A HISTORY OF FEATHERSTONE
1998
THE COUNCILS
MAY Cr Peter Wroe retained his seat on Wakefield Council. The voting was:
Peter Wroe (Labour) 2,029
Thomas P Steele (Conservative) 192.
The retiring Featherstone Town Mayor Cr Len Garbutt handed over to newly elected Cr Les Clewarth. Photo - The Express.
THE GALA
Rising insurance costs and poor sponsorship affected the annual Gala. The co-ordinator, Cr David Bond, said "We have to remain within our budget. A shortened version of the street procession, which was cancelled last year, will return. Children representing all schools will come down Station Lane in an open-top bus. The old style gala has died with a procession from North Featherstone to Purston Park. But if there is a big enough demand for its re-introduction the council would consider it".
In the event there was a procession of schoolchildren and town groups marching down Station Lane, followed by an open-top bus containing the Gala Queen Toni Howarth. In the park there were the Frickley and South Elmsall Standard Fireworks Band, charity stalls, face painters and fairground rides. The Express photos show the open-top bus, and the Gala Queen crowned by mayor and mayoress Cr Les Clewarth and Jane Burton
FIRE AT ALL SAINTS' CHURCH
A fire was started in August in All Saints' Church, North Featherstone, by vandals and it spread rapidly destroying both vestries and the organ, caused extensive damage to the alter part, and smoke damage throughout.
A spokesman for the church council said "We used to have an open house policy at the church allowing people to come in and pray at any time but we will have to look at that again". Church services were arraigned in All Sains School.The police said four people have been arrested and bailed and will come back to the police station pending further inquiries The photo of firemen on the roof is from the Express.
The church council launched a £25,000 appeal on November 1, All saints' Day. It began with a sponsored abseil down the church tower at noon.
GEORGE STREET SCHOOL EXTENSION
A new teaching block, built to meet the demand for places and costing £195,000 was opened in September at St Thomas's C of E Junior School, George Street, by the Mayor of Wakefield Cr Colin Oldroyd and was blessed by the Bishop of Beverley.
Acting headmaster Bob Skrzeczkowski said "A glowing Ofsted report must have alerted parents to the high teaching standards. Our catchment area had traditionally been from Girnhill and Purston but now we have quite a few children from out of the area.
"We are very lucky to have got this extension as we have been fighting for space for many years. We now have 414 pupils in school aged eight to 11 and the three new classrooms will provide roomy and pleasant conditions".
JIM WILLIAMS - HISTORIAN
The Express interviewed Jim Williams, a retired physiotherapist, in September about his writing career since his retirement. He said he had written The Wild Flowers of Featherstone, a book of poetry, his war memoirs, The Early Years of Local Churches and Many Happy Hours about his early childhood. He was now compiling a book about the history of Featherstone and Purston.
He said " I write books mainly as a hobby and they are usually used as reference material by local libraries. I have put together a few books since i retired in 1985 and I have nearly completed the latest one about the area in which I was born and bred". The two photos are from the Express.
1998 NEWS ITEMS
JANUARY James Sinclair and Karen Kerr lived with their sons in Ashcroft Avenue. Karen put Daryl age 3 and Blake five to bed but they crept into their parents' bedroom, found a lighter and computer paper and set fire to it. It quickly became a blaze and burnt through a fuse box and the lights went out.
James was on his way up the stairs to the fuse box when he was engulfed by smoke from the fire. He found Daryl and carried him downstairs and went back for Blake. The smoke was now so thick he couldn't see him and had to feel around to find him and take him downstairs. Both boys were taken to Pontefract General Infirmary and detained overnight. The Express photo shows James with Daryl.
FEBRUARY Kerry Rowlinson age 14 of Nunns Lane was in training with her dog Ben for their second appearance at Crufts at the Birmingham NEC in March. They would be part of the North-East of England team. Photo - The Express.
John Hill of Purston Park Court had been doing the commentary for Featherstone Rovers match videos since the mid 1980s and had now decided to step down because he felt he could no longer do justice to the job because of domestic and business commitments. Photo - The Express.
