Meltham in Focus: Volume E by Meltham Photography Club

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Meltham in Focus

Its Industries

Organisations, Societies & People

Volume E

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Year Description Volume I Page 1896 Meltham Town Hall Clock, Gift of Edward Brook E 5 1898 Meltham Town Hall Opening, Celebration Dinner E 6 1913 Edward Brook, Portrait Unveiled E 7-8 1898 Meltham Town Hall / Council E 9-11 1998 Meltham Town Hall Centenary / Centenary Service E 12-13 1898 Meltham Town Council, First Meeting, Colne Valley News E 17-18 1841+ I Meltham Hall, History E 19-20 1944 Meltham Hall, Gift to the Public E 21 1952 Meltham Hall, David Brown’s Social Centre E 22 1832 Meltham Hall Land, Enclosure Act Map E 23 1848 Meltham Hall Land, Tithe Map E 24 1917 Meltham Hall Land, Ordnance Survey Map E 25 1906 Meltham Hall Land, Ordnance Survey Map E 26 1855 Wm. Leigh Brook of Meltham Hall, Death of Mr. & Mrs. E 27 1857 Charles John Brook of Thick Hollins, Death of E 28 1858 Joseph Brook of Newhouse, Huddersfield, Death of E 29 1866 Vicar of Almondbury, Father to Mrs. C. J. Brook, Death of E 30 1858 I Joseph Brook, Public Funeral E 31-32 1863 Edward Brook and Emma Brooke, Marriage E 33-34 1860 Charles Brook Jnr. And Elizabeth Hirst, Marriage/ Rejoicings / Workers Treat / etc E 35-38 1866 Charles Brook Jnr., Presentation by the Sunday School E 39-40 1866 Charles Brook Jnr., Reception on Arriving at Enderby Hall / Enderby Hall E 41-42 1872 Charles Brook Jnr., Funeral at Enderby, Services at Meltham & Meltham Mills E 43-44 1879 Charles Brook Jnr., Death of Mrs. E 45 1892 Charles Brook, Marriage E 47 1869 Charles Brook of Healey House, Death of E 49-50 1892 C. J. Brook, Mrs., Biography / Description of Her Book E 55-57 1919 C. J. Brook, Mrs., of Hare Wood House, Funeral of E 58 1901 Charles Brook, Captain Brook’s Return to Meltham / Freedom of Huddersfield E 59-63 1904 Edward Brook, Funeral of E 64-65 1909 Arthur Charles Brook of Manor Croft, Helme, Marriage E 66 1913 Helen Hirst and Lindesay Fisher, Meltham and Helme Halls E 67 1881 Thomas Julius Hirst and Esther Frost Brook, Marriage E 69 1927 Thomas Julius Hirst of Meltham Hall, Death of E 71 1939 Charles Lewis Brook of Harewood Lodge, Death of E 72 1920 Charles Julius Hirst and Phyllis M. Secretan, Marriage E 75 1934 Mabel Frances Brook, Death of E 76 1930 Charles Brook, Death of E 77-78 1933 Captain Edward William Brook and Mary Gretton, Marriage / Presentation E 79-80 1965 Edward Lindesay Fisher, Mrs., Death of E 81 1936 Edward Lindesay Fisher, of Helme Hall, Death of E 81 1944 Thomas Julius Hirst, Mrs., Death of E 83 1956 Charles Julius Hirst, Colonel, Death of E 84 1951 Dorothy Mary Brook, Miss, of Manor Croft, Helme, Death of E 85 1965 Thomas William Hirst, Formerly of Durker Roods, Death of E 87 1963 Edward William Brook, Captain, Death of E 88 1774+ I The Brook Family, History E 89-90 1584+ I The Brook Family, Genealogy of E 93

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Year Description Volume I Page 1851+ I Meltham Library E 94 1974 Meltham Librarian, Sheriff Huck, Retirement E 95 1870+ I Durker Roods, History E 97 Thick Hollins, History E 97 Crosland Hall, History E 98 1887 Helme Hall, History E 99 1936 Edward Lindesay Fisher of Helme Hall, Death of E 100 Bent House & Harewood Lodge, Inhabitants E 101 1802 Healey House, History E 101 Golcar Hall, History E 102 1893 Smallpox Hospital, Moor Top, History E 103 Harden Moss Farm, Golden Rules for the Management of E 104 Colne and Holme Valley New Fever Hospital, History E 105-9 1857 Meltham Mills, News Room Established E 110 1866 Meltham Mills Dining Rooms Opened E 111 1874 Meltham Mills Open Air Swimming Baths E 112 1911-2 I Meltham Mills New Dining Hall / New Assembly Rooms E 113 1868-71 I Huddersfield Convalescent Home, Foundation Stone Laying / Opening E 115-9 1858+ I Meltham Mills Pleasure Grounds E 120 1868+ I Royd Edge Convalescent Home, History E 121 1919 Meltham Mills Convalescent Home, Auxiliary Hospital Closed E 122 1881-2 I New Masonic Hall, Laying of the Corner-stone / Opening E 123-4 1777+ I Lodge of Peace No 149, Wessenden Head Road, History E 125 1851-2 I Meltham Oddfellows’ Hall, Laying of Foundation Stone / Opening E 126-7 1894-5 I Oddfellows’ Hall Extension, Laying of Corner Stones / Opening E 128-30 1927 Meltham Oddfellows’ Hall, Centenary and History E 131 1849 Mechanics and Carlile Institute, History E 132 1891 Carlile Institute, Meltham, Opening E 133-4 1903 Carlile Institute, Meltham, Opening of New Wing E 135 1901 Carlile Institute, Meltham, Portraits of Premiers E 136 1866 Meltham Memorial School, Corner Stone Laying E 137 1868 National School, New Infants / Meltham Memorial School, Opening E 138-40 1874 Meltham Memorial School, New Infants E 141 1901 Meltham Church School, Extension Opened E 142 1964 Meltham C. of E. Primary School Opened E 145 1965+ I Meltham C. of E. Primary School, Swimming Pool, History E 147-8 1873 St. Mary’s Church School, Wilshaw, Opening E 149 1867 Wesleyan Schoolroom, New Day School Opening E 150 1857 Meltham Mills Infants School, Opening E 151-2 1838+ I Meltham Mills School, History E 153 1868+ I Wilshaw School, History E 153 1972 Meltham County Primary School Opened E 155 1973 Meltham C. of E. School, New Environment Unit Opened E 156 1871 Helme Memorial School, Foundation Stone Laying E 157 1958 Helme Memorial School, Extension Opened E 158 1873 Helme New National School Opened E 159 1715+ I Meltham Schools, History E 161 1858+ I Helme School, History E 162

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Meltham Town Hall Clock.The Gift Cf Edward Brook. December 24th 1896.

The ceremony of starting the new clock which has been fixed in the turret of the new Town Hall was performed on Christmas Eve by Councillor R.Mellor,at the request of Mr.Edward Brook,who presented the clock to the town.Mr.Mellor was accompanied by most of the members of the Council and other officials,as well as by one of the members of the firm of Messrs.Wm.Potts and Sons,the makers of the clock.The ceremony being over the company then adjoured to the Swan Inn,where they sat down to a capital repast on the invitation of Mr.Wm.Carter,the clerk of the Council.After tea Mr.Potts,who had to leave by early train,read,previous to his departure,the following description of the clock." "The clock is from the designs of Lord Grimthorpe,the greatest authority on clocks and bells,and 1s constructed on a solid horizontal cast-iron bed frame,planed perfectly flat on top and bottom surface.All the bushes and bearings are of gun metal screwed into the frame,so that each or any wheel can be taken out separately,if required in case of alteration or accident.All the wheels are of gun metal,cut and polished on the engine from the solid.Allthe pinions and arbors are of the best cast Sheffield steel,cut and polished on the engine from the solid,and hardened and tempered.The large going main wheel is

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Celebration Dinner 12 February 1898

A public dinner was held at the Waggon and Horses Inn,Meltham mainly through the instrumentality of Messrs Walker Wood and Thomas Henry Mellor,to celebrate the opening of the new Town Hall on Saturday 5th Feb.1898.Mr and Mrs Schofield Booth,the host and hostess,quite excelled themselves in their efforts to provide a dinner worthy of the occasion. Mr.Charles Myers made a most genial and efficient chairman.The toast of "The Queen" was proposed from the chair,and met with due and loyal appreciation-Mr.Walker Wood,in the coarse of a neat and appropriate speech,proposed the health of Mr.Edward Brook,and Mr. Thomas Henry Mellor followed in equally felicitons terms with the toast of Mr.Charles Brook-The Chairman then proposed"The Town and Trade of Meltham,"which Mr.John Pickles briefly,but ably responded to-Mr.Walker Wood sang"The Fine Old English Gentleman".The last verse,composed by him for the occasion,had special reference to the day's proceedings,and ran as follows;- "We've got in Meltham a new Town Hall And well the buildings look, With a clock and tower upon it, Paid for by Edward Brook. May he live long for years to come Is the hearty wish for all, For he has been a generous man Both to the great and small, Like a fine old English gentleman, One of the olden time." Other songs were sung,and the time was passed in a very pleasant and harmonious manner.Mr.Wilson Brook proposed"The health of the Host and Hostess,"and thenked them for the very satisfactory man- ner in which they had catered-Mr.J.Crabtree seconded,and Mr.Booth responded-The chairman came in for similar compliment,and the proceedings terminated at closing time,all having spent a jolly and happy evening.

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Melthams Benefactor,Portrait of the Late Mr.Edward Brook Unveiled.

For some time past the people of Meltham have desired to give tangible expression of their appreciation and esteem of the late Mr.Edward Brook of Meltham Mills.During his lifetime Mr.Brook made many noble gifts to the town,and his many kindnesses to the people amongst whom he lived endeared him to them.On Saturday afternoon 29th March 1913 his portrait was unveiled by his son, Mr.Edward Jonas Brook of Hoddam Hall,in the presence of a large company,The portrait is of a head and shoulders,and is a remark- ably good one.It has been painted by Mr.Mawdsley. Councillor J.K.Mawdsley presided and amongst those present were Mrs.C.J.Brook, Mr. and Mrs.A.C.Brook,Mr.and Mrs.Edward Jonas Brook »Lieut-colnel Charles Brook,Mr.and Mrs.T.J.Hirst,Mr.and Mrs.Shar- ples Fishet,Mr.Cgarles Lewis Brook.Councillors W.Kippax,H.Wads- worth,Wilson Brook,F.H.Taylor,J.H.Pogson,J.Sykes Quarmby,J.H.Pres- ton,Jas Quarmby,Hy Holroyd and W.Dixon Messrs W,Carter (clerk to the Council) Thos. Hy Mellor (COLLECTOR) F.W.Littlewood(surveyor) Allen Earnshaw (gas manager) and Dr.Gellatly(medical officer) The Chairman said for some time they had felt that something should be done as a mark of the appreciation of the many kindness and generous gifts to the town of their esteemed townsman,the late Mr.Edward Brook.When the matters was brought before the Council it was at once taken up heartily,and they unanimousley agreed that a portrait shoud be painted which should be an acquistion to the town,and at the same time a token of their respect to the late Mr.brook.Though he had not been intimately connected with the af- fairs of Meltham during the long time that Mr.Brook had,yet in his work on the Council he had had many reminders of the warm place that Meltham had in Mr.Brook's heart,His duties had brought him into contact with the rate-payers at large,and he had been greatly impressed by the deep affection which all classes had for their late revered friend. Mr.Brook's Generosity. Mr.Carter said that having been clerk to the Local Board and to thepresent Council for thirty-two years,it had fallen to his lot to come in contact with Mr.Brook on very many occasions.Previous to his death in 1904 he found from yhr minute books that Mr.Brook was member of the first Local Board formed in 1860,and continued to be a member for some years,Coming to the generosity of Mr. Brook,they had it on record that when the Huddersfield people came to Meltham to secure water,the Local Board opposed the sche- me of 1869 at great cost,and a special rate of 3s,4d in the £ was levied to cover the expense.Mr.Brook at once saw how hard the bur- den was upon the working classes,and he generously paid the rates of 613 ratepayers,amounting to £317 6s lid,out of a total of 936 rate payers,To-day Meltham was enjoying the privilages of the wat- er scheme thus secured.Coming down to the Queen Victoria Jubilee of 1887,they found that Mr.Brook presented to the town a jubilee recreation ground of over eleven acres,with building land at top and the bottom making a total area of over thirteen acres,This cost Mr.Brook the sum of £1,185,exclusive of the cost of fenching Through the thoughtfulness of Mr.Brook,the rent of certain land went towards the cost of the upkeep,so that the recreation ground was no charge upon the rates.In the year 1891,Mr.Brook conveyed to the town the site of the present Town Hall,with the intention that the Local Board Offices should be built upon it.The building was talked about but nothing was done so on October 21st,1895 Mr.Brook sent the following letter to the Local Board"I have for some time thought my gift of the site for the Local Board offices was in a sense,the gift of a white elephant,as covering the groun with buildings would entail a great expense,and I long since de- cided that when you commenced I should like to contribute to the erection of them.Mr.J.H.Preston has told me that you have decided to proceed with the building,as soon as possible.

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Melthams Benefactor cont With the consent of the Local Board,I should therefore like to pay into the Huddersfield Bank for the above purpose,and in the names of yourself and two other members of the Meltham Board,the sum of £1,500.Shold any surplus remain after the erection of them the same to be returned to me.The only condition I wish to make is that the Board will see that the money is well spent and value obtained,and also that the contractors are well looked after to see that they do their work properly. Continuing,Mr.Carter said that this gave the necessary fillip to the schemme.As the work was proceeded with Mr.Brook made many Suggestions,such as the errection of a turret and clock and that the rooms should be properly decorated,The result was that the total cost came to £2,882 8s 3d.,all of which Mr.Brook paid be- fore the building was opened.When approached Mr.Brook would allow no inscription to be placed on the building during his lifetime. In 1895 the boundaries were extended at a cost of £800,which Mr, Brook paid.In 1896 Mr.Brook gave them land for the extension of the gasworks,and in 1903 he generously conveyed a right to the Council over some land for use in connection with the waterworks. On two or three occasions it was his lot to accompany deputations to Mr.Brook to present illuminated addresses,and he always treated them very well at his residence at Meltham Mills. The Unveiling Mr.E.J.Brook,before pulling the curtain back,said that they would remember that his father did not care for ostentation or self-advertisement,and his stipulation that nothing was to be pla- ced on the building during his lifetime was very like him.Now that he was gone,those who were left had a perfect right to do what they thought fit in regard to his memory.In having that port-— rait painted,they had done great honour to his father's memory, but,if he might say so ,the Council and the people of Meltham had done honour to themselves also.He would like to express the app- reciation of the family for what they had done,and they thought that in having the portrait painted Meltham had perpetuated the memory of one who loved the town and its people,and was also love by them.Dealing with his father's life.Mr.Brook said that his great-grandfather.William Brook,came to Meltham in 1774.His grand- father,Jonas Brook,was born in 1775,who left such monuments to his memory as the Meltham Mills and the reservoir above them.His grandfather was also the originator of the co-operative movement in Great Britain.His father Mr.Edward Brook,was born in 1825 at MelthamMills,and as a young man went to learn farming near Don- caster.Eventually he came back and helped Mr.Charles Brook with the growing business at the Meltham Mills. Mrs E.J.Brook was then presented with a bouquet of lovely flow- ers by Miss Mawdsley.

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Meltham Town Hall

Saturdny 5th.February 1898 will be remembered as one of the red-letter days in the history of Meltham.The occasion was the opening of the Town Hall by Mr.Charles Brook of Durker Roods.The building is almost centrally situated,having it's frontage opposite. to the Carlile Institute and one gable end up to the main road leading through the town and it's handsome clock tower surmounting the structure,it forms one of the most striking buildings of local interest. The entire cost of the building and furnishings had been generously defrayed by Mr.Edward Brook of Meltham Mills. The walls are of rock-faced stone withashlar facings and the style is semi- gothic in harmony with the Carlile Institute.There are five large mullioned windows with trefoil headings at the front and a noble doorway with elliptical fanlight and Bide windows to light up the vestibule.The gable has six windows of similar cons- truction to the front. The clock in the tower was first set going on Christmas Bve 1896,and with it's four illuminated dials can be seen from nearly every part of the town.The contract for the clock was intrusted to Messrs W.Potts & Sons of Leeds. The interior of the Hall consisted of a large Council chamber,Committee rooms,ante room.lavatories,collectors room,clerks room,surveyors room,four stores, central hall,vestibule and boiler room. The decorations of the interior was elaboratley and artistically carried out by Mr.J.H.Stuttard of Ramsden Street ,Huddersfield. The furnishings of the Upper Rooms were entrusted to Messrs Alfred Taylor & Sons of Huddersfield and the manner in which they were completed,their work was a credit to their firm. The Council Chamber furniture is of Spanish Mahogany,the armchairs have upholstered seats and backs covered with rich tapestry.The tables have massive turned legs with Moroceo leather covered tops.The floor was covered with a costly Azminster carpet. The furniture of the Lower Rooms was supplied and made by Mr.George Pogson of Meltham.The architect for the building was Mr.William Carter ,Town Clerk. Mr.Edward Brook,the generous donor of the building,was approached by the Gouncil with a view to him performing the opening ceremony,but he modestly declined to do so,therefore the pleasing duty was entrusted to his son Charles. The Council sent circulars to the various ledges of the district asking the members to join in forming a procession around the town previous to the opening ceremony. The procession started from the Oddfellows Hall at 3.30p.m.,headed by Meltham Hills Band and the Meltham Fire Brigade on their engine followed by the local magistrates,members of the Council,officials of the Council and the various Lodges.The general public brought up the rear. The route taken was through the Market Place,Greensend,Westgate,Station Street and thence to the Town Hall were a. large concourse of people were standing to witness the opening ceremony. Mr.Charles Brook,Mrs.Charles J.Brook,Harewood Lodge and Misses Hirst from Meltham Hall were on the temporary platform in front of the

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guests and members and employees of the Council to a banquet at the Swan

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Meltham Town Hall Centenary Thursday February 5th 1998

Precisely 100 years ago,on Feb.5th 1898,benefactor Mr,Edward Brook,then aged 7Oyrs,presented Meltham with a new fully furn- ished building for the Town Hall.Edward Brook was approached by the Council to perform the official opening ceremony,but he modestly declined the invitation,so it was handed to his son Charles Brook to do the honour,to open the building with a golden key. The Council could now carry out its work under one roof,Charles father Edward had recognised their difficulties of meeting places Instead of being knocked about from one place to another.The first meeting of the Council was at the Rose & Crown Inn,then on to Dry Well,before it was condemned as insanitary and unfit for habita- tion.Other places included the Co-op Stores,a bedroom in Greens End,and the Wesleyan School.Now they had a permanent building where they could transact the business of the town in comfort. To Celebrate the opening on Thursday Feb.5th 1998,the present day Councillors Dorothy Cooper,Chairman,John Bakanoba V/Chairman and Jean Danson and Colin Sheard,dressed up as Victorian School Inspectors and visited Helme C of E School and Meltham C of E School,where the children were also dressed in Victorian Clothes Later the same evening a Thanksgiving service was held at the Meltham Methodist Church led by the Rev.Peter Taylor,with the preacher being the Rev.Martin Russell of Helme Church,the Organist was Mr.Clive Yeadon. 3 Hymns were sung,Praise my Soul,the King of Heaven,Make me a channel of your peace and last Now thank we all our God. The Reading from Mark 10 verses 35-45 was read by Mrs Dorothy Cooper,Chairman of the Parish Council,Rev.Martin Russell gave the address,then after the benediction,the people retired for. refreshments,after which the Meltham Photographic Club provided entertainment by showing some old slides of Meltham in the past 100yrs and a Cine film of past events in the Township of Meltham during the 1960s. Thursday,Friday & Saturday the Town Hall was open,and people of Meltham and visitors could take a look at the display of Archive materials which had been collected over a number of years.This event was very popular,people were crowding in,some coming everyday to look at the photos of past events,and read from newspaper cuttings collected since 1918 to the present day. Coffee was served and Meltham Councillors were on hand to answer questions. All together,a very succesful Centenary Celebration of the opening of the Town Hall. The Town Hall is now owned by Kirklees Metropolian Council, Meltham Council having the use of the first floor of the building for the Council Chamber and Office for the Town Clerk. The building one hundred years on is in good repair,and still used as intended by Charles Brook in 1898,for Council Business.

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5 Mebruary 1998

Service of Chanksgiving

at Meltham Methodist Church

led by: Rev Peter Caylor

‘Preacher:

Rev Martin Russell

Organist: Mr Clive

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Welcome: Rev. Peter Taylor

Hymn: 1. PRAISE, my soul, the King of heaven; To his feet thy tribute bring. Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven, Who like thee his praise should sing? Praise him! Praise him! Praise the everlasting King!

2. Praise him for his grace and favour To our fathers in distress; Praise him, still the same for ever, Slow to chide, and swift to bless. Praise him! Praise him! Glorious in his faithfulness.

3. Father-like, he tends and spares us; Well our feeble frame he knows; In his hands he gently bears us, Rescues us from all our foes. Praise him! Praise him! Widely as his mercy flows.

4. Angels in the height, adore him; Ye behold him face to face; Sun and moon, bow down before him, Dwellers all in time and space. Praise him! Praise him! Praise with us the God of grace!

Prayers: Prayers of thanksgiving. (Rev Peter Taylor) Reading: Mark 1@ vs. 35-45

Chairman of Council - Mrs Dorothy Cooper Sermon: Rev Martin Russell

Hymn: 1. MAKE

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2. 3. Prayers: Hymn: 1. 2. 3.

Benediction:

Make me a channel of your peace. Where there’s despair in life, let me bring hope; Where there is darkness, only light; And where there’s sadness, ever joy:

O Master, grant that I may never seek So much to be consoled as to console; To be understood as to understand; To be loved, as to love with all my soul.

Make me a channel of your peace. It is in pardoning that we are pardoned, In giving to all men that we receive, And in dying that we're born to eternal life.

For Meltham Community and Town Council. (Rev Martin Russell)

NOW thank we all our God, With hearts and hands and voices, Who wondrous things has done, In whom his world rejoices; Who from our mothers’ arms Has blessed us on our way With countless gifts of love, And still is ours today.

