29
March 2001
G'day
Gary
I should proof read before I send mail. I was older than Billy but
younger than Norman but the same age as Paul Halford left Willowgarth
High in May 1968
Say Hi to all for me
cheers
Kev
Bates. Australia
That's
probably why I can't remember you Kevin, thanks for informing Paul
Halford of the web-site. Keep it rolling.
--------------------------------------------------
1
April 2001
Hello
Gary
Just
having a look at your site, it's getting better all the time!
On
the Horseshoes
trip photo that's
on your "new" list, the little old lady who is stood
directly behind Charlie Burdett and Tony Evans is Mrs Whittington, who
lived at number 4 Co-op Row many years ago. I never knew her first
name, as she was quite an old lady when I was at school.
Hope
this helps, and keep adding the photos. I think it's great that a
small village like Brierley is enjoying so much recognition on the web
(thanks to your hard work.)
John
Draper
What
more can I say John but thanks again
--------------------------------------------------
2
April 2001
Hi
Gary
Kevin
Bates put me on to your web site. Your school photos brought back some
memories. I am a few years older than you, at Brierley school I hung
about with your brother Ken although I think he was more my brother's
age. I was the Halford brother who lived in Shafton Green but now live
"down south" in sunny (?) Hertfordshire. My brother Chris
lived on Common Road but now lives in Greasebrough. Don't you have a
sister (Brenda)? I think we were in the same class at school.
Bye
for now.
Paul
Halford
pauldarrell.halford@ntlworld.com
P.S.
Sorry, the e-mail address is a bit of a mouthful
I
can remember you now! If I am correct, you were a member of the video
club that I ran on Church Drive Brierley about 10/11 years ago and yes
I do have a sister called Brenda. She worked in the mills upon leaving
school and then joined the forces with Linda Cooper. She met an army
chap and they have been married now for 25 years. They are living in
Cudworth.
Thanks
for your interest shown in the web-site and keep in touch.
--------------------------------------------------
5
April 2001
Hi
Gary
My
name is Christopher Halford, and I'm 45 years old.
Although
I always lived in Grimethorpe, both myself and my brother Paul
attended St Paul's junior school at Brierley.
My
memory is terrible for dates and years so I cannot gave you precisely
when I attended, but, I do remember that I was in the first class that
Mrs Horton taught when she replaced Mrs Bristow and that some of the
names that were constantly in the same class as myself were:
James
(Jinx) Nash,
David (Crock)
Higgs,
Amanda Burton,
Pamela Watson (I
think that's correct, but she was Amanda's best friend),
Neil
Tibble,
Sheila Day,
Caroline Brown,
Ian Brazier,
Stephen Foster,
Paul Beard,
Ann Stirling,
Garry Wilmot,
Gary Seston
and June Watson.
If I remember any
more I'll let you know.
My
older brother, Paul now lives in Harpenden, near London, and it was he
who discovered your site and e-mailed it to me.
The
photo of David
Keith & his sister in
the schoolyard when they were leaving for Australia is very familiar
because I was on one of the pictures taken. I cannot tell if it is the
one that you were showing as it was too small to pick people out.
I now
run a theatrical agency with my wife in Greasebrough, Rotherham after
spending the past 7 years as a professional musician.
If I
can be of any assistance to your cause, please e-mail me back.
Good
luck
Chris
Halford
Hi
Christopher,
I
had seen you and your Brother Christopher's names elsewhere on the
Internet and I had you both mixed up with each other. I recall most of
the names you mention but I think you might have a couple mixed up.
Jimmy Nash (Last heard of Jimmy was living in South Kirby about 10
years ago). Crock Higgs lives in Doncaster and is doing quite well for
himself. He has been a Teddy boy for a number of years and he has his
own mobile Rock 'n' Roll Disco, I have heard he is in big demand. I
was speaking to Amanda Burton's mum recently and she tells me Amanda
is living in Sheffield and as recently given birth. I remember the
Tibble family well,
and I believe they left the village before they left Brierley School,
but I don't know where too. Sheila Day is now Sheila Goose and living
in Brierley Park. When you say Caroline Brown I think you may mean
Marilynn, I don't know where she got to. I speak regularly with Ian
Brazier's mum and dad, Ian is married and living in Worksop. I don't
know what happened to Stephen Foster or his brother Christopher. Paul
Beard is still living in Brierley. Ann Stirland still lives locally. I
think you mean Barry Wilmot who still lives locally. My friend Gary
Wilson informs me that
Gary
Seston
was
last heard of working and living in Singapore. June Watson is now June
Asquith and has just left Brierley to live in Minsthorpe. I was
brought up on the same estate as June (Hillside) and she remains a
firm friend of mine to this day.
