Saturday 27th of April 2024
Saturday 27th of April 2024
Dear kegworthvillage.com
Please find below a link to my Family tree project
You can find family Trees for the following Kegworth Families.
Crane (1660/K1700) / Kelham (1660/K1740) / Wilders (1746/K1835) / Dunmore (1690/K1897) / Hassell (1760/K1880) & Stevens (1840/K1942).
The first four numbers are the date at which each family starts and those after the slash & K are when they first came to Kegworth.
I am descended from all these families as follows:-
Kelham m. Crane / Kelham m. Wilders / Hassell m. Kelham / Hassell m. Dunmore / Stevens m. Hassell.
All of these can be found on the site in the Phil Stevens Family Tree Project. There are a lot more than Kegworth families on there.
The descendants of Michael Hardy, to whom I am not connected, can also be found on this site in a separate file.
Phil Stevens Family tree web site.
Cheers
Phil
kegworthvillage.com replies
Thanks for that Phil, This will be a great aid for a lot of Kegworth folk. We have also put in a link from our 'Villagers Pages' .
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Dear KegworthVillage.com
Since you invite it, I'm taking the opportunity to write about our family history and local history interests in Kegworth over the centuries. I'd like to hear from anyone with common interests and I'd be glad to share research.
First let me say that your web site is very good, the museum is excellent and their book on Kegworth is very nice. Thanks to everyone for showing me what an interesting place Kegworth is.
My SIMPSON family has lived at Kingston on Soar from 1775 to 2000 with a break for some of the 20thC. So Kegworth must have been an important place for them for the market, entertainment and spouses - it must have been much freer and easier than the estate village that Kingston was.
Recent Years:-
My father, the late Jim Simpson was a keen bell ringer and rang at St. Andrew's. I think they had the odd half in The Lantern after "the exercise".
1930s: NEALE
My father used to visit George Henry NEALE's house, Whiteholme on Ashby Road. GH had a sock knitting factory on Sideley and I believe he donated land for the bowling club. Dad's grandfather was Amos HOGG who had a lace factory in New Sawley and we think GH financed it. While Amos and GH discussed business, GH's chauffeur showed Dad the Rolls Royce car. I don't know if the factory only made black socks but my grandfather had a huge collection, all black, from there. There were family connections too: GH married Margaret CATER in 1893. She was Amos's cousin and they all came from Loscoe, Derbys.
About 1930 Ben Osbourne married a woman called WALLIS who was born in Kegworth.
Amos's sons later swapped the lace factory for Kastone, making concrete slabs on the Leics side of Sawley Bridges.
19th Century: WALLIS
Amos HOGG married Mary Ann WALLIS in 1888. Mary Ann was born in Kegworth about 1869, father James. We've got her Bible inscribed "Kegworth Church Sunday School Xmas 1884". I think she was with her mother Ann (widow) and sister Sarah Jane at William MELLORS' house on London Road in the 1881 census. At Thomas WAKEFIELD's next door, there were more WALLISs. I think there may be a connection with the WALLIS who built a house on Whatton Lane with a knitting workshop upstairs (I found this in a copy of Cogwords) - he had a daughter Mrs. MELLORS.
But I cannot find any trace of Mary Anne WALLIS's baptism or birth registration. I can find a Martha Ann WALLIS born 1865 with parents James (brewer's labourer) and Ann. Ann was probably born in Gotham as Ann WALL. I'd very much like to find Mary Ann's birth/ baptism and also about James. It's possible they were originally chapel people, although Mary Ann later went to Church Sunday School. So Mary Ann might not have been baptised young or she might not have been born a WALLIS.
I have found a few other people researching WALLIS in different periods.
19th Century: LOCKTON
Eliza LOCKTON, born c1819 Kegworth married Thomas SIMPSON in 1841 at St. Andrew's and they lived in Kingston. There were connections up to the end of the century. Eliza's father was William who had married Mary NOBLE at St. Andrew's. I don't know where they came from.
Other families:
Samuel SIMPSON of Kingston married Ann JAQUES in 1799 at Normanton on Soar. There were also JAQUES families at Sutton Bonington and people from all these villages must have looked to Kegworth for fun and as a centre for knitting.
The oldest SIMPSON at Kingston was John with wife Catharine - I don't know who she was or where they were married. She might have been Catharine FALCONBRIDGE and he might have been a framework knitter. (stockinger).
They were in Kingston before the Strutts (Lords Belper) and I suspect it was different then. The Belpers must have had some effect on Kegworth with their hall, gypsum mine, Kegworth Station (in Kingston parish) and the old gas works (on Mill Lane - ed) which a Lord Belper had a hand in (I don't think they have changed some of the pipes from Kegworth to Kingston yet).
Other interests in the area include canal people of course - can I give a plug for Shardlow Heritage at http://homepages.which.net/~shardlow.heritage/index.htm with their fine museum.
I'd be glad to hear from anyone who can correct or enlighten me.
Regards,
Trevor Simpson
Liz Anthony writes
Hello!
I have just noticed you are connected to WALLIS.
I am looking for info re. a Jacob CROOKS who m. Elizabeth WALLIS in 1793 at Kegworth. Jacob and Elizabeth had a son William christened 1794 Kegworth and a daughter, Rebecca christened 1800 Kegworth.
William married Hannah HAWLEY at Horsley, Derbys in 1816. There was a Jacob and Elizabeth in Horsley. I think Elizabeth was nee WILLSON, (second wife or different Jacob?)
Best Regards
Elizabeth Anthony
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Dear KegworthVillage.com
Hi Kegworth, and what a great new web site.
The Leicestershire Berrington family originated in Hathern and my part of it came to Kegworth from Shepshed. Jennings Berrington married Elizabeth Sutton in Kegworth Church on 2nd December 1671 before going back home to Shepshed. His descendent John Berrington's children were all born in Kegworth between 1760 and 1771.
About 1789, his brother William Berrington and his family left Shepshed to settle in Kegworth. William had married Catherine Twells in Kegworth in 1772 and it is thought that they came back to Kegworth, following the death of her father Joseph Twells in November 1786, to become involved in Joseph's wheelwright business.
In the 1841 census, William Berrington & Catherine Twells' son William who was a wheelwright, was living on Packington Hill with his second wife Ann, his first, Elizabeth Woolley, having died in 1837. His two unmarried sons, Joseph who was a boatwright and Robert who was also a wheelwright, were also living on Packington Hill. In 1851, Ann was working for William & Mary Deakin, grocers and beer sellers at the Fox & Hounds on Packington Hill.
William & Catherine's son Joseph was living at 50 London Road with his wife Elizabeth Pegg. Guess what? you got it, he was a wheelwright as well and not only that, their eldest son Joseph had moved to Long Whatton with his wife Sarah Hallam where he was in business as a wheelwright. By 1851, Joseph senior was dead and his widow Elizabeth was living at 48 High Street, (next door but one to the museum?), with her son Benjamin who was a wheelwright. Her son George and his wife Sarah Gaskin had moved into the old family home at 50 London Road, and yes he was a wheelwright!
My claim to fame is that I and the North Staffordshire branch of the Leicestershire Berringtons are descended from William & Catherine's son Robert who, at least was not, as far as I know, a wheelwright! He was born in Kegworth in 1795 and next turned up as landlord of Wheat Sheaf in Long Row Nottingham.
Can anyone help with information on the Berrington wheelwright business and their homes. Where did William Berrington 1st live? What did Robert Berrington do before he left for the bright lights of Nottingham? Perhaps he was involved in beer selling in Kegworth which would account for his career as an owner of Inns. Any information anyone has on the Berrington family and their relatives would be appreciated.
I've just noticed that number 10 London Road Kegworth was a wheelwright's premises. Berringtons were wheelwrights in London Road well before the 1841 census and I have a note that they were still there in 1851. The reference I have to number 50 was given to me from the 1851 census but may be a misreading. I do not have a copy of the 1851c and there does not appear to be a number 50 in London Road today. There was another Berrington involved in the Kegworth business in the early 1800s, John Berrington who was a sawyer.
Could anybody please confirm if number 10 is still there?
Cheers and thanks
Brian Berrington.
kegworthvillage.com replies
Yes, No 10 does still exist!. It's immediately to the right of the garage on London Road and stands at a right angle to the main road. There are various mentions of Berringtons on this website which can be found by using the search engine on the main index page.
From Carl Berrington
My great great grand father was I believe "in to" wheels. His name was Nathaniel Berrington and he lived on Forest Street, Shepshed.
From Brian Berrington
There are now very comrehensive data bases available on the Berringtons of Leicester, Notts, Derbys and N Staffs. They cover births, marriage, deaths and family relationships from 1550 to the present time and census details from 1841 to 1901. If Carl or anyone else interested in the family would like to contact me by email with their details, I'll be happy to try to help.
Brian Berrington
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What a great site you have which is a great tribute to your comunity.
I particulary likeGeoff Sewell's 'KEGWORTH AT WAR 1939-1945' which is very informative.
For the last 13 years I have been researching the Spitfire Funds of Leicester but have never found any tangable evidence of funds from your area. So to see the reference for May 1941 for £25,000 being donated to the Spitfire Fund is of great interest.
The object of the fund was for your locality to set up a fund and if possible reach the target of £5,000 to present a Spitfire or Hurricane fighter aircraft to the RAF. This was at a time when the Battle of Britain was being fought and was a way for the people to show solidarity and to support the RAF. If the £5,000 was achieved it was sent to the Ministry of Aircraft Production (MAP) who then put the donors inscription on its fuselage.This title could be the area name or coat of arms etc. and two photos of the aircraft plus an inscribed plaque was presented to the fund organisers.
I wonder if you have found any information to the effect that Kegworth actually had a Spitfire named in its honour, as all the records I have seen have not shown one. Maybe it could have carried a title which, to the outsider, would not connect it to the village? Or possibly the money was just sent to the MAP general fund which would not have donated a particular aircraft.
I would be most grateful if you could provide any information as this is a important part of our local and national history and must not be forgotten as many brave young men risked their lives in these aircraft, indeed many paying the ultimate sacrifice in them to be forgotten.
Roy Nixon
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Dear kegworthvillage.com,
I was very impressed by the site.. very informative and well laid out.
I'm researching my family tree. My mother's maiden name was Mavis Chaplin, and she was born and raised part of a large family in Kegworth. She's now about 75 - born 1927. Her father was Jim Chaplin, mother Annie Hans. Sisters; Margaret, Jessie, Lilian, half-sister Carol; brothers Bob and Leonard. Some of my cousins may well still be living in the area.
