SOME SWINTON RESIDENTS UPSET

Cliffield House has been reoccupied by a another business in the Healthcare industry and given the  grandeous name - Swinton Hall . 

Cliffield House was for many years a Doctors house and Surgery. The last doctor there was Dr Campbell who received a medal of honour after treating injured miners   underground at the scene following an accident at Manvers colliery. This included carrying out amputations.

The problem is that there is already a Swinton Hall which has been established in the town for many years . It is  located on Fitzwiliam Street. This Hall, of Georgian origin,  was built by the Otter Family. Today it is 8 apartments and very much used and occupied.  This is Swinton Hall  as far as the towns proper history is concerned.

The calling of this business "Swinton Hall" is bound to cause confusion. A director of Swinton Hall Management Ltd (the actual Halls residents management company) contacted the business to ask for their reconsideration of changing the name. Unfortunatly the reply he received gave him short shrift.  Emergency vehicles and others will undoubtedly be confused by this duplication . Just writing this article and seperating out the buildings is confusing in itself.

 Why do this one has to ask. "Campbell House"  would have been a more suitable business name bestowing great honour on the achievements of the former resident and would be readily accepted by all.

 

 

THE IRON MAN the biography of IRON HAGUE - NEW BOOK LAUNCHED 

Order one today. see products for sale on this site.

Former local boy and English Heavyweight boxing champion 1909-1911 , Iron Hague (James William) is being extensively researched by Giles H Brearley for a new book. The book will chart his life story .

Almost 300 pages long including 200 photgraphs many not seen before.

This full biography of South Yorkshire’s  Iron Hague, the former English Heavyweight champion 1909-1911 has been  some 3 years in the making. Written in novel form it is packed with over 200 pictures and covers not only the boxers early background , bare knuckle fighting and then  life as a professional champion, it also covers the emerging  first world war hero  that he became as well as his later life and struggles. A great fighter and social History read. Tough Times, Tough characters.

SWINTON HERITAGE are now on YouTube! Check out our channel via this link:

http://www.youtube.com/SwintonHeritage

THE RELOCATION OF SWINTON CROSS - video link here: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjuZ3xnXhFg

Videos of previous events - including our achievements and accomplishments - will be brought to you over the coming weeks...

 

Dearne and Dove Canal link .

 This is a great link as it covers the Swinton section of the Canal with extensive information as regards the Swinton tunnel.

http://www.bddct.org.uk

Swinton Heritage is a very informal grouping of individuals who come together for project delivery. Our primary role is to celebrate, spread knowledge and seek to protect varied aspects of the Swinton areas (including Kilnhurst) rich local history and heritage.

Funds to enable project delivery are raised from events, sale of products and occasional small grants. We also have an impressive record of raising funds for a range of other local good causes and groups; examples are given on the next page.

Rescued Plaque

RESEARCH SERVICE

We are able to carry out a research service from the many local archives. We have a vast knowledge of the town and its history and, as individuals, we have a substantial archive of the area. Copies of documents and photos can also be provided on request. We will quote for the work before it is undertaken. We can save you a tremendous amount of time...

Ron James - Swinton Heritage Cameraman and Researcher. Ron has extensive knowledge on the Swinton area and is a skilled photographer.

We also campaign to try and help rejuvenation of tired parts of the town and campaign for environmental issues affecting the wellbeing.

Giles Brearley viewing the mess the canal is in

For years Swinton Heritage have assisted the Bridge Action Group with their never ending battle with British Waterways to try and get the Dearne and Dove canal put back into something the town is proud of.

In the summer the rotting azollo weed puts out a foul stench over the lower end of town. Why should we put up with it.......To date B.Ws record of cooperation has been  one of  promising but not delivering.

We are determined to keep on at them ,to prick their conscience for them to meet their  obligation to the Town and its people. 

 

15th September 2011 LATEST   - BW have once again failed to address the problem by their admission that they had wrongly analysed the growing surface weed and their proposed cure would not actually work. This is just yet another exscuse as to why the canal is not being cleaned up. We have had exscuses and broken promises for years. Enough is enough. BW standby to repel boarders we will not lie down..........

How it could look.

Please support our campaign and write stating your disgust at the eyesore and demand a reply to;

The General Manager ,Waterways Manager, Fearn Wharf, Neptune street, Leeds, LS9 8PB

Copy your letter in to John Healey M.P House of Commons, London.

Please also copy us in so we can continue the pressure.

 

Medieval Cross Found

Earlier this year a remarkable piece of medieval stonework was recovered from a boundary wall to be placed safely in St Margaret’s Church.  The stone has a Christian Cross carved on it and it is believed that it was once part of the structure of Swinton’s 12th Century Chapel to St Mary Magdalene.  Local resident, Mr Harold Badger had been aware of the carving since he was a child and contacted Swinton Heritage to ensure the preservation of this rare medieval artifact.

The original chapel was demolished in 1817 and understandably the stonework was reused. 

The carved stone was visible for many years as part of the structure for a cottage forming part of Blythmans Row/Milton Cottages.  These dwellings were very close to the site of the old Chapel and were demolished in the early 1960’s.  After that the stone formed part of the boundary wall at the junction of Milton Street and Church Street.  There was concern that the 900 year old carving could be damaged or disappear through the effects of weathering.  Now, after careful removal by a Rotherham Council stonemason, the carved stone has been placed within St Margaret’s Church for safe keeping into the future.

 

Loss of Congregational Church

The above has now sadly been demolished in favour of yet another Flat development. The developers have however been sympathetic. They have donated the marble War Memorial contained inside and this will be erected on the Towns War Memorial later in the Autumn.

They have also promised to include the Founders stones in the new boundary walls so they will be preserved. They tell of the original subscribers to the church and include many longstanding Swinton family names.

 

Loss of Canal Tavern

The above has also been demolished so ending a long history of it with the town. Sadly a packed development of flats is to take place which will fill the site and with no parking facilities at all is going to have negative impact on the Bridge Street area. A planning madness . (GHBs opinion)