Golf course was out of bounds for the plough
HERE in this weekly feature we take a look back at the Rochdale Observer from 100 years ago...
●●GOLFING AND FOOD SUPPLY
To the editor of the Rochdale Observer.
Sir, that 70 acres of good grass land in this district, used for golfing, should be exempt from ploughing today is puzzling many.
The reasons, so-called, of a Committeeman certainly do not hold good today, nor ought they to have done in 1916 for that matter.
All over - some not far away, golf links, public and privately owned, have been ploughed up, and small farmers around wonder how these Rochdale links have escaped whilst they, the farmers are compelled to plough up grassland which they can ill spare.
Exempting these fertile acres is likely, I think, to convey an unfavourable impression. Yours, etc. A FARMER.
●●SHORTAGE OF CLOGS TOO
A. Fielden for P. Mills (20, single, clog maker and boot repairer).
Mr Fielden said, owing to the strike recently, the stock of clogs in the town was now exhausted - a thing unknown for 20 years.
Many of the workers had migrated and hands were impossible to obtain.
●●SOLDIERS’ WIVES AND EMPLOYMENT
To the editor of the Rochdale Observer.
Sir, please allow me a little space in your valuable paper to ask the shop people of Rochdale how they expect a soldier’s wife to live?
A few shops have advertised for young ladies between a given age, but without stating whether they must be married or single.
Many young women who have applied would have got the places, but as they gave their names, the shop people said: “We are sorry, but we cannot take you on; we want single young ladies.”
I think it is a shame that this should be the case in Rochdale. A soldier’s wife wants to live as well as single young women, and she is naturally anxious to put a little money away for the time when her husband returns.
But such are, it appears, to be put on the shelf and rejected because they are married, and that while their husbands are risking their lives for us at home.
Yours, A CONSTANT READER AND A DISCHARGED SOLDIER.
●●WAR CASUALTIES
An official intimation has been received thar Lance-Corporal Harry Seal of the Light Trench Mortar Battery, whose home was at 116 Todmorden Road, Summit, Littleborough, was killed in action on January 5.
Private Harry Garstang of the Lancashire Fusiliers (formerly the secretary of the Littleborough Trades and Labour Council) is reported to have been killed in action on January 21. He has left a widow and once child, who reside at 1 Spring Gardens, Littleborough.
●●THE STATE AND MIDWIVES
Miss May, M.D., who is in charge of maternity and child welfare work in Rochdale, spoke at Bolton on Thursday night. She said she had seen midwives attending mothers whom she would not have allowed to attend animals. Some midwives created great trouble in homes. What was wanted was a better supervision of doctors so that they would be called to account for mismanagement, and that midwives should be part of State service.