Furness Vale Station

The following drawings are from the collection of a local railway enthusiast, Peter Helps who kindly loaned us the originals. These represent the schedules for positioning display and poster boards on the station as designated by British Railways. The drawings are undated.

2 Old Road

Tony Beswick has added to this story and explains how the address was changed:

I had an office at 53 Buxton Road, Furness Vale, and used to pass this building daily on my way to the Post Office.

As you say it was once owned by Eastwood Cash Registers and the registered address was not 2 Old Road but 67 Buxton Road. There was never anyone in there when I passed. However I traced the owner to a namesake of mine but no relation called John Beswick. I think he lived up Whaley Lane in WB. Well I managed to contact him and he told me he had used it as a store room and workshop. He was a builder just the same as I was.
We agreed a price and I obtained Planning Permission to convert it to a house. But I had trouble selling it as prospective buyers could not find it. The 67 Buxton Road address came from the access from Buxton Road via the platform leading to the doorway on the top floor of the building.
I again went back to the Planning Department and asked for a name change to the property. They could not help but put me in touch with the street naming department who did quite quickly agree that the property should be known as 2 Old Road.

Tony Beswick

229 Buxton Road and the Aspinall Family

  We were surprised to learn that there had been a hairdressing salon at 229 Buxton Road. Julie Walker (nee Aspinall) has described her childhood in Furness Vale.

  Renée and Peter Aspinall had moved there from Ashton, late in 1957 with their two young children,  Stephen then 1 year old and Julie 8 months old.  Peter Aspinall worked at Ferodo in Chapel, and Renée converted the large back room of their home into the salon. The family moved back to Ashton in 1965 when Renée bought a business there.
  The house at that time had a wall where a hedge now grows and large gates. The garage was painted black and white. In the back garden was an orchard of apple and pear trees and a gate led to the footpath at the rear.
  The children went to Furness Vale School and Julie remembers the teachers Miss Jeffries and Miss Banks. Stephen joined the cubs, and Julie, the Girl's Friendly Society at St.John's Church. Renée and the children were friendly with the Riddick family and often visited Yeardsley Hall for birthday parties and once for a seance.
  Renée employed Ann  to help her, the daughter of Herbert Fletcher of Bank End Farm. Ann had a sister Helen. Opposite the farm, were the railway cottages on the corner.The front doors were painted turquoise. The Taylor family lived there and the Aspinall children went to school with Michael and Ian.

  Julie now lives in Inverness and Stephen in Newquay.

This photograph from our archive shows 229 Buxton Road , the second dormer windowed house on the left.

The photographs below are from Julie Walker's collection

 

Renée Aspinall in the garden of 229 Buxton Road.

Renée with Julie and Stephen

Julie in the pram with Helen Fletcher at Bank End Farm

Julie Aspinall is among this group of girls dancing around the Maypole at St.John's Church.

Stephen in his cubs uniform

At school with Miss Banks

Many thanks to Julie Walker for telling us about her time in Furness Vale and for supplying these and many other fascinating photographs.

The Rose Queen

Furness Vale Rose Queen and her attendants aboard a Wade's lorry in the 1960s. Photograph courtesy of Julie Walker

The Rose Queen was Jean Ford, then aged 11 years. She was later to marry John Wheelan.

Celebrating the Coronation

  This photograph was taken in 1936 in the garden of Heatherby, Diglee Road, Furness Vale. This was the home of the Knowles-Bolton family, owners of Furness Clough Colliery and Furness Vale Brickyard. The coal mine was just behind Heatherby and could be reached through a gate in the garden.
  Leading the horse is William Cross who looked after the pit ponies at Furness Clough. Riding the pony Tommy, is young Edwin Knowles-Bolton. The motorcyclist is Harry Roberts who lived next door to Jackson's butchers shop on Buxton Road but his sidecar passenger is unknown..
  Everything is highly decorated, perhaps to celebrate the Coronation of King George VI. The whole village was bedecked with bunting for the occasion and most of the village will have turned out for the parade along Buxton Road.

The Village Bank

The Wool Shop

Furness Vale Post Office

57 Buxton Road

69 Buxton Road

A few memories of a boy who grew up in Furness Vale

A life long friend, Bill Jackson, who is connected with your Local History Society, just
sent me a copy of Edwin Bold's book entitled "Instigator of Mischief". It brought back so
many memories of people and places that I felt that perhaps I could also add a few comments
concerning the history of Furness Vale.

