The Ironworks

For many years, the name of the Ironworks was referred to as the Alfreton Ironworks. When the works were established in the early 1800’s the parish town of Alfreton was the nearest point for communication with the outside world. The Cromford Canal was used to transport goods, but the mail and passenger coaches stopped at the Angel Inn and George Hotel in Alfreton. This situation did not change until the arrival of the railways to Pye Bridge in 1847, and even then all mail was carried through to Alfreton. It was not until later in the 20th century that the location became more commonly referred to as the Riddings Ironworks, and after iron making finished in 1926, the Riddings Foundry. This change was probably due to the influence of the Oakes family, who lived at Riddings House. Despite the name, however, the Ironworks was located in the hamlet of Pye Bridge.

The effect that the Oakes family had in the area can be seen with the formation of a new gas works in 1888, situated across the B600 from the ironworks and wholly within the hamlet of Pye Bridge. It was named the “Riddings & District Gas Company” regardless of its actual location.

Whilst the exact location of the ironworks may not be that important to the overall expansion and prosperity it brought to the local community, it is the case that Pye Bridge never had the connection and status that eventually went to Riddings.

ESTABLISHMENT OF THE IRONWORKS, c.1802
THE OAKES FAMILY ERA, 1809
THE STANTON IRONWORKS ERA, 1920
THE BRITISH STEEL CORPORATION, 1967
THE RIDDINGS WORKS SPORTS ASSOCIATION
THE ALFRETON IRONWORKS LODGE
LONG SERVICE AWARDS
APPENDIX
1. DAVID MUSHET'S CORRESPONDENCE [FROM THE GLOUCESTER RECORD OFFICE]
2. THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN CHRISTOPHER ROLLESTON AND THOMAS SAXELBYE & COMPANY, 1806
3. THE OAKES FAMILY AFTER 1920
4. THE OAKES FAMILY TREE
5. THE ASHUPTON GARLAND [A DERBYSHIRE BALLAD REFERRING TO JAMES OAKES]

1. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE IRONWORKS, c.1802

Just after the turn of the 19th century four people entered into a partnership and purchased a property known as Exeter House on Full Street, Derby and land at Pye Bridge on the Derbyshire-Nottinghamshire border. The four were Thomas Saxelbye, Richard Forester Forester, Nathaniel Edwards and William Wylde. [Note that duplication of the name “Forester” is correct, as his full name was Richard Forester Forester].

Exeter House sat on the bank of the River Derwent. It was originally built around 1640 and known as Bagnall House after its first owner, although it was extended and altered in later years. In 1724 the property was inherited by the daughter of Thomas Chambers, whose family had added to the grounds by purchasing land on the opposite bank of the Derwent which was developed into pleasure grounds for the house. His daughter married Brownlow Cecil in the same year, 1724, who had by then inherited the title of 8th Earl of Exeter, and from whom the house then took its name. The house was modernised over the years but in March 1758 it was sold to John Bingham, then Mayor of Derby. His son, also named John, lived in the house with his family until they moved to Worcester, when it was rented by William Strutt, an engineer. Exeter House continued to be owned by the Bingham family until it was purchased, along with the land on the opposite bank of the Derwent, by the partnership of Saxelbye, Forester, Edwards and Whylde around 1801. The partners planned to build a foundry on the land where the pleasure grounds had once stood.

Three of the partners came from Derby and the fourth from Southwell, Nottinghamshire.

Nathaniel Edwards was born in 1768. He married Salona, daughter of Alexander Cuthbertson, at St. Peter’s in Derby in 1794. He became an attorney-at-law in Derby and was the lawyer acting for the partnership. Edwards’ father was William Edwards, who was three times Mayor of Derby. It is believed that Nathaniel Edwards and his family lived at Exeter House after its purchase by the partnership. He died in 1814.
Richard Forester Forester was a surgeon, and according to Reginald Johnson in “The History of Alfreton” he was “the most prominent physician in Derby and chief consultant to the infirmary”. Forester was also a Fellow of the Linnean Society of London and a member of the Derby Philosophical Society which was founded by Dr. Erasmus Darwin [1731-1802] along with many other prominent members of Derby society. The Philosophical Society met in the house of William Strutt [1756-1830] an inventor and civil engineer who designed and built Derby Infirmary in 1819 [all three of the Derby partners were on the design committee for the infirmary]. The Philosophical Society may have had their meetings at Exeter House, the property purchased by Thomas Saxelbye and partners, as Strutt leased the house and lived there from 1796.
Writings in “The Asclepiad” [a “book of original research and observation in the science, art and literature of medicine”], published in 1888, listed previous members of the Derby Philosophical Society, although dates are not given for their membership. The list includes Charles Sylvester [an engineer], Dr. Erasmus Darwin [the naturalist], Francis Darwin [his son], Joseph Strutt, William Strutt and Henry Strutt of Belper, Dr. Richard Forester Forester FRS, Charles Thomas Haden MD [the brother of Sarah Haden, who was to marry James Oakes], James Oakes, George Lowe [engineer], John Whitehouse [known as the clockmaker] and John Mushat, [a metallurgist].
After the death of Erasmus Darwin in 1802, Forester became the President of the Philosophical Society. He died in 1843. An obituary was printed in “The Proceedings of the Linnean Society of London” which stated: “Richard Forester Forester, Esq, MD, President of the Derby Philosophical Society, and for forty five years a Fellow of the Linnean Society, died on 5th of December last, in the 73rd year of his age. He was at the head of his profession in the town of Derby, and took a leading part in most of the useful and benevolent institutions of his neighbourhood; being the senior magistrate of the county, and an alderman and magistrate of the borough. He was distinguished for classical attainments and a refined taste; and had formed a collection of fossils which he bequeathed to the Museum of the Derby Society. To the Arboretum so nobly presented to the town by the late Mr. Joseph Strutt (and the formation of which is regarded as one of the most successful labours of another of our Fellows, whom it will be my duty presently to notice more particularly), Dr. Forester bequeathed the sum of £300, besides several considerable legacies to charitable institutions.”
William Wylde came from from Southwell, in Nottinghamshire. He seems to have been a “sleeping partner” and in some histories of the ironworks [including Reginald Johnson’s “A History of Alfreton”] his name is completely omitted. The fact that he was a partner in the enterprise is confirmed in the London Gazette when he left the partnership in 1804. He was probably the same man that was listed in the Bankers’ Magazine in a list of privately owned banks under the heading “SOUTHWELL, MANSFIELD AND ALFRETON – Wylde & Co. [Established 1806, Fixed Issue £14,744]. William Wylde, Southwell, Gentleman. John Charles Wylde, Southwell, Gentleman”.
He also appears in the “The History of Southwell” by Richard Phillips Shilton, published in 1818 as follows: “NORMANTON – A large house situated north-east of the Residence House, rebuilt by the late lessee, Mrs Tibson, relict of Jacob Tibson Esq. of Southwell, deceased, in a very elegant and substantial manner. It is now the freehold property of William Wylde Esq. who occupies and has very considerably enlarged the same. Mr Wylde disposed of the yard, barn and stable to the Rev. John Thomas Becher, the present proprietor.” The Bank, called Wilde and Bolger, Southwell, is listed in the town of Alfreton in Glover’s trade directory for 1829, but it is not known when this bank was established, although it confirms a clear connection to Alfreton Parish, which included Pye Bridge, Riddings and Somercotes at that time.
Not much is known about the life of Thomas Saxelbye. The family name was known in Derby as far back as the late 18th century and he was probably born in Derby in 1752. According to various sources, including Reginald Johnson in “The History of Alfreton” Saxelbye was by trade a pharmacist although in several instances he is listed as a merchant. He certainly knew both Edwards and Forester sometime before they formed the partnership that would establish the ironworks at Pye Bridge, as all three were Trustees of the Alfreton to Derby Turnpike, which was created by a Parliamentary Act in 1802. Along with the many names appearing in the list of the Trustees was also Benjamin Outram, of Butterley Hall and the Butterley Ironworks, Henry Case Morewood of Alfreton Hall and John Cressy Hall of the Swanwick Grange Estate. Saxelbye died in 1828.

The four partners formed a business which took the name of Thomas Saxelbye & Company and named their Derby works the Derwent Foundry. None of these four men seemed to have had any former dealings with iron making or iron foundries and no doubt looked upon the venture as an investment opportunity. To oversee their investment they employed James Oakes [1750-1828], who was also from Derby. Oakes was the son of Benjamin Oakes [1712-1766], head of a family of innkeepers and carriers of St. Peter’s Street, Derby. It is likely that membership of the Derby Philosophical Society is how James Oakes knew Richard Forester and how he initially became involved with the ironworks at both Derby and Pye Bridge.

Around the year 1801, the company purchased land at Pye Bridge and the partners eventually became lessees of the mineral rights. Two exposed concentrations of ironstone rakes ran through the area. One was known as the “Ironville Anticline”, and the second was known as the “Riddings Dome”. These two concentrations yielded a high tonnage of iron ore per acre of land. To add to the desirability of the mineral rich land the Cromford Canal had also been constructed alongside the ridge. An auction of land took place on 20 November 1801 at the George Inn, Alfreton. The Derby Mercury published on 12 November carried a notice of the auction of which Lot 9 was: “A piece of land well adapted for wharfage purposes, called the Upper Bent and part of Spring Field, adjoining to and lying between the Canal and Turnpike Road aforesaid, near Pye Bridge, containing by estimation nearly four acres. All the premises are intended to be sold subject to reservations of minerals which will be particularly specified at the time of sale”. It is not clear exactly where this land was, or if Thomas Saxelbye & Company purchased it at the auction. The date and details are, however, closely matched. It is believed that the land on which the ironworks sat was purchased partly from Lancelot Rolleston, of Watnall Hall and partly from the Musters of Beauvale, and that the mineral rights were leased separately. The fact that the land and mineral rights were separately owned and leased often caused issues with the respective owners and lessees. This is explained by John Farey in his book “General View of the Agriculture & Minerals of Derbyshire” published in 1811 which states: “The coals in old inclosed parishes in some instances belong to one person, and the land to another, and even the ironstone is again separated by Leases, as in Somercotes and some other places; in such cases the cultivation suffers severely, from want of any interest between the Farmer and the Miner…”

The “Asclepiad” of 1888, previously mentioned, referred to Charles Sylvester the engineer and James Oakes together founding the Alfreton Ironworks, although this is probably a reference to them establishing the works on behalf of the Derby partners. No other documentation or reference in support of this claim has been discovered. As the two men obviously knew one another at least through the Derby Philosophical Society if not more socially, it seems logical that they could have been employed in establishing the ironworks at Pye Bridge. Certainly James Oakes seems to have taken the project to heart, purchasing shares in the partnership at every opportunity until he became the sole owner. At the outset there were probably two people required to oversee and run the construction of the ironworks and foundry. The first would be an engineer and the second a project manager. In nearly all documents that describe the vocation of men such as those in the Philosophical Society, titles such as Engineer, Scientist, Chemist etc., are used, but more often than not James Oakes is referred to as “Gentleman”. He was certainly not employed as the manager of the Derwent Foundry or the Ironworks at Pye Bridge, as other people are known to have had that title; he was more likely to have been the head of the company responsible to the shareholders or partnership, and in today’s terms would probably have the title “Chief Executive Officer” [CEO]. Despite his perceived fondness for Pye Bridge and Riddings however, he continued to live at Derby.

The works that Thomas Saxelbye & Company founded at Pye Bridge was next to the canal wharf and ideally sited to exploit the coal and ironstone. It became known as the Alfreton Ironworks and opened around 1802. Unlike the foundry business at Derby, the Pye Bridge site included a Blast Furnace for the manufacture of iron.

