Cottage Capers

On this day in history….15th March 1898

On this day in history : 15th March 1898 – The death of Henry Bessemer – the inventor and engineer who pioneered the first method of inexpensively manufacturing steel….

Bessemer was born in Charlton, Hertfordshire on the 19th of January 1813…. He was the son of an engineer and inventor and he started to show the same qualities himself from an early age – and in which he was mainly self-taught….

Spanning over a period of 45 years, from 1838 to 1883, Bessemer held well over 100 patents – he was a prolific inventor…. From moveable dies for embossing postage stamps to military ordnance and methods of extracting sugar from sugar cane….to many other inventions in the glass, iron and steel industries….

He initially made his fortune by inventing a series of 6 steam powered machines for producing the bronze powder used to make gold paint…. The Victorians couldn’t get enough gold paint – the decoration style of the time demanding huge quantities of it…. Bessemer became a very wealthy man….

But what he is really known for is his breakthrough in finding a way to inexpensively produce steel…. At the time there were only two types of iron based material – cast iron and wrought iron…. The cast variety was made by treating iron-ore with coke in a blast furnace; whereas wrought iron involved a labour intensive process known as ‘puddling’…. This meant iron had to be stirred continuously to remove carbon – which makes iron brittle – and during the process the slag had to be raked off…. Cast iron was used for load bearing applications, such as the towers of bridges and for engine parts…. But for things such as girders and rails only wrought iron was suitable…. The puddling method used for wrought iron produced a material that could then be forged – but it was in enormous sized quantities – lumps between 100-200 lbs – and full of slag…. This then required steam hammers to bring it to a condition where it could be rolled into pieces of a workable size…. It was a slow and laborious process….

Bessemer invented a process which used oxygen in air which was then blown through molten pig iron – in a pear-shaped receptacle called a ‘converter’…. This burnt off the carbon and impurities to make steel…. It was called ‘The Bessemer Process’ and meant there was now a way to mass produce steel – it also meant Bessemer helped to inspire the Industrial Revolution….

It is a method no longer widely used – but at a time of rapid development it was invaluable….as it supplied a ready supply of a material much in demand….

Bessemer Converter, Kelham Island Museum, Sheffield – Image : Chemical Engineer – own work – Public domain

Bessemer was elected to the fellowship of The Royal Society of London in 1877 and on the 26th of June 1879 he was knighted by Queen Victoria…. He died at Denmark Hill, London….and was buried in West Norwood Cemetery…. He rests amongst other influential Victorians such as Sir Henry Tate, Baron de Reuters and Sir Henry Doulton….

On this day in history….14th March 1914

On this day in history : 14th March 1914 – The birth of Bill Owen – known to us as ‘Compo Simmonite’ in one of our all time most favourite BBC sitcoms ‘Last of the Summer Wine’….

Last of the Summer Wine was created by Roy Clarke and was broadcast from 1973 to 2010…. With 31 series comprising of 295 episodes it is the world’s longest-running comedy series….

William John Owen Rowbotham was born in Acton Green, London into a working class family…. He made his first film appearance in 1945 and had several parts in early Carry On films…. He co-starred with Spike Milligan in the West End hit ‘Song Oblomov’ in 1964 and also during the 1960s had a tangent career as a songwriter – including the hit ‘Marianne’ recorded by Cliff Richard…. But it was in 1973 that he became a household name when Last of the Summer Wine came to our screens….

The concept for the show came in 1972 from Duncan Wood, the BBC Head of Comedy…. He offered the sitcom to Roy Clarke, who almost turned it down, thinking the idea of three old men dull…. It was he who proposed the three pensioners had to be unmarried/divorced/widowed and so free to roam the streets, acting like juveniles and getting into mischief…. It was also he who chose the title, reflecting that they were not quite in the autumn of their lives yet…. It was not a name that was popular with the producers straight away….

Bill Owen played the part of ‘Compo’, his name coming from the phrase ‘he’s on the Compo’ – meaning unemployment compensation…. The scruffy pensioner, in his woolly hat, would often be bossed around by his friends Norman Clegg (Peter Sallis) and ‘Foggy’ Dewhurst (Brian Wilde)…. He would be the one who invariably bore the brunt of their many misadventures and escapades…. And then there was his unrequited lust for Nora Batty (Kathy Staff) – with her housewife’s pinafore and wrinkled stockings….