I
have a class
photograph
with most of the people on it that you have named. Although it was
reproduced from a not very good scanned image, I have put it on the
photograph page under class 1963/64 for you to view.
You
may be interested to know that both Mrs Horton (Minsthorpe) and Mrs
Thorpe (Brierley) both attended my last photograph exhibition in
December 2000. They are two ladies who I have a great deal of respect
for, as I did with all of my former teachers from St Paul's School.
Sadly Mrs Fox passed away, and the last news I heard of Mr Balmforth
the Head was that he was very poorly in a nursing home. That was about
three years ago.
Thanks
for your interest shown in the site, it is really rewarding when I
receive E-mail from people like yourself and your brother Paul. Please
keep in touch.
--------------------------------------------------
7
April 2001
Dear
Gary
To complete the names
in the picture, the gent on back row, right, smoking the pipe is Charlie
Dove
(deceased) of Hemsworth.
He regularly attended festivals and flower shows at the Shoes.
In your picture of Brierley
Village FC 1967, the
player back row extreme right is Ray Dyson not Keith (his brother).
Regards
Colin Yoxall
Barnsley Rd
Brierley
Thanks
for your e-mail and your information on the flower show photograph. I
will update it as soon as possible.
In
the near future, I am starting to collect as much information as
possible on the flower shows (I have quite a few photographs in the
Baipip archives) that were held in the Three Horse Shoes. If you can
recollect any memories and e-mail them to me (or I can pick them up) I
would be extremely grateful. The only other person I know that can
help me at the moment is Tony Evans who I shall be contacting shortly.
I am also in the process of writing memories of Brierley from 1901 to
the present day. These will be available in book form as and when I
write them (any profits towards the collecting of artefacts and
reproducing of photographs for the Baipip archives). The first one is
just about complete and will be available from the post office
shortly. I have found that the best source of information is from the
people that have actually lived through the experience rather than
newspaper cuttings etc., so I would appreciate any help you could
offer. If you have read my memories page on the web-site you will see
that John Steel writes his memories on a regular basis for me. I
believe that the more information we can add to the Baipip archives
will make for better understanding for the future generations to enjoy
and learn.
--------------------------------------------------
11
April 2001
Hello
Gary
It's
been a while since we talked.
Has your Society
got off the ground yet?
Have you managed to
enlist any real help with your Main Project- have you managed to sweet
talk anyone into sparing a couple of hours per week to gather details
in the Churchyard yet?
On my
weekly visit this week, I took more details for my paintings, and I
noticed with very great interest that, the Main Gate fence area is now
down leading into the old Pit yard in the Village.
I can
confirm from memory that my assumptions during my visit to your house,
on the old Pit Yard position of the Shafts and winding gear is
correct. During one of the many visits to this area either on the way
to or from school, it's not something that I could forget. I walked
down from the gate area today and passed both Winding sheds on my
right - it was just like "yesterday".
Keep
up the good work
Cliff
Lloyd
Tadcaster
Thanks
for your E-mail and keeping in touch.
The
History Society looked like being a long drawn out process, but this
week I received news and an offer of premises in Brierley Hall. So far
so good.
I
am still waiting to hear from the funding people, but expect the news
in about 2 - 3 weeks time. I am fairly confident of obtaining the
funding.
Once these items
have been finalised and I have set the office/volunteer room up (I
would expect about 6 - 8 weeks), then I will gather all the volunteers
together and highlight the ideas I have. One of them of course is your
churchyard project, but I will have to sit with you when the office is
open and discuss your exact requirements. It may be a good idea
actually to arrange for you to visit the churchyard with the
volunteer/s yourself. Please be patient with me Cliff.