An early map of the Ironworks, dated 1811. The road at the top left is the current B600

Prior to 1709 charcoal was the medium used to produce iron. Woods were being cleared of timber for shipbuilding, for housing and other essential trades which resulted in the price increasing dramatically. In 1709, Abraham Darby succeeded in smelting iron using coke, derived from coal. By the time that the Derby partners established their business at Pye Bridge, the use of charcoal in ironmaking had all but disappeared, and the desirability of siting an ironworks close to the supply of both ironstone and coal was obvious. Along with the blast furnace to produce pig iron, the company also established a foundry at Pye Bridge, and began to sink their own collieries and ironstone mines close to the works. During 1802 alone, a total of 22 blast furnaces were under construction in Britain, showing the speed with which ironmaking was developing and why the Derby partnership were willing to invest their money in this enterprise.

In 1804, William Wylde left the partnership and was replaced by a man named Joshua Lomas. The transfer of shares and the change in the partnership was recorded in the London Gazette dated 17 April 1804: “Whereas the Partnership between Thomas Saxelbye, Nathaniel Edwards, and Richard Forester Forester, all of Derby, in the County of Derby, and William Wylde, of Southwell, in the County of Nottingham, Iron-Masters, and carried on at Riddings, in the Parish of Alfreton, in the said County of Derby, and at Derby aforesaid, under the firm of Thomas Saxelbye and Company, hath (so far as the same relates to or concerns the said William Wylde has been this Day dissolved by mutual Consent. And whereas the said William Wylde [with the Consent and Approbation of the said Thomas Saxelbye, Nathaniel Edwards, and Richard Forester Forester] hath assigned and transferred all his Share and Interest of and in the said Co-partnership Concern unto Joshua Lomas, of Derby aforesaid, Gentleman: Notice is therefore hereby given, that the said Business will in future be carried on by the said Thomas Saxelbye, Nathaniel Edwards, Richard Forester Forester, and Joshua Lomas, under the Firm of Thomas Saxelbye and Company, with whom all Accounts relative to the late Partnership are to be settled. Witness the Hands of the said Parties the 20th Day of February 1804; Thos. Saxelbye, Nath. Edwards, Rich. Forester Forester, William Wylde, J. Lomas.”

By the beginning of 1805 it appears that the partners in the firm had taken the decision to transfer all production to their Pye Bridge works. A notice to this effect was published in the Derby Mercury on 9 May 1805 which read: “DERWENT FOUNDRY, Derby – Messrs. Thomas Saxilbye & Co. desire to inform their Friends and the Public that they are about to remove their foundry business from the Derwent Foundry to their Blast Furnace and Foundry near Alfreton, where they propose to carry on every branch of the casting department, and they request all future orders may be addressed to the Alfreton Iron Works - Derby 8 May 1805.”

Also in 1805, Joshua Lomas left the partnership. This event was again recorded in the London Gazette, which was dated 12 November that year: “Notice is hereby given, that the Partnership lately subsisting between Thomas Saxelbye, Nathaniel Edwards, Richard Forester Forester, and Joshua Lomas, of Alfreton, in the county of Derby, and of Derby, trading Under the Firm of Messrs. Thomas Saxelbye and Co. was dissolved by mutual Consent on the 11th Day of April last, so far as relates to the said Joshua Lomas; and all Debts due and owing to and from the said Partnership Estate will be received and paid by the said Thomas Saxelbye, Richard Forester Forester, and Nathaniel Edwards, who carry on the said Trade on their own Account: As witness their Hands this 28th Day of October 1805. Thos. Saxelbye, Nath. Edwards, R. Forester Forester, J. Lomas.” Lomas was a partner in the company for just over one year. A new partner to replace Lomas was not sought, and the three original Derby partners continued the business on their own.

During 1805, the company appointed David Mushet [1772-1847] as manager. Mushet was by then a well-known authority on the manufacture of iron, and his work at Pye Bridge resulted in changes which increased the production capacity of the blast furnace to a level almost 60% more than those operated by the Butterley Company at that time. Whilst working at the ironworks, David Mushet lived at Hermitage Hall, [now Hermitage Farm], at Newlands. He moved there with his wife, Agnes, three children, and his younger brother, George.

Mushet was perhaps an obvious choice to fill the role of manager to the ironmasters of the Alfreton Ironworks. Born in Dalkeith, near Edinburgh, he was the son of a former weaver who had established his own foundry in the town. Although he did not work for his father he studied ironmaking while he was employed as an accountant by the Clyde Ironworks of Glasgow. He would become an authority on the manufacture of iron and steel and in 1800 he developed and patented a process to make cast steel from wrought iron [he later sold the patent to a Sheffield company for a sum of £3,000, a substantial amount of money in those days]. Prior to his appointment at Pye Bridge, he worked at the Calder Ironworks, where his scientific and experimental attitude did not always go down well with the owners, who were more concerned in protecting the profitability of their company. By 1805, the year he was employed at the Alfreton Ironworks, he had published around thirty papers on the subject of iron and steel making and whilst working at Pye Bridge Mushet continued to write articles which were published to much acclaim. Within a relatively short time, Mushet turned Alfreton Ironworks into the most efficient and cost effective foundry in the county.

David Mushet’s brother, George, only lived with him at Hermitage Hall for about six months, before returning to Scotland in late May 1806 to assist another of his brothers, William, to manage the ironworks at Dalkeith which had been founded by their father in 1771. . Whilst in Derbyshire George probably worked as an assistant to his brother David. He wrote a short diary, some of which covers his time at Hermitage Hall and which offers a remarkable insight into life in the area at the time. Four entries in the diary, written on consecutive days are partly transcribed below:

1805. 4 November “…Dr. Forester, one of the partners of the Compy called today. He dined, drank tea & supped with us. He is very intelligent and well informed, has travelled through a good part of Germany and can speak the German language fluently…”
1805. 5 November – “…Entering into the back kitchen in the morning, the washerwoman when she noticed me assumed a respectful attitude and curtseyed twice. I was heedlessly passing and did not observe her until she was proceeding to the 3rd curtsey when I interrupted her by saying good morning. I relate this to you as a proof of the superior breeding of the English. To this I will subjoin another instance in which you will see that this sort of breeding is general even among the youth of this country. Today I was walking along the banks of the Pinxton Canal, which is about 100 yds from the works. And runs over an immense stretch of country and communicates with several sea port towns in the east and west coasts of England. A number of school boys and girls, perhaps to the number of 6 I overtook them in the course of my walk. As I passed the girls kneeled and the boys, hand in hand, bowed respectfully. This is the custom with the youngsters in our neighbourhood and I suppose is general in many countys [sic] in England…”.
1805. 6 November – “Visited the works immediately after breakfast. The furnace was cast at midday. The produce was very fine No. 1 Pig Iron and the amount nearly 4 tons…” [The diary continues on this date about the technical definitions and comparisons of various temperature scales].
1805. 7 November – “Nothing worth noticing occurred today. My Brother [David Mushet] made a call at Butterley Iron Works. William Wilson arrived in the evening from London. With a good deal of difficulty he got our sequestered dwelling. He informed us of the defeat of the Combined Fleet off Cadiz by Lord Nelson”.

It must be noted that George, referring in his diary to “the English”, was, of course, Scottish. It is almost certain that young and old alike in the district would have known who George Mushet and his brother David were, and the respectful attitude shown to them reflected the position they held in the Company. If anything, the diary entries show the difficulty in receiving national news when living in a rural location in 19th century England, as the defeat of the Combined Fleet [now known as the Battle of Trafalgar] occurred on 21 October, just over two weeks before the diary entry.

Further extracts also show that cash flow was as important for a company then as it is today. It was necessary to receive payment for goods on time, and to delay paying any bills for raw materials and work for as long as possible. The diary entries for the 3rd and 4th January 1806 show that the Alfreton Iron Works purchased coal from the local Morewood’s pits and the result of delaying payment:

1806. 3rd January – “Mrs. Morewood stopped the coals from being sent into the works, in consequence of which my brother [David Mushet] went into Derby in a Post Chaise in the evening. I went along with him 1½ miles beyond Pentridge”.
1806. 4th January – “My brother returned in the evening from Derby. We walked up together to Alfreton. He called at Alfreton Hall to settle a coal account with Mrs. Morewood. I passed the time in the George Inn until he returned…”

The diary entries also mention the Butterley Ironworks, which were much larger than those at Pye Bridge. On 5th January George Mushet visited a local coal agent named Evans for “…liberty to remove what coal lay at the pit heads, which obtained, I ordered to bring them round by Butterley Iron Works…” The diary continues with a short description of Butterley at that time:

1806. 5th January – “…The works consists of 3 blast furnaces, 2 of which are presently at work. The Casting Houses run out in front of the furnaces. They are filled from a level coke yard. Their burden of cokes 16cwt to the charge and 14cwt of ironstone… The rest of the buildings are moulding shops, smiths shops etc. And various workmens houses struck in the form of a circle round the blast furnaces, having in front of the Casting House a square piece of ground for the Pig iron yard.”

The final entry relating to George’s time at the Hermitage was made on 6th May 1806. In the early morning he left for London [probably using the coach which called at the Peacock Inn, Oakerthorpe].He arrived in London on the evening of the following day, and after spending some sixteen days there taking in the local sights, he travelled to Leith by sea, arriving at Dalkeith on 30th May. He never visited Derbyshire again.

David Mushet remained at Hermitage Hall and continued his research while working for Thomas Saxelbye & Company at the ironworks. As well as being well-known for his work into iron and steel making, Mushet also knew a great deal about the geology of the area, as the coal and ironstone was crucial to the manufacturing process. The collieries and ironstone mines dotted all over Riddings, Somercotes and Pye Bridge were an integral part of the business and actually employed more manpower than the ironworks itself.

On 4 July 1806 a contract was agreed between Christopher Rolleston and Thomas Saxelbye & Company relating to the leasing of the mineral rights under the Rolleston lands in Riddings and Somercotes. Under the agreement the company obtained a lease for 40 years, provided that the seams of coal and ironstone had not been worked out before this, under which circumstances the lease would become void. An interesting clause in the agreement stated that “…in getting ironstone by bell pits in openwork the surface soil to be laid aside and afterwards replaced on the surface.” The Rolleston lands in the area were substantial and the lease would probably have been looked on as a necessity by the company in order for it to have both the ironworks and control over the access to the main raw materials required for production.

The coal agent working for Thomas Saxelbye & Company at this time was Theodore Silverwood. Silverwood would spend his whole life at the ironworks and for much of the time lived at Lower Somercotes. He was born in 1773 and married Ann Horsley at St. Martin’s Church in Alfreton in 1805. Members of the Horsley family would also play a role in the ironworks during the mid-1800’s. Silverwood’s name appears in a Poll Book for 1826 where he is described as an “iron master of Somercotes”. By the time of his death in 1839, so great was the influence he and his wife had made to the physical and spiritual welfare of the local population that a stained glass window and plaque was dedicated to them at the Church of St. James in Riddings.

Mushet must have known Silverwood very well, and both men were respected for their geological knowledge and their input into the success of the ironworks. During his visits to London and other places, Mushet corresponded with Silverwood frequently. Such was Mushet’s reputation for his geological knowledge that in January 1808, whilst still working at the Alfreton Ironworks, he was made an honorary member of the Geological Society.

The importance of Mushet’s and Silverwood’s research to the reputation and growth of the ironworks cannot be underestimated. John Farey, a mineralogist [who had a somewhat complicated career], was appointed by Sir John Sinclair [1754–1835], then President of the Board of Agriculture, to survey the county of Derbyshire “in order to evaluate minutely its Stratification and Mineral Treasures” Farey contacted local experts knowledgeable in the subject, one of which was David Mushet. They met in 1807. Farey would eventually publish his work “Agriculture and Minerals of Derbyshire” in 1811, which contained information on the collieries and ironstone mines in the area and has become a valuable source of industrial history today.

