Russell Kenneth Swanwick

 

After finding the photos of the Swanwick Memorial Hall I thought it would be interesting to post some of the activities that have taken place there.

However, with Remembrance day on the horizon I thought it might be remiss of me if I didn’t first research the man whose life the Hall was built in memory of.

Russell Kenneth Swanwicks story can be read at https://oldwhittingtonops.com/swanwick-memorial-hall/

SWANWICK MEMORIAL HALL

How many people can remember attending weddings at the Swanwick Hall? After the meal the chairs would be pushed to one side for dancing!

I definitely attended at least one in the 1960’s which was laid out like this. The image came from https://picturethepast.org.uk/ and was taken in 1966, Photographer R Wilsher

 

 

 

The Revolution House

These two articles about the Revolution and the Revolution House were both posted on facebook on the Chesterfield and Area History and Genealogy page. There may be some who haven't seen them, they both give information about the historical event on 1688 which you may find interesting.

The first was posted by Andrew Johnson earlier this year, an extract reprinted in the Derbyshire Times in 1929.

The second was posted by Rob Marriott 2 days ago originally from the Illustrated London News December 18th 1847. The picture of the Revolution House certainly looks a lot different to how it appears today.

Taken by author

Scholars Bus Service

I have to admit to having a personal interest in  this article in Derbyshire Times 22 November 1935. I travelled to Tapton on the school bus from Whittington for many years, as I remember it was a free service at that time. It is interesting to see in this article the discussions that went on about charging for the journey in 1935. I think the school originally opened in 1931 to scholars, perhaps prior to this article children from Whittington had to make the not unsubstantial journey under their own steam. 

Whittington's Vanishing Points of Interest

This article appeared in the Sheffield telegraph 7 September 1929 written by a 'Native'. 

J W THOMPSON

I saw this advert in the Derbyshire Times from 1932 and it made me curious where Thompsons Bakery was in Old Whittington and who J W Thompson was.

After a bit of online research I found that J W Thompson was quite an influential man in the Whittington area and latterly the Mayor of Chesterfield. I wonder if Thompson St on Whittington Moor is named after him? Perhaps someone will know.

You can read more about J W Thompson and the bakery at https://oldwhittingtonops.com/thompsons-bakery/

The Gisborne Flannel

I was reading the old newspapers and found this short piece regarding the 'Gisborne Flannel' in the Derbyshire Times 24 December 1943. I had no idea what this was but was intrigued by the article and decided to have a quick look.

Apparently Francis Gisborne set up a charity in the 19th century for 'PURCHASING OF FLANNEL AND COARSE WOOLLEN CLOTH YEARLY AT CHRISTMAS TO BE DISTRIBUTED AMONG THE POOR RESIDING WITHIN THE PARISH.'

There are recorded accounts at the Derbyshire record office and Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent record office for different Derby parishes but no mention of any Whittington accounts but obviously Whittington recieved a share of this charitable bequest!

I wonder if anyone knows when this bequest finally ended or if it is still carried out in some form, would be interesting to find out!