Reminiscences of Rotherham
by Alderman Geo. Gummer, J.P.
« « prevpark. After its completion, thousands of visitors from all around the district came to see its beauties. On Easter Mondays trains from the sister towns were crowded with people on their way to this 'lung of Rotherham, and in the evenings the stations were thronged with the returning multitudes. We looked upon it as a thing of beauty. Its flower beds were the envy of the whole of Yorkshire and many were the compliments paid to the park.keeper, Henry Albiston, for his floral displays. Galas were constantly held in the Park. One in particular, I remember, caused a deal of comment in the town. Promoted by the Corporation for the purpose of improving the park funds, amusements were thought necessary to draw a big crowd. These were placed in the hands of Mr. Sam Sweeney. proprietor of the local theatre. Acrobats, knockabouts, comic singers, dancers, etc., were staged. The quality was considered to be of a very inferior character and not calculated to uplift the younger generation. It was at this gala that Miss Milly Sweeney, afterwards well-known in the theatrical world, made her debut. The Council wisely decided against a repitition.
A very different form entertainment s, was the visit of the America’s famous regimental band of sixty-five performers. Gilmore's band was visiting the chief towns of the country, and we were considered, fortunate in securing them. They occupied in America a similar position to that of the Life Guards in this country. At the expiration of the lease some years ago the Corporation purchased the park from the Earl of Efllngham.
THE ROTHERHAM AND MASBRO’ ADVERTISER
For nearly seventy years , The Advertiser has occupied a high place in the esteem of a large number of the people of Rotherham. It was founded by Ann Hinchliffe and Son, whose printing office was in the Church Yard. The actual building still remains and up to recently served the purpose of a printing office, owned by Henry Garnett and Co, Ltd., the proprietors of The Advertiser. On January 2nd. 1858, the first issue of the paper appeared, with one exception. it has continued to appear every week since that date. About the year 1868 the paper changed hands. being purchased by Mr. R. H. Sharpe, who edited it himself and continued its issue for a short period only. On one occasion the paper failed to put in an appearance. I cannot give the date, but it was during the editorship of Mr. Grisdale, who wrote its leading articles under the pen name of Luther. The incident naturally gave rise to a great deal of comment, and some wit, to celebrate the occasion, fixed the following on the wall of the reading room of the Mechanics’ Institute: -Gum repetitum unâ
Grix avium plumas, risum
Corniculâ morebit
Furtiris mudata colorobus'
The learned Luther cannot print his paper!
The ponderous thoughts of Grisdale’s mighty brain,
Has proved at last to be too great a strain
For iron to bear - Press has broken down,
And sudden gloom is cast upon the town.
This week at least, our eyes shall seek in vain
Its mighty leaders - written in a strain
Of thought so quaint, so strange, so grand,
That hardly anyone can understand;
Its columns full of ancient information,
Its news has been known to all the nation
Two weeks at least - this morn we cannot see
And Luther's lofty thoughts are up a tree!
In 1871 the property again changed hands, being bought by Mr. John Garnett, of Shef ield, During his editorship the Advertiser rapidly became a great force in the town. It was noted for its vigorous and fear less criticism of the Corporation, Libel suits were threatened by some of the members, but nothing deterred Mr. Garnett from what he considered the right course. » next
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