In 2024, Croft Parish Council were asked if the bushes could be trimmed back on a plot of land next to the General Elliot on Lord Street in Croft. We were unsure exactly who owned it and so I took on the task of finding out.
The plot had never been listed with Land Registry, so I went back to the 1832 tithe map. Mary Sumner was shown as the owner, with Enoch Sankey the tenant.

William and Mary Sumner owned multiple plots of land in Croft. There was a total of 34 acres that they lived in and about 50 acres let to Enoch Sankey and family.
William Sumner died in 1822 and their only daughter, Mary-Ann died in 1823. Their son Thomas died in 1847.
Upon her death on 8th May 1848, the estate was left to her sons William, James and George.
​I ordered her original will to confirm this.

In 1861, the leased out land is put up for auction 

NORTHWICH GUARDIAN 21ST SEPTEMBER 1861
TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION At the LION HOTEL, in WARRINGTON,
On Wednesday, the 2nd day of October, 1861,
At Five for Six o'clock in the Evening precisely, subject to such conditions as will be then produced,
The FREEHOLD and INHERITANCE of and in
Lot 1
All that substantial and commodious FARM HOUSE, with the Farm Buildings, Yards, Garden, and Appurtenances there to belonging, situate in the township of Southworth-with Croft, in the parish of Winwick, in the County of Lancaster, and on the southerly side of the road leading from Warrington to Leigh. And also, all those Closes, Fields, or Parcels of Arable, Meadow, and Pasture Land, adjoining or near thereto, known by the names, and containing the several quantities (acres, roods, perches) following, namely:-

​189                       Sandy Harnicroft            Arable                  6             2             34
200                       Lower Harnicroft            Pasture                6             3             1
204                       Lane                                    Roadway             0             2             15
207                       Croft                                   Arable                  0             1             8
532                       Garden                               Arable                  0             1             12
533                       Yard and Site                    Arable                  0             0             12
534                       Barn and Yard                  Arable                  0             0             15
535                       Big Meadow                      Meadow              2             2             26
536                       Little Meadow                  Meadow              1             3             17
537                       Deadmans Lane             Roadway                0             1             39
538                       Crook Hill                          Arable                  2             0             24
544                       Bradshaw Hey                 Pasture                 4             0             38
589                       Little Hall Field                Arable                  2             0             29
590                       Near Hall Field                Arable                   3             3             11
591                       Further Hall Field           Arable                  3             0             16
759                       Further Whistler             Arable                  1             3             33
760                       Nearer Whistler              Arable                  1             2             34
764                       Croft Heath Field            Arable                  4             1             28
777                       Nearer Heath Field        Pasture                 1             3             10
778                       Farther Heath Field        Meadow              1             3             39

The whole of the above premises are in the occupation of Mr. Enoch Sankey.
Lot 2
All that FIELD or Close of Land, situate in the township of Southworth-with-Croft aforesaid, on the south side of the highway there leading to Warrington, being No. 296 on the Tithe Commutation Plan of the Township, called the "Birch Field," and containing 4a. 0r. 1p, statute measure, also in the occupation of Mr. Enoch Sankey.

So, plot 207 is sold as part of Lot1 along with all the other plots which are separate geographically.

There is no further mention of this plot until 5th February 1982 when Warrington Borough Council signs a Tree Preservation Order on the whole plot. By this time there are multiple sycamore trees, showing that they have been growing freely on the land for decades.
The TPO is renewed with updated legislation in August 2000, with an accurate count of 42 sycamore trees among others.

Warrington Borough Council has confirmed it is not the landowner, and they have no record of who is. It has never been logged with Land Registry and so the only conclusion I come to is that when this plot was bought in 1861 as part of the large estate, it was forgotten about. 
Somebody may have deeds somewhere and come forward in the future. Until then, the trees will remain protected and the area full of wildlife.

The Sumner family grave is at St. Oswald's Church, and is one of the large ledger stones on the paved area.

I am delighted to share some wonderful news with our readers: the new memorial is now in place in Croft.
 
This project has been a true community achievement. When official support was not forthcoming, residents, friends, and supporters came together to make sure our village had a fitting tribute to remember and reflect. Through countless donations and sheer determination, the dream of a memorial has become a reality.
 
The memorial now stands proudly at Croft Unitarian Chapel, providing a place where we can come together as a community to remember, reflect, and honour ALL those who served.

I want to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed — whether you donated or simply helped spread the word. Every act of kindness and generosity played a part in bringing this lasting tribute to life.
A huge thank you goes to Mark Goddard who supplied and built the stand for the memorial.
​
Already, the memorial has become a place of quiet significance, and we hope it will continue to serve generations to come as a reminder of both our history and the strength of our community spirit.
If you haven’t yet seen the memorial, we encourage you to visit, reflect, and take pride in what we have achieved together.

Hamlet Holcroft was born in Croft, the son of John Collier and Ellen Holcroft. He was baptised at Newchurch Parish Church on 18th June 1826.

The 1841 census has the family living at Mill Houses, Croft (now Mill House Lane). Hamlet is the eldest of six children.

He was arrested on 27th April 1846 and charged with ‘Having, at Southworth-with-Croft, feloniously assaulted and carnally known Sarah Green, a child 9 years of age.’
On 15th August 1846 the case was proved and evidence given to show that there had been penetration. He was found guilty of rape at Liverpool Assizes and sentenced to Transportation for Life. He remained in Liverpool Gaol until 10th September 1846, when he was prepared for transportation.

On 12th September 1846 a petition was made to free Hamlet by 34 inhabitants of Croft, pleading previous good character, first offence and youth. This was refused.