I'd really like to find out more about Jim (who was a boilerman in an unknown industrial concern in Kegworth, and who died aged about 41 in the 1940's having taken a more sedate job as doorman at the Loughborough Odeon and Theatre Royal) or his forebears. But if there's any other connection I'd be happy to hear about it. By the way, I live in Bristol.
Best regards,
Andrew Coward
KegworthVillage.com replies
In a way, you've written at a good time. And in another, a very sad time.
A very prominent 'Chaplin', Albert, has just passed away. He seemed to be related to all the other Chaplins. The 'Father figure' if you like.
I know a Pat/Patricia Chaplin, married to Barry. (No children? (TBC))
Names in the local papers are on the attached cuttings which may be relatives.
This should be of interest.
Andrew replies
Many thanks Kim for your extraordinarily prompt response.
I'm getting the picture that the Chaplins have been part of the fabric of the village for several generations. Happily, I spotted Roy Chaplin's name on your genealogy page, and he seems to be something of a goldmine... though recent computer problems mean he's lost access (hopefully not permanently) to a lot of research he'd done on the Chaplin family tree - possibly back to the 1600s ! Frustrating !
Sorry to hear about Albert. I suspect he was a relative. I'll check with my Mum who might recall his name.
Many thanks again for your help. I can't stress enough how much this means to me, and indeed to my mother, who's elderly and ailing herself, but who has recently become vividly interested in re-discovering her family past.
Regards, Andrew.
Phil Stevens adds
Hi Andy
Kim has forwarded your letter onto me to see if I can help you with your Tree.
Firstly, I consulted my mum who still lives in Kegworth, I'm in Leeds. Altho' she's 80 she remembers your mother even tho' the Chaplins lived as she puts it "across the Mason Dixon Line" or in local parlance, Derby Road. This road cuts Kegworth in two, with the Top End to the west and bottom end to the east. She will be talking to her friend Hilda later this week about your family (if she remembers). Hilda is the same generation and lived in Borough St. Her grandparents kept the Cap & Stocking pub, a well known Kegworth pub which is still there.
There were two large Chaplin families in Kegworth, known as the 'Fat' Chaplins & the 'Thin' Chaplins. Both lived in Borough Street or the Lane as it is sometimes known. Your family were part of the 'Fat' Chaplins.
At home I have limited information but I can tell you the following from Kegworth Boys School Register.
1. Jim Chaplin admitted to the school, 01.10.1902, birth date 17.01.1895, lived London Road, father Henry, who was a roadman. Jim left the school on 8.2.1909 to go to the Midland Dairy Institute, which I believe is now part of Nottingham University School of Agriculture at Sutton Bonnington, about 2 miles from Kegworth. I suspect it might have been to work rather than study but I could be wrong.
2. Leonard Chaplin, his brother, started at Kegworth School, which was the at the bottom of Dragwell (the building is still standing), on 1.10.1904, he was born 26.3.1897. He left the school on 20.01.1911 with a school certificate.
3. Below is the extract from the 1881 census showing your great grandad Henry aged 2.
Dwelling: Borough Street
Census Place: Kegworth, Leicester, England
Source: FHL Film 1341809 PRO Ref RG11 Piece 3385 Folio 22 Page
19
Marr Age Sex Birthplace
William CHAPLIN M 31 M Kegworth, Leicester, England. Rel: Head. Occ: Frame Work Knitter
Sarah CHAPLIN M 30 F Kegworth, Leicester, England. Rel: Wife. Occ: Seamstress Hosiery
William CHAPLIN 4 M Kegworth, Leicester, England. Rel: Son.
Henry CHAPLIN 2 M Kegworth, Leicester, England. Rel: Son.
Thomas CHAPLIN 6 M Kegworth, Leicester, England. Rel: Son.
George COOK 14 M Kegworth, Leicester, England. Rel: Nephew. Occ: Farm Laborer
Just to help your mother place me, I am Marguerite Hassell's son, her sister Kath was about a year or so older than your mum. As kids they lived on Broad Hill.
I'm not sure if the Fats Cs and the Thin Cs are not one and the same family. George Chaplin is the "father" of the Thins, his youngest son Albert died last week and was buried on Monday in Kegworth. George could be a younger brother to Henry. I will have a look at the Museum for information to make this connection when I next visit on 7th July 2002.
That's about it for now.
Cheers
Phil Stevens
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Email Andrew CowardDear Kegworthvillage.com
What a wonderful site !
For the last few years I have been researching my family tree.
My grandfather William HUDSON was born at Kegworth in 1876. His parents were Thomas HUDSON b 1843 Kegworth and Elizabeth(Betsy) STEVENSON b 1847 Kegworth.
Thomas' parents were Thomas HUDSON b1808 Kegworth and Mary MARTIN (formerly MAPLETOFT) b 1798 Haceby, Lincs.
This Thomas' parents were John HUDSON b 1775 Kingston on Soar and Ann JAKES b1780 Sutton Bonnington.
My gt grandparents were married at the General Baptist Chapel in Kegworth but I have so far been unable to find any baptisms for my grandfather and his siblings.
I would be very interested if anyone has any info about this chapel.
John HUDSON seems to have moved from Kingston on Soar to Kegworth in the early 1800's.
My grandfather William came with his parents, siblings and some of the STEVENSONS to live in Hasland near Chesterfield, Derbyshire in 1894. I think that they came for the work in the colleries.
As you can see I have an interest in the names HUDSON, STEVENSON and also WALLIS in Kegworth.
I would love to hear from anyone who has any information regarding these families and I have got quite a bit info on them after they moved to Hasland which I would be willing to share.
Have you any info at all on your Thomas Hudson? Have you got his birth or marriage certificate?
I have some other 'Hudson' info which I have collected and may be able to help if you know any more about your family.
By the way there was another Thomas Hudson born to my gt gt grandparents on 17th June 1838 at Kegworth and who died 20th Feb 1839 whilst still a baby !
Best Wishes
Margaret Hartshorn
Dear kegworthvillage.com,
I have found your Village web site to be fascinating and it has proved quite a good help to me. My direct ancestors had strong connections with Kegworth. They were Baptists. They are the Jacques family.
In the Will of William Jacques my g.g.g.grandfather, married to Elizabeth Pratt (who with his son had quite a lot to do with the building and inauguration of Shepshed Baptist Church. They owned property in Kegworth which is mentioned. Williams son, another William, was Deacon and Recorder at Shepshed Baptist Church. They owned property in Kegworth.
Best wishes
Rita Howarth
kegworthvillage.com replies
Dear Rita,
Thanks for your email. If you are after particular info on your ancestors i.e. Jaques family. I suggest you contact Roy Chaplin who lives in Kegworth and may be able to help in your quest!! His email address is roydor@lineone.net . He actually wrote the articles for our website about the Baptist movement in Kegworth, and I would think that if you have a question...... he knows the answer!! Best of luck and thanks again for your kind note!!
Would you mind telling me where you are from? Town City Country etc.?
Rita replies
Dear Kim,
thank you for your kind e-mail. I am from Preston Brook, near to Runcorn In Cheshire.
My mother was Alice Jacques born in Liverpool, daughter of a John Benjamin Jacques born Liverpool. He was the son of Benjamin Jacques born Shepshed, the son of William Jacques and Elizabeth Pratt. William was born in Long Whatton, William was the son of John Jacques who married Ann Boot at Kegworth on th 29th January 1746.
I took my mother (who is now dead) for a weeks holiday and we toured around, Long Whatton, Kegworth and Diseworth, trying to see if we could trace any of the properties found in the copies of the Wills that I had.
We ended up in Shepshed and purely by luck, the Baptist Church was open and the Pastor's wife allowed us to enter and look at the two memorials inside the church to my mothers ancestors. We were then directed to the Richmond Arms, which had originally been the home of the Jacques. I shall never forget the look on my mothers face, as she touched the fireplace, knowing that her ancestors had touched the same place. All my family research had been worth it for that one moment in time. We met such kind and helpful people in those areas who passed us on to someone else who knew a bit about the history of the Jacques family and we were always made so very welcome.
We loved the country around Kegworth and Shepshed and cannot understand why the Jacques left there to go to a place like Liverpool, as it was in the 1830's. Sorry to have rambled on. I will contact Roy as you have suggested.
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Following an email Regarding Claremont House and asking for info.............. We have the following but are waiting for the opening email to be re-sent!
kegworthvillage.com replies
Sorry for the delay in relaying the info that I promised.
From what I can understand, your family sold the house to her family and it has remained the same except that some of the land (garden) has been sold. I further gather that the houses' garden did not go as far as the river.
Anyway, to cut a long story, the house has been put up for sale and below is a link to my own web space where I have assembled the details which I "pinched" from the sales agency. Bit of a 'Jackpot' really as you now have every detail you could wish for!!
If you have anything we could put on the website about your relation that lived there I would be most grateful.
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/kim.gayton-pollard/claremont.html
Aiden replies
Dear Kim,
I am grateful for the info. It's fascinating. how much is the house going for? I might possibly be interested.
Meanwhile, I will get back to you with material soon. Moving house today!
best,
Aidan Hartley
kegworthvillage.com replies
£375,000 or near offers
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Dear kegworthvillage.com,
I am Michael Papworth and live at 415 Flora Street, Carleton Place, Ontario, K7C 4T6, Canada.
Eh! What a wonderful Website for an old Kegworthian. I was born in The Rookery off High Street on the 28th November 1932, and then lived at 22 Mill Lane. I won't bore you with family history since there are probably locals who remember my family. I've lived in Canada since 1955 but have been back to Kegworth a few times since then. Of particular interest is that my family were Campanologists and in the Belfry of St Andrews, you can see my Dads Certification as a member of the Eastern Counties Association of Change ringers. Rev. S.H.Cartright was our Minister, some time after Canon Deveraux (I know his burial site because we had to pass it in the dark after going for Baxters Fish and Chips) Wrights also had a Fish and Chip shop at the same time on Borough Street. I'm not sure that you're interested in this trivia but if you are, I'd be happy to communicate further. Let me say again that this is a wonderful visiting site.
Michael Papworth
kegworthvillage.com replies
Lovely to hear from you......and yes please, more info, more memories. I have never heard of The Rookery yet I thought I knew most places. I presume this was a house name rather than a place name ...... Can you remember the precise location? Any trivia is good trivia!!
