Destination Stafford

29/08/2024

Just two more weeks to see our exhibition about Stafford's role during the D Day Campaign...

🎖 D-Day: The Liberation of Europe - Stafford's Role
📅 Until 7th September 2024
🕰 10am to 4pm (Tuesdays to Saturdays)
📍 The Ancient High House
https://www.historicstafford.co.uk/.../exhibition-d-day.../

An exhibition looking at the stories of Staffordian’s experiences on D-Day told through their own words. The cabinets include rare images, medals and personal artefacts relating to the liberation of Europe.
This exhibition provides an insight into the counter-invasion of Hitler’s Europe and the days leading up to VE-Day as seen through the eyes of local heroes. It forms a part of a programme of commemorations taking place across the country to mark the events of eighty years ago

29/08/2024

21/08/2024

I dont know, I havent time at the moment to do my 'usual' research, does anyone on here know pre 1960's before it became Top of the World Stafford
fans

08/08/2024

Are you interested in people? Do you believe they should enjoy their heritage? If so we need you to help facilitate our visitors’ experience of Freedom Leisure’s Stafford Heritage Sites. We are currently recruiting a number of casual guides to support ...

07/08/2024

Stafford Music & Food Festival – formerly known as Stafford Walking Street – will be taking place on Thursday 15th August in 's Market Square. An event for all the community to enjoy with late night shopping, live music, street food, retail and charity stalls, dance troops and more! The local pubs and restaurants all get involved too so pop into town for a great evening's entertainment. More information here: https://tinyurl.com/bdeuj3hh

07/08/2024

06/07/2024

HM Prison Stafford, originally established as the Staffordshire County Gaol under the Stafford Gaol Act of 1787, has evolved significantly through the centuries. The facility underwent substantial expansion during the 19th century.

In 1793, the prison opened its doors as the "New Staffordshire Gaol," marking its inception amidst a backdrop of penal reforms in England.
Over time, the facility gained notoriety for hosting ex*****ons and incarcerating individuals involved in various criminal activities. One such event occurred in 1812 when William Booth, a forger, faced a botched ex*****on due to a poorly tied rope, necessitating a second attempt later that day which proved fatal.

Throughout its history, HM Prison Stafford has housed notable figures, including George Smith, who transitioned from serving sentences for theft to becoming a hangman himself. His role expanded to officiating at several ex*****ons, including that of William Palmer, a convicted poisoner in 1866 also known as the Rugeley Poisoner or the Prince of Poisoners, was an English doctor found guilty of murder in one of the most notorious cases of the 19th century. His mother in law owned Noah's Ark (Redrum on Crabbery St).
He reportedly poisoned with strychnine his; wife, mother in law, four of his five legitimate children, both of his known illegitimate children his brother his uncle and four others he finally was brought to trial for the death of his friend and horse owner who Palmer tried to swindle him out of his winning after he won a big race at Shrewsbury, Palmer seemed constantly in debt. Charles Dickens called Palmer "the greatest villain that ever stood in the Old Bailey" which drew crowds of 30,000 people to watch him hang on the 14th of June at 8am (public hangings ceased in 1868)

The prison's historical narrative extends beyond domestic criminals to encompass international conflicts. In 1916, during World War I, it temporarily functioned as a detention center for 'prisoners of war' captured after the Easter Rising in Ireland. This period left a mark with accounts from Republican prisoners, offering insights into their experiences within its walls. In the pictures captured Irish soldiers in Stafford Gaol after the failed Easter Rising. Michael Collins is fifth from the right with an 'x' over his head and another of them in the yard.

The Corridor in the Crescent Block built 1830. This block was designed to hold male prisoners sentenced to periods of solitary confinement. The open design of the centre area allowed better supervision of all three floors. Due to overcrowding the Crescent was extended in 1865 by adding another level, building additional cells on either end, and installing washing facilities.

Originally prisoners would have been taught in their cells, education being one of the prison chaplain's duties. By 1852 a schoolmaster and schoolmistress had been appointed and a room in the prison was allocated as a classroom; later a school block was provided.