Another good thing
for the History Society is that people like yourself visiting the
village can pop in for a chat and a cuppa and see how things are
progressing, and also for you to meet with your volunteers and see how
the work is going on. I am getting really excited about it all.
I am at the moment
trying to do so many things on my own that time is just not on my
side. It will be such a relief when the society is up and running.
I
am also at the moment just about completing my book Brierley
remembered No 1 from 1901 to the present day. I have put a small piece
in there about the Spiritualist church and informed the readers that
with your help and your guardian mothers diary, I hope to have the
complete history on the church written for my next book which will be
out next year.
As I am having to
print the books myself due to the high cost of professional printing,
the books will be a limited edition of 100 and priced at £3.50. So if
you would like me to reserve you a copy please let me know as the one
I printed last year on similar lines for my exhibition sold out within
2 weeks, and people are still asking for copies which I can no longer
print.
I
wondered if you could spare the time on your next visit to show me
round the old pit yard and I can take photographs before the buildings
are demolished within the next few weeks.
--------------------------------------------------
12
April 2001
G'day Gary
I had my Mum round last night and she verified that the girl on the
extreme right, middle row of the class of 1963/64
is my younger sister Carol Bates who is a little older than my Aunt
Cindy but younger than Billy.
Cheers
Kevin Bates
Australia
Thank
you for that information Kevin. I will certainly add your information
to the photograph page. Nice to see you are keeping in touch
--------------------------------------------------
13
April 2001
Dear
Gary
My
Uncle whose mother was a Marsden from Bolton-on-Dearne is a descendant
from the Marsdens of Burntwood Hall. He told me that the Marsdens
owned the Hall from 1707 till sometime in the 19th century. I would be
very grateful on any information you could give me.
Ben
Fletcher
The information
regarding the Marsdens that I have in my possession is on its way to
you by separate E-mail, It is too lengthy to place on this page. For
the benefit of the readers, a few details on the Marsdens of Burntwood
are as follows.
William Marsden
purchased Burntwood Hall around 1700, although at that time it was
just a farmhouse with a few outbuildings. He was an attorney serving
the noblemen and the gentry of his time. He was reported to be worth
around £30,000 on his death in 1718, a huge amount of money in those
days by anyone's standards. Before buying Burntwood Hall he also
occupied Brierley Manor, although further research would have to
follow to see if he was a tenant or the owner. He also purchased the
Manor of Bolton-on -Dearne and an estate in Craven and indeed many
other estates. Burntwood Hall remained in the Marsden family for
nearly 150 years until it was sold to Mr. S. H. Taylor who built most
of the present Burntwood Hall.
The
hall is a mixture of classical and Gothic revival architecture and on
the south side there is a porch supported by Doric columns. It has the
only 'secret' tunnel in the area that can be authenticated, running
for thirty yards under the road to the kitchen gardens. West Haigh
Wood and Howell Wood were landscaped as the grounds of the hall, as
was the open space of the old Burntwood. Artificial lakes were set in
Howell Wood and West Haigh Wood, the one in Howell Wood being the only
one surviving today. The Hall had its own Gas works to provide heat
and light, and an icehouse to keep food fresh in summer. Richard
Watson
--------------------------------------------------
13
April 2001
Hello
Gary
I
have received your e-mail regarding the information on the Marsden
family
Good
god that's something. I had no idea that the Marsdens were as well to
do as they were. I have been looking on the Internet for more
information. I will forward all I get to your good self.
Best
wishes
Ben Fletcher
Glad
to be of assistance Ben
--------------------------------------------------
16
April 2001
Dear
Gary
Even though I am relatively new to Brierley (I have lived here for 10
years), I find the website very interesting and praise the effort that
has gone into it. I don't think other local villages are as fortunate
as we are. My husband is from the Havercroft/ South Hiendley area and
as yet, we have not found a web site that covers either local history
or up-to-date news, so I suppose Brierley is quite lucky! Keep up the
excellent work - you never know in about 100 years from now, people
may be fascinated by looking at photos of us or learning about how we
lived.
I would be grateful if you could reserve a copy of your new book for
me as I missed out on the first one.
