Subscribers needed for England's Scotch Professor John Goodall - truly ONE OF THE GREATS

 

Premiere of WHO'S BETTY TEBBS? at Bolton Socialist Club on 31st January at 2pm

 

R.I.P Nicola Verdon - whose book on English farmworkers from 1850 to present day is excellent

 Late last year I heard the sad news of the death of  Nicola Verdon who 'completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Sussex before moving to Leicester for her MA, completed in 1995, and subsequent PhD.

'She held various lecturing positions since completing her doctorate in 1999, including at Harlaxton College, the University of Reading and the University of Sussex. In January 2011 she took up the position of Reader in History at Sheffield Hallam and was appointed Professor of Modern British History there in 2018.

'Her research interests focused on life and labour in the British countryside in the 19th and 20th centuries and she had published many journal articles and book chapters on women’s and children’s work in agriculture, on poverty and standards of living, and on family life on British farms, and was the author of two books, Rural Women Workers in 19th century England (Boydell, 2002) and Working the Land: A History of the Farmworker in England from 1850 to the Present Day (Palgrave, 2017)'

A review of Nicola's book Working the Land: A History of the Farmworker in England from 1850 to the Present Day was written by myself in 2018 

https://writemark.blogspot.com/search?q=verdon

Commemorating the 100th anniversary of the West Riding textile strike or Lock Out

 

In late July 2025, Calderdale Industrial Museum hosted a crowd of 30 people keen to commemorate the 100^th anniversary of the 1925 West Riding textile strike or Lock Out. Those present enjoyed listening to speeches by Professor Keith Laybourn and shopworker Iain Dalton, who is following the latter in writing a book on 1925

At a time of a general attack on wages, 1925 saw 175,000 textile workers, never previously known for their organisation or militancy, successfully combine to restore pay cuts.

Led by President Ben Turner, later the TUC President, the National Union of Textile Workers in July-August 1925 brought together over three and a half weeks the office lass, the designer, the long brat men, overlookers and woolcombers. Skilled and unskilled workers had combined.  Nothing similar had occurred previously and despite their desperation the actions of the workers was, with some exceptions in Bradford, almost entirely peaceful.

Laybourn is a tour de force when speaking. His 35-minute presentation kept the audience entertained as he outlined the background – including “the Chancellor Winston Churchill’s restoration of the £ to the Gold Standard” - to the struggle in which 10,000 were out in Halifax, 24,000 in Huddersfield and 55,000 in Bradford. 55% of the operatives were women and juveniles. 45% were men.

UNITY

According to Laybourn; “there was a tremendous amount of support regionally with large amounts donated with the colliers prominent.” In return textile workers, “despite not being asked to assist, took strike action in support of the miners in 1926.”

When the Government intervened in 1925 to bring both sides to the negotiating table the result was the establishment of a 5-man Court of Investigation with an independent chair and two from the employers and trade unions. With the workers back at work it was agreed to restore wages as they were with no cuts in pay. As Laybourn explained “this success encouraged the TUC into supporting the miners a few months later.”  

Dalton went into how tens of thousands of textile workers not previously in a union joined up. Unable to claim strike pay “this encouraged big demonstrations to the Board of Guardians to encourage outdoor relief,” in order to prevent destitution.

Laybourn and Dalton were joined on stage by Alan Fowler who provided a fascinating and amusing historical summary of Calderdale’s much better organised cotton operatives.  

You can also watch Keith Laybourn speaking at length on textile workers in Bradford up till 1930 and his take on the 1925 dispute – titled STITCHED UP at:- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8e58Hfhboes

Bradford’s early trade union struggles till 1930 by Keith Laybourn:-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWxqiCUeaSY

Unpublished article regarding Walshaw Moor blanket bog - September 2015

This was written for the Landworker magazine in autumn 2025 but which has yet to be published. 

For over a decade Landworker has reported on destructive developments on Walshaw Moor blanket bog. This comprises part of the 245,000 acres of upland peatlands nationally. These form the UK’s largest carbon land store and which makes them essential for mitigating extreme weather events such as flooding. They are also one of the most diverse habitats worldwide.

In 2014, Natural England handed out on behalf of the coalition government over £2.5 million to landowner Richard Bannister to help him burn the bog. This facilitated grouse shooting for his chums. Over the following years many local residents in Mytholmroyd and Hebden Bridge were to become convinced that the increased flooding they experienced were the result of the destruction.