He departed the country along with 199 other convicts on 8th October 1846 aboard the Pestonjee Bomanjee and arrived at Van Diemen’s Land (later called Tasmania) on 17th February 1847.

His probation records state that he can neither read nor write. He seems to have continued with a life of crime, having various offences recorded with many visits to Port Arthur, a penal settlement for reconvicted persons. In 1858 he was found guilty of stealing a horse and sentenced to 4 years hard labour. The last comment on the paper record says,
‘Conditional Pardon 30th June 1863’.

Hamlet Holdcroft-Collier married Elizabeth Knowles on 12 February 1866 and went on to have 5 daughters and a son. They lived together in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia until Elizabeth died in 1901.
​Hamlet died on 19th January 1908.
 
Some 73,000 convicts were transported to Van Diemen’s Land mainly from the British Isles and Ireland, between 1803 and 1853, and convicts and their descendants formed the large majority of the population of the island colony throughout this time.

​Croft Village Memorial Hall committee voted 4 to 1 against adding the missing WWI names to the memorial, except for Samuel Yates, which they will add subject to further criteria being met.

UPDATE 07/11/2024
The Memorial Hall have now decided not to add any of the missing names. 
Read about Samuel Yates and the reasons behind their decision here.
​
The reason they have given is that the missing names are on the Risley War Memorial, in a different parish. Whilst this is true, Harold Houghton is also named on the Risley memorial as well as on the Croft memorial. If he can be on both, why can't the others, especially his childhood friend George?
 
I'm deeply disappointed that they have refused to honour our fallen heroes by adding the missing names to the memorial. These men made the ultimate sacrifice, and it is our duty to ensure their names are remembered and respected. Failing to include them not only overlooks their contributions but also diminishes the significance of the memorial itself. It's heartbreaking to think that their service could be forgotten in the very place meant to keep their memory alive.
 
I have decided to leave them to do whatever they see fit from now on. I provided 8 pages of written evidence answering all their questions and they have just come back with more random reasons not to add the names. Every time I provide what they want, they change the goalposts. I don’t understand why anybody would fight so hard against this proposal.

They have already refused outright to add the three men from WWII to the memorial hall and so I feel that the only way forward is one memorial, inclusive of all our heroes.
 
I am committed to raising funds for the creation of a full war memorial that will honour the names of all our fallen heroes. Every individual who made the ultimate sacrifice deserves to be remembered, and it is our responsibility to ensure their legacy is preserved for future generations. This new memorial will be a place where our community can come together to pay respects and reflect on the sacrifices made for our freedom. I am confident that with the support of our community, we can build a fitting tribute that ensures no name is forgotten.

Currently, to pay tribute to our heroes you would have to visit the Memorial Hall, then to Christ Church for Samuel Yates grave, then onto Risley War Memorial. After this two mile walk you would still have not paid tribute to all of them, as the only WWII memorial is inside Christ Church and so only available when the church is open (3 or 4 times a month).

Thank you to everyone who has shown their support so far.

We have now achieved our goal!

In the High Court of Justice – Chancery Division.
Manchester District Registry.
Re LORD, deceased.
HINMERS v. TAYLOR.
1902. Letter H. No. 1040.
Glazebury, Culcheth, and Southworth-with-Croft, Lancashire.
 Valuable freehold fully-licensed Hotel, well secured chief and ground rents, excellent country cottages and gardens, and compact and fertile Farms.
PURSUANT to Order made in the above action;
Mr. John Mainwaring (the person appointed by the Judge) will offer for sale by auction, at the Lion Hotel, Warrington, on Wednesday, 22nd November, 1905, at 3 o'clock P.M. prompt, the following lots :-


 In Glazebury.       
Lot 1 .- Seven cottages, Nos. 247, 249, 263, 265, 267, 269 and 271,Warrington Road, with the gardens and appurtenances thereto, producing a gross annual rental of £48 10s. Site, 3,231 square yards or thereabouts.
Lot 2 .- (a) Six cottages, Nos. 234 to 244, even numbers inclusive, Warrington Road, with the gardens and appurtenances thereto, producing a gross annual rental of £36 10s. Site, 2,057 square yards or thereabouts.
(b) The detached dwelling-house, No. 228. Warrington Road, with large garden thereto, producing the gross annual rental of £9 10s. Site, 1,487 square yards or thereabouts.
(c) The pair of semi-detached cottages, Nos. 220 and 222, Warrington Road, with the gardens thereto, producing a gross annual rental of £11 19s. Site, 2,050 square yards or thereabouts.


NOTE - The nine houses comprised in this lot will, in the first instance, be offered as one property, and if not so sold, then in the separate portions above specified
 
 Lots 3, 4, 5, and 6 - The following ground rents reserved upon leases for 999 years, with the freehold reversions to which they are incident :-


Lot 3
Two houses, Nos. 208 and 210 Warrington Road(448 Sq. yds. Rent £2 16s)
One house, No. 206 Warrington Road (224 Sq. yds. Rent £1 8s.)
One house, No. 204 Warrington Road (224 Sq. yds. Rent £1 8s.)
One house, No. 202 Warrington Road (243 Sq. yds. Rent £1 15s. 6d.)
One house, No. 200 Warrington Road (221 Sq. yds. Rent £1 15s. 2d.)
Two houses, Nos. 212 and 214 Warrington Road (451 Sq. yds. Rent £2 16s. 4d.)


Total Rent £11 19s. 0d.
 
Lot 4
Glazebury Branch of the Leigh Co-operative Stores, with cottage and barn adjoining (1538 Sq. yds. Rent £24)
Lot 5
Glazebury Post Office and house adjoining Nos. 176 and 174 Warrington Road (368 Sq. yds. Rent £3 1s. 4d.)
Lot 6
Five houses, Nos. 164 to 172, even numbers inclusive, Warrington Road (828 Sq. yds. Rent £6 18s.)