The women's prison was built in 1852 to deal with the problem of overcrowding. The corridor is three floors high, with rows of cells on either side, the central opening was designed to allow close supervision. (This area is now D wing)The laundry was located at the rear of the women's gaol, and gave employment to the female prisoners.
A new male block, the 'Crescent' was also built named after its shape, was built in 1830 in response to overcrowded conditions within the prison and contained 175 cells.
At this time it was believed that prisoners should be kept apart as much as possible to prevent the more innocent being influenced by the more corrupt. This was known as the Separate System.
The kitchen block was built in the 1860s.

Imprisonment for debtors was abolished in 1870, but this did not extend to those who failed to pay penalties imposed by the County Court.
Debtors were allowed privileges such as hot meals, if they could pay for them, and were segregated from the other prisoners.

The prison infirmary was originally located in rooms above the governor's house, but was later moved to a new building in the prison grounds to help prevent the spreading of infectious diseases.
The prison burial ground, located next to the chapel. In 1834 executed prisoners were ordered to be buried within the prison grounds.

The old debtors' prison is now a trade training area for inmates. Beneath it are four 19th century cells which are the oldest remaining at Stafford Gaol.

The gate-house and the twin towers seen in the distance were demolished in 1952, in order to widen Gaol Road.
Originally prisoners would have been taught in their cells, education being one of the prison chaplain's duties.

In the 1990s, HM Prison Stafford faced scrutiny over security lapses and operational challenges. An inspection in November 1998 highlighted concerns about drug smuggling facilitated by makeshift devices used to transport contraband over the perimeter wall. The report also criticised overcrowding, inadequate resources and shortcomings in prisoner rehabilitation efforts.

Continuing into the early 2000s, the prison grappled with leadership instability and issues of absenteeism among its staff. Despite these challenges, efforts were made to enhance its effectiveness as a training facility, particularly for vulnerable prisoners and s*x offenders. By October 2003, improvements in security systems and drug rehabilitation programs were noted, albeit concerns lingered regarding exercise facilities and support services for foreign inmates.

Today, HM Prison Stafford operates as a Category 'C' facility exclusively for adult male s*x offenders since April 2014. Most accommodations consist of double-occupancy cells, with exceptions for single occupancy in designated wings like G Wing.
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The word gaol which was common in earlier centuries. Jail which is the same word spelled a different way and pronounced the same.

06/07/2024

The Old Bank building, located on Market Square, stands as a testament to the early roots of banking outside London. Originally established in 1737 as Stevenson, Salt and Co., it became an integral part of the financial landscape before merging with Lloyds Bank in 1866, a union that endures to this day under the banner of Lloyds TSB. The building, still bearing its original sign, has undergone several alterations since its inception in 1795, with further modifications in 1860.

Lloyds Bank itself traces its origins to Birmingham in 1765, where it began as Taylors & Lloyds, founded by Sampson Lloyd and John Taylor along with their sons. This marked the establishment of Birmingham’s first bank, capitalizing on the city’s burgeoning role as the epicenter of the Industrial Revolution. Over its initial 99 years, Taylors & Lloyds thrived from a single office, facilitating trade and industry for Birmingham’s diverse manufacturing base, which included iron founders, button makers, buckle-makers, and gun makers.

In 1864, under the name Lloyds & Company, the bank opened its first branch outside Birmingham, heralding its transformation into a joint-stock bank a year later as Lloyds Banking Company. This change introduced a shareholder structure and a board of directors, catapulting the institution into a period of rapid expansion. Over the next half-century, Lloyds Banking Company absorbed more than 50 banks of varying sizes across the country, solidifying its presence as a formidable entity in British banking.

The culmination of Lloyds Bank's growth came with its merger with Capital & Counties Bank at the conclusion of the First World War, marking a significant milestone in its ascent to become one of the largest banks in the United Kingdom. This merger underscored Lloyds Bank's strategic expansion and its commitment to consolidating its position on the high street.