Further public monies were spent on increased flood defences. Due to dissolved organic carbon entering the water supply, Yorkshire Water also needed to spend more on increased treatment for pollution. Customers had to foot the bill.

Yet remarkably, Walshaw Moor may now become the first peatland in Britain to have built on it an onshore wind farm, which would dwarf anything to date.

Calderdale Wind Farm Ltd (CWFL), who are disputing claims that it is one of many similar schemes they hope to construct, assert that the electricity generated from the scheme would power 286,000 homes.

There is strong local opposition to the proposals. Over 2,500 people in the Calder Valley constituency signed a national petition of over 15,000 signatures calling for a ban on wind farms on protected peatland. Although the government has rejected this, campaigners from the long-established Ban the Burn campaign group, who met MPs on a Parliamentary visit, have noted that planning minster Matthew Pennycock mentioned blanket bog during debates on the Planning and Infrastructure Bill.

This legislation has been criticised by environmental campaigners who contend it will remove protections for important habitat and species.

The Bill is currently being examined in the House of Lords. Ban the Burn, which otherwise supports wind farms, is lobbying Peers and hope some will present amendments blocking wind farms on peat bog.

Jenny Shepherd of Ban the Burn, which also believes CWFL should be required to provide additional information to Calderdale Council’s planning department to enable local residents to properly study the planning application, wants to make contact with people in windy, peaty constituencies.

“These number around 30 across parts of Northumberland, Exmoor, Dartmoor and the Lake District. The outcome of the Walshaw Moor application will have significant implications for these localities. Some readers might want to alert their MPs,” said Shepherd who claims that work wise it would be far better for the government to back restoring blanket bog “as this will help build a skills base to help with conserving and restoring the source of 5% of the UK’s carbon emissions and which need reducing to tackle global warming.”

Jenny can be contacted on 07309 388887 changingmorethanlightbulbs@gmail.com

Any readers who might like to visit the proposed wind farm site would be welcome to join Jenny and members of Calderdale TUC, including the author, on Saturday 6th September for a walk that will take around 4 hours and starts outside Halifax.

Record holder? Insanity proven.

 

AM I A RECORD HOLDER?

In my lifetime there is only one ground where league football has been played and on which Sunderland has played where I have not seen the club play in a competitive match against that side in either the League, FA Cup or League Cup. That was Northampton Town on 2 January 20121 when due to COVID no fans were allowed.

I also saw (in a loose sense as it was a very foggy night!) Sunderland play at Odsal in the Full Members Cup in 1986.

Accrington – Wham Stadium

Aldershot – Recreation Ground

Arsenal -  Highbury & Emirates

Aston Villa – Villa Park

Barnsley – Oakwell

Birmingham City – St Andrews

Blackburn Rovers – Ewood Park

Blackpool – Bloomfield Road

Bolton Wanderers – Burnden Park & Toughsheet Community Ground (11)

Bournemouth – Dean Court

Bradford City – Valley Parade & Odsal

Brentford – Griffin Park

Brighton and Hove Albion – Goldstone Ground, Withdean Stadium and the AMEX

Burnley – Turf Moor

Bristol City – Ashton Gate (20)

Bristol Rovers – Eastville, Bath Stadium and Memorial Stadium

Burton Albion – Pirelli Stadium

Bury – Gigg Lane

Cambridge United – Abbey Stadium

Carlisle United – Brunton Park

Cardiff City – Ninian Park & Cardiff City Stadium

Charlton Athletic – The Valley (30)

Chelsea – Stamford Bridge

Cheltenham – Whaddon Road

Chester City – Sealand Road & Deva Stadium

Chesterfield – Priestfield

Colchester Stadium – Layer Road

Coventry City – Highfield Road & Ricoh Arena

Crewe Alexandra – Vesty Road

Crystal Palace – Selhurst Park (40)

Derby County – Baseball Ground & Pride Park

Doncaster Rovers – Belle Vue & Eco-Power Stadium

Everton – Goodison Park  

Exeter City – St James’ Park

Fleetwood Town – Fleetwood Stadium

Fulham – Craven Cottage

Huddersfield Town – Leeds Road & John Smith Stadium  

Hull City – Boothferry Park and MKM Stadium

Gillingham – Priestfield Stadium

Grimsby Town – Blundell Park

Ipswich Town – Portman Road

Leeds United – Elland Road

Liverpool – Anfield

Leicester City – Filbert Street & King Power Stadium

Leyton Orient – Brisbane Road (60)