I was born in 1936 and lived at No.6, which became 140 Buxton Road, until I left in 1964
to work in Switzerland. This is the house on the corner of Yeardsley Lane opposite the Co-op.
It had a small barred window set  into its thick sidewall through which the wages had been paid to
the workers at the nearby coal mine. A large polished stone stood at the corner, which was said to
have served as an aid for people climbing onto their horses.

Edwin, in his book, gave many details concerning the pit and brick works but he forgot to
mention the tip situated in the hollow behind the Co-op. The dumping of hot waste from the
pit/brick works would often cause the tip to catch fire. This would smolder for days on end
before being brought under control. At night, one could see glowing red areas with flickering
flames and the smell was quite appalling. Down the dirt road at the side of the Co-op, beneath the
War Memorial, was a wooden shack which served as a blacksmith's smithy where machinery was
repaired, and horses shod.

I can remember 18 to 20 shops in the village as well as the Post Office. Percy Pearson, the
postman, delivered  the mail, going on his rounds twice a day. He went on foot and in all
weathers, carrying a big leather bag hanging from his shoulder. How the village has changed!
Does anyone remember the little shop which  sold knitting wool and reels of cotton and silks, that
belonged to two old spinsters called the Wilds, who lived up Yeardsley Lane?

The village school with its four teachers, Miss Turner, Hobson and Jeffries as well as
Mr Morris, was always well attended. Friday afternoon was reserved to tidy ones desk and to
wash out the inkwells, cleaning pen nibs at the same time. This was followed by an inspection.
Space in the school playground was rather limited, as a couple of air raid shelters had been
dug into the surface. Speaking of digging, we would be taken to the school allotment by the garage, to plant, hoe, water, and eventually,harvest our labours.

Furness Vale had a Boy Scout troop and we used to meet in a room on the first floor of a
wooden hut situated in the passage between the Station Inn and the railway station. On
Armistice Day, we would put on our uniforms and proudly march in the procession, either in
Whaley Bridge or Furness Vale, along with the Ambulance Brigade,war veterans and of course,
a brass band.  Camping out and cooking was always fun, but lying in your tent wide-awake at
2 o'clock in the morning listening to an owl hooting and rustling sounds nearby, rather
took the edge off things. I guess that I and other Scout friends like Peter Jennison and
Edward Evans still had something to learn about being brave.

My father was born in 1899 and served in the First World War. As an 18-year-old soldier he
was wounded in France and taken a prisoner of war by the Germans. With the outbreak of the
Second World War he was considered too old, so he became one of "Dad's Army". As a member of
the Home Guard he had his uniform, and in a corner of the kitchen, stood his Lee-Enfield rifle
 - not to be touched! Manoeuvres would be organised under the watchful eye of their officer
Mr. Finch and once a month shooting practise would take place in the quarry at Bank End.

Memories of the Institute go back a long time for as a boy, I was allowed inside without
having to be 18 years old since it never had a alcohol licence. On entering, the library was
on your left and the reading room on your right. Here people came to read the days papers and
often to play a game of dominoes. Ahead, down the steps, you entered the games room where the
two green baize covered tables would be brilliantly lit in the dim interior. To light up a
table you put coins into a slot machine on the wall. Both billiards and snooker were played
and the village snooker team took part in the Buxton league. We had some good players such as
the brothers Jack and Norman Ashton and, not quite as good, myself. Our  best player was
undoubtedly Eric Morton who was a Whaley Bridge farmer. He would arrive by tractor delivering
fresh eggs on the way. I also played for the village football team in the High Peak league before joining Mellor and playing in a Manchester league.

I would like to mention two unusual events in 1951 and which occurred some ten days apart.
Both concerned "Lightning balls", glowing "balls" of pure energy sometimes generated during
severe electric storms. Although we often see lightning, it is very rare that we get to see
this other phenomena. It was a very hot, sultry, late afternoon in summer when my father,
Adam, was walking home from his work at Gowhole railway sidings. A violent storm developed
and he took shelter under the railway bridge near the old and long disused Lady Pit. The tall
brick chimney and some derelict buildings were still standing. He saw a glowing ball
travelling slowly through the air and heading towards the chimney. It seemed to disappear
down the interior where, at the bottom, it disintigrated with a very loud explosion totally
demolishing the chimney. Bricks were thrown in all directions as far as 100 yards away and
the wall of the old barn on the opposite side of the road turned red from the dust as bricks
shattered against its side.

