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History
&
​Heritage

Croft in the News - The Story of Edward Monoghan

27/1/2022

 
Picture

Leigh Chronicle and Weekly District Advertiser
Friday 18th February 1910

INQUEST AT CROFT

Mr. F. H. Jones, deputy coroner, held an inquest on Friday afternoon, at the Plough Inn, regarding the death of Edward Monoghan, of Heath Lane, Croft, whose body was found on Thursday morning in a pit on the farm occupied by Mr. James Thomason, Heath Lane.

Mr. Cawthorne was appointed foreman of the jury.

The first witness called was Jane Monoghan, widow of the deceased, who deposed that her husband was 40 years of age, and was a coachman in the employ of Mr. E. W. Sankey, Heath Farm.
Edward monoghan, coachman
EDWARD MONOGHAN, Coachman of Croft
The deceased had been in bad health for some time and had been medically attended by Dr. Sephton. He had been off his work from the 4th January till a few days ago. He had been very much troubled with pains in the head, and had remarked that if they did get better he would make an end of himself, but she did not think he was in earnest when he said that. She last saw him alive on Thursday morning, when he left to go to his work.

John Ingham, employed by Mr. J. Thomason, farmer, said about eight o’clock on Thursday morning he saw the body lying face downwards in a pit close to the farm buildings. He informed his master. F. C. Butler, who was sent for, was quickly on the spot, and the body was at once recovered, but life was found to be extinct.

The jury returned a verdict of ‘Suicide while in an unsound state of mind.’
​
The funeral took place on Sunday afternoon at St. Lewis R.C Church. In addition to the relatives etc., the fellow workmen of the deceased employed by Mr. E. W. Sankey preceded the body to the churchyard, and after the funeral ceremony placed upon the grave a costly artificial wreath bearing the following inscription: “A token of respect from his employer and fellow workmen at Heath Farm, Croft.”
Mrs. Monoghan is left with seven young children.
A sad story indeed. I visited St. Lewis Church to photograph the grave but I was unable to locate it. Sadly, as with all older graves, there are some which are sunken and/or have fallen.

Croft in the News - Health

26/1/2022

 
Picture

Warrington Examiner
Saturday 6th September 1873

THE INSPECTOR’S REPORT
​
Mr. Rawling, the Sanitary Inspector, presented his monthly report, from which it appeared that the water supply of Croft was chiefly obtained from draw wells, some of which were of a fair depth, and contained a good supply; while others were badly constructed, and not of much depth.
Some were situate near cesspools, or sink ditches, but in most cases they were at a good distance away. Many cottages were entirely without drinking water except what they begged from their neighbours, and in one or two instances they obtained their supply from the brook.
There was no proper system of drainage in the township, and the privy accommodation was generally of a very inferior class.
​He recommended the building of proper ashpits three feet above ground, and in all cases where closets and cesspools were against house walls their removal to a more suitable situation. He also recommended that a sewer should be laid in Croft to carry off the refuse water which was now turned into an open ditch.
The CHAIRMAN said he thought they should not commence making sewers in any township until they had decided upon some comprehensive scheme which appeared to be looming in the distance.
Mr. WOODS was of opinion that a main sewer, with a proper outfall, should be constructed in Croft.
Dr. SEPHTON considered that they should wait a little time before they did anything with respect to the open ditch at Croft because he had suggested to Mr. Owen the desirability of deodorising the refuse turned into it.
​
It was decided to act upon the suggestion of the Medical Officer of Health.
The report of Dr. Sephton stated that during the past month his work had been confined to Croft, which had hitherto been the most unhealthy township in his district.
​Finding that properly conducted cesspools and manure tanks were mostly needed, he recommended the committee to insist on all cesspools being made of bricks set in Slias lime, or cement, raised at least three feet above the ground, well coated with tar, and well drained.