Lincoln City – Sincil Bank

Luton Town – Kenilworth Road

Mansfield Town – Mill Lane

Manchester City – Maine Road and Etihad

Manchester United – Old Trafford

Middlesbrough – Ayresome Park & Riverside Stadium

Millwall – The Den & New Den

MK Dons –Stadium MK & National Hockey Stadium

Morecambe – Mazuma Mobile Stadium

Newcastle United – St James’ Park

Northampton Town – County Ground

Norwich City – Carrow Road

Nottingham Forest – City Ground

Notts County – Meadow Lane

Oldham Athletic – Boundary Park

Oxford United – The Manor Ground & Kassam Stadium (80)

Peterborough  -  London Road

Port Vale – Vale Park

Plymouth Argyle – Home Park

Portsmouth – Fratton Park

Preston – Deepdale

QPR – Loftus Road

Reading – Elm Court & Madjeksi Stadium

Rochdale – Spotland

Rotherham United – Millmoor and New York Stadium and Don Valley Stadium

Scunthorpe United – Old Show Ground & Glanford Park

Sheffield United – Bramall Lane

Sheffield Wednesday – Hillsborough

Shrewsbury Town – The Meadow & New Meadow

Southampton – The Dell & St Mary’s Stadium  (100)

Southend United – Roots Hall

Sunderland – Roker Park & Stadium of Light

Stockport County – County Ground

Stoke City – Victoria Ground & Britannia Stadium

Swansea City – The Vetch & Swansea arena

Swindon Town – County Ground

Tranmere Rovers – Prenton Park

Tottenham Hotspur – White Hart Lane

WBA – The Hawthorns

Watford – Vicarage Road

Walsall – Bescot Stadium & Fellow Park

Wigan Athletic  - Springfield Park  & Wigan Stadium

Wimbledon – Plough Lane, Kingsmeadow & Plough Lane 2 (121)

Wembley – old and new

West Ham United – Upton Park & The London Stadium

Wolverhampton Wanderers – Molineux

Wrexham – The Racecourse Ground

Wycombe Wanderers – Adams Park

York City – Boothen Park

129 grounds

 

 

Friendlies when clubs were in League

Macclesfield Town

Scarborough United – Sherpa Van

Torquay United

Yeovil Town

Hartlepool United

Darlington

 

 

Other grounds I have attended to see League games  

Barnet – 2

Barrow

Brentford v Gillingham League Cup

Boston United

Bromley

Chesterfield

Colchester United

Crawley Town

Dagenham United

Darlington – Feethams & Reynolds Arena

Forest Green 

Halifax Town

Harrogate (15)

Hartlepool

Hereford United

Kidderminster

Macclesfield

Maidstone United

Morecambe

Newport County – 2   (20)

Northampton Town – Sixfields

Rushden and Diamonds

Salford City

Scarborough United

Stevenage

Sutton United

Torquay United

Tottenham Hotspur v Burnley

Wales – Millenium Stadium

Workington Town

Yeovil Town

 

34 – 163.  

 

Ones I have missed out in my lifetime – Gateshead United (left league in 1960), Accrington Stanley (left league in 1962), White City – a handful of QPR games there in 1966-67), Haig Avenue – Southport, Bradford Park Avenue – left league in 1970) and Bournemouth – who in 2001-02 played home games at Dorchester’s Ground and for some unfathomable reason I never went!

‘HE WHO WEEPS’ - 175 years ago this Saturday

 

‘HE WHO WEEPS’

EXTREME DANGER

Britain was where the industrial revolution began, but what were working conditions like?

29 November 1850 – Halifax

Ten killed, nine female and nine aged 17 or under, and dozens injured as boiler at Halifax 5-storey worsted mill explodes close to train station

Dramatic rescue scenes

Workers who had truanted work left relieved

Employers call for Government inspections of boilers rejected

Factory owner and boiler worker charged with manslaughter

Both later found not guilty after counsel for the owner highlights his loss of property and a niece

BRADFORD OBSERVER – THURSDAY 05 DECEMBER 1850 (note – sub headings have been added to the original report – ed)

DREADFUL BOILER EXPLOSION AT HALIFAX. LOSS OF TEN LIVES.

