercising a young horse in Richmond Park. Another groom, Charles Nash, was the only witness and the story of the accident as it was told to Mr Anthony Brunner, a nephew of the Late Sir John Brunner, was repeated to a Press representative by Mr Brunner.
Shied at tree Stump
He said, " Swires, as we knew him, had taken a pony into the park for exercise. This pony, one of my stud of polo ponies, was a quiet animal- he was riding another pony."
" At Penn Pond there is a narrow path running between two ponds. In negociating this , Swires' mount shied at a fallen treestump and came down with his feet in the right hand pond. The other pond is deep but this one is shallow. The animal walked some distance into the water before it could be turned. Swires dismounted to lead the pony back to the path. Nash, meanwhile, started to wade into the pond to help Swires out.
As he approached Swires, who was within his depth, suddenly disappeared under the water. Nash made an attempt to get to him but could not find him, so he sent a message to the park-keepers, who rowed to the spot in a boat. It was not until three quarters of an hour later that they recovered Swires' body."
20 Years Service
Swires had been a servant of the Brunner Family for twenty years. He was a groom with Mr Brunner's father when the family home was at Belmont Hall, Northwich. His wife and seven children live at Comberbach.
Mr D. Ash, the head groom of the stables, in a talk with a Press Representative, said ," I had just left Mr Swires and Mr Nash. We had been out in the Park exercising horses with a lady. I got back at 12 o'clock, but the other two should have been back before me and when lunch time came and they didn't return I became alarmed.
The horse from which Mr Swires was thrown was brought in by another groom just before one o'clock. He told me what had happened but when I got there the body had been recovered and taken to Kingston Mortuary."
Thanks to Dan's Mum, June Parker, nee Thurlwell, I have a copy of the newspaper article from The Guardian of 30th May 1930. It is a strange story, following so closely the Roscoe Brunner Tragedy.
Comberbach Groom Drowned While Exercising Horses - An Old Servant of The Brunner Family
Harry Swires, age 40, Groom, a native of Comberbach, Cheshire , and an old servant of the Brunner family, was drowned in Penn Pond, Richmond Park, Surrey on Friday of last week, in singular circumstances.
Swires, whose real name was Thurlwell - his Mother changed her name by remarriage and he, having adopted a new name, was exercising a young horse in Richmond Park. Another groom, Charles Nash, was the only witness and the story of the accident as it was told to Mr Anthony Brunner, a nephew of the Late Sir John Brunner, was repeated to a Press representative by Mr Brunner.
Shied at tree Stump
He said, " Swires, as we knew him, had taken a pony into the park for exercise. This pony, one of my stud of polo ponies, was a quiet animal- he was riding another pony."
" At Penn Pond there is a narrow path running between two ponds. In negociating this , Swires' mount shied at a fallen treestump and came down with his feet in the right hand pond. The other pond is deep but this one is shallow. The animal walked some distance into the water before it could be turned. Swires dismounted to lead the pony back to the path. Nash, meanwhile, started to wade into the pond to help Swires out.
As he approached Swires, who was within his depth, suddenly disappeared under the water. Nash made an attempt to get to him but could not find him, so he sent a message to the park-keepers, who rowed to the spot in a boat. It was not until three quarters of an hour later that they recovered Swires' body."
20 Years Service
Swires had been a servant of the Brunner Family for twenty years. He was a groom with Mr Brunner's father when the family home was at Belmont Hall, Northwich. His wife and seven children live at Comberbach.
Mr D. Ash, the head groom of the stables, in a talk with a Press Representative, said ," I had just left Mr Swires and Mr Nash. We had been out in the Park exercising horses with a lady. I got back at 12 o'clock, but the other two should have been back before me and when lunch time came and they didn't return I became alarmed.
The horse from which Mr Swires was thrown was brought in by another groom just before one o'clock. He told me what had happened but when I got there the body had been recovered and taken to Kingston Mortuary."
More Chat with Mrs Ethel Foster nee Hayes 1992
3rd March 1992
Me: Can you tell me any more about the families that lived in Comberbach?
Ethel: I remember Elsie Whitby from Uplands, Anderton. She was George Robinson’s Mother. She married a Joseph Radcliffe from Great Budworth in 1914. He was a friend of my father’s and had the Smithy on the Moss. They had two girls – Gladys and Margaret. Later on, in 1919 Elsie married John Robinson.