O may this bounteous God Through all our life be near us, With ever joyful hearts And blessed peace to cheer us; And keep us in his grace, And guide us when perplexed, And free us from all ills In this world and the next.

All praise and thanks to God The Father now be given, The Son, and him who reigns With them in highest heaven, The one eternal God, Whom earth and heaven adore, For thus it was, is now, And shall be evermore

(Collection during this hymn - Meltham Helping Hands)

Rev Martin Russell

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Che Legacy 5

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MELTHAM

authority held theic first meeting premises. The councillors present were Messrs.

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I January 25th,

Disersion of footpath at Meltham. Messrs. Quarmby and Sykes have aranged with the I

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Meltham Hall

A fine old two storey mansion,standing in 25 acres of wooded parkland,this elegant 40 roomed house was built in 1641 by William Leigh Brook,grandson of William Brook founder of Meltham Mills.It was extended on the South ‘iest side in 1866. The Rev.eHughes described it as"one striking feature in the Meltham Hills landscape-The handsome family mansion-Neltham Hall-which,standing on a slightly elevated plain,and in the midst of tastefully arranged grounds has,from every roint of view, a very imposing effect." The enclosure map of Meltham (1532) shows that part of the land for the estate was already owned by members of the Brook family.Other parts of the land were owned by James Bower and John Haigh,also by Meltham Curacy. The Tithe Map of 1848 shows the newly built hall and the layout of the estate which 1S Similar to what it is now.The drive is there,the stables and hall-smaller in size than before it was extended,the pond and surrounding paths,including that to

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Meltham Hall(cont)

Upstairs was the Music Room,used if there was company as it was more comfortable than the

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Gift Of Meltham Hall To The Public

Meltham Hall,together with three cottages and about 25actes of land,was presented to Meltham Urban District Council for the ben- fit of the people of Meltham and Meltham Mills,by the family of the late Mr. and Mrs, T.J.Hirst,to perpetuate the memory of their parents. Beautifully situated,the hall is spacious,and its grounds con- tain farm buildings, garages,stables,pasturage,curling rink, cricket field,rose garden and kitchen garden. The gift was formally accepted at the monthly meeting of the Council held on Monday 17th July 1944,when Councillor P.Matthews pesided. Mr.T.J.Hirst who died on Feb. 17th 1927,was a director of Messr Jonas Brook and Bros.Meltham Mills,Mrs Hirst died on Easter Sunday 1944, Both Mr.and Mrs.Hirst were generous supporters of many social and philanthropic organisations in the district and were closely connected with St.James's Church,Meltham Mills.Their passing was a great loss to Meltham Mills,and the gift is a fitting tribute to their memory,The grounds will make an ideal park and will be developed in accordance with the wishes of the donors,but the beauries of the place will be preserved for all time Councillor Matthews said that the conditions attached to the gift were not onerous.The principal ones were:- 1 That field number 743,lying between the Hall and Meltham Mills Church,shall be kept as an open space in perpetuity.No bui-

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Meltham Hall,Social Centre

A 100 year old mansion,Meltham Hall,which has forty rooms,has been transformed into a staff dining-room and social centre for employ- ees of the Meltham factory of David Brown Tractors Ltd. This handsome building standing in twenty-five acres of wooded parkland close to the factory,is to be officially opened on Monday 4th Nov.1952 Attending the function will be Mr.David Brown(Chair- man and Managing Director). In one sense it is appropriate that the hall should now become a social centre for Browns employees,because it was originally built in 1841 by the late Mr.William L.Brook,a director of United Thread Mills the former occupiers of the premises in Meltham Mills The hall and grounds were given to Meltham Council,and in 1951 the property was leased to David Brown Tractors.The use of part of the hall as a staff dining-room will relieve the pressure on the main canteen of the firm. Extensive alterations modernising and adapting the hall have now been completed.The floor of the main dining-hall is composed of oak blocks which will make an excellent dance-floor,and provision has been made for the eventual addition of a stage at one end of the hall.The ground floor is well supplied with cloakrooms which could easily be converted into dressing-rooms for theatrical and concert purposes. All the original woodwork has been renovated and polished and interior walls spray-painted in a series of pastel shades with murals and other decorative motifs.The walls of the

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Death of Mr.and Mrs.Wm.Leigh Brook of Meltham Hall

With feelings of sincere regreds,we perform the mournfull task of recording the death of William Leigh Brook,and also that of his beloved wife,which have both occured during the week of the 15th Sept.1855,and under circumstances of painful interest to many families bereaved by the sudden visitation,and also to a numerous circle of admiring friends and the entire population of the village in which Mr.Brook resided,who felt the loss most acutely.The circumstancers connected with this double death are as follows:-About a month ago,Mr.Brook and his wife left home for a joutney on the continent,including to visit some of the pricipal cities and baths of Germany.They had completed a good portion of their journey,having passed through Switzerland and ultimately reached Frankfort-on the-Maine.At Basle in Switzerland,the cholera was very prevalent during the period of their short stay; but short as the stay was it sufficed to sow in the frame of the pair,the seeds of death.Departing from Basle,they reached Frank- fort as speedily as possible,and soon after their arrival the symptons of cholera manifested in Mrs.Brook.A few hours,and all was over;she had fallen a victim to that terrible scourge;and in the evening of that same day;Monday 17th Sept 1855,was consigned to the grave.The feelings of many families in this neighbourhood, with whom Mr.Mrs Brook were connected by tender ties,were most distresingly excited by the reception of this painful information communicated by telegraph.On the receipt of this news,Mr.Charles Brook Jun. brother of Mr.W.L.Brook & Mr.Edward Armitage, brother- in-law,started for the continent to meet the bereaved mourner of amost loving wife;desiring the former(by telegraph)to instantly leave Frankfort and meet them at another German town,Mr.Brook acted upon this recommendation,and proceeded further on his jour- ney home-wards than the town named,having on Wednesday morning of 19th Sept reached Cologne.Here,however the disease put a stop to his progress,and also to his existence.Afew hours of suffering and the earthly existence of this gentleman was ended.Whether his relatives reached Cologne in time to witness the mournful end, this is not known,but it is beleived,that they had the satisfaction of weeping over the remains of their brother,as he was consigned to the dust.The information was again telegraphed to the folks at home. William Leigh Brook was the eldest son of the late James Brook of Thornton Lodge,and afterwards of Boston near Wetherby.He was the senior partner in the lamed Meltham Mills,conducted under the style of Jonas Brook and Bros. Mr. Brook was married twice.In 1840 he married Charlotta,daugh- ter of Joseph Armitage of Milnsbridge House.At her death she left two children,who are still living to mourn the loss of kind and affectionate parents.For his second wife he married Emily,daugh- ter of Mr.Armitage.She adorifed in an eminence degree the dom- estic circle,possessing a most affable temper and great kindness of heart.Her mournful end is deeply lamented by a large circle of relations and friends.Three children are the offspring of this second marriage, Thus at the early age of 46,but ripe with honours,has William Leigh Brook descended to the grave,amid the sorrows and regrets of the district.

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Death of Charles John Brook

The unexpected death of the truly philanthropic gentleman, which took place at his residence at Thickhollins on Tuesday evening Feb.17th 1857,after a short but very severe affliction, has caused a deeper sensation in this neighbourhood than any circumstance of the like nature,in the same locality,since the unfortunate demise of his cousin the late W.L.Brook.His loss will be seerely felt and deeply deplored,not only by his family and relatives and more immediate friends,but by the public generally,by whom he was held in the highest estimation as gent- leman,a philanthropist and a Christian,and of whose sons of bene- volence and charity it may be truly said there were no bounds. The sick and the afflicted,the poor and the distressed,the aged, the infirm,the fatherless,and the widow,were alike the objects of his constant enquiry,care and attention,and ever found at his bountiful hand a ready and liberal supply for their numerous and diversified

Page 29

Lamented Death of Joseph Brook,Esq.,J.P.

Yesterday morning Friday July 16th 1858,at 40 minutes after seven o'clock,in the 72nd year of his age,passed away from amo- ngst us one of the most able and uesful men this town ever poss- ossed.Girted with great ability,and of a powerful bodily frame, Mr.Brook was.even in his last days,capable of undergoing fatigues which would have subdued most men,and his energies were to their utmost limits,devoted to the promotion of the well-being of this town,in the continued prosperity of which he felt a deep and abid- ing interest. Mr.Brook was the fourth son of the late Mr.William Brook,of Thick Hollins,near Meltham,where the subject of this memoir was born.He was early in life initiated into habits of business,and was sent to London,where he and his elder brother William became the town correspondents of the Huddersfield Banking firm of Will- iam Brook and Sons. Mr.Brook delighed to recount the adventures of his first journey to London.He started from Leeds in a six-inside coach;and three days and two nights were occupied in the journey-a striking con- trast to that wonderful change in locomotion,in the furtherance of which he afterwards took so large a share. After remaining some years in London,Mr.Brook returned and settled down at Huddersfield,where he became a partner with three of his brothers,in the firm of William Brook and Sons,bankers and woolstaplers;and with his four brothers in the firm of Jonas Brook and Bros,at Meltham Mills.He was afterwards a leading pat- ner in the firm of Riley,Brook and Co.of Huddersfield.London and Magdeburgh,extensive merchants and importers of wool;and he fin- ally succeeded to that concern under the firm of Josh Brook Sons and Golden. For the last 25 years Mr.Brook has been the adviser-the un- failing counseller to whom every one resorted on matters of pub- lic importance, as well as on private and family interests.re- markably clear in his apprehension of facts and wonderfully quick in his decisions,he was enabled to get through a large amount of business with rapidity and correctness.Priding himself upon his candour to others,he required the observance of it towards him- self,and nothing shortof ingratitude did pleased him more than insincerity;and he would cut short at once any negociation the moment he thought he was not honourably met. In the discharge of his duties as a Railway Director,Mr.Brook has been most indefatigable.To him,to a great extent,this town is indebted for that beautiful Station front and square,the construc- tion of which led to the formation of John William Street,and what may be called"new Huddersfield"-the most beautiful of the man- ufacturing towns of the north;and to his exertions we are largely indebted for the railway accommodation now so simply a orded to the town.In fact,the last few years of his life have been spent in promotin;the welfare of the railway company of which he was a director,and to the institutious of the town,to the entire dis- regard of his own personal comfort;indeed personal neglect may be shortly given as the cause of his death. Mr.Brook has filled all the offices of consequence in this town He was for many years a director of the Huddersfield Banking Com- pany,of which he was one of the founders;and he was a governor and founder of the Old Dispensary,and afterwards one of the found ers of the Infirmary,Of all the public achievments of his life, the completion of the Cemetery and the Model Lodgin House were those on which he dwelt with the greates pleasure. To walk in the Cemetery on a summer evening,or even in the early spring was an enjoyment in which he frequently did.

Page 30

Death of the Vicar of Almondbury

On Sunday evening 26th Aug.1866,about ten o'clock,after a few days illness,the Rev.Lewis Jones,vicar of Almondbury,and father to Mrs Charles John Brook of Thickhollins,resigned his spirit into the hands of the God who gave it.The long and prominent part which the rev.gentleman played in the ecclesiastical affairs of this district entitles his memory to a few words of parting regret.The deceased vicar was the younger son of a country gentleman resident in the neighbourhood of Aberystwith.Mr.Jones was born in the year 1795,and was educated under Professor Williams at Ysteadmerig Grammar School.From this place he removed to the grammar school at Clitheroe,in Lancashire,where he remained several years as one of its masters.During his residence at this place he succeded in gaining the esteem of the governors of the institution,especially so of the Rev. Prebendary Parker,rector of Bentham.Through the influence of this gentleman's family Mr.Jones was presented to the vicarage of Almondbury ,which appointment was unsought,andun- asked for by him.Mr.Jones was instituted to the living in the year 1822,and had consequently been vicar 44years.Shortly after his appointment to Almondbury,he had presented to him the rector- ship of Newport,in Wales.At the time of this presentation,the church schools,and parsonage at Newport were ina very dilapid- ated condition and Mr. Jones generously relinquished the revenues of the rectory,which he set apart for the restoration.The restor- ation of the church and schools being completed,Mr.Jones nomina- ted and presented the curacy of the place to the Rev.James Tide- more,the then curate of Upperthong,near Holmfirth.The parish of Almondbury,over which the rev.gentleman had so long presided,ex- tends over an area of 30,140 acres,and at the time he entered to the living scarely any church or school accommodation,In those days it was not uncommon thing for Mr.Jones to be taken from the comforts of his home at all hours of the night,to trudge for miles in the company of unknown guides,through irregular and trackless footpaths to the cottage of some poor parishioner.A deep sense of his responsibility,as vicar of a parish so exten- Sive,led him to consult and

Page 31

Public Funeral of Joseph Brook Esq.J.P.

On Saturday morning July 17th 1858,a large and influential meet- ing of gentlemen was held in the Guildhall,for the purpose of considering what steps should be taken to afford the inhabitants of Huddersfield an opportunity of publicly expressing their sorrow at the loss the town had sustained in the death of Jos. Brook.The meeting was convened by the Constable,who on the previous day had issued circulars to about 100 leading public men.Shortly after ten o'clock fully that number were present. The Constable took the chair,and after reading the circular, proceeded to explain the object he had in view in calling the meeting.He said the moment he heard of the death of the venerated friend,he consulted with several gentlemen,all of whom advised him to issue a circular to convene a meeting of gentlemen of the town and neighbourhood.This he had done,and he was sure he should have the excuse and support of the meeting for the step he had taken,He felt that the town would not permit such a good man's remains to be consigned to the silent tomb without according to them some mark of respect. Mr.Jos.Turner vice-chairman of the Improvement Commissioners, said that Mr.Brooks remains should be honoured by a pulic funeral should such a course be agreeable to the feelings of his family. With the view of ascertaining this,himself and another gentleman waited upon the family and learned from them that such a course would not be repugnant to their feelings. Mr.Geo.Armitage moved :-That this meeting deeply sympathises with the family of the late Mr.Joseph Brook in the heavy bereave- ment they have sustained by his lamented death:and would,if it be agreeable to the feelings of the family,solicit permission for the inhabitants generally to mark their deep sense of Mr.Brook's great worth in all relations of life,by following his remains to the tomb.This wa s carried unanimiously.. Bills were put out announcing the day of the funeral,the pro- posed order of procession from the house of the deceased to the Parish Church,and suggesting that on the solemn occasion the shops in the line of route should be closed,

The Funeral Procession Thusday 22nd July

The gentlemen who intended to take part in the procession met in the Philosophical Hall,at ten o'clock.Amongst the public bodies present were-The Water Works Commissioners,the Improvement Comm- issioners and the Board of Guardians,The clergy present were The Ven.Archdeacon Musgrave vicar of Halifax;the Revs.C.A.Hulbert, Slaithwate;R.Crowe,Woodhouse.S.Westbrook.St.Johns;James Brook, incumbent of Helme,Meltham;A.Smith,Collegiate School;A.T.Wood, Trinity;W.Barker and B.Town,Parish Church;J.W.Town,Lindley; Charles Packer,LongwoodOf ministers—Rev.R.Ray,G.W.Olver;R.New- stead Wesleyan;R.Skinner,S.Chisholm.Independent;J.Collier,Wesle- yan Free Church.The magistrates present were J.T.Fisher,Marsden, John Brooke Armitage Bridge;T.P.Crosland,J.Moorhouse,W,Willans and J.T.Armitage. Mr.J.Armitage the Clerk of the Board of Works announced the order of the procession,the route,and the arrangements to be ob- served,The procession then formed in the hall,and proceeded up Ramsden Street,along New Street,John William Street and the road at Bath Buildings to the residence of the deceased at Newhouse, from which place the order of the procession was as follows. Detachment of Police,headed by Superintendent Beaumont and Heaton The Magistrates of the District,Their Clerks,Constable of Hudders- field,The Improvement Commissioners,Mr.Alexander Hathorn and Mr.

Thomas Brook,the Resident Agent of the Ramsden Estate,The Water- works Commissioners,The Board of Guardians,The Railway Officials,

The Friends of the Deceased,four abreast Numbering 350,The Clergy and Ministers of all Denominations.

Page 32

Funeral Cont.

A Mourning Coach,containing the Vicar of Huddersfield and Dr. Turnbull.Mutes,The Hearse with Body.Morning Coaches,First con- taing Mr.G.H.Brook and Mr.John Brook,sons of the deceased;Mr, Jere.Riley,son-in-law;Mr.John Riley,grandson;Second,containing, Mr.Charles Riley,grandson;Mr.Walter Brook,Mr.Charles Brook and Mr.William Brook,nephews,Third containg Mr.Charles Brook,the only remaining brother of the deceased;and Mr.Edward Brook, nephew. Family carriages:-Mr.Jere Rileys,Mr.Charles Brook's Healey House,Mr.Charles Brook's jun.Meltham Mills. Private Carriages.George Armitage,Milnsbridge House,Mrs Starkey Springwood,John Brooke,Armitage Bridge,Joseph Armitage,Birkby Lodge,Mr.Edward Armitage Edgerton Hill,Bentley Shaw,Woodfield House,J.T.Fisher,Marsden,Mr.Beaumont Taylor York House.Second Detachment of Police. The procession which now numbered more than 500 persons,went down Bradley Lane,New North Road,Westgate and Kirkgate to the Parish Church.Along the whole route the shops and other places of business were entirely closed,Thousands of people had congregated and lined the streets to watch the procession;and the whole of the time it was marching,the bells of the Parish Church rang a muffled peal.On the arrival of the procession at the gates of the Parish Church,the police remained outside to preserve order.The procession proceeded to the entrance of the Church,and then with the exception of the clergy and ministers-formed in line right and left,extending from the west door to the gates of the chuch, and up the street to the Market place.Through the lines thus formed,the body was carried to the church,proceeded by ministers and followed by the mourners-the pall bearers being Captain Arm- itage,Mr.John Freeman,Mr.Joseph Shaw,John Brooke,Mr.Thomas Hayley and Joseph Turner. The corpse was received at the church door by the Vicar,who proceeded it into the church reading the introductory sentences of the magnificent and touching"Burial service for the dead" The Dead March in Saul"was played upon the organ until the whole of the gentlemen were seated.The Vicar then proceeded with the ser- vice.The portion of the service to be read in the church being, ended,they then moved to the crypt.The family vault in which the body was to be deposited and which is situated at the south-west side of the transept,had been strewn with flowers.The sevice con- cluded.The mourners then formed in the churchyard,and then the procession then returned up Kirkgate to the Market Place,where it dispersed.

Page 33

Marriage of Mr.Edward Brook and Miss Emma Brooke Tuesday 30th June 1863

Tuesday was an interesting day at Honley,occasioned by the marr- iage of Miss Emma Brooke,fourth daughter of the late Thos.Brooke, Northgate House, Honley, to Edward Brook,Bent House,Meltham-one of the firm of Jonas Brook and Brothers,Meltham Mills.It is pleas- ing to witness the lively interest which all classes in Honley take in any event connected with the worthy family at Northgate House.The inhabitants of Honley are ever ready to mourn with it, or to rejoice with it,according to the occasion,and Tuesday's

Page 34

Marriage of Mr.Edward Brook and Miss Emma Brooke

At the conclusion of the ceremony,the organ thundered forth Mes- delssohn's "Wedding March"followed by the "Hallelujah Chorus". Throughout the whole service,the strictest decorum was observed by the numerous spectators.After the necessary entries had been made and signed in the vesrty,the wedding party retired in pro- cession from the church,headed by the bridegroom and bride,when her path was strewed with flowers by the twelve little girls dressed in white.The carriages were then entered,and as each drove away the air was rent with the cheers of the people.And thus the great pageant of the day ended,During the afternoon the newly mar- ried couple left Northgate House and proceeded by rail on their wedding tour.

Page 35

Marriage of Mr.Charles Brook Jun.and Miss Elizabeth Hirst Thursday February 20th 1860

Page 36

Marriage Rejoicings

On Thursday evening 19th April 1860,a display of fireworks, such as never seen here before took place in the Cricket Field, Meltham Mills,in honour of the marriage of Charles Brook,jun., which took place about two months ago.Which was postponed as stated previously.On Thursday morning last,the inhabitants of this village were alive,and several flags were hoisted,a very large one floating from the top of the mills.At seven o'clock in the evening,the work-people,together with hundreds from the sur- rounding villages,assembled in the Cricket Field,the Meltham Mill Brass Band playing some lively airs.The fireworks commenced about eight o'clock,and lasted an hour.They were under the man- agement of Mr.Bruce,Pyrotechnist to Belle Vue Gardens,Manchester, and they included many most ingenious devices.One was a temple, with decorated scrolls,containing the words,"Happiness to C.and E.Brook;"there was a beautiful Transparency in the Temple of Fire supported by columns,bearing the emblem of “Hand-in-Hand",under- neath which was the "The True Lovers

Page 37

Treat to the Workpeople Friday 20th July 1860

The great trip and treat to the workpeople of Messrs Jonas Brook and Bros,Meltham Mills,in honour of the marriage of Charles Brook,jun.,senior partner of the firm,came off on Friday 20th July The readers will,no doubt,be aware of the circumstances which have led to the postponement of the treat until now.As early as three o'clock on the morning of the trip,the good people of the district were busy stirring,and Meltham and Meltham Mills seemed all alive all were preparing for their journey.At four o'clock,the process- ion,being divided into divisions under different flags,wended its way to Slaithwaite Station,when two trains,of upwards of twenty carriages,were filled,and off they went,stopping at Huddersfield to take up the workpeople from Rashcliffe.They then went a-head via Leeds,Harrogate,Knaresbrough,York,and Malton to Scarbrough where they arrived a little before twelve o'clock,having been six hours on the road.Arrived at Scarbrough,they formed themselves into procession,and headed by the Meltham Mills Brass Band,march- ed through the streets to Castle Hill,and here they would have had a pleasant and fine view of the sea,but the day was very dull and they had not been on the hill long before the rain came down in torrents,and made them scamper back to the town,some of them receiving a complete drenching.This spoiled the whole affair,the rain falling heavily for a long time,thus preventing the work- people from viewing the various sights in Scarbrough.Some,however did manage to avail themselves of a bathe in the sea,others had donkey rides,&c., whilst others went out into the sea in small boats.At five o'clock,they all assembled in a field opposite the Station,and partook of tea.The trains started back at six o8clock and arrived at Slaithwaite a little before twelve

Page 38

Testimonial to Charles Brook jun., June 16th 1860

The teachers belonging to St.James's Sunday school,Meltham Mills met on Saturday evening June 16th,in the school-room,to present a testimonial to Charles Brook,jun.,Esq.,J.P. Mr Brook has recently been married,and as he has always taken a very deep interest in this school,the teachers thought it a very fitting opportunity of presenting him with a testimonial as a “marriage token".The test- imonial consisted of a most elegant silver ink-stand,value nine guineas,It was presented in a very neat speech by J.W.Carlile, Esq Others also of the teachers spoke in very eulogistic terms of Mr.Brook;who acknowledged the gift in a very feeling manner. It was quite unexpected by him.