The Featherstone Jesters Gym Club was run by coach Katherine Shepherd of Pontefract and assistant coach Christine Hall of Priory Road. Recent medal winners were Georgina Hall age 10, Claire Robinson eight, Katie Broadbent 13, Rebecca Denton 13, and Danielle Knee 11. Photo - The Express (no names).
MARCH Kerry Rowlinson with dog Ben beat 38 other competitors at the Birmingham NEC to become Crufts junior obedience champion. She scored 99.25 points out of 100. photo - The Express.
All Saints' Church needed roof repairs estimated at a cost of £44,000. English Heritage would contribute 75% of the cost, Historic Churches preservation Trust £1,700, and Christchurch, Oxford, £1,500. This left the congregation needing to donate the remaining £7,800. The vicar, Fr Nicholas Clews said finding such a sum was a challenge, but one he was sure they would rise to.
APRIL Girnhill Lane Infants School had 71 nursery age youngsters in its 108 pupils. An OFSTED inspection reported the school helped parents and children feel comfortable at the start of their education and throughout their school lives. The inspectors found high standards in all subjects in line with or above the national level. Headteacher Mrs Megan Bradshaw said "This is the first inspection we have had. The comments reinforce what we know already at the school but it is nice to hear it officially".
MAY Fire crews from Featherstone, Pontefract and Castleford were called to a house fire on Willow Lane, North Featherstone. Neighbours said the householder was still inside, but a thorough search found the premises were empty. It later was discovered the owner was away for the weekend, and police believed it may have been started maliciously.
JUNE Tony Lumb gave an interview about Purston Hall. He said "The town hall is falling into decline, with young troublemakers smashing windows and treating the 170 year old edifice as a playground. This is a lovely old building and I realise it's difficult to keep vandals off but it need preserving". Photo - the Express.
JULY Peter and Wendy Frankland of Bedford Close won £1,014,313 on the National Lottery. The Express photo shows them in Ian and Cynthia Dransfield's news agency where they bought the winning ticket.
AUGUST Shirley Whitworth retired after 32 years at George Street/St Thomas School. She said "When I first started I worked in an old Victorian building and used a whistle to keep the children in line. She was presented with a Royal Worcester porcelain figurine and a gold chain and pendant at a special leaving service at St Thomas's Church. Photo - the Express.
SEPTEMBER Featherstone Gymnastic Club made the decision to leave Featherstone Sports Centre and train at Airedale Community Sports in Castleford.
OCTOBER Featherstone High School received the Investors in People certificate from the government body Investing in People UK. It was for reaching the required standard in staff recruitment, selection, induction and continuing professional development. School co-ordinator David Bird said "We had to make sure staff received and continue to receive the appropriate training opportunities". Over two days the assessor interviewed all the staff including cleaners and dinner ladies.
The Rovers played Wakefield Trinity at Huddersfield in the rugby league Grand Final for a place in next year's Super League but lost 24-22 after a controversial knock-on decision which disallowed a Rovers try went against them.
NOVEMBER Father Christmas came down Station Lane on his sleigh to announce the start of the festive season. Town Mayor Les Clewarth switched on the Christmas lights and there was a fancy dress competition, 22 stalls, a grotto and entertainment in the Community Centre. The photo of Cr Clewarth is from the Express.
Tony Warden age 60 announced his retirement as headmaster at Featherstone High School at the end of the term. He said he was going to be the academy education and welfare officer at Barnsley FC where he had been a lifelong fan. Photo - the Express.
North Featherstone Junior and Infants School pupils in Gordon Street celebrated the National Year of Reading by dressing up as their favourite figures from their favourite books. The teachers joined in the fun with headmaster Terry Hall as the Demon Headmaster. Photo - the Express.
DECEMBER Paintings by Girnhill Lane Infants School pupils were chosen for Wakefield District Council's Christmas cards. Cory Ingram age six painted the nativity for chief education officer John McLeod, and Natalie Hill also six painted an angel for chairman of education Cr Bob Mitchell. Photo - the Express.