By the sudden explosion of a steam boiler, on Friday last, (29 November 1850 - ed) the inhabitants of Halifax have had to mourn one of the direst calamities ever known within the precincts of that town, involving, as it did, the sacrifice of no fewer than ten lives, besides serious injuries to many others.

The great portion of a worsted mill was also destroyed. The mill where this lamentable event occurred was in the occupation of two parties, and was situated in Lilly Lane, at the south- eastern corner of the township of Halifax, and about 150 yards from the Halifax Railway Station. One, and the largest portion, of the building was erected many years ago, but the other, and smaller portion, much more recently.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Buildings on Lilly Lane next to Eureka Children's Museum

The former part was occupied by Messrs. Samuel and John Firth, and the latter by Mr. Isaac Firth. Until very lately, these several parties (who are brothers) were in partnership ; but a dissolution having taken place, the mill has been since appropriated in the manner described. The engine-house was beneath the southern part of the old mill, and the boilers, of which there were three, were beneath the new, which was an extension of the old, at the southern end. Thus, the engine being possessed by Messrs. S. and J. Firth, they supplied their brother, Mr. I. Firth, with power, although the boilers by which the steam was generated were directly under that portion of the mill in his occupation. This mill is five stories high, including the garret.

Explosion brings down four storey building

About twenty minutes to three o'clock, the centre boiler, which is of thirty horse power, suddenly exploded ; upheaving into the air the whole of the material comprising the four stories above, and then mingling it on the site in one huge and chaotic pile of rubbish — broken timber and iron, stoned, bricks, and lime! The boiler itself darted forward, but was happily stopped by a viaduct (which runs parallel with the mill at this part) of the West Riding Union Railway, presenting a barrier to its progress, although the violence with which it fell against the bridge broke the railing, and forced several of the coping stones from their places.

Thus, the whole breadth of the mill, to the length of twelve or fifteen yards, was in a moment scooped out to the roof, and dashed into a heap of ruins: there being nothing left standing of what is termed the new mill covering the boiler house, but two or three yards of the southern gable. The effect was as instantaneous and singular as the catastrophe was awful in its consequences. The workpeople were plying their looms at the time in the rooms above, and the great proportion of them were consequently engulphed in the mass of rubbish into which the materials about them were so suddenly reduced.

The explosion is said to have made comparatively little noise, although those in the immediate neighbourhood were startled by a sudden blast, and in a few moments after, horrified to find that a portion of the mill had fallen in.

Remarkable escape stories

Many remarkable stories are told of the hair-breadth escapes of several parties. A little girl named Ann Swift, with five others, were apprised of the danger by a rumbling noise, took refuge in the privy in one of the upper rooms, saw a moment after the floors go down, and were themselves happily rescued from their position by a ladder. One James Duckworth was working in the garret, with four other persons. The rooms fell gradually, and he descended (as he himself stated) as "in a cloud or in "a snow." He fell between some timbers, and seeing a light overhead, he crept out of the hole, which was so small that his clothes were tom to rags by his exertions in doing so. His rescue was aided by Mr. S. Firth and two other persons.

Huge crowd at scene

The alarm created by the accident was of course very great, and in a very short time an immense crowd of persons had assembled in the immediate neighbourhood. John Crossley, Esq., Mayor, and John Waterhouse, Esq., with several of the borough magistrates, were soon present, aiding by their directions and counsel the operations for the rescue of those who might be still living beneath the ruins, and the bodies of those who were dead.

Police, fire brigade and infantry arrive

Mr. Spiers, superintendent of the police, arrived with a large posse of constables. The fire brigade, with one of the engines, was also on the spot and rendered valuable aid, not only in extricating the sufferers, but in keeping down the burning of the fallen materials. Captain Fyffe also marched a detachment of the infantry from the barracks to the scene of devastation. The duty of one party of these soldiers was to preserve order, and of another party, who were in fatigue dress, to assist in removing the rubbish and fallen materials, in order to recover the unhappy creatures who were engulphed beneath. Their labours in this department were characterized by zeal, energy, and bravery.

The operations were materially aided by Mr. Matthias, resident engineer of the West Riding Union Railway, directing the digging in the ruins. And among the anxious and "laborious throng which covered the nuns, none were more active than Mr. James Rawson (detective) and Mr. Sergeant Shepley. The railway and every available spot were crowded with spectators— men" and women of every rank in life; and the brave band of men who were nobly engaged in extricating the dead and the wounded were frequently cheered in their course by the plaudits of the crowd.