Me: Does your brother Charles live in Comberbach?
Ethel: Yes, he lives in the last house on the right going up Senna Lane. It used to be called Providence House but now it’s called Brookside.
Me: Did you know Hilda Evans’ father?
Ethel: John Henry Thurlwell was Batman to Roscoe Brunner and was killed in Richmond Park, London, while he was exercising a horse. Hilda’s Mother was left with seven children. I used to help her look after them although I was only a child myself. I took two of them to have their tonsils removed!
Me: Did you know Philip Rayner?
Ethel: Oh, yes! I remember Phil coming to live in the village. The Rayners built the house on the corner of Meadow Lane and Senna Lane. His father was married twice – to two sisters! (Note : Harry Rayner married Fanny Dibben in 1900 and Ellen V. Dibben in 1911)
Me: Did any of the Hayes family work at Marbury Hall?
Ethel: My Aunt Lizzie was the Housekeeper at Marbury Hall. An Irish Family had it and they had a house in Ireland and a house in Grosvenor Square, London. They only came here for ‘cub hunting’, in the winter. The staff were paid for the whole year, though.
Me: Did your Aunt Lizzie live at Marbury Hall, then?
Ethel: No. She rented what is now called ‘Gamekeeper’s Cottage’ on Marbury Road. It should really be called ‘Housekeeper’s Cottage’, you know!
Me: Any other village characters that you remember?
Ethel: There was old Mrs Platt who lived in one of the cottages on Senna Lane, where Barrons live now. The door was always open. She was bedridden and everyone would pop in and see if she needed anything.
Me: What about the rest of your family/
Ethel: My Uncle Tom Hayes settled at Wincham. He had nine children.
Me: Mrs Foster, thank you for sharing all your memories of Comberbach. I have really enjoyed our chat.
Me: Can you tell me any more about the families that lived in Comberbach?
Ethel: I remember Elsie Whitby from Uplands, Anderton. She was George Robinson’s Mother. She married a Joseph Radcliffe from Great Budworth in 1914. He was a friend of my father’s and had the Smithy on the Moss. They had two girls – Gladys and Margaret. Later on, in 1919 Elsie married John Robinson.
Me: Does your brother Charles live in Comberbach?
Ethel: Yes, he lives in the last house on the right going up Senna Lane. It used to be called Providence House but now it’s called Brookside.
Me: Did you know Hilda Evans’ father?
Ethel: John Henry Thurlwell was Batman to Roscoe Brunner and was killed in Richmond Park, London, while he was exercising a horse. Hilda’s Mother was left with seven children. I used to help her look after them although I was only a child myself. I took two of them to have their tonsils removed!
Me: Did you know Philip Rayner?
Ethel: Oh, yes! I remember Phil coming to live in the village. The Rayners built the house on the corner of Meadow Lane and Senna Lane. His father was married twice – to two sisters! (Note : Harry Rayner married Fanny Dibben in 1900 and Ellen V. Dibben in 1911)
Me: Did any of the Hayes family work at Marbury Hall?
Ethel: My Aunt Lizzie was the Housekeeper at Marbury Hall. An Irish Family had it and they had a house in Ireland and a house in Grosvenor Square, London. They only came here for ‘cub hunting’, in the winter. The staff were paid for the whole year, though.
Me: Did your Aunt Lizzie live at Marbury Hall, then?
Ethel: No. She rented what is now called ‘Gamekeeper’s Cottage’ on Marbury Road. It should really be called ‘Housekeeper’s Cottage’, you know!
Me: Any other village characters that you remember?
Ethel: There was old Mrs Platt who lived in one of the cottages on Senna Lane, where Barrons live now. The door was always open. She was bedridden and everyone would pop in and see if she needed anything.
Me: What about the rest of your family/
Ethel: My Uncle Tom Hayes settled at Wincham. He had nine children.
Me: Mrs Foster, thank you for sharing all your memories of Comberbach. I have really enjoyed our chat.
