Article - 'Infidel teaching' of Darwinism in schools (Fishlake)

Originally published in the Manchester Guardian on 14 March 1908

At the West Riding Assizes yesterday, before Mr Justice Channell, Miss Winifred Marie Gould, the head mistress of the Fishlake Endowed School, near Doncaster, brought an action to recover damages from the Rev. Eliezer Flecker, the vicar, for libel and slander. Mr Tindal Atkinson, K.C., and Mr A.P. Longstaffe appeared for the plaintiff, whilst the defendant conducted his own case.

Counsel stated that the general charge was that the plaintiff, as head mistress, imparted infidel teaching to the children, telling them there was no God or Jesus Christ and that man was evolved from the lower forms of life. There were some sixty boys and girls in the school, which was regulated under a scheme of the Charity Commissioners and carried on upon undenominational lines. The defendant was, ex-officio, a trustee of the school.

On Sunday, February 24, last year the plaintiff's attention was called to a notice convening a parish meeting to consider alleged infidel teaching at the Fishlake School. Miss Gould went, but on the advice of friends took no part in the proceedings. The Vicar, who was in the chair, quoted a statement by one of the pupils, who declared that Miss Gould told him that "an insect became a fish, a fish became a monkey, and a monkey became a man and lost its tail." (Laughter.) Others said that Miss Gould taught them there was no Jesus Christ. Miss Gould denied these allegations.

The result of the meeting was that the County Council were called to hold an inquiry into the matter. 

Accordingly an inquiry was held by a committee appointed by the County Council, the defendant conducting the case against Miss Gould. This committee held there had been no infidel teaching, though possibly the teaching of evolution was too advanced for the children. Miss Gould was completely exonerated, but the defendant was not satisfied, and took an opportunity of referring to the matter from the pulpit, and sent letters to two Doncaster newspapers referring to "the injury done to the poor children of Fishlake."

After evidence had been given by several children from the Fishlake School, Mr George Dunstan, a county councillor, said that if he had thought that Miss Gould had taught that there was no God she would not have got his vote. He had visited the school and attended the Scripture lessons, with which he had been perfectly satisfied.

The Rev. E. Flecker, vicar of Fishlake, the defendant on his own behalf, said that the plaintiff used to attend the church choir, but tired, and afterwards attended neither church nor chapel. This, however, did not cause any unpleasantness or friction between them. Some of the villagers were distressed by the teaching in question, whilst others jested over it, saying to each other, "Where's your tail?" He thought it was his duty to take up the matter. The plaintiff had suffered no loss through the steps taken, and she still retained her position. A quiet talk with her would not have satisfied the people, and he regarded a meeting as necessary.

In answer to a question defendant, after some hesitation, admitted that he looked upon the teaching of the Darwinian theory as infidel teaching.

The jury found for the plaintiff for 40s.

From: http://www.guardian.co.uk/theguardian/2012/mar/14/archive-1908-teaching-darwinism-in-schools

 

Event - Be inspired by churches (Doncaster)

More than 20 Doncaster parish churches will be throwing open their doors to the public this weekend to inspire more people to explore their heritage.


From Adwick-upon-Dearne in the west of the borough to Thorne in the east, churches will be putting on exhibitions or special events to attract people inside on Saturday and Sunday.

Old church registers will be on display at St Peter and St Paul, Barnby Dun; strawberries and cream will be served at St Cuthbert, Fishlake; there will be a celebration of marriage at Holy Trinity and St Oswald, Finningley; and the true story of England’s bloodiest battle will be old by the Townton Battlefield Society at St Oswald’s, Kirk Sandall.

For more details log on to www.heritageinspired.org.uk or call 0845 6529634.

From: http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/local/be_inspired_by_churches_1_3476182

Article - Vermuyden in Perspective - Part 7: Failings in the Drainage System

LOOKING at Axholme’s necessary and elaborate system of waterways with two major pumping stations at Keadby and West Stockwith, aided by a score of minor ones, we can well appreciate the difficult task Vermuyden faced in trying to reclaim a vast acreage of flooded and boggy areas.

Not surprisingly, the failings of his efforts became apparent only months after its completion, and clearly revealed that there had been serious faults in its planning, calculations and execution. Whether really serious research into the conditions of the terrain across the whole area had been made we do not know.

