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Home - The Village Today - History - Maps - Memories - Newspapers - Picture Gallery - World Wars |
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Stanley Stanley Parish and Area History (Page 4) by Terry Hall 2000 Mr Fred Lee, an ex-policeman, who settled in Stanley, possessed exceptional abilities as an entertainer, not only for his extensive repertoire of humorous songs and monologues, but for his original compositions, which he steadfastly refused to commit to paper. Naturally his services were in great demand, particularly in the old 'Smoking concerts' days. Another character that frequented 'The White Hart' was the late Mr Stevens, affectionately known as 'Old Ned' to all his associates. He could recall cock fighting taking place outside 'The Bridge Inn' at Stanley, and he worked for over seventy years on local farms, starting work at the age of eleven, being hired at 'The Statutes' held at Ilkeston, on the last Thursday in October at a weekly wage of Is. 6d. for a trial period of three months, followed with a resultant agreement of £5 a year. Another landlord of 'The White Hart' known to all and sundry as 'Chappie' was the late Mr Harry Chapman, proud of the fact he was 'One of the Old Contemptibles, he worked in the Salt Mines in Germany, after being taken prisoner of war. Upon demobilisation, he became in turn, Coal Miner, Greengrocer and then 'Mine Host'. 'Chappie' was mainly responsible along with Mr Albert Hemstock, Mr Jack Sadler and others, for the formation of the present Stanley Horticultural Society, which has raised hundreds of pounds for various Charities. 'The White Post' at Stanley Common was in 1965, the scene of a sausage eating feat. At the event Mr Brian Julian of Belper Road, Stanley Common, was declared World Champion, after eating eighty two inches of sausage prepared and cooked by local butcher, Mr George Stafford.
The last occasion the writer encountered Mr Lomas was in his latter years, he was leaning on his pig sty door, at his home at Baldock Mill, and upon enquiring as to the state of his health, the reply was "Not very well, I don’t know what's come over me, at one time I could drink 20 pints and walk home as 'sober as a Judge', but now when I've had 10 or 12 I’m as soft as grease". Holloways Empire, the famous travelling theatre, which for many years put on such shows as the stage version of 'East Lynne', 'The Murder in the Red Bam', and many others which received acclaim all over the country, finally disbanded in this Parish and as a consequence Miss Lilian Newman, the world famous accompanist, took up residence at Stanley Common. Miss Lily, as she was familiarly known, had played on the stages of all the principal theatres in Europe, and during the reign of Queen Alexandra played in the Command Performance. She was the accompanist who first played for the celebrated Charles Coburn when he introduced the famous song 'The man that broke the Bank of Monte Carlo', at St George's Hall. Miss Lily was responsible for introducing to the stage the well known star Basil Sydney, who later starred in films and theatre plays. During her career Miss Lily appeared twice on the stage of the old Grand Theatre at Derby. She died at Stanley Common a few years ago at the great age of 91, and is buried at Quorn. LOCAL GOVERNMENT In the field of Local Government, Stanley can be justly proud of its only parishioner to receive an award in The Queen's Birthday Honours List. Mr John Henry Hurst of 4 Valley View Drive, Stanley Common, received the Insignia of the MBE at Buckingham Palace in 1965. Councillor Hurst has represented Stanley Parish on the Rural District Council for the past 24 years, and has held the position of Clerk to the Parish Council since 1928. He has spent the majority of his working life at Mapperley Colliery. Two former residents of Stanley who attained to the position of Mayor of Ilkeston were the late Alderman J. Hoult and Alderman Robert Skelton. LOCAL OMNIBUS SERVICE A pioneer, and one of the few men in the country to day running his own 'bus service' is Norman Frost. The service operates from the garage adjacent to his residence in Station Road, Stanley. Mr Frost was born at 'The Bridge Inn', The business almost became a family concern, when prior to the installation of recognised bus stops 'locals' were picked up and set down every few yards, almost at their doorsteps. The business was first run from garage premises erected at Mr Frost's parents’ home at New Street, Stanley Village, until in 1936, when due to lack of space for the growing concern, the present house and garage on Station Road was built. During a gale in the late 1940's the end of the garage was lifted bodily and carried some distance. Today Mr Frost has a fleet of eight buses, and in addition to maintaining the hourly Derby - Ilkeston service, runs excursions and caters for private parties. SPORT Taking a survey from the commencement of the present century one finds a number of Stanley residents have accomplished great things in the world of sport, the most notable being those of Mr J.W. Winfield. Jack had his first success in the County Novice Championship at Coventry in 1928, when he