Reuben Wharmby of Furness Vale

Reuben  Wharmby was born in 1914 and lived in Canal Row where his mother ran a small general store. The shop was probably at number 7, in the middle of the row and had a good trade amongst passing boatmen. In the 1920s the business re-located to the house by the canal bridge, formerly the beerhouse The Jolly Sailor/Traveller's Call.  On leaving Furness Vale school, he bought a small lorry and established a fruit and vegetable round in the village and neighbourhood. 
Listen to this 1999 recording by the Imperial War Museum where Rubin tells of his life in pre-war Furness Vale and New Mills and of his wartime experiences: https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/80018207

A full transcript of Reuben's story may be read here: https://furnesshistory.blogspot.com/p/reuben-wharmby-of-furness-vale.html

Crowning The Whaley Bridge Rose Queen

Every year a lucky young lady was voted as Rose Queen for the year and as always she was crowned on the front lawn of Taxal Rectory by a notable personality.

This would be usually a local councillor or some equally obscure nobody. But things changed in 1950 when Miss Clarke won the award. And who was announced to crown her? Well when the door opened the Minister welcomed in Mr. Albert Pierrpoint the infamous hangman.

Until then a hangman kept his job secret, even from his wife.

But Pierrepoint had become famous after executing many German war criminals. After the ceremony he spent the rest of the afternoon in the Royal Oak in Taxal.

He was also seen on occasions in the Board Inn and The Shepherd's Arms.

Tony Beswick

Albert Pierrepoint was himself a publican, first at Hollinwood and later at Much Hoole near Preston. In 1950 he hanged James Corbitt at Strangeways, one of his own customers.

	Albert Pierrepoint

A Wayward Italian

 

May 1908 saw the appearance of an Italian named Soberti Diego before Stockport Police Court.  He was charged with being on enclosed premises for unlawful purposes and with assaulting a police officer in Whaley Bridge on April 27th.  Diego had been seen climbing from a wagon up into the rafters of the goods warehouse at the station. The prisoner had refused to descend and when the police constable arrived he jumped onto a van and threw a stone at the officer, which hit him in the chest.  Diego jumped over the wagons and tried to escape but the pursuing policeman fell over him and a desperate struggle ensued.  The prisoner had a razor with which he attacked the officer, cutting his hand.  It was only when support arrived that the Italian was overpowered.  Speaking through an interpreter, Diego explained that he had arrived in England seven months previously and finding himself in Whaley Bridge without food or money, decided to head to London.  He thought he would be safe hiding in the rafters until a train should arrive.  He had only used the razor to prevent the police officer from choking him.   Soberti Diego was sentenced to 28 days in prison and advised to leave the country as soon as he was released.

Off The Rails

On Monday 9th September 1867 the most serious of the local rail incidents took place on the Midland line.  A goods train had entered the tunnel between Chapel and Peak Dale and had stopped to unload gravel for track maintenance.  Against the rules, a following train carrying 1000 sheep and cattle was allowed to enter the tunnel shortly after 5pm, where it crashed into the stationary ballast train.  A little girl had taken some clogs to her father, a blacksmith called Vaines, who was working in the tunnel and together they were in one of the wagons. She was the first fatality of the day.  Several other workmen were injured.  Two engines hauled the cattle train and these left the track causing the 23 cattle trucks to become detached and these started to roll backwards.  On leaving the tunnel, the guard and three drovers jumped and their injuries were not known. The telegraph wires were out of order and it was not until the wagons sped through Bugsworth that the signalman there, was able to warn New Mills and have the signals set to danger.  The train was seen approaching New Mills at 6pm A passenger express had already set off from New Mills and was halted by the signal after some distance.  Driver Cooper set the train in reverse and he, the fireman and guard all jumped off.  There was still a collision in which four cattle drovers were killed and a fifth injured.  Many sheep and cattle lay dead amongst the wreckage. The express in the meantime was still travelling backwards out of control and its speed increased due to the collision. The train was not brought to a halt until directed into a siding at Romiley. None of the passengers were injured although some suffered from shock.

Bridgemont

A postcard from Tony Beswick featuring Bridgemont

The picture is undated and there is not a vehicle in sight. The street is lit by gas lamps which continued in use until 1955. The Dog and Partridge has a car park sign so they are already catering for motor trade. In the distance is the phone box in front of the Bridgemont Mission. It is the K1 style introduced in 1921 and made from cast concrete. Opposite the pub is the Post Office with a sign advertising Star Cigarettes.

Historical Interactive Map of Whaley Bridge

Use the mouse wheel to zoom in and out of the map. Left click and drag to pan. Click on the icons for further information on each location.