Leigh Journal and Times
Saturday 14th July 1877

A large rat
A REMARKABLE RAT
​
A few days ago, during the night time, a female rat of extraordinary size, stole four fine chickens from the poultry yard of Mr. Thos. Brideoake, farmer, Croft. The same animal a day or so afterwards succeeded in killing and carrying off a full-grown duck. Emboldened by previous successes, she commenced the daring feat of stealing a number of eggs in course of incubation, and, despite the active opposition of the hen, the rat secured several of the eggs.
​Mr. Brideoake obtained a ferret, and after some difficulty the precocious and voracious animal was killed.

Warrington Examiner
Saturday 22nd August 1874

Victorian factory
THE NEW FACTORY ACT
​
On the 1st January next the new Act, passed in the late session, to improve the health of children, young persons, and women, employed in factories, and for the education of such children, will come into force.
​
By this Act during next year no child is to be employed under nine, and after that year under ten, except where he was lawfully employed before that period.
There are special regulations as to the employment and refreshment of children, young persons and women in factories between 8a.m. and 6p.m., but no employment is to be beyond four hours and a-half continuously without a meal, nor any employment after two on Saturday. The hours of meals are to be simultaneously for children, and employment during meal time is forbidden.
Until the 1st January, 1876, employment for the recovery of lost time is to be permitted, until which time a person of 13 and under 14 is to be deemed a child unless an educational certificate be obtained.
After the 1st January, 1876, children must attend efficient schools.

Croft Unitarian Chapel 2022 Update

23/1/2022

 

Thank You!

A short post to say a big thank you to our local Labour Councillor Gary Farnsworth and Croft Parish Council. Thanks to Gary, the Parish Council have agreed to provide a green bin for Croft Unitarian Chapel and to cover the annual cost for it to be emptied.
This may not seem like much to be thankful for, but after a year of struggling to clear the grounds without a bin, it is a huge step forward.
Local Councillor Gary Farnsworth who took the time to visit the site and show a genuine interest in preserving this local historic monument.
Croft Councillor Gary Farnsworth
Croft Councillor Gary Farnsworth
A big thank you also to those who have helped with clearing the site over the last year. The couple who live on Gosling Road and those who live next to the chapel on New Lane have all gone out of their way to help. 

Croft in the News - Sport and Leisure

19/1/2022

 
Croft in the news

Saturday 10th September 1892
​Warrington Examiner

THE SPORTS AND GALA – The first annual athletic sports and gala were held in a field kindly lent by Mrs. Weir, of Cockshot Farm. The committee for carrying out the arrangements consisted of Messrs. E. Barnham and G. and T. Houghton, Mr. W. F. Pennington being the secretary. The entries for various events numbered upwards of 70. The handicapping was done by the committee, Mr. C. Allen was the starter and Mr. E. Barnham was the judge. Despite the unfavourable weather, there was a fair attendance, and considering the wet state of the ground some good racing took place.
CHILDREN’S TREAT – This popular annual treat, took place on Saturday, under very unfavourable circumstances with regard to the weather. The committee this year consisted of Messrs. H. Hankinson, J. Hatton, R. Sanderson, W. Sanderson, and H. Shaw, Mr. S. Stretch being the hon. Treasurer, and Mr. S. Taylor the hon. Secretary, whose arrangements gave every satisfaction.
Generally all the children in the parish from three to 15 years of age receive tickets free, all above that age paying 6d. each for their tea. The children assembled at the board school at one o’clock in the afternoon, and at two they formed a procession, and, headed by a banner and the Leigh Volunteer Band, they paraded the village under the superintendence of the committee and officers, and Mr. Cawthorne (the schoolmaster), Mrs. Savage (infants mistress), and Miss Stretch (assistant teacher), the route taken being from the school up Heath Lane as far as the Plough Inn, and back again past the school to the Smithy-brow, and thence to the school again. Upwards of 200 children and young people were in the procession and their neat and clean appearance was much commented upon by a large number of persons on the route.
At four o’clock they sat down to an excellent tea in the schoolroom. After tea, an adjournment was made to a field, kindly lent by Mr. E. W. Sankey, of Heath Farm, one of the members of the school ​board, where one or two races and various games took place, and the band played an excellent selection of music for dancing until nearly dusk, under the conductorship of Mr. Charles Wood.