Lot 7 - The perpetual yearly rent charge of £50 issuing out of a plot of land containing 7A. 0R. 27P. or thereabouts, on the easterly side of Warrington Road, and the northerly side of the London and Northwestern Railway, on which are erected the cotton mill of Messrs. Gill and Hartley, a dwelling-house called
"Brook House," and 44 cottages in and near Warrington Road.
With this rent charge are included the mines and minerals under the said plot of land as excepted and reserved by the Indenture of Feoffment limiting the said rent charge.

Lot 8 - The old established and fully – licensed country Inn called the "Chat Moss Hotel," immediately adjoining Glazebury Railway Station, with the outbuildings, bowling green and land occupied therewith lying on the easterly side of Warrington Road, the total area being 5A, 3R. 37P. or thereabouts.
These premises are let on lease expiring 25th December, 1909, and produce a rental of £81 per annum.

Also the two cottages, Nos. 231 and 233 Warrington Road, with gardens thereto, and another detached garden (now occupied by the tenant of No. 247).
These premises produce the further gross annual rental of £13, and the site, containing 1,752 square yards, forms an important addition to the "Chat Moss Hotel," completing an extensive and valuable frontage to the high road.

Also the perpetual yearly rent charge of £15 receivable in respect of the private road which intersects part of the foregoing premises, and leads from Warrington Road to the "Light Oaks" estate. This rent is secured upon the said "Light Oaks " estate, containing nearly 400 acres.

Lot 9 - The valuable farm containing about
40A. 3R.14P. with the dwelling-house and farm buildings thereon, occupied by John Peters, as yearly tenant, at the rental of £103 5s. The land lies on both sides of Warrington Road, to which it has important frontages, and can be advantageously developed for building purposes.


In Culcheth and Southworth-with-Croft.

Lot 10 - The three cottages (one used as a shop) in Warrington Road, Culcheth, occupied by Messrs. Capper, Clare, and Ball, and producing a gross annual rental of £20 14s.
The site contains 3,055 square yards or thereabouts.


Lot 11 - The two well-built and convenient dwelling houses, with large gardens, situate in Cinder Lane, Culcheth, known as the "Model Cottages," and occupied by Messrs. Barlow and Gibbons. The gross annual rental is £16, and the land (including a strip on the northerly side of Cinder Lane, forming an osier bed) contains 10,970 square yards or thereabouts.


Lot 12 - The following compact and desirable farms, situate at Culcheth, with the dwelling houses and farm buildings thereon,
let to yearly tenants as under :-

a. Four Lane Ends Farm, occupied by Mr. Benjamin Gibbins.
Area, 25A. 1R. 33P. Rent, £64.
b. Orchard Farm, occupied by Messrs. Daxon.
Area, 41A. 3R. 24P. Rent, £99.
c. Cinder Lane Farm, occupied by Mr. Joseph Gibbins.
Area, 14A. 2R. 20P. Rent, £48.
d. Yew Tree Farm, occupied by Mr. John Wood.
Area, 49A. 1R. 37P. Rent, £103.
e. Cross Lane Farm, occupied by Messrs. Savage.
Area, 50A. 2R. 2P. Rent, £107.
f. Oak Farm, occupied by Mr. William Carr.
Area, 71A. 2R. 28P. Rent, £160 10s.
g. Two Butts Farm, occupied by Mr. Henry E. Southern.
Area, 31A. 0R. 34P. Rent, £66 15s. (This has no dwelling-house.)
h. Springfield Farm (in Southworth-with-Croft), also occupied by Mr. Henry E. Southern.
Area, 27A. 2R. 8P. Rent, £62 5s.


This group of fertile and convenient farms lying practically in a ring fence, and having extensive frontages to good roads, will in the first instance be offered together. If not so sold they will be offered separately, except that Springfield Farm and Two Butts Farm will in any case be treated as one.

Four Lane Ends Farm includes a yearly rent of 8s., payable in respect of land held by the Trustees of Risley Chapel.

Portions of Cross Lane Farm, Orchard Farm, and Two Butts Farm, containing altogether about 54 acres, are subject to a reservation of one-half the net proceeds of working the coal thereunder.

Lot 13 - The following excellent and productive farms, with good dwelling-houses and buildings thereon, situate in Southworth-with-Croft, and let on yearly tenancies as under –
 
i. Eaves Brow Farm, occupied by Mr. William Hunt.
Area, 54A. 1R. 20P. Rent, £105.
j. Oak Tree Farm, occupied by Mr. Lewis Birchall.
Area, 75A. 0R. 9P. Rent, £176.
k. Mount Pleasant Farm, also occupied by Mr. Lewis Birchall.
Area, 18A. 2R. 17P. Rent, £54.

These three farms will first be offered in one group, and if not so sold, Eaves Brow Farm will be offered separately, and Oak Tree and Mount Pleasant Farms together.
 
With Eaves Brow Farm are included three receivable yearly rents of £3 5s., £3 5s., and 4s. 6d.
 
Lot 14 - The two cottages situate in New Lane, Southworth-with-Croft, occupied by Messrs. Lythgoe and Waywell, and producing a gross annual rental of £12. The site contains 2,775 square yards or thereabouts.
 
Lot 15 - The two cottages known as "Moss Cottages”, Southworth - with - Croft, and about 2 acres of land occupied therewith. These are let to Messrs. Miller and Whitefield, and produce a gross annual rental of £14.
 
For further information, application may be made to
Messrs. James Atherton and Son, Surveyors and Land Agents, 13, Mawdsley-street, Bolton, and (as to the farms and cottages) to Mr. Henry E. Southern, Springfield Farm, Croft.
 
