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Old Stratford - Parish Matters
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The Northampton Mercury June 22nd 1778 Stony Stratford, Bucks, June 6, 1778 We certify, that no Person has the SMALLPOX in this Town, and that no Person has said Distemper in Old Stratford, or the Places called Wolverton End, or Calverton End, near Stony Stratford. (Signed)
N.B. Mr. SOUTHAM’S Method of INOCULATION having been given entire Satisfaction to this Parish, in not losing a single Patient; the principal Inhabitants would particularly recommend him to all other Parishes that may be involved, in the like calamitous Situation, by Natural SMALLPOX.
The Northampton Mercury February 24th 1899 LIGHTING OF THE VILLAGE - A meeting of the parochial electors of that part of Old Stratford situated in the parish of Cosgrove was held in the Tram Depot on Saturday evening, to consider the desirability of lighting Old Stratford. Mr. J. J. Atkinson, chairman of the Cosgrove Parish Council presided. A proposition by Mr. Jones, in favour of lighting Old Stratford, was seconded by Mr. J. A. Reeve, strongly supported by Mr. Hamilton, and eventually carried almost unanimously. Mr. W. Webb demanded a poll.
The Northampton Mercury April 27th 1900 RURAL DISTRICT COUNCIL: The Surveyor (Mr Pritchard) was instructed to get out an estimate for making a footpath along the old tramway from Deanshanger to Old Stratford.
The Northampton Mercury May 25th 1900 RURAL DISTRICT COUNCIL: The Surveyor (Mr Pritchard) was instructed to report on the sanitary affairs of Old Stratford, and also to prepare an estimate of the cost of the footpath alongside the Deanshanger road from the village to Shady style.
The Northampton Mercury June 22nd 1900 RURAL DISTRICT COUNCIL: Mr Pritchard, the Sanitary Inspector, reported that the sanitary conditions of Old Stratford, taken as a whole, was not very unsatisfactory. In almost every case the drains were in good condition, with stench traps fixed. Earth closets were mostly used, there were only about four pail closets. Mr. J. A. Reeve sent a letter stating that he insisted upon some steps being taken to remedy the sanitary conditions in Old Stratford, and a letter was received from Miss Lancaster on the same subject. Most of the principal ratepayers, however had signed a petition objecting to any expenditure in a water-cart or a sanitary cart, as they thought it unnecessary. The Inspector was instructed to take steps to have the pail closets emptied regularly.
The Northampton Mercury September 7th 1900
The Northampton Mercury October 5th 1900 RURAL DISTRICT COUNCIL: With respect to the Old Stratford scavenging, the Inspector said the work was being attended to, and the Council stated that if further pails were erected they would be emptied in due course. The Medical Officer of Health (Dr. Maguire) reported four cases of scarlet fever at Cosgrove and Old Stratford.
The Northampton Mercury May 17th 1901 RURAL DISTRICT COUNCIL: The Sanitary Inspector (Mr. W. H. Pryer Pritchard) said some cottages at Old Stratford were in a bad state, and it was decided to ask the medical Officer of Health to report thereon.
The Northampton Mercury April 17th 1903 RURAL DISTRICT COUNCIL: The Rev. Dr. Payne called attention to the dirty state of the sides of the road near his residence at Old Stratford. The Surveyor said he had spoken to the people about throwing their rubbish on the side of the road, and he was directed to do what he could to put a stop to the nuisance.
The Northampton Mercury June 9th 1905 RURAL DISTRICT COUNCIL: The only lodging-house in the district was at Old Stratford, and the Council, decided it was necessary to have it registered, directed the Clerk to obtain the necessary forms.