Page 39

Presentation To Charles Brook Jun.

On Saturday June 16th 1866 the teachers and scholars of St. James's Sunday School,Meltham Mills.met in the Dining-hall, for the purpose of presenting to Charles Brook,jun.a timepiece,and an address expressive of their regret at having to part with one who had faithfully and zealously performed the duties of superintend- ent for a great number of years.It may be as well to state,that Mr.Brook having taken a very active part in business for upwards of forty years,and having succeeded in raising the firm,of which he is the head,to such a degree of eminence, that it is now sec- ond to none in the kingdom,he has for the last few years thought he should like to retire from the bustle and turmoil of business, and spend the rest of his life in peace and quietude.Accordingly in the early part of last year he purchased Enderby Hall estate, Situate near Leicester.Since that time great alterations have been going on at the hall,in renovating and

Page 40

Presentation to Charles Brook jun.cont,

years as you have at Meltham Mills in the past;and that when the end shall come,you may have an abundant entrance given you into the kingdom above,not as the reward of works,but as the free gift of grace through the atoning blood and merits of our Saviour Christ.We beg your acceptance of a timepiece as a small token of our gratitude. Meltham

Page 41

Reception of Mr.and Mrs.Charles Brook on Their Taking Possession of Enderby Hall June 28th 1866 Some months ago,it was announced that Charles Brook had pur- chased Enderby Hall estate.Since then,extensive alterations and additions have been made to the hall,from the designs,and under the able superintendence of, Messrs J.Kirk and Sons,architects,of Huddersfield and the painting and decorations were entrusted to, and carried out by Messrs Marsh and Jones,Leeds. The estate,which contains about 1,000 acres,80 of which form a well wooded park in front of the hall,lies partly in the vale of the Soar;rises gradually towards the village,near to which,and on a gentle acclivity stands the hall;a large and commodious mansion with pleasant grounds,and extensive park surrounded by rocky and well wooded scenery commanding excellent views of the lovely vale and the distant hills of Houghton andBillesdon on the east,and Bradgate and the forest on the north.The former was the residence of the unfortunate Lady Jane Grey. The village of Enderby,which is large and populous,is pleasantly Situated on the summit and sides of a high hill,about five miles

Page 42

Enderby Hall

The following is a description of Enderby Hall as it now stands in 1866,"The whole structure is built in the Italian style of architecture,and has a bold appearance.The interior consists of, in the basement.large and commodious cellars;on the ground floor portico entrance hall,garden entrance,two staircases,dining room, drawing-room,library,schoolroom,housekeepers sitting room,servants hall,kitchen,skullery,butler's pantry,two store-rooms,cook's pan- try,housekeeper's store-room,hat and coat room,lavatory;on the first chamber floor,large landing,billiard-room,approached by a separate staircase in the tower,nine bedrooms,with dressing rooms

Page 43

Funeral of Charles Brook (jun) at Enderby on Monday 15th July 1872

On Monday afternoon,the mortal remains of the late Charles Brook of Enderby and Meltham Mills were interred in the Church- yard of Enderby,in the presence of a numerous assembly of mourn- ers.Aconsiderable number of persons assembled in the church-yard some time prior to the appearance of the funeral procession, which left Enderby Hall,alittle after two o'clock.The tenants of the estate came first,and were followed by the officiating clergy men,the medical gentleman,and the undertakers.The bier with the coffin followed.The coffin was made of polished oak,with raised carved mouldings,massive brass furniture,and handles of an eccles- iastical design.It bore the following inscription. Charles Brook Born 18th November,1813, Died 10th July 1872 I The new bier carriage on which the coffin travelled to the church was draped with black cloth,while the pall was of a most chaste and elaborate character.This was made of violet cloth,with gold embroidery,and was trimmed with white lace,and bore round the edge the text"Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord"and in gold letters of the fifteenth century.The mourners immediately followed the bier,and amongst them were J.Dearman Birchall;Captain Cecil Drummond;G.H.Brook (Huddersfield);William Hirst(Leeds)Edward Mills);Jhn Freeman(Huddersfield;Edward Armitage (Huddersfield;the Rev.J.R.Jagoe(Meltham Mills)Julius Hirst(Wood Cottage,Meltham;J.W.Carlile(Meltham Mills)A.C.Armitage,Thos.D. Scholes(Meltham)deputation from the Conservative Association; deputation from the Licensed Victuallers;and from the

Page 44

Meltham Mills

There was also a special sevice at Meltham Mills Church on Monday afternoon.In the absence of the Rev.J.R.Jagoe,the vicar,the Rev G. Hough,vicar of South Crosland offciated,It was arrenged that the work people should assemble at the dining-hall and walk in pro- cession to the church.Long before the hour appointed for the pro- cession to leave,the spacious room was well filled with persons dressed in mourning attire.The only public body in Meltham is the Local Board,the members of which assembled at the Board room and walked to the dining hall to join the procession.The following were the gentlemen present:-Messrs C.F.Gooddy(chairman) James Robinson, JohnSykes,A,Thewlis,Nimrod Earnshaw,William Haigh,R.Red- fern,W,Bamford and James Battye.At the time appointed the process- ion marched to the church,and as it entered the sacred edifice the "Dead March"was paled upon the organ.and had a solemn effect. The service was a special one,during which Luther's hymn,with trumpet accompaniment was sung by the congregation,as was also a special hymn composed for the occasion.The sermon was preached by the Rev.G.Hough,who selected his text from the 15th chapter Ist Corinthians.After which he spoke of his personal knowledge of Mr.Charles Brook.After which the congregation left the church.

Page 45

The Late Mrs.Charles Brook of Enderby and Meltham Mills.

Her worth as a benefactress to the poor of Meltham and as a co- adjutor with her late husband,Charles Brook,Esq.J.P. of Meltham Hall,in those works of public and private benevolence with which his name was more or less associated is too highly estimated to render it necessary in this neighbourhood to expatiate thereon. But to show how the deceased lady and her husband were valued for their works sake in their adopted home of retirement for the past few years,and also to recount the immediate cause of the late lamented lady's decease,we extract the following paragraph from the Leicester Weekly Post of Saturday last Feb.lst 1879

Death of Mrs Charles Brook of Enderby Hall-We regret to announce the death of Mrs Brook of Enderby Hall.Leicestershire,which took place at her residence there on Monday afternoon 27th. Jan.1879. The deceased lady had been under medical treatment for some time for cancer in the breast,and at length the disease assumed such a form that an operation was deemed necessary.Sir James Paget advised,and Mr.Marriott performed the operation and though all was done that the highest medical skill could suggest,the

Page 47

Marriage of Mr.Charles Brook of Meltham

The marriage of Mr.charles Brook of Meltham second son of Mr. Edward Brook of Meltham and Hoddom Castle with Miss Mbel Frances Brook,third daughter of Mr.William Brook of Hazlewood,Bournemouth took place on Thursday 17th November 1892 in Holy Trinity Church Bournemouth.There was a large congregation and the church was nicely decorated with flowers.Red baize was laid down outside and inside the church.The bride,who was given away by her father,wore a broche dress,trimmed with Brussels point lace and a girdle of orange blossom.The ornaments were a diamond crescent and a diaman- te the gifts of the bride-groom and the bride carried a white shower bouquet.The bridesmaids were Miss Alice and Miss Be atrice Brook,sisters of the bride.Miss Mary Brook sister of the bride- groom Misses Grace Brook,Ethel Benson and Margaret Bartlett cousins of the bride and bridegroom and Miss Alice Elliot.They wore dresses of cream,trimmed with gold silk and passementerie ornaments,small horn and fox brooches and carried shower bouquets of yellow chryanthemums.The cermony was performed by the Venerable Archdeacon Brooke vicar of Halifax,uncle of the assisted by Canon Elliot,of Bournemouth.The bride's going away dress was of brown cloth,trimmed with brown velvet,hat to match and sealskin jacket,the gift of the bridegroom,They then left Bournemouth fo Devonshire,for a driving tour. As Mr.Charles Brook was the parner having the supervision of Messrs Jonas Brook and Bros Mills at Holmfirth,the wedding day was duly observed at those works.Many flags were flying,and it was also decided to celebrate the event in a permanent manner. A new chimney stack being erected at the works to the height of 150ft and as a height of 100ft was reached on Thursday the men at the works,ascended the chimney and laid the large stone on the pile bearing the year of erection 1892.In cavity was placed a bottle,which contained a document setting forth the events of day.As Mr,Charles is greatly respected at the mills.it was decid- ed to place the fact on record in this unique,but interesting way Last week Mr.Brook had a presentation made to him by the work- people at Meltham Mills,The present consisted of a very handsome timpiece and elegant ornaments of the total value of 50 guineas. Mr.John Heywood one of the oldest workmen.made the presentation.

Page 49

Death of Charles Brook,Esq.,of Healey House Saturday 13th Nov.1869

It was with deep regret that we record the death of Mr.Charles Brook of Healey House at the advanced age of

Page 50

Death of Charles Brook Esq.cont.

The corpes,enclosed in a polished oak coffin,was met at the church gate by the Rev.H.C.Green,curate of Helme,and the Rev.G. Hough,vicar of South Crosland,and conducted into the church the former minister repeating"I am the resurrection,&c" In the sacred edifice the first portion of the burial service was read Mr.Hough reading the 15th chapter of Corinthians.Both gentlemen took part in the service at the grave side,a vault at the east end of the church yard,and immediately at the foot of the grave of the de- ceased's grandchild,Miss Blomfield.During the lowering of the coffin into its last resting place many eyes shed tears for the loss of a good master,sincere friend,and a sympathiser with dis- tress,whatever may have been its nature.

Page 51

Marriage of Miss Clara Brook of Meltham Hall 25th April 1861

A joyous event,such as the marriage of a lady"as fair as good" to one whose manliness and position commend him as a fitting protector for her wealth and beauty,is one that even under ordin- ary circumstances,cannot pass off with a mere notice;still less is that the case when society recognises the change-when the fam- ily pride and wealth of the district flock to give it their coun- tenance-when an expansion of feeling amounting to a complete dem- onstration is manifested-and when the toilsome current of business is diverted into another channel,in order to flood the occasion with deserved honour.Such and event smiled on Thursday last on that prosperous hive of industry-Meltham Mills,which,like a tran- satlantic off-shoot of an old country,has advanced with a rapidity which contrasts favourably with the original,and which is now in a fair way of obtaining what has lately been so much needed to enable it to keep pace with the spirit of enterprise it possesses railway communication. Situated in a spot which nature intended as a model of t he pictiresque.stands Meltham Hall,a handsome stone by the late lamented William Leigh Brook,and at present occupied by C.Brook jun.,J.P.At the extremity to the front of the beautiful pleasure grounds which surriund it the extensive cotton mills of the firm are reared like monuments of industry,exhibiting their spacious frontage full to view.Attached to the left wing,and att- racting attention from its superior appearance.is the spacious concert—hall and assembly-room,which the munificence of the pro- prietor has prompted him to erect for the benefit of the workmen; while a little further to the left the eye turns to the church, built on rising ground,overlooking the turnpike rod,and only a short distance from the Hall,from which it is approached by a pr- ivate walk through the gardens and pleasure grounds. It was in the locality pictured by this description that on Thursday last enthusiasm let loose her bounds,and happiness reig- ned supreme on the occasion of the marriage of John Dearman Birc- hall,of Leeds,to Miss Clara Jane Brook,of Meltham Hall,eldest daughter of the late W.Leigh Brook,and niece to the present Chas. Brook,jun.,one of the proprietors of Meltham Mills. The morn was gaily welcomed in,despite the dimming of its maiden splendours by a few threarening clouds.The Meltham Mills Brass Band sounded a tune of praise on its opening

Page 52

Marriage of Miss Clara Brook cont.

artificial water lilies,roses,and other flowers.Underneath this the whole of the bridal party had to pass to and from the carri- ages,which entered at the church gates,and then passed under an arch of evergreens out of the churchyard into the hall grounds, and from thence to the entrance described above. Each pinnacle of the abutments of the tower of the church was decorated with ever- greens and flags.The union jack floated gaily from an ornamental flag-staff at an elevsated point near the entrance to the church- yard,while from the cotton and silk mills other large flags tri- umphantly waved.Indeed at all points holiday indications were visible. The number of visitors multiplied hourly from as early as nine o'clock until the ceremony took place.From Huddersfield and the district for miles round,came crowds of well dressed ladies in carriages and other descriptions of vehicles,besides many others on foot;and by ten o'clock the numbers waiting for admission into the church were amply sufficient to fill it had they been admitted There appeared but few in the village who were not arrayed in holiday attire;indeed,the hearty personal interest which all see- med to experience in the happy consummation of the day must be a source of gratifying satisfaction to their benevolent employer; and was certainly one of the most pleasing manifestations of the day. At eleven o'clock,the time fixed for the ceremony,all was expec- tation,both inside and outside the church.All available space for obtaining a view of the bridal corege was occupied.An array of ladies,such as is seldom seen even on occasions of this nature, graced the pews as spectators.The church,in fact,was crowded;while on the outside,some thousands of people were assembled.Exclusive of these,between 500 and 600 scholars at the Sunday and week-day schools connected with the mills,were ranged on either side of the walk leading from the canopy at which the party had to alight to the church-door;and of these twelve girls—consisting of Miss Brook's own class-were dressed in white,with white caps,and were Stationed to the right and left of the entrance to the church.A rich Brussels carpet extended from the canopy to the altar. Shortly after eleven O'clock,the carriage containing the young and beautiful bride expectant,arrived at the entrance,having been immediately preceded by the following young ladies as bridesmaids Miss Charlette Amelia Brook and Miss Sarah Helen Brook,sisters to the bride;Miss Starkey,Spring Wood;Miss Agnes Starkey,Spring Wood Miss Harris,Ryshworth Hall,Bingley;Miss Sophia Harris,Ryshworth Hall,Bingley;Miss Frances Brook,Northgate House,Honley;Miss Hughes Meltham Parsonage.Miss Brook was accompamied by her uncle Charles Brook,jun., who escorted her into the church,followed by her ret- inue.The two first named toung ladies are the daughters of the late William Leigh Brook,by his second wife-two children,whose appearance,in their dresses of white attreacted considerable att- ention.The dresses of the ladies were of a magnificent, though of an exceedingly chaste description.The bride wore a dress of rich white satin,lace veil,and wreath of orange blosoms,and the bride- maids were attired in dresses of rich glace silk,with tulle veils and green and white wreaths. The bridegroom was accompanied to the alter by Jas.Wm.Brook only son of the late W.L.Brook,;The Rev.John H.Jowitt,Ilkeston; The Rev.Jas.H.McCheane,Leeds; Fredk.Starkey,Spring Wood;Charles Chorley,Leeds:Edward Birchall brother to the Groom.The bridal Party consisted of Mr.and Mrs J.D.Birchall,Mr and Mrs. C.Brook jun.;Mr.and Mrs and Miss Birchall,Mr.Starkey,Spring Wood;Mr.and Mrs J.T.Armitage,Mr.Jno Armitage,Forest Hill,Sydenham;Mrand Mrs E Armitage.Edgerton;Mr.and Mrs Lewis Starkey,Woodhouse;Mr and Miss

Brook,Healey House;Mrs C.J.Brook,Harewood Lodge; Rev.Arthur Brook

vicar of East Retford;Mr.Edward and Miss Brook, Benthouse;Miss Hirst and Miss M.M.Hirst,Greenhead;RevE.C. and Mrs Ince Meltham

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Marriage of Miss Clara Brook cont

Mills Parsonage;Rev Josh.and Mrs Hughes Meltham Parsonage;Rev E.C. Watson,Miss Palmer,Mr.and Mrs Carlile,Thickhollins;Mr W.Otter. None but private carriages were used on the occasion. The appearance of the church during the ceremony(which was per- formed by the Rev E.C.Ince,incumbent assisted by the Rev Arthur Brook,second cousin of the bride)was very imposing.Every eye was bent upon the youthful happy pair;each ear was strained to hear their mutual responses;and when"The ring was on, The

Page 55

Biography

of Mrs.C.J.Brook

JULY 14TH 1892

In Mrs. C. J. Brook, of Harewood Lodge, Meltham Mills, we have a lady whose name is so closely con- nected with the religious, philanthropic and political associations of the present day, that it is with much pleasure we introduce her to our readers as the subject of our fourth biographical sketch.

As the daughter of the late Rev. Lewis Jones, Vicar of Almondbury and_ subsequently Incumbent of Meltham, Mrs. Brook became early interested in Church work, and was a teacher in the Almondbury Sunday School at an early age. From then until now, with the exception of a few years spent away from home during her education, she has been a zealous and energetic teacher, having at the present time a large class of young women which she has taught during thirty-seven years residence at Meltham Mills. Her religious and political opinions were derived from her father, who was a staunch Churchman and Con- servative, but she took no active part in politics until the disastrous

Page 56

Biography of Mrs C.J.Brook cont.

Mrs. Brook has held the post of Hon. Secretary to the South American Church Missionary Society in this district for many years. She is a member of the general committee of the Ladies Association for the Care of Young Girls established in Huddersfield, and is also an associate of the Girls’ Friendly Society. These and kindred societies have her warm sympathy and support.

Mrs. Brook was born at-Meltham. Her father left for Almondbury when she was very young, and shelived there until her marriage with Charles John Brook, Esq., of Thickhollins, fourth son of Charles Brook, Esq., of Healey House. Her only son isa partner in the firm of Jonas Brook & Bros. Her elder daughter married Mr. Arthur Brook, of the Treasury, private secretary to Sir Reginald Welby; and the younger daughter married Mr. Hirst, Meltham Hall, also a partner in the firm at Meltham Mills.

After what we have written it is superfluous to add that Mrs. Brook has truly the welfare of her neighbours at heart, and uses her refining influence and intellectual capacities in endeavouring to elevate the minds of the people, and towards the fulfilment of any object which will be of service to them ; and we believe the inhabitants of Meltham and Meltham Mills thoroughly appreciate and acknowledge her genuine philanthropy. We heartily wish Mrs. Brook health and strength that she may be enabled to continue her useful work successfully for many years to come.

Mary Brook nee Jones

1835-1919

Page 57

Description of Mrs.C.J.Brooks Book which is kept in the Huddersfield Local History Library.

Under the title

Page 58

Funeral of Mrs.C.J.Brook

The death of Mrs.C.J.Brook of Harewood Lodge was announced on March 11th 1919.The funeral of the late Mrs Charles John Brook took place on Friday 14th March at St.James' Church,Meltham Mills The bearers were those who had served her,or known her for many years,namely-Messrs Liversidge,E.Clark,Sufield,S.Clark,Hale,Henry Baxter,Fenton Haigh,J.W.Preston and Charles Firth.The chief mour- ners were-Mr.C.Lewis Brook,Mrs Arthur Brook and Mrs Hirst,Mr.Hirst Mrs A.C.Brook.Miss Dorothy Brook(granddaughters),Captain J.L.Wat- son,Mr.and Mrs Lindesay Fisher,Mrs H.C.Darlington and Mrs C.Armi- tage(granddaughters),Captain Philip Watson,Rev.F.Peacock,Miss Sewell Lt.Col.Charles Brook amd Mrs Brook(Kinmount),Misses Dennis Brown,Bruce,and Mrs F.clark.

Page 59

The Slaithwaite Guardian and Colne Valley News

WELCOME HOMI

Page 60

On leaving the Church the procession made for the Market Place, where a dense crowd was assembled. On the appearance of the principal participant in the ceremony, the Meltham Mills Band struck up “ For he’s a jolly good fellow,” under the baton of Mr. Jacob Roberts, the people joining in. I When the exuberance of a few persistent

Page 61

The Freedom of the Borough of Huddersfield Conferred on Captain Brook and Lieutenant H.Wilson

Thursday May 23rd 1901

I

Page 62

Presentation to Captain Brook cont.

consequence he could not get the horse to go.The animal stood still for some time,both Captain Brook and the man and the animal being in considerable danger.The former shouted at the man to let his arms loose,and after doing so the horse started off galloping More trouble was to follow.The man tried to get into the saddle as well as Captain Brook,and,as may be imagined,they rolled about a good deal.Then the man tumbled off,and Captain Brook followed suit.Eventually they got out of danger,and assisted with the re- mainder of the force in driving off the Boers. The British party had,three men wounded.During his time in South Africa the gallant captain went through other exciting episodes.He returned to this country on Jan.7th

Page 63

Presentation to Captain Brook cont.