Today, the Old Bank building not only serves as a physical reminder of Lloyds Bank's historical roots but also reflects the evolution and consolidation of banking practices that have shaped Britain's financial landscape over centuries.
At the time of writing the bank is undergoing internal refurbishment.
* I haven't been able to find any internal pictures at all through the ages , if you have some please send in so I can add

25/05/2024

Ingestre Hall is a Grade II* 17th-century Jacobean mansion situated at Ingestre. Formerly the seat of the Earls Talbot and then the Earls of Shrewsbury, the hall is now owned by Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council and is in use as a residential arts and conference centre.

Ingestre is mentioned in the Domesday Book. During the reign of Henry II the manor was owned by the de Mutton family. During the reign of Edward III the house passed to the Chetwynd family, through the marriage of heiress Isabel de Mutton and Sir John Chetwynd. Their descendants were raised to the p*erage in 1733 as Baron Talbot and later in the century as Earl Talbot.

The mansion was built in red brick, on the site of an earlier manor house, in 1613 for Sir Walter Chetwynd, (High Sheriff of Staffordshire in 1607). Later Walter Chetwynd, his grandson, was created Viscount Chetwynd in 1717. The daughter and heiress of the 2nd Viscount married Hon. John Talbot in 1748 and their son John Chetwynd-Talbot (who was later 3rd Baron Talbot, and from 1784 Viscount Ingestre and Earl Talbot) inherited the Ingestre estate.

The house was renovated in the early 19th century by architect John Nash for the 2nd Earl, Charles Chetwynd-Talbot. In 1856 the 3rd Earl and 3rd Viscount Ingestre, Henry John Chetwynd-Talbot, succeeded a distant cousin to become the 18th Earl of Shrewsbury ( the Shrewsbury's owned Alton Towers) .
The hall was badly damaged by fire and largely rebuilt in 1882. The rebuilding was to the designs of the Adelphi, London based architect, John Birch.

In 1895, Charles Chetwynd-Talbot, 20th Earl of Shrewsbury founded the Staffordshire Polo Club at Ingestre Hall.

Ingestre the estate
Aerial photography recent investigations show Bronze Age activity in industry with two round barrows and a ring ditch to the western complex of crop marks, including an enclosure with two concentric ring ditches to the east in River Valley. This early activity is confirmed by the fine polished axe found by John Howard in the fields near Hoo Mill Lane. It has been suggested that the name Ingestre comes from the 'Ings' or 'flat meadows' by the River Trent.

Doomsday in 1086 records Robert of Stafford having three 'hides' at Ingestre (a 'hide' the land necessary to support a free peasant family. In the 12th and 13th centuries, the hide commonly appeared as 120 acres of arable land but it probably represented a much smaller holding before 1066).which previously been held by Godwin and Wilgrip, who were Freeman.
Ingestre was at the hands of a single landowner, which has had a significant effect on specific character of the industry we see today. Early maps show the deer parks at Inga St. and the adjacent parish of Tixal.

Sir Walter Chetwynd built a rose brick Jacobean Ingestre hall in 1613 of the site of an earlier Manor house which he completely pulled out. Sir Walter's grandson walked at the third, was known as the antiquarian and was well read, historian and mathematician. He was MP for Stafford from 1634 to 1693.Commissioning the rewarding of Ingestre Church in 1673 - 6 following the death of his wife in childbirth. He also altered the Hall's interior. 1675 In 1688 formal gardens were laid out. Walter became a Fellow of the Royal Society along with Sir Christopher Wren in 1678.

Charles the Second Earl Talbot was Lord Lieutenant and he had the north and West fronts of Ingestre Hall rebuilt the designs of John Nash in 1808 to 1813.
the 'old' stable were built in the late 17th century and the new stables in 1885 to house his polo ponies and carriage horses

King Edward VII stayed at Ingestre Hall in 1907

The church of St Mary the Virgin in Ingestre, has the distinction of being the sole Wren designed church outside London. built in 1676

They also replace the Jacobian Cupola on the south front by an open Lantern standing on an observation platform. This was a copying one at Hatfield House, the much admired seat of all Earl Talbot's uncle, the marquee of Salisbury. The building became a mix of Jacobean and John Nash architecture.

