James Newton"

1930

The original diary written by James Newton referred to in this article has been lost.

Chester Chronicle December 10^th 1982

Mellow Pages tell the Harsh Tales of Yesteryear

Thumbing through old diaries can provide a fascinating insight into life many years ago. Buckley councillor, Mr. Brettel Newton recently unearthed two old diaries belonging to his grandfather. They tell an interesting story of how people lived more than half a century ago. Page after page is filled with quaint descriptions of everyday happenings in the Mold and Buckley areas in those far off days.

Colliery

The man who faithfully recorded his daily activities was James Newton, Councillor Newton's grandfather, who was a local colliery manager.

He died in 1935 but left behind a vivid account of his life.

The first diary was penned in 1917, during the dark days of the First World War. The pages are now mellowed with age and the cover dog-eared.

Mr, James Newton lived at the Laurels, Sychdyn. In his diary he wrote about anything and everything.

The entry on January 11, 1917, reveals the modest cost of living at the time.

"Mr. Oldfield, plumber, here repairing water pipe in pantry. Paid 3/6." Wrote Mr. Newton.

While this may appear ……. today the wages at that time left a lot to be desired. Take a note from the dairy scribbled on July 25. " Carrying hay. W. Hugh Cooke's man, horse and cart from noon to 7pm. Paid man 5/-. David Bennion for work in hay, 4/-".

The harsh reality of working life in 1917 is revealed in another entry.

Mr. Newton reveals he sacked Fred Chambers for not coming into work at 5am. Paid him 7/6."

And another reference to those hard times when men slogged to earn a wage, reads "Went at 5am to the pit. No one comes to work on account of it raining. At 7am. men start pumping at pit. At 9.30 went to Mold Colliery for suction hose for pump. At 11am went by motor car to Buckley bank and withdrew £10 for wages."

When he was not mining in Buckley, Mr. Newton evidently indulged in various farming activities.

For instance, on March 28 1917, he attended Mold Auction Mart and bought a red and white heifer calf from J. Bradburne Price for the princely sum of £3.19.0.

Then on April 9, when he states that the weather was cold and stormy with snow, a Mr. Hugh Cooke called on him and arranged for his man and horses to do the ploughing and sowing for 16 shillings a day.

Ten days later, Mr. Newton writes that his son, Leonard and a W. Goodwin, began boring for coal in the Quarry Field at Sychdyn. A couple of days later they found a seam 22 feet and 11 inches down.

The diary then details how the site was prepared and states that the first coal was dug out on July 5.

Eleven years on, and Mr. Newton was still chronicling his day-to- day activities. On August 22, 1928 he records a shopping trip by bus to Mold.

"Bought one pair of braces from Bradleys priced 2/6. Bought a pair of slippers from Edward's shop. He is selling off his stock at less than cost price and retiring. Paid 5/11 for slippers. Bought 14 apples and pears for a shilling," he wrote.

Another interesting excursion is logged on September 3, when Mr. Newton outlines an outing made by his son, Leonard and grandson Brettel.

"They went in a motor to the Loggerheads for fishing. Brettel had some wasp maggots for bait. While fishing, Leonard saw a viper snake swimming on top of the water up the stream. Leonard had his gun and shot the viper and retrieved it out of the river. It was two feet long."

The diary ends on a seasonal note, with recollections of Christmas 54 years ago.

Goose

Me. Newton records having a nice goose for Christmas dinner, followed by plum pudding.

Afterwards he went to a football match between Burntwood and Mold which the Buckley team won 6 - 2.

Other interesting snippets in the old diaries refer to rabbit -catching, washer women and the water rates - just 7/3 in 1928!

They provide a real, down to earth, social history. And they should be an inspiration to us today, encouraging us to keep a daily diary which will be of immense interest to historians in the future.

Author: Chronicle Chester

James Newton"

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