Wolverton Express June 30th 1905 OLD STRATFORD. SMALLPOX CASE. At the conclusion of the 'meeting of the Potterspury Board of Guardians on Thursday morning week, Mr. J. Chettle asked the members of the Potterspury Rural District Council to stay a short time. They had unfortunately had a case of small-pox at Old Stratford, and he had asked the (Medical Officer of Health to attend. —The members, of the Bucks. parishes in the Union were given permission to stay and hear what Dr-Maguire had to say.—Dr. Maguire said the man, William Hook, presented himself at his house at four o'clock in the afternoon with the usual medical relief order. He told him to go back to Old Stratford, and that he had no business to go out. Dr. Maguire went to the lodging house and found the place full, and the people were very excited. He thought the best thing to do was to make arrangements for the men to be disinfected that night, and he consequently made arrangements for the people to be disinfected at the Workhouse. He told them they must go to the Workhouse, as it was impossible to keep the men in the lodging house, as the rooms were small. Seven out of the eleven went to the Workhouse and had their clothes disinfected, and the other three disappeared. The next day he wired to Dr. Paget, the County Medical Officer, and asked him if he could get the ease sent to the small-pox hospital at Northampton. The case was taken there at £3 3s. per week and expenses of removals and the man was removed on the Wednesday. All the bedding and wooden bedsteads at the lodging house had been destroyed, and every room had been. disinfected and lime washed, and quick-lime put down the privy, and disinfectants had also been sent to the sewerage works, for use in the closets the men used there. It was impossible to keep the men at the lodging house. Most of them were filthy and their clothes covered with vermin, and he could not tell how quickly he could remove the small-pox , patient. There was no means of disinfecting the clothing, except at the Workhouse. He had only four tubes of lymph, and the woman caretaker and the three unvaccinated children were vaccinated. Had he had more tubes of lymph, the insanitary condition of the lodging-house precluded vaccination. He thought the woman tried to do her best. The lodging-house -would be shut up until the end of the month. They could not have locked the people up in the lodging-house. It would have been "hell upon earth."—The Local Government Board Inspector (Mr. Court) said it would be better for the District Council to get a portable disinfector. He did not think they could have done anything else than what was done under the special circumstances.
The Northampton Mercury November 24th 1905 RURAL DISTRICT COUNCIL: With regard to the question of common lodging-houses, the Clerk said there was only one in the district. Viz., at Old Stratford. The by-laws had been passed, and it was decided to serve notice upon the occupier to register under the Act.
The Northampton Mercury December 22nd 1905 An application was received from the occupier of the common lodging-house at Old Stratford for the same to be inspected and registered, and it was decided to allow this to stand over for further consideration.
The Northampton Mercury August 31st 1906
RURAL DISTRICT COUNCIL: The Medical Officer of Health reported an outbreak of scarlet fever at Old Stratford, confined to one family.
The Northampton Mercury December 20th 1907 RURAL DISTRICT COUNCIL The tender of Mr. H. W. Bushell for sanitary work at Cosgrove and Old Stratford was accepted.
The Northampton Mercury April 10th 1908 RURAL DISTRICT COUNCIL Old Stratford and Deanshanger Small Holdings Association applied for 445 acres.
The Northampton Mercury June 10th 1910 AUTOMOBILE CLUB A meeting of the committee of the Northamptonshire Automobile Club: The R.A.C. wrote respecting the dangerous main road crossing at Old Stratford, and it was decided that the secretary should see the county surveyor.
The Northampton Mercury October 27th 1911 NORTHAMPTONSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL A STRATFORD IMPROVEMENT In order to make an improvement at the crossroads in Old Stratford, the County Surveyor had, with the approval of the Road Board, purchased by auction for £380 a cottage and land (3 roods and 52 poles) near the spot. The Road Board had agreed to contribute three-forths of the costs of the purchase and works, estimated at £500. The Chairman expressed the indebtedness of the Council to the Surveyor for making the purchase at a time when it was impossible to call a special meeting of the Council to give instructions. [Bridge Stores]
The Northampton Mercury January 12th 1912 RURAL DISTRICT COUNCIL: It was resolved to apply to the Local government Board for the loan of an additional £100 for the work in connection with the Old Stratford water supply.
The Northampton Mercury May 10th 1912 ROAD BOARD GRANT The Board has stated they were prepared to contribute £5,000 towards the cost (£7,500) of various improvements to be carried out during the year. These embraced the improvements at the Old Stratford cross-roads, the widening of the carriage-way on the Northampton and Kettering main road. And the tar binding and surface tarring of roads
The Northampton Mercury July 26th 1912 DISTRICT COUNCIL With respect to the proposed water supply at Old Stratford the Local Government Board wrote in answer to the Council’s application for sanction to borrow £200 for experimental work in view of providing a supply requesting that the services of an experienced geologist should first be obtained and suggesting that the Council should write to the Geological Survey Office.
