Peak District
Antique Centre
Antiques, Shopping and Commercial pages
Mon, 27 Jan 2003
Its with great sadness I hear about the passing of Mr Bestwick. My father and Grandfather had many dealings with him during their time working as haulage contractors in the town. Throughout this time my Grandfather always referred to Reg as a Grand old stick, and he was indeed one of Leek's ever dwindling number of real characters. He cared about the town, and all the people in it. I would like to forward my deepest sympathy's to his family.
Sun, 26 Jan 2003
I am trying to trace a marriage between a MOSS (female) and a GOODWIN (male).
My great great grandfather William Goodwin (born c 1864
Quarnford, Staff) was living with his grandparents in
Buxton, Derbyshire - Thomas and Esther Moss (both born
c1810) in the 1881 census and with his sister Charlotte
Goodwin (born c1869) and cousin Ashey Moss (born c
1865).
I have been unable to trace William Goodwin's parents or the
rest of his family. I have found him in the 1901 census
living in Buxton, Derbyshire with his wife Mary (nee Wood).
Does this tie in with any of your family tree?
Thanks for your help in advance.
Joanna
Jones
joanna_c_jones@hotmail.com
Sat, 14 Dec 2002
Hi ,
My name is ELizabeth White and my husbands maternal grandparents come from the leek Area. His grandmother was Edna Pickford daughter of Harriet and William Pickford, born Heathylee in 1898. Harriet's maiden name was Bowyer., She emigrated to Australia as a World War 1 bride and Married in Sydney in 1920. Her husband was Herbert Heathcote, born Brnaside , Near Buxton to jane and William Heathcote. Jane's maiden name was Wain. William and Jane Heathcote are buried in the churchyard at Flash. Harriet Bowyer remarried after the Death of William Pickford a Mr Ager or Yager(?) and had more children. I would love anyone who has any connection with these families to contact me no matter how remote as we don't know anymore than this about the family. I found the above out fron Edna's birth certificate.
I would also love any information on the silk industry of Staffordshireas William pickford 's given occupation is a silk dyer and according to the 1881 census there were a lot of silk workers in the Bowyer family. Harriet's occupation is given as a silk marker and reiner in tthe 1901 census.
Elizabeth White c.e.white@austarnet.com.au.
Sun, 19 Jan 2003
Dear Tony,
For my site www.peakdistrict.nl I would like to have some nice photo´s, Especially as subject The Peakdistrict. I woul like to ask the inhabitants of Leek and the Peakdistrict if they could send me some by e-mail. Or they have got a home site the URL. It is a bit expensively for me to make photo´s living in Holland. Of course the name of the person who made the photo will be put under the photo. I,m still sorry for you about The Post&Times. I get it send over by my aunty (86) but I miss it on you're site. I did send a email too the editor but got no response. I know there is a copyright but a few headlines on a site cant harm anybody. I think it´s ridiculous. Anyway I wish you all the best with you're site.
Met friendly regards,
Mathilde Wibautstraat 22
1991 RV Velserbroek
023-5371422
Email : js.bishop@quicknet.nl
Thu, 16 Jan 2003
I have recently discovered that my paternal grandfather, HENRY ROBINSON, was born at St Edward's Street, Leek, in December 1872. His father's name was also Henry and his mother was Ellen nee Roach. Is there anyone out there who has any connection or information about this family please? I would be most grateful for your help.
Please reply to
Sun, 12 Jan 2003
Hi,
I am looking for any relatives of SUSAN CAPEWELL - believed to be born late 1800/early 1900 - if anyone has any info would be very helping in tracing our family tree.
Thanks.
Kate
quiroz@charter.net
Sun, 12 Jan 2003
Barlows of Leek
I was born Oakwood Road Leek in 1946 - now living in Devon. Tracing ancestory (isn't everyone!) and I'm back to G.G.Father James Barlow Born Leek1828 (married Ann Robinson) and G.G.G.Father Matthew born Cheddleton 1794/5 They were both Stone Masons. If anyone has any info with links I'd be very interested. Still regularly feast on oatcakes - Sainsburys in these parts sell them (thank goodness)
Lovely site
Jenny Bowden (nee Barlow)
Sun, 12 Jan 2003
Family history again.
Anyone know anything of these two names? Shilcock or Grindley. Possibly from the Thorpe, Cauldon, or Quarnford areas.
Any replies really appreciated.
Thu, 9 Jan 2003
Looking for the e-mail address (which I have lost) of an old friend from Leek. We went to school together in Cheadle (Painsley). If you read this web-site Liam contact me (I think you still have my old e-mail address!). HIs wife?? works for the Sentinal and her name is Ros.
Look forward to hearing from you.
P.S. sorry we beat you poor poms in the cricket-better luck next time-not!!