had only been running three weeks, and later accomplished the feat of winning the British Amateur Athletic Association Cross Country 10 Mile Championship, twice in succession International recognition came his way when chosen to represent England in the Cross Country Event at Paris. Altogether he represented England on four occasions in the Cross Country Internationals, finishing second at Dublin in 1930. More honours came his way in track events - England v. France, Four miles; England in the first Empire Games in Canada, 4 and 6 miles; British Empire v. USA in Chicago finishing second in the 4 mile event and breaking the American record; England v. Germany at Cologne, and England v. Italy in London. Jack considers one of his most outstanding achievements was during the British Games in London in 1930, when he beat the famous Paolo Nurmi of Finland over 4 miles The silver cup he received for this feat is one of his most treasured possessions. Retiring from athletics in 1932, Jack made a comeback in 1949 at the age of 42 years by winning the Derbyshire 10 Mile Championship, and broke the record for the Carson Cup Race along with other successes. He then took up marathon races, 26 miles 385 yards, and in 1951 finished third in the AAA Championship and achieved another life ambition by being chosen to represent England v. Scotland in the Marathon Event in 1952. Jack's brother also achieved success in this field of sport, as did Fred Briggs and Les Richardson who produced some good results whilst serving in the Army Football. In the sphere of football, Ilkeston Boys only Schoolboy International, Ray Simms, was a native of Stanley Common. Other residents have played for top class clubs such as Birmingham City, Derby County, Notts County, Bradford, Coventry and Charlton Athletic and in a lesser degree for Ilkeston Town, Grantham, Long Eaton, Belper, etc. It was a resident of this Parish who whilst with Brimingham City, created a good scoring record for that Club, by scoring six goals in one match, the Club recognising the feat by presenting the player with the ball. In local Leagues, teams from the Parish have been well to the fore. Championship and other honours over the years have been won by Stanley Common Institute, Stanley United, Stanley Miners Welfare, Stanley Common Prims, Smalley Common Miners Welfare and Stanley Common Miners Welfare. Cricket. Well, Stanley St. Andrew's cricket Club have always given a good account of themselves, in all probability living up to the appeal made by the Rev B. Turton BA, Vicar of Stanley, when addressing the meeting in Stanley School on Whit Tuesday, 1894, called to make preliminary arrangements for forming a cricket club, "Let us endeavour to have a good and successful Club and arouse a little wholesome enthusiasm and pardonable pride in our Village Club". The Club has lived up to that standard, and despite setbacks with ground problems and the two breaks of the World Wars, still survives. Bowling strength has always been the Club's strong feature, but only one Stanley player, the late George Waldron, played for the County. The Club has won the Championship of the Derby and District Cricket League upon a number of occasions, one of their most successful seasons being in 1959 when captained by Jack Pepper (Now mine host at The White Hart) they won the League Championship, the League 'Knock Out' Cup and the Butterley Cup. The most memorable of all the Club's championship wins was without doubt, in 1903. St. Andrew's tied for the Championship with their great rivals Spondon, nicknamed 'The Moonrakers', by reason as legend has it, the Wise Men of Spondon seeing the reflection of a full moon in a pond and thinking it to be a cheese, tried to rake it out; A feat recognised at Spondon, by naming the hotel 'The Moon'. The deciding match, played on the County Ground at Derby was sensational from start to finish. Spondon lost one of their star batsmen who was bowled by the first ball of the match. The remainder fared little better, the team being dismissed for 17 runs. In reply, Stanley failed dismally, being still in arrears when the last man walked to the wicket. Amid tense excitement the late Arthur 'Joe' Mellors obtained the winning hit, and the Captain, Frank Clark, triumphantly called his men in, thus winning by one wicket The 'Derby Daily Express' account of the match reads as follows:- The trousers mentioned were made and despatched by the late Mrs. W. Frost, whose husband was the Club's Honorary Secretary at the time. The photographs mentioned are still the treasured possessions of members of the families of the men who played. Since its formation the Vicar of Stanley during his period of incumbency has always been the Club's President, a position held jointly for a number of years with Mr W.E. Smith a great benefactor of the Club. A former Honorary Secretary, Mr Harold Thompson, has held the position of Chairman of recent years. The gentleman who obtained the winning hit in 1903 Championship match retained his interest in the Club standing as umpire for many years. Even in the Carnival Band world prior to the 1939-45 War, Stanley was well to the fore, the celebrated 'Westan Echoes' making their mark. This