The Northampton Mercury August 23rd 1912 Old Stratford Water Supply. The Finance Committee recommended that a rate of 4d. in the £ should be laid for ordinary expenses. This was agreed to. In connection with the proposed scheme for increasing the Old Stratford water supply, a report on the geological formation of the ground, where it is proposed to sink a new well, was read from Mr. Beeby Thompson of Northampton. He the geologist thought that the illeg well was reasonably satisfactory one. His conclusion, he said, was based on geological grounds alone, and the Council would see that conclusion was unavoidable. After giving his reasons, which were of a theoretical and technical nature. Mr. Thompson said that at Deanshanger the springs appeared to exist where they certainly might be expected. In the upper part of Old Stratford there seemed to be a good supply from a chalk rack, and this must come westward, which was in the direction of the proposed site, and as the site was favourably situated he thought permission ought to be given by the Local Government Board to allow the Council to make a trial boring 200 feet deep, which could be abandoned if the research was not satisfactory. The Chairman: I can’t tell whether the Local Government Board will be satisfied or not. It was decided to send a copy of the report to the Local Government Board.
The Northampton Mercury January 10th 1913 The Medical Officer of Health (Dr. Powell) thought something should be done to get a supply of Water at Old Stratford, as it was now insufficient.
The Northampton Mercury January 17th 1913 The Roads and Bridges Committee recommended a general approval of the scheme for widening and reconstruction of the Watling-street road from Old Stratford, through Towcester and Weedon.
The Northampton Mercury March 7th 1913 RURAL DISTRICT COUNCIL Mr. Parrott read a draft licence received from H.M. Office of Woods, who gave permission to sink a trial bore-hole on the Shrob Walk Farm land for the purpose of finding water for the Old Stratford supply.
The Northampton Mercury April 4th 1913 RURAL DISTRICT COUNCIL Old Stratford Water. A committee appointed to deal with the Old Stratford water supply recommended the approval of the draft licence from the Crown offices, which gave permission to end on the Crown Lands, and that the question of compensation to the tenant (Mr. R. Wylie) should be referred to a future meeting. These were adopted.
The Northampton Mercury October 17th 1913 RURAL DISTRICT COUNCIL The report of a committee which was appointed to consider the amalgamation of two schemes for supplying water to Potterspury and Old Stratford, stated that to connect Old Stratford to the Potterspury well would cost £1,500. This was considered too expensive, and the proposal to amalgamate the two schemes was therefore abandoned. A new scheme for Old Stratford will therefore have to be made. That the need for a better supply in both villages was very acute was shown by the medical officer’s report in which Dr. Powell said that since the last meeting a case of enteric fever had broken out at Potterspury. Suitable measures had been taken to prevent the spread of the disease, but the doctor feared that until both Old Stratford and Potterspury were provided with better water supplies they would never be really free from the dangers of any disease. The present supplies were very unhealthy, and quite inadequate for the inhabitants there. The rest of the district was clear of disease, with the exception of Hartwell, where there were a few cases of mumps.
The Northampton Mercury November 14th 1913 RURAL DISTRICT COUNCIL The Crown Surveyor wrote to the effect he understood the Council’s task of boring on the Crown lands for water for Old Stratford had been abandoned because no water had been found. He asked the Council to inform him of the depth of the borings. The clerk was instructed to reply.
The Northampton Mercury January 9th 1914 RURAL DISTRICT COUNCIL Mr. H. Weston (vice-chairman) presiding. An analysis of a sample of water taken from the well suggested as the source of the supply for Old Stratford showed that although the water contained a certain percentage of iron, it was of a very satisfactory character. A request that the Council should support a resolution urging upon the Government to press forward the Public Rights of Way Bill was laid upon the table. Mr. Grant-Thorold said if people would keep to the footpaths there would be no trouble. The Medical Officer of Health (Dr. Cecil Powell) reported another outbreak of enteric fever at Potterspury, two cases of tuberculosis at Hartwell and Old Stratford, and an outbreak of cowpox amongst a herd of cattle at Edincote.