Medical men

A number of medical gentlemen, among whom were Messrs. Bramley, Tucker, Harrison, and Stansfield, were present, rendering their assistance to the survivors. Omnibuses and cabs were constantly in the mill-yard in readiness to convey the wounded to the Infirmary.

Parents of the missing present

The friends and parents of those who were missing crowded the mill-yard. Their frantic cries excited the pity and sympathy of the spectators. But the stifled moans, and in some instances/the piercing cries of some of the children beneath the ruins, were pitiable beyond description, and melted many of the spectators to tears.

Fortunately, there were only some thirty or thirty-three persons in the rooms above the boiler-house at the time of the explosion. As will be seen hereafter, an apprehension of danger felt for some days previously had caused the hands to diminish, and this will account for the number being so few.

The greater proportion of those who had disappeared in the ruins had been recovered at five o'clock. As evening approached the exertions of soldiers and civilians were redoubled to clear away the debris, if possible; but owing to the vast mass of iron and wood work which had to be removed, this was found to be impossible.

Their zeal did not flag, though darkness appeared. Naptha lamps and flambeaux lighted up the scene; and the humane work still went forward. About half-past five a voice was distinctly heard beneath one part of the ruins. It was supposed to come from a person not more than two or three yards below the rubbish, although it was impossible for a long time to ascertain the exact spot whence this sound proceeded The interest now excited for the recovery of the poor creature was intense.

Brave

The brave and earnest fellows engaged in this task pushed their labours beyond this point with renewed diligence. They were directed by the mayor, by whose side was Mr. J. H. Mitchell, with an immense flambeau in his hand, lending signal service in the noble effort.

Faint cries

Every now and again the poor creature in the living tomb was heard to utter a sound. These faint cries produced a buzz of commiseration, which was immediately suppressed by the loud voice of Mr. Mitchell proclaiming ‘silence’ and in an instant the vast concourse of spectators were silent. The weak voice of a child was now distinctly hear. The men now wrought with ten-fold zeal. The deeply- affected crowd poured forth blessings upon their labours. At length the entombed sufferer was enabled to hold a conversation who were seeking its deliverance, thereby directing their efforts with greater certainty.

Dramatic rescue

It is difficult to describe the effects of that sad and terrible scene.  Men and women were affected to tears. Hope had been long deferred, and still as they looked on, with ‘bated breath’ their hearts seem filled with anguish lest the object of their intense anxiety and interest might either still evade their search or perish in the effort for its rescue. Happily, the noble exertions of the men were at last crowned with success. The joy of the crowd knew no bounds. About eight o’clock, the sufferer – a little girl – was drawn forth alive. Her exclamation of “Oh, let me go home!” and the sight of her living form, incited the crowd to several rounds of cheering for her deliverers.

The poor child was Rachael Jones, residing at Bath Parade. She had been enclosed for some five hours beneath an immense weight of material. Several medical men were ready to render assistance, but fortunately she was comparatively little injured. A large stone had fallen across her chest, but as this stone was supported on either side, the poor child had been happily enabled to breathe. She was removed to the Infirmary, and is now doing well.

Shortly after this the mill took fire- a casualty which had been apprehended; but by the aid of two engines, which were there in readiness, it was quickly subdued. The search was prosecuted through the night till three in the morning, relays of labourers, of firemen, of soldiers and of police having been brought to the scene. The Mayor retired at 12 o’clock; his place being supplied by S. Waterhouse, Esq. About one o'clock on Saturday morning, the bodies of two females were found. They were dug from a mass of rubbish in which they must have met instant death. Only one body was known to be in the ruins at three o'clock and it was supposed to be imbedded in the north-west corner of the mill. On the labour being renewed, some hours after, the last body was found about eleven o'clock in the forenoon.

‘He who weeps’

Dead and injured – 9 female and one male, named Job, meaning, appropriately, ‘he who weeps’

The following (ten in number) are those who were taken out.

