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Note: [YOULE 2015.FTW]
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[YOULE 2004.FTW]
'DERBYSHIRE TIMES' SATURDAY, 11 FEBRUARY 1928
SOME MEMORIES By Holymoorside's Oldest Inhabitant.
Holymoorside's oldest inhabitant - Mr. Frederick Harrison - celebrated his 86th birthday on Sunday. He resides with his son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. F.W.R. Shemwell, in the village, but the birthday celebrations took place at another daughter's house in Alma Street, Brampton, where he had been staying for a short time. Four generations were present:- Mr. Harrison: his daughter Mrs. Hunt: his grand-daughter, Mrs. Sydall, and his great grand-daughter, Dorothy Sydall. In the afternoon he had tea with his son, Mr. Wilfred Harrison of Brampton, and was the recipient of many congratulations.
Born at Holymoorside in the old mill yard on February 5th 1842, Mr. Harrison was the son of James Harrison and Juliet Meakley. The whole family life centered round the mill. James Harrison fixed the first spooling machine and Juliet Meakley filled the first reel of cotton. At that time the mill was owned by the Strutt family of Belper and the first reels of cotton were conveyed to Chesterfield in a wheel barrow: James Harrison and his wife lived in a cottage in the old mill yard for over sixty years.
Their son Frederick's memories begin at the age of five when he went to a dame school kept by Mrs. Lowe. The school was held in the old P.M. Chapel which is now demolished. The dame taught perhaps a score of children and the curriculum was confined to reading and writing. When that school was closed a public school was opened at the Church Mission under Mr. John Stephens whose daughter now aged 70 is still living at Holymoorside. At the age of twelve Frederick began to attend the late Mr. Bowker's school in Wheeldon Lane, Chesterfield, then one of the best schools in the town. He walked there each morning and walked home again in the evening. He remained there for two years.
In the meantime the mill had changed hands. It was now the property of Mr. Simeon Manlove and at the close of his schooling, an exceptional education for a mill hand's son, because learning had to be paid for, Frederick entered the old mill in the packing room. He went through various departments and finally became foreman of the spooling department, remaining there until the mill closed down 22 years ago, having been employed there for 50 years.
Three years after he entered the mill at the age of 17 he married Mary Brown and had a family of eight children. His wife died at the age of 39 and several years later he married again. His second wife died last year. His wife and children also worked at the mill.
THE OLD COTTON MILL
Mr. Harrison said the mill hands used to work by the light of tallow candles and later paraffin lamps when it was dark. Hours were long from six in the morning until six at night and wages were poor. Overtime was paid at the rate of one penny an hour. Mr. Harrison's wage as foreman was only �8.10s. per month and out of that he paid for his son's education at Bowker's School. The interviewer with modern ideas of wages, inquired in an amazed voice "how did you manage it?" and Mr. Harrison replied that the other children were earning a little by that time. "A little?" was the curious question, "how little?" Mr. Harrison's daughter, Mrs. Hunt, who was present, laughed. "Oh!" she said, "when my eldest sister earned 12s. she had earned the full amount allowed per week, - and she had to stay at home a day or two and help mother until the next week began.
Whilst Mr. Harrison was working the self-acting winding machines were introduced. Previously winding had to be done by hand, but with the new machines girls could wind eight spools, whereas before they could only wind one. When Mr. Simeon Manlove gave up the mill it was purchased by the English Sewing Company, who, some time afterwards, sold it to the late Mr. Charles Markham. On his death the property was again offered for sale and was bought by Ald. W. Rhodes of Chesterfield, who is using it as a building site. Mr. Harrison saw the demolition of the chimney when it was felled a few months' ago. He watched it with mixed feelings. It seemed the final blow to the little old village, which is already in the grip of modernity.
"What did the mill hands do when the mill closed down 22 years ago?" Mr. Harrison was asked. "Well I retired," was the answer, "and the young ones went north to the cotton mills near Glasgow."
TRAVELLING IN THE SIXTIES.
"You have other memories besides those of the old mill?" "Oh yes," said Mr. Harrison, "many memories. When I was a boy I remember riding in the stagecoach from Chesterfield to Nottingham, it was driven by Mr. Scott and it ran from Sheffield to Nottingham via Chesterfield and Mansfield. I was present when the first sod was cut on the opening of the 'East to West Railway' 1 at West Bars and later I rode in an open third class carriage from Chesterfield to Nottingham when the route was via Derby."
THE CONGREGATIONAL CHAPEL.
He remembered when the Congregational Chapel was built in1862 at Holymoorside, in addition to the Anglican Mission, the Wesleyan and the P.M. Chapels which already existed. Subscriptions were given by the village folk, but the chapel really owed its erection to Mr. Simeon Manlove, the owner of the mill, who was connected with the Soresby Street Church in Chesterfield during the ministry of the late Rev. R.W. Selby. The motive for the building of the church was rather quaint. At that time there was a split in the village Wesleyan Chapel owing to a dispute over the minister's salary and Mr. Manlove appeared to think it was a great opportunity to obtain converts to Congregationalism. The chapel was erected and sure enough most of the Weseleyan congregation came over to the new church with the result that the Weseleyan Chapel was closed down. Mr. Harrison joined the church and has served it ever since. He claims to be the oldest member in the village and has undertaken duties as teacher and superintendent in the Sunday School. He remembers when the Whispering Well was dressed - a custom that died out about 70 years ago. It was dressed for the July "Wakes" he said. Up at Cathole Mill bobbins were made for the cotton at one time. Then it became a silk mill and then Mr. Manlove purchased the property and used it as a dye works. That memory called to mind that the Holymoorside Mill exported goods to South America, Australia, Austria, Denmark and China, the goods being sent to China in soft balls to avoid the extra weight of spools. A youthful memory concerned toothache. There was no dentist in the village, the nearest one being at Chesterfield and often sufferers lost the ache after the long walk to town and returned home with the tooth still firmly embedded. Mr. Harrison has been a member of the Earl of Burlington Lodge, Manchester Unity of Oddfellows for 64 years. He has held every office. For seven years he was secretary to the Working Men's Institute.
ANOTHER OLD INHABITANT
Tall and upright still, Mr. Harrison enjoys good health and is able to take short walks by himself. He is proud of being the oldest inhabitant, but, being honest, confessed that he just managed it! Mrs. Drury of Holymoorside is only eleven days his junior. She celebrates her 86th birthday on February 16th and she also worked in the old mill for many years. Mr. Harrison remembers taking "The Derbyshire Courrier", which is now incorporated with "The Derbyshire Times", when it cost 6d. He continues to take interest in local events and now looks forward to his weekly copy of "The Derbyshire Times".
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