Researched by Mike Belcher
From the Archives of the Cannock Chase Courier 1909

2/1/1909 Boxing Day – At Cheslyn Hay as on the day previous, the band was playing. The band decided to make an innovation. It had been the custom thereto to play in front of the residences or places of public resort, but this plan was very properly changed this year and the band played at certain points both at Great Wyrley and Cheslyn Hay. There were of course the usual house parties. There were few cases of over indulgence and the police were perhaps more leniently disposed at this festive season.


2/1/1909 Cannock Rural District Council
Well at Laney Green
A communication was read from the overseers of Saredon, objecting to the proposal of the Council to charge the whole of the cost (£30 5s 6d) of the repair of the public well at Laney Green upon their parish. Mr.Sparrow explained that there were ten dwellings in the parish of Cheslyn Hay. He represented a very small and poor parish which could not at once afford to pay. The well was not like that at Cheslyn Hay, but a public well 100 years old, which was also used by the wayfarer as well as the parishioner. Mr Sparrow then proposed that the expenses be charged jointly on Cheslyn Hay and Saredon, each to pay in proposition to the number of houses using the well. This proposal was carried.

2/1/1909 Cheslyn Hay Chat
There were about 100 old friends at Salem school on the occasion of the treat given by Messrs T.A.& H.Hawkins. Probably if the weather had been milder there would have been a larger number. A right good tea was provided. The improvements to the room where the tea took place were greatly appreciated. After the tea the guests passed into the well arranged schoolroom, and an excellent entertainment was provided. Miss Alethea Hawkins entertained the company with some pretty singing. Mr.H.Hawkins provided a sketch which was most amusing. The capital choir was also very successful in providing entertainment for the company present and increased somewhat after tea. The glees etc were nicely rendered.


23/1/1909 Cannock Urban District Council
CHESLYN HAY FIRE STATION
The deed relative to the new fire station was produced for signature and the chairman moved that this be signed. He also moved that the best thanks of the Parish Council be given to Mr.T.A.Hawkins for his generous gift, and also to Mrs.T.A.Hawkins for the kindly opening of the Fire Station. In reply to a question the chairman said that the Fire Station belonged to the parish and they could do as they pleased so long as it remained a Fire Station.

6/2/1909 Institute at Cheslyn Hay
It will perhaps be remembered that some time ago reference was made to the institute that was being provided beneath the Salem Sunday School, Cheslyn Hay. The place has been nicely arranged, and although it was looked upon with affection by some they certainly cannot regret the great improvements that have been effected. It is admirably suited for the purpose of an institute and as time goes on their will be other attractions besides those now provided which consists of a supply of the current newspapers, a couple of small billiard tables, and other means of amusement.

27/2/1909 CHESLYN HAY CHAT – The new house adjoining the Salem is nearly finished. It is proposed to place in what has been the severely plain bare yard a quantity of shrubs it will then correspond with the pleasant little arboretum on the opposite side of the Salem chapel. The Parish Council very properly decided to let Mr.M.Payne have the plot of ground adjoining the cemetery for his classes in horticulture. This class will be one of a few in the great county of Stafford, the Cheslyn Hay folk ought therefore to be rather proud of this honour.

6/3/1909 Cheslyn Hay Bowling Club
The annual general meeting of the Cheslyn Hay Bowling Club was held at the headquarters, the Red Lion Inn, on Tuesday. Mr.P.Carpenter presided. The balance sheet was satisfactory, the club being £1 6s 9d. to the credit. The following officers were elected: President, Dr.A.H.Syree, with a good number of gentlemen as Vice Presidents; Secretary, Mr.T.S.Whitehouse; Treasurer, Mr.I.Clewley; Captain, Mr.W.Browell, Vice Captain, Mr.G.Pee. The following were selected as committee: Secretary, Treasurer, Captain, Vice Captain, J.Smith, W.Hemingsley, B.Carpenter, H.Stokes. H.Altree, W.Parbrook, W.Hall, and W.Lockett.

20/3/1909 Fire at the Old Coppice Colliery Cheslyn Hay
A fire was discovered at the lamp house of the Old Coppice Colliery, at Cheslyn Hay, just after four o’clock, on Thursday morning. An alarm was raised and at 4-30 Captain Dakin and the whole of the members of the Cheslyn Hay Fire Brigade turned out. Mr.J.Holmes hitched his couple of “tits” to the Alethea and quickly the firemen were off. It was not far to go as is well-known and the driver made best use of his time. This will be apparent when it is remembered that the alarm was received at 4-30 and the engine was at the scene at 4-45. The lamp house as it may be imagined contained a quantity of inflammable material and the lamps of the day men, and it can well be imagined that it burned fiercely. The fire illuminated the district, and the lamp house was practically destroyed in a very short space of time. The flames then caught the electrical engine house, but the firemen quickly had the engine at play drawing the water from the private reservoir. So effectively did the men work that although the roof was burning the effort to prevent the fire further spreading was successful, and thus with the exception of the roof the electrical engine house and apparatus was saved. This was a distinct advantage, for had it not been so it is probable that there would have been some delay in working the colliery which has been busy for some time. The fire was got under and soon extinguished, and the firemen returned home at about eight o’clock having rendered excellent service. Mr.T.A.Hawkins, the proprietor, was soon on the scene, as were Mr.F.W.Hawkins, Mr.Fairley, and other officials. Considerable damage was done and many lamps were destroyed so that the pit was “off” on Thursday. However, it was expected that a supply of lamps would be forthcoming yesterday (Friday) and the loss of time would not be great. It is the first time that the firemen have turned out since they had their uniform and since the engine house was built and generously handed over by the owner of the property at whose pit the firemen were engaged in extinguishing the flames.

20/3/1909 CHESLYN HAY CHAT
Mr.Whitehead and his men have made a good job of what was a nasty corner opposite High House Farm. For years a stump of a tree lay there and the fence was so high that none could see the drivers approaching, and more than one narrow escape has been effected. Now, however, the root of the tree is removed and the road widened so that it is a dangerous corner o longer. The public of the district can hardly complain of inattention from the Rural District Council and work is carried out in a substantial manner.

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