Accrington Railways - Robert Kenyon

allowed to board any of these selected trains. However, these restrictions would not apply to passengers booked on half-day or full day excursions. July The London & North Western Railway issued a programme of tourist arrangements for its Northern Division, which would be available from all the local stations to “all of the holiday resorts in the Kingdom”. They could be purchased on any weekday and were available for travel on ‘ordinary’ trains, and particulars of these trains were available at stations. August It had been so crowded at Accrington Railway Station on the 5 th , with people queueing to board trains on already congested platforms that Station Inspector Hindle announced that anyone not intending to travel should leave. However, Mr Herbert Maudsley of Mary-Ann Street in Accrington refused to do so and when challenged, he came out with a string of obscenities and abusive language. When PC Hamilton was summoned the accused ran away, but was caught and originally offered a false name and address. At Accrington Magistrates’ Court he pleaded guilty to a public order offence, but in defence said he had been sent to the station to collect his employer’s luggage. The Bench was reminded that it was resolved to dealing with cases such as this in a manner designed to discourage them, especially since women and children were in close proximity when the offence had occurred. He was fined 20 shillings in default of a month’s imprisonment but allowed the cost of four witnesses. The funeral took place in August of Mr George Foster (45), of Dale Street in Accrington. He had served as a Guard on the railway for seventeen years, even after being severely wounded at Gallipoli. It was as a result of these injuries that he had finally succumbed. September The retirement of two of Accrington’s railwaymen was celebrated at the Hargreaves Arms Hotel. The longest serving of the staff with 49 years was Mr W. L. Layfield, 44 of which were in Accrington. He was presented with a diamond tiepin and a tobacco pipe. Mr R. Hamer had a total of 53 years’ service on the railway the final 28 in the town. He received a silver flower vase. Both were clerks in the goods department. The presentations were made by Mr J. T. Horrobin, the area’s Goods Agent. Also retiring was 76 year old Edward Smith, of Ormerod Street, Accrington, who had a career of over 50 years on the railways, mainly based in Blackburn. He had started work for the Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway in 1879 as a Telegraphist, later becoming the storekeeper at Accrington’s permanent way depot, before moving to Blackburn in a similar role. His father had been employed on the construction of the first railway between Blackburn and Accrington, and also had a brother who was an engine driver. When added together the family had over 160 years of service on the railways. He reminisced that the Station Master at Accrington when he had started work was Mr Haworth and had also served under Mr Pearson and Mr Crossley. Edwards was a keen sportsman having played cricket for Accrington and turning out for Th’owd Reds at football. October A father and his two sons were charged with stealing over a period of six months, nine sacks of coal the property of the London & North Western Railway from the coal sidings at Antley. It had been noticed that sacks which had been left ready for collection by coal merchants had been disappearing overnight. Joseph Smalley, a bag filler of Kay Street in Oswaldtwistle, said he had left 30 bags full of coal on a previous evening and the following morning noticed that 2 had gone missing. He had also observed there was what he described as a trail mark up to a sleeper fence where the bags had been dragged across the yard. Henry Mortimer, of Cedar Street in Accrington, in the employ of coal merchant Mr Grimshaw had also reported a reduction in the number of bags he was due to pick up, whilst another merchant, George Brown of Primrose Street, had found six of his bags contained considerably less in weight than they should have done. Another coal merchant, Emily Snape, said that over a period of time she too had discovered bags were gone. John Robinson, a railway clerk, said he too had observed what were described as trail marks. At about 10pm two railway detectives, Arthur Carter and Albert Stanton, were on special duty on Wednesday, October the 8 th and had concealed themselves in the coal yard. They had caught two boys crawling out from beneath a wagon and when apprehended the boys had said, “We have come for a bit of coal as we do not have a piece in the house”. Another detective, David Hunt, had followed a trail of slack to the rear of a house on the corner of Holland Street, and having entered the property found seven empty coal sacks hidden in the pantry. When the owner of the house was asked to explain why they were there he had replied, “You had better ask my wife as she buys the coal”. Peter O’Connor and his sons, 18 year old Joseph and John 13, were sent for trial and the Chairman of the Magistrates’ Court found the case proved. For knowingly receiving stolen goods the property of the

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