Mon, 06 Jan 2003
Hi, My name is Jennifer Sharrock and I am looking for a friend of mine called Natalie Whones. If anyone knows her can u please e-mail me at jennie022@hotmail.com.
We used to go to Leek Primary school together, then Churnet View Middle School and then Leek High School, but i left in year 9 (1997) because my family was going to Australia to live. Thank you so much.
Sat, 4 Jan 2003
Happy New Year to all those I know in Leek.
Sylvia Sturmey [nee Rowlands]
Tue, 31 Dec 2002
:Re. Yanks in Leek. (Anthony T Oropollo) (See Friday 20th December)
Should the author of the above story read this, I would appreciate him E-mailing me at:- Oakbrookes@aol.com As a boy growing up there at that time I was given by one of your comrades a service New Testament Bible through the chain link fence, of the barracks where you were. Inscribed inside on the page reading "A Sacred Token" was the following:-
Pfc Fred Ramsey, APO 79c/oPm NY. NY. Texas USA The land of sunshine, Beautiful Texas, Deep in the heart of Texas, Yellow Rose of Texas.
This Bible is before me as I type this. Maybe, just maybe you may have known this man.
Tue, 31 Dec 2002
FROM MORRISVILLE PENNSYLVANIA USA,,,,,,,,
A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL LEEK RESIDENTS.....
BEST WISHES TO YOU ALL ...
HERBERT &
JULIE BROOKES.
(FORMERLEY OF FOUNTAIN STREET LEEK)
Fri, 27 Dec 2002
Hello, I have recently discovered this website for Leek
and I think its great. I left Leek in 1960 and have lived in
Wales ever since. I am married to Barrie Trafford who lived
at Ostlers lane Cheddleton. My father was Richard Ash and we
lived on Ball Haye Road
I would love to hear from anyone in Leek or Cheddleton my
email address is pattraff@hotmail.com
Thu, 26 Dec 2002
Merry Christmas to you and all who read the visitors site around the world we got Xmas mail from the U K.. US.. Canada .. New Zealand... Australia Africa Hawaii .... but we sorely miss the Leek Post and Times with its news from home ... best regards ... we hope you have a healthy happy and prosperous 2003 ....... Barbara and Harry Barnish ...San Francisco.. California ..... where the weather to day is overcast and cool
Fri, 20 Dec 2002
There may not be many who remember the masses of "Yanks"
who were billeted in your little village during WWII, but I
do and fondly. We were young, away from our homes, and
facing a very uncertain future, but your people could not do
enough for us.. I wish to extend my very best for the coming
holidays.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Cordially,
Anthony T.
Oropollo, M.D.,F.A.C.A.
Tue, 17 Dec 2002
Hello my name is Brian. I am looking for a Friend I was there in Leek 4 years ago and met this girl her name is Susan Price. I lost contact with her can anyone let me know if you heard of her. Her parents live on Buxton Rd
Thank you
Brian.R
California, U.S.A
Wed, 11 Dec 2002
Hello Leek,
Are there any Shirley's left in the Leek area? My family tree shows many Shirley's in the area around 1650-1800. We had a quick visit there in 2000 and saw a number of Shirley grave markers in the church yard.
Michael
Shirley
Vancouver Island, Canada
Sun, 8 Dec 2002
Where has it gone? For all ex patriot Leek folk, (even if they live only in Hampshire) I look forward to the day when it’s back on line.
Ian Machin (lived in Leek 1967 – 1983)
Wed, 27 Nov 2002
Hello,
My name is John Ball. I was born in Leek in 1949, and
lived in the town at Beatty Road. I attended St Luke's
Junior School and the Mount School for Boys, (where our form
master was Windsor Davies of It ain't half hot Mum, fame)
are there any former school pals out there.
On leaving school, I worked for Victor Robinson and Sons as
a Painter and Decorator. I then became a member of local
band Castors Crowd with John (Spud) Lovatt (now sadly
missed). We played at many of the local dances in Leek and
the surrounding area. Does anyone remember these days?
I left Leek around 1974 and know live in Wirral. I would
love to hear from any old friends. Contact at
johngolfplayer@minitower.freeserve.co.uk.
John
Ball
December 1st 2002
Thu, 28 Nov 2002
I am trying to find anything about the Hulme family and also the history of Ball Haye hall my family are all gone now so I have no one to ask. I spent all my school holidays in Leek many years ago. I also had a friend named Irene Fogg but we lost touch she will be about 70 now can anyone help?
As I am getting on in years I would be so grateful to hear anything, Leek has happy memories for me.
Have just found your site it is great. Thanks again.