band, competing against the finest opposition of its kind in the country, won no less than seventeen trophies in three and a half years. Included in these were the Silver Cup for the best Derbyshire band, won twice in succession, the Hilton Trophy won twice in succession, and the Portland Trophy in the East Midland Championship Contest. In those days as many as seventeen bands took part in the Contest, and the opposition was far greater than at the present time. HORTICULTURAL SHOWS Stanley possesses a Horticultural Society, which proudly boats of the quality of its Shows, especially the Annual Show of Fruit, Flowers, and Vegetables, etc., held in September, but diffidently make any reference to their donations to charities. Formed in 1943 the present Society during the first few years of its life raised over £1,000 for the British Red Cross and other charitable associations, and of recent years have made Christmas gifts to all pensioners and widows in the Village. The Society's shows attract exhibitors from a wide area, but few people know that Stanley previously had a Floral and Horticultural Society, which held its first annual show on August 26th, 1897, with the Vicar of Stanley as President and Messrs. George Spencer, E.Canner and others as members of the Committee. The Parish Magazine of September 1897 states 'The Show was hurriedly got up as an attraction for a Sale of Work as well as for the encouragement of gardeners, proved a decided success. Although there were only nineteen competitors there was a great deal of stuff shewn and of very fair quality'. The effort evidently spurred gardeners for Stanley Floral and Horticultural Society had progressed to such an extent when the Third Annual Show was held in 1899 that it comprised no fewer than fifty three classes, including those for Rabbits and Poultry. The chief prize-winner in those days was the late Mr Charles Hartshorn, who it appears held more than his own for a number of years. Amongst the prize winners appear the names of R. Hemstock, J.Disney, F.Sarson, H.Hemstock, J.Thompson, A.Clark, and J.Hemstock, along with stalwarts A.Pamham, W Hall and T.Finney. Amongst the prize winners at a recent Stanley Horticultural Society Show, seventy years later, one finds the names, E.Sarson, W.Disney, Albert Hemstock, Arthur Hemstock, M.Thompson and E.Hartshorn. (The names the same, the initial different). For a number of years the Floral and Horticultural Society Shows were the great event of the year, and an attractive programme of entertainment was provided including Football Contests, Athletic Sports, Swing-boats, Coconut Stalls and musical entertainment with the Dale Abbey Brass Band or the Ilkeston Temperance Band and Artistes. The present President of the Stanley Horticultural Society is Mr George Horsnall. Past Presidents include the Rev B.G. Fell, MA, the Rev W.G. Cook, BA, and the Rev J.W. Haydock, BA. Mr H. Horsnall is the present Chairman and Mr. Albert Hemstock, a founder member, served in that capacity for 21 years until his retirement. SCHOOLS We have every reason to be proud of our education system today, and of our young parishioners who have graduated through Universities and obtained degrees, but, it is interesting to note, that at the two weddings solemnised at Stanley church in 1853, not one of the persons married nor those acting as witnesses, could write their names, but put their mark thus - X. Prior to 1863 there was no school in the Parish. The only education to be obtained was at Stanley Common Church of England School was built in 1863 on a piece of land given by Robert and Jane Evans and Robert Isaac Attenborough Evans of Stanley Lodge, quoted thus in the conveyance - 'Bounded north by the Turnpike road leading from Nottingham to Belper and on the West side by Glebe Land, and on the other sides by a field known as Brickyard Piece'. The records of this School give ample proof of the change in school life through the years. The present Headmaster, Mr G.H. Parker, contributed some interesting items in the Parish Magazine in July 1950, in which he stated the records go back to 1870, earlier records having been lost. The Head of 1872 had to report 'A poor attendance, it being wash day at home'. Then came 'Could not open the School today no children being present'. This state of affairs did not prevail, for the School was enlarged in 1891, and again in 1901, following the gift of a portion of land by William Drury Lowe Esq, of Locko Park and W.N. Drury Lowe. The average attendance at the School had attained 128 by 1902. Stanley Church of England School came into existence about 1881, for on that date a site was given by William Drury Lowe Esq. of Locko Hall. In 1897 a new classroom was added costing over £200 obtained by subscription, and built on a site given by Mr. Canner. Improvements to the outbuildings were made in 1904, which included a cloakroom for the infants. How many readers remember the Gallery which existed in the Infants Room? This was a positive danger when one considers children were admitted at 3 years of age and often took a tumble from the Gallery when falling asleep in the afternoon. A further extension to the School was made in 1911 when an additional classroom