Tickhill Urban District Council 1894-1914

There seemed to be a seamless transition from Board to Council in 1894-95. Up to the outbreak of war in 1914, the minutes continue to contain many references to highway repairs and to continuing problems with drains, sewage and polluted water, while the regular reports from Medical Officer of Health and Sanitary Inspector tell a story of insanitary and defective dwellings contributing to disease.

1 January 1895 saw the first meeting of the Tickhill Urban District Council. There had been 17 candidates for the 9 seats. While no indication is given of the size of the electorate, Thomas Cartwright needed to gain only 99 votes to top the poll! The two candidates from hostelries in the town failed to be elected. The chairmanship was contested, won by Richard Wood.

Health:  Nov 1894 – 4 cases of typhoid fever confirmed in Westgate. While all recovered, the MOH said that a “more wholesome water supply” should be provided. Subsequent reports take a similar line. In 1901, there were cases of diphtheria, leading to concern about unfit houses in Castlegate. In 1903 the Sanitary Officer reported a long list of unfit properties, which typically had “offensive ashpits”, “open stinking drains” or “insufficient privy accommodation”. Overcrowding was also an issue.

The Infants School was closed for a time in October 1903 as a result of an outbreak of whooping cough and had to be disinfected. The following year another case of typhoid lead to the destruction and replacement of bedding and disinfection of the premises where the fever had occurred.

In 1905 the average age of deaths was 48 for males and 66 for females.

Water: an early decision of the UDC was to purchase land off Bawtry Road for a sewage works. This required approval from the Public Board of Works for a loan of £2500. It appears that this was speedily achieved with the sewage works completed late in 1896. The following year spruce and Scotch fir trees were purchased to screen the “sewage tanks”.

11 allotments were provided at the same time on the “Sewage Field”.

There was lengthy correspondence in 1896 with Lord Scarbrough’s agent about damage to his property as the flow of sewage had damaged his Willow Field hedge. This threatened to be rancorous but both parties drew back from costly proceedings!

The opening of Maltby Pit produced a new problem in 1907 with pollution of the Mill Stream. Correspondence with the West Riding Rivers Board led to the suggestion that this would only be a temporary problem while the shafts were being sunk.

In the immediate pre-war years water supply appears on the agenda with a succession of parliamentary bills being proposed, including a Bawtry & Tickhill Gas and Water Bill to set up a company to supply both. It is not clear what the outcome was, but it appears that the water supply eventually came from a Doncaster Corporation system.

Highways: Footpath and road repairs were a constant exercise but there was a strong protest when the County Council proposed taking over the main roads in 1911. Bridge repairs and overhanging hedges were regularly reported. A system of “team labour” was employed and appropriate insurance taken out. In 1909 the County Council was asked to put up guide posts at the Market Cross. Proposals to widen Westgate were taken forward in 1910-11. In 1911 Back Lane was renamed St.Mary’s Road. By 1912 the Council was expressing concern at the speed of “motor drivers” through the town!

Library: The Public Libraries Act (1892/93) was adopted in 1907, no doubt in response to the Henry Shaw bequest which is first minuted in May 1907, with the plans being viewed in July. Five firms tendered for the construction, the winner being the local firm of R H Rawson & Sons who built the library for £1267. It was formally opened by Lord Scarbrough on Wednesday 7 October 1908. The Council then decided to hold their meetings in the Library and paid a rent of £10 p.a. for so doing.

Royalty: In 1902 the Council discussed how to celebrate King Edward VII’s coronation. Three ideas were put forward, a public bathing place or swimming bath, a dinner and sports day, and a clock over the Market Cross. Evidently nothing followed! However, the Misses Alderson presented 2 seats which were placed on “Beach Grove Road”  (Where is that?)

When the King died in May 1910, the Council sent their condolences and received an acknowledgement signed by the Home Secretary, Winston Churchill. They sent a loyal address to mark King George V’s coronation and placed new seats as their commemoration.

Miscellaneous:

In 1896 the Council asked the Postmaster General for a second delivery of post. This was evidently uneconomic but they ended up with a “restricted delivery” in the afternoon rather than at night. The Clerk was instructed to write that the alterations were a “great disadvantage and inconvenience to the town”.

In November 1896 the Clerk’s salary was raised to £40 p.a.

April 1897 – there was a complaint that cattle were grazing the lanes on Sundays. This was contrary to the rules so notices were erected reminding people that such grazing was prohibited.

In May 1899 the Revd.W.Goodall and churchwardens asked for a donation towards the maintenance of the church clock and chimes; this was turned down.  At the same meeting the Council agreed to act as trustees for the raising of funds for new instruments for the Tickhill Brass Band.

Feb. 1901: a quantity of rubbish had been dumped in Back Lane, the Surveyor was instructed to remove it.

At a cost of 10 shillings p.a. the Council joined a scheme which provided emergency telegraphic communication at all times to the Head Post Office in Doncaster.

In 1901 the Council resolved to support the North Eastern Railway Bill, which would bring a railway to Tickhill. Once the line was opened, (1907), pressure was put upon the operators until a passenger service was provided.

1906 – a motion was passed to put up a notice board at the Sheepwash that “all bathers must be provided with bathing drawers, otherwise bathing at that place would be prohibited”.  This was passed unanimously!

Overground telegraphic lines were erected in 1913.

The Council regularly considered plans for new buildings.

The Clerk’s office was based in Westgate.

The Council had a scale of fees for shows and roundabouts at the Market Cross.

Reporters were admitted to their meetings from 1911.

John Hoare - 2014