 Leigh Chronicle and Weekly District Advertiser
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Local Councillor Gary Farnsworth who took the time to visit the site and show a genuine interest in preserving this local historic monument.
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Croft Councillor Gary Farnsworth
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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 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.
Two images of the General Elliot, old and new, blended together.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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).
 Bench mark at Croft Unitarian Chapel |  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
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
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© Cheyvonne Bower 2023