In 1808 the Riddings Estate of Lancelot Rolleston was put up for sale. An auction of the estate took place on 23/24 February 1808 in 52 lots. An extract from the notice printed in the Derby Mercury of 7 January, prior to the auction, gives some idea of the size of the Rolleston estate at the time: “…In 52 Lots, a Valuable Freehold Estate [Tythe Free], situate at Riddings near Alfreton consisting of several substantial farmhouses and requisite outbuildings, sundry cottages and about 300 acres of valuable meadow, pasture and arable land, divided into convenient sized close, also an extensive right of common over Riddings and Alfreton Common…” A large majority of the Riddings Estate was purchased by Thomas Saxilbye & Company, which later became a significant purchase for the history of the ironworks and of the future of the locality.

Mushet continued his research and corresponded with like-minded people all over the country. An edition of the “Philosophical Magazine” [a scientific journal] published in the last quarter of 1808 printed a relatively long letter from him to a Mr Tilloch, headed “Alfreton Iron Works, November 10, 1808” and titled “Analysis of Various Kinds of Pit-Coal”. The letter begins: “Sir, It has often been a matter of surprise to me that we should possess so scanty a share of knowledge on the component parts of pit-coal, or at least that so small a share of that knowledge should meet the public eye. Except the analysis given by Mr Kirwan, I do not recollect any in our language. After this short preface, I shall offer you no apology for sending you the details that follow…”. The letter then continued with a short analysis of Welsh Furnace Coal from Cyfartha, Alfreton Furnace Coal, Butterley Furnace Coal, Welsh Stone Coal and others. His analysis of the coal produced locally was important to his experimentation and his subsequent conclusions and recommendations.

The publication “Coal & Iron Industries of the United Kingdom” by Ben Haas, published in 1882 mentions the work of David Mushet while he was at the Alfreton Ironworks and states that: “Mr. David Mushet introduced his system for making coke on a large scale for blast furnaces known as the ‘Close Way’ as distinguished from the old method in use at the beginning of the present century, of making heaps of coals, which being set fire to, were subsequently extinguished by a stream of water when coking was complete”.

Coke had replaced charcoal as the fuel used in ironmaking, but the quality depended on the methods employed in its distillation from coal. At the Alfreton Ironworks Mushet introduced a method for the manufacture of coke which became known as the “Closed Method” or “Close Way”. Dwarf chimneys were constructed just over one metre in height which were erected in rows on a “coke hearth.” Coal was stacked around the chimneys which were then fully enclosed in ash and fine sand or soil [known as “breeze”]. Openings were left in the chimneys and through the stacks so that they could be lighted and coal burnt and converted into coke. This closed method, the precursor of the coke oven, produced a much higher grade of coke and a greater consistency of quality.

The iron ore itself had previously been burnt in the open air in beds of coke and then coal-slack, before being broken up, screened and then smelted in the blast furnace. Mushet also devised a new method for this process by roasting the ore in kilns, which reduced the amount of fuel required and the time taken. Once broken up and screened the ore was placed in the blast furnace with limestone or fluor spa, used as a flux, which the company obtained from mines and quarries at Crich. The coke, iron ore and flux was placed in the blast furnace in alternate layers [the limestone or fluor spa was used as a reducing agent, without which the iron ore would not reduce to pig iron in the furnace]. The “Magna Britannia” of 1817 records that: “Fluors of various colours are found in several Derbyshire mines. These fluors are much used for promoting the fusion of brittle and churlish ore; the yellow spar from Crich is used at the ironworks at Butterley and Somercotes.”

After screening, very small pieces of iron ore were removed as these could block the blast furnace. They were considered a by-product of the process [and called “minion”] but once mixed with quick-lime made a hard durable mortar for the building industry.

In 1828 the hot-blast furnace was introduced. It was patented by John Beaumont Neilson of Wilsontown Iron Works in Scotland. The hot-blast furnace used waste heat from the exhaust gases to preheat the air being fed into the furnace and resulted in a reduction of the fuel needed to smelt the iron ore. This invention also led to the use of anthracite [known as “hard coal”] also being used as a fuel [which could not be lit in a “cold-blast” furnace], thus reducing costs further. This system was first used commercially at Yniscedewin Iron Works in Wales by a Mr. David Thomas in 1837. Investigations had found that a partial replacement of coke in the blast furnace reduced costs and increased the quality of the pig iron.

Anthracite has a high carbon content and the highest energy density of all types of coal. However, hard coal was found in the deepest seams, and in the early 1800’s the technology then available made mining it both difficult and dangerous. The ironworks at Pye Bridge was at the forefront in technical innovation and experimentation, mainly due to their employment of people like David Mushet. In the early part of the 19th century they produced an artificial version of anthracite. The details were reported years later in the “Memoirs of the Geological Survey of Great Britain and the Museum of Economic Geology in London”, published in 1846 which stated: “Anthracite has also been produced by artificial means, before the introduction of the hot blast into the manufacture of iron, when it was of importance to procure that largest amount of combustible matter without possessing the bituminous qualities of common coal. This Mr. Oakes of the Alfreton Iron Works effected, by exposing the coal to a very gradual application of heat, thus converting it into a complete anthracite and not into coke… Specimens of this artificial anthracite are preserved in the Museum of Economic Geology, London”. Significantly, the report states that the artificial anthracite was produced prior to the invention of the hot-blast furnace and was therefore likely to have been part of an experiment similar to those carried out at other ironworks. The article shows that the management at Alfreton Iron Works, led by James Oakes, was at the forefront of such experimentation.

David Mushet had been corresponding for some time with Thomas Halford, a co-partner in the Whitecliff Ironworks in the Forest of Dean, near Coleford while still engaged at the Alfreton Iron Works. Thomas Halford, a London Stockbroker and majority shareholder was not satisfied with the output at Whitecliff and approached Mushet due to his reputation as a metallurgist. Whitecliff Ironworks was substantially rebuilt under the supervision and guidance of Mushet. His work for Whitecross probably began to impede on his work at Alfreton, such that the proprietors seem to have eventually given Mushet an ultimatum to relinquish his work at Whitecross. He was reluctant to do this and it appears that this demand forced him to make the decision to move permanently to Coleford, Gloucestershire.

Mushet left Alfreton and moved to Coleford in February 1810 after Halford had bought out his partners and became the sole owner. He was to take up the position of manager of Whitecliff, but left after just six months, although the reasons for his leaving are not fully known. His youngest son, Robert Forester Mushet [1811-1891] was born at Coleford and is said to have received his middle name from the Forest of Dean, where they lived. He first worked under his father at Darkhill Ironworks in the Forest of Dean which David Mushet had established around 1818. He became more famous than his father, contributing toward the development of the Bessemer Process. Although he took out a patent for a process which improved the quality of the finished Bessemer steel it lapsed due to his inability to pay the patent fees and it was acquired by Henry Bessemer, who, combined with his own patents made a fortune in royalties from them. After some disagreement, Bessemer acknowledged Mushet’s contribution as “a most useful and valuable” discovery. Robert Mushet received an annuity of £300 from Bessemer in consequence.

David Mushet’s input into the Alfreton Iron Works during his tenure as manager was critical to its later development. The geological research that was carried out in the district continued under Silverwood, who would be appointed manager of the ironworks and no doubt had a long and friendly relationship with the future owner, James Oakes.

By the time that Mushet had left, the ironworks and its associated coal and ironstone mines were already having an impact on the local area. The Dog & Doublet Inn at Pye Bridge, for example, was well placed to take advantage of thirsty furnacemen but was also the nearest lodging house to the ironworks. The date when this Inn was built is not known and as it was located adjacent to the Alfreton-Nottingham Turnpike it may well date prior to the establishment of the ironworks. It can be dated back to at least 1808 when the Derby Mercury, published on 24 January that year, ran a notice for an auction held at the Inn: “Sale by auction by Mr. Hickson at the house of Mr. Kennedy, the Dog and Doublet at Pye Bridge near Alfreton… valuable household furniture and effects”. Future sales of land and houses at both Pye Bridge and Somercotes would mention, as a selling point, the close proximity of the ironworks and collieries and the increase in rent that could be made due to the influx of workers and their families. Pye Bridge itself had been established many centuries before the ironworks arrived. Its name no doubt derives from the bridge that must have crossed the river Erewash in ancient times and which forms the border between Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire. Today, many people will cross a newer version of the bridge without even realising they have crossed over the river. The ironworks itself was sited between the hamlets of Pye Bridge and Riddings, but James Oakes’s son, also named James, decided to make his family home at Riddings, most likely due to the rural atmosphere, away from the main activities of the business that almost certainly impacted on day-to-day life in Pye Bridge and Somercotes. With the ironworks, collieries, ironstone mines and the farms that they owned, Thomas Saxilbye & Company was a major influence on the development of the locality and its increasing population. At the centre of this was James Oakes, who, by 1809, was becoming the major player in the company.

2. THE OAKES FAMILY ERA, 1809

Although the business prospered, in 1809 Thomas Saxelbye left the company. The same year a petition of bankruptcy was awarded against Saxelbye, which may have led to his resignation from the company that bore his name. His shares and entire interest in the business were transferred to James Oakes, and the name of the firm was changed to Oakes, Edwards and Forester, reflecting the change of ownership. The London Gazette of 27 May 1809 recorded the change in circumstance as follows: “Notice is hereby given, that the Co-partnership lately subsisting between Thomas Saxelbye, Nathaniel Edwards, and Richard Forester Forester, all of Derby, in the County of Derby, Iron-Masters, trading under the Firm of Thomas Saxelbye and Company, at the Alfreton Ironworks, situate at Riddings, in the Parish of Alfreton, in the said County of Derby, and also at Derby aforesaid, was, on the 25th Day of March last past, dissolved by mutual Consent, so far as related to or concerned the said Thomas Saxelbye, and that the said Thomas Saxelbye, with the Consent and Approbation of the said Nathaniel Edwards and Richard Forester Forester, did then assign and transfer all his Share and Interest in the said Co-partnership Concern unto James Oakes, of Derby aforesaid, Gentleman, who was thereupon admitted and became a Partner in the Place and Stead of the said Thomas Saxelbye; and also that the said Business will in future be carried on by the said James Oakes, Nathaniel Edwards, and Richard Forester Forester, under the Firm of Oakes, Edwards, and Forester, with whom all Accounts relating to the late Co-partnership are to be settled. Witness the Hands of the said Parties the 20th Day of May 1809. Thos. Saxelbye, Nath. Edwards, Rich. Forester Forester, James Oakes.”

Although Nathaniel Edwards and Richard Forester continued as partners within the company, it was almost certainly at this time that James Oakes became the senior partner.

Theodore Silverwood continued to work as manager for the company during the changes in company ownership, and used his knowledge of the local geology in the sinking of the many colliery and ironstone mine shafts in the area.

When John Farey published his work “Agriculture and Minerals of Derbyshire” in 1811 some of his findings were queried in the Philosophical Magazine by Robert Bakewell, a well-known geologist of the time. The work of Theodore Silverwood was used in Bakewell’s argument. Volume 42 of the Philosophical Magazine, published in 1813, printed an article by Bakewell with regard to Farey’s work in Derbyshire with particular relevance to a “zigzag” fault in the stratum, which other geologists were unable to confirm. Part of the article referred to the work of Silverwood and Mushet, some years previous: “…a collection of sinkings or boreings, applied in succession, from the deep to the basset, which was begun several years ago by Mr. Theodore Silverwood, the very able Coal and Iron agent, at Somercoates Furnace, when it was under the direction of my scientific friend Mr. Mushet… “

It continued: “…Mr. Silverwood’s general sinking account, I have frequently seen, and indeed have a copy of it, as far as it had been completed each way from Somercoats, when last I was there and it now appears that, from a letter of one of the proprietors… that Mr Silverwood is making progress with a vertical section of Derbyshire Strata, which is, I hope, doing by an actual levelling over the surface, an ascertainment of the top and bottom of each rock or visible stratum, and its dip, to be applied to the thickness previously ascertained by sinkings…” “…I sincerely hope that this important work may soon be completed by Mr Silverwood, and as soon as I hear that the eastern part of it is finished I certainly will, at the first opportunity of travelling that way, avail myself of the kind invitation I have had from the resident proprietor Nathaniel Edwards Esq, to see Mr Silverwood’s sinking account and section, and if possible, I will trace the ‘zigzag’ fault across it”. In reply, John Farey stated that he had, in some instances in his work, not been able to confirm details that had been given to him by third parties, but the exchange shows the preparation and study that went into the business of mining in the early part of the 19th century.