Later we saw the introduction of the eccentric Seymour Utterthwaite (Michael Aldridge) and Herbert ‘Truly of the Yard’ Truelove, a former policeman (Frank Thornton)…. The very first trio had comprised of Compo, Norman Clegg and the pompous Cyril Blamire (played by Michael Bates)…. However, after two series Bates retired from the programme through ill-health and was replaced by Walter ‘Foggy’ Dewhurst….

Last of the Summer Wine was filmed around Holmfirth, in West Yorkshire…. It was producer Barry Took who suggested the location for the exterior filming…. The theme music for the show was created by Ronnie Hazlehurst….

The cafe in Holmfirth used as a regular filming location – with a model of Compo outside for photo opportunities – Image : Nigel Homer CC BY-SA 2.0

It was whilst filming a millennium special in France that Bill began to feel unwell – but he insisted on continuing to film…. Once back in England he was diagnosed with pancreatic and bowel cancer…. He worked right up to his death on the 12th of July 1999…. He was buried in the churchyard of St. John’s Parish Church, Holmfirth – the place he had come to love so much…. (In June 2017 Peter Sallis was buried next to him)….

Holmfirth from the cliffs above Cliff Road – Image : Richard Harvey – own work CC BY-SA 2.0uk

Bill left behind his wife, Kathleen O’Donoghue, whom he had married in 1977 (he had previously been married to Edith Stevenson, from 1946-1964)….and he had two children – including the actor Tom Owen, who was also to star in Last of the Summer Wine…. 1977 was also the year that Bill was awarded with an MBE….

British History

On this day in history….13th March 1770

On this day in history : 13th March 1770 – The birth of Daniel Lambert – who was to become the heaviest man in England…. He was larger than life in both size and personality….

Daniel Lambert by Benjamin Marshall c.1805 – Public domain

Daniel was born in Blue Boar Lane, Leicester….into a country family of gamekeepers, huntsmen, animal breeders and field sportsmen…. He was a healthy, active boy and a strong, keen swimmer…. He taught many of his childhood companions to swim in the River Soar and continued to teach children to swim for most of his life…. Daniel was also fond of horse riding and enjoyed hunting, fishing and shooting – he also bred hunting dogs….

In 1788 he began to assist his father, who was the gaol keeper at Leicester’s House of Correction, for minor offenders…. At the age of 21 Daniel took over from his father and soon gained a reputation of being fair to the inmates and looking out for their welfare…. He brought about many improvements to the prison….

However, by the time he reached the age of 32 he had ballooned to a huge 32 stone…. As he claimed to be neither a big eater or drinker he blamed his sedentary lifestyle as a gaoler and spent much of his free time exercising and gaining strength…. He was indeed extremely strong and could lift extraordinarily heavy weights….

There is a story involving a bear, which if it is true demonstrates his impressive strength…. He had been watching a dancing bear, which was being displayed near to his home, when his dog slipped its lead and snapped at the bear…. Not surprisingly the bear retaliated and knocked the dog to the ground…. Daniel requested that the bear’s owner restrain it so he could retrieve his dog – but the owner’s response was to remove the muzzle from the bear so it could attack Daniel’s dog…. To which Daniel reacted to by reportedly punching the bear in the head, felling it, to allow his dog to escape….

Daniel was not restricted by his weight, he remained fit and active, was never ill, not even suffering from colds…. He kept up his hunting; although he was forced to give up horse riding he still continued to keep a pack of some 30 terriers…. However, eventually questions began to be asked, as his weight steadily increased, as to whether he still had the ability to continue as a gaoler…. As it was, times were changing – traditional gaols were being replaced by forced labour – and in 1805 Leicester’s House of Correction closed…. Daniel was unemployed….

Being the size he was Daniel found it impossible to find employment…. By this time word had got around about this enormous man and people were curious…. Visitors started to arrive, making up excuses to see him…. Daniel was sensitive about his weight – but he needed to earn money…. He began to form an idea….