Friday 21st October 1887
Leigh Chronicle & Weekly District Advertiser

FOOTBALL MATCH AT CROFT
It having been proposed to form a football club at the above place, the members of the Earlestown Wanderers (Association) Football Club, visited the village on Saturday afternoon last, and played what may be termed an exhibition game, in a field kindly lent for the occasion by Mr. E. W. Sankey, but owing to a strong cold north wind very few spectators were present. The teams, which were arranged out of the first and second teams of the club, were styled Mr. G. Clough’s team, v. Mr. T. Goulding’s team.
​
The game lasted about an hour and a half, and at the close Goulding’s team had scored four goals to Clough’s team two. The game was not very exciting, though some good playing was shown during the game. Messrs. F. Waterman and A. Limmon were the umpires, and J. Waterman the referee. At the close the players adjourned to the General Elliot Hotel, where a dinner was provided, after which they enjoyed themselves with singing and dancing until about ten o’clock, when they returned home, after having thanked Mr. Sankey for the use of the filed, and Mr. and Mrs. Owen, the host and hostess, for the excellent manner in which they had provided the dinner.
vintage football

Saturday 1st November 1906
Warrington Examiner

CROFT ATHLETIC SPORTS
​The annual athletic sports in connection with the Croft Horticultural Society were held on Saturday. There was a large crowd of spectators, and the racing generally was of a high order. The arrangements were admirably carried out by the following: - Judges Messrs. H. Shaw, R. Hodkinson and T. Abbey; starter Mr. Joe Briscoe; handicappers, the Sports Committee; stewards Messrs. C Allen, J. Lodge, R. Ingham, J. Maines, Isaac Maines and J. Singleton; hon. Secretary Mr. S. Taylor; general secretary Mr. James Cawthorne.

The following were the results: - 

110 Yards Boys Race –
1 - H. Robinson, Leigh 2 – A. Logan, Beswick 3 – J. Waterworth, Warrington
110 Yards Flat Race –
1 - J. Barber, Beswick 2 – J. Oakes, Warrington 3 – J. Bramhall, Cadishead
Mile Bicycle Race –
1 - S. Spybey, Helsby 2 – H. Scott, Tarporley 3 – J. Ashley, Moulton
Half-mile Bicycle Race –
1 – R.E. Parkes, Liverpool 2 – S. Spybey, Helsby 3 – J. Ashley, Moulton
220 Yards Flat Race –
1 – G. Forber, Bold 2 – W. Peel, Twiss Green 3 – J. Oakes, Warrington
One Mile Flat Race –
1 – J. Robin, Lymm 2 – S. Green, Warrington 3 – A. Davies, Cadishead

Croft Then and Now - The General Elliot

14/1/2022

 
Picture

The General Elliot
​Warrington Examiner 1892

To Brewers, Capitalists and others. Valuable FREEHOLD HOTEL and Pleasure Grounds at Croft near WARRINGTON. TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION BY
MR. THOMAS SUTTON at the LION HOTEL, WARRINGTON, on TUESDAY, 13TH SEPTEMBER 1892, at 3 for 4 o’clock p.m. precisely, subject to conditions to be then produced –

All that Freehold, Old-established, and Fully-licensed HOTEL, known as the GENERAL ELLIOT, situate in the centre of the well-known village of Croft, near Warrington, and distant from that town about five miles, and lying at a convenient distance from the neighbouring towns of St. Helens, Wigan, Bolton, Manchester, Leigh, and the thickly populated districts surrounding the same.

The house comprises bar, four public rooms, assembly room, large pavilion, capable of dining 300 persons, and nine bedrooms, with good cellarage, store-room, and out-offices, all being well adapted for carrying on an extensive hotel, restaurant and catering business.
The grounds comprise large enclosed bowling green in excellent condition, commodious outside bar, ornamental pleasure gardens, tastefully laid out with trees, plants, and shrubs, with artificially heated monkey house and aviary, fox-house, stabling for 12 horses, cottage, warehouse, and others, the whole covering a considerable area.

