January 1914
At the churches and chapels watch-night services were held, and from the Parish Church belfry at midnight the bells pealed forth a joyous welcome to the New Year.
Newspaper Staffordshire Weekly Sentinel
Date Saturday January 17th 1914
Article heading New Year’s Dance
The annual dance organised by the Biddulph Prize Brass Band was held in the Public Hall on Wednesday evening and was largely attended. The music was ably supplied by Mr Oswald Halding’s band and the M.C.’s duties were capably carried out by Mr. F Duckworth and Mr. R Weston.
Newspaper Staffordshire Weekly Sentinel
Date Saturday January 3rd 1914
Article heading Soiree & Dance
The third annual soiree and dance under the auspices of the Biddulph Olympia Football Club was held at the Public Hall, Biddulph, on Boxing Day. The hall was decorated with a handsome display of flags, bunting, club colours and so on.
At the Biddulph Arms Hotel the Biddulph Grange estate employees were entertained to their annual dinner and smoking concert. Mr. Robert Heath was present, and wished his guests a happy and prosperous New Year.
The picture palace was well patronised and quite a lot of people availed themselves of the char-a-banc service to visit the entertainments in the Potteries.
Newspaper Staffordshire Weekly Sentinel
Date Saturday January 10th 1914
Article heading Biddulph Petty Sessions
Henry Birch and Walter Whitehurst, two young colliers, both of Stringer Street, Biddulph, were summoned by Frederick Heathcote, Underwood Farm, Gillow Heath, for trespassing on his farm in pursuit of rabbits. Defendants pleaded not guilty.
Biddulph Moor
Prize Distribution. The annual distribution of prizes to the children and adults who attended the Christ Church Sunday School took place on Sunday afternoon in the National School. Mr. H.W. Reeve, superintendent of the school, a position he has held for over 2o years, said the scholars had certainly made an advance in the attendance.
Newspaper Staffordshire Weekly Sentinel
Date Saturday January 17th 1914
Article heading Various
Unionist Whist Drive
There was a very large attendance at the annual whist drive and dance organised by the Biddulph and District Women’s Unionist Association held on Wednesday.
Biddulph Moor
Miners’ Tea. What was designated a “miners’ monster tea” to commemorate the opening of a local branch affiliated with the North Staffs Miners’ Federation for Biddulph Moor and District was held last Saturday evening at the Rose and Crown. Over 70 miners partook of the excellent tea.
Lecture – ‘Robert Browning’ was the title of a highly interesting and instructive lecture given by Mr. A.E. Emery, of Balliol College, Oxford, under the auspices of the North Staffs Miners’ Higher Education Movement, last Saturday evening, in the Council School. There was a good attendance, including a number of ladies.
February 1914
Newspaper Staffordshire Weekly Sentinel
Date Saturday February 21st 1914
Article heading Pages 7 and 10
Photograph of Past Biddulph Unionist Supporters Unveiled
Photograph taken in the Biddulph Unionist Club Reading Room at the unveiling, on Wednesday evening, of the portraits, (left to right) of the late Mr. John Heathcote (Chairman of the Club Committee); the late Mr. Luke Pointon (Secretary of the Association); and Mr. Alfred Cottrell (a prominent member of the Association).
From left to right front row: Messrs. T. Harding, J.H. Sutton, J.A. Lees J.P, F.W. Dean and J. Armitt. Back Row: Messrs. T. Jackson, H. Mitchell, G.E. Carthy, F. Pointon, J.W. Casstles, I. Gibson, E. Davenport, and A. Sutton.
March 1914
Newspaper Staffordshire AdvertiserDate Saturday March 21st 1914
Article heading Popular Lecture & Wesleyan Pie Supper
Biddulph: Popular Lecture: The second of the popular lectures arranged by the committee of the Gymnasium was given on Tuesday evening. Mr. E.B. Wain presided, and Mr. Edgar Bellingham gave a lecture entitled ‘Caravan and Camera’ which was illustrated by photographs. A vote of thanks, proposed by Dr. Craig and seconded by Mr. J.W. Casstles was heartily accorded.