Particulars, plans, and conditions of sale may be had from
Messrs. Atherton and Son;
from the Auctioneer, Bridge Street, Warrington;
Messrs. Grundy, Kershaw, Samson, and Co. Solicitors,
31, Booth Street, Manchester;
Messrs. Clowes, Hickley, and Steward, Solicitors,
10, King's Bench Walk, Temple, London, E.C.;
Messrs. Miller and Smiths, Solicitors, 3, Salters' Hall Court,
London, E.C.;
or from the Vendor's Solicitors,
Messrs. Gill, Radford, and Co., 79, Fountain-street, Manchester.
 
W. H. S. WATTS, District Registrar.

Below is the only image i have of the Glazebury Co-Op store, which is of very poor quality. The notes that came with it are from the Leigh Friendly Co-Operative Society Limited Jubilee 1857 - 1907 and state

'In October of 1860 another branch shop was opened at Bury-lane (Glazebury), in a small shop at the end of Hurst Hall-lane, owned by Mr. W. Hill.
In February, 1862, the business was transferred to the premises owned by Messrs. Gill and Hartley at the south end of the block of cottages adjoining their mill. The rent paid for this shop was £24 a year, continued at this sum for 42 years, until the society erected the handsome shop on the opposite side of the street in 1902. Over this shop, as at Lowton, a commodious reading room is provided.'

From the notes and the date they were written, I assume the picture is of the lot for sale. It seems that the first branch was near the top of Hurst (Hall) Lane, moving in 1862 across the road near the mill and then finally to the new location in 1902. I assume from the sales list that this was next to the post office, which is marked on the map below, placing some of the house numbers in different places than they are today.
​If anybody can correct me on this, or has any more information, I'd love to hear from you!

​It has long been known that Catholics in Culcheth worshipped at Culcheth Hall prior to St.Lewis' Church being built in Croft in 1827. However, recent material that has resurfaced shows that this closed for worship in 1751 and a new chapel built at a place simply known as 'Dobbsfont' and described as 'in the vicinity of' Culcheth Hall.

​​The book in which these registers are inscribed is a small quarto volume.
It is well bound in parchment, and its covers are ruled on each side towards
the edges. The volume is in a good state of preservation, and is kept in
the archives of the Mission of St. Lewis's, Croft, Warrington.
 
 HISTORY OF CULCHETH CHAPLAINCY

Culcheth, in the parish of Winwick, has been assigned as the site of
many synods of the Anglo-Saxon Church, many charters were dated thence,
and an ancient farmstead, moated round, and called the " Old Abbey,"
points to some ecclesiastical building of remote antiquity. The manor
descended in the family bearing the name until the death of Thomas
Culcheth, of Culcheth Hall, in 1747, when the estate passed to his cousin
Thomas Stanley, of Great Eccleston Hall, in the Fylde, whose mother
was aunt to Thomas Culcheth. Two years later Thomas Stanley died,
and his brother, Fr. Henry Stanley, became heir to the estate. The chapel
in the hall was then closed, and Fr. Stanley opened a small chapel in the
vicinity, at Dobbsfont, which so continued till the opening of the chapel
at Croft in 1827.

Thomas Stanley left an only daughter and heiress,
Meliora, who became the wife of William Dicconson, 4th son of Edward
Dicconson, of Wrightington Hall, Esq., and upon her death, June 29, 1794,
Culcheth passed to John Trafford, of Trafford and Croston, Esq., whose
grandfather John Trafford, of Croston Hall, had married Catherine, sister
to Mrs. Stanley and daughter of Thomas Culcheth, of Culcheth Hall. By
the Traffords the estate was sold to Peter Withington, Esq., and thus
Culcheth, which had ever been in Catholic hands, ceased to be a centre
of Catholicity.

The Culcheths had always remained staunch to the Faith,
and many of them were Jesuits and nuns. They intermarried with the
leading Catholic families of the county, and one of them in the reign of
Henry VIII married a daughter of Sir Thomas Southworth, of Samlesbury
Hall and Southworth Hall, high sheriff of Lancashire in 1541, and sister of
the famous confessor of the faith, Sir John Southworth.

Fr. Henry Stanley alias Culcheth, S.J.(Society of Jesus), born Sept. 11, 1688, son of Richard Stanley, of Great Eccleston Hall, in the Fylde, Esq., and his
wife Anne, daughter of Thomas Culcheth, of Culcheth Hall, Esq. He
entered the Society at Watten in 1706, and in 1716-18 was professor of
philosophy at Liege College. About this time he was sent to the mission
in the Oxford district, of which he was superior from February 1728-9 till 1743,
and seems to have been chaplain to the Curzons at Waterperry.

Upon the death of his mother's nephew, Thomas Culcheth, Esq., in Oct. 1747, the Culcheth estates passed to her son Thomas Stanley, who took possession
of the hall, but died within two years and was buried at Winwick, July 21,
1749. Fr. Henry then became heir to the estates, and came to reside
at Culcheth, not at the hall, but at a place called Dobbsfont, where he
established a chapel and priest's house.

In 1751 he had a socius given him in the person of Fr. Henry Smith, and in Nov. of that year he made his will (now at Stonyhurst), leaving his personal estate to the Society.
(Latin SOCIUS meaning to be made an associate/allowed to join, here I assume to the Society of Jesus)
He died Nov. 27, 1753, aged 65, and was buried at Winwick.

​From the list of Culcheth family burials at Winwick –
1753. Nov. 30—Mr. Henry Stanley of Culcheth. Priest.