Nathaniel Edwards died in January 1814 but it seems that the firm of Oakes, Edwards and Forester continued for several years after, due perhaps in part to complications with the assets of his estate. Richard Forester also took the decision to leave the partnership in April 1817. Despite the changes within the company, a second blast furnace was being added to increase production.

Although it cannot be certain, the combination of Edwards’ death and the resignation of Forester may have prompted a proposed sale of the business. Edwards’ business interests had passed to his executors and heirs, who no doubt wished to capitalise on the funds available from a sale of the assets. Regardless of the reasons, a decision to dissolve the partnership and sell the estate was made, and the entire business was consigned to auction. The estate was effectively sold in two lots. Lot One consisted of Alfreton Ironworks, Riddings House, parkland and approximately 115 acres of arable pasture and meadow, and Lot Two titled “Estates in Derby”, was to include Exeter House, its gardens and grounds. A notice relating to the auction was published in the Staffordshire Advertiser on 21 June 1817, a full transcription of which follows:

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“ALFRETON IRON WORKS AND ESTATES IN DERBY

TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION BY MR. BREAREY

Under an Order of the Arbitrators, at the house of Mrs. Woodward, The George Inn, in Derby, on Tuesday the 15th day of July next, at 4 o’clock in the afternoon, (unless previously disposed of by Private Contract, of which due notice will be given)

All those well-arranged, newly erected, and valuable IRON WORKS, situated on the Pinxton Branch of the Cromford Canal, in Somercoates [sic] near Alfreton, in the county of Derby, consisting of two BLAST FURNACES with a BLAST ENGINE of 32 horse power, a TURNING ENGINE condensed from the BLAST ENGINE, very spacious and commodious CASTING HOUSES, Drying Stoves, Cupola, Four Air Furnaces, Ironstone Kilns, Coke Hearth, Smiths, Joiners and Model Makers Shops, Warehouse, Counting House, Work-men’s Dwelling Houses, and other necessary Appurtenances; together with all the Stock-in-Trade, Working Tools, and implements of every description, and two Boats.Also a double powered PUMPING ENGINE, and WHIMSEY, with two Boilers, &c. and other Colliery Appendages. An extensive WHARF on the Bank of the Canal is connected with the Works by a short Iron Railway. One of the Furnaces is now in Work, and the other complete and ready for Blast, and the whole of the buildings are in good repair. Also a LEASE for an unexpired term of 21 years, of COAL and IRONSTONE under upwards of 300 Acres of Land adjoining the Works. The Cromford Canal opens a communication from this Estate with Derby, Nottingham, Leicester, Gainsboro’, Hull, London, and all the Inland Canals; and the freight to the Metropolis is as low as from most Ironworks in the Kingdom. The Iron is of an excellent and approved Quality. Also a capital and modern built STONE DWELLING HOUSE for the residence of a Partner or Manager, very pleasantly situated, with a neat Conservatory, good Stables, Coachhouse, Corn Chambers, and other Offices, Pleasure Grounds and Kitchen Garden; the whole forming a very desirable country residence. Also a desirable FREEHOLD ESTATE, consisting of a FARM HOUSE and requisite Farming Buildings, in part newly erected, and about 115 Acres of Arable, Meadow and Pasture Land, (including the Gardens, Pleasure Ground, and land occupied by the Buildings and Works above described) lying in a ring fence and in high condition; together with a variety of Farming Stock and Implements of Husbandry.

ESTATES IN DERBY

An eligible FREEHOLD ESTATE, consisting of Nine DWELLING HOUSES with Gardens, in Exeter Row, in the Parish of St. Alkmund, in Derby, in the occupation of William Pedley, Thomas Birch, Mary Ford, John Rhuer, Robert Brewer, Mary Brough, Joseph Dodson, John Smith and John Kirby, and several Acres of valuable Land at present occupied as Garden Ground but well situated for building purposes and intended to be sold together or in Lots, according to a Plan which will be produced at the time of Sale. N.B. This land lies on the east side of the River Derwent, but is neat to, and connected with, the Market Place by means of a convenient Bridge and Road. Also about TWO ACRES of Garden Ground, in the possession of John Wild, lying near to the last mentioned Land.

For further Particulars application to be made to Messrs. WARD, LOCKETT, and BALGUY, or Mr, Jessop, Solicitors, Derby. Derby, 10th June 1817”

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The “Stone Dwelling House”, described as a “desirable country residence” is Riddings House.

Despite the public notices, neither Lot was sold. The Derby Mercury on 17 July 1817 records: “The Alfreton Iron Works previously advertised for sale by auction not having been sold, they are to be disposed of by private contract. The Houses in Derby are to be sold in separate lots and the Land in Derby will be sold together or in lots as agreeable to the Purchases…”.

There must have been much uncertainty surrounding the business during this period, as both the Riddings and Derby estates remained unsold, although the second blast furnace was commissioned and began working in 1817. In April the following year the company’s assets were again consigned to auction. This time however, the auction lot for the Ironworks and Riddings House and Park also included the lease for the mineral rights and land in Crich that was omitted from the original auction particulars in 1817. Much of the description for the sale was the same as for the previous auction, but a further extract of the auction details published in the Derby Mercury on 2 April 1818 reads: “CAPITAL ESTATES, IRONWORKS AND COLLIERIES – All those well-arranged, newly erected and valuable IRON WORKs situate on the Pinxton branch of the Cromford Canal at Somercotes…. And a lease for an unexpired term of about 20 years, of coal and ironstone under an extensive tract of land adjoining the works, and about two acres of Limestone land at Crich…” The estate in Derby was also listed for auction in the same notice.

The confusion surrounding the fate of the ironworks continued, as a further notice was printed in the Derby Mercury of 16 April 1818 which read: “IRON WORKS AND ESTATES IN ALFRETON AND DERBY – The sale of this property by Auction, which has been advertised for the 20th day of April instant, is postponed until further notice – Derby 14th April 1818”. It is possible that James Oakes was trying to find sufficient investment to purchase the ironworks and associated properties and lands. It is known for certain that he did in the end find funds to enable him to purchase the estate by private treaty. At this point, James Oakes became the sole owner and the company changed from Oakes, Forester and Edwards to James Oakes & Company. The Derby Estate was sold by James Oakes in June 1819 to William Eaton Mousley, who, like Nathaniel Edwards, was an attorney from Derby.

A final notice regarding the dissolution of the previous partnership and the change of company name was published in the London Gazette dated 24 November 1818, which read: “Notice is hereby given, that the Partnership heretofore carried on by the undersigned, James Oakes, of Derby, Gentleman, Nathaniel Edwards, late of the same place, Gentleman, deceased, and the undersigned Richard Forester Forester, Doctor of Physic, as Ironmasters and Co-partners, at Riddings and Somercotes, in the County of Derby, under the firm of Oakes, Edwards, and Forester, was dissolved, so far as regards the said Nathaniel Edwards, on the, 14th day of January 1814; and Such Partnership was dissolved, so far as regards the said Richard Forester Forester, on the 8th day of April 1817.—All debts due and owing to and from the said Co-partnership concern will be received and paid by the said James Oakes; and the business will be continued under the firm of James Oakes and Company: As witness our hands this 19th day of November 1818. James Oakes, William Charles Flack, Salona Flack, Wm. Edwards (The Executrix and Executors of Nathaniel Edwards, deceased), R. F. Forester.”

James Oakes died on 16 January 1828. His death was reported in the Nottingham Journal, published ten days later. The notice read: “On Wednesday the 16th Instant, while on a visit to his son at Riddings House, aged 77, James Oakes Esq. one of the Aldermen of the Borough of Derby. His health had for some time been visibly declining, but his death was awfully sudden. He rode out frequently for the benefit of gentle exercise in an easy phaeton and in one of these little exercises, having reached the town of Alfreton, he suddenly expired while sitting in the vehicle. Few men have left behind them a character of more unimpeachable integrity, or of greater simplicity of manners and genuine benevolence of disposition.”

James had married Dorothy Snape [1759-1839], who was born at Derby. The marriage took place on 30 May 1786 at Weeford, Staffordshire and they had several children together. Their first born son, Benjamin, named after James’s father, died in infancy and the business was inherited by their second son, named James [1788-1845]. In truth, it is not known when James took over the business interests of his father. James junior would have only been around 14 years old when the ironworks at Pye Bridge was established, although by the auction in 1817 he would have been 28. However, it is known that Riddings House had already been erected by 1817 and was probably built specifically for James around the time of his marriage to Sarah Haden in 1814. He certainly lived there at the time of his father’s death and it is believed that his father remained in Derby, and never lived in the Alfreton area. As the notice regarding the change of ownership in the London Gazette of 1818 referred to “James Oakes of Derby, Gentleman” it is almost certainly referring to James Oakes senior. It is likely though that James senior passed the business on to his son as soon as practicable and certainly long before his death in 1828.

PHOTO: A photograph of Ironworks Staff with Oakes family members.Thomas Haden Oakes is centre [with the beard]. The photograph dates from the late 1800's

Riddings House is an English Heritage Grade II Listed Building [no. 1109003] and originally consisted of a house and coach house together with gardens and parkland. It was extended several times, with a billiard room and clock tower added to the north-west corner. Whilst its location gave the impression that it was situated in countryside it was, in reality, only a short walk to the ironworks and other properties owned and operated by the Company.

The Oakes family was instrumental in establishing the Church of St. James at Riddings, donating land for the building and churchyard and funds towards the construction. Theodore Silverwood still had a prominent position within the Oakes empire which can be witnessed in a newspaper notice published in the London Evening Standard of 3 January 1828 regarding the building of the church at Riddings: “ALFRETON NEW CHURCH - BUILDERS and OTHERS - desirous of acting to execute the several works in the intended new church at Riddings, in the parish of Alfreton, Derbyshire, may see the drawings and specifications on application to Mr. Silverwood, at the Alfreton Iron Works. Persons who tender for the whole of the work must state if they are willing to undertake any of the trades separately, and at what sum; and each tender, accompanied with a schedule of the prices at which the same is made, and with the name of the party tendering, and two sureties, endorsed thereon, is to be delivered at the office of his Majesty's Commissioners of Churches, London, on or before the 12th of January. The Commissioners do not pledge themselves to accept the lowest, or any other tender, unless considered satisfactory. Further information, if required, may be obtained, on application to Mr. Bedford, Architect, 9, Gower-street, London.”

James junior continued his father’s expansion of the ironworks and the influx of workers to both the iron and coal businesses run by the family began to swell the local population.