Wesleyan Pie Supper: The Young Men’s Class of the Station Road Wesleyan School gave a pie supper in the school on Saturday evening in aid of the scheme for the renovation of the premises. A concert was afterwards held. Mr. W.J. Beech presided and the contributors were Miss Heath (Endon), Miss Pattie Sherratt, Mr. Thomas Roberts, Mr. E. Roberts, Mr. C. Sherratt and Mr. W. Hancock. Mrs. Charles Sherratt presided at the piano.
Newspaper Staffordshire Weekly Sentinel
Date Saturday March 28th 1914
Article headings Diphtheria and Moorland Glee Party
Fresh Diphtheria Cases: The Surveyor reported that there had been a fresh case of diphtheria notified since the last meeting, and there were now two cases in hospital.
Moorland Glee Party
Winners of the Male Voice Chorus Open Competition at the East Cheshire Musical Competitions, held in the Drill Hall, Macclesfield, recently. Sitting in the centre in the light suit is Mr. A. Bailey, the conductor. On his right is Mr C. Harrison (president) and Mr J. Brown (treasurer). Mr F. Booth (secretary is on Mr. Bailey’s left).
April 1914
Newspaper Staffordshire Weekly Sentinel
Date Saturday April 4th 1914
Biddulph Moor Concert
With the object of raising funds for the renovation of the Christ Church organ, a high class concert was given on Monday evening in the National School. The Rector, the Rev. E. Whieldon who presided over a capital attendance, explained that between £50 and £60 would be required to do what was necessary. Since the fund was started 4 years ago, nearly £40 has been reached without any special effort. The Rector also paid a high tribute to the organist, Mr. H.W. Reeve, who for 30 years had given his services without fee or reward.
Newspaper Staffordshire Weekly Sentinel
Date Saturday April 11th 1914Article heading
Dane-in-Shaw Concert: A grand evening concert was given in the Primitive Methodist Chapel on Saturday by the Biddulph Moor String Band under the baton of Mr. E. Bailey. The soloists were Mr. A. Beech of Biddulph and Miss Pattie Sherratt. The latter, although only ten years of age, has a splendid voice, and gives great promise of a future.
Knypersley Cricket & Bowling Club: Annual Tea and Concert.
There was a large and representative gathering at the tenth annual tea and concert of the Knypersley Cricket and Bowling Club on Saturday. Tea was served in the Public Hall where over 300 people sat down to a substantial knife & fork repast, the tables being presided over by the following ladies: Mesdames J. Craig, R.S. Harding, E.J. Shufflebotham, J.A. Dykes, P. Trubshaw, J. Booth, H. McCall, H. Nixon, S. Johnson, D.J. Barry, W. Millward, R. Smith, G.A. Docksay, J. Stanway and Miss C. Sutton.
The concert was held in the gymnasium, Mr F.E. Buckley presiding and a much appreciated programme was supplied by the Royal Apolios, a troupe of artists in pierrot costumes. Miss Gertie Perry, the popular Potteries soprano, and a great favourite with the Biddulph audience, was in excellent voice, her finished rendering of Songs My Mother Sang, Come Sing to Me, and Annie Laurie being vociferously applauded. Miss Perry’s duet with Mr H. Ault A Night in Venice was also accorded a fine reception.
Mr Ault’s items Once, The Scent of the Mignonette and The Rosary were deservedly encored and the well-known tenor’s cultural voice blended finely with Mr C. Brooke’s rich baritone in the duet The moon hath raised her lamp above. Mr Brookes also contributed Young Tom ’o Devon, The Blue Dragoon, and Stone Cracker John. With such screaming items as The wibbly, wobbly, walk, What is a ---------, Paper bag cookery, Oh, Oh, Oh, Archibald certainly not and Far, far, away the humorous element was ably sustained by Messrs J.L. Sillitoe and H. Shaw, and a really clever conjuring entertainment was given by Professor Haydn. The pianoforte accompanists were played by Mr W. Meakin.
Newspaper Staffordshire Weekly Sentinel
Date Saturday April 18th 1914
Article heading Biddulph Soiree
There was a large attendance at the second annual soiree organised by the Biddulph Athletic Football Club in the Public Hall, Biddulph, on Easter Monday. The interior of the Hall was handsomely decorated with a profuse display of flags, bunting and Club colours.
Newspaper Staffordshire Weekly SentinelDate Saturday April 25th 1914Article heading
Lecture at Biddulph Moor on “the closing events connected with the French Revolution“.