After a fire in 1882, the hall was largely rebuilt over three years. The original lines and using old bricks and stone This time, Shrewsbury's lived at Tixal Hall.

Walter Chapman 1669 listed 223 fruit trees planted in the new orchard, a garden next to the original parish church,

His son Walter Chetwynd the Antiquarian { MP for Stafford in 1634 to 1693} Continued the work of his father and the gardens were laid down in 1688 in square patterns with wars and terrace walks to the West of the hall. A removed part of the hill to the West of the hall called the Mounts. The former gardens also extended to the front of the hall to the South, shown as a verbal with an enclosed forecourt within, wide brick paths divided into 4 grass lawns.

the well renowned landscape gardener at the time Capability Brown in 1747 was employed and again in 1756. The The Orangery Ingestre was built in 1770.

The Ingestre estate of 1,100 acres was broken up in 1960 when sold off by the 21st Earl of Shrewsbury sold the estate with different knots going to different buyers, including local tenant farmers and West Bromwich Corporation. West Bromwich Borough Council (later to become part of Sandwell MBC) purchased the Hall in 27 acres and has since operated a Residential Arts Centre from the site. The 1961 sale stipulated that the hall "must be used for the purpose of promoting the arts and education". Ingestre Hall hosts schools and youth groups for children between 7 and post 16 and provides "enrichment of education and life experiences for children and young people through the creative arts".

The 2nd the 22nd Earl of Shrewsbury no longer owns any land or property in Ingestre

02/05/2024

The The Orangery Ingestre, Grade II listed building, believed to have been constructed circa 1770, stands as a testament to the architectural prowess of its time. Accredited to Samuel and Joseph Wyatt, who executed designs attributed to James ‘Athenian’ Stuart, this structure showcases an Athenian style, boasting temple-like features at both ends and a Doric pilasters along the front.
Crafted primarily from brick with limestone ashlar cladding adorning its south-eastern facade and return elevations, the Orangery exudes a classical charm. Its rear elevation, however, remains unadorned brick. Noteworthy are the pitched glazed roofs and metal-framed windows, likely additions from the 19th century.
Functionally, the Orangery served as a sanctuary for exotic flora, providing an ideal environment for the cultivation of fruits and plants of foreign origin. Its architectural significance is matched by its historical context, within the grounds of Ingestre Hall.
Alongside the of the walled garden which covered an area of seven acres would of served as the kitchen garden producing vegetables for the Hall and fruit store that is under renovation with all the original bricks and tiles being used in the repair. The walled garden had 16 greenhouses running all along. At one time there was a Homing Budgerigar aviary, which every morning would be allowed to fly freely and a little artificial pool
The long walk leads from the Hall to the orangery and has been lovingly restored with beautiful Irish yew arches and several benches for those wishing to sit and absorb the peaceful and tranquil surrounds

As efforts to restore and revitalise this architectural gem unfold with an enthusiastic group of volunteers The Orangery Ingestre have lovingly restored much of the site with a help of the lottery Heritage Fund with many more projects in the pipeline, even now it is reclaiming its position as a cultural landmark.

The Orangery invite visitors to immerse themselves in its rich history and timeless beauty by using the surrounding walks, enjoy a picnic in the grounds and the public are able to hire the Orangery for private functions; a great setting for weddings and other celebratory occasions. With many public event planned for the summer its worth keeping an eye on their social media post and website with the only Wren built church outside London next door Ingestre is a beautiful place to spend some time visiting and appreciating area, the astounding Ingestre Stables building on the approach to the Hall and Orangery is a great photo opportunity.

Ingestre Hall which traces its origins back to 1613 when it was erected by Sir Walter Chetwynd and over the centuries, Ingestre Hall transitioned through various ownerships eventually finding itself in the hands of Sandwell Council in 1960.
Today, the hall serves as a hub for a residential Arts centre college with core activities being drama and visual arts, music, dance, film making, animation and photography. When available a wedding venue, a testament to its enduring legacy.
Sandwell Council's recent gesture to grant the 'Friends of Ingestre Orangery' a 30-year lease, with nominal rent, underscores a commitment to community engagement and preservation of heritage. This initiative aims to breathe new life into the Orangery, ensuring its sustainable utilisation for generations to come.