was erected on land given by the Canner Family. Both of the Schools were blessed at one period with the presence of a Head Master who can now be termed 'The last of the old type school master'. Reference of course being to the late Mr. A S. Bacon, Stanley Church of England School Head Master 1915-1939, and Mr. L. Waller, Stanley Common Church of England School 1916 to 1946 of who it has been said 'Amongst other subjects, taught manners, self-respect and respect of elders'. Both resided and worked amongst the parishioners, taking an active part in the social and church life of the Parish, and carried the respect of scholars who passed through their hands, and eventually receiving recognition of this The memorial lectem in Stanley Church is to the late Mr A S. Bacon and in 1954 the old scholars arranged a presentation to Mr. L. Waller The other school at Smalley Common is a County School of much later construction. All three schools now are Junior Mixed and Infants, but until the change in the education system scholars obtained all their elementary training at the three schools. POLICE
NICKNAMES Nicknames are generally confined to the inventions of schoolboys, but various districts in Stanley Village before the days of street names and numbers were known locally by nicknames. The houses at the extremity of Morley Lane built by The Derby Kilburn Colliery Company before the turn of the present century, whether by reason of their remoteness to the Village or their erection coinciding with the 'Gold Rush', became known as 'Klondyke. Another group of houses, now demolished, were called 'Crawcombe' Stanley Village was known as 'Monkey Park’, for it was said the majority of the houses had a 'monkey' on them, meaning a mortgage, they being built during the latter part of the nineteenth century. Stanley Brook at one period formed a dividing line when teams from 'This side o'th watter' and 'Tuther side o'th watter' strenuously competed against each other at cricket, with home made bats and composition balls, and at football, played in pit boots with 'clinkers' (A type of boot nail) in the toes. During the depression periods in the early nineteen hundreds it was not an unusual sight to see teams of men playing at marbles, stick and geyser and duck on tin. The last mentioned no doubt gave rise to the term 'getting his duck knocked off when making reference to someone encountering a disappointment The duck in question was a duck stone or boulder used in the game.
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Many stories could be told of drinking feats. The late Mr Charles Lomas who regularly consumed up to twenty four pints at one session, permitted hours at that time being more lengthy than at present, always had a nine gallon barrel of beer at home. Upon one occasion, when the Brewery men were delivering, Mr. Lomas was at home, and enquired if the men would be returning by the same route and at what time. Upon being told they would; about 4 pm, Mr Lomas replied "You might as well call and take this barrel back". The beer not consumed was placed in wicker covered stone bottles. 
Stanley, during the period his grandfather, the late John Starbuck, was 'Mine Host'. Educated at Stanley Church of England School he was afterwards apprenticed in the motor industry and served with the RASC during the 1914-18 War. Following demobilisation he purchased an Ex-Army 'Crossley' Truck with canvas top in 1921, and commenced business by running local miners to the old West Hallam Colliery, Stanley Village football teams to away matches, and after some persuasion, the local teenagers to dances at Chaddesden, and to Ilkeston at weekends. In 1924 Mr Frost decided to have a 'bus' body fitted to the 'Crossley' chassis and when asked to name the vehicle chose 'Felix' the song 'Felix kept on Walking' being the rage at the time. That was the birth of the 'Felix Bus Services' as we know them today. For a time this bus ran to Ilkeston only at weekends, and then commenced a two hourly service to Derby-Ilkeston against fierce competition, a number of individual services competing, but Mr Frost's local popularity stood him in good stead, and upon purchasing a char-a-banc he began a one hourly service with return fares Stanley to Ilkeston 6d., and Stanley to Derby 10d.
'Dames Schools', generally held in a house or small building where children could attend if their parents could afford payment of a few pence per week. The Dame or Lady of the house usually possessed only a limited education.
Nowadays with only a limited amount of Police supervision, by patrol cars, vandalism is more prevalent than at any previous time in the Parish. Although there has never been a resident policeman in Stanley the old system of coverage was by an officer residing in West Hallam. This was quite satisfactory so far as village requirements went. Men like PC Wheeldon, later Inspector at Ilkeston, PC Stone, PC Cosgrove, later Inspector at Langley Mill and others had fine qualities and their ability of making an appearance in the right place at the right time, together with the hefty whacks administered to the posteriors of some juveniles 'caught in the act' as well, proved effective and earned respect.