Michael replies
The Rookery was, you might say, an alley rather than a road between Pleasant Place and the school on High Street. I suspect that the Coach House is very close to the site but the houses have long since been torn down. Its amazing what details are in your history link. I was a participant in the fund raiser on Moore Avenue organised by Brenda Bassett and two of the Barker brothers. In fact Brendas mother Naomi was the driving force behind the effort. (The other Barker brothers name was Norman) . There was also mention of a death of one of the Evacuees and at the time, it was considered to be from the effects of a Rat bite. I would be quite happy to keep up a dialogue along these lines - especially since no long distance charges are involved. I still have two brothers in the UK. Peter and Raymond have just returned home after spending a late summer with us in the colonies. Brother Peter is coming back for Xmas and I expect you'll hear from him,. He went to New College in Oxford and will chew your ear off. Sorry for the rambling.
Cheerio.
Michael Papworth.
kegworthvillage.com replies
An old pal of yours, Jim Bagguley, has been in touch with us and remembers you well!!. Although he does not own a computer he has aked us to send you a lengthy email and photograph.
kegworthvillage.com replies again
We have yet another contact who has been given Michael's email address - As follows
I too used to live in The Rookery and remember Michael Papworth. If my memory serves me right, he had a brother Peter.,p> Vera Murphy (nee Gaze)
Reading Michael Papworth's recent correspondence re The Rookery, he is perfectly right, it was an alley right by the Coach House, which led up to a terrace of six houses standing somewhere in the region of the Thomas Court flats with long narrow gardens leading down to Pleasant Place. The rear of the houses backed onto the allotments and the school playground which, at the time I lived there was just newly built. Probably a lot of people will remember there was a glove factory in Pleasant Place owned by two sisters by the name of Roberts; the side of this factory ran alongside the gardens of the Rookery houses.
Vera Murphy
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Dear kegworthvillage.com,
We brought our daughter up to Sutton Bonington campus a couple of weeks ago and decided to look around the local village. We found it so interesting that I had to write and tell you so! Sometimes living so close to things means that you don't always notice what's around you - and yes I do realise that being a visitor is very different from living somewhere. Firstly we noticed the great variety of architecture - from many different periods and status of building. When we saw the Great House we were quite amazed - it's not often that such an impressive building survives apparently untouched by the 21st century. Is it still a private residence?
There were so many lovely reminders of the past that we are going to come and look again - perhaps this time we'll get to see the museum. Although we live in Bedfordshire my husband's family are from Ashby and Swad. - some were framework knitters , so we have great affection for the area and would love to move back. Is there a book that will tell us more about the village?
Best wishes,
Bev Robertson
kegworthvillage.com replies
Thanks for your kind letter.......
Re the book...... yes there is a book available, details can be found on the museum page via this link. It is a great book with lots of info although we have reproduced some of it on the village website.
There is an article about The Great House in the history section on the website.
Yes it is still a private residence.
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Dear kegworthvillage.com,
I stumbled across your page in the wee-wee hours and in particular the Pubs section caught my eye.
I originate from the area, but earlier this year moved to the north-west.
As a relative youngster (well 29 years of me), I was amazed to learn of the so-many different places which once existed in Keggorth! Even in my time as a legal-drinker, I have often thought the village was most excellently served with more than its fair-share of pubs- obviously 150 years or so ago it was quite a different picture.
My first recollection of the pubs in Kegworth come from the late 1970's and early 1980's when my mother worked as a barmaid at the White House (now of course The Otter) on the A6/London Rd for many years. Many misspent afternoons as a child were spent playing in the once vast beer gardens (and trying to avoid the river!). My mother worked for John and Angela Bachelor- 2 people very well-known in the licensed-trade locally. Sadly Mr. Bachelor, a native Londoner, passed away last year. At the time, the pub was very different to what it is today (which without being disrespectful, it is a chain-linked somewhat ordinary food pub in fantastic settings). Back then, it was popular with boating-people, businessmen, popstars and footballers alike! Friends of my mothers', Dennis and Rosemary (who used to own the shop which is now the council offices) had a barge moored nearby and would often organise days-out up to Trent Lock.
The food at the White-House was particularly memorable. In the evening, they would have special themed nights. The cook, Tina, a local girl would produce a variety of dishes included a rather unique Nigerian peppered chicken. The buffet at lunchtime, popular with businessmen, would virtually fill the front-bar with every salad and cooked meat concoction imaginable. The restaurant out the back would do a roaring trade. Food-wise, I believe it was unique- which is why I am slightly sad to see it catering for steaks, chips and such like these days!
When I became more of a venturing legal-drinking age, I found myself living in Hathern and often on a Wednesday night I would walk the 3 or so miles into Kegworth and back for a drink. I knew about 'The Fly', which was where I and my family would meet on reunions. I remember trying the Britannia and of course, the Cap n Stocking. The unique bass served straight from the jug is a must for my palate and it is hard not to be tempted by the many guest-ales. The Cap is a particularly nice place to drink in the summer and has an excellent beer-garden.
The Red Lion too offers a vast selection of ales for all tastes. I just love the maze of little separate lounges at the Red Lion.
My final memories are of the Oddfellows. Up until last year, I had never been in before. Just before I came north, I was living in Castle Donington for a short-while and with the pubs over there not quite being my cup-of-tea, I set off for Kegworth one night over Daleacre. I stumbled into the 'Oddies' and received such a warm welcome from the then landlord and regulars, it became my local for a little while. There were many wonderful nights Id be standing on Ashby Road waiting for the late bus to take me back to Castle Donington, as the walk back over Daleacre in darkness and with the handicap of a couple of pints is not something I would recommend. The Oddfellows since has changed hands and I must wish the new tenants good luck, they really seem keen to make a go of the place.
I will be in Leicestershire over the coming weekend visiting friends and family and I really do hope to sneak-off for a peaceful pint at one of my very favourite pubs. If I do return to the Midlands again and if money was no object, Id certainly choose the village of Kegworth to live in. It has a unique warmth, friendliness and you are guaranteed to never go thirsty!
Best of luck for the future
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MY great-grandfather, John Kirk was born in Kegworth, Leicestershire in 1847, the second of nine children born to Alfred Kirk and Mary Wilkins, who married in 1844. Alfred was a tinman and brazier, born in Loughborough in 1819.
John was educated in Kegworth and Castle Donington, and was a protégé of Peter Lilley, the curate at St. Andrew’s Church, and ended up living in Paignton, Devon, when Peter Lilley was transferred there a few years later.
From there John went to London, aged 16, and worked for a firm of publishers, the “Church of England Book-hawking Society”. From there, he became Superintendent of the Ann/Anne Street Ragged School, thus starting a lifelong association with the “Ragged School Union “. It was at this time that his brother George also went to London to qualify, and practice as a solicitor.
In 1872, John married Elizabeth Ayris and they had 7 children, the eldest son, Percy being my grandfather.
In 1907, John Kirk was knighted for his 40 years dedicated service to the Ragged School Union, having been General Secretary for 30 years in 1907.
Having been knighted, he visited Kegworth in the same year and was escorted from the railway station, in an open carriage, by the local band and schoolchildren. I have photographs of the occasion.
His youngest brother, Charles, stayed in Kegworth and for years ran a shop in the Dragwell. Charle’s son, also Charles, has his name on a plaque inside the porch of St Andrew’s church, being one who returned from the great War.
In 1911, Sir John and his wife visited Canada and Australia, seeking places to send poorer children to establish them in a better life, and during the visit to Australia, he became godfather to my father and aunt. The latter still lives in Perth, having just turned 91 in 2001. I have the newspaper accounts of his travels in Australia, and some of the speeches he made here in Western Australia. It seems he had a hand in the establishment of the Fairbridge Farm School south of Perth during that time.
I have records of his descendants down to a daughter of Charles, Winifred Kirk (1901-1936), who was a schoolteacher in the area in the 1920’s, and her siblings, and would love to get information about later generations. My parents went to a family wedding in Kegworth (1936) , but as they are both dead, I have no means of getting any details of the occasion.
From : Ian Kirk,
13 Bentley Street,
Stoneville,
Western Australia
E-mail : dryblower@bigpond.com
kegworthvillage.com replies
Dear Ian
Thanks for the info, I now know what some of our photographs are about and have enclosed copies with this email. (These can all be seen on the image gallery on this site). Your great grandfathers house stood on the site of the present day 'Flying Horse Public House' but was demolished in the late 1920's.
Ian replies
Greetings
Thanks for the fast display of my information - if I get any feedback, I will let you know.
I gave copies of my photos of Sir John to your Museum in 1994, when I visited Kegworth, and I believe there is still a building in central London, where his office was, containing a plaque bearing his name.
Regards
Ian Kirk
Ian replies
Hi, Kim
Just to let you know that yesterday (17th Jan 2003)I received an e-mail from a 4th (I think) cousin who read the information you published about Sir John Kirk. His grandfather was Sir John's brother-in-law and I think its great we have made contact.
Thanks for your help..
Hello, Kim
This is to let you know that if you cast your bread upon the waters...............
Thanks to the information you posted a few years ago, I have been contacted by a distant cousin of mine, John Ayris, who has given me much information about my great-grandmother, Elizabeth Ayris (the wife of Sir John Kirk) and her side of my family tree.
Also, due to an e-mail I sent to the Leicester Mercury in February this year, two ladies, Mrs Ryder and Mrs Wilders, have written to me with information about the Kirks in Kegworth. They were both came from Kegworth, and were taught by a cousin of mine in the 1920's. They have also given me a lot of valued information which has been recorded, plus a copy of the "Kegworth History " from your Museum, which is now going the rounds of my relatives.
Thanks for your assistance in my successful search !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Regards
Ian Kirk
Hi Kim
Another update for your excellent website.............
After some 18 months I thought I had extracted all information possible about my previous generations , but last week I received an e-mail from a 5th(?)-generation cousin, whose great-grandfather was a brother to Sir John Kirk, and who had accessed this website and made the connection.
The amazing thing is that he lives some 40 kilometres from me, here in Western Australia. We have made verbal contact and are to meet shortly.
Thank you for giving us the means to get together.
Regards
Ian Kirk
If you have any information, details or would like to add to this subject please click on the link below
Email Ian Kirkkegworthvillage.com enquires
Dear Linda,
I am making enquiries re Kegworth village school for the village website on behalf of 'Todd Davies' whom I believe you know and have recently spoken to......... Could you let me know the dates you were at Kegworth County Primary School?
It is our intention to have as many school photos as we can find - do you have any class photos (rather than whole school photos)?
Thanks!
Linda replies
Dear Kim,
Thank you for your letter. It's a pleasant surprise.