The Northampton Mercury February 2nd 1914 THE ROADS IN POTTERSPURY “DISGRACE TO CIVILISATION.” Some very plain language concerning condition of the main roads in the Potterspury neighbourhood was used at the monthly meeting of the Rural District Council on Thursday.
The Northampton Mercury March 6th 1914 Parish Boundaries Mr. Paterson called attention to the anomalous position of certain parishes in the Union’s area. Because of a very indefinite boundary existing between the parish of Potterspury and the parishes of Cosgrove, Old Stratford, and a tiny parish consisting of a church and about three houses, Furtho, certain parishes have to pay an undue share of rates, whilst others pay less than they ought. He advocated a readjustment of the boundaries, and gave notice that he would move at the next meeting that the County Council should be asked to hold an inquiry into the question. He suggested in the case of Furtho that it should be added to Cosgrove.
The Northampton Mercury March 20th 1914 NORTHANTS COUNTY COUNCIL Road Improvements The committee reported that the surplus land adjoining the improvements recently carried out at the cross roads in Old Stratford had been sold by public auction for £120.
The Northampton Mercury April 3rd 1914 RURAL DISTRICT COUNCIL Mr. Paterson, in accordance with his notice of motion, moved that the County Council should be asked to hold an inquiry into the question of parish boundaries at Old Stratford, with a view to the whole of that parish being included in the parish of Furtho. Mr. Wylie seconded, and the motion was agreed to.
The Northampton Mercury April 17th 1914 The Northamptonshire County Council wrote asking for a map of the parish boundaries at Old Stratford, and also one of the suggested re-division of the parishes. The letter was referred to the District Council.
The Northampton Mercury November 13th 1914 The Surveyor also reported that there were two cases of overcrowding at Old Stratford, one of the cottages having a leaking roof. Notices were also ordered to be issued in these cases, and further consideration of the scarcity of houses at Deanshanger. The Surveyor's report on the Old Stratford housing showed that there were 62 houses, including the two overcrowded, and apparently there was a shortage of cottages. A Member: You're rubbing it in. The Clerk said that they were awaiting a notice from the Northamptonshire County Council to hold an inquiry at Old Stratford as to the parish boundaries.
The Northampton Mercury April 16th 1915 COUNTY OF NORTHAMPTON. Notice is Hereby Given, that a Committee appointed by the County Council of Northamptonshire under the provisions of Local Government Acts. 1888 and 1894, will ATTEND at the TRINITY HOUSE, OLD STRATFORD on MONDAY, the 26th day of APRIL instant, at 11.15 o’clock in the Forenoon, to HOLD a LOCAL INQUIRY and deal with an Application from the Board of Guardians of the Potterspury Union and the Rural District Council of Potterspury for an order for the alteration of the boundaries of the Parishes of Cosgrove, Furtho, Passenham, and Potterspury, now forming part of the Potterspury Union and Rural District.
The Northampton Mercury July 9th 1915 A QUESTION OF BOUNDARIES The committee appointed to hold an inquiry into an application from the Potterspury Board of Guardians and Rural District Council for an order for the alteration of the boundaries of the parishes of Cosgrove, Furtho, Passenham, and Potterspury, reported that they could not recommend the scheme as put forward, but they thought the difficulty that had arisen would be met to some extent by an alteration of the boundaries of the parishes of Cosgrove and Potterspury, whereby the isolated and detached portion of Potterspury, an area of 1 acre 2 roods 3 poles, situate at Old Stratford, will be added to Cosgrove.
The Northampton Mercury July 23rd 1915 THE NEW PAROCHIAL BOUNDARIES The Northamptonshire County Council have given their decision in reference to the proposed division of parish boundaries in the Potterspury district.
The Northampton Mercury March 3rd 1916 POTTERSPURY BOARD OF The Clerk reported the receipt of a formal order transferring the portion of Potterspury parish in Old Stratford to Cosgrove.