20/04/2024

During the late 19th century, there was two public baths in Stafford. The Friary Baths situated in Forebridge and operational since 1871 and then Royal Brine Baths on Bridge Street which opened their doors in 1892
The Friary Baths depicted on the first edition 25” Ordnance Survey map of 1880, we ‘assume’ that the Royal Brine Baths replaced the Friary Baths. The discovery of a substantial salt bed on Stafford Common during the 1880s prompted the establishment the Brine Baths in Greengate Street in 1892 under the architectural stewardship of George Wormald utilising the natural resources of spring-fed brine from the common.
The therapeutic reputation of these baths, particularly in the alleviation of rheumatism through the warm brine, each patron was assigned a private bath and dressing room, while amenities such as swimming pools, Turkish baths, and therapeutic pools were provided to cater to various wellness needs. The Royal Brine Baths gained royal recognition following a visit by the Duchess of Teck (cousin to Queen Victoria) in 1895 earning its prestigious title.
Beyond their recreational and therapeutic purposes the baths also played practical roles in Stafford, the tower adjacent to the Royal Brine Baths served as a multifunctional space, utilised by the fire brigade for drying hoses and storing equipment. The proximity to water enabled recreational activities with rowing boats and canoes available for hire from 'Old Joe,' the local boatman.
In 1977 concerns over safety regarding structural integrity led to the demolition of the baths.

Today, civic offices occupy the site.

The once-thriving salt industry, which had been integral to Stafford's economy since the 17th century, experienced decline and eventual disappearance
The Baswich Works established in 1894 as the company's second facility, played a pivotal role in the salt industry’s story. Fed by a two-mile pipeline originating from the Common, the works supplied brine to the Brine Baths, strategically located along the route. Over time evolving demands necessitated the replacement of the original works with a modern facility constructed before the Second World War. However, the cessation of brine extraction in 1970, due to associated subsidence issues marked a turning point in the industry's trajectory.
The demise of the salt industry was not without controversy as legal battles ensued over issues such as subsidence caused by brine extraction.

By 1990 the landscape had transformed, with former industrial sites repurposed from salt works site into a mobile home park Lodgefield Park and subsequently a business park

18/04/2024

Salt Works Interior, Stafford, 1914-1915. Women workers packing salt. Brine deposits were discovered under Stafford Common in 1877, during a search for water supplies for the town. In 1893 the Stafford Salt and Alkali Co. was founded on Common Road. The company opened a second works in Baswich a year later, supplied with brine from Stafford Common by a pipeline which passed through the centre of the town and also fed the Brine Baths in Greengate Street. The success of the Salt and Alkali Co. led to two other firms starting up on Stafford Common - the Crown Saltworks and Chance and Hunt. In 1950 the Salt and Alkali Co. combined with other companies to form Amasal Ltd., which in turn was taken over in 1959 to become a subsidiary of the British Soda Co. The Baswich works were taken over by Vacuum Salt Ltd in 1948. Eventually the brine pumping process caused subsidence in the north of the town, and therefore salt production in Stafford was banned in 1970. Image from the Staffordshire County Museum collection.

