Reminiscences of Rotherham
by G. Gummer, J.P.
« « prevOpposite the flax mill and on the site of the new Turf Tavern, stood the homestead of Thomas Hobson, milkman. Young Kelsey married one of Hobson’s daughters, and leaving the mill, commenced business as a draper in Effingham street, opposite St. George’s Hall, I shall refer to him again in my memories of municipal life.
Other important works were those of the Midland Iron Company, then managed by Mr. Hague or Haigh, and Brown’s Forge, now known as the Rotherham Forge and Rolling Mills. My chief recollection of the latter firm seems to be suggestive of the law. The forge belonged to Mr. Geo. Brown, father of Mr. Samuel Brown, a partner in a firm of solicitors known as Potter and Brown. I cannot recall what the trouble was, but Potter and Brown seemed to have a great deal of work for this firm, and law suits costing huge sums of money were constantly reported in the Press.
Harrison and Camm’s was, as now, one of our largest firms. I believe the manager’s name was Mitchell. Capt. Harrison, the senior partner, lived at South Grove House, which was demolished to make room for South Grove Schools. Elected Mayor in 1874 and again in 1879, he died in office, the only case of the kind I remember. Attending Skegness with the Volunteers,he was taken ill and expired in camp.
Another firm of repute must not be over looked, viz.. R. Jenkins and Co., manufacturers of boilers for steam purposes. The head of the firm took his fair share of public work and was elected chief magistrate in 1889. His son Alfred, although originally intended for an analytical chemist, joined his father about the year 1875, and quickly added to the products manufactured, he a!so gave freely of his time to the public service.
RABBIT HUTCH
Up to about 1872, the Midlands Railway Station in Westgate, in the buildings now used as the Labour Bureau. A large hall provided facilities for booking and a sloping covered gangway gave access to the platform. Mr. Turner, who acted as stationmaster for a number of years, eventually accepted the post of Workhouse Master under the Rotherham Guardians. The present wooden structure or 'rabbit-hutch', as Sir Charles John Stoddart named it, has offended our senses for over 50 years. Originally intended to be only a temporary structure, it should be removed.
When it was built the Midland Railway Co. had ideas of extending their line under West- gate and Moorgate, and thence to Bawtry Unfortuaately for the town, this project fell through and this temporary structure, un- worthy of a county borough, still remains. When I took employment in Sheffield in my early teens, I travelled from the old station in Westgate At that time the Sheffield station was in the Wicker, and a terminus. All passengers from Sheffield for London and the South had to travel via Masbro’ and by the old line to Chesterfield. Second class carriages were then used, the cost of a three months’ season ticket between Rotherham and Sheffield being thirty shillings.
Of course, fares were cheaper at that time. You could book return to Cle ethorpes every Sunday in the season for half-a-crown, and for eight shillings enjoy a trip to Anglesea. Workmen’s trips were also frequent, two of the most popular being those organised by Yates, Haywood and Co. and Guest and Chrimes, Scarbro’ and Bridlington being the favourite resorts, and the fare 3s. 6d. return. A trip to London for three days at seven shillings makes one’s mouth water in these times.