The Soldier Dick Murals

The top floor of the Soldier Dick was used by the Oddfellows who established their "Foundation Stone Of Truth Lodge" in 1829. A mutual society, the Oddfellows provided financial benefits to their members in times of sickness, hardship or death. They came to have a very large membership in Furness Vale. In 1840, they commissioned an artist, F. W. Roche to paint murals on the walls of their "Lodge House". These represented English armies in battle: In the Civil War; at the Battle of Crecy; in the Napoleonic Wars; and a portrait of the pub's landlord, either Joseph Gould or William Travis at the time. There was another mural in the Snug but that was much more recent. The photographs which are of poor quality show the murals. Presumably the strange seating was for the officials of the Oddfellows. When the upper floor of the pub was converted to letting accommodation, the murals were carefully panelled over and still exist, carefully preserved.

 

 A further mural was painted in the pub's "snug" in the 1970s by a New Mills artist. This was lost during modernisation of the pub.

George Tomlinson

 

George Tomlinson passed away on 11th July 2023 at the Hawthorne Nursing Home in Buxton at the age of 98.  His funeral is at Macclesfield Crematorium on 3rd August.

George Tomlinson was a Yorkshireman, originally from the village of East Bowling, now a suburb of Bradford.

George had lived in Furness Vale for many years, making his home in Park Avenue. He was employed in Manchester, commuting daily by train.

For many people, their best memory of George is of his long association with Furness Vale Scouts of which he was General Scout Leader.

George had long been a member of the Methodist Church and continued to worship at St.John's when the village chapel closed.

Furness Vale History Society was formally constituted in the early 21st century but had been meeting at Carr Farm for many years previously. It was founded by George  who became the first Chairman.  For a long time,  George had been researching our local history and it was through his efforts that we now have a considerable archive. He retired from the Society in 2013.

George is photographed with Dr. Andrew at the re-opening of the Scout Hut in January 1976

                                                     Instructing the Sea Scouts

George researched the history of most of our local farms and is seen here with Mr Mellor at Peathills.

In 2013, George was recognised by Whaley Bridge Town Council for his work in the community and presented with the Community Award. He is pictured here with his wife, Murial.