Butchers adopted POWs and prize veg went on show
HERE in this regular feature we take a look back at items in the Rochdale Observer from 100 years ago
●●LOCAL VEGETABLE AND FLOWER SHOW
Complete success attended the opening of the first vegetable show promoted by Turners’ Allotment Holders’ Society, which was held on Saturday afternoon in a marquee erected on a field just above the allotments at Spotland.
There were over 300 entries and much interest was manifested in the exhibits by the visitors, who were numerous.
The society was started in the spring of 1917 and has 146 members, each of whom has 246 square yards of land under cultivation. There are still allotments not taken up.
Considering that they were grown by amateurs, the exhibits were splendid; the allotment holders competing deserved great credit for their work on the land.
●●MILL HOURS AND COAL SAVING
To the editor of the Rochdale Observer.
Sir, I was impressed by the remarks of Mr Nuttall, the Weavers, Winders and Beamers’ president, in his advocating a 44-hour week in the textile trade.
If we are in earnest and mean business with respect to saving coal and light why not commence work at 8.30am instead of playing the time off in whole days, as at present.
How much more sensible it would be than going out at 5.30am with your breakfast in one hand and a lamp or candle in the other.
I trust we may be spared from a reception of this kind of ‘economy’ in the coming winter.
Yours, OLD WEAVER. ●●ROCHDALE BUTCHERS AND THE PRISONERS OF WAR
The 69 beef butchers in Rochdale and Norden have decided to subscribe £250 to the Mayor’s fund for the Lancashire Fusiliers prisoners of war.
In addition, the butchers have undertaken to adopt two prisoners, each at a cost of £40 per annum.
Mr George Foulds of Yorkshire Street is the acting treasurer of the fund on behalf of the butchers.
●●WAR CASUALTIES
Private Herbert Walker, 37, of the Lancashire Fusiliers, died from wounds in a casualty clearing station abroad on August 27.
His home was at 97 Church Street, Rochdale. In civil life, he worked in the cotton chamber at the Standard Mill.
Private William Reynolds of the Lancashire Fusiliers, eldest son of Mrs Reynolds of 75, Whitehall Street, Rochdale, was killed in action on August 18. He was 20 years of age. Before joining the Army he worked at the Jubilee Colliery, Newhey.
●●50 YEARS AGO
We are happy to be able to state that the Waterworks Committee have concluded an arrangement with the Dearnley Colliery Company for the supply of a large volume of water - 500 gallons per minute we believe - and that immediate steps are being taken to have this supply of water conveyed to one of the reservoirs.
A mile of 10-inch pipes will be delivered at an early date.