13/04/2024

ORIGINS OF COMMON SAYINGS
They used to use urine to tan animal skins, so families used to all p*e in a pot & then once a day it was taken & sold to the tannery. If you had to do this to survive you were “p**s poor.”
But worse than that were the really poor folk who couldn’t even afford to buy a pot; they “didn’t have a pot to p**s in” & were the lowest of the low.
The next time you are washing your hands & complain because the water temperature isn’t just how you like it, think about how things used to be. Here are some facts about the 1500s.
Most people got married in June because they took their yearly bath in May, and they still smelled pretty good by June. Since they were starting to smell, however, brides carried a bouquet of flowers to hide the body odor. Hence the custom today of carrying a bouquet when getting married.
Baths consisted of a big tub filled with hot water. The man of the house had the privilege of the nice clean water, then all the other sons and men, then the women, and finally the children. Last of all the babies. By then the water was so dirty you could actually lose someone in it … hence the saying, “Don’t throw the baby out with the Bath water!”
Houses had thatched roofs-thick straw-piled high, with no wood underneath. It was the only place for animals to get warm, so all the cats and other small animals (mice, bugs) lived in the roof. When it rained it became slippery and sometimes the animals would slip and fall off the roof, resulting in the idiom, “It’s raining cats and dogs.”
There was nothing to stop things from falling into the house. This posed a real problem in the bedroom where bugs and other droppings could mess up your nice clean bed, therefore, a bed with big posts and a sheet hung over the top afforded some protection. That’s how canopy beds came into existence.
The floor was dirt. Only the wealthy had something other than dirt, leading folks to coin the phrase “dirt poor.”
The wealthy had slate floors that would get slippery in the winter when wet, so they spread thresh (straw) on floor to help keep their footing. As the winter wore on, they added more thresh until, when you opened the door, it would all start slipping outside. A piece of wood was placed in the entrance-way, subsequently creating a “thresh hold.”
In those old days, they cooked in the kitchen with a big kettle that always hung over the fire.. Every day they lit the fire and added things to the pot. They ate mostly vegetables and did not get much meat. They would eat the stew for dinner, leaving leftovers in the pot to get cold overnight and then start over the next day. Sometimes stew had food in it that had been there for quite a while, and thus the rhyme, “Peas porridge hot, peas porridge cold, peas porridge in the pot nine days old.”
Sometimes they could obtain pork, which made them feel quite special. When visitors came over, they would hang up their bacon to show off. It was a sign of wealth that a man could, “bring home the bacon.” They would cut off a little to share with guests and would all sit around and “chew the fat.”
Those with money had plates made of pewter. Food with high acid content caused some of the lead to leach onto the food, causing lead poisoning death. This happened most often with tomatoes, so for the next 400 years or so, tomatoes were considered poisonous.
Bread was divided according to status. Workers got the burnt bottom of the loaf, the family got the middle, and guests got the top, or the “upper crust.”
Lead cups were used to drink ale or whisky. The combination would sometimes knock the imbibers out for a couple of days. Someone walking along the road would take them for dead and prepare them for burial.. They were laid out on the kitchen table for a couple of days and the family would gather around and eat and drink and wait and see if they would wake up, creating the custom of holding a wake.
England is old and small and the local folks started running out of places to bury people. So they would dig up coffins and would take the bones to a bone-house, and reuse the grave.
Copied from several sources

01/04/2024

Eccleshall F.C. a semi-professional football club competing at step 6 in the North West Counties League, will be participating in the Eccleshall Festival & Street Market in June. The club, which has its home base at Pershall Park, has a rich history dating back to its reformation in 1971.

Re established in 1971, the club has been a prominent fixture at Pershall Park since 1983. Under the Eccleshall FC banner, the club boasts 11 teams, including the Eccleshall FC Women Team A a pathway development side. Additionally, the club oversees six Juniors FC teams competing in the MJPL League, showcasing a commitment to nurturing young talent within the community.

Eccleshall FC's historical roots trace back to the late 19th and early 20th century when football was played in the area. In 1908 an Eccleshall Town team was in Division Two of the Stafford and District League but the most successful of the pre-1971 (when the current Eccleshall Football Club was formed) clubs, was Eccleshall Comrades. They were formed in 1918 and were probably based at the Comrades of the Great War Society in Gas Works Lane and enjoyed success in local leagues before the re-establishment of Eccleshall FC in 1971. Since then, the club has achieved numerous accolades, including titles in various divisions and cups.

The club's home ground a four-acre site, Pershall Park was acquired in 1981 after much hard fund raising and with the help of grants plus a loan, and in 1982 a building purchased from British Telecom .
Work began converting it into a football ground and saw the construction of the stadium, including the iconic 'Shed' stand, which has become a recognizable feature of the venue.

Eccleshall FC continues to have ambitious plans for the development of Pershall Park, with proposed enhancements to the clubhouse, kitchen and changing areas.