The newly cut River Torne was far too narrow and shallow to make for an effective channel.

This defect prevented the Central Axholme commoners from enjoying any benefit, and moreover, they were even worse off, because, as the new Torne had been cut through higher ground, land which had previously stayed dry was now often flooded.

A similar defect in South Yorkshire saw floods which ruined barns, granaries, stackyards, and private houses, in the Snaith, Fishlake and Sykehouse areas.

Vermuyden attracted huge local antipathy and hatred, at one stage being described as ‘a monster of a man whose natural qualities no one English epithet can answer!’

In Axholme he had rudely disturbed immemorial rights effective in the interests of the poor.

The decision of Charles l to allow Vermuyden to proceed was precipitate and this absolute monarch ignored long-standing and ancient statute.

A Court ruled in favour of the Hatfield Commoners as early as 1630, and Vermuyden was made to restore 4035 acres to these complainants.

In the Epworth Manor many protestors tried to change things by violence - a business that would persist right up into the 18th Century.

They fought numerous Court cases in seeking justice as the Isleonians firmly believed that neither King or Vermuyden had any claim on the common land. They agreed that the Dutch did have legal right to drain Hatfield Chace but not the Manors of Finningley, Misterton, and Axholme.

In the Epworth area land taken for reclamation meant its stock farmers lost valuable meadow land and winter fodder.

The drainage work left them with unwanted summer flooding and in addition a lot of fishing and fowling was lost.

From: http://www.epworthbells.co.uk/community/nostalgia/vermuyden_in_perspective_part_7_failings_in_the_drainage_system_1_3420813

Book - Fishlake - The Story of a South Yorkshire Village - the first 2000 years

From a population of around 1600 during the Middle Ages to one of around 634 in the 2000s, Fishlake is a pleasant country village with a picturesque church just a short drive from Doncaster. It may be small in size but, thankfully, there are people interested enough to record the history of such places.

So it was that “Fishlake - The Story of a South Yorkshire Village - the first 2000 years” was produced. Having spent time reading through it you certainly have to admire the dedication of the author, George Wade, for his diligence in producing such a document. Just where did he find so much information about this quiet country location?

Almost 120 pages of fascinating facts and lots of pictures give the reader a wonderful insight into the place and its inhabitants. A First World War memorial registers the names of the 11 local men killed during the conflict along with the single soldier lost in 1939 to 1945 war.

Fishlake was a long way from the terrors of the Second World War but it was brought home to residents one Friday night in November 1940 when a German bomber returning home from a raid on Sheffield jettisoned three bombs near Weathercock Farm thankfully causing no damage but leaving three craters to remind everyone just what was happening around them.

Lighter news items include the report of a three foot six inch long unidentifed snake which was killed on Mr. Hodgson’s farm and the fact that ‘children used to scour the fields and lanes for the silver strips dropped by British planes to confuse German aircraft then compete with each other to see who could make the biggest shiny ball. The same kids would also pester butcher Charlie Knowles for the pig’s bladder after the animal had been dispatched to feed the village. They dried and inflated it and used it to play football.

Other aspects of war included reports in local papers that German prisoners of war interned at Doncaster Racecourse made 100 toys for local children. Italian prisoners were also a common sight working on local farms and clearing river banks. It was noted that they seemed to be pleased they weren’t part of the battle any longer, according to the opinion of the locals.

Lots of farming tales too, then momentous news in 1956 when everyone welcomed the introduction of piped water which meant flushing toilets and bathrooms, no more rain water butts and wells!

Street lighting arrived during the sixties but the villagers were divided in their thoughts on this move forward.

Floods, drains and all aspects of life is in this account.

One particular item brings a smile; in April 1964 the burglar-proof parish strong room with fourteen inch thick walls and a heavy steel door was invaded by mice! The pesky critters ignored the barriers and over-ran the place, threatening to destroy stored priceless documents including parish records dating back to 1600. 

Ex-parish council clerk Thomas Silvester gained permission to “mouse proof” the room at his own expense - how he carried out this task is not made clear!

Whether you actually live in this small village or not, you have to wonder just where all these facts came from, when you bear in mind that this is the Second Edition of the book!

From: http://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/community/nostalgia/strange_goings_on_in_quiet_little_country_village_1_3045616