First, let me say that I think the Kegworthvillage.com web site is superb. When I was planning my trip back to the village earlier this year, I got all of the information I wanted and needed from the web site. The maps and photos also brought back some lovely memories for me and my parents before I even went.
Yes, I ran into Todd while I was in Kegworth, and he and I did talk about our old school days. I also visited the school and was surprised how little had changed!
I would actually like to get hold of some class photos. These, I believe, are archived at the Kegworth Museum (which was closed while I was there, unfortunately). Do you happen to know if the Museum has an e-mail address?
I attended Kegworth Village Primary School between 1963-1968. I do have some copies of individual school photos of me. And my parents have one or two that show a couple of us kids doing stuff in classrooms. These could perhaps be scanned and sent to you electronically, if you are interested. I don't have any photos of classroom groups.
Hope that helps.
Linda
Linda Warley, PhD
Associate Professor and Graduate Officer
Department of English Language and Literature
University of Waterloo
Waterloo, ON
N2L 3G1
Phone: (519) 888-4567, ex. 5379 or 3318
Fax: (519) 746-5788
Graduate studies in English: http://www.arts.uwaterloo.ca/ENGL/Graduate_Studies.html
kegworthvillage.com replies
Dear Linda,
Thanks for the note........ OK, Now I now what you and Todd need I'll get them for you and send them out ASAP. The Museum does have an email address
ian.gelsthorpe@ntlworld.com
I Have already asked for the Photo's so I'll be in touch
kegworthvillage.com writes Feb 2001
Hi Linda, Hope you are well. I haven't forgotten you!
I'm having a bit of difficulty with the Museum at present re Photographs. They are not very forthcoming at all. Is it possible to scan the photos you said you had of children in the classroom? Maybe that will 'get the ball rolling'!
Regards
Linda replies
Thank you for writing. I had actually begun to think that this wasn't going to be possible. The few photos we have are at my parents' home. I'll be visiting them within the next week or so, and they have a scanner. So yes, I can do that.
Thank you for your effort. I really appreciate it.
All the best,
Linda
If you have any information, details or would like to add to this subject please click on the link below (especially photographs!)
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Dear kegworthvillage.com,
Hello,
I'm researching the families of Joseph Smith, who married Mary Elizabeth Tebbutt c. 1830. A son Herbert Joseph Smith was born c.1838 in Kegworth.
Any information about this family would be greatly appreciated.
Joan - Australia.
kegworthvillage.com replies
Dear Joan
We have received the following information which looks like it is part of the answer to your enquiry.
Dear kegworthvillage.com,
Hi
The John Smith in the 1881 census entry below was in fact John TEBBUTT Smith and is probably the grandson of Joseph & Mary, although it is possible he could be a son. As you know the Cross Keys closed in 1929 when I believe John's widow Elizabeth and her son ran the pub.
Please ask Joan to email me and I will help further if I can.
Cheers
Phil Stevens
Dwelling: Sidely (Cross Keys Inn)
Census Place: Kegworth, Leicester, England
Source: FHL Film 1341809 PRO Ref RG11 Piece 3385 Folio 13 Page 2
Marr Age Sex Birthplace
John SMITH M 29 M Kegworth, Leicester, England
Rel: Head
Occ: Publican
Elizabeth SMITH M 28 F Kegworth, Leicester, England
Rel: Wife
Rose SMITH 1 F Kegworth, Leicester, England
Rel: Daur
Joseph SMITH 12 M Kegworth, Leicester, England
Rel: Nephew
Occ: Scholar
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Dear kegworthvillage.com,
Greetings from Greece, I would like to add to your excellent Kegworth web site, in particular the genealogy page.
My great-great grandfather WALTER HARDY was born in Kegworth c. 1831. In the 1881 census he is listed as living in Pinfold Street (it's not on your list of street names so maybe it doesn't exist anymore) with his wife ELIZABETH and son WALTER HARRISON HARDY (my great grandfather). I believe Elizabeth's maiden name to have been Harrison. Walter Junior ( aged 6 ) was a scholar in 1881 so would have attended the village school - is there any information about the school? Next time I visit England I fully intend to come to Kegworth and see where my ancestors lived. Merry Christmas to one and all! Kind regards, June Hardy Tsakas.
kegworthvillage.com replies
Dear June,
You've set me numerous tasks here so I'll have to get back to you. The school, I think, would have been, at that time, the grammar school at Harrison House (This can be found in the buildings section of the image gallery). The street name I haven't heard of before so I shall have to enquire. I'll have a look at the census to try and place it.
The history of Harrison house/grammar school is going to be my project over the next few weeks so stay tuned!
kegworthvillage.com replies
Dear June,
Further to my earlier reply, I have found out a little more information. There wasn't, as far as we can ascertain, an actual Pinfold Street but there were two places (Packington Hill & Sideley) where the carriageways were penned off when sheep were being driven through. For example, a gate was placed across the road at both the top and the bottom of Packington Hill to make a pen for the sheep for whatever reason. These were called 'penfolds' and the lady I spoke to (Brenda Moore), remembers that there was one each situated on the two sites mentioned. Her thoughts were that the Sideley site would be favourite (near somewhere called the dewpond) as she had heard of it being called 'the penfold street'. I shall get a conclusion to this when I look at the census, as each area was done in turn.
If I get a result, I shall be able to pin the site of his house exactly. If you have any further info you could tell me, it may help.
kegworthvillage.com replies
Dear June,
Jackpot!! We now have further information about your enquiry which seems to be better based than my earlier info!. Mr Stevens has done lots of research into the history of Kegworth and is a mine of information. Please see his letters below.
Dear kegworthvillage.com,
Hi
The reference the Pinfold Street is one that puzzled me too when I was researching the shops of the village. I came to the conclusion that it actually relates to that part of what is now Nottingham Road, between the Patels shop and the top of Mill Lane.
The 1881 census has several residents in Pinfold Street. In the middle of the Pinfold Street listing is Tinker Lane, which I think may be the footpath opposite Patels that leads down to Mill Lane. also, the Manor House is listed in the midst of the listings for Pinfold Street.
The school referred to will have been the old schools at the bottom of Dragwell and not the one formerly in Harrison House.
Please pass on my E-mail address to June, I will help with her research in any way that I can.
Cheers
Phil Stevens
Dear kegworthvillage.com,
Thank you so much for the information that you've supplied. I notice that Phil Stevens would like me to have his email address, could you please forward it to me? I think I have some other leads to follow, including someone who is mentioned on the war memorial. I am so looking forward to coming to Kegworth next summer.
Regards, June Hardy Tsakas
Dear kegworthvillage.com,
Have now confirmed location of Pinfold Street being as I thought, i.e. that bit of Nottingham Road between Mr & Mrs Patel's shop (Gayatri News) and the top of Mill Lane.
In the 1881 Census there is a wheelwright, William Kelham, in Pinfold St. This William Kelham was the brother of John Crane Kelham, the blacksmith of Dragwell. John Crane Kelham's forge was on the site of David Houseman's home.
John Crane Kelham left his business to his son, also William, who in turn left it to his step son, Tom Badger. I am in contact with Tom's daughter, Emily, and she confirmed to me today that William the wheelwright's premises were located "behind Mary Orme's shop". Old Kegworthians know that Mary Orme had a sweet shop in the last but one house in that block opposite the Patel's shop. There is an archway between "Mary's shop" and the last house. William Kelham had his premises in the yard through this archway.
William the wheelwright died in 1901 and his son Richard took over the business. Richard committed suicide in 1902 and the business was transferred to William the Dragwell blacksmith, son of John Crane Kelham.
The attached photo of Pinfold St. (See Image Gallery - Hassell's Shop) shows Patels shop in the left hand corner, then Hassells (my great great grandad). The thatched cottages across the road show the archway with what was to become Mary Orme's shop on the left and the harness shop of Williams. The Hassell busines was sold when my GG grandad died in 1912 and the Kelham business ceased in 1902, therefore the pic was probably taken 1903-1912.
Regards
Phil Stevens.
Dear kegworthvillage.com
What a great sight. Have just found out my gg grandfather John Hardy c1833 was born in Kegworth. Thought there might be a connection with June's Walter Hardy c1831?
In 1881 John and his wife Sarah (c1829 Kegworth) lived in Barroon, Castle Donnington.
Jill
Dorset UK
If you have any information, details or would like to add to this subject please click on the link belowDear kegworthvillage.com,
I'm, doing our family tree and I would like to know any world war 1 and pre world war 1 history of Kegworth.
My grandfather (Wilfred Worthington) was born in Kegworth in 1884 and lived there for many years with his family. His father was Joseph Worthington, his mother Ann, nee Dove, and his brothers were Silas and Joseph. (who was a butcher).
My grandfather came back from the war with medals for bravery etc. but, like most in those days he had to sell them because they were so poor.
I'm coming to Kegworth in the spring and I wondered if the Kegworth museum might have such info about Kegworth's soldiers etc. or does anyone know anything about the Worthington family of Kegworth, or any Worthingtons living in Kegworth, as I believe I may still have some relatives there.
Best wishes
kegworthvillage.com replies
Dear Carol,
We have put your letter on our genealogy correspondence page and hopefully we should get some replies that will help your enquiry.
Please reply to this email so that we know where you are from. We would like the info for the above page.
Dear kegworthvillage.com,
Great to hear from you and what a fantastic site!.
Re: My grandfather Wilfred Worthington (born in Kegworth 1884.)
He moved to Sheffield a while after he got married and so thats where most of his family live now including me.
If any one at all knows anything at all about the Worthingtons of Kegworth I would be extremely grateful to hear it .
My grand fathers brothers were Silas b 1880 and Joseph b 1882, there may have been more .
The father, Joseph, originally came from Stafford, and mother, Ann, came from Sutton in Ashfield, Nottinghamshire.
Does any one know who the boys were on the kegworth baptist church photograph? or the year?.
Best wishes
Carol Worthington
kegworthvillage.com replies
We have already received the following inormation about your enquiry. Not bad eh? Less than 24 hours for a result!.
Dear kegworthvillage.com,
Please forward the following to Carol Worthington.