The Northampton Mercury March 30th 1917 DISTRICT COUNCIL With regard to the proposed scheme of a water supply for Old Stratford, the Local Government Board wrote they were unable to sanction a loan for the execution of the scheme at the present time, and asked for a further scheme to be submitted. The matter was referred to a committee to report.
The Northampton Mercury April 27th 1917 Powell reported a case of scarlet fever at Old Stratford. The epidemic at Deanshanger appeared to have subsided. There were a few isolated case of German measles scattered over the district, namely, at Deanshanger, Old Stratford, Potterspury, Grafton Regis, Hartwell and Paulerspury.
The Northampton Mercury March 8th 1918 From the “Mercury” 150 YEARS AGO MARCH 7th, 17, 1768. Among the Road Acts which obtained the Royal Assent last Wednesday se’nnight was one for Repairing and Widening the Road from the Way Post in the Parish of Hardingstone to Old Stratford in this County.
The Northampton Mercury January 2nd 1920 RURAL DISTRICT COUNCIL The supply of water for Old Stratford was discussed at some length. The architect’s plans were submitted for approval, and his estimate for the cost of the work was £2,752 12s. On the motion of Mr. Pratt it was decided to call a public meeting of the ratepayers to discuss the matter.
The Northampton Mercury February 6th 1920 The Clerk reported the ratepayers at Old Stratford met to discuss the plans of water supply, and on financial grounds unanimously decided to postpone the scheme for one year.
The Northampton Mercury February 4th 1921 RURAL DISTRICT COUNCIL. The Clerk read a letter from the Northants County Council in which they stated that the purchase by them of Ivy House, Old Stratford, had been completed and they anticipated that the proposals submitted for the road improvement at the cross-road would be carried out. The Chairman remarked that the house had now been pulled down and he believed the railings now marked the boundary of the position which will be used in widening the road. The Northampton Mercury February 4th 1921 By the demolition of the corner house at the cross roads at Old Stratford, a good improvement has been made at the dangerous point. The house had been unoccupied for a considerable period, and was in a bad state of repair.
Mercury & Herald May 28th 1939 GIFT THAT MAY READERS of these notes, will already be familiar with the fact that a new recreation ground has been given to Old Stratford through the generosity of Mr. and Mrs. W. W. Dickens. There can be no question that apart from it being a source of pleasure to the children, it may well be regarded as a means of saving lives on the roads, and especially on the Watling Street.
The Northampton Mercury September 5th 1930 OBJECTIONS TO COMBINED SCHEME. For some time the Potterspury Rural District Council has been engaged in formulating a scheme for the supply of water to the village of Yardley Gobion. This was the subject of a recent inquiry by the Ministry of Health, and consequent upon the report of the Inspector, the Ministry have made alternative suggestions to the scheme the Council had in view At the last meeting of the District Council letter was received from the Ministry stating that in view of doubt concerning the origin and yield of the spring from which water is now taken, it might be better for the Council to sink bore holes. The letter also suggested the practicability combined scheme for Yardley Gobion and Potterspury, and stated that combined scheme for those parishes and Old Stratford, taking supply from the latter place, should not overlooked.
The Northampton Mercury September 5th 1930 OBJECTIONS. The Chairman Mr. H. T. F. Weston. PP., C.C.) did not agree with the last part the Ministry’s letter. There was not he said, sufficient water at Old Stratford for such a scheme, and if they bored and did get sufficient, they bad the Old Stratford Works to contend with. They would have to largely increase the supply tank, and the lines of distribution would he exceedingly heavy. The best thing, he considered, would be to bore Yardley Gobion.
The Northampton Mercury June 2nd 1950 NORTHAMPTONSHIRE. WHEREAS at a public, meeting held Old Stratford on the 31st March 1950, it was resolved to request the, Northamptonshire County Council to constitute a separate parish for that village which is now divided among the Parishes of Furtho, Cosgrove and Deanshanger:
The Northampton Mercury June 23rd 1950 MISS JOAN WAKE OBJECTS TO THERE were only two objectors at a public inquiry held in the Memorial Hall, Old Stratford, where a committee of three Northamptonshire County Councillors met to hear views on the suggested formation of a new parish at Old Stratford. REDUCED RATES? She said that her council agreed with the proposal and wished Old Stratford good luck in their venture. Her council would have thought it would be best for the Northampton road to be the boundary line on the Cosgrove side. “LOVELY LITTLE CHURCH” Mr. W. W. Dickens asked if Passenham Church could not be brought into the boundary as it was a lovely little church, hardly ever used and would provide a burial ground for Old Stratford.
