Reminiscences of Rotherham
by G. Gummer, J.P.
« « prevW. G. GRACE PLAYS CRICKET IN ROTHERHAM
In “ Bab’s Croft “ (the site on which the Rotherham hospital now stands), local cricketers formerly displayed their talent I have a hazy recollection of an All England Xl visiting the town to play against the local team. That would be somewhere about the year 1868. Grace, Lillywhite and Charlwood (names still familiar to cricketers) were in the All England eleven, and amongst the locals were Edward Cooper, Bob Holland, J. J. Christie, Harry Badger, Willie Haggard, Geo. Newsum. Joe Hartley, and William Trueman (better known as “Natty “).Percy street, Nelson street, Wharncliffe street and subsidiary streets in this area were not constructed. On the site of the former were to be seen the remains of an old Wind Mill, and on or near the site now occupied by the Drill Hall there stood a farmhouse in the occupation of William Cocker, milkman. Between this farm and the old Toll Bar at Aldwarke the only residence I remember was Eastwood House, then in possession of a retired gentleman, named Jarvis. He was known to us as “Spectacle” and to our elders as “ Gentleman “ Jarvis, the latter title, no doubt, being to distinguish him from his brothers, wbo were master slaters in Masbro’.
ARTISANS’ DWELLINGS
In the year 1865 Clifton Grove and Eastwood Mount were just opening out possibilities for artisan dwellings. Several plots of land were purchased by thrifty and sober men who had a taste for gardening and a desire to own their own houses. Other wise, from Clifton lane and beyond there were only open fields.Clifton Park belonged to William Owen, who resided in the mansion now used as the Museum. The house at present occupied by Dr. Hacker and the one where Harry Jervis resides were then the only ones in the lane.
Crossing over to the west end of the town, from Bow Bridge—with the exception of a few cottages, a malt kiln and the flour mill now occupied by Mr. Appleyard—we found nothing but unbroken land until reaching the village of Tinsley.
WESTGATE AS A RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT
In those days, Westgate was a good residential district, the gardens of many of the houses running to the river bank. At the bottom of Water lane, pleasure boats were let out on hire by Geo. Thompson, and were well patronised, the water being clear and enjoyable either for boating or bathing.BOATING ON THE ROTHER
We were able to row up the stream of the Rother for several miles. The banks of the river were green with small leafy trees; there was an abundance of hawthorn blossom; and there were shade and shelter on the hottest summer’s day, whilst in mid summer the new mown I hay in the fields added a sweet fragrance to the air, so very different from that of today.The favourite bathing place of the youths of the town was Bromley Sands near the Bow Bridge, another popular resort being “Black Rock,” close to the Crinoline Bridge.
THE CONSTRUCTION OF MAIN STREET
The construction of Main street, giving access to Masbro, brought “any improvements in its truin, such as the erection of tile premises now occupied by the Co operative Society. These buildings originally belonged to Mr. Appleyard, of Conisbro’, and were built for carrying on his extensive furnishing business, afterwards known by the name of Johnson and Appleyard. The costly and splendid premises of Myers and Kay were also acquired by the Co operative Society.Prior to the erection of the latter premises the Post Office stood on this site.
Probably the greatest improvement in this district took place a few years later.