Dead— Emma Mitchel, aged 15, of Lilly Lane; Martha Barker, aged 16, of Bath Parade; Job Swift, aged 17, of Hatters Fold; Sarah Ann Robertshaw. aged 11, of Thomas Street; Jane Murgatroyd, aged 14, of Ovenden; Wm. Pepper aged 8 or 9, of Dam Head Southowram; Sarah Ann Riddeal, aged 17, Caddy Field, Harriet Sutcliffe, a married woman, of Haley Hill; Eliza Priestley, aged 12, of Bath Parade; and Elizabeth Gledhill, alias Stott, aged 11. All were more or less disfigured and mangled. Swift and Pepper could not be recognised except by their clothes. The head of one was crushed to pieces, and that of the other severed from his body. Seven of the bodies were removed to the Blucher, and three of them to the Infirmary.

The following seven, who were more or less hurt and scalded, were removed to the infirmary, as Wounded. — Susan Smith, aged 45, severely scalded. Mary Mitchell, aged 14; severely bruised and scalded. Hannah Mitchell, aged 10; Hannah Brown, aged 13; Amelia Sunderland, aged 12; Mary Ann Carter, aged 14; and Rachel Jones.

 Amongst a large number who received injuries but were removed to their own homes were — James Duckworth, the first man rescued; Martha Hirst, aged 20, Thomas Street; Jeremiah Swift, overlooker; Ruth Ann Lee, of Waterside, who received a fracture of the ankle ; Charles Walker, who, although a carter, was sustaining the part of engine tenter, and who had both his ankles fractured, with other injuries; and Mr. G. C. Firth (a son of one of the partners) who received a fracture on the head.

The effect produced by this terrible calamity was appalling in the highest degree, especially during the night. The vast crowd of spectators whose faces, so expressive of fear and anxiety, were upturned within the dim and flickering shade on either side — the activity, beneath the blaze of torches, of countless stalwart arms engaged in the manly endeavour to rescue the dying and the suffering — the cries and moans of the afflicted friends and parents as one vehicle after another started oft', beneath torchlight, with its load of the dead or wounded — produced a scene inexpressibly solemn and affecting.

Unfit machinery?

Workers had absented themselves from their work on Friday afternoon

Inquest to follow

The inquest will alone enable the public to learn the precise cause of this dreadful disaster. "Rumour with her thousand tongues," is busy, and attributes the accident to neglect and carelessness on the part of the employers. It is said that there were some defects either in the boiler or the engine, and that this fact becoming known, many of the hands were filled with apprehension of an accident. This feeling was so prevalent that many were absent from their work on Friday afternoon, and at present rejoice in the providential escape they have had. Moreover, in consequence of Joseph Helliwell, the usual engine tenter, being unwell, the boiler had, since the previous Friday, been under the care of Charles Walker, a cart driver in the service of the firm. So that owing to imperfect machinery and the imperfect knowledge of the person who had to deal with it, this catastrophe was brought about. Large crowds have visited the scene daily ever since; and the accident has been the theme of every conversation.

On Sunday, the streets of Halifax were thronged with streams of persons who came from other towns and the surrounding neighbourhood. The trains from Bradford and from the valley of the Calder were densely crowded, and we were told at the Halifax police office on Monday that thousands of persons came from Bradford on that day. The scene of the catastrophe was described as being " like Halifax fair" — a season whereat there is always a tremendous gathering of " country cousins!"

Jury sworn in

A very respectable jury was empanelled on Saturday last, before G. Dyson, Esq., at the Town Hall. They proceeded to inspect the bodies lying at the Infirmary and at the Blucher public house, in order to their being interred without delay ; and after receiving the depositions of Charles Walker, of Wesley Street. Lilly lane, they adjourned to ten o'clock on Wednesday morning.

Collection

A collection amounting to £16 odd, was made at Square Chapel, on Sunday evening, to relieve those families thrown into difficulty by the calamity. No fewer than seven amongst the dead and suffering attended at the schools at Square Chapel. The chief constable received a cheque from Messrs. Firth for £20 for the purpose of aiding the internment of the dead. The Mayor summoned the borough magistrates together in order to institute a public subscription.

 

WHAT FOLLOWED?

MANSLAUGHTER CHARGES

There followed a prolonged coroner’s enquiry conducted by ‘a jury of our fellow-townsmen’ who ‘returned a verdict of manslaughter against one of the owners and the engine-tenter’ but as ‘to the capability of these parties, it behoves us to express no opinion, until the accused shall have a full trial on the charge, before another jury, under the direction of one of the criminal charges of the land.’