May 1914
Newspaper Weekly Evening Sentinel
Date Saturday May 9th 1914
Article heading
Biddulph Petty Sessions: Juvenile Court
Football in the street: Walter (Clowes?), Congleton Rd, George Dale, Lower John Street and Frederick Powell, Tunstall Road, three boys under the age of 16 were charged with playing football in John Street on March 30th.
Newspaper Weekly Evening Sentinel
Date Saturday May 30th 1914
Article heading Biddulph Urban Council
Biddulph Urban Council
With reference to the proposed improvement in the Square connected with the opening up from there into Station Road, Mr. T. Shaw reported that the Sanitary Committee had visited The Square, in order to ascertain the best way of making an outlet into Station Road. They had not come to any definite decision.
June 1914
Newspaper Weekly Evening Sentinel
Date Saturday June 6th 1914
Article heading
Biddulph Cyclists sudden death
Mr Hugh W. Adams (coroner), held an inquest at the Town Hall, Tunstall, on Wednesday concerning the death of Charles Copeland, aged 21, a colliery roadman of (25?) Congleton Road, Biddulph, who dropped dead off his bicycle in Tunstall on Whit Monday.
Mary Anne Lowe, of South View, Biddulph, sister of the deceased, gave evidence of identification. She saw her brother at 2pm on Monday when he said he was going to a cricket match at Porthill. He then cycled away. He had always been healthy and was a total abstainer.
Thomas Jones, milk seller of Chatterley, said he was going in the direction of Pittshill along Victoria Road, Tunstall, at 6.45pm on Monday, when he saw the deceased in front, riding a bicycle. He was not travelling very fast and witness was surprised to see him fall off. He was not thrown off and the road was good. Along with other people, witness ran to the young man’s assistance, and found him unconscious.
Newspaper Weekly Evening Sentinel
Date Saturday June 13th 1914
Lightning & Robert Heathcote
An interview with Mr. Walter Smith as reported in the Biddulph Chronicle
‘Mr. Walter Smith recalled the event of June 1914 as told to him on many occasions by his father, Albert, who had witnessed the event:
“The victim of the flash, Robert Heathcote, was a friend of his, and both carted sand from Mr. Donald Casstles’s sand quarry in Halls Road to the railway station not far away. Mr. Smith was already at the sand quarry and had taken refuge from the freak storm in the cabin, when young Heathcote pulled in behind Mr. Smith’s cart. The driver would stand up in the type of cart Bob was driving, to control the horses as he returned empty for another load. The cabin had a stable-type door, and the top half of it was open, so Mr. Smith leaned through it and shouted to his pal: ‘Nay, Bob – whatever at doin’ turnin’ ’ite in this weather?’
“The next moment, there was a great flash, and Bob dropped into his cart, followed a split second later by the two horses dropping dead in their shafts.
Dr. Craig was sent for, and according to Mr. Smith, was more interested in his welfare than that of his dead friend – not surprisingly, perhaps, because there was obviously nothing the good doctor could do for the latter. One thing Mr. Smith particularly remembers his father telling him was that his pal Bob was wearing a gold watch and chain at the time of the tragedy, and after the flash, it had all been welded together by the intense heat of the lightning strike.”
The original report in the Chronicle stated that few could recall a thunderstorm of “such raging violence and intensity”. As it “traversed the Biddulph Valley.... the deafening peals of thunder, blinding flashes of lightening, and torrential downpour of hailstones and rain, were such as to liken the hitherto peaceful valley into a hideous version of Dante’s Inferno”.
Robert Heathcote was only 16 and the third son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Heathcote, of The Hollies Farm, Wharf Road. Three clergymen officiated at his funeral at Biddulph Church. “It was attended by a large number of members of the Wesleyan Sunday School Class and Biddulph Agricultural Society, and many blinds were lowered as the funeral procession passed through the town – a sad little chapter in Biddulph’s history.”
July 1914
Newspaper Weekly Evening Sentinel
Date Saturday July 4th 1914
Article heading
Biddulph Scholarships
Only two scholars for Biddulph Central Council School sat at the recent examinations held at Cauldon Road Schools, Hanley, for County Exhibition Scholarships Both these candidates – Miss Ciceley Hilda Jackson and Miss Elsie Chadwick were successful and have been granted exhibitions tenable at Hanley Secondary School. Their success reflects much credit on the able tuition of Miss Evelyn Willatt, LLA, their headmistress at Biddulph Central Council girls school.
