A HISTORY OF FEATHERSTONE
2000
THE ROVERS
In 1988 the Rovers took out a loan of £109,000 from Yorkshire Bank and Wakefield Council agreed to act as guarantors.and pay the interest. In January the bank asked Wakefield Council to clear the debt, so the council gave the Rovers 28 days to find the money.
Rovers chairman, Richard Evans, said "I hope to meet the council and renegotiate the loan. If we fail to do this we will have to go into receivership, but this would be a disaster. I must emphasise we are determined the club will not go bust. We are going on and I am sure the problem will be sorted out".
The club and council held a joint meeting to sort out repayment plans. Mr Evans said afterwards "We will still have to find the money we have failed to pay and we will be putting proposals to the council. We need to continue our fight to save the Rovers as we have been doing for the past two years. We are trading profitably at the moment and we ask creditors to bear with us".
In March the Rovers supporters who intended travelling by coach to the Leigh game said they did not expect any trouble this time. Last year the coaches were attacked with bricks and stones on the way home. Ann Thorpe, secretary of the Pontefract Supporters' branch said "The violence last time was regrettable, but so far as I am concerned it is arrangements as usual".
Chairman of the Featherstone Branch, John Smith, said "Last year it appears it concerned a few mindless young thugs from nearby houses. The Leigh club officials and genuine fans were great in helping us and I anticipate no trouble this time".
In April, football secretary Terry Mullaney said "There was a bit of a skirmish behind the post at our recent match at Leigh between rival fans. It was something and nothing but we are determined that sort of thing does not escalate. We are getting repeated complaints about one person using foul and abusive language towards visiting players. We are determined to stamp it out because it's upsetting people". He said anyone found guilty of such behaviour would face a very long ban.
In December the club arranged a meeting for 8pm with the local councillors to gauge their commitment to the club and to canvas their support for its long term future. A prior meeting with a supporters' delegation caused a delay so a board member went out to apologise but the councillors had already left.
Richard Evans said "This was supposed to be an informal get together but their rudeness has left a sour taste on our mouths. Wakefield Trinity have been given all the support possible but we have been given no concessions. We seem to have offended someone at the council but we don't know how. We all need to know what the hostility towards us is about".
Cr Pete Wroe said he with Crs Graham Isherwood and David Bond turned up for the meeting but had been kept waiting until 8.20pm when they had to go to another arranged appointment. We look forward to meeting Mr Evans when he is able to give us another date. They apologised to Mr Evans for having to leave, and another date was set for in the New Year.
MASON PULLS THROUGH
Jane and Dale Asher of Stanley Street lost four babies in four years to pre-eclampsia. At their fifth attempt they got special attention from the Station Lane surgery and Leeds General Infirmary. Mason was born by emergency caesarean operation ten weeks early in February and weighed just 2lb 7oz.
Both mother and baby had to spend weeks in hospital, but when Mason weighed 5lb 3oz they could bring him home. Jane, enjoying the baby she thought she may never have, said "I just want to thank my GPs at Station Lane surgery and at the hospital. They were all marvellous". Photo - the Express.
WILLOW LANE HOUSE FIRE
Michele Clewarth lit candles in a holder in her bedroom in June and went downstairs. The smoke alarm went off and she went back up to turn it off when she saw the bedroom was ablaze. She got a towel from the bathroom to try and smother the fire but failed so she shouted out of the bedroom window for help.
Gary Lowe, who lived next door, rushed in to help. He told the Express "I moved everything out of the way that would burn and got a bowl full of water and threw it on the fire to put it out". Michele phoned the fire brigade and the Pontefract crew attended.
She was taken to Pontefract General Infirmary and treated for burns to both hands and feet. A fire service spokesman said "Gary's actions were very commendable and he acted bravely in a situation that could have been much worse. Candles shouldn't be left unattended". Photo - the Express.
THE GALA
The July Gala was held at the Millpond rugby league stadium. The day began with a fancy dress parade from Cressey's Corner and down Station Lane. Town Mayor Graham Isherwood declared the event open. A spokesman for the council said "We had some fine weather and the crowds turned out to support us despite relocating the event. From the start to the finish at 4pm we had a good crowd and we may have the event down at the ground next year".
There was a junior rugby league tournament, the Normanton Dog Display team, line dancing and maypole dancing. The charity stalls included the Samaritans and the Fire Brigade. The Express photo shows an unnamed boy trying to ring the bell.
Luke and Samantha Dale as Darth Maul and Queen Amadala in the fancy dress competition. Photo - Beverley Amanda Charlton (Featherstone Bygone Days).
DEATH OF WALTER TENNANT
Walter Tennant died in July age 79. He joined Featherstone Rovers in 1939 and retired in 1951. In the middle of his career he had a ten months spell with Wakefield Trinity. He played 234 times for the Rovers and scored 104 tries, and he was a member of the team which won the Yorkshire Cup in 1940. The photo, supplied by Mark Kirby, shows Walter with his younger brother Alan who also had a long career with the Rovers.
ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL
Gladys Cooper age 90 and her daughter Kathleen Harrison age 65 lived together. A thief broke into their home and took a wheelchair, a handbag with £100 in it, and Kathleen's 1986 Ford Fiesta. The police quickly found the wheelchair, handbag and money, but not the car.
Mrs Harrison said "The car may be quite old but it is our only means of getting about; without it we are confined to the house. We are just so desperate for a car to get us about. If anyone can help us trace our car we can be contacted through the police". (They refused to let the Express publish their address.)
Their family in South Africa, where the pair had stayed for 40 years, made a surprise visit and offered another car. They were also offered a car from the owner of Featherstone Fitness Studio, Alan Austin, and his former business partner, Jason King, of Perfect Health Gym, Knottingley.
However, the police eventually found the Ford Fiesta in Castleford. Mrs Harrison said "We are mobile once again and it is nice to know we can visit our friends. We were lost without the Fiesta". Photo - the Express.
ZAK'S BACK
Sarah Allington of Featherstone had an African Grey parrot. It escaped in August and she thought it was gone for ever. She put pleas for help in the Express and elsewhere including the branches of GT Smiths (she worked in the Knottingley branch).
Meanwhile, the parrot had turned up at the home of Mrs Susan Whitely of Great Preston. She used to work in a pet shop and used to have an aviary, but even so she said it took her two hours to catch the bird. She was going away on holiday the next day so she left Zak with her daughter Vicky.
On her return she saw the plea in GT Smiths in Kippax where she now worked and so was able to return Zak to his rightful owner. Photo - the Express.
ALL SAINTS CHURCH REOPENED
The newly refurbished All Saints' Church was reopened in October to take part in Wakefield Diocese's Light for Living Event. The first session was for men only and was a Friday gardener's question time and a Christian testimony. It concluded with beer and sandwiches. On Saturday tea was served from 2-4pm. At 3pm there was a historical guided tour of the building.
Sunday was harvest thanksgiving day which included contributions from the Sunday School and All Saints Club youth group. Produce of any kind was accepted for display. Fruit, vegetables and tins were later donated to Prince of Wales Hospice, and flowers to local pensioners and recently bereaved people.
CHIP PAN BLAZE
Pensioners Richard and Barbara Jones lived in Priory Road. In October, Barbara was cooking fish and chips for dinner and Richard was speaking to a visitor at the door. The smoke alarm went off and in no time the kitchen was ablaze.
Three men, who happened to be nearby rushed to help. They were Simon Brown and Andrew Hudson of Featherstone and Paul Jackson of Swillington. They found Mr Jones in the smoke filled hallway and Paul stopped a passing bus to tackle the fire with its extinguisher. Paul searched the bungalow for Mrs Jones but she had managed to get out. The couple were rehoused at Market Street.
The three men were commended for their actions by West Yorkshire Fire Service at Featherstone Fire Station. Chief fire officer Phil Toase said the men's quick reactions, determined effort and lack of concern for their own safety helped prevent what could have been a tragic loss of life. The Jones's said "We are extremely thankful to the men who put their own lives at risk to save us". Photo - the Express.From the left are Simon, Paul and Andrew.
CHRISTMAS SWITCH ON
In December hundreds of children and parents lined Station Lane for the arrival of Santa and the Christmas lights switch on. Santa's journey was marred by some hooligans throwing eggs. Cr David Bond played down the incident and said it was quickly dealt with by councillors. The deputy mayor Linda Roy switched on the lights and Station Lane became a blaze of colour.
Regarding the egg throwing Santa said "To me this trouble was caused by a mindless minority and the incident is not worth noting. For the majority of people this was a great success and everyone enjoyed themselves. It was brilliant to see all the children's smiling faces". The crowd waved and cheered as he made his way to the library to inspect his grotto and to entertain the town's children. The photo of Linda Roy is from the Express.
At a later event there were lots of children and parent at the library/community centre for the Christmas fun day. Hundreds queued for the chance to visit Santa in his brightly decorated grotto. There were charity stalls, a merry-go-round, face painting and a clown to keep everyone entertained. Santa said "What a wonderful time I had. To see the smiling faces of the children made the day worthwhile. The library staff have done a wonderful job and I think they deserve the highest praise. This grotto is one of the best I have seen in the district and I always enjoy coming here for the warm welcome I get". The photos of Santa in his grotto and the face painting are from the Express.
2000 NEWS ITEMS
JANUARY Featherstone Town Council planned to increase the number of hanging baskets and tubs throughout the district. A spokesman said "Extra bulbs will be purchased with the prize money won for the town's third place in the Care For Your Town and Village competition organised by Wakefield and District Environmental Action Forum".
FEBRUARY Jean Bullock of Priory Road retired after 33 years service as an assistant at North Featherstone Junior and Infants School. A presentation ceremony and party was held at the school. Photo - the Express.
MARCH Byron Sogden age 14 of St Thomas Road was the Yorkshire North East weightlifting champion, British Schoolboys' champion and former British Under 13s champion. His mother Alison quit work to look after her ill parents and could not afford £120 for proper footwear and £40 for a leotard for future competitions. He was growing out of his current equipment. Featherstone senior coach Jack Garbutt said Byron only started two years ago and needs this equipment to carry on. Photo - the Express.