The newspaper had previously ventured, during the progress of the inquest, to declare that ‘in no case is a jury warranted in returning a verdict of ‘accidental death’.

‘It is now necessary … for a complete investigation to take place in such cases before the jury determines upon a verdict.’

The paper contended that by committing the pair to trial it had taught the lesson of ‘personal responsibility to all engine-tenters and millowners’ and that over the ‘Christmas holidays there will be such an overhauling of boilers as never before in Yorkshire and Lancashire. This is good.’

(All quotes above are from Halifax Guardian December 21, 1850)

Employers call for Government inspections of boilers

The paper had seven days earlier ran an article GOVERNMENT PROTECTION TO THE FACTORY WORKER and reported on a meeting of the leading millowners of the district in Halifax town hall to ‘consider what steps should be taken to ensure greater safety in the management of boilers.’ It was, of course, for the ten killed on 29 November 1850 a case of acting to close the stable door after the horse has bolted. But, a chance to prevent similar deaths in the future was surely best for all? Indeed, ‘this meeting unanimously adopted a memorial to Her Majesty’s Government praying for the institution of a Government inspection of boilers. It was no more than we expected from the respectable millowners.’

The paper reported on how: ‘The Government inspection of Factories (which were first appointed by King William IV in 1833 – ed) has worked too well in this district to leave a chance for the retention in many minds of the older jealously of legislative interference. ‘

Yet the proposal had already been partially dismissed when the coroner Mr Roberts during the Inquest raised the issue prominently before the jury.

Because in giving evidence and in his report Mr Fairbairn, described as ‘the eminent civil engineer and machinist from Manchester,’ in the North British Daily Mail, had according to the Halifax Guardian ‘insinuated an objection to such a legislation because Government did not always make proper appointments.’ To which the paper responded by stating ‘This is not an objection to the thing, but to the abuse.’

The case against Samuel Firth, 53, and Joseph Helliwell, 35 for the manslaughter of Sarah Ann Riddell, at Halifax, on the 29^th of November 1850 was held at the Yorkshire Spring Assizes Crown Court before Mr. Baron Platt on Monday, March 17. It was to last ten hours and during which time there had been another boiler explosion in a mill in Stockport and which according to the Huddersfield Gazette of Saturday, March 22, 1851  had resulted in ‘the lives of, at least, 13 individuals being sacrificed.’

Death had been caused it was contended ‘by the prisoners… not by wilfully or malicious means, not that they had any intention of doing injury to the deceased but by want of due caution and care, or gross mismanagement of the duties of their responsibilities.’

Halliwell was the engine tenter responsible for overseeing the boiler. Following a period of illness he had returned to work on the Wednesday and was still working on the (Fri) day of the tragedy. Samuel Firth shared ownership of the mill with his brothers John and Isaac and had responsibility for the safe working of the boiler. He had during the absence of Halliwell employed Isaac Walker, a carter, who according to the Huddersfield Gazette, ‘ knew nothing whatsoever about engines.’’

Production regularly halted due to defective boiler in lead up to explosion

The paper reported on the operation of the boiler in the week leading up to the explosion. On the Friday of the accident, production was stopped on a number of occasions as the speed of the machinery was not quick enough to drive the shuttles. Production had been resumed at 2pm. ‘The engine at first worked regularly, then it went beyond the usual speed, and about 3 o’clock the boiler burst.’ Several scientific people were asked as to the causes of the catastrophe. There were widely different views. The prosecution alleged the accused had failed to ensure there was sufficient water in the boiler. It had been found that the steam gauge was out of order at the time of the explosion. It was reported that one of those killed was Firth’s niece.

Loss of property and the death of a relative employed as argument for a not guilty verdict

It was this that was employed his counsel Mr Hardy to defend Firth on grounds that ‘having lost his  property and some of his relatives by this terrible disaster, he was not the man who should be charged with carelessness or neglect.’ Firth it was contended had also employed for six years a competent man in Halliwell.

The paper reported that Hardy further ‘called on the jury not to brand his client with having been the cause of the deaths of twelve persons, including his own relatives, as it would bring down his grey hairs with sorrow to his grave.’

In defending Halliwell, Mr. Overend, contended that he had left his sick bed to ‘attend to his duties’ and that the gauge may have gone wrong during his time away from work.

