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Map of village fire

The peaceful village of Castlethorpe was, as briefly reported in our last issue, the scene of a desolating conflagration on Friday, August 5th. Shortly after 2.30 Mrs, Tooth, who lives on the north side of Back-street, noticed the thatch of a building on the opposite side of the road well ablaze, and she at once gave the alarm. At the time the wind was blowing a perfect gale and ere the real nature of the fire could be realised burning thatch was being blown in all directions, and in a very few minutes an adjoining block of stables was in the grip of the fire fiend, and the roofs of four cottages on the north side of the street were blazing in a dozen different places. In a remarkable short space of time it was evident the fire would be of a disastrous character for the rain of the previous day had not rendered the thatch capable of resisting the flames. Before the affrighted villagers had hardly time to realise the seriousness of the situation or to organise any concerted action to cope with the outbreak, the fire had assumed proportions which threatened the safety of the whole village. Burning thatch was sent flying hither and thither by the gusty wind, and but for some of the neighbouring property being slate-roofed the conflagration would undoubtedly been of a still more serious character. The more modern blocks of cottages are situated in Lack’s yard and Varney’s yard, and over these long lines of flames stretched themselves to more roofs in Front Street which were unable to offer any resistance. Front Street is the main thoroughfare of this old-world village, and but a very few minutes from the discovery of the fire thirteen cottages were blazing fiercely, the whole of which were tenented by people of the working-class type. Unfortunately the outbreak occurred at the most inopportune hour for practically all the men were away from home at work, either in the fields or at the L. & N.-W. Railway Works at Wolverton, where between sixty and seventy of the villagers daily find employment. Despite this fact no time was lost in sending for the Wolverton steamer and Fire Brigade and also the Stony Stratford Brigade. Pending their arrival the work of checking the fire was taken in hand with commendable promptitude by Mr. Whiting, Mr. Holt and Mr. Amos and the men in their employ; in fact, every available person, young and old, assisted as best they could in saving what was possible from the fast spreading flames. Captain Downing and his men from Stratford were the first to appear on the scene and they found the whole of the thirteen cottages well alight. To add to the distressing nature of the affair the firemen discovered that there was in no sense an adequate supply of water with which to successfully carry out their work. The only quantity of water to be found in the village was in a pond on Mr. Holt’s farm, and to reach this fully a thousand feet of hose was necessary. The connections were quickly made and aided by the Wolverton Brigade, who by this time had arrived with their manual, water was soon being poured on the burning cottages. It was a difficult task the firemen had been called upon to perform, but although they were hampered with a gale of wind they entered upon their duties heroically. To think of saving the burning homesteads of the thirteen poor families was out of all question, and therefore the brigade devoted their attention to preventing from spreading to adjoining property. The extent of this task may in some measure be realised by the fact that at least three separate fires were in existence, in each case with more thatched cottages in dangerous contiguity. By this time the men of the village employed at Wolverton were on the scene, the authorities, with the thoughtfulness and generosity which invariably characterises their actions having caused an express train to stop at Wolverton station to convey their employees in all haste to their homes. The railway fire steamer had also been dispatched to the burning village, but this was found to be useless, for being built on railway carriage wheels it could not be utilised in any way. With two manuals at work Mr. Holt’s pond was soon emptied but not before the fire showed signs of burning itself out. Although it had raged with remarkable ferocity it had spent itself in a time which was as brief as was the original spread of the conflagration. But when the fire was at its height it presented a spectacle which will ever live in the memory of those who witnessed its devastating effect. Bearing the resemblance of a burning furnace, the roar and heat of the flames were terrifying beyond description. Whilst further extension of the fire by the time the water in Mr. Holt’s pond had been used up, it was still found necessary to keep the hose pipes at work, and to do this a connection had to be made to Mr. Whiting’s pond. For the time being at all events this prevented further danger but meanwhile the unfortunate villagers who had so suddenly and without warning been robbed of their homes and practically all their worldly belongings were in a distraught and sorrowful state. The sight was indeed a pitiable one, and even those people who from the neighbourhood had thronged into the village on hearing of the outbreak could not fail to be touched with a feeling of horror at the awful spectacle which met their eye. Here and there were little heaps of furniture rescued from the grip of the flames, and which ever way one looked were visible gutted and roofless houses. In the Back-street the fire deprived three families of a home: Mrs. Clarke, a widow and two sons; Mr. Jesse Lambert, labourer and wife (who had only been in the cottage a week); and Mr. E. Pell, labourer, wife and two children. All four of the cottages in Back-street belong to Mr. Rose, of Hanslope. The other damage done here was the destruction of stables used as an outhouse attached to Mrs. Tooth’s house, and on the opposite side of the street the unroofing of a barn, &c., occupied by Mr. Masterman, of the Carrington Arms, under Lord Carrington, and stables occupied by the Countess Bosdari.