Hi Carol
No doubt you have the 1881 Census record for Joseph & Ann (Annie) Worthington but I enclose it below just in case you haven't. I wonder how much you know about Ann Dove. I am curious because one of my lines touches the Dove family altho' I am not directly related. I have an outline family tree for the descendants of James Dove, b.1760 who is the precursor of the Kegworth Doves. However, I have no info on Ann.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Phil Stevens
Dwelling: 36 Goddard Street
Census Place: Caverswall, Stafford, England
Source: FHL Film 1341658 PRO Ref RG11 Piece 2746 Folio 80 Page 22
Marr Age Sex Birthplace
Joseph WORTHINGTON M 32 M Tunstall, Stafford, England
Rel: Head
Occ: Plaster Miller
Annie WORTHINGTON M 27 F Kegworth, Leicester, England
Rel: Wife
Hannah WORTHINGTON 5 F Kegworth, Leicester, England
Rel: Daur
Occ: Scholar
Rose WORTHINGTON 2 F Kegworth, Leicester, England
Rel: Daur
Silas WORTHINGTON 10 m M Longton, Stafford, England
Rel: Son
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Dear kegworthvillage.com
Well done. I think your village website is one of the best I have ever seen, keep up the good work.
I am hoping you might be able to help me to find out the history of one of your unique properties which has caught my eye. 55 High Street which looks to have been a farm house or similar but I would be really interested to know what it's role in the village was and indeed the history of the people who lived there. I do know the current owners but they have little knowledge of the properties history..
Thank you
David Bruce
kegworthvillage.com replies
Thanks for your email......... but, you could have picked an easier property!
The property was built in 1789 (there is a date brick somewhere on the property).
All I can find so far is that in 1884 it was, or seems to be from available maps, two properties. Either that or it had a very peculiar layout. Looking at the building from the front, the building was split in two. The right hand side included the 'outbuildings' at the rear. There was also an area of garden, a square, that looks as if it wasn't part of either property. This was in the far left hand corner as you look up the drive. There also seems to have been a wall or divide down the middle of what is now the garden, running front to back. A previous owner said that the property was 'flats' at one time, so the theory seems to fit.
The garden looks as if it ends at the end of the property. The garden actually went for quite a distance - nearly to Whatton Road. This was made up of two pieces of .232 and .318 acres not including the house and immediate garden area. By 1900, most of the garden walls had disappeared. 1921 plans show that all the walls had gone and about 25 foot of garden had been partitioned off to make it what it is today. Next door, (down the High street) was an old stable, which has since been demolished. There was a small archway between No 55 and the old stable. The stable was used to house hunting dogs which were owned by the huntsman who owned No 55. The tiny house next to that ('Dug n Dot's) was where the whippers in etc. used to live.
I am putting a photo of the immediate area on the web site (Aerial Views - Handkerchief) which will show you how it was in the 20's.
David replies
Thank you very much for your efforts I really appreciate it. I look forward to finding out about the Huntsman and if I can be of help please let me know.
Kind Regards
Dear kegworthvillage.com
I was recently browsing Kegworthvillage.com and came across a query on the genealogy page about 55 High St. That's the house in which I was born in 1958--delivered in my parents' bed by Nurse Mills. It was Mr. Stafford's farm then, and my brother Stephan and I spent many a happy hour playing with the chickens in the yard and the donkey that Mr. Stafford kept in the field. The house was, indeed, divided into flats; my parents lived on the second floor, and I believe that Mr. Stafford lived downstairs. I was four years old when we moved to 88 Sideley, so I don't really remember much about living on High St., but I do have some lovely photographs of my early years at Stafford's house. I am so pleased that it still stands, and still looks grand.
Your web site just keeps getting better and better.
All the best,.
Linda.
Linda Warley, PhD.
Associate Professor and Graduate Officer.
Department of English Language and Literature.
University of Waterloo.
Waterloo, ON.
N2L 3G1.
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Just browsed your site looking for the photo of my Great Uncle Tom Newsome's 100th birthday picture. I was very excited to see it as my sister June Chaplin & my Uncle Reg Newsome and a couple of other faces I recognize were in the background. Thank-you so much for adding it to your website.
I was living in Kegworth with my sister in 1973/74 when I came over from Canada for an extended holiday. I was 16 at the time & have wonderful memories of your village. I will be back in England for a holiday in Jan. 2004. I will be sure to come back to Kegworth.
Thanks again.... Isabel Sackett
Dear Kegworth Village,
I am turning to you for any help you could possibly give me as I am totally confused by what I have found. I've been trying to trace my Great-Great Grandfathers relations who came from Kegworth, but as of yet had no 100% joy, you see my G-G-Grandfather was called Thomas Hudson who was born in Kegworth about 1842 & moved to Long Eaton. Here he married had children & as far as we know died here as well, simple so far ! The trouble is when I have tried to trace him back to your village I have come across no less than four other Thomas Hudson's No. 1 born 1841 & married to Mary Elizabeth ? born 1845 in Kegworth, No 2 My G-G-Grandfather born 1842 ish & married a Elizabeth Smith. No. 3 born 1843 & married to an Elizabeth Stevenson born 1847 Kegworth & No.4 Thomas Hudson born 1844 Kegworth married to a Elizabeth Smith born 1847, As you can see it's driving me crazy, surely there can't have been so many men from one small village with the same name all born within 4 years of each other? Plus the 1st 3rd & 4th Thomas Hudson's all had a father also called Thomas Hudson!!!!!!!! & all from Kegworth, what's been going on in that quite little village in the 1800's? So I was hoping if you have anyone you know of who might help me or anyone who might know what's going on here, Iook forward to your reply.
yours Totally confused davebradbery@msn.com
You can use this link to email Margaret Hartshorn, the writer of the letter way down the page (Hudson, Stevenson & Wallis).My dad was a Kegworth man, he was the brother of Albert Chaplin who I was saw mentioned on your site. My father died when we were young and our gran died about 6 months later so we lost touch with the Chaplin side of the family.
My dad's name was Harold, but was known as Dick during the war, he was a prisoner in the far east.
My parent's married in 1947 and lived in Shepshed.
We used to love coming to our gran's house where she lived with uncle Raymond, especially at the carnival time, all the family would get together for tea and then go to the fair.
They were happy carefree days.
I would like you to print my letter, it would be nice to get in touch with the family again.
I live in Canada now but my brother and sister are still over there.
Thankyou
Shirley Ilderton nee Chaplin
If you have any information, details or would like to add to this subject please click on the link belowDear kegworthvillage.com,
What a wonderful website.........thank-you for all your hard work.
I am writing a detailed history of the Pepper Family. The Pepper families that lived in Kegworth in the 1800's were ALL related to me. Are there any of the Pepper family still residing in Kegworth? Do you know your family history back to the early 1700's?
I am also looking for old photographs of family members, please check your old family albums, attic and spare rooms.
Thank-you,
Gillian Pepper-Mead
My line of the Pepper Family moved to Canada in 1967.
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Dear Kegworthvillage.com
I am researching my family tree and have just discovered that a great aunt was married to a Mellors from Kegworth. I have also discovered that there are rather a lot of Mellors in Kegworth so . . . Would anybody be able to enlighten me as to who Ivy Lilian Mellors (nee Lewin) born c 1904 , died 1996, was married to? She was the sister of my paternal Grandfather, but that's the only information I have at the moment. If somebody could point me in the right direction it would save me lots of searching - and I might find a relative or two!
Many thanks
Tina Lewin
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Dear Kegworth.com
Thank you for providing such an interesting insight into your village. It seems to be a friendly and welcoming town with lots going on.
My reason for looking at the site was to find out a little more about the area from which my family came. I was pleasantly surprised to find so many pictures of the village especially of the street in which my Gt.Grandfather lived. The 1881 census shows him (Thomas Wade) to be living there with his two sons. By then he was a widower and his older son Amos was my grandfather.
Amos was then 16 years old and was serving as a braziers apprentice. His trade led him to become a plumber and he moved to London sometime prior to the next census (1901). He seems to have been something of an entrepreneur as my father told me that his father had run one of East London's first moving picture shows - hiring an empty shop and borrowing all his family's and friends chairs to provide the seating!
His brother Rowland I know nothing of. He was 14 in 1881 and worked as a page-boy - it would be interesting to know where in the village he might have been employed.
The 1881 census describes Thomas as a "Miller and Baker". Would this work have taken place on the premises in Borough St? Or perhaps he was employed elsewhere?
In 1901 his occupation is listed as "Grocer & Draper". Did he work from home or possibly a shop somewhere?
It would be fascinating to discover anything at all about this as, until a few weeks ago, I didn't even know that my family had links with your area.
It seems that Thomas was born in Shepshed in 1829 and had some association with Kegworth (Amos being born there) and spending the remainder of his life (as far as I can tell) in Borough St. a few doors along the road from the Cap & Stocking. (At that time the landlord was a Mr. Toon.)
I was puzzled by the many references to "Frame Knitters" as occupations of the residents in neighbouring houses until your website revealed all!
I can also deduce the derivation of the pub name especially as most of the 'locals' were in the knitting industry.
Another thing that struck me was the number of houses listed as 'unoccupied'. If my memory serves me correctly there were about 5 empty properties out of around 22, that's about one house in five being empty.
There must have been some reason for this. Any ideas?
Thanks again for the insight into the past, and hopefully, for any information you may be able to pass on to me.
Best wishes,
Rik Wade. Braintree, Essex.
Dear Kim,
What a terrific site you do have!
Wandering through the electronic byways of Kegworthvillage.com I happened to stop off at the Derby Road Methodist Church and to my great surprise I "bumped into" my Great Grandparents and their little bundle of joy, my Grandpapa!
It seems that he, Amos Richard, was the first child to be baptised there after the re-build in 1864.
What a discovery! I now know that his mother's name was Frances - something I'd no idea of previously. I'm absolutely delighted.
If whoever put the site together needs a reference mention me ..... it wouldn't be a glowing reference - it would be incandescent!
Wonderful work - keep it up.
Many regards,
Rik Wade.
Email Rik WadeLove the website - I have learnt so much about Kegworth and it's really exciting to see where my ancestors used to live.
My ancestors are Henry Chaplin who was married to Mary Mays and lived in London Road Kegworth. I know they had a least 4 children, Rosemary born 1928, Twins - June Mary and William Henry born 1930 and Douglas born 1931. I have a later address for Mary Chaplin (I believe Henry had died by then) which is 40 Mill Lane, Kegworth.
Any info you can give me will be very much appreciated. I am hoping to come and visit Kegworth next year to really explore the village and my family history. Do you know where the parish registers are kept now?
I used to live in Burton-upon-Trent (I got married there and my first daughter was born there too!) and can't believe how close I used to live to my ancestors!!