Sunday 19 August 2007
Wednesday 15 August 2007
A Chat with Mrs Ethel Foster (nee Hayes) 3rd March 1992
"The Hayes Family of Comberbach Hall"
"The Hayes Family of Comberbach Hall"
Ethel:
Charles and Sarah had 13 children:
Tom (Thomas)
Liz (Elizabeth)
Sally (Sarah Anne)
Albert
Arthur
Edward
Charlie (died age 13 from appendicitis)
Alfred (Ethel's Father)
Edith
Ethel
Jessie
Me: Comberbach Hall wasn't very big. Where did they all sleep?
Ethel: Boys in one bedroom and girls in another.
The parents had a room downstairs. The kitchen was the biggest room but it had low beams. My husband Joe (Foster) was always banging his head on the beams!
Me: What was your Father's name?
Ethel: He was Alfred Hayes. He married Martha Ellen Anderson. Her Father was a Scot. He left her Mother. She became Housekeeper to a Doctor in Llanfair ---- gogogoch!! She became a nurse and specialised in nursing subnormal children. She came to Cogshall Hall to nurse the owner. He was an adult but was away with the fairies! Cogshall Hall floors were covered in Turkish carpet with red medallions and he used to jump from one to another! My Mum used to make him bread and dripping. The owner of Cogshall Hall owned Ivy Lodge Farm too.
All Charles and Sarah's children were put to a trade. They became a Bricklayer, A Joiner, and a Gardener. Arthur used to work at the Anderton Lift. He had a house down by the lift and used to drink in the Tip (The Stanley Arms). He once chased Maggie, his wife along the canal with an axe! Albert went to 'foreign parts' (Bootle!). Tom went to Wincham and had 9 children and several illegitimate children. Alfred, my Father became a Painter and Decorator.
Me: What about school?
Ethel: I went to Sir John Deanes. When I was at Great Budworth the Head discovered that I was a Mathematician. My Father Alfred used to drink in the Cock Inn and met the Headmaster. My Mum went to Belmont where the Chairman of the Governors of the school lived and told him I was not to be encouraged!
Ethel: She had three bonnets but it was really the same one with different decorations that you could take off. One had violets, one had cherries and one had white flowers! She wore the violets to church on a Sunday and the cherries when she went to Northwich in the pony and cart. Then she would iron the ribbons and put them back in the boxes.
She wore a white flannel petticoat, which was embroidered, a white muslin petticoat, a black silk petticoat with a pocket and a black skirt on top. She would lift up her skirt and put money in the pocket of the second layer!
Ethel continued... My Grandmother, Sarah Hayes used to think that her pension came every day! Someone would give her the money and then return it later to wherever it came from. Both grandparents lived to be 84 and Tom lived to be 92.
My Father, Alfred Hayes was Treasurer of the Comberbach football team which played on the Spinner field. It faded out but there was still some money in the account. When the Bowling Green and recreation ground were built after the First World War he had to ask every member of the original football team if the money could be used for a roundabout and some swings. They all said yes!
Me: What did you do for entertainment?
Ethel: We had dances at the Victoria Baths which were covered over. On Friday nights there was a dance at the Cock. Miss Kinsey kept it and you had to be very careful not to get caught with a lad!
My cousin in Bolton was an overlooker at a factory and any flawed material was chucked out. Anyone could have it so Hilda Evans and I would dye the unbleached lawn and make it into evening dresses. Hilda went into service and she had to stick it out as she had no Dad but my sister went into service and left after 3 weeks because she didn't like it! We girls learnt to play the piano and we sang in the Chapel Choir on a Sunday morning and went to Great Budworth Church in the evening.
Ethel: They all used to come home to die!
Jess used to give up her job to look after them. She used to do Dinner Parties and she had quite a clientele. She did the laundry for the family at Belmont Hall, Cogshall Hall and Dene House. She used to get £7 which was a fortune in those days. Jess used to look after the subnormal village kids. Harold Millington was 'turned out' all day and Jess would feed him and give him jobs. One day she got him cutting her hedge and he was half way up Gibb Hill before he stopped cutting! Bert Kerfoot was another subnormal lad and Jess would feed him too. Aunt Sally liked a drop of rum and used to get Harold Millington to get it from the Spinner.
Me: Was there a Doctor in the village?
Ethel: Dr Gilbert Love lived in Great Budworth, in the Manor House. His surgery was next to the George and Dragon. Miss Statham was his secretary and she'd come round on a bike with a basket and two St Bernard dogs! She'd collect a shilling from most people - 1d went to the nurse, 1d to the nurse's home, some to the Doctor and some to the Doctor's driver. It was a sort of pre-NHS.
