THE REPORTER. February 8. 1974.
Villagers could have a bath at the institute
In 1912 few Furness Vale families were lucky enough to have their own bathroom. They probably did like families in many other places — a Friday night ritual of carrying into the kitchen a big zinc bath (or perhaps even a "dolly tub") kept in a shed. Then there was the job of filling it with hot water, usually from a boiler alongside the fire in a large living-room grate, or from a "built-in" kitchen boiler (was it a "set boiler?") used every Monday for washing clothes. So I can understand the practical common sense shown by the founders of Furness Vale Institute, who, when the building was designed, included a bathroom. The institute was opened on Saturday, January 20. 1912. and the following week's Reporter said that in a village like Furness Vale, the bathroom would be a great convenience. Today's young people in Furness Vale will. I'm sure, be amused by the thought of their grandfathers "goin' t' club for a bath." but provision of this amenity was frequently made when village clubs were built. Although institute members could bath there, they certainly didn't have the chance to swill themselves with ale. Intoxicants were taboo, and the January 27,1912 Reporter discloses that there had been divided opinions on this. Speaking at the opening, Mr R. Potts, committee chairman, said they had had criticism in regard to their attitude on the sale of drink, and, if they were only supported, they would prove that the club could be made a success without •resorting to the sale of drink — a remark which brought applause. "Echoes from the Peak" also had something to say on the drink question."The institute has been supported without the sale of intoxicating liquors and we hope it will continue so. Otherwise there will be a division amongst the members with disastrous results. "Furness Vale does not need another place for the sale of drink." I don't know how many pubs there were in Furness Vale in 1910, but today there are two, the Station and the Soldier Dick. There used to be another just over the level crossing and canal bridge — the Jolly Sailor. Were there any more in 1910? The comment by "Echoes" intrigues me, for I recall what he had to say a few months earlier, when in April 1911 (I told the story fully three weeks ago) he wrote about the opening of New Mills Trades Hall “There are those of course, who objected to a drinking bar and a determined effort was made to prevent its introduction Into the club. This. however, was not successful.” "As a matter of fact, a bar has come to be regarded as inevitable in most clubs, and the Trades Hall is only doing what other clubs in the town do." I wonder why he held one view about Furness Vale Institute and another about the Trades Hall? For in those days there were many more pubs in New Mills than today. But let's get back to the opening of the . Institute... About 1904, a reading room was started in a building loaned by Mr Thomas Rowley. Free from any religious sect or political party, its progress was rapid and the rooms were soon found to be too small and inconvenient.So that there might be a place where all the men of the village could meet on common ground it was decided to erect a new building and call it the Furness Vale Institute. Land in Yeardsley Lane was obtained from Sir Edward Cotton-Jodrell at a nominal rent of £1 a year. "and the building is a very handsome one of two storeys." It Was designed by Mr S. Bailey. architect, of Whaley Bridge, and built by Mr J. W. Swindells, of New Mills, the contract being for £469 8s, Said the Reporter account at the time: On the ground floor are a reading room, a games room supplied with chess, draughts and dominoes, and a spacious billiard room containing two full - size tables. In the upper storey there is a bathroom, which, in a village like Furness Vale. will be a great convenience to the members, a secretary's office and a big room capable of holding 50 to 60 people, which can be used for meetings of various kinds. The cost of the building is approximately £600 and there is a mortgage on it of £400. The president of the institute is Mr E. B. Clegg. of Furness Vale, and the secretary is Mr J. T. Swindells, who has done much hard work towards erection of the building. The institute is a most useful addition to the village, beautifully furnished, and one which all concerned may be congratulated upon. The opening ceremony was performed by Sir Edward Cotton - Jodrell, "who is such a generous friend to all good causes in the district." . On behalf of the members. Mr .1. T. Swindells presented to Sir Edward a silver gilt key, suitably inscribed. which Sir Edward said was "a very nice memento" of the occasion. After the presentation of the key, all adjourned to the billiard room for the speech-making. After paying tribute to Sir Edward's generosity. Mr Clegg spoke and, from the old report, much of his speech was about making life worth living. Said the report: Mr Clegg said they were living in an age of discoveries and one of the most wonderful of discoveries was that life was well worth living in spite of what they were told about this being a vale of tears. It was possible to club together and help make life for one another actually worth living. That had resulted, and was resulting, in difficulties and what was called "unrest," but what he called "the necessary painful readjustments which followed in the wake of vital