Striking over ‘a black sheep’

From this newspaper 150 years ago. – For two days, Wednesday and Thursday last, the workmen employed by the extensive firm of Bolckow and Vaughan, iron-masters, of this town, have been out on strike, not, as might have been supposed, through any disagreement with their masters on the score of wages, or their refusing to make any ordinary concessions demanded by the men, but in consequence of the arbitrary and inhuman conduct, as alleged by the aggrieved party, of an overseer named Mr George Bushell.

The turn-out of the workmen en masse, which took place on Wednesday, has caused the greatest excitement in Middlesbrough, not only amongst the persons more immediately concerned in the affair but amongst the general inhabitants of the town, a large portion of whom consider that if the story told by the men of Mr Bushell be true, his conduct deserves some censure, and admits of no palliation or excuse whatever. It may, however, be stated that the obnoxious feeling with which he is now regarded by the men, is not of a sudden growth, or owing entirely to the alleged cause that gave rise to their “turn-out” on Wednesday, but is of long standing. In fact, ever since his appointment to the situation which he now holds under Messrs Bolckow and Vaughan, he was looked upon as “a black sheep” (to use the mens’ own peculiar phrase); and instead of removing the bad impression which prevailed with respect to him, or endeavouring to conciliate the good opinion of those whose animosity he has at length so signally provoked, it is said that Mr Bushell adopted an opposite policy, and pursued a course of conduct which seemed to confirm the aversion entertained towards him by his fellow-labourers. All this we simply repeat as the men’s ex-parte statement. The more immediate cause of the strike is attributed to an accident which took place at the works on Wednesday, resulting, we regret to add, fatally.

From this newspaper 100 years ago. – A recruiting meeting was held at Masham on Saturday, the speakers addressing the company from the balcony of the Town Hall.

Among those who addressed the meeting were Lord Masham (who presided), Mr M D’Arcy Wyvill, Sir David Barclay, the Rev C H Watson, and the Rev Father Guy. In response to the appeal for recruits six young men gave in their names. Masham so far has responded well to the call for King and country, but it is felt that there are many in the neighbouring villages who might come forward. Activity at Bedale. – There is a great demand for drill instructors just now, and all the retired drill instructors are taking up old work again. Sgt Major Walls, who was the drill instructor of the 4th Battalion APWO Yorkshire Regiment, with headquarters at Northallerton, and who latterly took the Royal Oak Hotel, Bedale, has been appointed Quartermaster of the 9th Battalion south of Yorkshire.

Sgt Major Walls did exceedingly well in getting recruits from Bedale district.

Capt Graham, of Londonderry, has been very busy recruiting this week in the Bedale neighbourhood, assisted by Mr James Sherley, and they succeeded in persuading a number of young men to put Imperial needs before home comforts.

From this newspaper 50 years ago. – If a town can feel pain, then Stokesley must surely have suffered when it awoke on Sunday. The party was over, all that remained was the sea of disembowelled stalls and roundabouts. As the showmen pulled down the sideshows, the waltzers and the breathtaking dive bomber, Stokesley, which for the four previous nights, had glittered and vibrated under its fairground make-up, almost shuddered under its prize hangover of filth and rubbish.

There is little to commend a coconut in the grey light of morning. A bingo stall, stripped of its bright lights and awning looks singularly unattractive. And it seems you cannot have fun without filth.

On Sunday litter transformed the cobbled High Street into a lawn of coloured weeds. But with military precision the fair was stripped into its thousand intricate pieces. Each was stored away into the huge vans where the “catchhands” had slept during the past nights, the darts, the guns, the goldfish, crazy mirrors, doubtful animals, and pictures.

All were boxed and sent on their way to Beverley, where the fair opens next week, and where many of the showmen hope for better things than at Stokesley. For them the fair this year has been a financial failure, especially the sideshows. “Our takings are down by half on last year,” said one trader. Another said he had just broken even. “The sideshows are dead ducks these days,” he said sadly. “It is the teenage rides that make the money. The faster and more thrilling these are, the more money they seem to make.”

They need to. One machine designed to put the strongest stomach into a turmoil, cost in the region of £15,000, which excludes maintenance and insurance costs. Stokesley fair, classed as one of the largest town fairs in the north attracted this year over 12,000 visitors. Like the agricultural show (which is accompanies) it is held once a year. For some people this is once too often.