Travelling to London, in a purposely built coach, he took up residence at 53 Piccadilly…. Here for 5 hours a day he received visitors at a shilling a time…. It did not take long for his popularity to soar…. With his interests and knowledge of hunting, animals and related sports he had much in common with the middle and upper classes – it became quite the ‘in thing’ to visit him….and there were those who made many repeat visits…. Obesity did not carry the same stigma that it so often does today – he was respected and admired…. His business was a huge success, he would often receive up to 400 visitors a day…. He became rather famous, a life style wax work of him was displayed in London and proved to be extremely popular….

Daniel Lambert during his first exhibition in London – Public domain

The medical profession became interested in him and carried out examinations…. They found him to be in full functioning order; he was active and mentally alert, with no health problems…. He ate only a normal amount and slept an average of 8 hours….

In September 1806 Daniel returned to Leicester a wealthy man…. To keep his finances topped up he would do the occasional tour exhibiting himself in places such as Birmingham, Coventry and York…. His last such tour was to be of East Anglia, ending at Stamford so he could attend the races…. On the 20th of June 1809, no longer able to climb stairs, he took lodgings on the ground floor at the Waggon and Horses Inn on the High Street…. He admitted to feeling tired but rose the next morning at his usual time and nothing seemed amiss…. As he began to shave he complained of having breathing difficulties…. Ten minutes later he collapsed and died – as there was no post mortem the exact cause of his death is unknown….

His body quickly began to deteriorate so it was necessary for a speedy burial – there was certainly no time to take him home to Leicester…. An elm coffin was hastily made – a massive 6ft 4in long, 4ft 4in wide and 2ft 4in deep – to take his 5ft 11in tall body with a waist measurement of over 9ft around…. His coffin had to be built on wheels in order to move it and a wall of Daniel’s lodgings had to be demolished in order to facilitate it…. It took 20 men to lower the coffin into the grave in the churchyard of St. Martin’s Church, St. Martins….

His headstone, which was erected by his friends in Leicester, reads….

In remembrance of that prodigy in nature

Daniel Lambert a native of Leicester

Who was possessed of an exalted and convivial mind and,

In personal greatness had no competitor

He measured three feet one inch around the leg and

Weighed fifty two stone and eleven pounds

He departed this life on the 21st June 1809

Aged 39 years

Daniel Lambert’s grave – Image : Dave via Flickr CC BY-SA 2.0

British History

On this day in history….12th March 1832

On this day in history : 12th March 1832 – The birth of Charles Boycott, the English landowner hated so much in his Irish community that his name became the verb ‘to boycott’….

Caricature of Charles Boycott by Spy (Leslie Ward) Vanity Fair Magazine – Public domain

Charles Cunningham Boycott was born in Burgh St. Peter, Norfolk, to the Reverend William Boycott and his wife Georgina…. Boycott attended boarding school in Blackheath, London before joining the Royal Military Academy in Woolwich…. However, after failing an exam in 1849 he was discharged…. Boycott really wanted a military career – so his family bought him a commission in the 39th Foot regiment at the costly price of £450….

The regiment transferred to Ireland and it was here that he met and married Anne Dunne in 1852…. Following an illness he sold his army commission and decided to settle in Ireland, leasing a farm in County Tipperary….

He received a couple of inheritances which helped to ‘set him up’ – on the island of Achill, off the coast of County Mayo….

The former house of Charles Boycott on Achill island…. The house has since been modernised and renovated …. Image credit : Night of the Big Wind – own work – CC BY-SA 3.0nl

Then in 1873 he received an offer from Lord Eme to become agent for some 1,500 acres of land he owned…. Lord Eme was an extremely wealthy landowner in the area…. Boycott moved to Lough Mask House, around 4 miles from Ballinrobe, County Mayo and situated on a 629 acre farm which he leased from Lord Eme…. The farm came with a yard, stables, a ruined castle, two islands and a boat house…. He employed labourers to work his farm and collected rent, on which he received 10% commission, from the 35 tenant farmers on Lord Eme’s surrounding land….