Dr Love's son became a Doctor so he was Young Dr Love. Old Dr Love had married an Irish girl and she became ill. Her sister came over to nurse her and she died. Dr Love married the sister, Peggy, but his friend the Vicar refused to marry them although they were both Freemasons. Dr Love had five children: Gilbert, Ronald, John, Aileen and Eithne who was my friend.
Young Dr Love had two children: Peter and Wendy. Peter also became a Doctor and lives in Skipton now. He's a paediatrician. His wife also died and he remarried. I taught his children at Great Budworth School and I once told him to come and collect his kids, as they were sickening for measles. He told me off and said he'd decide when his children had measles. They did have it!
Ethel continued... Aunt Jessie was a good-looking woman. She had a boyfriend but he was killed in the First World War. When her sister Ethel had a baby and was not married she kept it secret from her parents, Charles and Sarah Hayes for five years. Jessie helped Ethel look after her baby son. Later on they quarrelled and fell out and they never made it up. They both fell and broke their hips. Ethel died and Jessie was pleased to outlive her.
Me: Your Aunt Jessie sounds quite a character!
Ethel: Yes, she was a very strong Labour supporter. The rest of the family were Conservatives. Jessie and Alfred used to argue. Once the vicar said something Conservative and Jess stormed out of church and never went back!
Me: Tell me about your Father
Ethel: My Father, Alfred Hayes was Chairman of the Parish Council and of the School Governors. He was a really nice man. I only remember hearing him criticise someone once. I used to help him gild the names on the war memorial. If it was raining I would hold the umbrella.
He used to organize the village charities. Money was collected to buy blankets. Frank Jones and my Father, Alfred would collect it. Cowaps the drapers would get the blankets at cost price and the recipients would be chosen in the village. My Mother used to say she could have done with one!
The girls got capes with navy blue and red linings and the boys got a pair of boots. The solicitor who organized the Charity for Lord Barrymore lived at Vicar's Cross. My Father had to take the accounts to him.
Me: Do you remember your Grandfather?
Ethel: My Grandfather, Charles Hayes knew a lot about nature. He once picked up a field mouse to show me and it bit him!
Me: Tell me about your Mother.
Ethel: My Mother was a member of the Mothers' Union. We went to church twice on a Sunday: chapel in the morning and church at night. When I was about 6 they started a sewing circle at the vicarage and Dr Love's house. My Mother used to sew baby clothes for the poorer families. I found them and thought they were dolls' clothes for me. I was upset to see someone else wearing them.
Auntie Liz looked after Grandma and told her to look out her white embroidered nightie for her to be 'laid out' in and told her to make sure it was 'well-aired'! The washing was done in the washhouse every Monday with plenty of starch.
Me: Your Grandma sounds an interesting character, too!
Ethel: Yes, she was very literate. After the evening meal she would read the paper to Grandad and they would discuss the contents.
Me: Where did you live?
Ethel: We lived at Parkview. We had a parlour so it was quite posh! Mount Pleasant was a Tailor and Drapers and Willow Cottage was a shoemakers.
Me: Tell me about your teaching career.
Ethel: I taught at Great Budworth School for seven years. I inherited my sister Edith's son, Charles when she died. My daughter in law was teaching at Barnton Infants and I went to do Supply. When I went to be interviewed for the job at Great Budworth School I found it
was all my friends doing the interviewing; Cecil Holden etc. I got the job! The Head Teacher was called Mr Wheeler and he told me he knew all about teaching infants because he'd read a book on it!
I did my Teacher training and taught at various schools, special schools like Henshaw's School for Blind and Deaf Children, The Jewish School at Norley and Little Leigh. Then I got married and was given the sack!
Later when David was three and Charles was five I went back and taught at Little Leigh, Appleton, Barnton and Great Budworth. I had a little boy there who wouldn't speak called John Holt. I put him with a chatty boy called Stephen Syckles . John collected 'Dinky' toys, especially farm ones. I said, "What a lovely rake." and John said, "It's a swathe-turner." He had lost both parents in an accident and had been traumatised. He lived with his grandparents. He started to speak again after that.