In Front-street the fire did still greater damage, nine cottages being gutted and 28 people made homeless. The property destroyed here belonged four to Mr. Lack, Wolverton, two to Miss Varney, one to Mr. Tooth, Stantonbury, and one to Mr. Whiting. The families so suddenly rendered homeless are: Mr. J. Smith, labourer, his wife & five children; Mrs. Brown, widow; Mr. John Evans, painter, wife and four children; Mr. F. Wills, labourer, wife and child; Mr. Jack Clarke, labourer; Mr. W. Gray, wife and child; Mrs. Vials, widow; and Mr. W. Worker, platelayer, wife and four children. It will thus be seen that the total number of homeless victims is 36, nearly all of whom are left with nothing with which to commence a new home. Those who did save any of their furniture, and they were but few, found shelter in the empty cottages in the village, others were accommodated by neighbours whose homes escaped the fire, and the remainder were provided with accommodation for the night in the railway station waiting room. The cause of the fire is unknown, but it is conjectured that a spark from a passing railway engine was carried on to the roof of Mr. Masterman’s stabling. The damage is estimated at between £1000 and £2000, and a sad feature of the whole affair is that none of the burnt-out families were insured against fire.

The Stony Stratford Fire Brigade remained in the village the whole of Friday night and by dint of hard work they prevented the burning embers from causing any further damage. After the second pond had been exhausted the village wells were drawn from; and later another useful supply was placed at the Brigade’s disposal by Mr. and Mrs. Waller. Gradually the fire expended and by ten o’clock on Saturday morning all fear of further danger was at an end.

To establish a relief fund and to appoint a collecting committee for the assistance of the unfortunate villagers of Castlethorpe, whose belongings were completely destroyed by Friday’s calamitous fire, a meeting was held in the Council Schools on Saturday afternoon, Aug 6. A few willing volunteers had during Friday evening and Saturday morning been zealously collecting for their stricken neighbours, and a good sum had been received from the numerous visitors who journeyed to the scene of the fire. The room was full of interested and sympathetic residents as well as homeless cottagers, and Mr. W. W. Carlile. M.P., was voted the chair. Included among those present were the Rev. F. Davis (Curate at Castlethorpe and Hanslope), Mr. Carter Jonas (Steward to Lord Carrington). Mr. A. Masterman, Mr. G. C. Nichols, Mr. H. Wallach, Mr. C. Whiting, Mr. J. Luing, Mr. T. Osborn, Mr. A. Chandler, Mr. S. Wheldon, Mrs. Carlile, Mrs. Atkinson, Mrs. Wynne, and Mrs. Whiting. – The Chairman, in opening the meeting, said he knew how all regretted very much the great calamity which had befallen them in the village, and alluded to the object of the meeting, which interested everybody in the parish and those who resided outside-that of providing due and adequate help to all who had suffered loss. The Committee whom they were about to appoint would distribute the clothes, of which happily they had received a large number, and which were immediately required. He suggested they should follow the same course adopted in Wiltshire recently at a similar occurrence, where they wisely made the Parish Council the responsible Committee, giving them power to co-opt ladies of the district and others whom they consider might be useful. He thought that course would be the best to adopt. His wife, he continued, who was connected with the Bucks. and Berks. Needlework Guild, had informed him there was a surplus of clothes in connection with the Guild, and she had been empowered to give them away. She had brought them for the distressed at Castlethorpe, and he thought they would prove very useful indeed. (Applause). – Mr. A. Chandler proposed that the Parish Council act as Committee. – This being duly seconded, was carried unanimously. – Mr. S. Weldon moved that the meeting elect the co-opted members, which should number five. – This, on being put, was also carried. – It was decided, on the proposition of Mr. Chandler, seconded by Mr. Wheldon, that the additional members consist of three ladies and two gentlemen. – The following where elected to serve with the Parish Council: Mrs. Atkinson, Mrs. Whiting, Mrs. Wynne, Mr. D. Cowley, Mr. A. Chandler. The members of the Parish Council are: Mr. A. Masterman (chairman), Mr. G. C. Nichols (vice-chairmen), Mr. H. Wallach, Mr. J. Luing, and Mr. C.Whiting.