As mentioned above, the will is mentioned in a list of original manuscripts at Stonyhurst -

STANLEY, Henry (Rev.) of Dobbsfont, Parish of Wynnick, Co. of Lanc.
Sole devisee and executor, Joseph Beaumont of Cowley Hill, parish of Prescot, Co. of Lanc.
16 Nov 1751. Signed and Sealed.

STANLEY, Henry (Rev.) of Culcheth, Parish of Wynnick, Co. of Lanc.
Sole devisee and executor, Henry Smith of Culcheth.
19 Nov 1751. Signed and Sealed.

The Stanley family papers don’t mention Dobbsfont at all, and the only other archives that mention it are copies of the above extract. I can’t find it on any map, though I am still searching the handwritten tithe listings for any clue.

Warrington Archives have nothing relating to it and the only other document I found, at Bolton archives, was again another copy of the above.

​Can anybody help? The search continues.

CROFT WAR MEMORIAL TABLET
 
Separate Effort For Village Institute
 
A meeting convened by the Rector (Rev. H. I. Wadeson) was held in the schoolroom on Friday night last week to consider some appropriate means of perpetuating the memories of the soldiers of Croft who had sacrificed their lives in their duty to home, King and country.

At the outset the Rector announced that the surplus funds of the Soldiers' Comforts Committee (including a donation of two guineas just to hand from Mr. Hodgson, of Hermitage Green) amounted to about £68, and that committee had decided to allocate this sum towards erecting some form of sacred memorial to the fallen heroes of Croft.
 
A proposition to the effect that the sum referred to
be used to establish a village institute was negatived.
 
After a number of those present had expressed their wishes in the matter, it was decided practically unanimously that a suitable tablet sacred to the memory of the fallen soldiers of the parish be erected in the church. The Rector and churchwardens were requested to procure designs and estimates for the completion of the work.
 
With reference to a village institute, the
Rector stated that the idea was by no means a new one. Certainly, the need for such an institution had long been felt, and he was sure all present would be willing to set to work at once to raise funds to begin, in a small way an experimental scheme.
 
It was thereupon decided to arrange an American tea, to take place early in September, and all present were requested to consider
themselves members of the committee to carry out the details of the effort, and to endeavour to make it a huge success. It was also thought that a jumble sale might be held at the same time, and that the kind services proffered by Mr. T. Brogden (of Leigh) as auctioneer be utilised.

CROFT - Funds for the Institute
 
On Saturday last a very successful American Tea was held in the
Schoolroom to provide funds for the proposed Memorial Institute. As each visitor was expected to give an article and to purchase an
article, the stalls soon presented a lively appearance, and good business resulted, the nett amount realised being well over 10 guineas.

The main room was tastefully laid out as a cafe chantant, and the patrons were excellently catered for by Mrs. Owen, Misses Southern and Carr, Mrs. Firth and Mrs A. Taylor. The stallholders were: - Mrs. Cawthorne, Mrs. Ingham, Mrs. J. Taylor, Mrs. Walker, and Miss Bate.

There was a bran-tub for the juveniles and good business was done, the whole contents of the tub being speedily cleared. The Misses
Cicely Taylor, Lilian Sankey, Marion Taylor and Isabella Hankinson took charge of this department. The hoop-la stall provided endless
amusement, and at times the business here was fast and furious. Mr. Gramme, Mr. Cawthorne, Mr. Abbey, Mr. Hankinson and other members of the committee took turns in running this show and the nett profit, £7 11s, was considered highly creditable.

Later in the evening the main room was cleared for dancing and
there was a crowded attendance. Mr. Hurdus and Mr. Henshaw were at the piano. Altogether it is estimated that the effort will bring
in over £30 to the Institute Fund.

Temporary premises for the Institute have already been taken and a small beginning will be made on the opening of these premises on September 13th.

CROFT - Memorial Institute
 
A committee meeting was held in the temporary premises on Tuesday night. Mr. J. Hankinson presided. The Chairman alluded to the tragic death of the Secretary of the Institute, Mr. Jos. Banks, which occurred at the Warrington Infirmary on Saturday last, as the result of an accident sustained earlier that day.
A vote of condolence was passed to his widow and family, and the members requested that a wreath be sent and placed on the coffin as a token of sympathy and esteem for their late colleague. It was decided to take in hand at once arrangements for promoting a concert or entertainment, the proceeds to be given to Mrs. Banks as some recognition of the services which her late husband rendered in promoting the Institute.

Offers of help in the way of talent from the neighbouring towns and district will be gladly appreciated, and all those who desire to help
in this respect are requested to communicate with the Hon. Secretaries, Mr. H. B. Firth, Orford House, Croft; and Mr. G. Berry, Oaklands Farm, Croft.
It may be found convenient to arrange the date of the concert for
Friday, 7th, or Saturday, 8th November.

A number of new members were enrolled, and the committee had to take into consideration the advisability of enlarging the present premises, or, alternatively, the purchase and erection of one of the Government huts now on sale.

CROFT - Memorial Institute

The temporary premises opened some few months ago having been found too small and ill-adapted for an institute, the committee decided to purchase an army hut, to be erected on some convenient and central site in the village.

The Rev. H. I. Wadeson and Messrs. Cawthorne and Abbey were deputed to attend a sale of huts at Heaton Park, Manchester, some little time ago, and they were fortunate in securing a hut 70 feet by 20 feet, the purchase price being £110.

Arrangements are being made for transporting the building to Croft, and it is hoped to have it re-erected and ready for occupation well before Christmas.
It is proposed to install a full-size billiard table, and this additional attraction will no doubt encourage greater membership and become a regular source of revenue.