Wed, 27 Nov 2002
Dear Leekonline reporter/editor: Sorry I missed when you were up and running. I hope you can get back on the internet soon. I have become really interested in Leek in the past month since I recently found out that my great-grandfather was born in Leek in 1843. George Miller came to Cincinnati, Ohio around 1870. I was born in Cincinnati. George had a sister Mary Ann (Miller)Astles. In the 1881 British Census, a Thomas Astles and family were listed in Leek. I was wondering if there are any Astles still living in Leek. If you ever have a free minute, could you e-mail me their telephone numbers if there are only one or two. I know this is asking a lot. If it is too much, then I apoligize for being so bold. Some day I hope to visit Leek. Good luck on getting back up. I would love to read your articles.
Jayleen (Miller maiden)
Thu, 28 Nov 2002
Hi over there
WHAT - NO LEEK POST ON-LINE. HOW DARE THEY !!!!!!
THIS ISN'T PROGRESS ITS REGRESSIVE. NO MORE NEWS AND YOU HAVE/HAD A WONDERFUL SITE WITH MANY HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE ACCESSING THE VISITORS PAGES - I, along with many others I know, loved accessing these pages. Good luck getting the Post republished on line.
Wed, 27 Nov 2002
Is it just me or do other people really dislike the new Leek Post format, there seems to be little point buying it now if you also have the Sentinel.
Sun, 24 Nov 2002
Hi,
My name is Darryl (Dibs) Dawson,
I moved to New Zealand in July 2000, I am keen to hear from anybody who knows me
Wed, 20 Nov 2002
Expat from Canada
Where's my link to the past gone!!!!!
I left Leek for Canada 4 years ago, sick of petty
bureaurocracy and guess what???
Its caught up with me again. Why can't I read of my old home
town? Which pen pusher thought this one up?
Sun, 17 Nov 2002
Looking forward to reading the LEEK POST, not the sentinel
DMN
Bristol
Sat, 16 Nov 2002
Hello, and Greetings from Canada! :>)
I've been doing genealogical research into my family that were from Staffordshire, and most of the ancestors were born in either Cauldon or Croxden, Staffs in the early-to-mid -1800's.
In the 1851 index for the census that year, is the following entry:
HO107, 2008, 320, 5, 21 Church Lane, Leek
SALT, Samuel, 42, H, M, Labourer, Self, Sts, Cauldon
SALT, Ann, 46, W, M, Silk Winder, Sts, Cauldon
SALT, Caroline, 16, D, Silk Winder, Sts, Cauldon
SALT, Hannah, 13, D, Silk Winder, Sts, Cauldon
SALT, Louisa, 9, D, Scholar, Sts, Cauldon
SALT, Eli, 7, S, Scholar, Sts, Cauldon
SALT, Sarah A, 4, D, Sts, Leek,
SALT, Harriet, 2, D, Sts, Leek,
SALT, Sampson, 73, M, LG, W, Labourer, Sts, Calton
This listing is a summary of my ancestors that lived
there so long ago, and obviously worked in the silk factory
there in Leek.
At the top of the listing, is Samuel Salt, who was married
to Ann Thornel Salt, and they had the children (namely
Caroline to Harriet) that follow.
The last on the listing, was my great, great, great
grandfather, Sampson Salt, who was still alive at age 73, as
shown on this census. His wife, Mary Draycott Salt had died
a year earlier, at age 68, in the year 1850 (30th July).
I know the son, Eli, married someone named Mary Ann Salt,
and they had a daughter, Harriet Ann, who was married in the
June quarter of 1898 in Belper Reg. Dist. DBY. This
information was also found in the 1851 census.
Going on to the 1891 Census, this is the listing:
RG12/2185, folio 61, page 1, Schedule 2, 1Ct. 1 Overton Bank, Leek
Louisa SALT Head Unm 48 Silk Spooler, STS Cauldon
Sarah Ann SALT Sister Unm 44, do do do Leek
Harriet TIPPER Sister Wid 41, do do do do
Arthur TIPPER Nephew U 17 Printer Compositre do
Ellen TIPPER Niece U 14 Paper box maker do
James GARNER Nephew U 33 Silk Baller do do
I know this seems like a lot to digest, but anyone who
has perhaps listened to elderly family members talking about
the past, might have heard some of these names of long
ago.........or perhaps there are folks within Leek that
somehow have connections that I know nothing about.
I would appreciate hearing from anyone that cares to comment
on the above, or offer some advice insofar as learning more
about these ancestors.
Also, being that you are a silk industry town, would anyone
care to explain to me the following job descriptions: silk
spooler, Cordwainer, silk baller, and silk winder.
Is there any information available on the early making of
silk in those factories so long ago? If so, how does one go
about obtaining that information?
Pat (Sault)
Jacobson
Fordwich, Ontario, Canada.