Jennifer Thompson
a-ha.tomski@tesco.net
My great - grandfather was Thomas Bond landlord of the Red Lion 1893 to 1912. My Grandmother often told me of the time she lived at the pub. My memories of Kegworth was to visit my uncle Frank Bond and his sister Nellie, I think her surname was Veasey. I do know she played the piano in the New Inn as I was aloud to wait till closing time while she played. I was only about ten at the time, I am now sixty-six. The other thing that sticks in my mind on these visits was watching frenchpolisher at work his workplace was very close to were my relatives lived on Boroughwell. When I looked on your site again I found the 1935 map which reminded me straight away were my aunt & uncle lived. I can remember getting off the bus on Derby Road and crossing the footpath across the field, this led right their house, it was one of about four cottage type properties that seemed quite old. There was some council type houses at the side which I dont think show on the 1935 map. The map also shows me the route we took to the New Inn, which was by the footpath that ran by the side, I also think I was told this was the carnival site , or it was very close by. The french polisher could also have been a cabinet maker. It was very close to my aunties house, it was in a very large wooden outbuilding.
John Tucker, 48 Alderway, Shirebrook, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire
john@johntucker78.wanadoo.co.uk
Re:- Kegworth, Doves, For Phil Stevens. My 4 x gt grandfather was James Dove, he married Eleanor Skidmore and their daughter Elizabeth married my 3 x gt grandfather Joseph Jackson in Castle Donington in 1829.
If anyone knows anything about the Doves or the Jackson family pre - Joseph, I would love to hear from them.
Karen Foster karenfoster@fsmail.net
Congratulations on a super web site.
I have compiled a Family Tree and find that generations of North's were born and died in Kegworth or Long Whatton.
My Great Grandfather was born into a Framework Knitting Family in Kegworth in 1854 but moved to Allestree Nr Derby in the 1870s.
His brother Charles North was a Brewers labourer living in Plumber Lane, Hight St, Kegworth (1881 census) and in the 1901 census he is a Bricklayers labourer living in Mount Pleasant, Ashby Road, Kegworth.
His youngest Son, Samual Hutchinson North died in 1915 whilst serving in the Army and is buried in the Baptist Chapel Yard, Kegworth. (Commonwealth War Grave). I know that the Norths were large Families and I would be interested to know if any of their decendants are still living in the area or if anyone can remember them.
Many Thanks and a Happy New Year. Mike North, Ryde, Isle of Wight.
mnorth2@btopenworld.com
Dear People of Kegworth Village.
Thank you so much for having made this wonderful site on the web!
I only discovered it last night whilst tracing family roots. Wonderful success when I came across Ian Kirk's letter from Australia.
You see, daft as this might sound, but I am Sir John Kirk's Grand-daughter!!
I am the daughter of his youngest child, Eric George Kirk. I was able to email Ian and he has since replied already!
My Mother is delighted and says she will be writing to Ian very soon after she has read the computer printouts which I am sending to her.
So thank you guys for having this brilliant site!! One day I hope to come up and visit.
Yours faithfully, Ailsa Margaret Elizabeth Collyer (nee Kirk)
ftt_ltd_cheshire@hotmail.com
Dear Kim,
Hope all going well with you!
Here's some more news I thought I'd pass on, as it may help others to locate ancestors.
Was trolling through the geneology messages on your fab site, as you do. Remember Canada calling! from Gillian Meade-Pepper?
Ian Kirk had sent me our family tree and on it, my Great Aunt Mary married a George Pepper.
Believe it or not, I received a reply from Gillian next day. George Pepper, born 1822 at Long Whatton, Leics., is the younger brother of Thomas Pepper, Gillian's Great great great great grandfather!! Which makes us related through marriage!!
George Pepper married Mary Kirk on Dec 3rd 1845, and had four children.
That's all the news I have so far.
So once again my grateful thanks for your ingenious web-site!
Kind regards,
Ailsa Collyer ( nee Kirk)
Hello there! Thanks so much for your wonderful site on Kegworth. I have learnt a lot about it from the great info! I just thought I'd drop you a line as I have Family Tree connections with your village I descend from Richard CALVERLEY who was born about 1799 in Kegworth and his son Thomas who married Elizabeth CLARKE. They had 10 children, all of whom were born at Kegworth. I would love to hear from anyone who shares the same family or has any info to share. Thanks so much! Amy Gent of Sydney, Australia
amyleegee@hotmail.com
I was interested to read of Kegworth's ghosts. I know about Dr. Bedford's lady but I didn't know about the High Street hauntings. In one way I feel quite left out as we lived at 20 High Street (which was originally, the coach house for No. 16 ('The Chestnuts') and we didn't have a resident spirit. The strange thing is that my mother was very friendly with Mrs Banks who lived at 'The Chestnuts' certainly through the 1950's and 1960's until she died there (as did Mr. Banks). She was a chatty lady and as far as I know at no time did she mention the presence of a ghost at 'The Chesnuts' nor did her son Rodney who was a bit younger than me. Similarly, when Harry Gosling kept the shop at No. 18, there was no mention of a ghost, but then again my mother and father weren't as friendly with Harry as they were with Irene Banks. Needless to say, I drank in the Red Lion over the years during Edgar Daniels' time and he never mentioned a ghost either. So there, some you see and some you don't.
geoff_boothside@yahoo.co.uk
The male side of the intersex cricket match was captained by my brother, ATC Flt/Sgt Ken Haberfield not Hoberfield. An interesting coincidence was that he was demobbed from the RAF in 1946 or1947 as a Flt/Sgt (having joined in 1943).
geoff_boothside@yahoo.co.uk
As for the VE day street parties, the children in High Street and environs had their party in the Baptist Chapel in High Street, which I attended. Not knowing what it was all about, I was disappointed and couldn't understand why there wasn't a similar party the following year.
geoff_boothside@yahoo.co.uk
With reference to the Fox and Hounds darts team, your text made no mention of Jim Walters although he is sitting LHS front row of the picture. Jim came from Sileby and married Annie Hickling having just the one child, Nickolas born c1940. They lived in one of the terraced cottages on Plummers Lane with the front door fronting directly onto the lane itself (later they moved to Thomas Rd). Jim was RAF (I think) during the war and was a successful service boxer. May I say that the village web site is brilliant although it took me quite a while to find it. However, there a still some of my generation still around and it should be possible to write our everyday history certainly between 1940's onwards. geoff_boothside@yahoo.co.uk
I am the grandson of Rev J Sheppard who was the minister of Kegworth Baptist Church in 1932 to 1943. My wife and I are Christians and are interested in family history and were so pleased to read your web site.
AndyCSheppard@aol.com
My ancestors, the Newham's, lived at THE PLOUGH on London Road in 1841/51. I don't have the paperwork to hand but am sure that John Newham was listed as the publican there at that time. Presumably the John (Jack) Newham of the Old and New Britannia's was a descendant!?
John Newham, Head, Married, 52, Beerseller and Machinist (employing 3 men) born Shepshed, Leics.
Elizabeth Newham, Wife, Married, 47, born Kegworth, Leics.
Ann Newham, Daughter. Unmarried, 19, Formerly teacher in National School, born Kegworth, Leics.
Charles Newham, Son, Unmarried, 10, Scholar, born Kegworth, Leics.
Robert Newham, Son, 5, Scholar, born Kegworth, Leics.
Thomas Hill, Lodger, Married. 45 , Blacksmith (journeyman) , born Bingham, Notts.
John Newham, Father, Widower, 89, formerly Blacksmith, born Newark, Notts.
Samuel Newham, Brother, Unmarried, 39 , Blacksmith, born Shepshed, Leics.
Also listed on London Road are the family of another brother of John Newham (head).
William Newham, Head, Married, 28, Engine Maker , born Kegworth, Leics.
Charlotte Newham, Wife, 30, born Kegworth, Leics.
Elizabeth Newham, Dau. 9, Scholar, born Kegworth, Leics.
Sarah A Newham, Dau. 7, Scholar, born Kegworth, Leics.
Catherine Newham, Dau. 5, Scholar, born Kegworth, Leics.
Ann S Newham, Dau. 1, born Kegworth, Leics.
I believe that John (Head) wife's maiden name was Elizabeth Starkey (dau. Robert Starkey of Kegworth)?
William (Head) wife's maiden name was Charlotte Plackett (dau. Thomas Plackett of Kegworth)
Charles married Mary Elizabeth ?- (of Ratcliffe)
Robert married Priscilla ? ( of Kegworth)
This may well be the same Charles Newham who was publican (and musician) at the Horse and Groom in 1877 as Charles and Mary's family were born in Kegworth.
Charlotte Plackett's family were Kegworth residents. Her father, Thomas, was originally from the Placketts of Ratcliffe who's first wife, Elizabeth Hickingbottom of Kegworth, died? in approx.1803-1805. Having several children he remarried within a year or so a lady from Thulston in Derbyshire called Ann. I have tried, without success, to find Ann's maiden name. She lived in Kegworth, at Market Place and Dragwell until 1864 (I think) and was stated as being 91years at her death (attended by Ann Domelo of Dragwell). If anyone has information on Ann Plackett nee???
I would be very grateful. (I have yet to trace the actual marriage record of Ann ??? and Thomas Plackett about 1805-1808)!! (or indeed the death of Elizabeth Plackett, nee Hickingbottom- Thomas's first wife)
William Newham and his family moved to Derby - they lived at Cockpit Hill .
Other families on LONDON ROAD on my 1851 census sheet are hard to distinguish but I can see the following:-
Thomas and Alice Leeson
Isaac and Melicent Henson (Cooper + wife)
Thomas and Ann Storer (Hosier- employing 30 men)
Hope this info is of some use - any details of the Newham/Starkey/Plackett/ Ann ??? families would be much appreciated if anyone out there knows anything???Prefer it if you would act as contact in that eventuality as I don't really wish to be detailed online.
Best Wishes,
Glenis
G.J.Stewart
I am trying to research my Father's family. The family name is Wainwright, and my Great-Great Grandfather John Wainwright was born in Hemington in 1825 and lived in Kegworth around the time of 1870.
He and his wife Jane are on the 1871 census with 8 of their children, living at 13 Borough Well ( or Bamgh Well). John is at that time a Shepherd. Any help would be gratefully received.
sarah.robertson68@ntlworld.com
David Long, his rank was Divisional officer of the Leicestershire fire and resue service, was the officer in charge of the rescue operation of the M1 Air disaster. The first five hours of it. People have claimed to have been there when they were not, very infuriating. Each year my dad goes to the memorial site and places a wreath in memory of those who suffered on that terrible night. My dad holds this incident close to his heart as this was the last major operation he attended before his retirement.
organmaster@blueyonder.co.uk
Basically I moved in August 06. And after about two weeks, of being there, on a Saturday afternoon about 13:00, I walked out of the bathroom, and clear as day there was a little girl standing there. About 5 or 6 years old, wearing a denim dress, dirty blond hair (which was wet). She had a big smile on her face, nothing sinister, she just seemed happy. I jumped in fright at this point.
