Reminiscences of Rotherham by Alderman Geo. Gummer, J.P.
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I mentioned that the only prize I won at this school was for writing. This came about easily because John Linley, of Low Ash, took special pride in turning out good penmen. At the Grammar School little or no opportunity seemed to be attached to this accom plishment. I have some specimens of writing I did at Low Ash, when I was twelve years of age, which will compare favourably with any engraving. Some years ago Mr. J.A. Mair. the Secretary for Educa tion, during a visit to my house, saw these and I found it difficult to convince him they were not engraved. I was not alone. There are several others in the town who attended this school who can show equally good penmanship.Nowadays good writing is under-estimated, an instance of its value, I obtained my first situation owing to my writing. It got me the interview and the rest followed. To-day I attach great importance to what, unless great care is taken, will soon become a lost art.
OLD TRADESMEN
As I rummage among my recollections of past events, many memories temporarily forgotten are recalled, For instance, I recall that the playgrounds in my youth were the cattle market and Wellgate. So familiar was I with these and the adjoining streets, I can still remember the names of nearly every tradesman who in those days occupied premises in what were then the only business thoroughfares, namely, High street, Church street, College street, and Bridgegate.Of the people residing in Masbro’ and Kimberworth, I knew little - both places seemed so remote - the only approach to either being via Bridgegate and Jail Bridge. The population of the parish of Rotherham was only about 9000, and we seemed to have a nodding acquaintance with each other.
There an still three businesses in High street which were there in 1863: Smith Bros, John Mason, and John Fawcetts. Dickens, I believe says in one of his books: The nomenclature of shops in most streets changes every decade. Whether this be true or not I cannot say, but there certainly have been many changes in the names of the owners andbusiness premises in Rotherham.
At the time of which I am writing, at the corner of High street, on the site now occupied by William Deacon's Bank, Thomas Outwin carried on business as a chemist. He also had a shop in Church street, opposite the White Hart inn, where he lived with his wife and two daughters. The eldest, the late Mrs. Willis. of St. Leonard's, was married from here to a promising young lawyer who had recently come to reside in the town.