The Northampton Mercury July 21st 1950 New parish Following a public inquiry last month, the General Purposes Committee of Northamptonshire County Council are recommending the creation of a new parish at Old Stratford. Composed of parts of the existing parishes of Cosgrove, Deanshanger and Furtho, the new parish will have council of nine members and will also send a representative to Towcester Rural Council, thus increasing that authority’s membership from 40 to 41.
The Northampton Mercury October 27th 1950 PUBLIC NOTICE
The Northampton Mercury November 10th 1950 OLD STRATFORD Residents of the newly formed parish of Old Stratford, in the south of Northamptonshire, are dissatisfied with the boundary allotted to their parish by the County Council. At a public meeting in the Memorial Hall was agreed to raise petition to send to the Minister of Health, asking for the boundary to follow a more natural course and take in more land.
The Northampton Mercury January 5th 1951 OLD STRATFORD THE residents of the newly, formed parish of Old Stratford unanimously agreed at public meeting to withdraw their petition to the Minister of Health protesting over the allotted northern boundary, and to accept the compromise boundary as suggested by Northamptonshire County Council.
The Wolverton Express March 13th 1964 Still awaiting pedestrian crossing After a wait of almost two years, Old Stratford is still without a pedestrian crossing in the Deanshanger Road. At Monday's meeting of the Parish Council, Mr. C. Elliott (Clerk) claimed: " So many have passed the buck, I feel they don't know who is holding the baby now." Mr. Elliott read correspondence dating back to 1962 about this crossing. He explained that he wrote first to the Road Safety Dept. of Northants County Council, who replied and asked him to inform the Towcester District Road Safety Committee. This last committee, said Mr. Elliott, agreed to support the council in its application, and the County Road Safety Organiser wrote saying that this was sufficient. A year later, Mr. Elliott again wrote to the County Council asking if the crossing would be in-stalled, this time adding that unless they received an assurance they would refer the matter to their M.P.
The Wolverton Express April 9th 1965
TRAFFIC lights are likely to be installed at the Od Stratford crossroads (pictured above) within the next six months. I am told. Yet the Ministry of Transport has said that there is no justification for such signals at Stony Stratford and the local Road Safety Committee feels that there is little hope of persuading the Minister to change his mind. TWO DIFFERENT STANDARDS The solution as to why the Ministry accepts one standard for the control of traffic in Northants and a different one in Bucksmay well be in the location of its offices. Control of the area of Bucks and counties in the South comes under Whitehall: for Northants and the Midlands there is a different headquarters and a new set of officials.
The Wolverton Express April 9th 1965 Flooding from the old canal Years ago Old Stratford used to have busy canal, full of traffic. Now it has a mutilated waterway----and a serious flooding problem. “Every time it rains the water comes halfway across the main road”. Coun. W R Ginger told fellow members of Towcester Rural District Council on Tuesday. “If a motorcyclist or a car driver who doesn’t know the road comes along and goes right into the flood we shall have someone killed”.
The Wolverton Express January 1st 1966 Traffic lights Old Stratford Traffic lights will be installed later this month at the Old Stratford cross roads. There has been considerable pressure for lights at this spot, especially since the opening of the M1, when traffic moved from the A.5 and the A.422 became a busy direct link with the motorway. Earlier this week, Mr. G. Forster, Assistant County Surveyor (Trunk Roads), told the "Express" he had been in contact with the firm responsible for installing the lights and has been promised completion in January. The firm, he adds, told him they hoped to put lights up "as early in the month as possible."
The Wolverton Express August 25th 1967
Until fairly recent years Old Stratford was one of the smallest villages in South Northants. |