CROFT – New Memorial Institute
Handsome Building Opened By The Bishop Of Warrington
 
Saturday was a red letter day in the annals of Croft. The new institute buildings were formerly opened by the Bishop of Warrington.
The main structure consists of a re-erected Army hut, 70ft. long by 20ft. broad. To the main hall an additional room 20ft. by 16ft. has been added to serve as a refreshment room, kitchen, etc. The main hall will eventually be divided by movable partitions into billiard room, reading room, and a recreation or games room, etc.

The Bishop said it gave him great pleasure to be present on this auspicious occasion. It was highly appropriate that the memorial
should take the form of a village institute, and a singular coincidence that the present building had sheltered during their training many of the soldiers belonging to the regiment with which he had had the honour of being associated.
The Bishop was heartily thanked on the proposition of Mr. John Hankinson (chairman of the Institute Committee), seconded by Mr. F. Grammar. Mr. Joshua Ball proposed "Success to the Institute," and Mr. H. J. Bouchier supported. Mr. Cawthorne replied.

Votes of thanks were passed to the Rector for his untiring efforts on behalf of the institute and to the ladies of the Catering Committee
who had contributed so much to the success of the gathering that day.
After tea an impromptu concert took place in the schoolroom.
The donations promised, along with the proceeds of a tea, dance, etc., amounted to £200.

CROFT- War Memorial

“Today,” writes Mr. Silas Clough, “the memorial at Croft Church will be dedicated to the fallen boys and those who returned from the late war. It will take place at 3.30p.m. The tablet, with 20 names upon it, is for the fallen, whilst the font cover in oak and the stone-base (the font itself being cleaned) is for thankfulness of the boys who returned home. I myself have received from kind friends in Warrington, Cheshire, Newton, Leigh, Salford, Croft, Culcheth and Kenyon, £73 13s. in cash; whilst Mr. W. P. Rylands gave me the weight and best wire cord, 14ft. long, for the working of the oak font cover. I should like to thank everyone through the paper for their great kindness. The Bishop of Warrington will preach.”

CROFT VILLAGE MEMORIAL HALL
STONE-LAYING
ALTHOUGH building work on the site of the new Croft Village Memorial Hall is still in its early stages, an important ceremony was held there on Monday, when local people assembled to see Mr. Joseph E. Birchall officiate at the official laying of the foundation stone.

The ceremony took place during a small service conducted by the Rector of Croft (Canon H. A. C. Hughes), and among those at the event was the Roman Catholic Dean (the Very Rev. T. McGarvey) of St. Lewis', Croft.
The introduction at the stone laying was by Coun. T. Birchall, chairman of the Village Memorial Hall Committee.
He pointed out that Mr. Joseph E. Birchall was truly representative of the people of Croft, as he was born in the village 81 years ago, and had taken an active interest in village affairs.
Coun. Birchall said Mr. Birchall had been a parish council member
and chairman, was a trustee of Croft Burial Society and a trustee
of the Naylor Trust.

Mr. Birchall then stepped forward to perform the stone laying ceremony. He thanked everyone for the honour they had done him by asking him to lay the foundation stone. He said he had been associated with the Croft Memorial Institute which the new hall would replace, since its early days, and was one of the last surviving members of the first committee.
​
He said: "The Memorial Institute has served our village well for 40 years and I trust this new building will give equally good service for many years to come.
"As president of the Croft Memorial Institute I have great pleasure in laying this foundation stone of the Croft Village Memorial Hall."

Croft's New £12,500 Hall
'a credit to village'

ALTHOUGH the new Croft Village Memorial Hall has not yet been completed, it was described this week as a credit to the village, the architect and the builder.
This was stated by Coun. P. T. F. Birchall, chairman of the hall committee, when he showed a reporter around the premises.

Since workmen of Harry Fairclough Ltd. Building and Civil Engineering contractors of Warrington, moved on to the site on 1st March, after demolishing the old Memorial Institute, good progress has been made.
Added Coun. Birchall "More important is the fact that care has been taken with the work.”

The accommodation at the hall, which on completion will have
cost in the region of £12,500, consists of a large hall,
which has been designed in such a way that one end of it can be
screened off to enable meetings to be held.

At the other end of the hall, is the stage. There is a spacious kitchen, and off the main entrance hall are the cloakroom and toilet facilities.
Heating will be by an oil-fired system, and a small boiler house adjoins the kitchen.

The entrance to the site has been cleared, and is not only impressive, but has been designed with road safety in mind. Cars will enter along one side of the hall, proceed along the drive to the car park at the rear and then when leaving will pass along the other side of the building.

Coun. Birchall said the colour scheme has been chosen along
with the curtaining, and the large hall is to have a maple floor.
The financial arrangements for paying for the project are made, the committee having received confirmation of the Government grant for half the cost.
The Parish Council is responsible for a further quarter of the
cost and the villagers – the organisations, etc. for the remaining quarter.

It is hoped that the opening ceremony will be held in October as the project is ahead of schedule.
Coun. Birchall paid tribute to the excellent co-operation of
everyone concerned, the builders and workmen, the committee
members, local organisations and Canon H. A. C. Hughes and all
those associated with the scheme in any way.

The hall will be used by local organisations and would probably
be let if available, for private functions.
The idea was not to make a big profit on the hall, but just to
raise sufficient to pay the expenses and keep the premises in
good repair, said Coun. Birchall.

A MEMORIAL plaque has been unveiled at Croft Village Memorial Hall to honour 20 soldiers who lived in the village before losing their lives in the First World War.
The money for the first hall to be built on this site was raised by the returning soldiers and the residents of Croft. It was initially a tin hut which was replaced by the present brick building in 1965.
 
Croft farmer Alan Sharpe led the campaign for the plaque but sadly died earlier this year.
 
His son, Philip placed a wreath of poppies on Alan's behalf during a ceremony attended by dignitaries, the British Legion, residents and the Memorial Hall committee.