The second event concerned myself. Again, a sudden violent electric summer storm developed
forcing me to take shelter under the awning outside Mr Jackson's butchers shop. A bluish-white
glow, smaller than a football, was coming from the direction of the Soldier Dick, travelling
past the cottages towards the Co-op at roof height. It turned the corner and headed off up
Yeardsley Lane when it seemed to speed up and struck the upper part of Mr and Mrs Ashton's
house. This is the first house of a row of cottages on the left hand side of the road. The
explosion was huge and a large hole was blasted through the wall into a bedroom. It arrived
in he back of a fireplace which finished up against the opposite wall totally demolished. It
was quite an impressive sight.

It is at least twenty-five years since I was last in the village and it is hard to imagine
the changes that have taken place. Maybe one day I will have the pleasure of attending one
of your meetings and catching up on past events.
In the meantime, I wish your society every success.

Denis E. Hill
Switzerland

April 2016

Denis Hill was uncertain of the precise year of the lightning strikes. The newspaper records
show this to have been 1949.(editor)

This photograph shows 140 Buxton Road, Denis Hill's former home. The
light coloured rectangle of stone in the gable end was the small window
where miner's wages were once paid out.

Furness Vale Burial Society Minute Book

This is from one of the scrapbooks of Sam Plant which have been donated to the History Society. It consists of 43 pages which mostly record people's deaths. The book does also include many snippets of local events which make it fasccinating to read.

Reuben

Reuben Bennett was a yeast dealer and flower grower. He ran his business from his home at 81 Buxton Road, Furness Vale. The house has a large garden and here Reuben built a substantial greenhouse. 

Cut flowers and tomatoes were sold mostly at market in Manchester although the business also supplied bouquets and wreaths locally.

Yeast was delivered by train in large hessian bags, was weighed on large brass scales and portioned out on to a porcelain dish before packing. 1 or 2 ounce packs were wrapped in greaseproof paper. Reuben would then travel around neighbouring villages selling the barm, door to door.

 

The Yeardsley Players

Do you remember The Yeardsley Players ?  Dudley Garratt has found a programme from the 1981/2 season.

The Furness Vale Bank

The Furness Vale Bank

The Manchester and County Bank first opened a branch at 47 Buxton Road, at  the corner of  Station Road in 1908.  This was open daily during full banking hours.  On the 28th April 1930 the branch moved to new premises at 99 Buxton Road but opening times were now limited. 
The bank shortened it's name in 1934 to County Bank and in the following year was taken over by another Manchester company, the District Bank.
The Furness Vale branch closed on 2nd October 1939 for the duration of the War in common with many banks because of staff shortages.  On 22nd October 1946 it re-opened as a sub-branch of Whaley Bridge.
In 1962 District Bank was taken over by National Provincial but retained it's identity. National Provinical and Westminster agreed to merge in 1968 and over the following 18 monthe the operations of the three banks were combined. From 1st January 1970 the Furness Vale branch traded as National Westminster.
The Furness Vale branch closed on 9th August 1974, for many years this branch had been open just three days a week between 10am and 2pm.
47 Buxton Road became a butcher's shop, originally owned by Johnny Jackson, later by Harry Moorcroft.and finally by James Lavin.  This building is now a private residence.   99 Buxton Road which is two doors past the Antique shop going towards Newtown is also now a private residence. The Antique Shop is still of course, in business.    Here is a re-creation using 3D computer modelling software.

With thanks to the Royal Bank of Scotland archives and Willis Ford for much of this information

note: The first bank premises appear to have been in one of the shops opposite the school, perhaps 116 Buxton Road, moving two or three years later to 47 Buxton Road.

The Furness Vale Co-op

The Furness Vale Co-operative Society was registered as an independent society in 1876.  The store closed briefly in 1890 and re-opened on April as a branch of Whaley Bridge Industrial and Working Man's Co-operative Society following a merger.  A public tea was held at the Board School to celebrate the event.  In 1913 the name was changed to Whaley Bridge and Buxton Co-operative Society to reflect expansion into that Town.  Pre war photographs show that the store only occupied part of the building, the other half appearing to be a private residence.
The Society had it's own education committee and it's members included President Mr.W.A.Bradbury of Yeardsley Lane, Mr Mark Kenyon of Shady Grove and Mr Joseph Carter sen. of Clough Lea.