Alderman Stocks in moving that the Town Clerk be authorised to affix the common seal of the borough to the necessary documents for the purpose of carrying out the terms of the resolutions,en- dorsed all that had been said by the movers and seconder of the resolution. He thought they ought to confer honour on whom it was due,and he thought it was eminently so in that case.There would have been all the greater pleasure if they could have felt that the war was at an end.It was not so,but the two gentlemen had done their duty,and others who had followed in their footsteps would he hoped,speedily bring about peace. The Banquet The banquet to the

Page 64

Funeral of Mr.Edward Brook Wednesday 3rd Feb.1904

With simple ceremonial the remains of Mr.Edward Brook,the head of the firm of Messrs Jonas Brook and Bros,cotton thread spinners Meltham Mills,were laid to rest on the 3rd Feb. in the family vault at St.James's Church,Meltham Mills.Free from pomp and pagea- ntry,the occasion was surrounded by circumstances of unusual dig- nity and impressiveness,and it gave to the people of Meltham an opportunity of showing in a manner that touched the heart,their appreciation ofthedead benefactors princely generosity and unwav- ering friendship with those who knew him,The unfurling of flags half-mast,the drawing of blinds,the closing of shops and mills, and the many other conventional signs of mourning,gave barely a faint suggestion of the grief which had befallen the town,a grief intensified by the self-centredness of Meltham. It was at Hoddom Castle,Dumfriesshire,a mansion which he bought in 1878 that Mr.Brook on Friday morning the 29th Jan 1904,that he drew his last breath.On Tuesday the remains were removed by rail to Huddersfield.Prior to the removal of the body,a service was held in the hall by the Rev.Mr.Colvin of Hoddom,assisted by the Rev.Mr.Nicol,of Kinmount.The congregation included Mr.Brook's family and near relatives representatives of the leading county families,the household servants,and a large number of the tenantry and employers on the estate.At the end of the service in the hall the coffin was conveyed to Annan.Behind the mourning coaches carr- ying the family and the chief relatives were large numbers of servants,workpeople,foresters,gamekeepers and tenantry.When the procession reached Hoddom Hill,a height which commands a view of a bold sweep of the Solway Firth,the servants,who were on foot returned to the CastleWhile the hearse was being taken to the sta- tion,the Town Hall and the Established Church bells were tolled, and other marks of respect were the closing of shops on the route and the drawing of the blinds.The coffin was covered with many beautiful wreaths.Accompanying the body to Meltham,where Mr.Charles Brook had proceeded on Monday,were Miss Brook,Mrs Basil Spragge- and Mr.E.J.Brook.it was about 11 o'clock when the coffin contain- ing the body reached Annan Station,and it arrived at Huddersfield soon after half-past four o'clock,Here it was at once placed on a special and despatched to Meltham.Amongst those present to meet it were Mr.Charles Brook,the younger son of the deceased,and Mr. T.J.Hirst J.P. The arrangements for the funeral were superintend- ed by these two gentlemen.The short didtance between the station and the Parish Church was soon traversed.Not many people were about at the time.On the route the shops had their windows shutt- ered.When the church was reached,the coffin which was half hidden in flowers,was gently lifted from the hearse,and borne by half a dosen men within the church,where it was placed on a bier in the chancel to await Wednesday's ceremony. The funeral service began at St.Bartholomew's Church,the bells of which muffled peals had been ringing,at noon,but a special celebration of Holy Communion was held in the early morning at which most of the members of the family were present.Throughout the morning the flowere-embosomed coffin was gazed on by throngs of the workpepole who were employed at Meltham Mills. Filled with sadness and solemnity was the scene in Meltham Parish Church when the funeral sevice began a few minutes before the time arranged.The dim radiance of the gaslight lit up the sombre picture,and faint shafts of wintry sunshine pierced the square-paned windows and flickered over the dull-toned pews.The pulpit,from which hung a large harp-shaped wreath given by the Meltham Mills workpeople was enfolded in shadow.Five hundred people filled the church.Near to the coffin were the clergy,the Rev.Canon H.Walsham How,the Rev.J.C.Duncan,and the Rev.R.Haythorn thwaite.In the pews to the front were the chief them and in the two overhanging galleries were men and women

Page 65

Funeral of Mr.Edward Brook(cont)

whose demeanour told of poignant grief.One seat was unoccupied. This was the one in which Mr.Brook used to sit every Sunday even- ing when he lived at Meltham Mills.To mark the seat there had been placed a small wreath of sweet-scented violets,which gave to the scene its one touch of vivid colour.As the congregation was assem- bling the organist,Mr.J.Moorhouse played the subdued streins of Chopin's Lamentation.The service opened with the hymn “On the res- urrection morn",and when its notes of hope had echoed into still- ness,Psalm was read"Lord,Thou hast been our refuge from one gener- ation to another"was chanted.In a strong,vibrant voice Canon How read the lesson from Paul's Epistle to the Corinthians. A faint drizzle had been falling from a grey sky all the morn- ing and when the procession began to form,rain lashed the face heavily,and the sky had assumed a leaden aspect.In Greens End, which bounds the church,a crowed four deep was massed on the op- posite pavement and a row of women clung to the railings of the Church SchoolsThe forming of the procession took a considerable time.At the head were two mounted policemen,following them came Messrs J.Moorhouse,J.S.Quarmby.J.Carter and W.Carter,who repre- sented the Meltham Urban District Council,which has been the object of large hearted generosity on the part of the deceased Representatives of other Meltham bodies,including Meltham Mills Convalescent Home.the Meltham Baptist Chapel and the Meltham Wesleyan Chapel came next all on foot.Then came other business people and workpeople. Half hidden in wreaths the handsome oaken coffin to which was attached a brass plate recording the dates of Mr.Brooks birth and death,followed after and behind it came the carriages of the chief morners.In the first carriage were Mr.Edward Jonas Brook, (the eldr son) and Miss Brook(the elder daughter).the second Carriage contained Mr.and Mrs Charles Brook (Durker Roods)and Col.and Mrs.Basil Spraggs,inthe third were Mr.E.Wilson(Mirfield) the Rev.B.Wilson (Mirfield),Mr.and Mrs.T.J.Hirst and Miss Hirst. followed by several more carriages. Along Towngate,passing passing the Town Hall which Mr,Brook gave to Meltham,the procession slowly proceeded through a line of people who reverently bared their heads as the hearse was drawn past,and into Durker Roods Park,where lives Mr.Charles Brook, the second son of the deceased.Issuing from the park,it passed through Meltham Mills and reached St James's Church.The family vault is beneath the church and is entered on the south side.Around the door an enclosure was roped off for the mourners. Ringed about it was a large number of people.In one corner stood the Meltham Mills Church Choir,which under the conductorship of Mr.H.A.Turton opened the second portion of the funeral service. A Sprinkling of earth having been thrown upon it,the coffin was gently borne within the vault and within a few moments the service was over,at its conclusion"For ever with the Lord"was sung.

Mr.Brook was born at Bent House,Meltham in 1825,and was the son of Mr.Jonas Brook,founder of Jonas Brook and Bros.Mr Brook was for forty years senior partner of the firm and resigned when it became a limited company.It was in 1878 that Mr.Brook bought Hod- dam Castle for £200,500 and in 1896 bought the Kinmount Estate, the residence of the Queensbury family for £130.000.

Page 66

Wedding of Mr.Arthur Charles Brook of Manor Croft,Helme. To Miss Sydney Harriot Darlington

A wedding which excited much interest in the Wigan district owing to the esteem in which the bride and her parents are held, was solemnised on Thursday 8th July 1909 in the afternoon at Christ Church,Parbold. The contracting parties were Mr.Arthur Charles Brook,elder son of the late Mr.Arthur Brook H.M.Treasury,and Mrs Brook Woodhouse Weybridge,and Miss Sydney Harriet Darlington,second daughter of the late Henry Darlington and Mrs.Darlington Cragdene,Parbold. The nuptial ceremony was performed by the Rev.Canon Eyre-Brook, uncle of the bridegroom,assisted by the Rev.T.Gleave,the vicar of the parish. The bride was given away by her brother Captain H.C.Darlington and the best man was Captain Reginald Brook,brother of the bride- groom. The bride was charmingly gowned in ivory satin trimmed with satin embroidery and lace.,the gift of her mother,and she carried a sheath of lilies the gift of the bridegroom. the bridesmaids were Miss Norah Darlington,sister of the bride, Miss Brook,sister of the bridegroom,Miss Helen Williams,cousin of the bride,and Miss Helen Hirst,cousin of the bridegroom.They were attired in white striped poplin trimmed with lace and pale blue bands and white crinoline hats trimmed with roses and pale blue ribbon.They carried bouquets of pink roses,the gift of the bride- groom ,and wore brooches of green pearls,the gift of the bride- groom. The church had been beautifully decorated by Mrs Milward Rodger and Miss Rodgers. Later in the day the happy pair left for Scotland.

Page 67

Marriage of Miss Helen E.Hirst and Mr.E.L.Fisher

The pretty little town of Meltham was the scene on Wednesday 23rd Aug.1913 of a large and fashionable wedding.The bride was Miss Helen Esther Hirst,second daughter of Mr.T.Julius Hirst,J.P. of Meltham Hall,and the bridegroom was Mr.Edward Lindesay Fisher, eldest son of Mr.Sharples Fisher of Helme Hall,Both families are very well known and highly respected in the district.The bride's father is the senior director of Messrs Jonas Brook and Bros Ltd. of Meltham Mills and of Spring Lane Mills,Holmfirth and a director of Messrs J.and P.Coates Ltd of Paisley.The bridegroom is a part- ner in Messrs Fisher and Co. of Huddersfield firm of solicitors. He is also the secretary of the Meltham Golf Club,and is a church warden at Helme.It was not surprising therfore that St.James's I Church at Meltham Mills should be crowded some time before 2.15 p.m.the hour fixed for the ceremony.The mills closed down at noon in honour of the occasion.The hall a short distance from the church,a private footpath connecting the two.This was lined with spectators.The pathway from the church gate to the porch was cov- ered by an awning,and the footwalk was laid with baize. The Dresses The bride,who was given away by her father was attired in a wh- ite satin Brocha dress trimmed with Brussels lace andchamante. She wore a veil of Brussels lace lent by her mother fastened with sprays of white heather from the Croasdale and Lamb Hill Fells. Her shower biuquet was composed of white roses,carnations and white heather.Her ornaments were a diamoned brooch,a gift from the bridegroom and a diamond pendant,a present from her father,There were five bridesmaids,the Misses Diasy and Hilda Hirst(sisters of the bride),and the Misses Kathleen and Nora Lindesay and Miss Dorothy Gregg (cousins of the bridegroom).They were gowned in ivory lace over pale pink silk with pale blue sahes.Their hats were of pa le blue and trimmed with marguerites.They carried bou- quets of pale pink sweet peas and wore platinum and pearl brooches the gifts of the bridegroom.Mr.Sackville Owen o Tenby cousin of the bridegroom was the best man.The bridegrooms mother was gowned in French grey silk broche embroidered with silk to match,and draped with pale pink civon.Her hat to match was trimmed with grey ostrich feather and her bouquet was of pink carnations.The bride's mother wore black Chantilly lace over white satin,with blue trimming and hat to match.Carnations and orchids figured largely in the bouquet. The Service. The Rev.E.P.Gregg,cousin of the bride groom,performed the cere- mony,and was assisted by the Rev.Cyril Bardsley,hon.secretary of the Church Missionary Society and the Rev.J.S.Wilding,vicar of the parish.An address was given by the Rev.Bardsley.Mr.Charles Berry was at the organ,and played selections of wedding music.The hymns sung were "Come gracious spirir,heavenly dove” "O Perfect Love"and"Now thank we all our God" Amongst the many relatives and friends in the church were Mr.and Mrs.Sharples Fisher,Mr.G.G. Fisher(uncle of the bridegroom)Sir Charles Philipps and Miss Phi- lipps Mrs Goddard and Misses Goddard Mrs.J.Broog and Mr.Lewis Brook,Mrs H.C.Darlington,Mrs Watson and Mrs Arthur Brook. After the ceremony there was a reception at the hall.Alarge marque had been errected on the lawn,and the Meltham Mills Brass Band played selections of music during the afternoon, During the afternoon photographs of the bridal party were taken by Mr.J.E.Shaw.The wedding cake and refreshments were supplied by Messrs Whiteley of Huddersfield and the decorations at the chuch were carried out by Mr.Sharp of Almondbury.

Page 69

Marriage of Mr.T.Julius Hirst and Miss Esther Frost Brook Thursday June 16th 1881

On Thursday forenoon was solemnised,at the parish church of St James,Meltham Mills,the marriage of Mr.Thomas Julius Hirst,eldest son of Mr.Thomas Hirst,of Hamburg,with Miss Esther Frost Brook, younger daughter of the late Mr.Charles John Brook,and granddaugh- ter of the late Mr.Charles Brook,of Healey House.Amongst the att- endants at the church were Mr.Thomas Brooke,J.P.,Mr. W.Brooke,J.P and Mrs Brooke,Mr.J.W.and Mrs Carlile,Mr.E.H.and Mrs Carlile,Mr. William Hirst,of Ilkley,uncle of the bridgroom,and the Misses Hirst,Mr.Edward Brook,of Hodden Castle,Dumfrieshire,Mrs Charles Brook,of Harewood Lodge,Meltham Mills,mother of the bride;Mr.A.C. Armitage,of Durker Roods,Meltham;Mrs Arthur Brook,of Hackney Lon- don;the Rev.E.C.Watson,vicar of Meltham,Mrs Watson,and many other friends. The bride was attended by her brother,Mr.C.Lewis Brook,who gave her away,and by six bridesmaids,namely,Miss Brook.her sister Miss Dora Blomfield,Miss Margaret Brook,Miss Mary Brook,and Miss Lillian Watson,her cousins;and Miss Goodhart.The bride wore a dress of cream satin,trimmed with Brussels lace;and as an ornament a necklet of pearls and diamonds,the gift of the bridegroom.The bridesmaids were attired alike in cream muslin de laine,trimmed with lace and tinted green silk;and each wore a forget-me-not brooch set in diamonds.pearls,and turquoise,also the gifts of the bridegroom,who was attended by Mr.G.G.Fisher,of Springdale,as his best man. The church was early filled,and the ceremony commenced punctually at eleven o'clock,the marriage hymn,"The voice that breathed o'er Eden",being sung by the congregation.The nuptial rite was performed by the Rev.Arthur Brook,vicar of St.John at Hackney,uncle of the bride,assisted by the Rev.J.R.Jagoe,vicar of Meltham Mills.As the newly married couple left the church the organist,Mr.Robert Turton,played Mendelsohn's "Wedding March",and as they passed to their carriage flower's were strewed on their path.The wedding party,after the ceremony,breakfasted at Harewood Lodge,and early in the afternoon the bride and bridegroom left to spend the honeymoon in Germany.The wedding presents numbered a hundred,and were very choice and costly.

Page 71

Death of Mr.T.J.Hirst of Meltham Hall Friday 18th Feb.1927

The death took place on Friday 18th in the morning at his res- dence,Meltham Hall of Mr.Thomas Julius Hirst J.P. who had he lived until Monday,would have been 76 years of age. Mr Hirst,who was chairman of the West Riding Bench of Magistra- tes and of the Licensing Committee,sat on the Bench at the County Police Court on Tuesday of last week.He was taken ill last Satur- day,and pneumonia developed. Mr.Hirst was a director of Messrs Jonas Brook and Bros Ltd.,sew- ing thread manufacturers of Meltham Mills,and formerly of Messrs J.and P.Coats,Ltd.Paisley.He was chairman of the Meltham

Page 72

Death of Mr.C.L.Brook

The death took place on Tuesday 9th May 1939,at the age of 83 of Mr.Charles Lewis Brook,Harewood Lodge,Meltham Mills.He was one of the best known men in the district,but illness had prevented him from taking an active part in public life for some years. Mr Brook was a director of Messrs Jonas Brook and Bros Ltd,now the United Thread Mills,Many organisations found in him a generous supporter.He was a trustee of Meltham Convalescent Home,and was at one time chairman of the governing board of that institution. In his younger days Mr.Brook was keen cricketer,and was known as a fielder of outstanding ability.He could throw in the ball per- fectly with either hand.A chess player,he was a member of the Huddersfield Chess Club. Throughout his life,Mr.Brook was a member of St.Jame's Church Meltham Mills,and for many years was a church warden.He took a lifelong interest also,in Christ Church Helme,of which he laid the foundation stone as a small child on Aug.19th 1858.He was present at the seventieth anniversary of the church,which was celebrated in 1929, Mr.Brook was a bachelor.A sister is the widow of Mr.T.Julius Hirst of Meltham Hall.

At the funeral on Thursday the services at Meltham Mills Parish Church and at the graveside were conducted by Archdeacon A.Baines,assisted by Canon H.F.T.Barter, The family and personal mourners were Colonel C.J.Brook(nep- hew)and Mrs Brook,Colonel C.J.Hirst(nephew),Mrs Fisher(niece) Miss D.Brook(neice)Mr.T.W.Hirst(nephew)Lady Darlington(neice) Colonel and Mrs Simpson,Admiral Watson,Miss Watson,Mr.E.W.Brook Mrs Crabbe,Major T.Brooke,Mr.Harry Armitage Mrs Watson and Mr Lart.

Page 73

Wedding of Miss F.M.Brook and Major J.G.Crabbe 17th October 1919

A wedding of considerable interest to this locality took place at Dumfries on Friday 17th Oct. The bride was Miss Frances Mildred Brook,elder daughter of Colonal and Mrs Charles Brook of Kinmount and also of Durker Roods,Meltham,and the bridegroom was Major J.G. Crabbe,M.C.,Royal Scots Greys,elder son of Colonel J.Crabbe of

Page 74

Marriage of Miss Ruth Hewlett Brook

The marriage of Miss Ruth Hewlett Brook,third daughter ofbthe Rev.James Brook,Manor Cottage Helme near Meltham and Stone House Dorking,to Mr Francis Stephen Joyce,was commemorated at the pretty village church of Helme on Wednesday afternoon 20th June 1900. The ceremony was performed by the Rev.E.Lloyd Stacey,vicar of Helme(cousin of the bride) assisted by the Rev F.Peacock,rector of Halliwell,near Bolton (brother-in-law of the bride).The bride was dressed in a morning gown of blue grey trimmed with white silk and rucking and wore a small bonnet to match.She was given away by her father,and Mr.Edwards waited upon the bridegroom as best man.The bridesmaid was the bride's youngest sister,Miss Jessie Brook.The interior of the church was beautifully decorated with flowers and greenery and there was a very large attendance of relatives and friends.Amongst those present were Lady Brooke, Mr.and Mrs Johnson,Mrs Edwards,Miss Brook(Healey House).Mrs C.J. Brook)Harewood Lodge),Mr C.Lewis Brook,Mrs S.J.Hirst(Meltham Hall Colonel Carlile the Rev. J.R.Jagoe,the Rev.W.H.Girling and Mrs Girling and Mr.S Fisher.An interesting fact in regard to the con- tracting parties is that both bride abd bridegroom have spent several years of their lives as missionaries in China and are at present on hurlough in this country.The bride went out under the Keswick Convention five years ago and met the bridegroom,who is an Australian by birth and who has spent a great number of years in missionary work,in the course of her dufies in China.Amongst the guests were Mr.and Mrs Taylor also fellow missionaries.The reception took place at the vicarage,Helme after the srevice,and later in the day the bride and bridegroom left for the Lake

Page 75

Death of Mrs Mabel F.Brook 24th Sept.1934

Mrs Mabel Frances Brook,widow of the late Colonel Charles Brook formerly of Durker Roods,Meltham,died at Hoddom Castle,in the county of Dumfries,on Monday 24th Sept,at the age of sixty-eight Colonel and Mrs Brook left Meltham about twenty years ago,but Mrs Brook kept in touch with the district,and remained a generous supporter of Meltham Parish Church. Colonel Brook's father,Mr.Edward Brook,was a member of the firm of Jonas Brook and Brothers,sewing cotton manufacturers,Meltham Mills.Mrs Brook leaves two daughters and a son,Captain Edward Brook,who is equerry to the Duke of Gloucester. The funeral took place at Meltham Mills Parish Church on Wed- nesday 26th Sept 1934 The flag on Meltham Mills was flown at halfmast,and a muffled peal was rung on the bells of Meltham Parish Church.The service at Meltham Mills Church was conducted by the Vicar(the Rev.L.F.A. Edgell)assisted by the Vicar of Meltham(Canon Barter) Mr.W.H. Preston(organist at Meltham Mills Parish Church) was at the organ and the choir was in attendance.The service included the hymns. "Jesu,Lover of my

Page 76

Wedding of Major Charles Julius Hirst and Miss Phyllis Mary Secretan 14th December 1920

A pretty wedding of considerable local interest was solemnised at St.James's Church,Sussex Gardens,Hyde Park,London,on Tuesday where the marriage took place of Miss Phyllis Mary Secretan,only daughter of the late Mr.Phillip Secretan Jun.,And Mrs McNair of 43 Cleveland Square,Hyde Park,with Major Charles Julius Hirst elder surviving son of Mr.and Mrs T.J.Hirst of Meltham Hall. The marriage ceremony was conducted by the Rev.H.A.James,

Page 77

Death of Lieut-Col Charles Brook Saturday 14th June 1930

By the death of Lieut.-Colonel Charles Brook,Meltham and Mel- tham Mills lose a generous supporter of social charitable,religi- ous,and sporting movements.Colonel Brook,who was a Freemen of the Borough of Huddersfield,had lived at his estate in Scotland for many years,but he paid frequent visits to his native place,and it may be said that his death removes a familar and much loved figure Colonel Brook died on Saturday June 14th at Kinmount.Annan, Dum- friesshire,at the age of sixty-three,He was a son of the late Mr. Edward Brook.of Hoddom Castle and Kinmount Estate,and was born at Bent House,Meltham,on November 3rd 1866.He entered the family business Messrs Jonas Brook and Bros.Ltd.sewing thread manufact- urers,Meltham Mills,on leaving school and was a director at the time of his death Colonel Brook was in early life educated privately;he spent two further years at Eton,and completed his education at Radley College,Oxford.His army career was distinguished.In March 1892 he joined the "C" Troop of the 2nd West Yorkshire Yeomanry,and held the commission of lieutenant.A period of military training followed,and in 1894 he was transferred to the Yorkshire Dragoons in which he accepted commission of captain. He was among the first to go to the front in the South African War,in which he saw and shared many exciting incidents,He was attached to Colonel Grenfell's Cavalry Brigade,and on one occasion he rescued at the risk of his own life a comrade who had fallen in the fight. On returning from South Africa,Colonel Brook was one of those to receive a civic reception in Huddersfield.He was presented with an address of welcome in his native place,and his father's ten- ants and employees at Kinmount also presented him,with an address of welcome and a silver bowl. It was to honour his service in the South African War that the Huddersfield Town Council conferred the Freedom of the Borough upon him.This was a few months after his homecoming in

Page 78

Death of Lieut-Col Charles Brook

Colonel Brook leaves a widow(who was Miss Mabel Brook,daughter of the late Mr.William Brook of Healey House)one son and two mar- ried daughters.The son Mr.Edward William Brook was equerry to the Duke of Gloucester on His Royal Highness's African tour.