Alexia Cook
Church Drive, Brierley.
Thank
you for those kind words Alexia, It is really appreciated when I
receive e-mails like yours, it gives me the strength to keep the
web-site going as it is hard work and time consuming, but hopefully
when I get the Historic photographic society up and running I will be
able to recruit volunteers to assist me with it. A copy of the book
has been reserved for you. It should be ready in about 2 weeks time.
--------------------------------------------------
18
April 2001
Hi
Gary,
How are you doing? I tried to ring Hilda the other day, but I surmise
everyone has been busy for the Easter Weekend. The site below is one I
mentioned to Hilda on the phone, it's for my great granddad (Hilda's
Granddad). We look forward to meeting you all, we'll be flying into
Manchester
May 4th, so we'll tee up a ti
me as soon as we
arrive. Let Hilda know I'll try to call again soon.
Thanks
much,
Bill Mielke
Canada
Thanks
for your e-mail Bill, I am very much looking forward to meeting you if
you visit Hilda on your visit to England. Would you be bringing your
mom with you? I very much hope so. Thanks for keeping in touch with
the web-site.
--------------------------------------------------
18
April 2001
Dear
Gary,
I wrote to your web site
back in January and you wanted to know were my auntie lives she lives at 22
Park Ave and she is called Agnes steel. I enclose a
picture of her
sitting out side her house with my late Grandma (Francis Clough) my late
mother (Miriam Gardner) and my brother Michael who lives in Australia. My
mother met my father during the war and moved up to Newcastle after it ended.
My mother's family used to live in Cudworth before they moved to Brierley.
I
would be grateful if you could reserve a copy of your new book for me.
Thank
you Peter Gardner
Gateshead
Tyne-Wear
Hi
Peter, I thought you had lost interest in us all. Thank you for your
information on your family. I have added the picture to the photograph page.
What date would it have been taken, I would guess in the seventies, am I
right?
A book as
been reserved for you but I am not quite sure how much the p + p will be. I
will be in touch at a later date. I print the books myself and I had 25
ordered on the first day so please be patient.
Please keep
in touch with the site.
If
any one else as a photograph they wish me to put on the web-site then e-mail
me the pic with details.
If
anyone else would like a copy of my latest book reserving, please e-mail me
with your address (sorry UK only). Or if you live locally you can leave your
name with Debbie at the Post office. The book is called Brierley Remembered No
1. The book is A5 and 36 pages, similar to the one I wrote for last year's
exhibition. But please note that some of the contents are available on the
web-site now. It contains memories, photographs, stories, newspaper cuttings
and snippets from 1901 - 2001 and will be a limited edition of 100. The book
will be printed to order and numbered individually. It will be the first of a
possible series of two or no more than three books. It will be on a first come
first served basis and is priced at £3.50 + p.p.
--------------------------------------------------
20
April 2001
Hi
Gary,
It's Bill (Hilda's cousin in Canada), firstly, I had to send you a funny
First
I was going through the links in your site and I went to the councillor's site
- it plays a beautiful tune called "Speak Softly Love", it's also
from the "Godfather" movie..... I was just wondering if this is
making a statement on the condition of local politics.... lol (please take
this is total jest) There's the rub...
Second
How are you for the evening of May 4th for a pub dinner somewhere nearby----
not to Canada - Brierley of course - and what on earth is a Barnsley Chop? :)
Billy Mielke
You’re
the first one to point that out Billy, I will have to inform Councillor Vodden
when I see him, I am sure he will see the funny side of it. I am very much
looking forward to meeting you on Friday evening of the 4 May. You will be
able to order a Barnsley Chop, and who knows you may take the idea back to
Canada and they might put it on the menu over there.
If
anyone as been following this story and you live local, you can meet myself
and Billy in the Three Horse Shoes on the night of the 4 May. It would be nice
to see a few of you there to give Billy and his family a good old Brierley
welcome.
--------------------------------------------------
26
April 2001
Gary,
My
name is Mariella Alexander. I live in North Carolina. I am hoping you might be
of some help. After speaking with my tight-lipped British mum, I finally got
some more facts about her life in England. I have been desperate to find any
family ties despite my mother's wishes. I found out today that at one point in
her life her family lived in Brierley Hill. She has only lived in the Midlands
- Brierley Hill, Dudley, and Stourbridge area.