discoveries." He believed the desire to help one another as growing in this country and he had confidence that many of these difficulties and readjustments would settle themselves. The institute was the village's small contribution to the problem of how to make life worth living. They could say with truth that the institute would make life better worth living to many people. They had reading. games and billiard rooms, and also a bathroom, which he believed was the only one loaned in the village (laughter). As soon as they could, they wanted to pay off the debt and make the place financially sound. Both as borrowers and lenders they were helping one another and he believed this method of co-operative borrowing and reasonable lending would solve many problems.,He called on Sir Edward to open the institute, and Sir Edward spoke of his pleasure at being able to play a part in the ceremony. He hoped the institute "would make people in Furness Vale feel that life was indeed worth living." He hoped that the members and others using the club would feel that the money had been well spent and that they would be able to have many pleasant hours of recreation there. Sir Edward congratulated not only the committee but all who had helped or encouraged the work "on the excellent results evident to all." It showed the "thoroughly practical way in which they had undertaken it, and that they had determined that there should be no opening ceremony until everything was completed." Said the 1912 Reporter: Sir Edward said there were signs that the people of Furness Vale were in earnest about the work and would in future adopt every means in their power to make it a success. There were some encouraging features about Furness Vale at the present time. The new church had been rapidly followed by the institute and. if the village went forward with such leaps and bounds of social prosperity. he would almost look forward to the time when they amid have the first Mayor of Furness Vale, and, instead of addressing Mr Clegg as "Mr Chairman." he would have to say "Mr Mayor." There were many of these institutes in the country which had failed for a time for lack of support or mismanagement on the part of the committee or some other cause. But he was sure they were determined to make the thing go and to give pleasure not only to themselves, but to those who would come after them. It would be a success because that seemed to be the spirit with which Furness Vale was imbued in starting the enterprise. He conveyed his best wishes for the continued prosperity of the place and hoped it would be a source of satisfaction and enjoyment to those who used it and that they would carry it on with the same spirit as they had started. Mr Ralph Harrison said that in their efforts to build the institute the committee had during the year "encountered obstacles and difficulties," but they were aware that Sir Edward and Mr T. C'. Toler were their patrons and regarded with approval their object. An instance of that was the granting of the land on special terms, which had been a distinct help and encouragement to the committee. Mr Harrison expressed the hope that the institute might long continue under its present patrons, and said that the kindness and sympathy of Sir Edward for the well-being of the district was well-known and Furness Vale entertained for him the strongest feelings of esteem and respect. Mr J. D. Dickens. presenting the financial statement, said the cost of the institute was about £600. and they had been obliged to raise a £400 mortgage. Said the old report: "Mr Dickens stated that. that (the mortgage) was what was called a "monkey." Some people believed it was a good thing to have a "monkey" on the building because it made members work. but he would sooner knock it off. "They had to rely not only on members, but on friends to the village and district. He appealed to them to subscribe to the uppermost farthing — and then go back to the bank again." After the ceremony, "the public inspected the handsome rooms and an exhibition game of billiards was played between Jos Lockett, of Whaley Bridge, and Jor Smith, of New Mills. "Some capital play was witnessed, both players making good breaks." An entertainment followed in which several people took part, and "Echoes." its well as commenting on the drink question, said: "The building is a very handsome one. a credit to the village. The men have shown their good sense in having one social club where they can meet together, instead of endeavouring to start a couple of political clubs where they would have been divided in their hours of relaxation and dependent to a considerable degree on the purses of the politicians. The village is too small for two clubs, but should manage one easily." Here, for the record, are the first officials of 62 years ago: Patrons: Sir E. Cotton-Jodrell and Mr T. C. Toler: president: Mr E. B. Clegg: vice-presidents: Colonel Alan Sykes MP, Dr S. Nall, Dr Heathcote, Rev H. W. Haworth. Messrs J. J. Ardern, E. Davenport. J. D. Dickens. S. Adkin, S.Bridge. John Carter, W. Hadfield. R. Harrison, J.Jackson. J. Longden, A. W. Lowe, J. Pearson, C. Secombe, T. Rowley, H. Town. Committee: Messrs R. Potts (chairman). W. Allen ( vice-chairman ) . F. Booth, J. Booth, C. Bennett, L. Carter, E Cook, T. Healey. H. S. Gough, F. Joule. T. Middleton. J. Rowley, J. T. Taylor: financial secretary. Mr Jos Smith; genera1 secretary, Mr J. T. Swindells. By Bill Williamson