The Society had in fact opened its first store in 1861 as an unregistered Co-op, seemingly at 47 Buxton Road before moving to the purpose built store opposite.

For The Right Of Light 2s 6d per annum

29th March 1901 at the Station Hotel, Furness Vale an auction was held by George Brady to sell both the pub and adjoining shop.   The pub had lately been occupied by Samuel Hall and was currently being run by grocer and provisions dealer James Hall.   Inn and shop were in one block and each had the "usual out offices".  The buildings were described as substantial and in good condition.  The ground plot was of 480 square yards, leasehold with an annual ground rent of £4.1s.  The inn was purpose built, modern and commodious having bar, bar parlour, smokeroom, taproom, kitchen and cellars.  Above was  a large clubroom  and 6 bedrooms.  There was a large yard with good stabling. Loose fixtures and trade utensils were to be taken by the purchaser at valuation of the auctioneer.  Further details were available from Mr James Hall on the premises or Elijah Hall of Furness Vale
7th January 1920 Turner & Son were to auction at the Macclesfield Arms a number of Hotels, Public Houses, Beerhouses, Off Licences and Cottages.   The sale included the Station Hotel and adjoining shop.  The shop was let  at £14 6s per annum with the tenant paying the rates.  The 999 year lease had begun on 29th September 1864, the ground rent was still £4 1s.  The London and North Western Railway was paid a sum of 2s 6d per annum "for the right of  light"

Also in the 1920 sale was The Shepherds Arms, Whaley Bridge with the stables &c., adjoining thereto situate between the new and old main road from Manchester to Buxton.

Kelly's Directory

Kelly's directory was the forerunner of today's Yellow Pages.  The business was formed in1799 by Frederic Festus Kelly who first published a London directory This was followed by county editions which were issued periodically.   The 1910 Kelly's Directory for Cheshire lists businesses in Furness Vale and Bridgemont. Unfortunately addresses were not given. 


Furness Vale


Furness Vale Print Works.......................James Hadfield,  Manager
Richard E Knowles.................................Fire Brick Manufacturer
James Williamson...................................Stone Quarry Owner


Station Master........................................William Taylor
Soldier Dick Inn......................................Samuel Bridge
Station Inn..............................................John Joseph Ardern


Manchester and County Bank.................Sub Branch
Whaley Bridge Industrial & Working Men's Friendly Society Ltd.  Furness Vale Branch


Whaley Bridge Co-Operative Society.....Thomas Hallam,  Manager
Mrs Sarah Beard...................................Shopkeeper
Reuben Bennett.....................................Yeast Dealer
James Bowden.......................................Insurance Agent
William Bowden................................... .Draper
Edwin Cook...........................................Fishmonger
Thomas Cook.........................................Ironmonger
Thomas Ford..........................................Boot Repairer
James Hartle...........................................Fried Fish Dealer
James Higginbotham...............................Confectioner
Sam Longden.........................................Grocer and Corn Dealer
Frederick Pearson..................................Insurance Agent
Joseph Prestwich....................................Fried Fish Shop
James A. Worth......................................Postmaster and Stationer
Charles H. Lowe....................................Shopkeeper


Bridgemont


Blandola Company Limited.....................Manufacturing Chemists
Matthew W. Lockett..............................Painter
Jesse Robinson.......................................Joiner


Dog and Partridge Public House............. Mrs Mary Jane Walker


Stephen Edge..........................................Grocer
Edward Rathbone....................................Shopkeeper
Mrs Mary Ann Taylor..............................Shopkeeper

Lady Pit, The Beard and Bugsworth Colliery

In 1949 a 100 foot high brick chimney still stood at Lady Pit.   Lightning struck on the 5th December bringing down the 80 year old structure.  Bricks were scattered up to 300 yards away.  

More solid is this stone air shaft still standing alongside Dolly Lane.  The only other evidence that this was a busy coal mine is the old railway embankment stretching across the field on the other side of the road. 

Lady Pit in 1896 employed 36 miners and closed in 1903.