These
are the facts I know:
Her
maiden name was Mary Elizabeth Wood
Her
mother and father were Olive and Edward Wood
She
has a brother named John Wood. A sister named Margaret.
At
one time her father owned a gas station.
My
great grandfather (not sure of his name) lived on a farm.
I
am conducting research on the web - but it doesn't hurt to try asking for
help.
Thank
you and hope to hear from you.
Mariella
Alexander
Thank
you for your e-mail. I am very sorry to have to disappoint you but Brierley
Hill is a different area in England to where we are. I work on my website in
Brierley Yorkshire, where as Brierley Hill is a different part of the country
altogether. I am really so sorry that I can't help you, as I understand your
situation and I feel lost as what to do for you. However if you feel you think
I may be able to assist in any other way, please e-mail me back and I will do
my best for you.
I have
placed your letter on the web-site just in case someone from Brierley Hill
drops in by mistake.
Has
anyone else got any suggestions that may help Mariella. E-mail
Gary
--------------------------------------------------
26
April 2001
Dear
Gary,
My
name is Christine Johnson (Beard). I lived at 51, Park View, Brierley and
attended St. Paul's CE School from 1949 to 1954/55. In 1969 I moved with my
husband John who taught at Felkirk and Cudworth Secondary Schools to Perth
Western Australia.
My
sister Marlene Haynes (husband Terry features in your photographs) lives in
Brierley, and recently sent me what she thought might be interesting web site
addresses. Imagine my amazement when checking out the photos I came across the
photo of Class
2 Mrs. Horton. Early 1950s
I am the tiny thing sitting front row right! I think you will find that the
girl in front of Mr. Balmforth is Sylvia Law and not Rosy Pickering who was
about two years older.
My
best recollection of my classmates is as follows: -
FRONT
ROW L-R
:Jean
Horsfall, Katherine Harris (married Roy Jagger), Pat Jackson, Pat
Audin (my best friend), Margaret Bates, Jose Crick, Pauline Scott,
Doreen Smith, Jean Armstrong and myself.
MIDDLE
ROW L-R
:Ann Harding, ?
Neil White, Barbara ?, Peter Kay (Taught at Cudworth Sec), ? , ? ,
Michael Haigh, Carol Hince, Tony Hince and Sylvia Law
BACK
ROW L-R
:? , ? , John ?
, Raymond Dye, Wilfred Oliver, ? , Malcolm Crick (Jose’s brother),
Terence ? ,Gordon Steel, ? , ? , Anthony Spaxman and Peter Dawson
We
are new comers to cyber space so please let me know if you receive
this.
Regards
Christine Johnson (Beard) Perth
Western Australia
I
was really grateful for your information Christine because I had
actually approached Rosy Conroy (nee Pickering) regarding the
photograph and she also claimed that it was not her in front of Mr
Balmforth. It is nice that you have managed to name some of the other
people on the photograph, I will update the information as soon as I
get the chance. I actually spoke to Terry on the morning that I
received your e-mail as I had just photographed the St John's
Ambulance competition at Grimethorpe for the Barnsley Chronicle the
Saturday before. I think that Terry and Ian Walker do an extremely
first class job for the kids in the area. I only hope that sometime in
the future they will bring their talents to the kids of Brierley as
well as Grimethorpe.
Once
again thank you for your interest in the web-site and I do hope you
keep in touch.
--------------------------------------------------
28
April 2001
Dear Gary
- how's your neck? I introduced one of my patients who I see at the
Wakefield practice to the web site because her uncle used to live a
couple of doors from the shops (I think the old house where he lived
is no longer there). The old man is now suffering from ill health but
loved some of the photos and stories that his niece printed off for
him to look at - it's amazing how it jogs their memories. If you have
any books left; can I order one for her uncles please (that's 3 now!).
At this rate - I should be on a commission!
Hope to hear from you soon. Alexia Cooke
My
neck is doing fine (Since I received Alexia's e-mail I have visited
her in her role as an Osteopath and I would recommend her to anyone
with back or neck problems.