The unusual thing was, I didn't feel threatened, or unwelcome.
Quite often when I'd come home from work (EMA) the taps in the bathroom upstairs would be running. So I'd just turn them off. I'd walk out of the room, and they'd turn back on. After a few weeks of this when they turned on again, I said (into an empty bathroom) "ah that's enough now, come on", turned the taps off once more, and they didn't turn back on again. From there onwards it seemed to be a game, often the taps would run, I turn them off, say something like "that's enough" or "give it up darling", and they'd stop.
The other thing that would happen is that I would be watching TV, and usually between 20:00 - 22:00 I would hear foot steps coming down the stairs, I would shout "back to bed!" and they would stop.
I simply treated everything that happened as if I was minding a young child. Now, I know very little about this area, but if there is an option for some sort of symbiotic relationship between what ever the little girl is, and myself, we had it!
I was in the UK about 6 months, and decided I wanted to go home to Ireland. So I gave my employer 2 months notice. Came home that night, standing in the kitchen, my back was to the cooker, to my left was the kitchen door leading to the back garden, to my right was the door to the sitting room. I rang my mam, and said the exact words "Mam I've handed in my notice, I'm coming home", at that exact second there was a bang from upstairs, right above my head. It was so loud it sounded like someone dropped a bowling ball. Immediately the house took a sinister feel to it. I went to bed that night, the room was freezing cold, which never happened before, and the radiator would not work, but had worked perfectly before that, and I could turnthe handle of the door to the spare bedroom, slowly the door would open, and slam shut, quite violently, this happened continuously from about 1am - 4 am.
After that night, my bedroom was instantly freezing cold, and things such as the door banging, happened almost every night, and a few occasions I am convinced something was watching me in that room, and it had sinister intentions. After that night the turn taps on turn taps off game never happened again.
Two nights before I was to vacated the house, I did not sleep a wink. The radiator beside me banged violently all night, the door would open and slam every now and then, and I could hear things being moved down stairs.
The next night (my last night in the house), I would not sit in the house. I checked the Whitehouse Hotel, The Thistle Airport Hotel, and a few others, all priced well out of my price range a such short notice. So I sat in the sitting room, with my laptop on the floor, 4 litres of coca cola, and a baseball bat, and a .357 gas powered ball bearing gun I bought from a BB gun store in London I watched DVD's on my laptop from sun up to sun down. All night I could hear stomping footsteps on the stairs, things moving and crashing about upstairs. At one point the door handle from the stairs to the sitting room turned as if the door was about to open, after about 40 seconds (which felt like an eternity) the door handle went back up and the door never opened.
At 7a.m. the next morning I left that house, and I never went back again.
If someone told me that story I would not believe it. I am 100% sceptic about all things paranormal, and in my line of work I come in contact with infrasound as high as 90 decibels every day. But I cannot find a scientific answer for what happened.
Keith Harkness
Director
Abacus Training & Development Ltd.
I used to live at 23 Thomas Road in Kegworth and had many years of strange experiences i.e dark shadows in my bedroom, feelings of someone sat on my legs whilst in bed, door handles seemingly moving on there own and the dog constantly barking at nothing, I did not tell anyone of these problems until my sister stopped over and felt that she had to take my new born son out of bed at night to protect him as she felt he was in danger from an unknown source. The reason I am contacting you is because my self and my sister have now shared other ghostly experiences in that house and would like to research the history.
barbarella_19@hotmail.com
To Kim Gayton-Pollard:
Message from Jerry Harlton. Wednesday February 06, 2008.
I am in possion of a war time diary of a cousin Bill Thompson. In that diary was a great poem insert signed as By Kenneth J. Brydson, Neubrandenberg - 8 March 1945.
If this is the same person mentioned in your web site then I want to make sure that you or his relatives have the content. I have being trying for a long time to find a connection and thanks to the google search yesterday.
Message from Jerry Harlton. Wednesday February 06, 2008.
(This page was a duplicate sent to the website).
I live in Canada and I am in possesion of the content of a Diary of a Canadian Prisoner of war (Bill Thompson).
An insert of that diary was a great poem in long hand and signed by the following person, Kenneth J. Brydson, Neubrandenberg - 8 March 1945.
I did find that name on the war time page of your local web site. If this named Brydson is one and the same as mentioned in the war page then I would want to make sure that your war page, or relatives of the same are in possession of the poem. (Which I would send if there is good confirmation that we are talking about the same person, would he still be alive? Perhaps the poem is already on record)
I did reply to the comments section of the war page but am also duplicating this information to your club in the hopes some one will pick up on this inquiry.
Regards, Jerry Harlton.
On Feb 7, 2008 4:11 AM, Kim GAYTON-POLLARD
Dear Jerry Harlton
Wow!!!
I think you have one and the same KJB. Just leave it with me for a while and I will get more details.
He was in captivity until approx May 1945 (When the gent was celebrating his return).
http://www.lboro.ac.uk/service/publicity/publications/newsatlboro/newsletter5.pdf
show_club.php?id=23 on the first picture.
http://www.kairos-press.co.uk/pdf/staunton1.pdf
I have both emails from you...............
(After some scouting around the Parish Council offices and then onto a personal friend):-
Jerry Replies
Hello Kim
If the information matches it will end several years of searches by me. Would it be wonderful if the subject is alive and well. I would then wonder if he knew My cousin (deceased) Bill Thompson. If so they must have had a friendship for Bill to have had the hand written poem inserted in his wartime diary. A Diary book I believe supplied by the Red Cross for the prisoners.
Would be nice to know about you if I may call you Kim. Last Monday, February 4 was my 80th birthday (Can you belive it I was not old enough to join the army?) I did spend some time in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in the1950's
From Jerry
Dear Kim
I am sorry I did not read all of your reply information, and understand now that KJB is deceased
Yes, then the poem is copied here
....................................................................................................................................................
Thoughts in a Prisoner of War Camp
I remember as I stood upon the deck of that proud cruiser
I have heard Norwegian valleys echo with the rifle's rattle,
I have heard the views of comrades, I have spoken with the enemy
The nations are delirious with lust for blood and slaughter
By Kenneth J. Brydson
Neubrandenberg - 8 March 1945
....................................................................................................................................................
Dear Kim
Yes of course the poem is for anyone to use, along as at your end there is not some sort of copy right. ................. No copyright ( No nothing!!!)
In so far as the diary of Bill Thompson it perhaps should not be posted unless I could get his family etc. to agree and that would be hard to do as they are in Ontario and I do not really know their names, or addresses. ...........In that case could I just mention his name for a reference.
There are a few things I would like to know out of curiosity. Is that excellent poem already in possession of relatives and friends? I liked the poem so much I would like to read other poems by that author............Referred to Mrs French
Where is your city located, There is some chance my wife may visit England and it may be handy to visit the area. The photos are very interesting. Is your city tourist oriented in any way?...........
We are in the heart of the Midlands, right in the centre of England between Derby, Leicester and Nottingham. We are right next to "East Midlands Airport" We are not that touristy I'm afraid but the area does have some interesting places to visit. The Oldest pub in the world........ Nottingham Castle
Perhaps a poem I wrote about my cousin Bill Thompson (assuming Mr Brydson and Bill Thomson were known to each other) will add a personal touch to our exchange of information. I note no names were included in the diary. A security reason? I would think that anyone who spent 5 years together must have known each other. Your poem is very touching............... I think that there was some reason for not having names etc but what about KJB's name.
As an aside my brother Jack Harlton joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1939. In England was transferred to your Air Force. Transported a Wellington bomber Via Gibraltar to Egypt. At the time Rommel was retreating. He was shot down after a bomb drop at Tobruk, Captured by a German patrol. Shipped to a prison camp in Italy, Escaped to find the advancing Canadian army in Italy. Returned home to continue his flying career plus a large farming operation. Jack passed away about 5 years ago (he was 5 years older than I) Horrific.
Because the poem is a little longer I will send it as an attachment prepared in Microsoft Word. Perhaps This could be used on the site?
I have little more to add but if you would, find out if the poem by Bryden is already in his notes, or if it could be added. In any event it is good to know what I have found out from you about the author. Now I can put my file to rest.
Take care and thanks for your photos, news and all.
(And now the poem)
....................................................................................................................................................
Jerry Harlton
Farewell Bill
It's 3 AM in the morning but I can't rest till day
....................................................................................................................................................
On Feb 8, 2008 1:22 PM, Kim GAYTON- POLLARD wrote:
email:kim.gayton-pollard@ntlworld.com
This is the address for this lady.
email:lynchacres@frenchmarine.com
Her name is Hilary French. She is one of the daughters.
I have traced my family tree back to a group of Cliffords who lived in Kegworth in the early part of the 1800s and would be interested if anyone has information relating to them.
I descend from John Clifford born about 1793.
Bob Bramley
(He has been to my address on a least one occasion)
Page 5 shows a photo of the Gentleman.
Not a very good picture.
One of the directors.
And watched the shores of Scotland as they dimmed before mine eyes,
That to my troubled mind came this one thought - oft recurring
We are entering the battle - what will be the final prize?
And have seen fiends of destruction dropped from out her cloudless skies,
But midst the noise and tumult came this one thought - oft recurring
Here we are in midst of battle - what will be the final prize?
I've listened to the priests and I've heard the worldly wise,
But though they all reiterate that bloody is the battle
Yet none of them know just quite what will be the final prize.
And the women and the children trouble heaven with piteous cries
But there's one hope still remaining in this life of strife and hatred
That when the battle's over - lasting peace will be the prize.
Because Cousin Bill is being put to rest
And I have something I must say
This Ontario lad seemed far away
Or so it seemed back then
When we were kids before the war
And I lived in Saskatchewan
Our paths would cross from time to time by accident or fate
One time we hunted rabbits in the bush near Simco Lake
Then came a war that must be fought
And Bill went off to do his lot
A gunner in bomber put him to a manly test
When his operations totaled 30
He was free to take his rest
Some of his crew had missed a run and had to op some more
Bill volunteered to protect them and he risked his life once more
Luck ran out on this last trip and flak burst very high
The aircraft lurched and lost and settled from the sky
It crashed in the foreign hills for the enemy to find
A few survived and one was Bill but fate was not so kind
With broken legs and body sore
Bill was then a prisoner of war
Suffering in a prison camp and forced marched many miles
Some comrades were shot when they fell aside, exhausted by the trial.