Liverpool Mercury
15th December 1897

The adjourned inquest into the circumstances attending the death of George Timperley, aged 58, who was found shot dead in his cottage on November 22nd, at Risley Lane, Culcheth, where he lived alone, was held yesterday at the Noggin Inn, Culcheth, before Mr. S. Brighouse.


Mr. Dootson, solicitor, watched the case on behalf of the police.
John Timperley, the elder brother of the deceased, gave evidence of identification, and said he last saw the deceased alive about three months ago. Deceased had no enemies so far as he knew.


Christopher Ball, farmer bailiff, of Woodend Farm, deposed to paying deceased his wages, 16s. 6d., about half-past four on Saturday, November 20th. Deceased did not return to work on Monday.
By Mr. Dootson: Deceased never complained of men saying he was a watcher for poachers.

John Lea, farmer, of Kinknall Farm, Culcheth, said on Sunday afternoon, November 21st, whilst on a visit to Risley Old Hall Farm, he went to the stable and deceased came into the yard about five o'clock. Two of the farm labourers said to deceased, "Are you going to the Green tonight?" Deceased replied, "Not tonight, it is rather too far to carry a load back."


Miss Sankey, Risley Old Hall, said about a quarter past seven on the Sunday, she and Mr. Lea were walking towards Hollins Green. When near Stubb's farm, Rixton, Edward Tracey, Edward Hansbury, John Tracey, and Ned Tracey passed them and said, "Good night" They had come from the direction of the deceased's cottage.
On returning from Hollins Green about half-past nine she remarked that there was no light in deceased's house.
​By Mr. Dootson: The first three men worked at her farm. There was a gun in the house, but the men had no right to go into the house. Her labourers had had no quarrel with deceased.

​Edward Hansbury said he and others had been charged before the magistrates with causing deceased's death, and discharged.
About seven o'clock on the Sunday night he and John and
Edward Tracey were passing deceased's house on their way to the Black Swan, Rixton, when they saw deceased at his hencote with a light.
They then went to the Black Swan, and stopped there
till closing time. He did not hear a gun fired on the Monday night.
 
When the body was discovered, Monks, the finder, came first to him, and they both went for the police. He did not know any person who had done the deed.
John Tracey, another discharged prisoner, corroborated.
 
William Monks, Risley New Hall Farm, deposed to finding deceased in his cottage, where nothing was disturbed.
 
Police-sergeant Barnes said he had known the deceased 13 years, and remembered him and his wife parting. He deposed to the position in which the body was found. He searched the deceased's bedroom, and found £5 in gold and a postoffice bank-book showing £28 savings under a mattress, twopence in copper on the mantelpiece, and ninepence in silver in his trousers pocket.
 
He had heard various rumours as to where the deceased was
on the Saturday night, but could not get to know anything definitely. Thomas Leigh, Dr. Sephton's coachman, had said whilst in drink that he saw deceased shortly after nine o'clock on the Sunday night, but he afterwards denied that he had seen him.
The witness then explained why he arrested three men on suspicion.
 
Deceased was apparently shot on the doorstep, and then dragged further into the house. He fell on his left side, for this side was very much matted with blood.
By Mr. Dootson: Two of the farm labourers wore cord trousers.
 
Dr. Sephton said he made a post-mortem examination, and found the right lung completely demolished. The greater part of the charge was lodged in the spine. The wound certainly could not have been self-inflicted. When the shot was fired the gun must have been almost in a straight line with the man's chest.
The wound had a very slight upward tendency. It was impossible for deceased to have moved after being shot, and death must have been instantaneous.
From experiments made, the shot was certainly fired within two feet.
 
Alfred Taylor, farmer, Moss Farm, Risley, said he lived 600 yards from the deceased's house.
About eleven o'clock he and his wife were in bed when they heard a shot fired, apparently from the deceased's cottage. Both Risley Old and Risley New Hall were nearer to the cottage than deceased's house.
 
The Foreman: Did you not say yesterday in this house that you could put your hand on the deceased's murderer?
Witness: No, you have been told false.
Isaac Warburton, landlord of the Noggin Inn, was here called and said the witness Taylor in his hearing and that of Miss Carter and Herbert Seddon distinctly said, "I could almost put my hand on the man who murdered Timperley."
Taylor said this about four o’clock and was not then in drink.
Taylor, questioned by the Coroner, said he might have said that, but he was larking. He had no true suspicions of the murderer. The
question was repeated to witness as to whether he
had any suspicion, but he gave what was considered an evasive answer.
The Coroner and Superintendent Higginbotham took Taylor into another room and. examined him privately, nothing being disclosed to the press.
 
In answer to the Coroner as to the arrest of the three men John Tracey, Edward Tracey, and Edward Hansbury, Superintendent
Barnes explained that Hansbury stated that he passed
Timperley's house a little before eleven o'clock on the Sunday night, but from inquiries he understood that Hansbury was at Rixton,
two miles away, at five minutes past twelve.

He (Superintendent Barnes) knew of a man having been assaulted two years ago with very little provocation, and he knew that it was
done by one of that gang, although he did not know which did it. Another man, twelve months ago, had his head cut very badly by Ned Tracey.
Timperley remarked to him some time ago that they were a rum lot those Irishmen, and about three weeks before his death Timperley was reported to have said that he was getting on all right, but had had a bother with the Irishmen.
It was decided to go to the place where the men lived, and two pairs of trousers were found belonging to John and Ned Tracey. They were stained as if with blood, and owing to the suspicious circumstances the trousers and the men were taken to Leigh, and the men were remanded to have the trousers examined. The expert reported that the stains were not blood stains, and the men were then discharged. He did not consider the men's account of themselves satisfactory.
His inspector was present when the arrest was made, and was responsible for the arrest, but he (Superintendent Barnes) would have done the same on his responsibility.
 