It
is nice to hear that I have made an elderly ex pat of Brierley happy.
You will have to tell your client to e-mail with their father's name
and where he lived and see if I can dig up any more photographs for
them from the archives.
-------------------------------------------------
30
April 2001
Thanks
Gary - no problem. I do not think there is anything that you would be
able to do for me at this point.
I appreciate the reply, Mariella
Mariella Alexander
North Carolina
-------------------------------------------------
4
May 2001
Dear
Gary,
It was great to
hear that my sister Christine Johnson (Perth W.A.) has been in touch
with you,
She was very
excited about her class
photo on your Web
site. She had lost her original copy years ago and it was good that
she had managed to help identify a few of the missing names.
She as asked me to
find out if you have still got the original photo, she would love to
have a copy. Of course Terry and I would pay for it and see to posting
it off to her in Australia.
I'm sorry that I
have been unable to find my class photo from Brierley School, (I am
still searching).
I wondered if you
had asked Dorothy Francis, as I'm sure she has the same photo.
Also thank you for
your kind words about Terry and Ian' work for the St. Johns, (re: in
your answer to Christine). If you can let me know about Christine's
Photo I would be very grateful.
Thank
You.
Marlene Haynes
Hi
Marlene, I am always pleased to hear from any of the readers of the
web-site especially ex pats of Brierley like your sister. It is also
very pleasing when they get involved with the site by naming other
people in the photographs. I have the negative of the original
photograph as I do with all the photographs on the web-site. I am a
little bit busy at the moment and I don't get into my darkroom as
often as I would like, but when I do I will reprint one of the class
photographs for you. If anyone else as tried to download and print a
copy without success (which I don't mind as the photographs are for
everyone's enjoyment), then I can provide any photograph you like in
the good old-fashioned way. They are 10 x 8 black and white and 8 x 6
colour. They are priced at £5 each (plus p+p). Any profit from the
sale of these is always used towards collecting and reproducing more
photographs for the Baipip archives. E-mail with any orders you may
have.
-------------------------------------------------
Hello
Gary,
I hope you had
great success with your new book. I am planning on visiting Yorkshire
in the Summer (mid July)
Best
Wishes
Ben Fletcher
The
book has already sold 60 copies Ben. I look forward to meeting you in
the summer by which time I hope to have the Brierley Historic Society
up and running and perhaps I can arrange for you a tour of your
ancestral home. I haven't forgotten about the book you are wanting. I
am just wondering if I ought to leave it now while you come over?
-------------------------------------------------
11
May 2001
Hi
Gary
I have finally had
a chance to locate some of the places mentioned months ago by Trevor
Limbert.
Its not a full list
but hopefully will help.
Brierley
Grove:
Brierley
Grove farm was owned by the Vamplew family and at one point Mrs
Ida Scott's grandparents lived there. The farm was situated
about half way down the new by-pass on the left (Hemsworth side).
Folly
Hall is now a dog kennels and is on the right hand side of the
road as you leave Brierley, heading towards Hemsworth. (Just
before the Bare Well Hill roundabout on the new by-pass)
Ringstone
Hill is the point of Brierley Common opposite the Robin Hood pub
where Brierley Manor house stands.
I
believe Brierley Manor is owned by the Roberts family and is a
working farm.
New
Park Springs
: This area is
actually in Grimethorpe and stands adjacent to the new link road
between Grimethorpe and Great Houghton.
Ferrymoor
farm was situated in Grimethorpe on Ferrymoor Common, which is the
area around where the new SASH factory is.
Ivy
House was situated in Shafton at the bottom of Dog Hill on the
left side of the road. The Cooper family who had connections
with Felkirk Church owned the house. (Jonathan Carnley Cooper
was I think the warden or sexton of the church). My wife was
actually born at Ivy House!!!
Today
Hugh Livett my wife's cousin has built a bungalow on the site of the
old house where he was also born!!!
Elms
farm was owned by the Dymond family and stands on Common Road
opposite the children's playground and football field. The row
of stone cottages on Common Road was built for the workers of Elms
Farm.