Although the ironworks would become better known for the manufacture of iron pipes and street furniture many other bespoke castings were made. The Derby Mercury, published on 27 August 1828 printed an article regarding two new bridges that were being erected at the docks in Hull. This short article not only gave an indication as to the size of the castings handled by James Oakes & Company, but also the means of transport and the importance of the Cromford Canal at that time. Part of the article reads: “During the last week the second bridge (the one by which the communication between Whitefriargate and Waterworks street will be effected) arrived, and was landed on the north side of the Old Dock These bridges, the workmanship of which is of the most finished description, were cast and fitted up at the foundry of James Oakes, Esq. the proprietor of extensive works at Riddings, in the vicinity of Alfreton, Derbyshire. A surveyor, with a foreman and eight workmen from the foundry, have arrived in Hull, who are to commence forthwith the erection of the bridge last alluded to, the masonry being already so far completed as to admit of the work being proceeded in. It appears that the whole of the materials of this bridge, weighing about 90 tons, were conveyed to this port from Mr. Oakes's premises in two of the boats employed at Nottingham in navigating the Trent. They are flat-bottomed, and without decks; and, it is somewhat singular that, although apparently little suited for the Humber navigation, from the sharpness of their build, they actually outsailed and passed by the Gainsborough steam packets, arriving here in six hours from the last-mentioned place. We understand, however, that had not the weather been extremely favourable, they would not, loaded as they were, have ventured below the confluence of the Trent and Humber. As it was, the goods were conveyed hither, as it is termed, in one bottom, and all the expenses and delay of a re-shipment of the cargoes were avoided”

Stephen Glover’s “The Peak Guide…” published in 1830 has a description of the ironworks at that time: “The Alfreton Iron Works are situate within the hamlet of Riddings, in the parish of Alfreton. They consist of two blast furnaces for the manufacture of pig-iron and an extensive foundry for the conversion of a part of this product into castings. During the late war, these works were employed almost exclusively in furnishing cannon-shot and shells for the service of government; of which three thousand one hundred tons have been sent to the Royal Arsenal at Woolwich in the space of one year. Similar castings continue to be occasionally supplied from these works for the board of ordnance, and for the East India Company. Now, however, the principal part of the produce of these works, not disposed of as pig-iron, is cast into retorts and pipes for gas works, pipes for water works, castings for machinery, bridges and the general purpose of architecture. The retorts made at Alfreton have obtained considerable celebrity on account of their durability. Three collieries are connected with this establishment, which besides supplying the iron works, contribute largely towards the general consumption of coal in the midland counties. Eleven steam engines are in use on the different departments of the works, and from six to seven thousand yards of rail-road. The number of men employed is about five hundred. Three hundred and fifty of these are connected with the ironstone works and collieries and the remainder at the blast furnaces and foundries. The earnings of the labourers vary from 1s 8d. to 2s 4d per day; of the mechanics, founders and furnace men from 3s. to 5s.; of the colliers and ironstone getters, from 2s 6d to 4s 6d according to the nature of the work and the ability and experience of the individual.”

Stephen Glover also gives a short guide to iron making in his book, stating that the ironstone beds at “… Codnor Park, Morley Park, Somercotes near Alfreton, Chesterfield and Staveley are the most valuable in the county “. He continues, referring to the blast furnaces: “… iron is now made in tall furnaces only, heated with the coke of pit-coal and blown by cylinder bellows worked by steam engines. When the fusion of ironstone commences the smelted metal passes through layers of coke and limestone and collecting in the bottom of the furnace is let out into beds of sand, moulded into the forms required. A pig of iron is three feet and a half in length and weighs one hundred pounds”.

During the early 1800’s James Oakes continued to purchase and lease both land and mineral rights. An auction notice for land at Riddings, together with the associated mineral rights was published in the Derby Mercury on 16 June 1830: “TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION… At the house of Mr Creswell, the sign of the Black Horse at Somercoates, near Alfreton, in the County of Derby… LOT 1 – The East End of all that close or parcel of land called the Upper Town Croft, situate between Green Hill Lane and Riddings in the parish of Alfreton containing 3A.1R 6P with all the coal and ironstone and other minerals in and under the same; and also the coal and minerals in and under 1A 0R 10P of land or thereabouts adjoining. The coal and ironstone are of superior quality and the land comprised in the above lot is most eligibly situated for building purposes, containing a frontage by the road side of 160 yards nearly opposite the church now building at Riddings, and near to the Lodge and Grounds of James Oakes Esq.” This land is believed to have been purchased by James Oakes and workers cottages were eventually built on the site.

In 1832, James Oakes purchased outright land and mineral rights from Christopher Rolleston. The document was dated 4 december 1832 and was between Christopher Rolleston Esq. and James Oakes and his trustees. It was titled “Release and Grant of the Manor of Riddings and certain ironstone mines and coal mines under lands in Riddings in the Parish of Alfreton with the necessary powers for working the same.” The mineral rights and properties were sold for the sum of £1926.11s.3d., although it appears in the document that not all of the coal seams were included in the agreement.

It was not just coal and ironstone that was important to the company. The agreement also stated that “…The Lessees to have the Liberty to take away and convert to their own use Clay, Sand, Stone and other material gotten in the working of the colliery or getting ironstone”. On the face of it this does not seem an important clause in the agreement, but it was certainly not included as an afterthought. The “Special Reports on the Mineral Resources of Great Britain” published by the Geological Survey in 1915 confirmed that fireclay was underlying the Deep Hard Coal and Silica-rock occurred as a ‘ripping’ above the Tupton, Furnace or Low Main Coal, and below the main Tupton rock. The article continued “…Both the fireclay and the silica-rock are obtained from the company’s coal pits…” and that the “…reserves of the silica-rock are apparently abundant.”

The silica-rock, together with approximately ten percent of Derbyshire ‘ganister-sand’ [in which any included pebbles were screened or crushed] were mixed with the fireclay of the Deep Hard coal. The result was made into bricks by the company which withstood temperatures beyond 1250 deg. C and had some chemical resistance. They could used for boiler settings, coke ovens and cement kilns. The article stated that the bricks were also used “…for the company’s own brick and pipe kilns”.

PHOTO: Special moulding Core, c.1919

The relationship between the ironworks and its associated mines and collieries during the 19th century is easily overlooked, but as well as the ironstone and coal required for the manufacture of the company’s products there were also other interests at play. On 5 December 1839 the Board of Directors of the Midland Counties Railway appears to have passed a resolution to build a number of Coke Ovens, sufficient to supply all their needs. The “Railway Times”, Vol. 6 states that they “were ordered to be built at the Riddings Colliery, the property of James Oakes Esq., their Vice-Chairman, and that 100 ovens were built”. In total 101 ovens appear to have been erected. Thirty four of the ovens were built on land which was the property of John Cressy Hall, but which was leased by James Oakes for the mineral rights and 67 on land belonging to James Oakes, “near to the ironworks”. The cost to the railway company was £4,964. 2s 2d, “exclusive of the tools and materials used in coking” and the sum of £2855 8s 6d was paid to James Oakes & Company for the materials used in the construction. The Railway Magazine continued: “It appears by the minute-books that these ovens were ordered to be built on the Report of Mr. Kearsley, in which he states ‘that the coke produced at the Riddings Colliery was of first-rate quality’”. An agreement was made with William Silverwood [an agent for James Oakes & Company and a son of Theodore Silverwood], to supply the whole of the coke required by the Midland Counties Railway made at the ovens at a cost of 17s per ton [reducing to 16s per ton after the first four months], delivered on board a canal boat at Pye Bridge Wharf. The agreement included for the railway company to supply not only the coke ovens but all of the stores and tools associated with the works, whilst William Silverwood agreed to the upkeep and maintenance and to pay a rent to the Midland Counties Railway of £150 per year. The coke was conveyed from Pye Bridge to the Coke Store at Long Eaton by five pairs of barges, one pair belonging to the railway, one pair to Mr. Horsley and three pairs to James Oakes, also at an additional cost. The coke required by the Midland Counties Railway was one of their largest day to day expenditures, and the agreements made in 1839 and 1840 with James Oakes & Company were much criticised when it appeared that they were paying substantially more for the product than other railway companies, although this fact was disputed by several parties. A visit to the coke ovens by the railway company committee took place and after due consideration found that the ovens could only be used for coking the coal from the Riddings Collieries. The committee recommended that the coke ovens be offered to James Oakes & Company at a valuation to be ascertained. The situation was complex, but although initially erected for the Midland Counties Railway, the coke ovens became substantial assets as the blast furnaces also used coke in the manufacture of iron. The “Riddings Colliery” to which the Railway Magazine refers is almost certainly the Old Deeps, which consisted of two shafts sunk in the 1830’s and officially known as Deep Main Nos. 1 & 2. They originally exploited the Low Main coal seam but one of the shafts was extended to the Kilburn Seam at 250 yards deep. It was anthracite coal from the Kilburn Seam that was used at the Coke Ovens for the railway.

In the early 1840’s, James Oakes invited Dr. Lyon Playfair [later Knighted and then created Baron Playfair], to Riddings House to carry on research he was undertaking into waste gases produced by blast furnaces. The “British Association for the Advancement of Science” had previously advanced a grant to investigate the exhaust gases and chemical reactions of blast furnaces used in the manufacture of iron. The German chemist, Professor Robert Bunsen [of Bunsen Burner fame] had already carried out research into charcoal fired furnaces, but as coke was by then more often used in England this was thought to require further investigation. The British Association invited Professor Bunsen to England in order to continue his research with the assistance of Playfair. After corresponding with several manufacturers the decision was taken by Playfair to take up the offer given by James Oakes, as he believed that the Alfreton Ironworks would offer the best facilities and freedom for his research. To this end, Bunsen came to England and visited Playfair at Manchester in 1844, prior to their visit to Riddings and the Pye Bridge Works. In his memoirs Playfair described their journey from Manchester to Riddings, which is transcribed as follows: “We went by coach to a small town called Ripley to spend the night before arriving at Riddings. The coach carried away our two hats, which we never saw again. Next morning we went to various shops in Ripley to obtain new hats, but we were told that we had not got ‘Ripley heads,’ and certainly we found none large enough; but we ultimately got disgraceful looking wide-awakes, which made us, with our two German blouses, look like tramps rather than professors. However, we were cordially received and entertained at Riddings House, the seat of Mr. Oakes. It was to be a familiar place to me for the rest of my life, because two years later I married the youngest daughter of our host.” Playfair married Margaret Eliza Oakes at Riddings in 1846. They were the first couple to be married at the village church. The couple initially moved to Barnes in Surrey where Lyon Playfair was then based and during the next few years the couple had two children. Sadly Margaret became seriously ill and moved back to Riddings House where she died in 1855. She is buried in the Oakes family vault at the Church of St. James in the village. Although Playfair re-married several years later he returned to Riddings House on many occasions, and looked upon the Oakes family with a genuine fondness and admiration.

More important than the description of the journey Bunsen and Playfair undertook, however, is the detail regarding the blast furnaces on which their research was carried out. This is also covered in Playfair’s memoirs: “The investigation which we had undertaken was difficult. The iron furnaces were about fifty feet deep and from the top there belched a huge flame which lit up the sky at night. Our object was to ascertain what changes took place in the fuel, limestone and iron ore at every foot, from the top where they were introduced until they reached the hearth where molten iron and slag ran out when the furnace was tapped. We erected a support at the top for malleable iron pipes which were to sink into the furnace with the materials. These pipes being connected, I had their length marked at every foot with white paint so that it was apparent from which part of the furnace the gases were streaming. These gases were collected into glass collecting tubes, which were hermetically sealed by a lamp and duly labelled. This did very well and answered our expectations until the iron pipes descended to the hottest part of the furnace, where the air enters by the blast, and there they melted and we had new devices to make. Mr. Oakes, the proprietor, was not to be defeated, and by separate gangs of men and great labour he tapped the sides of the furnace so as to let us draw off the gases by insertion of lateral tubes. Bunsen was engaged below and I was occupied above passing the gases through water to collect any soluble products, when I was alarmed by being told that my friend had become suddenly ill. I ran down and saw white fumes coming out of a lateral tube, and Bunsen apparently recovering from a fainting condition. I applied my nose to the orifice and smelt the vapours of cyanide of potassium, which gave an entirely new light to the processes of the furnace, because this poisonous substance is an excellent reducer of metals. The results of this investigation were important, and have since led to the introduction of great improvements into the staple industry of this country although suggestors of them have long been forgotten by the iron trade.”