The Coroner, after further evidence, summed up, saying there were many suspicious circumstances which might perhaps some day come to light, and a verdict of wilful murder against some person or persons unknown was returned.

Samuel Yates and his twin sister Mary were born on 14 August 1877 in Croft, Lancashire to local butcher Samuel Yates and his wife Mary-Ann.
​
They were baptised at Croft Unitarian Chapel on 19 August 1877.

​In the 1881 census the family are living on Warrington Road, Croft.
In the 1891 census they are living at Barracks Cottages, Mill House Lane in Croft.

In 1900, Samuel married Lizzie Hankin Meeks at Christ Church, Croft. They had a son, Harry in April 1901.
In the 1901 census they are living together at Jacques Houses in Croft.
They had another four children together, all boys. Robert, James,
​John and Frank.
In 1911 the family had moved to Orford.

Samuel signed up for military service on 4th December 1915 and was transferred into the Army reserve.

On 18th April 1917 he was mobilised and posted to the
Royal Garrison Artillery Depot.  On 11th May he was posted to the 1st Reserve Brigade.
​
On 30th August 1917 he was declared a deserter. He was apprehended by civil police on 16th September 1917 and admitted to Lord Derby War Hospital on the same day. His diagnosis was ​‘Insanity aggravated by service’.
He was discharged from the army on 13th July 1918, his medical notes stating:

"On 22nd May 1918 he suddenly became acutely excited and confused, evidently in a state of extreme terror and apprehensiveness"
​
His mental and physical condition worsened after his discharge. Whilst he himself was unwell, his 11-year-old son John tragically died in June 1920, and then Samuel passed away in Rainhill Asylum on 9 July 1920 at the age of 42.
His death certificate states both Insanity and TB as causes of death.
​
He was buried next to his Mother’s grave at Christ Church, Croft with a designated Official Commonwealth War Grave Commission Headstone.

He was one of 55,000 men who returned from war with TB and one of the 18,000 who had died from it by 1922.
​
His father Samuel Yates was still living on Mill House Lane, Croft when his son died. Three years later when he passed away, he joined the family grave at Christ Church.
 
Samuel was the Great Grandson of Samuel and Ellen Yates, who together built Croft Unitarian Chapel on Lady Lane, Croft.
​
The Yates Family were well known butchers in Leigh and Warrington and the company is still in business today as 'Yates & Greer'.

Despite having an official CWGC grave and being born, bred and buried in Croft, Samuel is not named on the Croft War Memorial in the church or at
​Croft Village Memorial Hall.
There is currently a campaign running to include him, and others who were missed off.

They all made the ultimate sacrifice.

​The Memorial Hall have now made the decision that Samuel Yates will not be added to the plaque outside the hall or at the church. This is because unfortunately there is no evidence to show him actually going to war.

​I have provided them with the following, which is everything that is available:

Death Certificate, CWGC Roll of Honour Certificate, War Pension Card, Medical Discharge Form, Enrolment Papers, Imperial War Graves Commission Headstone Inscription Form, War Dead Listing for Warrington Rural District.

Without proof that he actually went to fight, the Memorial Hall committee believe that rather than being missed off the plaque due to error, that it was a decision made by villagers at the time and they do not want to change that.

As with the other soldiers, he will be included on the new memorial which we are fundraising for.

A fifty-five-year-old railway signalman is staging a lone battle against Lancashire County Council.
He is also taking on the divisional education committee of South West Lancashire, Warrington Rural Council and the Parish Council on which he has served for the past 24 years.

Mr Jim Hampson, of Oak Street, Croft, will be the sole objector at a public inquiry at Warrington next Wednesday.
And yesterday he received a letter from Warrington Rural Council asking him to withdraw his opposition to the siting of a new primary school in Mustard Lane, Croft. But last night Mr Hampson said he had no intention of withdrawing.  "This is a matter of principle," he said. "No-one else has been granted planning permission to build on any site at Croft earmarked for Green Belt, and I cannot see why the rules should be broken now when land originally chosen for the new school is still available half a mile away from Mustard Lane."

So, the battle of Mustard Lane will go on.

For months Mr Hampson, a member of Croft Parish Council, and chairman of Warrington Rural Parish Council's Association, has been campaigning against the decision to build the urgently-needed primary school opposite to the present school in Mustard Lane. In the first instance the county council suggested that it should go up on the site in Smithy Lane which is owned by Warrington Rural Council.
The rural council, however pointed out that they had plans for the building of sheltered accommodation for old people on this site. This was a proposal which evoked a sharp reaction from Mr Hampson.
"As much as I appreciate the needs of old people, a new primary school is much more urgently required," he said.
But the county council eventually agreed with the rural council, the divisional executive committee and Mr Hampson's fellow members of Croft Parish Council that the Mustard Lane site was suitable.

Since then, the railway-man has organised a petition signed by 310 Croft householders and originally he found a powerful ally in the Ministry of Agriculture who supported his contention that the Mustard Lane site should be retained for agricultural purposes.
As a result, the Ministry of Housing and Local Government ordered next week's public inquiry.
This week, however, it was learned that the Ministry of Agriculture had withdrawn their objection, and the rural council wrote to Mr Hampson pointing out that he was now the only objector.
​
"It cost them 3s 5d to send the letter by registered post asking if I would be prepared to withdraw my objection," said Mr Hampson. "I have no intention of doing so. I fought against the encroachment of the Warrington New Town into the Croft green belt area and I think that the same thing applies in this case especially as the site originally chosen for the school in Smithy Lane is still available.”

​For those who don't live locally, the school was built on Mustard Lane eventually!