Me: What about Comberbach School?
(Note: the old school on Marbury Road)
Ethel: The Head Teacher was called Miss Bradbury and her sister Mrs Barber also taught. There were about thirty children, all in one room. A girl of about 14 looked after the infants. There were steps at one end like tiers and at story time the children all sat on them.
Me: Tell me a bit more about life at Comberbach Hall
Ethel: My grandparents paid rent to Arley. Grandma used to get a pig. It was kept in a pigsty at the back door. She'd feed it, and then kill it and cure it. It was rubbed with honey and salt. The salt was kept in a big vat that was earthenware outside and glazed inside.There were big hooks in the kitchen and the bacon was wrapped in muslin and hung up Grandma would cut a piece off for breakfast each day and start fattening up a new pig in the sty. She used a Dutch oven to cook bacon and make toast.
Grandma was also the village herbalist. She grew herbs like comfrey and when I had anaemia she made me eat beetroot!
Me: What about shopping?
Ethel: Every six months Grandma would put on her bonnet and the shawl with the bobbles and go to Coombs the Drapers in the pony and trap. She came home with lots of parcels.
There was a Fishman who came round on Fridays. The Butcher (Mr Ackerley) came twice a week and a Hardware Man twice a week. If you took an earthenware jar to Mrs Porter at Peartree Cottage she would fill it with treacle for 1d.
Ethel: Every six months Grandma would put on her bonnet and the shawl with the bobbles and go to Coombs the Drapers in the pony and trap. She came home with lots of parcels.
There was a Fishman who came round on Fridays. The Butcher (Mr Ackerley) came twice a week and a Hardware Man twice a week. If you took an earthenware jar to Mrs Porter at Peartree Cottage she would fill it with treacle for 1d.
I remember my Grandfather's brother who lived at Comberbach Green (Allen Hayes).... to be continued.
Thursday 2 August 2007
Comberbach, meaning the ' Valley of the Sparkling Stream', was part of the Manor of Arley; which belonged to the Warburton Family.
"Cheshire Charter of 1180"....
In an early Cheshire Charter of 1180, land was granted to The Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem by 'John The Constable'. It was previously held by William, Clerk of Comberbach.
'John The Constable' died in Palestine in 1190 and Gilbert Brito granted land in Comberbach to Adam de Dutton who was an ancestor of the Warburtons. Adam de Dutton died in about 1205.
From "Bagshaw's Directory" ....
In Bagshaw's Directory of 1850 he says ... ' the Manor of Comberbach was given by John de Lacy to Adam Dutton. Adam gave half of the estate to Norton Priory ' .
"Knights of St. John" ....After the Dissolution of the Monasteries these lands were granted to John Grimsditch who sold most of them to Robert Eaton. The other half was given to The Knights of St. John, on condition that it was held by the Comberbach Family. It eventually came into the hands of several landowners, the principal ones being:
"Cheshire Charter of 1180"....
In an early Cheshire Charter of 1180, land was granted to The Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem by 'John The Constable'. It was previously held by William, Clerk of Comberbach.
'John The Constable' died in Palestine in 1190 and Gilbert Brito granted land in Comberbach to Adam de Dutton who was an ancestor of the Warburtons. Adam de Dutton died in about 1205.
From "Bagshaw's Directory" ....
In Bagshaw's Directory of 1850 he says ... ' the Manor of Comberbach was given by John de Lacy to Adam Dutton. Adam gave half of the estate to Norton Priory ' .
"Knights of St. John" ....After the Dissolution of the Monasteries these lands were granted to John Grimsditch who sold most of them to Robert Eaton. The other half was given to The Knights of St. John, on condition that it was held by the Comberbach Family. It eventually came into the hands of several landowners, the principal ones being:
- J.H.S.Barry Esq.
- Mr William Eaton
- Mrs Catherine Nanfan
- Peter Jackson Esq.
- And the Lord of the Manor, Mr Warburton.
On Friday 8th July 1932 much of the Marbury Estate which consisted of several houses, many cottages in the village and a large amount of land ( Ivy Lodge Farm included ) was sold at auction. The old village school Log Book can be viewed at Chester Record Office. Lady Mary Smith - Barry of Marbury Hall took a personal interest in the pupils, entertaining them at The Hall and visiting the school.
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