Playfair’s experimentation and the results of his research were published at the 15th meeting of the British Association, held at Cambridge in 1845 and was titled “Report on Gases evolved from Iron Furnaces with reference to the Theory of the Smelting of Iron – by Prof. Bunsen of Marburg, Hesse Cassel and Dr. Lyon Playfair of the Museum of Economic Geology, department of Her Majesty’s Woods & Forests”

The report itself comprises many pages and covers the results of the research in great detail, all of which were carried out at the Alfreton Iron Works. James Oakes had died by the time this paper was published, an event not lost on Playfair, who was thankful for the way in which he had been allowed to conduct his experiments. At the end of the paper he wrote the following: “We have already stated that the principal experiments on which our present inquiry is founded were instituted at Alfreton Iron Works, the property of Mr. Oakes of Riddings House. The liberality with which this gentleman opened all his processes to our inspection, and the zeal with which he aided us in our inquiry, under circumstances of no ordinary difficulty, cannot be acknowledged by us with sufficient gratitude. A few short months, however, have deprived industry of a most scientific manufacturer and society of a most amiable man. Our acknowledgements that our success in the inquiry is mainly owing to the facilities which he offered to us and now must fall upon the dead instead of the living; but we cannot refrain from expressing our thanks to his sons, who aided us materially in our experiments with their practical knowledge, and especially Mr. C Oakes whose well-appointed laboratory and skill in chemical manipulation were placed at our disposal during our residence at Riddings House”. Playfair’s subsequent recommendations resulting from his research were incorporated into the blast furnaces at the ironworks.

Despite the technological advances old working practices still existed, as noted in the Children’s Employment Commission Report by John Michael Fellowes of 1842. In his report Fellowes found that about 10 children under the age of eighteen were working at the ironworks, and about eight of these were under thirteen years of age. In contrast, the Butterley Company employed 34 under the age of eighteen, but none were under thirteen. He reported to the commission that very few children were employed at the forges and foundries in the district but the youngest he met was employed at the Alfreton Iron Works. The boy was 10 years old and was employed in carrying and preparing the sand for moulders. Interestingly, Fellowes goes on to report that “The others are employed either in the same way or in removing the moulds from the cannon-balls” indicating that this may still have been a chief product of the company at the time.

James Oakes died suddenly on 28 April 1845 at the age of 67 years. He had married Sarah Haden on 19 May 1814 at St. Michael’s Church, Derby and they had six children. Sarah was the daughter of Thomas Haden, surgeon and twice mayor of Derby [serving in 1811 and 1819]. The business passed to his eldest son, also called James [1816-1868] after his father and grandfather. James’s two brothers, Thomas Haden Oakes [whose middle name was taken from his mother’s maiden name] and Charles Henry Oakes also took active roles in the business. A short notice on his death was published in the Nottinghamshire Review and General Advertiser, which simply read: “In our obituary of this week it has been our painful duty to record the death of James Oakes Esq. of Riddings House near Alfreton, an able and zealous magistrate for the counties of Nottingham and Derby. While the unexpected bereavement to his family and connections is truly and deeply regretted, the public of this county and the magistracy more especially have sustained a loss that will be felt.”

In 1847, oil was discovered at Pye Bridge. That year, a decision was made to extend the shaft in the Old Deeps Colliery to a deeper level to extract coal from the Kilburn Seam. It made the Old Deeps one of the deepest collieries in the country. As mining operations continued at the lower level, a torrent of salt water burst through the workings. In order for mining to continue a sump was constructed at the shaft bottom to collect the water, which was then transferred at night into tubs, taken to the surface and disposed of in the Cromford Canal. The Cromford Canal Act of Parliament obliged all colliery owners in the vicinity of the canal to discharge water from their mines and collieries directly into the canal. In time the flow of water diminished, to be followed by a black treacle-like substance which began oozing into the workings. Considered just another hindrance to mining operations, it was similarly disposed of into the canal. Much of the contaminating substance found its way along the canal to Pinxton Wharf, where it is said that children, during the autumn nights of 1847, used to set the canal on fire by pitching hot cinders and burning twigs into the water. The proprietors of the Codnor Park Brewery also began to raise concerns about the water from the canal, which had been finding its way into the brewing process and giving their ale an odd flavour.

Finally realising that something needed to be done about the situation, James Oakes himself began an investigation and contacted his brother-in-law, the eminent scientist Lyon Playfair, for help with the problem. This led to Playfair, who at the time was employed as a professor in the Royal School of Mines, returning to Riddings House. After some investigations and realising the significance of the event he wrote to James Young, a former fellow chemistry student with Playfair and asked him if the discovery was of interest. Part of his letter stated: “You know that mineral naphtha is a rare natural product, no spring of it occurring in this country, all being imported from the continent or Persia. Lately a spring of this valuable product has been discovered on an estate belonging to my brother-in-law (Mr. Oakes) near Alfreton, Derbyshire.” The letter continued: “My brother intends to set up stills for it immediately; but as they are iron masters this would be a separate industry, so I have advised them, if possible, to sell the naphtha in the crude state to chemical manufacturers and thus avoid carrying on an industry foreign to their occupation…”. James Young came to Riddings House and carried out various experiments; not only on the product itself but also discovering the source and nature of the substance. Finding that lubricating oil and oil for lamps could be refined from the substance Young signed a contract with James Oakes to purchase all that came from the Old Deeps colliery. A year after he first arrived at Pye Bridge he also set up stills and a small manufacturing plant within the Alfreton Ironworks to refine the products, taking advantage of the facilities already available. This, in effect, was the first oil refinery and the start of the petroleum industry. After a short while Young moved to Scotland [where he was born] and with his colleagues, Edward William Binney and Edward Meldrum established the large oil refinery at Bathgate, near Glasgow. Binney had previously read a paper published in 1843 titled “An Account of the Petroleum found in Downholland Moss”, which showed that such a product could be produced from the decomposition of peat. Both he and James Young went to Downholland, in Lancashire, on 26 November 1848, when Binney showed the deposit of petroleum to Young and explained how it had formed. Binney made a statement to the Literary & Philosophical Society of Manchester, which was subsequently published in the “Proceedings of the Society, Vol 8”: “This was before I accompanied that gentleman to Riddings, at Easter 1849, and went down Mr. Oakes’s pit, where the deep coal was wrought, and petroleum flowed from the roof. At both these places the supply of petroleum was not sufficient for commercial purposes on an extensive scale. The Bathgate works were the cause of the petroleum trade in America…” Edward Meldrum was a chemist who had met James Young whilst working for Muspratt’s Chemical Works in Liverpool, when Young was the manager there. In 1848 both Young and Meldrum established a partnership at the Ironworks to develop the small refinery before moving to Bathgate, Scotland. The refinery at the ironworks was eventually removed, but this episode was one of the most important events that took place at the Pye Bridge works.

A reference to the ironworks and the presence of salt water which was found in the colliery, together with a short description of the earlier investigation into the by-products and gases released from the blast furnaces was made in the publication “A Topographical Dictionary of England” [7th Edition] by Samuel Lewis, printed in 1848. Although Lewis gives no mention of the experiments of Playfair and Busen, nor to the significance of the occurrence of salt water into the Old Deeps Colliery, his description of the cause and effect is worth noting: “At the iron-works in Riddings, called the Alfreton Iron-works, large quantities of ordnance stores are manufactured for the service of the British government and the East India Company. These works were established about 1801, and have greatly increased the population, which prior to that period was but small, although in the early ages Riddings was of considerable consequence. The coal formation surrounds the hill on which the village stands, in the shape of an inverted basin, having a dip on every side. There are six workable beds of coal and at least twelve separate mines, or rakes, as they are technically called, of ironstone: a sandstone rock very low in the series, yields a large and constant quantity of water, containing about twelve per cent of common salt, which is not at present applied to any use. The blast furnaces here were the first at which metallic titanium, in the form of brilliant cubic crystals, was found to be produced; and another curious product of these works, of late years, is cyanide of potassium, in a state of great purity: it oozes out of the sides of the furnaces, about three or four feet above the part at which the scoria, or cinder, as it is called, is allowed to escape. The source of the potassium is the peculiar kind of ironstone used here, which, on analysis, has been found to contain potash; the titanium has a similar origin.” The full significance of the presence of salt water in the strata would not have been evident to Lewis when his work was written in 1848.

Another important event in the history of the ironworks was the arrival of the railway. Until the railway which ran through Pye Bridge was built the only means of easily transporting large castings and heavy freight was on the Cromford Canal. Although via the canal large amounts of product could be shipped to other parts of the country and to the seaports, it was expensive and slow. The railway would provide a cheaper, much faster service. For years the coalmasters of the Erewash Valley had enjoyed a competitive price when shipping coal to their main markets in and around Leicester, due to the canal infrastructure. The Leicestershire coalmasters did not have the advantage of the canal and shipped their produce on inadequate roads which was slow and expensive. When they established the Leicester & Swannington Railway in 1832, the advantage swung in their favour and there was then an added impetus for the Erewash coalmasters to establish their own railway or simply lose this business. On 16 August 1832 at one of the regular meetings of the Erewash coalmasters, held at the Sun Inn at Eastwood, a proposal was made to extend the Mansfield and Pinxton Railway as far as Leicester. On 27 August a meeting was held at the George Inn, Alfreton to attract subscriptions for the proposal and a follow-up meeting was again held at the Sun Inn on 26 September 1832 to formally approve the scheme, to be known as the Midland Counties Railway. Amongst the people present at these meetings was James Oakes, who like many of his counterparts, had a vested interest in the project. Over the following years, various Parliamentary Acts were passed and the railway constructed, although at first not as originally proposed. Construction of the Erewash Valley Line commenced in 1844, and in that year the Birmingham and Derby Junction Railway, the Midland Counties Railway and the North Midland Railway merged to form the Midland Railway. Such was the advantage of the railway that other routes were proposed. The Derby Mercury published a report on the 10 September 1845 regarding the proposal of a Derby, Gainsborough and Great Grimsby Railway which was to have a route via Mansfield and which had the intention of connecting to Bristol, thereby completing a railway line from the Humber to the Severn. A provisional committee was formed, which included, among many others, James Oakes, Jedediah Strutt of Belper, William Sacheveral Coke of Langton Hall, Joseph Bourne, of Denby Pottery and Francis Jessop of Derby. Interestingly, also listed was Thomas Horsley of Pye Bridge, manager of the ironworks. Finally, in 1847, the Mansfield & Pinxton Railway was connected. A small notice in the “The Law Journal” for 1847 sums up the importance for the ironworks “An Act to enable the Midland Railway Company to purchase the Mansfield and Pinxton Railway and to alter the same, and to make a railway from the Erewash Valley Railway to the Nottingham and Mansfield Railway, with branches to Mansfield and also to the Alfreton Ironworks.” The Mansfield & Pinxton Railway mentioned in the Act was an early 4ft 4ins gauge horse drawn railway, often referred to as a tramway. The Act allowed the Midland Railway to take over the line. The track was re-laid to the standards of the day, and finally opened in 1849. The railway transformed the business and later maps of the ironworks would show the branch line with multiple sidings and shunting yards. The company had its own steam trains and steam cranes that operated within the works, which was the only way of moving heavy loads.

Whilst the railway became by far the most important means of transport the canal was still used for transporting products to certain clients. During 1853 and 1854, James Oakes & Co. obtained a contract to supply the British army with large quantities of round shot for the Crimean War. The “Stantonian” magazine, Volume 15 No 9, [published in September 1945] ran a short article on the history of the ironworks at this time: ”Shot and shell up to 6ins diam. were cast in chills and afterwards ground smooth in revolving mills. They were then loaded direct into the boats and despatched to London, the round trip taking three weeks. Old employees have been heard to talk of the place being like a beehive at the time.” The magazine continued with other information relating to the Pye Bridge wharf on the canal: “…Some years ago the triangular basin, in which the boats were loaded, was cleaned out and used as a cooling pond. Amongst the excavated mud were found some thirty or more specimens of this ammunition, ranging from 1½in to 6in diam., together with several chills in which they were cast…” Sadly, the Stantonian reported that these artefacts had since been lost.