The war did end and Bill returned
We will not forget the fame he earned
Our paths crossed again in a Toronto pub one-day
As we shared a brew, we had lots to say
Some years passed and we weathered the time
With family and jobs that kept us in line
Time gave us one more chance to visit for a day
And we talked for many hours before going away
We shared our experiences over the years
And laughed at life with its quirks and fears.
Now Bill's life has ended and our paths cannot cross
But memories are forever, and never will be lost.Cliffords (29th Oct 2008)
Message from Rachel Farrand
I have information relating to Second Lieutenant John Hardy WILSON who is named on the village war memorial.
WILSON worked for Nottinghamshire County Council and his name was recorded on the County Council's memorial to employees who died in the First World War. The memorial is in the former Shire Hall, Nottingham.
Further information and photographs of the memorial are available.
Email rachel.farrand@nottscc.gov.uk
Message from Tina Dakin
Hi there. I think this website is fantastic.
I have seen Pictures on here of my Great Great UncleTom Newsome. He always rode his bicycle every where.
My Family the Dakin's have been in Kegworth for many years. My Grandfather Was Harold Dakin of Nottingham road, who was also known as POP Dakin. He worked at Slack & Parr's for many years, also was a keen angler.
He Married Mary Newsome, Tom Newsomes Niece.
I lived in Kegworth until 1991. Sadly My Grandama Mary passed away in 2002 followed by My Great Great Uncle Tom so I am missing the old stories that they used to tell me about kegworth.
If any body would like to share any information on Tom Newsome and the Dakin's family I would love to hear from you.
Tina Dakin
Message from Jean Hardy
Re H Walton Chemist, Churchgate in the mid 1920's, Henry Egbert Walton was my grandfather's brother, born in 1869 and died in 1940.
He came from Idle, Bradford, West Yorkshire originally and in mentioned in the Bradford Electoral Register as living in Idle to at least 1908 and on his death certificate resided at 17 Bridgefields Kegworth until 1940.
His son Harold William Walton lived at Church Gate, Kegworth in 1940, according to his father's death certificate. I have a photograph of William Harold Walton (known as Harold or Harry) outside a Chemist's shop with the name W H Walton Chemist above the shop. I don't know where the photo was taken or when, but the shop stands on a street corner and may well be in Kegworth. (It was in Kegworth - See the gallery) I have been trying for some time to find out more details about it. I wondered whether it is of the chemist's shop in Kegworth.
If I could have an e-mail address I could send you a copy of the photograph. Henry's wife was called Helena Elizabeth Walton (originally from Bradford) and William Harold's wife was Edith nee Shaw born in 1898 in Shardlow and married in 1924 in Shardlow. Henry had another son Egbert Blackburn Walton born 1891 who married Marion Johnson at Shardlow in 1916.
William Harold Walton was born in 1894.
Does anyone know of the family and if they still exist in the Kegworth area?
I don't know the names of any grandchildren of Henry Egbert Walton unfortunately.
I presume that he was buried in the graveyard in Kegworth.
I would at some time like to visit Kegworth to try to resolve these issues if possible.
Jean Hardy (Pudsey, West Yorkshire)
FURTHER REPLYMessage from Jean Hardy
Thank you very much for displaying my message and photograph about William Harold Walton Chemist at Church Gate, Kegworth.
I have had a reply and found the ancestors that I have been searching for and also found that you have two of his sons on the WW2 Memorial on Kegworth Church wall.
Regards Jean Hardy
Message from Alan Hilton
I have 2 x Joseph Sharpes in my Family Tree (ref Oddfellows Arms Landlords) Joseph Sharpe (1827-1889) born Coal Aston. He married Martha Hawkin (1826-1895) born Coal Aston. His son Joseph Sharpe (1859-1936) born Coal Aston, is the likely candidate. He was married to Ellen Morton (1860-1946) This Joseph was the subject of a book "Dark at Seven" and in the book is a picture of the Oddfellows Arms, with his sister (my G G Grandmother) Hannah Sharpe (1856-1903) standing outside.
Congratulations on your very very good and informative website.
I was born in Kegworth and spent the first 21 years of my life there and even though I left to marry in 1972, I still call it 'Home'.
I have enjoyed a trip down memory lane, and have been reminded of long lost childhood freinds.
Thank you for a wonderful visit to my past.
Please say Hi to anyone that may remember ME ! Pete Fairweather.
Sender email: raceacepete@sky.com
I have really enjoyed reading your web pages.
I am sending the info I have recently found out about 4 x GGrandfather and 5 x G Grandfather both called Francis Ripley.
FRANCIS RIPLEY OF KEGWORTH(1775-1841)
Francis Ripley was baptised 28th July 1775 at St Andrews Church, Kegworth. His parents were Francis Ripley a tailor and Hannah Fern. Francis Ripley the father was buried 13th Oct 1819 at St Andrews. Francis Ripley (1775) was married to Catherine Berrington on 23 Oct 1800 at St Andrews Church, Kegworth. Unfortunately she died and was buried 5 Aug 1804 also at St Andrews.
He then went on to marry Frances Tradewell on 22 Oct 1804 at St Andrews. They went on to have five children between 1807 and 1824 at Hough on the Hill in Lincolnshire. On the 1841 census he is in Tinsley Yorkshire and dies 12 June 1841 and is buried on 14 June 1841 at St Lawrence Church Tinsley. John, his son, who is my direct ancestor, and Elizabeth, his daughter are also in Yorkshire around this time. John arrived between 1836 and 1837 but after his wife died in 1855 returned to Hough on the Hill. Frances stayed in Yorkshire came back to Hough on the Hill between 1861 and her death on 24 November 1865.
On your web site you mention that between 1799 and 1803 there is one tailor in Kegworth and I am sure it will be one of the Francis Ripleys probably the older one.
There is also reference on the access to archives about Francis Ripley of Kegworth having an apprentice. ‘Overseer of the poor settlement Settlement examinations James Burton, born at St Mary Nottingham, father a discharged soldier from Loughborough, Leicestershire, apprentices to William Calles of Harthon [Hathern] , Leicestershire, tailor for a year and a half when he was assigned to Francis Ripley of Kegworth, Leicestershire for three and a half years when he absconded’.
This was an extract from the parish of St Clement Hastings dated 21st February 1792.
Hope this will help some one.
Regards Lin Sender email: lfisher52@hotmail.com
I have just been going through your excellent web site.
The articles on the Chaplins were of particular interst to me since my mother Mabel was one.
She was Albert Chaplin's sister and is now buried in Kegworth cemetry. We spent many happy summers in the village, especially at the station where my brother and I did some trainspotting and travelled all over the surrounding area in that pursuit.
Albert took me round the museum some years ago where I was delighted to see a photo of my mother in the hockey team. Something I knew nothing about until then.
My brother and I were at Albert's funeral and still occasionally visit aunts Hilda and Winnie and cousin Ann.
Must go back again soon.
Sender email: fioian@aol.com
Firstly may I say what an interesting and informative web site this is.
My reason for writing is that I am a direct descendent of Thomas Stevenson who was born in Kegworth in c.1774.
He married Elizabeth Haywood on 19th February 1798, the service was conducted by Joseph Jones. They had three children, Thomas, William and Richard, who, as far as I can tell were frame-work knitters. So they were obviously not a wealthy family. The family moved to Shepshed early in the 1800's and from there I have a comprehensive history of the family through to the present day. Currently the family tree has over 1,200 names.
Can anyone help with any more information about Thomas and Elizabeth? Also, if you think we may be related, please get in touch and we can compare ancestors.You can find more details of the family at: http://www.freewebs.com/keithstevenson/index.htm Sender email: keith.stevenson@ntlworld.com
With regard to Blacksmiths on Dragwell in the 1920s - I think (I may be wrong!) it was run by my G-Grandfather, John Lowe. He trained as a Blacksmith and my Grandmother grew up on Dragwell from her birth in 1922, later moving to Loughborough.
John's mother was Emma Lowe (nee Harwood) - later Emma Whitehead.
Any stories about the Lowe family in Kegworth (good or bad!!) would be appreciated.
Many thanks, Karen Isaac karenisaac@btinternet.com
Sender email: karenisaac@btinternet.com
Kegworth War Memorial. Lt Edward Hopkinson, Sherwood Foresters. Killed in action, 23 April 1917.
I have researched Lt Hopkinson who is named on the war memorial to Nottinghamshire County Council employees who died in the First World War.
The memorial is in the former Shire Hall now the Galleries of Justice.
Hopkinson was born on 3 June 1890 and was a school master (head master) at Newstead school before he enlisted.
I should be interested in exchanging information about Hopkinson.
farrand.rachel@btinternet.com
Hi! I emailed you a few years ago and my email is stll on your website ("Chaplin" in the Genealogy section). I now live in Castle Gresley so plan on visiting Kegworth very soon.
My Grandmother, Rosemary Chaplin was born in Kegworth in 1928 and unfortunately she died before I was born. I do know that at least one of her brothers (Douglas born 1931) and her sister (June born 1930) have passed away, and I can't trace her other brother William (born 1930, Junes twin), so finding anything out about her is proving very difficult!! I have never even seen a photograph of her and I so much want to find out more about her. My Mum (who is Rosemary's daughter) passed away 4 years ago so I don't have anyone else to ask now!! They lived at London Road in Kegworth and later in Mill Lane. Their parents were Henry and Mary Chaplin. Is there a museum or library in Kegworth, or does the school have old class photo's or an archive? I am desperate to find out more about my Grandmother and her family so any info I can uncover will be gratefully recieved!
Jennifer Thompson (aha.tomski@btinternet.com )Genealogy: HOWET/HOUIT I'm researching this family which lived in Kegworth from about 1400 to about 1650. Would like to swap notes with anybody else interested in this family.
Rhys Howitt (rhysh@webone.com.au)Hi find your website great. My ancestors are William Henry Belton born 1879 married Gertrude Ainsworth about 1900. They lived on Borough street. then moved to Dumps lane before 1912 had 7 children 4 died the other 3 are Albert 1902, Percy 1908 and Phillis 1910. I can't find any thing about William before 1899. There was another Belton family living in Borough street before 1900. I don't know if this is same family. Can you please help?
Rachel (email address supplied)