The Funeral The funeral took place at Meltham Mills on Thursday 19th June 1930 during a terrific thunderstorm.Rain fell in torrents and vivid flashes of ligtning were followed by loud peals of thunder, A short service was held in the Parish Church where practically every pew was occupied.The officiating clergyman was the Rev.A.C. Goulden of Meltham Mills,assisted by the Vicar of Meltham(Canon H F.T.Barter)The Meltham Parish Church bells rang a muffled peal. Family mourners:Mr.E.W.Brook (son)Major and Mrs J,Crabb(son-in- law and daughter)Capt and Mrs D'Arcy Hall (son-in-law and daughter Miss M,Brook (sister)Mrs H.Redmayne,Mrs T.J.Hirst Mrs A.Brook Miss D,Brook Mr.and Mrs. T.W.Hirst Major and Mrs E.Lindsay Fisher Mr.John Reynolds(general manager),the sub-managers,and members of the staff of Messrs Jonas Brook and Bros attended. Reprresentatives of Meltham Council and other organisations attended together with a detachment of the Queens Own Yorkshire Dragoons under Squadron Sergeant Major Brown were also present.

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Wedding of Captain E.W.Brook To Miss Mary Gretton Wednesday 19th July 1933

The Duke of Gloucester was best man on Wednesday at the wedding of his equerry,Captain E.W.Brook,to Miss Mary Gretton, younger daughter of Colonel John Gretton M.P.,and Mrs Gretton at St.Mar- garets,Westminster. Capt.Brook has accompanied the Duke on several,big game hunting expeditions and was equerry when he attended the Coronation of the King of Abyssinia. The Duke was at Heston aerodrome to see Capt Brook and his bride leave by air for the Continent,where the honeymoon will be spent. special seats were reserved in the church for tenants and em- ployees from Stapleford Park,Colonel Grettons residence at Melton Mowbray,and 250 of them travelled to London. Colonel Gretton,who is chairman of Bass,Ratcliffe and Gretton of Burton-on-Trent,gave his daughter away The Bishop of Leicester(Dr.Bardsley) officiated with the Rev, A.Caswell.

Page 80

Workers' Presentation to Captain Brook

An interesting event took place during the dinner hour at the works of The United Thread Mills,Meltham Mills,on Monday,the 2lst August 1933,when a presentation from the workpepole was made to Captain Edward Wm.Brook in honour of his recent marrige.Captain and Mrs Brook were married at St.Margarets,Westminster on July 19 The present took the form of two silver grouse and two silver pheasants. With Captain Brook(who is a director of Meltham Mills and Mrs Brook on the platform were Mr.T.W.Hirst(managing director of the company).Mr.John Reynolds(general manager),departmental managers and the counting house staff. Mr.Reynolds handed over the gift to Captain Brook expressing the wish that Captain and Mrs.Brook would have every happiness and good luck in the future.He said that in making the gift they had in mind the esteem in which Captain Brooks grandfather(the late Mr.Edward Brook and his father (the late Colonel Charles Brook)were held and now they hoped that they would see more of Captain Brook at Meltham Mills. Captain Brook was greeted with rounds of applause on rising to reply.He said that on behalf of his wife and himself he thaked them all from the bottom of his heart. Mr.T.W.Hirst also spoke and said that they were all pleased that Captain Brook had by his marriage induced another charming lady to become a "Meltham Miller". Apresentation on behalf of the Meltham Mills Cricket Club was made by Mr.J.J.Lodge and consisted of a framed photograph of the team taken with the "Sykes" Cup,which they won this season. Mr.Lodge referred to the splendid support given to the club by the Brook family and said that they thought it only right that they should show their appreciation. Captain Brook is equerry to H.R.H.the Duke of Gloucester,who was the best man at his wedding and H.R.H.has been the guest of Captain Brook during the week-end at Upperwood House,near Green- field for the grouse shooting.

Page 81

Death of Mr.E.L.Fisher Tuesday 28th April 1936

The death occurred on Tuesday,in his fifty-eight year,of Mr. Edward Lindesay Fisher,of Helme Hall,Meltham. Mr.Fisher was the son of the late Mr.Sharples Fisher of Helme Hall.and of Constance Madeline Ellen,daughter of the late Major Henry Bethune Lindesay,3rd Bengal Cavalry.He was born at Spring- dale,Huddersfield on August 10th 1878.He married Helen Esther, second daughter of the late Mr.T.J.Hirst,of Meltham Hall in 1913. Mrs Fisher survives him with two sons and two daughters. He had been a member of the Board of Management of the Hudd- ersfield Royal Infirmary since 1933,was a trustee of the Hudders- field Deaf and Dumb Association,one of the Senior Trustees and a member of the Executive Committee of the Huddersfield Savings Bank and of the Meltham Mills Convalescent Home;Secretary for the Huddersfield Deanery of the West Riding Charitable Society,and President of the Meltham Branch of the British Legion.He had for many years been a churchwarden and schools mamager of Helme Parish Church.He was the president of Meltham Golf Club.

Death of Mrs.E.L.Fisher Thursday 28th Jan 1965

MRS E.L.Fisher formerly of Helme Hall,Meltham,died at her home at Bilbury,near Cirenchester)Glos),on Thursday Jan.28th aged seventy nine. Mrs Fisher was the widow of Edward Lindesay Fisher who died in 1936 and the daughter of Thomas Julius Hirst,of Meltham Hall,a director of Jonas Brook and Bros.,cotton sewing thread manufact- urers of Meltham Mills. She took a very active part in village life while living at Helme Hall before moving to Bibury. She leaves two daughters,Miss Elizabeth and Miss Ursula Fisher and a son Maj.Edward Fisher.

Page 83

Death of Mrs.T.J.Hirst April 9th 1944

Mrs T.J.Hirst,passed away early on Easter Sunday morning at her residence,Meltham Hall.She was in her eighty-seventh year Her husband,the late Mr.T.J.Hirst,was a director of Messrs Jonas Brook and Bros,Meltham Mills and J.and P.Coats,Glasgow. He was also chairman of the West Riding Bench of Magistrates. Mr.Hirst died on the 17th Feb.1927. Mrs Hirst was a daughter of the late Mr.and Mrs.Charles John Brook of Healey House and Thickhollins.She was born at Harewood Lodge,Meltham Mills,and spent her early life there.From the date of her marriage in 1881 she lived without interruption at Meltham Hall. Mrs Hirst was an earnest supporter of Meltham Mills Church, where she was a most regular worshipper right up to the end of her life.She took a great interest in the Sunday School,and for many years gave special prizes to those who attended throughout the year and gained full-marks.She was a generous contributor to all Church funds and other charitable organisations.She had been president of the Meltham Sickness and Accident Aid Association and the Meltham Nursing Association from their inception.No de- serving cases of distress in the village appeared to escape her notice and many have been befriended by Mrs Hirst in hard times. Mrs Hirst will be sadly missed in many ways. She had three sons and five daughters,of whom two sons(Colonel C.J.Hirst and Mr.T.W.Hirst)and two daughters(Mrs E.L.Fisher and Lady Darlington)survive,and twenty-two grandchildren.She also had five great-grandchildren. The funeral will be at Meltham Mills Parish Church on Wednesday afternoon.

Funeral

The church was beautifully decorated with flowers and plants which Mrs.Hirst,as was her custom had presented to the church for Easter decorations The service was conducted by the Vicar of Meltham Mills(the Rev.J.Kearsley),and an address was given by Archdeacon A,Baines Other clergy included the Vicar of Meltham(Canon A.E.Roberts) the Vicar of Wilshaw(Rev.T.Kenyon) and the Vicar of Helme(Rev. C.E.Diggle) Mrs S.Longden was at the organ and the choir was led by Mr.E. Earnshaw The family mourners were Colonel and Mrs C.J.Hirst(son and daughter-in-law),Mr.andMrs.T.W.Hirst (son and daughter-in-law) Mrs E.L.Fisher(daughter),Lady Darlinton(daughter)General Sir C.C.Armitage (son in-law) Miss EstherDarlingto,Mrs John Darling- ton,Mrs Glenton Williams,Miss Margaret Darlinton Miss Elizabeth Fisher,Mr.George Fisher (grandchildren) Miss D.M.Brook(niece) Mrs J.L.Watson)cousin) and Miss Hewleft.

Page 84

Death of Col.Charles Julius Hirst Monday 24th Sep.1956

A member of the old established Meltham family,Col.Charles Jul- ius Hirst,died at his home Slaidburn House,Slaidburn on the 24th Sep.1956,aged sixty-eight. Col Hirst was a son of the late Mr.and Mrs T.J.Hirst formerly of Meltham Hall, and brother of Mr.T.W.Hirst now of Aylsham(Nor- folk). He had a life-long association with the textile trade and for many years occupied a prominent place in the commercial life of the West of Scotland.In 1941 he was elected president of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce. Col.Hirst lived for many years at Houston(Renfrewshire) and later at Poulton (Glos).In more recent years he had made his home at Slaidburn. I He was a director of Messrs Jonas Brook and Bros.,Meltham,with which firm he had a association extending over forty-six years, and of Messrs J.and P.Coats having taken up an appointment in Glasgow with the latter when he left Meltham in 1911. Throughout the Great War,he served with the Queen's Own Yorkshire Dragoons,which he eventually commanded.He was awarded the Military Cross.At one time he played cricket with Meltham Mills.

The funeral took place at Slaidburn on Thursday 28th Sep.1956. Colonel Hirst leaes a widow,a son and two daughters

Page 85

Funeral of Miss D.M.Brook Wednesday

Page 87

Death of Mr.Thomas William Hirst.

Mr.Thomas William Hirst,formerly of Durker Roods,Meltham, died on Sunday 25th Oct.1965 at his home,West Lodge Aylsham,Norfolk at age of seventy-two. For many years he was associated with the J. and P.Coats organisation and the United Thread Mills,Meltham and during his residence at Meltham he took an active part in public life in the village,which he left in 1934 for Scotland.He served on the Meltham Urban District Council for some years,and was also a Justice of the Peace for Upper Agbrigg Division.He was formerly Vicar's warden and treasurer of Meltham Mills Parish Church.He was at one time president of the old Huddersfield Royal Infirmary bo- ard of Management and was chairman of the Huddersfield War Mem- Orial Trust Fund.He was a keen musician and sang at several of the Leeds Triennial Music Festivals.He leaves a widow and two sons.

Page 88

Death of Captain Edward William Brook

Captain Edward William Brook of Kinmount died suddenly in Lon- don on Sunday morning 20th Jan.1963.He was 67 yrs. Captain Brook was educated at Radley and Sandhurst.Gazetted in the Yorkshire Dragoons in 1914 he served with the regiment in Fra- nee and then later in Egypt,with the 20th Hussars.He was a member of the Royal Company of Archers,the Queen's Bodyguard for Scotland and was an Extra Equerry for the Duke of Gloucester. Captain Brook succeeded to the Hoddam and Kinmount Estates on the death of his father,Colonel Charles Brook in 1930.He became Deputy Lord Lieutenant of the County in 193l.and was a Justice of the Peace.He married in 1933,Miss Mary Gretton daughter of the late Lord Gretton,lst Baron Gretton.The Duke of Gloucester was best man at the wedding. I One of the largest landowners in Scotland,Captain Brook was very well known,and served the community in many capacities.He was the last surviving Burgess of Annan,having received the Free- dom of Annan in 1933.He rode as Cornet for the Annan Riding of the Marches in 1913. Among his many interests,Captain Brook served for many years as Governor of the Annan Savings Bank.He was a Steward of the Carli- sle race course,and Chairman of the local branch of the British Legion He was the grandson of Mr.Edward Brook,the managing director of Meltham Mills and the son of Col Charles Brook.The family for- merly lived at Durker Roods Melthan. He leaves a widow,formerly the Hon Mary Catherine Hersey,a son and a daughter.

Page 89

Brooks Family The Brooks Family were conservaties by political allegiance and Anglicans by Religion and over the years spent a good deal of their money building,extending and restoring churches and houses for the benifit of the people in the neighbourhood. Mr William Brook who moved from Manningham to live at Thick Hollins founded the woollen mill in 1774,at Meltham Mills,occupy- ing Old Mill for scribbling,carding and slubbing wool,two further buildings on the site,one for fulling,the other as a woollen mill as well as another fulling mill nearby built in 1786 and initially used by Nathaniel Dyson.The woollen mill had a water wheel and, because of inadequate water supplies,a steam engine to pump water from the pond at the foot the wheel into a small dam above it. Later in 1805 it was changed to cotton,when his son Jonas Brook took over the firm,with his two brothers,Charles and James. In 1805 so as to give a permanent supply of water for the run- ning of the mills Jonas Brook built the reservoir. Mr.James Brook eldest son of the founder built the first church with Schoolroom at Meltham Mills in 1838,the building was a large schoolroom,with a small Chapel and two houses attached at either end one for the schoolteacher and the other for the clergyman.the church accommodation was soon found inadequate and in 1844 it was decided to erect the present church,at the sole expense of Mr.James Brook,which was consecrated on

Page 90

Brooks Family cont.

Few precise details are available about when they built houses away from the mill,but by 1872 they owned a series of terraces of cottages along the valley side south west of the mill.These incl- uded Upper and Lowere Mount,Spring Place and Manor Buildings as well as Bank Buildings,in the valley of Thick Hollins Dike,it com- prises thirth-four units of under dwellings and over dwellings of various sizes.There were also allotments and hanging grounds for washing Calmlands,a short distance west of Bank Buildings was the site of more modest but sustained buildings.Here,by the end of the cen- tury,Brooks had built forty-one two and three bedroomed houses with worthwhile attics which could be used as additional bedrooms One grand terrace of eleven houses with back yards containing coal houses and privies, sets off six shorter terraces of five houses each similarly provided. Further houses were added on this site,although not in this pat- tern,both before and after the First World War, The Brooks thus provided about 140 houses

Map showing property owned or built by Jonas Brook & Bros.

Page 91

The Genealogy of the Brook Family

In the absence of any authentic history of Huddersfield,we find it extremely difficult at times to trace the lineage of some of our leading families,and had it not been for the assistance very kindly rendered to us by a gentlrman who has been long and honour- ably connected with the town,we should have found it very inconv- enient to place the following pedigree before our readers.It will be seen that our large-hearted friend and neighbour,MrCharles Brook,deduces his birth through a long line of ancestors,who have well and truly served their country,and finally passed away from it to receive that reward which is reserved for the virtouurs and the upright in all ages of the world.the writer says:- The Brook family is of considerable antiquity and respectability So far back as the year 1584,Thomas Brook was associated as a juror with John Kaye,of Woodsome,(whose large estates afterwards came by marriage to,and are now held by,the Earl of Dartmouth; John Ramsden(the ancestor of the present Sir John William Ramsden Wm.Beaumont(an ancestor of the Beaumonts of Whitley) Nicholas Fenay,of Fenay;John Armitage of Armitage;and others,the principal men of the district,in an inquisition then made of all her Majesty honors manors,lands,and tenements ,parcels of the possessions of her Highness's Duchy of Lancaster,in the north parts,as to the state of her Majesty's manor of Almondbury. The respectability of the family has continued to the time of the present donor,There are numerous gravestones in the parish church of Huddersfield,from 1616 downwards,testifying to the high estimation in which various members of that family were held.One is stated"to have lived a godly life and died in the faith of Christ"Another is said to have been "A cheif friend to the poor a lover of the Church and a good member of the Commonwealth"Another of these worthies who died in 1638,and who presented the parish church of Huddersfield with its Communion Plate bearing his init- ials,and which or some part of which is now in constant use there was Thomas Brook,the elder of Newhouse,who died aged 8/7,and whose character is thus quaintly descibed on his In the Church myliltant I fout so unshaken That to the Church tryumphant I am taken IT am one o'th Church still Grevw not friends,to know me advanced higher, Whillst I stayed I prayed and now I sing in the Quier, One of the sons of this venerable gentleman emigrated to Dod- worth,near Wentworth,as will be noticed hereafter. Mr James Brook,the father of the donor of the “home" so far imitated the example of his respected ancestor that,on the build- ing of St.Paul's Church,Huddersfield,he presented that Church with its communion plate. This family intermarried with the then leading families of the district.There is a gravestone inscribed to Dorothea,late wife of Thomas Brook of Newhouse, eldest daughter of Thomas Crosland of Crosland Hill gentleman deceased.She died the 4th day of March 1634 aged 39 years. Most of these gravestones have inscribed on them the shield and motto of the family.There was in the old Church of Elland,a singular inscription on the gravestone of Elizabeth,the wife of William Brook of Woodhouse,in Rastrick, which shows the affectuionate remembrance in which she was held by her bereaved husband. She was -but space forbids to tell you what Think what a wife should be-for she was that. In Hunters Deanery of Doncaster,writing of Dodworth,it is state there is a school at dodworth founded by the family of Brook's,who settled there in the Seventeenth Century.The first was William Brook,a younger son of Thomas Brook of Newhouse,in Huddersfield, to whom his father gave lands there and in Carlton,Royston and

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Brook Family cont

two sons-Thomas and John- the latter was M.A. of Christ's College Cambridge,and Rector of High Hoyland,but purchasing the estate of

Page 93

Meltham Library

In 1851 a Library and Newsroom was started by the generosity of the gentlemen of the village,they thought it would be benificial to the people to help them to read. the library was kept in an apartment above the news room. In 1923 the West Riding County Council decided to start a library at the Town Hall consisting of 114 books,this commenced on Monday 15th Oct 1923.In 1930 this was moved to a room in the Carlile Institute. On Tuesday 16th Nov.1948 a new library was opened in the annexe to the Carlile Institute,in the building formerly known as the "Old Mechanics Institute".This replaced the library in Meltham Church School,and was open on

Page 95

Meltham Librarian Closes his Book 29th Nov.1974

After twenty-five years in the local library sevice the last sixteen at Meltham,Mr.Sheriff Huck,of 29 Chapel Hill,Linthwaite retires next Tuesday,his sixty-fifth birthday. A man of many jobs,interests and activities,Mr.Huck is a native of Berwick-on-Tweed and was educated at Edinburgh Universary.He started his working life as a freelance reporter in the West of Scotland,but the income uncertainty from this type of work led him to find more security when he was getting married and he went to the explosives departmeny of I.C.I.in Scotland.He was there during the last war,his job being a “reserved occupation"and late was transferred to the Huddersfield branch of the

Page 96

Wood Cottage

Wood Cottage,1,200ft above sea level at Harden Moss,has been a temporary overnight "home" for thousands of moorland trampers since it became Youth Hostels Association in 1945,is to close at Easter 1968. As a house Wood Cottage will remain,a house with an history. Well over 100 years old,it was originally built as a watch-house. Later it became a private residence and then a public house, known to the locals as the “Wine Butts". It was as a public house that Wood Cottage enjoyed its palmy days.It had a ballroom and other attractions,including a bowling green,and was a popular rendezvous for parties from Huddersfield and surrounding districts. In 1929 Holmfirth Council bought the property in connection with a water undertaking,but it was sold a few years later and became a guest house. It stands in six acres of land and the impressive facade has welcomed country lovers of all ages,professions and nationalities Since becoming a Youth Hostel in 1945.under the wardens of Mr.Mrs O'Grady who were there for 17 and a half years. The house is being sold and plans for its future use are well advanced.

Page 97

Thick Hollins

This ancient residence is often referred to as the property of a branch of the family derived from John Ermitage,of the Hermi- tage,Honley,but who have maintained the distinction of spelling as Armytage.Thomas the youngest son,first settled at Thickhollins in the township of Meltham in 1527. Of Thickhollins House itself,from its antiquity and beauty,the boast and ornament of the district in early times,it is regretted that no particular records can be found and that,beyond the gener- ally admitted fact of its having been always ranked as the "The Great House of the Neighbourhood",tradition gives no clue to the date of its erection;nor is the name of its founder preserved. The first allusion to it is to be found in the time of Edward lll,when a John de Thickholyns,probably the lord of the manor,was granted permission to cut wood in the Willow Shae.But though no conjecture can be formed as to when or by whome the first,mansion at Thick Hollins was built,the present one is supposed to stand on its site,and may probably retain the old foundations,but it has been often enlarged and remodelled.

Page 98

Crosland Hall

The first Crosland Hall,the residence of Sir Robert Beaumont,one of the victims of Sir John de Elland,in the celebrated Elland Feud 1341-1351,stood on or near the site of the existing Lower Old Hall Farm.No remains of the Old Hall are to be seen, Hobkirk in his "History of Huddersfield"1568,states that "the wood and stone work of the original building were used to build a mill in about 1668.But on Roberts Marden's Map of the West Riding compiled in 1695,Crosland Hall is clearly indicated by a two gabled dwelling house in minature.This

Page 99

Helme Hall

Helme Hall at Helme is situated in its own grounds just off Helme Lane,The architect is unknown,the house was built for Mr.Edward Hildred Carlile in 1887.a director of the Brooks' sewing thread concern at Meltham Mills.It is constructed of a mellow grey stone ina style so close to Pennine vernacular, with a simple hall and crosswing form,that a hundred years of weathering have only blurred the distinction further.Yet it is obviously a 19th century house,planned to 19th century ideas of comfort;modern and showing punctilious craftsmanship in its painted glass or carved oak fireplaces,yet without features that shriek or jar.Thus giving it a quieter approach in its design. Residents of Helme Hall:- Mr Edward Hildred Carlile 1887-1894 Mr Edward Fisher about 1894 to 1945 Mr.Edward E.Greenhalgh 1945 Mr.John Haigh Now it is a Nurseing Home.

Page 100

Death of Mr.E.L.Fisher Tuesday 28th April 1936

The death occurred on Tuesday,in his fifty-eight year,of Mr. Edward Lindesay Fisher,of Helme Hall,Meltham. Mr.Fisher was the son of the late Mr.Sharples Fisher of Helme Hall.and of Constance Madeline Ellen,daughter of the late Major Henry Bethune Lindesay,3rd Bengal Cavalry.He was born at Spring- dale,Huddersfield on August 10th 1878.He married Helen Esther, second daughter of the late Mr.T.J.Hirst,of Meltham Hall in 1913. Mrs Fisher survives him with two sons and two daughters. He had been a member of the Board of Management of the Hudd- ersfield Royal Infirmary since 1933,was a trustee of the Hudders- field Deaf and Dumb Association,one of the Senior Trustees and a member of the Executive Committee of the Huddersfield Savings Bank and of the Meltham Mills Convalescent Home;Secretary for the Huddersfield Deanery of the West Riding Charitable Society,and President of the Meltham Branch of the British Legion.He had for many years been a churchwarden and schools mamager of Helme Parish Church.He was the president of Meltham Golf Club.