Sticking together - factory owner’s character witnesses include three magistrates

Character witnesses were called for Halliwell whilst Mr. Hardy called on three West Riding magistrates in Mr. Barr, Mr Appleyard and Mr. Abbott to give references for Firth.

Before the jury retired the Judge Mr, Baron Platt summed up by stating that supposing Halliwell was guilty it did not follow that Firth was also. ‘For though civilly the master was responsible for the deeds of his servant, yet criminally he was not.’

Not guilty verdict

The paper reported: ‘The Jury immediately found the prisoners NOT GUILTY’ and when they were then charged with the manslaughter of Jane Murgatroyd they were discharged when no evidence was offered.

No one it seems was to blame for the deaths of ten innocents in Lily Lane, Halifax on Friday 29 November, 1850.

Then and now?

Clearly, the tragedy took place in an unregulated industry and the loss of life was avoidable. Some of the workers had even been prepared to forego wages and had absented themselves earlier in the day from work for fear of a catastrophe.  They were the lucky ones.

The workers at Firth’s were not in a trade union. Improvements in health and safety have been argued for by trade unions ever since workers, especially after the success of the London Dockers Strike in 1889, began combining at work. https://markwrite.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/the-great-dock-strike-of-1889-web-booklet11-23272.pdf

Trade Union organised workplaces have better safer records than those that are not. Every year, unions train 10,000 workers in health and safety. Local safety representatives, elected by trade union shops, deal with issues ranging from stress to hazardous substances, representing their fellow workers’ health and safety interests to management.  

Victorian employers and politicians, many of whom were the same, had a laissez faire approach to their employment practices and took no responsibility for human life as they sought constantly to raise production levels and record increasing profits.

Today, children in the UK are not permitted to work full-time until they reach the school leaving age of 16 years. But there are currently 160 million children working worldwide of which 112 million are working on small farms on plantations, often in hazardous conditions. British companies are involved.

See my article - British cocoa companies continue exploiting trafficked children https://writemark.blogspot.com/2023/10/british-cocoa-companies-continue.html

There have been huge improvements in health and safety in the last 175 years but deaths and injuries remain common with over 120 people annually killed at work. (a figure that does not include workplace deaths from road traffic accidents) whilst over 4,000 people, mainly workers, will die in 2025 as a result of having worked with asbestos, often as long ago as 40 years. Many deaths that were the result of a lack of protective equipment that led to the contracting of COVID from work were not recorded.

Watch Remember the Dead and Fight for the Living https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLyeMYnpVjo

Some employers in 1850 called for the Government to take responsibility for inspecting boilers. This was rejected and there were subsequent explosions that killed workers in Halifax over the following 20 years.

It was not until 1974 that the focus on reducing workplace death and injury saw the passing of the Health and Safety at Work Act, resulting in regular inspections of workplaces by HSE inspectors. However, in recent decades the number of inspectors has fallen and most workplaces will never be visited by one. Read https://writemark.blogspot.com/search?q=COVID+deaths

Corporate Manslaughter Act 2007

It was not to be until 2008 that Corporate Manslaughter charges could be employed against organisations for serious failings that result in death. Yet there have been under 40 convictions up until 2021 under the law. Also in the case of the 2017 Grenfell Tower tragedy it will be, at least, ten years after the event, before the Metropolitan Police will complete their investigations into the deaths of 72 persons. Any charges, never mind convictions against the government, building companies and manufacturers remain a long way away. At least in 1850 the investigation process was swift.

Mark Metcalf, Leeds and West Yorkshire NUJ delegate to Halifax Trades Union Council.

29 November 2025

Stop Press – Thanks to a donation from UNITE members at Marshalls in Halifax a printed version of this work will be published in 2026 and a public event will be held to commemorate all those killed on 20 November 1850.

Meanwhile, interested in working class history?  Please view BREAD NOT BAYONETS – HALIFAX 1842

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0UxMadnIEA

Sunderland’s Peterloo: Remembering the North Sands 1825 massacre     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1J_VXf_IIVs&t=101s

Halifax Chartist hero Benjamin Rushton Remembered https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fp4mth4LfwY&t=5s

 

 

                                         Lilly Lane buildings today 

                           In 1850 seven children aged 16 and under were killed on Lilly Lane which is right next                                     to the National Children's Museum. Should the museum remember them? 

 

 Mark Metcalf 07392 852561 

metcalfmc@outlook.com