Newspaper Staffordshire Advertiser
Date Saturday July 18th 1914
Biddulph Moor: Choir Strike
As a protest against the introduction of new hymn books, the removal of the third edition of the Hymnal Companion from the seats of Christ Church by the Rector (the Rev. E. Wheeldon), but especially to show sympathy with Mr. H.W. Reeves, who has resigned after serving gratuitously as organist without a break for 32 years, and had been Sunday School Superintendent for a similar period, the whole of the choir absented themselves on Sunday and declared a Choir Strike. On Monday morning, the members of the choir were the recipients of notes from the Rector intimating that their absence from the choir stalls would be taken as showing that they had resigned their positions, and thanking them for their past services. This is the first unpleasantness between choir and rector that has occurred since the church was built 51 years ago.
Newspaper Staffordshire Weekly Sentinel
Date Saturday July 25th 1914
Great Storms
Storms which broke over North Staffordshire on Sunday and Monday afternoon attained the fury of a cyclone at Biddulph. Our photograph shows one of the many trees which were uprooted, and in some cases raised some height and thrown to the ground stripped of leaves and branches. The air in places seemed to be filled with whirling twigs, leaves and earth.
August 1914
Newspaper Staffordshire Advertiser
Date Saturday August 1st 1914
Biddulph Moor
Choir Outing: The late members of Christ Church choir enjoyed on Saturday, through the kindness of the church-wardens Mr. J.H. Cole and Mr. C.R. Hall, a char-a-banc ride to Chester. A start was made from the National School at 6.45am the party travelling through Congleton, Middlewich and Winsford and reaching Chester soon after 9.00am. Mr.H.W. Reeve, the choir-conductor for 32 years, led the party round the ancient walls. A capital dinner was provided by Mr. J.H. Cole, and a telegram was sent to him expressing the party’s thanks for his hospitality.
The return journey was commenced about 7.30pm by way of Tarporley, Nantwich, Crewe, Harecastle and Tunstall, home being reached at 10.45pm.
The Outbreak of War
Newspaper The Sentinel
Date Saturday August 1st 1914
Article heading War in Europe – Might Become General
This was followed by an article on “The Irish Question – Soldiers Fire on People in Dublin”.
Biddulph concerns in the newspaper that day were dominated by the sewage project and gasworks tenders.
Following the August 4th Declaration of War the Chronicle printed:
An historic report
By August 15th the tone of the headlines in the Sentinel had changed and the war dominated the news with headlines such as:
“The Great War – Biggest Battle in World’s History Commencing”
And photographs depicting: “the war scenes unfolding in North Staffordshire”.
Newspaper Weekly Evening Sentinel
Date Saturday August 8th 1914
Article heading
Women Unionists Outing
The annual outing of the Biddulph Women Unionist Association took place on Wednesday (August 5th), when a party of about 50 members and friends motored to Capesthorne Hall, the residence of Colonel Bromley Davenport. The weather turned out fine, and the drive was much enjoyed. An inspection of the beautiful grounds and gardens was followed by tea, and the return home was made via Swettenham and Gawsworth.
The outing was somewhat curtailed owing to the exigencies of the war as the char-a-banc was commissioned for transport duty, and the driver William Mellor, of the 11th Hussars, was under order to report himself with the car at Bristol by two o’clock on Thursday morning.
Biddulph Moor: Sacred Concert
The Biddulph Moor Prize Band gave a sacred concert opposite the Post Office on Sunday evening for the benefit of the North Staffs Infirmary and the Congleton Cottage Hospital. Mr. J.H. Cole presided over a good company and fine weather favoured the event. A collection taken during the evening realised £2-16s.
Newspaper Weekly Evening Sentinel
Date Saturday August 15th 1914
Article heading
Biddulph Petty Sessions
Five young Brown lees colliers and mine workers: Thomas Lea, Benjamin Gregory, Thomas Ryder, John Bowers and Thomas Arthur Smith, were summoned for gambling with cards at Brown Lees on Monday July 27th.