Lin Pac Plastics allowed 12 of their workers to link up by computer to Wakefield College to study for qualifications. John Geen for Lin Pac said "We are encouraging our staff to develop themselves which in turn will ensure a more effective contribution to the growth and development of the business". Photo - the Express.
The number of stallholders at the Thursday market was going down, so in an effort to boost numbers Wakefield Council had a special market day at which Victor the Lion attended and handed out free cream eggs to every child visitor. Everyone who bought something would be entered into a free draw for luxury Easter eggs. Market stall rent was reduced by half to £6.50 for a six months trial period.
MAY Featherstone Methodist Church received £5,000 from the Millennium Festival Awards for All scheme which would be used to refurbish the kitchen facilities in their Community Centre.
The Wakefield Council election result was:
David Harold Bond (Labour) 1,329
Stephen John Vickers (Featherstone Labour 1st) 798
Brigid Moya Hopkins (Conservative) 319
Featherstone Labour Party decided not to put up Stephen Vickers and brought in Harold Bond from South Elmsall. Cr Vickers decided to put up on his own behalf.
JULY Featherstone High School held an activities week. It included gliding, ice skating, ten pin bowling, orienteering, line dancing, a school sports day and fishing. The fishing competition was held at Ackton Pond and Tim Allington age 12 won by landing a five pounds carp with the last catch of the day. Second was Chris Beaumont age 14 and third was Brett Tuffs age 12.
AUGUST The Services to Business department of Wakefield College ran an initiative test, parts of which were rowing and scaling a climbing wall. Lin Pac Plastics entered a team of six which came top in the competition. They were presented with a framed photograph by Ian Wilkinson, chief executive of Wakefield Training and Enterprise Council. Sarah Hardy, Services to Business manager, said "It was amazing to see the ingenuity employed by the team". Photo - the Express.
Security bollards were put at the entrance to the precinct to stop ram raiders, but the council forgot about the market traders who turned up and could not get in. After two hours a market inspector turned up with bolt cutters and cut the padlock off. Andy Kerr for the council said "We recently installed two new bollards as part of a general upgrading of the precinct. We regret that due to a misunderstanding the keys to the locked bollard were not available when the market traders arrived this week".
An OFSTED report on Purston Infants School said the school has a number of excellent features, with pupils making good progress throughout their time at school. The headteacher provides excellent leadership and was very well supported by her staff and governors. The school provides very good value for money. The attitude of the pupils to their learning, behaviour and relationships are important strengths of the school.
SEPTEMBER Featherstone Lions under 12s cycled 22 miles from the Millpond Stadium to Odsal on a sponsored bike ride. They watched the Bradford v Leeds game, and organiser Julie Birkinshaw said "I would like to thank everyone involved, especially Bradford Bulls for its hospitality". Photo - the Express.
Bryn Jones of Katrina Grove received a certificate for his 75th donation to the National Blood Service.
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OCTOBER The OFSTED report on North Featherstone Junior and Infants School said it had improved from good to very good in four years. The school was praised for good levels of attendance and punctuality as well as for academic achievements. Headteacher Terry Hall said "I am delighted with the report and am fortunate in having a team of staff who support my commitment to ensuring the best education for pupils".
NOVEMBER Dorothy Dyer had worked 21 years at Woolworths in Pontefract and was rewarded with a personal gift and a celebration. She said "I didn't really see a future in retailing, but here I am 21 years later. I have really enjoyed my career here and I have worked with some great people. It's been hard work but very rewarding". Photo - the Express.
For Remembrance Day wreaths were laid at the Miners' Memorial in Station Lane as dozens of people attended. The Express report makes no mention of the Purston War Memorial.
DECEMBER Children at Purston Infants School planted sapling of silver birch, beech, oak and hawthorn in their school garden. They had been provided by the Tree Council as part of the Esso Tree Planting Week. Headteacher Mrs Janet Young said the children also planted crocus, hyacinth and daffodil bulbs. The Express photo shows from the left Robert Thomas, Josie Sykes, David Smith and Steven Thomas.
Richard Slater age 10 of Cedar Walk was studying music under teacher Martin Broom at North Featherstone Junior and Infants School. He had already produced a cassette tape of popular songs, and had now got 30 copies of a CD on sale for £4 for school funds. Headteacher Terry Hall said "Richard has come on in leaps and bounds musically in just two years and all his efforts are appreciated by everyone". His mum Julie said "Martin Broom has done everything including producing and compiling this album and putting its cover together". The photo of Richard and his CD is by the Express.
The top three awards for Wakefield Council's Apprentice of the Year went to former pupils of Featherstone High School. Martin Hepworth of North Close was third year apprentice of the year. He was presented with the Eddie Thompson Shield, a certificate and £50. Dale Beecroft of Kingsley Avenue gained the second year award and received a replica shield and £40, and John Middleton of Nunns Court took the first year award. He won a replica shield, certificate and £30. The Express photo shows from the left Dale, Martin and John.
This history of Featherstone through nearly 1,000 years ends appropriately with the cover of Tony Lumb's book published in the year 2000 to celebrate the millennium.