The site continued to expand, and by 1861 a third blast furnace had also been added to increase production. At this time, Erasmus Thomas Horsley [1802-1875], was the manager of the Alfreton Iron Works. He was born in Pye Bridge in 1802 and at the time of the census return in 1851 his occupation was described as “Engineer, Grocer and Miller”. In 1863, his son, Thomas Horsley (1825-1885) also became manager of the iron works succeeding his father. Thomas was born on 25 May 1825, and educated in Derby. He was apprenticed in 1840 as a student to Mr. Josiah Kearlsey, a locomotive engineer working for the Midland Railway Company at Derby. It was in this capacity that Horsley rode on the first engine that ran on the line from Derby to Nottingham. After studying under Josiah Kearsley he assisted his father for a short time, until, about 1845 he took an appointment as engineer and manager of the Milton Ironworks in Yorkshire. Whilst there he designed various pumping engines for both lead and coal mines, and other machinery which was manufactured by the company he worked for. In 1854 he was appointed engineer to establish the Norton Ironworks of John Warner & Sons, near Stockton-on-Tees, where, on completion, the original Great Bell for the Westminster Clock was cast, along with one of the quarter bells [the Great Bell cracked during testing and was deemed beyond repair, so a second bell was cast by the Whitechapel Foundry, which is now known as ‘Big Ben’]. In 1863 he returned to Derbyshire and was appointed engineer and manager of the Alfreton Ironworks, where he remained until he retired to Derby in 1868. After a long and successful career, Horsley died at King’s Newton, Derby on 21 November 1885. During his time working for James Oakes & Company, Horsley lived at Pye Bridge.

In 1866 a visit to the collieries and ironworks of James Oakes & Company was undertaken by the “British Association for the Advancement of Science”, who held a meeting that year at Nottingham. Lyon Playfair was a member of the Association at that time, and at a prior meeting spoke about the ironworks and his previous visits. An article was published in the “Artizan Engineering Journal” in 1867 in which Playfair noted with interest the age of the blast furnaces at Pye Bridge, two of which were by then some forty or fifty years old. His speech partly related to the intended visit:- ”… Prof. Playfair said that as the members intended an excursion to Riddings Colliery and the Alfreton Ironworks, he might mention that one of the objects of interest was a peculiar furnace, celebrated for its antiquity, being 40 or 50 years old, whereas the average duration of iron furnaces was only about four or five years. Recently a part of the wall was taken down for repairs, and he then had the opportunity of examining the whole of the furnace, and of ascertaining how it was that it had lasted so long. To his surprise, he found it lined with plumbago 3 or 4 inches thick, not by the manufacturer, but by the operations of nature. This result he attributed to the carbon in the iron having been squeezed out; and the whole of the furnace was probably lined with plumbago. He thought they might congratulate themselves upon the promise of Dr. Matthieson [the author], that he would continue his researches.” [Plumbago is an old English word for Graphite]

The British Association meeting at Nottingham was held over several days, and included six excursions, including the one to Riddings where guests were to be entertained by James Oakes and senior members of the Company. A whole broadsheet newspaper page was given over to the meeting in the Derbyshire Advertiser and Journal, published on 31 August 1866. The detailed description of the visit to Riddings is possibly unique and is transcribed here in full: “EXCURSION TO RIDDINGS – About 50 ladies and gentlemen left the Midland Railway Station shortly after one o’clock for the Riddings Colliery and Alfreton Iron Works, belonging to Messrs. James Oakes & Co. This excursion, though limited in point of numbers, exited a considerable degree of interest, and the party included Mr Grove [the President of the Association], Sir E Belcher, Sir W Armstrong, the Abbe Mirgro, Sir Willoughby and Lady Jones, Dr. Lyon Playfair, Dr. Gilbert, Dr. Thompson, Dr. Bennett, Colonel Playfair, Professor Flucker, Professor Williamson &c. Having set down the Eastwood party at an intermediate station, the train stopped at Pye Bridge, where the majority of the party alighted, in order to inspect the Riddings Colliery, while the remainder, consisting mostly of ladies, whose nerves shrank at the descent of a coal pit, proceeded to the Alfreton Iron Works. The colliery has been opened about eighteen months, and the visitors first encountered splendid brick buildings upon visiting an engine of 50 horse power with formidable idling wheels, round which iron chains were coiled. Preceeding thence to the pit’s mouth preparations were immediately made for the descent. It should here be noticed that the shaft, instead of being vertical, is an inclined plane, the gradient being at first 1 in 3 and afterwards 1 in 9. This is a plan not often adopted, and in some cases might present difficulties, but it is certainly calculated to diminish the number of accidents, the majority of which are connected with the shaft. It is intended to make a vertical descent in addition when the workings are extended, and indeed, one has already been commenced and carried about 900 yards. A few of the visitors availed themselves of this access to the pit. The greater portion, however, were let down the inclined plane, each ‘train’ consisting of half-a-dozen trucks or waggons, conveying a dozen or so at a time. Most of the party had evidently never visited a coal mine before, and the departure of the first convoy naturally excited some sensation and trepidation, particularly when the train disappeared from view, while some youngsters, ‘native and to the manner born’ had collected on the top of the shaft and evidently enjoyed the timidity and the embarrassment of the strangers. It is, of course, perfectly practicable to descent the shaft on foot, as is commonly done by the colliers, and some of the bolder spirits of the party were prepared to essay the task, but it was prudently determined to discourage this, in order to preclude the possibility of accidents from collision with the ascending or descending trucks. The usual rate of speed was also lessened, both in consideration of the nervousness of the party, and also to enable them to make a more leisurely survey of the shaft. It would obviously be a great mistake to judge of the access to other mines by the Riddings pit, which possesses another peculiarity in being particularly dry and clean. Only at one or two points is there the slightest moisture; moreover, stooping is scarcely at all required, and the walking at the termination of the steep gradient is remarkably smooth and easy. Having promised thus much, we may proceed to describe the inspection made by the visitors. The pit’s works consisted of a tolerably wide brick archway, and this was continued for some distance, until a seam of soft coal was reached, well adapted for domestic use. It is at some points three feet in thickness, while at others it thins off to the extent of one-half. Passing beyond and under this, which, not being at present worked, nor likely to be for some years, makes a very even and substantial roof the shaft proceeds through a stratum of shale and ironstone until it arrives at a second bed of coal, of the kind known as ‘Derbyshire Hard Bright’ which fetches at the pit mouth about 7s. per ton. Here the visitors got out of the trucks and proceeded, candle in hand, on foot, and the gradient being now easy and the path tolerably smooth no contretemps occurred. Thy first passed the stables and as they went on met a number of horses drawing loads of coal along the tramway. Though entirely shut out from the light of day, for they pass their lives in this subterranean region, and are never taken up except when unwell, the horses appeared in good condition, and quite accustomed to the strange circumstances in which they were placed. Various sidings or stalls were observable (there are at present 15) and several of these were explored by different groups of the visitors. The ‘face’ of the coal sparkled in the candle light, and this bed, it appears, contains but a small proportion of surface. Wooden rafters and pillars are, of course, erected wherever necessary, and as the workings are extended the refuse is turned to account by being packed up in place of the pillars, leaving the roof to settle as it pleases. Continuing to advance, the visitors again met the seam of soft coal, the work on which is, of course, comparatively light. The extent of the workings is at present about 900 feet, the vertical depth, however, being considerably less. The ventilation, as was invariably admitted, was excellent (about 80,000 cubic feet of air a minute passes through the mine). Indeed, it is impossible to imagine a visit to a mine that could be attended with less discomfort. Several ladies took part in the inspection. Naked lights can be used in all parts of the pit, the Davy lamp being only employed in the trial of fresh workings. The colliers thus work under favourable conditions, though their calling must necessarily be a somewhat undesirable one, never seeing daylight except on Sundays for several months of the year. The usual limit of work is about 12 hours a day, being paid by the piece. They can generally earn, if they please, as much as £3 per week. Wages too, have a steady tendency to rise, which is one of the reasons why the price of coal to consumers is gradually advancing. The majority of the men, however, who are of muscular build and by no means unhealthy looking, do not choose to make as much as this. We have endeavoured to give a neophyte’s impression of the mine, but we are in danger of falling into a brown – or rather black- study, and will therefore proceed at once to chronicle the ascent. It may, however, be first remarked that the shale to which the workings penetrate yields considerable quantities of petroleum, which finds a ready market. The visitors, having placed themselves in the trucks, a wire suspended from the roof gave the signal for ascent and they were drawn up to the surface. Much less jerking is experienced in this process than when the shaft is vertical, in which case every stroke of the piston of the engine is perceptible. There was an evident feeling of delight when a glimmer of daylight from the pit’s mouth was discernable, contrasting as it did with the yawning gulf of darkness from which the ‘train’ was emerging, but all the party appeared much gratified with their visit, and were unanimous in commending the kindness and courtesy shown by Messrs. Oakes and the attention and civility of those of their employees who were deputed to act as guides. The company next proceeded to the Alfreton Iron Works, which have been in operation about forty years, and belong to the same firm. Part of the ore is obtained in close proximity to the coal-pit. Being a carbonate, and not a hematite ore, it is not adapted for steel, but large quantities of cast iron are annually manufactured here. The visitors inspected the process of burning it with lime, in order to set free the carbonic acid gas, and went as near as they dared to the furnace to see the ore thrown in, Mr. Oakes accompanying them and giving every explanation. Meanwhile, many of the visitors had found their way to Riddings House, Mr. Oakes having kindly given the party an invitation to luncheon. They sauntered about the picturesque park and gardens, the rural appearance of which was matter of astonishment, considering the proximity of so many furnaces, the trees and shrubs showing no tinge of smoke. A number of ladies and gentlemen played croquet, and a band, which Mr. Oakes engaged from Matlock, gave additional animation to the scene. The party sat down to luncheon about five o’clock. This was tastefully set out in a tent erected on the grounds and was of the most beautiful character, including a liberal supply of champagne. The usual post prandial formalities were dispensed with, but Mr. Grove took the opportunity of expressing the hearty thanks of the company to Mr. Oakes for his kindness and hospitality. The association, as a body, he humourously remarked, possessed no feeling of gratitude, visiting a different town annually, and thinking nothing more of the places where they had been received; but its members fully appreciated the kindness which had been shown to them in this district, and those present would carry back with them a very pleasant recollection of their visit to Riddings. Mr. Oakes briefly acknowledged this expression of thanks, observing that if the company had enjoyed their visit he felt repaid. On leaving the tent the visitors amused themselves in the grounds for a short time longer, until the hour fixed for their return train approached, when the band gave a signal for departure by playing the National Anthem and the excursionists reached Nottingham shortly after 8pm. The luncheon was furnished by Mr. J F King, of the Bell Hotel, Derby.”

James died at a relatively young age on 31 July 1868. He was buried in the Oakes family vault beneath the Church of St. James, Riddings. A short obituary was published in the Derbyshire Advertiser & Journal on 7 August: “RIDDINGS – DEATH OF JAMES OAKES ESQ.- In our obituary column we record the death of James Oakes Esq., of Riddings House which took place on Friday last. The melancholy event, although anticipated by his relatives two or three days before it took place, has cast a gloom over the neighbourhood. Mr. Oakes’s loss will be deeply felt by the county at large, as he had been an active magistrate for 20 years, and devoted great attention to the administration of justice in the Alfreton Division. Although a Churchman, Mr. Oakes contributed liberally towards Dissenting chapels and schools in the neighbourhood. As a coal and ironmaster he was greatly respected by those in his employ. The funeral of the deceased gentleman took place at Riddings church on Tuesday last. The attendance of inhabitants was very large. Amongst the mourners were T. H. Oakes Esq, C. H. Oakes Esq, Dr. Lyon Playfair CB, G. Playfair Esq, The Rev. N. Milner and J Wathal Esq.”

James had lived all his life at Riddings and there can be no doubt about the closeness of the family at that time. The census return of 1861 recorded all those present at Riddings House when the enumerator called. It makes for interesting reading:

1861 Census Return – Riddings House

James Oakes, 45, Magistrate, Ironmaster, Land Proprietor & Coal Owner. Born at Riddings.
Marian Oakes, 40, [wife of James], born at Ashover, Derbyshire.
Thomas Haden Oakes, 41 [Brother], Land Proprietor, Coal Owner & Ironmaster. Born at Riddings.
Sarah Ann Oakes, 46 [Sister], born at Riddings.
Elizabeth Maynar, 28, Cook. Born at Windsor, Berkshire.
Mary A. Fletcher, 32, Ladies Maid. Born at Somercotes, Derbyshire.
Rosetta Ashby, 25, House Maid. Born at Northampton.
Sarah Cooper, 18, Under House Maid. Born at Wirksworth, Derbyshire.
Mary Burn, 20, Kitchen Maid. Born in Staffordshire.