The above affords an opportunity seldom to be met with to purchase a well-established pleasure resort of a most successful and remunerative character, and which could readily be further developed to an almost unlimited extent.
The Hotel, where there is every accommodation for visitors, is easily accessible by road and rail from the above-mentioned and other important manufacturing towns in Lancashire and Cheshire, and the various attractions and amusements afforded by this pleasant resort draw together large concourses of pleasure-seekers, particularly during the summer months.

For further particulars apply to the owner, E. W. SANKEY Esq., Croft: the auctioneer, Warrington 1 or to Messrs. ROBERT DAVIES, KIRKCONNEL, DAVIES AND BURGESS Solicitors, Warrington.

The General Elliot
Online Ad, 2022
130 Years Later

The General Elliot is an attractive 2-storey, double-fronted property with single-storey extensions to the rear including an attractive conservatory. Situated in the suburban village of Croft approximately 4 miles north of Warrington town centre and just north of the M6/M62 interchange equidistant between Liverpool and Manchester. The property is situated in the heart of this attractive village with a mix of 18th-century cottages and more modern housing nearby most of which are relatively high value.

The premises comprise several clearly defined trading areas including a conservatory, rear dining/function room, split-level bar with dining in the lower level and two additional split-level snugs. The property has a light and airy contemporary feel and will comfortably seat 100 covers internally with an additional capacity of circa 80 covers seated in the lawned garden area or on the rear patio with views across the Cheshire countryside.
Additionally, there is a detached two-storey property within the demise previously operated as a general store with the car park to the rear accommodating 50+ vehicles.
The private accommodation consists of three bedrooms, lounge, kitchen, WC, bathroom, utility room and office.

The property trades predominantly as a food-led destination site with much of the impetus being on delivering quality, home-cooked food reflected in the excellent trip advisor reviews and the reputation locally. This is not to detract from the position of the site in the community, ensuring that it benefits from significant wet-only trade encouraged by the quality product range including the capacity to have 4 cask products available. The current menu is positioned such that starters are priced generally between £5-£8 with main courses starting at circa £10 up to £20 with a lunchtime offer available.
The General Elliot then and now
Two images of the General Elliot, old and new, blended together.

Croft in the News-Crime & Punishment

11/1/2022

 
Croft Stories from old newspapers
The subject of this week’s Croft in the News is Crime and Punishment. All articles are from the Warrington Guardian.
There are some to make you smile, but also some that will make you truly grateful we live in our modern world.

Saturday 15th July 1865
Kirkdale Quarter Sessions

Caroline Leigh pleaded guilty to stealing a pair of boots, the property of Elizabeth Brimelow, at Warrington, on the 15th of May. She was ordered to be imprisoned for a month, and afterwards sent to a reformatory for five years.
William Brown, 18 years of age, was charged with having, at Warrington, stolen six pigeons, the property of Joseph Wareham and sent to gaol for six months.
Margaret Maloney pleaded guilty to a charge of having, at Ashton, on the 24th ult., unlawfully wounded William Crook, and was sent to gaol for three months.
​Peter Donaghan pleaded guilty to having stolen thirteen pigeons, the property of William Anderton, at Golborne, on the 5th ult., and was ordered to be imprisoned for three months. 

County Petty Sessions

Nugent Fairhurst, labourer, was fined 5s and 11s costs for being drunk and disorderly in Mill House Lane, Croft, on Sunday 18th June.
John Yates, Labourer, for being drunk and disorderly in Croft village, on Sunday, 18th June, was fined 5s and costs.
Thomas Stringer, for a similar offence in Croft, on Sunday 18th June was fined 5s and costs.
James Webb was ordered to pay costs for having been asleep whilst in charge of a horse and cart on the highroad at Hollins Green on the 17th June.
James Swindle was fined 2s 6d and costs for a similar offence at Glazebrook, on the 19th June.
​Robert Leigh was ordered to pay costs for being at a distance of 100 yards from his horse and cart, at Penketh, on the 13th June.