Sat, 16 Nov 2002
THIS SITE IS GREAT, BUT WHAT'S HAPPENED TO THE LEEK POST? ITS GREAT IF I FEEL HOMESICK, AS I LIVE IN ITALY, ITS LIKE A LITTLE PIECE OF LEEK IS IN MILAN. I ONLY HOPE THAT THE SENTINEL NEWSPAPER GROUP (WHO HAVE NOW 'GOT' THE LEEK POST) FIND IT IN THEIR HEARTS TO RESTORE THE HAPPINESS OF EX LEEK RESIDENTS WHO NOW LIVE IN DISTANT LANDS...( & CLOSE ONES).
Sun, 10 Nov 2002
I love this site. I'm at university in Bath at the moment, so it takes me back to Leek when I'm feeling home sick.
Thank you very much for that.
Keep up the good work.
Tue, 5 Nov 2002
Spooks in Leek
Great and informative site. Does anybody living in the leek area or has done in the past experienced any ghostly activities or even better has photos or scientific evidence that they would like to share on line or private.
Mark Heath
Design Engineer
Advanced Research and Development
Staffordshire University
School of Art and Design
College Road
Stoke on Trent ST4 2XN
Tel 01782 294477
Fax 01782 294414
Mail to mark.heath@staffs.ac.uk
Fri, 25 Oct 2002
What a wonderful site this is. I have just discovered it
so hopefully someone maybe able to help me find my missing
family.
My G G grandparents and families came from the Leek area and
I would be interested in finding any connections still
there.
Joseph Birch who married Ann Beardmore at ST Edwards church
Leek 27/12/1798. They lived at Froghall with their family
and Grandchildren in 1841, Their son John worked as a miller
at the Consall mill in 1841. Joseph died 1861 and Anne died
1857 their graves are in the Ipstones churchyard.
Another son of Joseph and Ann is my G grandfather Joseph
Birch who married Hannah Bardell 2/ 1/ 1831. Joseph was born
in Leek 4/41802. he was a farmer in 1851 with his family all
born in Leek Charles, Harriet, Joseph, Samuel, Mary ann,
Herbert, and James. sometime betwen 1851 and 1881 they moved
to 51 Wellington St Leek to live with one of their sons.
Joseph died 1881 and Hannah died 1866.both buried in Leek.
Their son Samuel died 31/3/1914 and he was living at 17 John
St Leek. Could there still be grandchildren of his living in
Leek.? Also I have a hair dresser Joseph Birch who lived at
38 Heywood St died 13/3/1877 and another hairdresser John
Birch who lived at 13 Stanley St Leek died 22/6/1869 were
these two in business together Does anybody know. If so are
the premises still standing today. I also belive there is a
obituary about my G Grandfather Joseph Birch who died 1861.
it is in a magazine that they call a Pm from the last
century would anyone know where I could see a copy as I
belive it holds his life story.
Would love to hear from anyone who knows anything about these families or who is a relative.
Regards
Margaret NZ
Tue, 22 Oct 2002
I am tracing my Family History and last night I finally
found out that my Gt Grandfather, Benjamin HARRISON came
from Leek. Has anyone got any HARRISON ancestors from the
area? Would love to hear from you.
Thought the site was great, loved the pics of the beautiful
country side.
Kind regards
Thu, 17 Oct 2002
I really like the website; much better than other town
websites I've seen.
My mother is from Leek; actually Cheddleton. Her name was
Kathleen Newton, and she was born in 1934. She often speaks
of a friend, Anne Cundy. My grandparents are Kathleen and
Arthur Newton, both now deceased. If any of these names
sound familiar to anyone, I'd love to hear from them.
My mother is thinking about moving back to Leek (from Canada
where we now live). I would love that, as I'd like an excuse
to visit this wonderful town more often!
Mon, 07 Oct 2002
Just took a look at the Visitors book.
What a great idea. I would love to hear from anyone who does
or did live in Leek. I would also like to see some photos of
London Street and the silk mills.
My grandmother was born in Leek in 1907 as was her mother
and grandparents. I especially liked the photographs
available on the website. I left the UK when I was 13 years
old and am interested in finding out about Leek as I feel
connected in a round about way.
I was born in Southport Lancashire and at 13 emigrated to
Australia with my family. When I was 15 we moved to Auckland
New Zealand and I have been here for the last 35 years.
Regards,
Ivy
Johnson
(ivyangm@kiwilink.co.nz)
Fri, 04 Oct 2002
Hi there!
I have been trying to do some family history research and
waiting for the 1901 census to go on line.
Some of my GAUNT ancestors were born in Leek. They were:
Anne E. b.1883
William b. 1885 [my grandfather]
Emily b.1888
Thomas A. b. 1891
Eunice A. b.1894
Ralph b.1896
Some of my earlier ancestors came from Alton and
Ipstones.
Do I have any distant cousins out there?
Regards;
Tom Gaunt
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