Map of the area around Lough Mask CC BY 2.0

Boycott was unpopular with the tenant farmers…. Being English would not have gone in his favour – but the tenants also complained that he enforced petty rules and regulations…. He would fine anyone who left a gate open or allowed chickens to stray on to his farm…. He also withdrew certain privileges, such as collecting firewood….

In 1876 the UK government commissioned a survey in to land ownership in Ireland and found that most of the richest land owners were non-resident and hired agents like Boycott…. Tenant farmers usually had a one year lease but could be evicted at any time…. Farming being the main industry in Ireland at the time meant smaller farms often worked for the larger ones and those who did not own land invariably worked as agricultural labourers…. During the 1850s tenant farmers began forming associations, demanding fair rents, fixity of tenure and free sale – the three ‘F’s….

The problems for Boycott began in 1879…. After a downturn in Irish agriculture starvation was never far away…. The Irish Land League was formed, led by Charles Stewart Parnell and Michael Davitt, both advocates of Home Rule….

In 1880 they told Boycott his rents had to be reduced by 25% – but he was having none of it….. The Irish League encouraged his labourers and farmers to go on strike — and they began a campaign of isolation against him in the local community…… They refused to speak to him or even sit near him in Church…. Ultimately with no one to work his land for him his crop failed….. He had to leave the island in disgrace – and hence his name became the term for isolating someone or something in order to force change….

British History

On this day in history….11th March 1864

On this day in history : 11th March 1864 – The Great Sheffield Flood devastates parts of Sheffield, when the Dale Dyke Dam collapses – claiming the lives of over 240 people….

Remains of the old Dale Dyke reservoir embankment shortly following its collapse – Public domain

It was as people slept in their beds, at just before midnight, that a raging torrent of water smashed into their homes…. Most were killed instantly as their houses were washed away…. 700 million gallons of water had swept down the Loxley and Don Valleys from the gigantic reservoir at Bradfield….

The Bradfield Reservoir had only recently been completed…. Built by the Sheffield Waterworks Company between 1859 and 1864 it had been constructed to supply the mills located across the Loxley Valley and to supply water to the city of Sheffield, about 8 miles away…. The population of Sheffield had grown rapidly in the previous 60 years, from 45,478 in 1801 to 185,157 in 1861 – so more water was desperately needed…. The water in the reservoir, which was 90ft deep in places, was held back by the Dale Dyke Dam….

The reservoir was being filled for the first time…. Around 5.30pm on the evening of the 11th William Horsefield, a quarrymen, noticed a small crack in the embankment and he reported it to local workmen…. By 7pm the crack had opened up to about an inch or so and word was sent to alert the dam’s engineer, John Gunson…. He arrived at the site just after 10pm – and thinking that he could relieve the pressure proceeded to blow-up the waste water weir…. However, in less than two hours the dam had breached….

In just over three-quarters of an hour the reservoir had emptied…. Water cascaded down the hillside at nearly 20mph….it was impossible to warn people in the valley below…. Settlements at Loxley, Bradfield, Little Matlock, Main Bridge, Damflask and countless of others were swept clean away – as were the mills and farms between them…. More than 5,000 dwellings and businesses were lost….

When it reached Sheffield the water rose to as much as 4ft deep…. Of those killed – which was at least 228 but could have been as many as 280 – the youngest was just two days old….

The following days saw a succession of onlookers wanting to see the devastation – with extra trains being laid on to bring the sightseers…. Hot chestnuts were sold on the roadside! A relief fund was set up to which Queen Victoria personally donated £200….

The dam was rebuilt in 1875….

The Clob stone (Centre Line of Old Bank) marking the location of the original breached dam wall…. The new one was built 2,000ft (600m) up the valley…. Image : Mick Knapton – own work – CC BY-SA 3.0

The government faced more than 7,000 compensation claims totalling over £450,000…. A government inspector’s report found the dam’s collapse to be the fault of John Gunson and another named John Leather…. The verdict at the inquiry cited a ‘lack of engineering skill and construction of the works’…. However, a study conducted in the 1980s, over 100 years after the tragedy, found the exact cause was down to problems with the water tight barrier in the embankment….