Page 101

Healey House

Adjoining the grounds of Crosland Hall are those of Healey House,a modern mension erected in the year 1802 by the then owner of the Manor,and still belonged to the Beaumont family for many

Page 102

Golcar Hall,Meltham Badger Gate

The site of the present Golcar Hall,in Badger Gate,must originally have been part of the Manor of Meltham,However,some time before 1704,when such transactions began to be registered,all the land sloping down from the site of Golcar Hall to the stream became the freehold property of the Armitage family who lived at Thick- hollins House somtime before 1529. Since no records of individual houses,survive for Meltham at this period,we do not know precisely when the house itself was built.From the architectural evidence it is however possible to make an educated guess at the period.The style of the windows in that part of the house closest to the barn-three or four lights,chamfered stone mullions and the heavy moulding on the heada-suggest the middle or late 17th century,as does the stonework in that part of the house, The earliest part of the house was originally entered from the barn or laithe and the field adjoining the barn is actually called "Laithe Close".The living quarters extended to form the L shape which can be seen today. According to the 1849 Tithe Map of Meltham,the 19th century partion of the building,that part between the modern porch and Badger Gate must have been built after 1849. I If the house was indeed built around 1700 as all the architectural evidence would appear to suggest,then one of the first families,to occupy it was that of Joseph Sykes,because the register of Meltham Church,record the baptism of James, san of Joseph Sykes "O"th Golcar on 9th July 1758 and of Sarah,daughter of Joseph Sykes "0"th Golcar Tree,Mary the daughter of Joseph Sykes of"Golker Hall''was buried at Meltham on April 17th 1777.This last piece of information makes it clear that the Sykes family must have been tenants of the Armitages,for in the will of John Armitage,there is a reference to a house with out buildings called "Goldcar Tree Hill". The next reference to the property comes in the Meltham Enclosure Award of 1838 which divided up the old common lands among the freeholders of the village.The allotment of the land situated at Golcar Hill containing three roods and one perch bounded eastward by the Mill Moor Bottom and Badger Gate road westwards by the ancient enclosures beloging to the said Joseph Green Armitage and the Owlers Bars road northward by the Golcar Hill road and then southwards by the ancient enclosure. This award,it is clear from the Enclosure Map of Meltham,refers to the Intake and part of Laith Close,in the Tithe Award. The place names of the West Riding of Yorkshire derive the name Golcar Hall from Golcar Brow and Golcar Hill,perhaps,like the village of Golcar the name comes from "Guthlac's shielings".If it is from a personal name the person must have left Golcar quite early for the Goldcar and Golker versions are found for the town around the 15th century. Badger Gate is the "gate" or road of the "Badger"or Travelling Pedlar.

Page 103

Smallpox Hospital,Moor Top

In 1881 Mr.George Thorpe,farmer lived at Moor Top Farm,then in 1892 the farm was vacant. Small-pox,which broke out in the district of Linthwaite in 1893 January,spread with some rapidity,much to the alarm of the inhabitants of the township.On

Page 104

oRT

Page 105

New Isolation Hospital Laying of the corner-stone August 2nd 1902

Beneath the lofty eminence of Cop Hill,Meltham on the expanse of moorland known as Meltham Moor,shortly will appear to view a Spacious isolation hospital,which will adequately serve the re- quirements of the Colne and Holme Valleys for the treatment of all infectious diseases with the exception of small-pox.One can judge of the size and efficiency of the building from the fact that it is estimated to cost £23,744.The institution will be fitted up on the most modern scale,and will be lighted by elec- tricity generated on the premises.That it will prove to be of incalcuable benefit to the districts which have combined to car- ry out the scheme is what one not only hopes for but is even assured of. The corner stone of the new building was laid on Saturday afternoon by Mr.Thomas Mallinson J.P. the chaiman of the Colne and Holme Joint Isolation Hospital Committee.Amongst those pres- ent were County Alderman H.Sugden who presided,Dr Kaye,West Riding medical office of health,Mr.E.T.Woodhead clerk to the Com- mittee,Mr.J.Berry,architect,Mr.R.V.Rigby,treasurer,the Rev.Joe Mallinson,the Rev.H.Collins(Scammonden) and Messrs W.Crowther, D.J.Bailey,and A.Shaw (Golcar)H.Whiteley

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New Isolation Hospital,The Scheme for the Colne and Holme Valleys Local Government Board Enquiry Thursday February 13th 1902 Mr F.St George Mivart M.D.,held an enquiry at the Union Offices Huddersfield,on Thursaday morning on behalf of the Local Govern- ment Board.The enquiry had reference to the application of the West Riding County Council to borrow the sum of £23,744 for the erection of an infectious diseases hospital at Meltham Moor by the Colne and Holme Joint Isolation Hospital Committee. The County Council were represented by Mr.F.D.Wardle,who acted on behalf of the West Riding solicitor Mr.Trevor Edwards.There were also present Dr.J.Kaye,county medical officer of health;Coun. T.Mallinson(Linthwaite),Mr.E.T.Woodhead and Mr.J.Berry chairman clerk and architect respectively to the Joint Committee;County Councillor G.Garside of Slaithwaite,Mr E.Gledhil,clerk to the Slaithwaite Council;Councillor G.H.Haigh of the South Crosland Council;and Mr.Harry Lomax clerk to the Holmfirth and Netherthong District Council. Mr.Wardle formally made the application on behalf of the County Council and it was stated that the rateable value of the district concerned was £182,832 while the population was 54,100.The town- ships included in the scheme are Golcar,Holme,Holmfirth,Honley, Linthwaite,Marsaden,Netherthong,Newmill,Scammonden,Slaithwaite South Crosland and Thurstonland. Mr.J.Berry the architect in desscibing the scheme,said the site of the hospital is about one mile from Meltham Station,called Meltham Moor and adjoining the public highway from Meltham to Slaithwaite and Marsden.The total area of the land acquired is 19 acres 3 roods,and the area of the site intended to be used for hospital purposes is seven actes.The height of the hospital above sea level is 790ft.The hospital will consist of seven blocks of buildings viz:-Administration,porters lodge and discharging rooms isolation block(containing six beds)scarlet fever pavilion with two separation wards(16 beds),scarlet fever pavilion without separation wards(14 beds)typhoid fever pavilion (14 beds)making a total of 50 bedss;and laundry,disinfecting rooms, stable, engine and boiler house and mortuary. The administration block contains on the ground floor:-Entrance Hall,matrons room nurses dining and sitting rooms,doctors room dispensary,matrons store room,nurses store rooms,w.c.,lavatory, kitchen,scullery,pantry and coalplace;first floor nine bedrooms, bathroom and w.c. ;attic floor,six bedrooms and three boxrooms. The porters lodge(near the entrance gates contains on the ground floor:- Living room,scullery,waiting room,discharging rooms and bathroom;chamber floor,two bedrooms and W.C.:basement floor;keep- ing and coal cellars, The isolation block contains two 2-bed wards two single bed wards and two nurses duty rooms;There is an open verandah in front of each section and leading off it are the w.c.'s and slop sinks.A movable bath is placed under each verandah.The dimensions of the wards are as follows:- Two 2 bed wards,24ft by 13ft by 13ft two 1 bed wards,13ft by 12ft by 13fy giving 2,028 cubic feet and 156 square feet per bed. Two pavilions are provided for scarlet fever patients,each con- taining two female wards( 8 beds each) two male wards (6 beds each), two separation wards in one pavilion only (1 bed each) The nurses duty room or ward kitchen is placed in the centre of the building,having four fixed windows allowing a complete observation of the four wards.The convalescent room is arranged on the first floor in the centre of the pavilion over the entrance passage and nurses duty room,and is approached by a stone staircase from the front entrance.The bathrooms W.C.‘S and slop sinks are placed at. each end of the wards,cut off with a cross ventilating lobby.An open verandah runs along the south-east front of each pavilion. The dimensions of the wards are as follows:- Female ward 48ft by 26ft by 13ft,male ward 36ft by 26ft by 13ft,separation wards 13ft by 12ft by 13ft,giving 2,028 cubic feet,156 square ft per bed.

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Isolation Hospital cont. The typhoid fever pavilion contains 14 beds,Female ward six bed male ward six beds,two separation wards one bed each;total 14 bed The nurses duty room is arranged similar to those in the scarlet fever pavilions.There is no convalescent room in this pavilion. One movable bath is provided for this pavilion and the w.cs's and slop sinks are placed at each end of the wards.The dimensions of the wards are as follows:-One female ward 36ft by 26 ft by 13ft; one male ward 36ft by 26ft by 13ft;two separation wards 13ft by 12ft by 13ft giving 2,023 cubic feet and 156 square feet per bed Each bed in all the wards has 12 linear feet of ward space 13ft high. The laundry block contains washhouse,laundry,drying stove,ambu- lance,stable,harness-room,covered yard,coal-place,engine and boiler house,accumulator-room.long chimney,mortuary and viewing room. All the larger wards will be heated by means of open double fronted stoves placed in the centre of the rooms and the smaller wards will have open fireplaces.The bathrooms will be heated by small radiators. Fresh air inlets will be provided behind each bed,all the win- dows will be double hung with sliding sahes and fanlights made to fall inwards above,ventilating shafts will

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Laying of the corner stone cont.

Mr.Mallinson-I thank you very much for these beautiful implements which will enable me,to lay this stone very correctlly. Mr.E.T.Woodhead,the clerk to the committee,stated that letters of apology for nonattendance had been received from Coun.Broadbent of Huddersfield,the Mayor of Huddersfield(Alderman E.Woodhead) and Mr.Charles Hall(solicitor)He proceeded to lay in the cavity prepared for that purpose the following copies of the "Cronicle" and

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The Colne and Holme New Feyer Hospital

On Jan 11th 1899,the West Riding County Council issued an Order under the Isolation Hospitals Act,1893,constituting the 13 Townships of the Colne and Holme valleys into a hospital district,for the provision,maintenance,and management of Isolation Hospital accommodation for the reception of patients suffering from infectious diseases. The following is a list of the townships with the population of each at the 1907 census:Colne Valley:-Golcar 9260,Linthwaite 6879,Marsden 4370,Scammonden 360, Slaithwaite 4763,:-25,632. Holme Valley:-Holme 417,Holmfirth 8976,Honley 4904, Meltham 5000,Netherthong 708,New Mill 4624,South Crosland 2974,Thurstonland 865,:28,468 Total:-54,100. The first meeting of the Joint Committee was held on 24th October,1899. For the treatment of cases of small-pox,the Committee in March 1900,resolved to take over the hospital at Moor Top,Meltham,until then maintained by the Colne Valley Hospital Committee. For all other infectious diseases the Committee decided to build a new hospital as soon as suitable site could be obtained.A site was secured at Spring Head,Meltham, about one mile from the Meltham Railway Station,and adjoining the public highway from Meltham to Slaithwaite.The total area of the land acquired is 19a,1r,34p, and the portion used for hospital purposes occupies about 7 acres.The purchase price,including compensation to tenants and expenses incurred in sinking trial holes etc.was £817 10s. Possession could not be obtained until February,1902,but in the meantime,viz:-on end August,1901,the Committee appointed Mr.Joseph Berry,Huddersfield,as their architect, and he at once prepared plans and estimates for the proposed hospital.The plans were received in March 1902.The plans provided for Porter's Lodge and Discharging Rooms, Administration Block,Isolation Pavilion for 6 beds,two Scarlet Fever Pavilions for 30 beds,Typhoid Fever Pavilion for 14 beds;total number of beds 50;Boiler House, disinfector and Laundry,Mortuary.The estimated cost was £23,744. Tenders were speedily obtained for the various works,and contracts were entered into in the month of May.1902.Work was at once commenced,and on August end 1902,the ceremony of laying the corner stone of the Administration Block was performed by the chairman (Counciller Thomas Mallinson.J.P.)In 1904 the hospital was pracically complete and ready for the reception of patients.Dr.Webster of Golcar was appointed Medical Officer;Miss A.M.Baker(from the Haley Sanatorium)Matron;and a sufficient staff of nurses and servants were engaged to meet the probable requirements at the present time.

The Opening Ceremony After a shower of rain had scattered the greater part of the visitors to the nearest shelter the outlook temporaily brightened and permitted the formal opening in front of the principal door of the administration block.The Chairman said that it was with pleasure that he introduced Mrs Mallinson who was to perform the opening of the hospital.Mr J.Berry(architect)then presented to Mrs Mallinson,a handsomely engraved gold key bearing the Mallinson crest and motto Adjuvante Deo,and the inscription "Presented to Mrs.Thos.Mallinson on the on the occasion of her opening the Colne and Holme Joint Hospital,September 3.1904. So on Sat.3rd Sept the new fever hospital was opened.Spring Head is situated about one mile from Meltham Railway Station on the steep road leading to Holthead and Marsden and the outlook from the new hospital is magnificent.On the right hand looms West Nab and the moors adjacent to Deerhill,Wessenden,and

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News-room at Meltham Mills November 1857

A News-room has lately estalished at Meltham Mills,for the benefit of the workpeople of Messrs Jonas Brook andBrothers, Messrs Charles Brook and Son,Mr.Joseph Hirst and also those who reside within the district of St.James's Church.The room is under the Infant School,and is the gift of Charles Brook jun.,who has kindly fitted it out with gas,chairs,tables etc.Only male persons above 18 years of age are admitted.Each member pays a penny per week for which he has the advantage of reading the Times,Man- chester,Examiner,Huddersfield Chronicle,Leeds Mercury,Leeds Intel-

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Opening of Meltham Mills Dining Rooms Monday May 7th 1866 On Monday Evening,the public opening of this splendid hall was

consummated by a grand concert.The performance was got up under the auspices of Mr.Prestonof Meltham Mills.The concert on Monday Evening was a complete success,the hall being crowded,and the artists all that could be wished for. Among the principal performers were Miss Edith Wynne,Miss Kate Wynne,Mr Coates,Mr Lewis Thomas and Mr B.Lodge,who contributed much to the pleasure of the evening by the exercise of their vocal abilities.

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Meltham Mills Swimming Baths

Messrs Jonas Brook and Brothers,of Meltham Mills,ever wishful to increase the comfort of their workpeople in the above locality provided for their use a large open swimming bath adjacent to one of their mills and enclosed within a substantial wall.The bath is 65 yards long and of a reasonable depth.At the invitation of the firm at Meltham Mills,the bath was publicly opened on Saturday afternoon the 9th May 1874 by the members of the Huddersfield Swimming Club,who gave an entertainment on the occasion.Mr.Edward Brook of Meltham Hall,occupied the chair,and there was a good attendance of spectators,considering the inclement state of the weather.The club were much pleased with the appearance of the bath and the arrangements made for their comfort.The entertainment was highly applauded throughout.The first race was for third class Swimmers one length of the bath.It was contested for by A.Pritchet W.Swallow,H.R.Shaw,F.Burrans and Alma Grant;after a good race Shaw ptoved the winner.The next race was for second class swimmer distance two lengths,contested for by H.Dewhurst,F.Dewhurst,B. Taylor,W.Eastwood and J.Frobisher;The winner was Eastwood.The race for the first class swimmers,came next,competitors being J.W.Wash- ington,E.Wrigglesworth,C.M.Pickering.The distance was three lengths and was one of the most exciting races of the

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New Dining Hall at Meltham Mills July 1911

Extensive alterations are being carried out at Meltham Mills, and the old dining hall is being converted into a power station for the installation of a electric power plant.So in place of the old hall a new one is being built on very up-to-date-lines. The two corner stones of the new dining hall were laid on Friday July 14th 1911 by Mr.A.C.Brook and Mr.C.J.Hirst,after King George coins had been deposited underneath.The building will be capable of seating about 300 people,and there will be a platform 10ft wide.There will also be a retiring room.a store room,and ladies and gentlemen's lavatories.

New Assembly Room at Meltham Mills July 6th 1912

Messrs Jonas Brook and Bros.Ltd,in making extensive alterations at their works,needed the dining hall for the site of the new turbine room.As the hall had been used for all local functions Messrs Brook decided to erect a new one in its place.The new one is now completed and was opened on Saturday July 6th 1912,on the occasion of the annual tea and entertainment given by members of the Meltham Mills Parish Church.The new assembly room is erected on a site adjoining the old dining hall and contains on the ground floor vestibule,with cloak rooms on each side,assembly room 60ft by 30ft with a raised platform at one end,retiring room and ladies lavatory.In the basement thereis a gentlemen's lavatory,store room and heating apparatus.The outside of the building is faced with pitch-faced wall-stones,and the roof is covered with blue Welsh Sons slates.The floors of the cloak room and lavatories are of polished terazzo and the walls of the lav- atories are covered with white tiles four feet high.The roof principals in the assembly room have curved ribs,supported on moulded stone corbels.All the windows are glazed with leaded lights The plans have been prepared by Messrs John Kirk and Sons,archi- tects,Central Buildings,Market Place,Huddersfield,and the work has been carried out under their superintendence. The annual tea and entertainment in connection with the Meltham Mills Parish Church was held in the new Dining Hall on Saturday evening.Prior to the commencement of the tea,Mr.Arthur Brook Man- or Croft,Helme,who was accompanied by Mrs.Brook,declared the new hall open and referred to its appearance and superiority over the old one both for meetings,teas or cocerts.The Vicar(Rev.J.S.Wilding in replying thanked Mr.Brook for opening the hall.At the entertain- ment in the evening the Vicar presided over a very large atten- dance,the new hall being filled to its utmost capacity.The enter- taining was in the hands of the scholars,who gave a capital programme.

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Laying of the Foundation Stone at Huddersfield Convalescent Home,Royd Edge,Meltham Wednesday 28th October 1868

Thanks to the generosity of one noble hearted benefactor a Con- valescent Home for Huddersfield and the neighbourhood is about to be erected,and,as it is to be connected with the Huddersfield Infirmary,it will form a most valuable adjunct to that institution This gigantic present of £30,000 is a crowning act of benevolence on the part of Charles Brook jun. J.P. whose fame for liberality and kindness of disposition is as well known especially in the neighbourhood in which he resides as the firm with which he is so honourably identified Messrs Jonas Brook and Bros. of Meltham Mills The first stone of the new institution was laid on Wednesday at Meltham Mills about five miles from Huddersfield,Market Place by the Earl de Grey and Ripon,under the auspieces of the Freemason with complete masonic honours and in the presence of thousands of specators.Itwas arranged that a procession should be formed,this was entrusted to Supt.Heaton of the County Constabulary and Supt. Withers of the Huddersfield Borough Police Force.Although a mist had set in and a rainy day seemed from an early hour in the morning,people attired in holiday apparel were to be seen making there way to the place of meeting The Huddersfield Rifles under the command of Capt.Moorehouse. advanced and then opened out and allowed the other parts of the procession to pass through the first in order being:-Earl de Grey and Ripon and other Freemasons,Architects Mr.E.Birchall and Mr. James Kirk.Mayor of Huddersfield(C.H.Jones)Deputy Mayor(Wright Mellor),Aldermen and Councillors,Infirmary Board and Medical staff Clergy from Huddersfield andMeltham and Districts,Council of the Chamber of Commerce,Fire Brigades Independent Order of Oddfellows Meltham Mills Brass Band,Board of Guardians, the processions slowly disappeared from the square and the public also moved towards the site.The spot once bleak and sequ- estered,became besieged by thousands of people.The Home is to stand on the summit of Meal Hill;the site is a portion of 15 acre and the prospect it commands is charming.Meal Hill is approached by a road branching from the Meltham and Holmfirth turn-pike road and it is encompassed by most beautiful landscape scenery.the foundation stone was laid at the north-east corner;the facade will immediately overlook the park and Bank Buildings,abutting the road leading from Meltham Mills to the site;and it is intended to lay out pleasure and exercise grounds for the inmates.The build- ings are to be constructed of Yorkshire stone,and will be erected from plans and designs prepared by Mr.Edward Birchall architect of Leeds and will be carried out under the superintendence of Messrs Kirk and Sons architects,Huddersfield. Around the foundation stone was provided a large space for the accommodation of the master and officers of the Grand Lodge of Masons and a few others.On one side of the space there was a gal- lery for the ladies.Mr.C.Brook jun.and party arrived sometime before the possession. Mr.Brook addressing Earl de Grey and Ripon said My lord,I have great pleasure in presenting to you this trowel to lay the found- ation stone of the Convalescent Home.His Lordship said I have the greatest pleasure in accepting it.The stone was the laid with proper ceremony and Earl Grey said I now declare this foundation stone laid.The ceremony over the procession returned to Meltham and in the evening a banquet was held.The multitude dispersed, and very soon the village resumed its wonted quietude.