The Chairman suggested that as the needs of the people were urgent, it would be well for the Committee to meet directly after the meeting to consider the distribution of clothing and other matters which required immediate attention. The name of Mrs. Borrett, of Hatton Court, was suggested as a member of the Committee, but as it had been appointed it was observed she could still work for the object, as the Committee were open to receive advice. The meeting closed with hearty thanks to the Chairman, on the proposition of Mr. Wallach, seconded by Mr. Luing.

It was announced during the meeting by Mr. Carter Jonas that Earl Carrington wished to express his sympathy with all who had sustained loss, and he had sent £25 to alleviate their sufferings. The Duke of Grafton sent £10, while sums of £5 were announced from Mr. W.W. Carlile, M.P., the Hon. T.F. Fremantle, Mr. Wallach, Mr. A. Burr, and Mrs. Atkinson; Mr. C. Whiting gave £3, Mr. A. Masterman £2, and Mr. J. Feasey £1, while some of the collecting boxes which were opened contained in all £4 11s 8d.

Lord and Lady Carrington visited Castlethorpe on Saturday morning and viewed the ruins.

Bucks Standard August 26th 1905

The Recent Disastrous Fire.- In our report of the disastrous fire in this village, published in our issue for August 12, we stated the “after the second pond had been exhausted the village wells were drawn from, and later another useful supply was placed at the brigade’s disposal by Mr. and Mrs. Wallach.” There is an error in this statement, for there is no Mrs. Wallach, and what we ought to have said was “Thanks were due to Mr. Wallach, whose lady housekeeper Mrs. Briffina), acting on his behalf in his temporary absence at his town house in London, placed the supply of water at his hunting box at the disposal of the brigade.” We gladly make this correction, at the special request of Mrs. Briffina, and we very much regret that the error inadvertently appeared in our report.

Bucks Standard November 8th 1905

FIRE RELIEF FUND. – It appears from the balance sheet of the above fund that the efforts of the committee have resulted in a very gratifying financial success. The total amount subscribed is £298 8s 7½d. This sum, with the exception of management expenses such as printing, advertising, postage and receipt stamps, stationary &c. has been divided between those unfortunate ones who suffered in various ways through the late disastrous fire. The task has not been a light one, as all would readily admit who have had experience in organising a relief fund. There has been an immense amount of work done and done most efficiently. After the charitably disposed persons had responded so liberally to the appeal for help, there yet remained the responsibility of administering the fund. A thoroughly representative committee dealt with each case upon its merits, guarding themselves sedulously against imposition. The fullest investigation was made without fear or favour, and in this way they were enabled to arrive at a fairly accurate estimate of each person’s loss. The fund placed at the disposal of the committee, supplemented by gifts of warm clothing, blankets &c., so appropriately sent from far and near, proved sufficient to alleviate immediate distress the day following the fire, and finally to compensate adequately the sufferers for the loss sustained and for which no doubt they are all exceedingly grateful. The hon. sec. Mr. Thos. Osborne, and Mr. A. Masterman, treasurer, deserve the highest praise for their able and untiring efforts, which must have contributed largely to the success of the undertaking. Castlethorpe has been conspicuously free from fires considering the number of thatched buildings there are in the village and their contiguity to the main line of the L. &. N.W. Ry. We sincerely hope that cottage accommodation will soon be provided for all those families who were so ruthlessly burnt out, and that the experience of August 4th will never be repeated.

click picture or map for details & photographs

Map of village fire