Saturday 24th January 1903
County Petty Sessions

John Gilfedder, Little Tower, croft, pleaded guilty to having been drunk and refusing to quit the Joiner’s Arms, Croft, on January 17th. The licensee, Mrs. Jackson, stated that she had to call in the police and the defendant had to be forcibly ejected. Gilfedder was so rough outside that he had to be locked up, and he was bailed out the following day. The Chairman said the Bench wished to protect the publicans, and defendant would be fined 10s and costs.
John Curley, of Burtonwood, was fined 2s 6d and costs for having been drunk on the 17th January. This was his 30th appearance.

Saturday 20th December 1873
County Petty Sessions

James Yates, of Croft, was charged with riding on his cart asleep, at Rixton, on the 26th ult., P.O. Turner said he was on duty at Hollins Green, when he saw a horse and cart on the highway, apparently with no one in charge. He found defendant lying asleep at the bottom of his cart, and it was with great difficulty he succeeded in waking him. Fined 1s and costs.
John Hurst, an old man, 64 years of age, living at Croft, was charged with having, on the 7th December, attempted to commit suicide at Croft, by hanging himself. Superintendent Jackson said prisoner was a farmer living at croft. On Sunday morning, the 7th inst., prisoner’s son missed his father from the shippon, where he should have been engaged in milking. After having made a search for him, he succeeded in finding his father suspended by a rope from the neck. He was cut down, a doctor sent for, and prisoner’s life was saved. Had he not been immediately cut down after he was discovered, it would have been impossible to have saved his life. Prisoner now acknowledged the offence, but promised to conduct himself better in the future. He was bound over to keep the peace for six months, himself in £20 and two sureties of £10 each.

The Little Known Symbols on Lady Lane

1/1/2022

 
Many people choose Lady Lane in Croft as part of their local walk. Not many people will have noticed the symbols made up of straight lines that are carved into walls along the route. They are in fact bench marks.

What are bench marks?

Bench marks are the visible manifestation of Ordnance Datum Newlyn (ODN), which is the national height system for mainland Great Britain and forms the reference frame for heights above mean sea level.

Most commonly, the BMs are found on buildings or other semi-permanent features. Although the main network is no longer being updated, the record is still in existence and the markers will remain until they are eventually destroyed by redevelopment or erosion.

Where can I find the bench marks?

There are two bench marks on Lady Lane. One is at Croft Unitarian Chapel and one is at Christ Church.
The bench mark at Croft Unitarian Chapel is on the boundary wall, which means it is not in its original position, as Warrington Borough Council have rebuilt the wall. (It does seem to be at the correct height above the ground level).
Picture
Bench mark at Croft Unitarian Chapel
Picture
Bench mark at Christ Church
Croft Unitarian Chapel Bench Mark

Description: 
WALL ENTRANCE BURIAL GROUND WEST SIDE LADY LANE SOUTH EAST ANGLE
Height: 22.8387m
Height above ground: 0.4m
Date verified: 1957

Christ Church Bench Mark

Description: 
CHURCH WEST FACE CHRIST CHURCH TOWER EAST SIDE LADY LANE
Height: 33.1592m
Height above ground: 1.2m
​Date verified: 1957

    Author

    Cheyvonne Bower is a local historian with a passion for the past.
    A member of
    ​Manchester & Lancashire Family History Society.

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  • Home
  • Places of Worship
    • Croft Unitarian Chapel
    • Risley Presbyterian Chapel
    • Christ Church
    • St. Oswalds Church
    • Burial Grounds
  • Local Families
    • The Yates Family >
      • Philip Yates
      • Mary Yates
      • Samuel Yates
      • James Yates
      • Ellen Yates Junior
      • Richard Yates
      • Richard Yates Part 2
      • Richard Yates Part 3
      • Joseph Yates
      • Anne Yates Interview
    • The Clare, Warburton and Daintith Family
  • World War Two
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