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The Opening Of the Convalescent Home at Meltham Mills Thursday 3rd August 18/71

On Thursday afternoon,an elegant building,in the domestic Gothic style of architecture, situated at Meltham Mills,and now known as the Meltham Mills Convalescent Home,was,amid much ceremony and demonstration,opened by the Venerable Archdeacon Musgrave,of Halifax and Mr.Charles Brook of Enderby Hall,Leicestershire,the latter gentleman being its founder.Mr.Charles Brook is the head of the firm of Messrs Jonas Brook & Bros,who for many years have manu- factured thread of various kinds at Meltham Mills,and who employ a large number of workpeople.Some years ago Messrs Brook founded in the valley a reading room.erected later a large dining hall in connection with the mill,and laid out a recreation ground several acres in extent,called the pleasure grounds,all for the use of the people of Meltham.In reference to the gift,Mr.Brook said that it had for a long series of years been his desire to do something for the people that should really beworthy of being a gift that he had at first thought of erecting a number of almshouses,but on re-considering t he whole question,he thought it advisable to consult some of his relations and more immediate friends,and then acting upon their advice,and approving in his own mind the wisdom of the suggestions they had to make,he had determined on having erected,for the benefit of the ailing,a convalescent home.This determination was come to after much anxious thought and consid- eration,and Mr.Brook also resolved that it should be estabished in connection with the Huddersfirlf and Upper Agbrigg Infirmary It was with this view thatMr.Brook in the year 1867 or 1868,sent to the Board of Management of the Huddersfield Infirmary a letter in which he offered to build and endow a convalescent home at Meltham Mills.Upon the receipt of that letter a meeting of the Boar d was called to consider the offer,this was gratefully accepted Mr Brook proposed that the Home should be built and endowed at a total cost of £30,000-the building to cost £12,000,and the rest to go to the endowment fund.Later,however,Mr Brook determined that in order that every provision should be made for the main- tenance of the Home,a sum of £25.000 should be invested at a good rate of interest. The Board of Management having accepted the offer,the next step to be taken was to instruct an architect to prepare plans of the Home Mr.Brook contemplated erecting.Mr.E.Birchall of Park Place, Leeds was entrusted with the duty of preparing the plans. The following descripton of the new building is as follows The building which is erected of stone from local quarries,is in the domestic Gothic style of architecture,and is finely relieved with elegantly designed windows, posscesing also many features of arch- itectural beauty and utility of structure,not less than in taste- ful artistic arrangement which reflects great credit on the skill of the architect,It faces the north-east,and the main front is

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Convalescent Home (cont) containing the infirm bedrooms,are day rooms 35ft.long by 27ft.wide each room having a bay window forming half an octagonal turret, running to the top of the building on each side,From the day room on the left hand side of the building as the visitor enters the men will have access to a smoking room,13ft.lin.long by 10ft.llin wide and close to this wing it is intended to lay down a bowling green.To the rear of the main front is the large dining

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Convalescent Home (CONT) park or recreation ground at present attached to the works at Meltham Mills,if the works or reverted from their present use, then the park grounds will be entirely made over to the trustees of the Home. The foundation stone was laid on the 28th Oct 1868,but then nothing was done till May the following year. The proceedings in connection with the opening of the Convalesce Home went in accordance with the programme drawn up.A great deal of interest was felt in the proceedings by most of the inhabitant of Meltham and Huddersfield.many of the shops and places of busi- ness,were closed to enable those who desired to take part or wit- ness the proceedings.The morning opened brilliantly,and there was every prospect that the weather would be fine throughout the day. From early morning the village of Meltham was astir,and the train brought large numbers of people from the villages on the way to Huddersfirld as early as nine o'clock in the morning.Flags were suspended from the various public houses in the village,and from the windows of many of the villagers,and from the works at Meltham Mills.The bells of Meltham Chuch rang merry peals during the morning,as if welcoming the people to the interesting event, which later on was to be performed. Precisely at twenty-five minutes past twelve o'clock Charles Brook the donor drove into the station yard in his carriage,accompanied by J.D.Birchall of Bowden Hall,Worcestershire,his son-in-law, Shortly afterwards the different bodies which were to take part in the procession walked in,and were marshalled in their proper order by Supt.Heaton.The following organisations were represented in the procession County Police.The Rifle Volunteers Jonas Brook and Bros Fire Brigade,The Independant Order of Oddfellows,The Ancient of Shepherds.Freemasons,General Public,Board of Guardians Mayor and Corporation of Huddersfield,Huddersfield Chamber of

Page 120

Royd Edge Convalescent Home

The Convalescent Home was situated at the bottom of Royd Edge Road,Meltham Mills,at the west end of the valley of Meltham,and was erected and endowed at the sole expense of Mr.Charles Brook junior of Meltham Hall. The foundation stone was laid with full Masonic Honours by the Earl of Ripon on Oct.28th 1868.The plans and designes were by Mr.Birchall of Leeds,and were carried out under the immediate Supervision of Messrs J.Kirk & Son's of Huddersfield.It is in the domestic Gothic Style,finely relieved with elegantly designed windows,all of stone.The grounds were laid out by Mr.Major,the celebrated landscape gardener of the time.The land appropriated to the building and grounds is eleven acres in extent.The total cost of this large and handsome building and endowment was £40,000, The opening ceremony took place on Aug.3rd 1871,by Mr.Charles Brook the founder. There was accommodation for 30 people of each sex,and was under the direction of a local committee,and due care was taken in the admission of people for a month. The home continued its work of caring for the sick from Meltham and surrounding districts,although towards the latter end of its existence few people were taking advantage of its amenities. During the early years of the first World War the building was taken over by the Ministry of Works,and was used by them for men invalided out of the Forces.In 1916 it became a Military Hospital with 100 beds where 1,334 men were cared for before it was de- requisitioned on Feb 28th

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Meltham Mills Pleasure Grounds

In 1858,Mr.Major,the celebrated landscape gardener from Leeds was instructed by Charles Brook,jun.,to design and layout a narrow but picturesque valley or rugged ravine of several acres in ex- tent,To be known as the Peoples Pleasure Grounds at Meltham Mills for the benefit of his workpeople. It will form an interesting range with rugged steeps,and rocky precipices encompassing a srteam(Thick Hollins Dyke).The park besides running water,bridges,Selected trees,shrubs and paths will when the trees on the slopes have attained a certain amount of growth,the grounds the gift of a generous and large hearted man,to the public,will form a still more marked feature in the landscape,and afford shelter while they also add beauty to it. The Pleasure Gardens were ready for use in August 1859.

A Park known as Meltham Mills Pleasure Gardens which was created by Mr.Charles Brook jun.,in 1859 for the benefit of the people of Meltham Mills,was on May 27th 1944 given to Meltham by the United Thread Mills Ltd of Royd Edge and Paisley. The park,a leading beauty spot in the Metham area is about a quarter of a mile long,It is filled with trees and shrubs,with a stream down the centre, Mr.T.S.Hayton,clerk to the Council went to Huddersfield to arrange for the transfer of the property.On his return he stated that the Pleasure Grounds would continue to be open to the public free of charge,as they had been for many years.

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Laying of the Corner-stone of the New Masonic Hall,Wednesday 25th May 1881

On Wednesday afternoon,with all the ceremonies of the craft,the corner stone of the new Masonic Hall for Meltham was laid by Bro, T.W.Tew J.P.,P.M.,910 Deputy Prov.Grand Master of West Yorkshire. Shortly after three p.m.the officers of the Lodge of Peace,opened the lodge at the Masonic Rooms,Meltham.Shortly,afterwards a dep- utation conducted the Deputy Provincial Grand Master and the icers of the Provincial Grand Lodge to the Oddfellows'Hall,whither the other brethren had adjourned,and where a procession was formed headed by the Meltham Mills Band.The procession consisted of Free- masons from Huddersfield,Slaithwaite,Halifax,Bradford, mondwike,Saddleworth and Sheffield.Then followed the W.M.,officer and members of the Lodge of Peace,The procession having made a promenade of the village,the band playing a march consisting of Freemasons airs,arranged from Dr.Spark's book by R.Stead of the Meltham Mills Band,proceeded to the site of the new building,which is in theclose vicinity of St.Bartholomews Church.The. bretheren having taken up their positions,the metrical version of the Hund- redth Psalm was sung,the excellent Meltham Euphonic Quartette party leading the singing,prayer was then offered by Bro.the Rev. R.C.Wilford,after which Bro.T.A.Haigh read the report of the His- tory of the Lodge of Peace from its start on the first day of Ap- ril 1777.when the lodge was first opened in the town of Barnsley. until the year 1826 when on the 26th day of August of that year, the brethren agreed to remove to Meltham,from Honley.In conclus- ion right worship sir,Inow beg to say that we the brethren of the Lodge of Peace-and I have no doubt the rest of the brethren here- are very grateful that you have accepted our invitation and come amongst us,and honiured us with your presence on this occasion to lay the corner stone of the Masonic Temple,now in the course of erection,and I venture to hope and also to predict,that the re- sult of the proceedings of thisday will not only tend to strength en and consolidate the Lodge of Peace..The D.P.G.M. was the asked to lay the stone by the V.M.of the Lodge of

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Opening of the New Masonic Hall Wessenden Head Road Saturday Feb.4th 1882

The new Freemasons'Hall was opened on Saturday Feb.4th.Besides a very large muster of the members of the lodge,there were present visiting brethren from various other lodges in the province of West Yorkshire.Amongst the visitors were Bro.the Rev.T.F.J.Pearce Vicar of St.Pauls,Prov.Grand Chaplain of West Yorkshire;Brov.T. Ruddock,P.P.G.D.:Bro.A.Jackson,P.P.G.D,:Bro.Josh Graham,W.M.Lodge of Truth;Bro.Wassick,P.M.St Jame's Lodge,Halifax;Bro.Micklethwaite P.M. Wakefield Lodge;Bro.R.Williamson,P.M.:Bro.G.Horsfall,P.M.;

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Laying of the Foundation Stone

Page 127

Opening of the Hall Meltham

On Monday the 12th April 1852 the Oddfellows' Hall in the village of Meltham was formally opened,the occasion being cele- brated by a procession and meeting of the members of the district lodges.The building,the foundation stone of which was laid on Easter Monday 1851l,is a plain and substantial stone structure designed by Mr.Creaser and built by Messrs Pogson at a cost of £1200.The lodge-room which is admirably adapted for public purposes is 69ft.by 36ft.,and is neatly fitted up.At the further end of the room there is a raised dais or platform,with a prosconium and curtains,having anti-rooms on either side. The event was celebrated as a gala day,and the weather being exceedingly fine,the village presented a stirring and bustling scene.At two o'clock the members assembled at the house of host Reuben Redfearn,the Waggon and Horses and at half-past they formed in procession headed by the Meltham Mills Brass Band,and the officers of the Meltham Lodge,in the dresses of the order.The Holmfirth lodge,headed by the Holmfirth temperance band,and the officers came next and the rear was brought up by members of other lodges.The procession(numbering about 250)proceeded past the chur ch and Methodist chapel,returning through Meltham and Meltham Mills,thence to the hall,where they were received by the Rev.Mr. Hughes,incumbent3;W.L.Brook Esq. of Meltham Hall;€.John Brook Esq. of Healey House;Joseph Hirst Esq. of Greave;E.Eastwood Esq.;JOHN Haigh Esq,surgeon and other gentlemen.The Rev.Mr.Thomas arrived shortly afterwards. In accordance with previous arrangements the proceedings were presided over by W.L.Brook,Esq. The Chairman on rising said:-My friends,about twelve months ago you did me the honour of asking me to lay the first stone of the spacious and substantial building in which we are now assembled and which does credit to the Oddfellows'Society of Meltham,and will I trust be handed down to their children's children as a monument of the munificence of their ancestors in providing for them a building wherein they can meet and carry out the objects of this noble institution.What ever may be our politcal creed, and however much we may differ we must all be loyal and good subjects,Your rulles to enforce order and good conduct in your meetings are admirable.You have a rule toadmit no one of improper character and another to expel any member convicted of felony. These are excellent regulations.But my friends the grand principle of your society is the relieving of brothers in distress.You subscribe by weekly payments moner which in times when trade is bad you can ill afford,for the support of those amongst you who may be totally destitute,and when sickness comes upon you there is your own bank to apply to,and you are thereby independent of the charity of others.In conclusion let me urge upon you not to leave your principles within these walls,but carry them with you in your daily walks in life,and I am confident they will bring their own reward. The Rev.Hughes in responding to the call of the Chairman,con- gratulated the assembly on the successful issue of their labours in the completion of this spacious and elegant building and he truseted that it would never be used for any purposes unworthy of themselves as men,and as members of the respectable Order of Oddfellows. After other speakers including Mr.Aitken of Ashton,Mr.Kilburn Mr.Joseph Hirst of Greave.Rev.Mr.Thomas and Charles John Brook a vote of thanks were then proposed to the chairman,strangers and to the band,after which the proceedings terminated by the audience singing the national antham. During the proceedings the band played several popular airs.

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Enlargement of Oddfellows'

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Laying of Corner Stones(cont) Bro.J.H.Preston presented to Bro.Graham an ivory handledmallet and a silver trowel,and said all were grateful the Bro.Graham had condescended to come to little Meltham in the Holmfirth district a very remote part of the Manchester Unity. Bro.Wellington Watson presented to Bro.Wrigley a similar trowel and mallet on behalf of the Oddfellows,and he was glad they had selected Bro.Wrigley to lay one of the stones on account of the interest he had taken in the juvenile society. Mr.James S.Kirk next on behalf of his firm and the contractors presented a similar trowel and mallet to Bro.E.H.Carlile and expressed the hope that he would live many years to see the use- fulness of the hall.and that the work they were inaugurating would be a very great success. The three gentlemen to whom the trowels and mallets were presented each laid a stone in the name of the Father,Son,and Holy Ghost.,after which Bro.the Rev.J.R.Jagoe offered a very appropriate prayer. Bro George Henry Dawson offered the thanks of the officers of the New Year Lodge and Building Committee to Bros.Graham,Wrigley and Carlile for laying the stones. This portion of the proceedings then closed.It should be stated that the foundation stones were supplied by Messrs James Brierley and Co.of Warwick Quarries,Netherton;and the inscriptions upon the stones were carved by the Grand Master of the Huddersfield district Bro.Hugh Ramsden.Atea was provided in the National School,and a moderate number partook of it. In the evening a public meeting was held in the Oddfellows Hall and it was well attended.Bro W.Wrigley presided. On the motion of Bro.A.Broadbent seconded by Bro.David Bottomley thanks were given to Bro.Stead and his musical party,after which the proceedings closed.

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Opening of the Extension to the Oddfellows' Hall

On Saturday the 23rd March 1895,the Grand Master of the Man- chester Unity of Oddfellows visited Meltham to formally open the extensions that have been made to the Oddfellows'Hall,which was erected in 1851.The building as it formerly existed was a plain three-storeyed structure,the assembly-room or hall being on the upper floor,while the two lower floors were let as dwelling house The extensions consist of an additional open stone staircase to the assembly-room(the only approach hitherto being a stone stair- case at one end)ladies and gentlemen's retiring-rooms and lava- tories,a ground floor kitchen,with lift to the upper floors,and a fireproof heating chamber.The exterior of the new building is faced with local stone and Crosland Moor dressings.The first ele- vation is of an ornamental character,and has been treated in the classic style,the entrance doorway having bold projecting pilasters and entablature.The first-floor window to the staircase has moulded mullions and transomes and a moulded cornice over.The second-floor window to the staircase has moulded mullions and transomes,and an ornamental circular pediment with scrolls and ball finals.The front is finished with a shaped Elizabethan gable on which is ibscribed “Enlarged 1894".The work has been very sat- isfactorily carried out by the following firms:-Masons,Messrs Hohn Moorhouse and Sons,joiners,Messrs,Moorhouse and Taylor; plasterers,Messrs James Wilkinson and Sons;plumber,Mr.J.W.Kaye; painter,Messrs J.Preston and Sons;ironfounder,Mr.James Kilburn all of Meltham;and the slater's work by Mr.W.E.Jowitt of Hudders- field,from the plans and under the superintendence of Messrs John Kirk and Sons,architects,Huddersfield.The total outlay was about £1,000. The Grand Master was met at Meltham Station at 2.15 on Saturday afternoon.and was escorted direct to the hall,the Meltham Mills Brass Band leading the way.At three o'clock a procession left the hall and headed by the Meltham Mills Brass Band paraded the prin- cipal streets of the township.The weather was very unfavourable and grew worse as the after noon advanced.On the hall being reach- ed again,the formal opening ceremony took place at the new entrance Hon.Bro.William Wrigley,J.P. in presenting the Grand Master with a handsome gold key remarked that it was nine months ago when they met on the same bround to witness the laying of the founda- tion stones,The additions were now completed and judging from the exterior they were a great credit to both the architect and the contractorsHe believed also that great convenience would be found in the use of the new part.On behalf of the lodge he asked the Grand Master to accept the key.He then proceeded to unlock the door and amid applause declared the new part of the building open The hon.members were then admitted to the hall by the new entrance,while the remainder of the processionists were admitted by the old entrance.After the additions to the building had been inspected,a short meeting was held.Tea was provided for the visi- tors in the National Schoolroom,and in the evening a public meet- ing was held in the hall.Hon Bro E.Carlile presided,and there was a large number present..During the evening a number of glees were sung by the Huddersfield Arion Prize Quartet Party,and the meet- ing terminated with a vote of thanks to the chairman.

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ODDFELLOWS HALL

At the Centenary meeting of the Independent Order of Oddfellows on Saturday 6th Jan.1927.No fewer than a thousand people took tea in the Oddfellows Hall and the Meltham Liberal Ckub,and ovér five hundred were entertained at a concertiin the Alhambra Picture House,followed by a dance in the Liberal Hall. Bro Frnest Taylor the lodge secretary gave an outline of the histoty of the lodge,which formed on Jan.1st 1827.From the beginning members were very keen followers of the movement,and held their meetings in the Waggon & Horses Hotel.Although the membership in those days was £1-1s.the membership rose rapidly,and at the end of 1832 over 100 members had been initiated. In October 1835 it was resolved that the lodge should invest part of its capital in a building if a convenient site could be purchased and good security obtained, s0 in May 1850 the site of the Oddfellows Hall was bought for £207.In celebration of this stroke of excellent business it was decided that the members should have a dinner"same to be 1s.4d.per head,and to include a pint of best ale". The foundation stone having been laid on Easter Monday 1851,the hall was officially opened a year later.By this time the membership was 200. The hall was later extended in dune 1894,

Page 132

Mechanics & Carlile Institute

Despite Charles Brook Junior family's building of schools,he was less inclined to encourage the self education of his employees.He only grudingly allowed the new Meltham Mechanics Institute to use rooms in the mill in 1849, According to Brian Dindles History of Further Education in the Huddersfield District,the Meltham Mechanics Institute had one of the longest periods of existence of any village organisation in the vicinity,and education classes for working people was still being held in 1897. In 1857,president Mr.J.W.Carlile announced that the institute was in a prosperous position with the library now holding 400 volumes. When

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The Qpening of The Carlile Institute at Meltham

On Friday October 16th 1891,the institute which had been erected to the order of Mr.J.W.Carlile,formerly a partner in the well- known firm of Jonas Brook and Sons Meltham Mills,for the benefit of the inhabitants of Meltham, and the accommodation of the Mechanics Instituton,was opened without any formal ceremony taking place. The institute was erected in the Elizabethan or revived classic style of architecture,with portico of the Doric order, richly moulded windows,and string courses and ornamental gables towards the main street,and side fronts more simply treated, but in harmony with the principal elevation.All the wall facings and dressings are of Crosland Moor stone,and the walls are lined with brick.with a cavity between outer and inner portions,to exclude damp.The roofs are of high pitch covered with green Cumberland slates crested with red ridge-tiles.Entering from the portico through a lobby formed by moulded oak screen and folding doors,there is a spacious entrance hall,paved with marble mosaic wide stone staircaseflanked by handsome hammered iron balustrade and moulded dark dado;and the ceiling over the staircase is panelled and moulded,with plaster ribs and enriched cornice.On the ground floor to the right of the entance hall,are the read- ing room and libary,together measureing 42ft by read- ing room has a dado of panelled dark oak and ceiling richly decorated with moulded plaster ribs and cotnice.Massive oak tables,specially designed,like all the fittings,in harmony with the style of the buiding,comfortable arm chairs,and pictures round the walls complete the furnishing of this beautiful room. The library is entered through a broad archway,and is fitted up with oak book cases and shelves,well stocked with valuable volumes of history,fiction,travel.art,and general literature. Beyond the enrance hall is a large news or magazine

Page 134

the ceiligs throughout the buildings,form a principle feature in the decoration of the lecture hall and staircase rooms.Much care and attention have been bestowed upon the details of heating and ventilation in order to provide an ample supply of warm.fresh air without draughs or the use of comlicated appliances likely to get out of order.The insitute is heated by hot water radiator and pipes.The floors generally are of pitch pine,the ground floors being laid with small wood blocks laid to an ornmental pattern and in damp proof composition.The doors and wood fitting throughout are made of specially selected oak or pitch pine.In the principal rooms and entrances,they are elaborated,moulded andpolished and the locks,hinges etc.are all of a specially good character.The buildings,inclusive of fittings,decorations and furniture have been designed by the architect Mr.J.S.Alder of Old Broad Street,London.The following are the contractors;Masons work messrs J.Moorhouse and Sons Meltham,carpenters and joiners furniture and fittings,Mr.Henry Holland,Huddersfield;slating and plastering Mr.W.E.Jowett Huddersfield;plumbing and glazing Mr.G.Garton Messrs W and P.Holroyd,Hudders field,heating Messrs T.A.Heaps and Co Huddersfield;hammered iron work and gas fittings Messrs Singer and SOns,Frome,Somerset; marble mosaic floor Mr.J.P.Etner London Mr james Haigh was clerk of works. A beautifully provided luncheon was served in the lecture room by Messrs Heskoth and Birkinshaw of Huddersfield. In the unavoidable absence of Mr.J.W.Carlile owing to illness,his son Mr.W.W.Carlile occupied the chair,and there were also present Miss Brook,Healey House.Bishop of Wakefield,Mrs Carlile,Lord Addington,Mrs Gogg,Rev.C.Jerdein.Mr.E.H.Carlile,Mr.Gogg,Mrs C.J.Brook,MrsE.H.CARLILE Mr,Mrs Fisher,Rev.James Brooke Mr.Lewis Brooke,Miss Carlile and Messrs Cairns and G.Moorhouse on behalf of the Mechanics Institute.