The Dymond family
also owned Burntwood Hall on Brierley Common.
St
Peters School House
: The building,
which stands on the left side of South Hiendley Common as you enter
the village on Frickley Bridge Lane from Brierley, was a school
house which my wife's mother and auntie attended and I think it was
called St Peters School.
There was also a
one-room building standing in the yard of Felkirk Church, which was
used as a school, but I don't know if this was also part of St Peters
School.
Hope this is of
assistance
Regards
Gary Wilson
Thank
you for your information Gary. I will pass it on to Trevor straight
away.
-------------------------------------------------
11
May 2001
Hello
Gary
, Following last
weekend I must express our sincere thanks for all your efforts and
time spent organising the visit for Bill and Elly Mielke to meet the
mayor at Barnsley.
My mum along with
her cousins had a memorable day and was really gob smacked (as was
Bill) when they went to the Town Hall.
Bill was
overwhelmed with the friendly open welcome he and Elly received from
the people of Brierley.
Bill had spent ten
years looking for any surviving relatives in England and he was amazed
to say the least when your web site led him to find my mother!!
Thanks
again Gary (especially from my mother)
Regards
Gary Wilson
Thank
you Gary for your appreciation. I can assure you that I enjoyed every
minute of meeting Billy, Ellie and your family. Please pass on my
kindest regards to your mother and father and also my thanks for the
meal they treated us to at the Three Horse Shoes. All the hard work I
put in on the website makes it worth the while when it can achieve
what it did for your family.
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1
June 2001
Gary,
I have been doing
some research into the formation of Barnsley Rugby Club. It is
our centenary next year. In an old journal, which was written
for a collection for the departing President, I have found a
reference to Alphonse Wood (who incidentally donated 10/-). On
searching the web I came across your article on Brierley Hall and a
mention of him. As the Wood Brothers were active in the club I
can only assume that he is one of them (Frank Wood is also mentioned).
The mystery is that you say he died in 1909 yet the journal I have is
dated 1926. Perhaps the Alphonse you have is his father?
Food for thought.
Regards,
Mick Marshall
Hon. Secretary
Barnsley RUFC
Thank
you for your E-mail. The Alphonse Wood in your old book would have
probably been the one who purchased Brierley Hall. As I was not
researching Alphonse Wood in particular I haven't really got any
details other than an Alphonse Wood is mentioned in the deeds (he
bought the Hall from Ms Hoyland in 1912), which are kept at 18 Regent
Street Barnsley. Another Alphonse Wood is listed elsewhere as dying in
1909. All I am suggesting is that they are probably from the same
family.
Thank
you for your interest shown in the web site.
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10
June 2001
Hi
there Gary,
This message is
from Carrol Bates the girl in the photo that Kevin Bates identified
as his sister.
Second row up on the right, the first geekie looking one. If you
are interested in up dating, my name is spelt Carrol not Carol
and now I am living in South Australia, I have two adult boys, a
husband and son who are deceased. At present I work at
a charity organization for the disadvantaged and needed, I'm waiting
for a position at a local funeral parlour as a parlour assistant. I
don't know whether you will up date this on the photo, but that
is the latest.
Regards
Carrol Bates
Thank
you for the update on the photograph Carrol. I will certainly update
it when I find the time. At the moment I am working on starting up the
new Brierley Historic Photographic Society group and I am not finding
much time to update the photograph page, but it will be done shortly.
Please be patient.
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Hi
Gary.
The
pictures section for a start is great being an old Brierley lad
recently moved to Athersly, it brought a tear to my eye. Two lads I
have known since I was four are on the site. They have been in the
Boys Brigade since they were six. The twins Andrew and EDWARD not
Edwin Hambleton. Please make the amends necessary, as I don't think
they have seen it yet nor have I seen my old mates for about 5 years
now.
Cheers,
Alex
Berry
Born and will die, Brierley lad.
Thanks
for your information Alex. It is certainly nice to know that some of
the younger generation take an interest in the web site. Also thank
you for pointing out the mistake I made about Edward Hambleton, I will
certainly change the information when I find the time. I see Andrew
and EDWARD on a regular basis and I will mention you to them next time
I see them. Please keep in touch with the site.