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The Carlile Institute Opening of the New Wing Friday 13th 1903 Nov Meltham is not only the head of "The Happy Valley"geographically and in natural beauty,but also in objects of beauty and usefulnes given to the inhabitants by men who have there amassed wealth and recognised to the full its obligations and responsibilities.The latest instance of this virtue is the gift of a new wing to the Carlile Institute by the generous founder.Mr.J.W.Carlile,formarly resident at Thickhollins,and now of

Page 136

Portraits of Premiers for the Carlile Institute

Sept 1901 Mr.James W.Carlile,the generous donor of the Carlile Institute to the township of Meltham,has added to the many gifts he has made to the people by enriching the institute which bears his name with a series of 12 oil paintings of the gentlemen who have held the high positions of Premier of Great Britain during his life time.The portraits are in the order following:- The Duke of Wellington,the hero of Waterloo,who,after his many battles in the field,turned,in his old days,to politics,and won considerable success in that field as he had in others. Earl Grey,whose portrait brings back memories of Reform days. Lord Melbourne,who was ever courtly,and who will always be re- membered for the work done during the early days of the reign of Queen Victoria. Sir Robert Peel,whose name will be ever memorable in our history for the indomitable courage he displayed in the face of the oppo- sition of his party in repealing the Corn Laws,and in carrying many other useful measures,not least amongst which was the mea- sure for the establishment of our police forces. Earl Russell,who had two short terms of office as Premier,and both of them were stormy periods in internal politics. Lord Derby,whose short term of office was notable for,amongst other things,the commencement of Lord Beaconsfield career. Lord Aberdeen,who had seen much service in the Government in different departments,and whose term of duty at the Foriegn Office was extremely notable for the conspicuous part he took in the formation of the Hellenic Kingdom.He also held the position of Colonial Secretary,and was Foreign Secretary,assisting very mat-— erially in the repeal of the Corn Laws.He became Premier in 1852 in a Coalition Goverment,and was unfortunately faced with the complications which led to the Crimean War. Lord Palmerston,who was best known for his strong foreign pol- icy,and in his days the proverb of "Civis Romanus Sum"was equal- ly applicable to every Briton the world over.His memory will live long in our history ss the defender of British interests the world over. I Mr.Disraeli,known in later life as Lord Beaconsfield,whose force of character enabled him to rise to the highest position in the State and whose sagacity and foresight did not only do so much for his party,but also for the nation,to whose interests he devoted himself with an ability rare even in our annals. Mr.W.E.Gladstone,whose career gave rise perhaps to the great- est controversies of any man who held his office.We can all agree however that he was a man of wonderful attainments with a notable gift for speech;one who never spared himself in workand who had a marvellous influence over the great masses of his fellow country- men. Lord Rosebery,the enigma of politics.A man of brilliant promise who appeared as if he might do everything,but whose perfoemances are so few as to startle even his friends. Lord Salisbury,the man who has broken the record in the length of his Premiership and whose knowledge of foreign politics is believed to exceed that of anyone now living.In his time Bismarck had a longer term of office. and Queen Victoria experience was of course superior to that of the present Premier.Lord salisbury's career both as Foreign Minister and as Premier have been highly successful,while always safeguarding our interests in a manner which only the future can make clear. These few notes will show living interest attached to this series of pictures,and will doubtless create an interest in the present and in the rising generation who seek to learn some thing of the lives of the subjects. The fact that the whole series were painted by the late Mr.G.D. Tomlinson of Huddersfield,as a distinguished copyist no one could exceed his fidelity,and most of the portraits are copies from

Page 137

Meltham Memorial Schools

The chief corner-stone of the Memorial School in memory of the late Mr.Joseph Hughes,who was incumbent of Meltham for a quarter of a century,was laid on Saturday afternoon 10th November 1866 in the presence of a large number of spectators,by Miss Hughes,his daughter.In the afternoon there was a luncheon in the Oddfellow's Hall and it was attended by the Rev.E.C.Watson(incumbent)and J. Smart(curate)Meltham;Canon Hulbert and Moran(curate)Slaithwaite E.C.Ince(incumbent)and A.Willan(curate) Meltmam Mills:G.G.Lawrence (incumbent) and J.M'Cans(curate) St.Pauls,Huddersfield,D.J.M'Kimm (incumbent )Rashcliffe;C.J.Clarke(incumbent) Moldgreen;E.H.Green (incumbent )Helme;G.R.Wilson(incumbent )Linthwaite;G.Hough(incumbent) South Crosland;T.Willan,Leeds;E.Brooke Esq;J.W.Carlile Esq;J. Wrigley.sen;E.C.Gooddy;James Allen,T.D.Scholes,W.Bamford, James Kilburn,T.A.Haigh,James Ramsden and several others.Several ladies were also present.At three o'clock there was a service in the church,conducted by the Rev.E.C.Watson and the Rev.J.Smart;after which a procession was formed in the following order:-Church Ward- ens,with their staves of office;banner,scholars and teachers, clergy,Mr.Watson accompanying Miss Hughes,Mr.J.S.Kirk,architect; building committee,sub-committees and congregation.The procession went from the church through the Market Place up the New Road and then to the site of the school which is opposite the church.On arriving at the ground,the elder scholars formed a semi-circle in side of which the younger ones were placed,the clergy took up a position on the left of the stone,the ladies of the congregation ascended a platform to the right,and the gentlemen stood in front of the platform.The Rev.E.C.Watson then gave out the hymn, Jerusalem the golden"after which there was prayer. E,Brooke Esq.then presented Miss Hughes with a siver trowel with ivory handle,bearing a suitable inscription.Before making the

presentation he said they were laying the chief corner stone of a school to be erected to the memory of the late Mr.Highes who for 25yrs ministered amongst the people of Meltham.For some years before he died he was ancious to have larger schools built in Meltham on account of the increase of population and because in a better school the teaching could be better carried on,However a serious illness took him away at very short notice,and the school he dreamed of had not been built,but when emotion caused by his death had somewhat aubsided it was decided to erect the school in his memory,the memory of one they loved so well.They were all hearly thankfull for larger and more convenient schools were going to be erected.Friends and relations erected monuments in churches, and tombstones in churchyards,in the memory of those they loved. those monuments were as cold as the remains that lay the monument which they were erecting in memory of the late pastor though it was built of stone,would have within it life,vigorous life,the life and lightness of youth,the joyfulness,the innocence of childhood.He presented the trowel to Miss Hughes in the name of the subscribers and he hoped in after years she would often look on it,remember the many friends she had here,and would continue to have sincere regard for them, which he was sure was felt for her by all the people of Meltham. Mr.J.S.Kirk then presented to Miss Hughes a rosewood mallet with mahogany handle. Miss Hughes having used the implements in the usual way,pronounced the stone duly laid.In a cavity beneath the stone was placed a box containing copies of the Huddersfield Examiner and Chronicle.the Times,a bible,a prayer Book,some silver and bronze coins and a parchment on which was inscribed"St.Bartholmews Church Meltham Memorial Schools.These schools were erected by public subscription on land presented for that purpose by Charles Brook junr. late of

Meltham Hall,now of Enderby.Leicestershire J.P in memory of the late Joseph Hughes,who was for twenty-five years incumbent of the chapelry of Meltham.The foundation stone was laid by his daughter

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Memorial Schools cont.

Jane Gwenhwyfar Hughes,On this the 10th day of November,in the year of our Lord 1866.Trustees;The Vicar of Almondbury,the

Incumbents of Meltham and Meltham Mills,Helme and Wilshaw and T.A.Haigh Churchwardens.Building committee;Charles Brooke junr., Edward brook.James William Carlile,Edward Coleman Gooddy,Joseph Hirst,Thos.Henry Lawford James Ramsden,Thomas Denton Scholes, John Kirk & Sons architects,George Moorhouse and Co. builders. The Rev.E.C.Watson said in having Miss Hughes to come amongst them that day,he felt that they were carrying out the true idea of a memorial school.They were much obliged to her for her kind- ness in coming and she must feel it a great honour to lay the foundation stone of schools to be erected to the memory of a faithful pastor and a loving parent.He next gave some details that by the trust deed the school would be connected with the National Society for the promotion of Education amongst the poor,from which society a grant forf£80 had been recieved. He then spoke about the qualifications of Mr.Lawford as school- master,stated that the school when complete would cost about £2,000 and towards this £1,230 had been subsribed. After other speakers had spoken,the proceedings concluded with National Antham and the benediction. At the tea party held in the Oddfellows'Hall after the ceremony upwards of 400 sat down.The church choir with Mr.R.Wood as pianist were in attendance and sang several songs.,The Rev.E.C.Watson pre- sided at the public meeting,the hall being crowded.The meeting broke up soon after ten o'clock

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Memorial School at Meltham

Page 140

Memorial School at Meltham cont white.Allthe windows are glazed with sheet glass in lead lights.A Ehe windows

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New Infants Memorial School

In 1873 the old Infants School was having being condemmed,on account of want of offices and playground,it was decided to errect a new school on the site given by the late Charles Brook,who also poured £100 towards the building.This amount was augmented by a gift of £500 from Edward Brook of Meltham Hall,and £300 from J.W.Carlile of Thickhollins,and £250 by Joseph Hirst of Wilshaw They also intended to build a Masters House. Then on the 22nd June 1874,the school was opened under Miss May the appointed mistress with 130 schlars,which numbers have increased each day.The school is a plain,but useful and commodious school building,from designs prepared by Messrs John Kirk & Sons The room is 52ft long,by 24 to 25ft broad and is 22ft high.The height and ventilation is pronounced as excellent,and the school is in every way complete.One great and excellent feature connected with the school is,first,they believed in the district to have a covered playground,modelled on the London School Board Plan.

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Meltham Church Schools extension

Anninteresting ceremony took place at the Meltham Church Schools on Saturday the 9th November 1901,when two new class- rooms in the infants department,which were found to be needed on account of the increased attendance at the school,were opened. Over 200 persons assembled to witness the ceremony.The Rev.G.J. Tatham,vicar of Meltham,in the course of a few remarks,spoke of the properous condition of the schools,and of the large numbers attending them.An interesting address on educational topics

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New National School Infants

The new Infants School:-The building formerly used as a National Shool,having been converted into an Infant School was opened on Monday 13th Jan.1868,under the management of Miss Walker and has already been well attended.Over 50 children were entered the first day.On Tuesday the numbers were increased to 70 and the school now number nearly 100.

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Official Opening of Meltham C of E Primary School Saturday 11th July 1964

Pictured at the opening of Meltham C. of E. Primary School are (from left) County-Clr.C.7T.Broughton,Mr.A.E.Duffy,Colne Valley's M.P.,the Bishop of Wakefield(the

Page 147

Meltham C.of E School Swimming Bath.

A Public meeting was held at the School on Thursday lst July 1965 decided to go ahead with a scheme to provide a learners swimming bath at the school. For some time now the question of installing such a pool had been under was a shallow pool which would allow instruction to be given in normal school hours.Five-year olds and over would be able to use the heated indoor bath. Mr.E.W.Hobson(headmaster)said that the scheme would cost a lot of money,but it was felt that it had the support of parents,friends and staff. The West Riding County Council would give a certain amount of financial support and the Meltham school managers had agreed to the scheme in principle. There are 450 children at the school at that time. Two committees were formed-one to deal with the technical side of the scheme,and the other to be responsible for raising funds. The first large-scale effort towards raising £5,000 with which to provide the swimming bath at Meltham C.of E.School was held on Saturday 18th Sept.1965 and took the form of a garden party,held in the school grounds. Some twelve months ago a committee was formed by school staff and parents with Mr E.W.Hobson,headmaster as secretary,with the object of raising money towards the indoor swimming pool about 30ft by 20ft in a building to be erected on the east side of the school building. There was some anxiety in the morning about the weather, but fortunately the sun shone and the weather remained fine but windy and a large crowd had assembled when the opening ceremony took place Mr.S.E.Burto,a parent presided and said that since the committee was formed social functions had raised £110 and they hoped that this figure would be doubled by the end of the day.He hoped that when the swimming pool materialised all children passing through the school would learn to swim.That would be a worthy achievement. The pool would be for Meltham school children only and swimming lessons would be included in the ordinary school cost of the scheme would be about £5.000 and that was the targate the committee had set out to attain. Coun.W.Batty,Chairman of Meltham U.D.C. officially opened the fete,and sprays of flowers were presented to Mrs.Batty and Mrs Blurton and buttonholes by four small

Page 148

Swimming Pool (cont)

The official opening of the learner swimming pool at Meltham C.of E. Primary School took place on Saturday Sept.30th 1967 in front of a large gathering of parents and representatives of several organisations including the chairman,Councillor H.Bastow and other members of the Meltham Urban District Council,members of the West Riding County Council,the Divisional Education Executive,Meltham School Management and the Mayor of Rawtenstall Mrs.Florence May Proctor a former pupil of the School. It was in Sept 1965 that a swimming pool project committee was formed by parents and members of the school staff,with Mr.S.E. Blurton as chairman,Mr.E.W.Hobson as secretary,Mrs H.Brown as treasurer. Mr.S.E.Blurton presiding said That the pool is not yet paid for £1,500 remained to be raised,but the opening was made possible by a loan from the Huddersfield Common Good Trust.The overall cost of the pool,equipment and the building,was £6,856 of which £1,500 remained to be raised.Many of the Committe thought when the project was first started that if the pool was available in four or five years they would have done very well indeed.The achievement that it only took two years was through the good work of the Committee and other helpers. The pool was officially opened by Mr.Richard S.Wainwright M.P. for the Colne Valley,who said that the achievement was not only a great one for Meltham but was a signal encouragement to comm- unities much further afield,The committee had shown that if people wanted something badly enough and planned carefully they could achieve it promptly,efficiently and very happily.He esti- mated that the money had been raised at the rate of £50 a week for two years.I do hope that communities throughout the West Riding will take note of what can be done so promptly and efficiently by a committee that really means business Mr.Wainwright was thanked by Mr.E.W,Hobson,headmaster of the school and secretary of the Swimming Pool committee,who said that the fund raising efforts had helped to create a firmer relationship between school and home. Mr.Wainwright unveiled a commemorative plaque in the pool building,and the prayer of dedication was said by theRev.P.Spivey Vicar of Meltham and chairman of the school managing body. The school choir sang several items accompanied by Mrs.E.Sharpe on the piano.but the most popular was a special calypso about the new pool conducted by Mr.R.Sharpe using recorders and percussion instruments.In fact this was enjoyed so well that they had to give an encore.

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Opening of the New Church School St.Mary's Church Wilshaw

On Saturday,Jan.4th 1873, the new day school connected with St. Mary's Church,Wilshaw was opened by a public tea meeting.Not with standing the unfavourable state of the weather,there was a very good attendance.The school,which will accommodate eighty scholars,is built at the expense of Mr.Joseph Hirst of Wilshaw.The building is a modern adaptation of the Elizabethan style of architecture.The schoolroom proper is 36ft by 18ft, and has an open timber roof,20ft from the ridge to the floor. There is also a good sized class-room and a lavatory attached and a teacher's residence.A play-groundis,of course one of the adjuncts.The total cost will be about £1,200. Above the schools main entrance letters carved in stone proclaim that the school was "St.Mary's School".The architects were Messrs John Kirk & Sons,Huddersfield and Dewsbury,and the work has been chiefly executed by local contractors.After an excellent tea the evening meeting was held;the chair was occupied by the Rev.Mr.Spencer, incumbent,who opened the proceedings with a short dedicatory service.Addresses on educational topics were afterwards given by the incumbent,the churchwardens,the schoolmaster,an other parishioners.The church choir varied the speeches with a little Singing,and a pleasant evening was spent.

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New Day School, Jan.1/7th 1867

New Day School,on the British School system(unsectarian) has been opened in the Wesleyan Schoolroom,Mill Moor,under the tuition of Mr.J.Slater,a certificated master from the British and Foreign School Society,London.The School room is well furnished and as been supplied with maps,diagrams,lesson boards and other scholastic appliances by the above Society.

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Opening of the Infant School Meltham Mills Monday 22nd June 1857

The new Infant School at Meltham Mills(which has been built at the expense of Charles Brook,jun.) was opened on Monday June 22nd by a public tea party.Nearly 500 persons sat down to a most excel- lent tea.The National School,and class room adjoining,as well as the Infant School,were each occupied with trays.The schools were most tastefully decorated with evergreens and flowers.In the Nat- ional School,at one end,there was the "Crown",with the V.R.under- neath,and beneath that again the words,"St.James'Schools",all made of evergreens and flowers.At the opposite end(over the plat- form)there were arches,and also over the gate at the entrance to the school.Between the National School and the Infant School. which are only separated by the road leading to the church,was suspended a large flag.Whilst tea was going on and also during the evening,the Meltham Mills Brass Band played in the yard;and their playing added greatly to the pleasures of the evening.The day was beautiful;in fact everything that could be desired.After tea,the company(on account of the room being so hot)adjourned to the yard where seats were placed,and an open air meeting commenced by the assembly singing three verses of a hymn.The Rev.E.C.Ince,incum- bent,on taking the chair,commenced by invoking a blessing from heaven on the meeting.He deeply regretted the absence of Charles Brook,jun.,who was the originator,and at whose sole expensw the beautiful Infant School before them had been built.He read a let- ter from Mr.C.Brook.jun,who was in London on an important trial. Mr.Brook,in his letter,regretted that he could not be amongst them He hoped they would have a pleasant meeting;and though he was ab- sent in body he was present in mind.The chairman said that he never knew a more liberal hearted gentleman than Mr.C.Brook,jun., or one who had the interests of the people around him more at heart.He hoped that God would long spare him amongst them.Whilst speaking of the Infant School.he could not forget to speak of that kind gentleman,Charles Brook, of Healey House,who had kindly build a parsonage for the use of the clergymen of that place.He thanked Mr.Brook most kindly for this noble gift.He hoped that the Infant School which they saw before them would be a nursery for children where they would be brought up in a right and good way,J.W.Carlile on coming forward to address the assembly,said he greatly

Page 152

Infants School cont.

mistress was next to a mother to the children;in fact in many ca- ses,even more than a mother.Absence from home begot moral love for the children.It was an advantage both temporally and spirit- ually to allow children to go to school.Much good would be done in these schools;for in them would be sown seed which would spring up;and bear fruit unto eternity;The Rev.C.A.Hulbert had thought that at Meltham Mills all was perfection;but it was found out that another flower was short vis,an IinfantSchool.This they now had before them.bult by a man whose benevolence was large,and whose liberal hand was always open.The same duty was binding upon the parents as if there were no school.Schools were provided for those who would not or could not teach their children.Much instuction was gained in years of infancy.Let each one earnestly pray that the school might be made a blessing.The Rev.S.Westbrook congratu- lated them all on having such a friend as Mr.Charles Brook,jun., who had kindly built the school.They must always remember that the object of Infant Schools was to train up children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.He then spoke of a school in the dis- trict where he previously resided,where education was nor carried on as it ought to be.He was sure that the people of Meltham Mills would not value such an education as the one he had given them illustration of.Yorkshire people would be satisfied with nothing less than a real good education.Much responsibility would be upon those who neglected their duty to their children.The Rev.J.Thomas Baptist minister,rose at the request of the chairman to address the meeting.He congratulated them on the opening of their new in- fant School.He was happy in the thought that the ministers of Christ in that locality all cherished the truths of the Bible;and though they might differ on some minor points,yet all had one end in view,namely,the saving of souls.He hoped that all would grow up in wisdom,and he concluded by wishing prosperity to the school The Chairman then thanked the committee,and those who had provid- es the

Page 153

Meltham Mills School

In 1838 Mr.James Brook built a building to serve as a Church & School,with a residence for the schoolmaster at one end,and one at the other end for the incumbent. As more children were wanting to attend the school,it became apparent that the school was getting too small,so Mr.Charles Brook(Junior)nephew of

Page 155

Opening of Meltham County Primary School Saturday September 15th 1972

Education could enable young people to grow up into good citizen's in this complex and sophisticated society,said Mr.E. T.Butcher,principal of Bingley Training College and formerly headmaster of Colne Valley High School,when he officially opened Meltham County Primary School,Birmingham Lane.The pupils have been attending the school since last year. Mr.Butcher said he was aure education could put right the wrongs in society,but the teachers faced a dauntin task.In the informal atmosphere of the primary schools,with a sharing of experience between club and teachers at was possible to see a lack of formal discipline yet a respect for authority if it was not too harsh,The child had freedom with responsibility rights and principles.They had a need to protest and were able to do so with out violence and this was true democracy such as had been lost in present society.Now in the place of poverty and disease,there was materialism,a different set of values and a decline in moral standards and in the approach to religion.If we don't watch this sick society we will all have to sit at home and watch television because we will be afraid to go out.He thought education could put the problems right. Mr.Butcher was introduced by the chairman of the West Riding Education Committee,County Ald.G.N.Bott,and thanked by Mr.G.Sykes chairman of the Upper Agbrigg Divisional Education Executive and by Clr.F.Peace vice-chairman.Mr.J.S.Bassindale,chairman of the schools governors,expressed thanks to Ald.Bott and also on the platform were the chairman of Meltham Council Clr.L.Taylor and Mrs Taylr;the headmaster of the school,Mr.J.R.Brinley;and the Vicar of Meltham,the Rev.P.Spivey.

Page 156

The new Environmental Unit at Meltham CE Junior School Opened June 1973

The new “resource"unit geared to children's extensive studies in the environment was opened in June.The unit(above) with some of the pupils working outside,cost about £1,200.£1,000 was provided on an interest-free two year loan by the Huddersfield Common Good Trust.In charge of the new unit is Mr.David Wildin who said that it would be used by the school's 520 children,who are aged between five and eleven.It will be geared to the environ- mental work being carried out in the school ground and elsewhere Here they get to know techniques and methods that can be utilised wherever they go.Headmaster,Mr.Edward Hobson said that the study of plants and animals,there is a fine animal unit and aviary at the school was taken very seriously.Also there has been

Page 157

Laying of the Stone,Helme Memorial School 1071 On Tuesday 30th May,in the afternoon,the corner stone of the new schools at Helme,Meltham,was laid,in memory of the late Charles Brook of Healey House by Miss Brook,his

Page 158

New Extensions

Page 159

Opening of the New National Schools at Helme on Whit-Monday June 2nd 1873

The opening of the new National Schools and master's house at Helme took place on

Page 161

Schools

The first record of teaching Meltham children was in the year 1715,when a Matthew Lockwood,directed that the interest on £20 should be paid to a Schoolmaster for teaching English & Latin in Meltham. Then we find the first Schoolmaster whose name we know was William Ripley who died in 1734,he must have taught in his own house,for we know the first school was built in 1737,it is believed on the site of the now Conservative Club,with Mr.William Hinchcliffe as its schoolmaster.

Page 162

Helme School

It was the industrial revolution,which brught about the beginning of formal education in Helme,for centuries the natural education of farm and home had sufficed, but as the 19th century progressed,the need for at least basic instruction in the three "Rs" was felt necessary. It is probable that education in Helme was first given in a Sunday School, Taught reading and a little writing and would last all day,with intervals for attending church services. According to the records of the National Society,a Day School was started in Helme in 1858.This was actually before the church was built.The school was maintained by Mr.Charles Brook and taught Bible


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