The census would not have included servants and staff who were not at work when the return was taken. Many of the staff would have lived at Riddings or Somercotes, but shows that families were moving into the area from far and wide.

James had married Marian Milnes [1820-1909] at Ashover on 30 July 1846. She outlived her husband by many years and died at Riddings House at the grand age of 89 years in 1909. James and his wife Marian did not have children, and the company passed to his younger brother, Thomas Haden Oakes (1819-1902). Thomas ran the business from 1867 until his own death in 1902, a period of 35 years which was arguably the golden age of the company.

During his tenure as head of the company Thomas continued the expansion of the small family run empire being created in the district. The “Calendar of the Records of the County of Derby” records that on 31 December 1870 “… John Watson, William Gibson and Thomas Bishop, described as before To Thomas Haden Oakes of Riddings in the county of Derby, esquire. Conveyance in fee [by deed poll] of a piece of land at Pye Bridge in the parish of Alfreton, in the county of Derby, containing three hundred and forty square yards, on part of which Pye Bridge Tollhouse then recently stood, and the remainder of the said land was used as a garden thereto. “

The quality of the products manufactured at Pye Bridge was well-known. The Building News and Engineering Journal, published in 1869 reported on iron making in Derbyshire and stated that “Messrs Oakes, of Alfreton Ironworks, have for a long time maintained a character for superior material and workmanship in their extensive casting business, which embraces castings of every description.” The following year, on the 6 March 1870, the Derbyshire Times & Chesterfield Herald ran the following short article: “SOMERCOTES - A MOST REMARKABLE FACT IN THE IRON TRADE -From a small blast furnace, belonging to Messrs James Oakes & Co., Alfreton Iron Works, Somercotes with only two small tuyres [sic], the large amount of 103 tons of iron was produced in the week ending February 26, after being in continual blowing for 55 years. This furnace also has been noted for producing the strongest quality and of the greatest specific gravity of any in the country” [a tuyere or tuyère is a tube, nozzle or pipe through which air is blown into the blast furnace].

The remarkable age of the furnaces at Pye Bridge, which were working under continual blast, was recognised throughout the scientific and engineering world. The Society of Engineers booklet “Transactions for 1881” published the following year, printed an inaugural address by the President, Charles Horsley, relating to the competition faced by various iron manufacturers and the fact that such competition did not contribute to any improvement in the quality of iron produced. The article stated that “…The lives of blast furnaces are now of very short duration, compared with what they were in the early part of the present century. I can give two instances of the length of time furnaces lasted without being blown out, which furnaces were at the Alfreton Iron Works, Derbyshire. One blown in during the year 1802 was in blast until 1873, while another blown in during 1811 was not blown out until 1866. This latter furnace was visited by the Members of the British Association during their meeting at Nottingham. After the furnace was blown out an examination showed that there had been formed a partial lining of plumbago, which protected the firebrick lining; this, I think you will admit, was a very remarkable incident in blast-furnace practice”. [Note that the date for the second blast furnace should have read 1817].

The article continued with an interesting insight into the working practices of the early blast furnaces at the ironworks: “I do not find charcoal had been used in smelting during the earlier period of the life of these furnaces. Coke alone was used up to 1829, when equal parts of coal and coke were substituted. The introduction of the hot blast was the cause of all coal being used; at that time the Furnace or Tupton Coal, mixed with a Lower Hard Coal was the fuel used. The ironstone used was the argillaceous of the coal series, containing from 25 to 37 per cent of metallic iron; the iron in the raw stone exists as a carbonate, and required calcining at a cherry red heat to convert the carbonate into a peroxide of iron for smelting. Iron made from this ore is very strong indeed. The bands of ironstone technically called ‘rakes’ are sometimes found with the coal seams. The Blue Rake lies above the Lower Hard Coal. The Kernal Rake lies above the Yard Coal; nine different rakes have been worked at the Alfreton Iron Works and it was found that the greater the variety used, the better and stronger was the iron produced…”. Charles Horsley [1829-1905] was well placed to write about the Alfreton Ironworks. He was son of Erasmus Thomas Horsley and brother of Thomas Horsley, previously mentioned. Charles was born on 30 May 1829 at Pye Bridge and educated at Derby Grammar School. He spent his first few adult years working for various engineering companies before moving to London, where he acted as agent and a consulting engineer for James Oakes & Company, a position he held until his death. He was the inventor of a gas exhauster and a patent syphon for gas mains which was manufactured at the ironworks. Advertisements for James Oakes & Co., from that time mention the Alfreton Iron Works and their City Road, London offices and include the following item: “Note – makers of HORSLEY SYPHONS. These are cast in one piece, without Chaplets, doing away with Bolts, Nuts and Covers, and rendering leakage impossible.” Although Charles Horsley remained in London he served on the Boards of several gas and water companies and was elected a Member of the Institute of Civil Engineers in 1883, and became President of the Society of Engineers in 1866. He died in 1905.

The Horsley family played a significant part in the running of the company for many years, and Erasmus Thomas Horsley and his son Charles would continue to patent processes and inventions into their old age. The London Gazette published on 27 August 1867 regarding a patent application, which read: “Erasmus Thomas Horsley, of Pye Bridge, Alfreton, in the county of Derby, Engineer, has given the like notice in respect of the invention of ‘improvements in treating cast iron.’ As set forth in their respective petitions, both recorded in the said office on the 7th day of August, 1867”. The fact that Erasmus worked with his son can be seen in a further article in the same publication dated 11 October 1867: “To Erasmus Thomas Horsley, of Pye Bridge, Alfreton, in the county of. Derby, Engineer, and Charles Horsley, of 22, Wharf road, City-road, in the county of Middlesex, Civil-Engineer, for the invention of ‘improvements in the production of a glaze or vitrified surface on cast iron or other cast metal’." This later patent though, became void on 7 October 1870.

Cast iron pipes manufactured at the ironworks were originally produced in horizontal moulds, the core of which would be supported with small iron rods which became part of the pipe itself. It is believed that at Pye Bridge they were cast on an inclined bank. Horizontally cast pipe resulted in an uneven distribution of iron around the circumference and slag became incorporated into the product resulting in weak sections within the pipe. From the mid-1800’s this method of casting was slowly superseded by using vertical moulds which were placed in deep pipe pits. Using this method slag collected at the top of the mould and was removed from the pipe by simply reducing its length, creating a much stronger and cohesive product. The Alfreton Ironworks were among the pioneers of vertically cast pipes. According to Samuel Slater, who worked as a Foreman Fettler at the ironworks, the earliest pipe pit, named the “Round Pit Shop” was opened in 1862. Samuel was born in 1861 and started work for James Oakes & Company in 1877. He wrote a short one page history on the ironworks for a magazine on the occasion of his fifty years’ service, and in the article stated that the “New” Foundry was opened the previous year, 1876, for the manufacture of 24in to 72in diameter pipes up to 9ft in length, which were vertically cast. An extension to one of the original workshops bears the date 1877. The New Foundry was extended in length over the years and became by far the largest building on the site. It was also known locally as the “Long Shop”

Under the guidance of Thomas Haden Oakes the business prospered. Thomas, like his siblings, was born at Riddings House, and spent his whole life in the village. Along with contemporaries like Sir Charles Seely he was one of the great benefactors of the district, much respected by workers and friends alike. He supported many good causes in Riddings and the surrounding villages throughout his life. In Somercotes he donated £800 toward adapting the original Church of St. Thomas in 1854 and financed a stained glass window which was placed in the Chancel to commemorate the event. Later on he endowed the church again, and was instrumental in helping to create the Ecclesiastical Parish of Somercotes. He was also a prominent supporter of the Church of St. James, Riddings and both Riddings and Somercotes National Schools. He was a Justice of the Peace, and chairman of both Alfreton and Mansfield magistrates’ benches.

Thomas also had a lifelong love of cricket, as did his brothers. The Derbyshire Advertiser & Journal, dated 3 July 1846 reported on one of the first cricket matches to be held at Riddings: “Butterley v. Riddings - A cricket match was played in Riddings park last week, between the Butterley and Riddings clubs, on a piece of ground laid out the expense of James Oakes, Esq., of Riddings House - a gentleman who is always ready to lend his aid in promoting the amusements for the people. The day was beautifully fine, and a large concourse of people assembled to witness the game. The Butterley players went in first, and scored 16; the Riddings club obtained 121, leaving their opponents 108 behind. In the second innings, the wickets of the Butterley party were lowered for 37 runs; Riddings thus winning in one innings, with 71 runs to spare. The play of the Riddings club was very good; the splendid batting of Charles Oakes, Esq., Machin, Wingfield, Maltby, and Farnsworth, was the theme of general admiration. The bowling of Geeson, on the part of Butterley, was excellent. We hear that another match is likely come off shortly, between the Riddings and Chesterfield clubs; this will create considerable interest, each party being confident of success”. The ground at Riddings was established in the early 1840’s. Many sources state that Riddings Cricket Club was formed in 1847. While that may be the year it was officially registered the club existed years before this date, as witnessed by other newspaper reports, for example in September 1843 when James Oakes was the star bowler. The match, reported in the Derbyshire Courier, was held at Chesterfield but a return match was due to be played at Riddings.

Perhaps, though, Thomas is most well-known for building the windmills at Riddings in 1877, which he named after his parents, James and Sarah. He was also interested in horticulture and exhibited in many horticultural exhibitions.

He was also interested in horticulture and exhibited in many horticultural exhibitions. The grounds and gardens at Riddings House were substantial, and well-known throughout the county. He employed a head gardener to tend the estate at Riddings and by the mid-1800’s they were fully mature and consisted of manicured lawns, gardens and glasshouses. The Derby Mercury of 20 June 1877 ran an article on the grounds of Riddings House which almost covered an entire column. To give a feel of the extent of the grounds, a portion of the article has been transcribed as follows: “RIDDINGS HOUSE, THE RESIDENCE OF T. HADEN OAKES, ESQ. - It matters little at what period of the year we visit the gardens at Riddings House, for we are sure of a rich treat while there, and to come away gratified with what we have seen. There are upwards of a dozen fruit houses, many of them of large dimensions, and nearly twice as many plant houses, besides numerous pits and other appendages, all filled to overflowing with choice collections of plants… After a short ride on Whit-Tuesday afternoon from Mansfield to Pye Bridge on the Erewash Valley line of railway and a walk of a mile from the station through the village of Riddings I found myself in company with Mr. J. Ward, who soon introduced me to the numerous treasures under his extensive charge.” Mr Ward mentioned in the article was the head gardener at Riddings House. The article continues with a walk through the garden and several glasshouses, describing the exotic plants in detail, including orchids that were being grown for the house. “In leaving this block of houses we come to another range 80 feet long, in two compartments. The first is an orchard house containing large standard Peaches, Nectarines and Plums, planted down the centre. In front of these are smaller trees in pots, and the back wall is clothed with Peaches and Nectarines. The standards and trees in pots are carrying heavy crops, and those on the wall moderate crops. Some of the Plums are quite loaded with fruit. The second compartment also contains Peaches and Nectarines planted out as standard's, and others trained on the walls. The palm stove, which is also in two compartments, is 50 feet long”. Further descriptions are given of the plants in this glasshouse before the article continues: “We now pass to the opposite side of the mansion, and enter the Fern House and Conservatory, each 40 feet long and 18 feet wide. The latter communicates with the mansion, and in the evening when Mr. Oakes entertains his friends at dinner he has an ingenious way of lighting it with gas. What in most houses is a blank wall is here obscure glass, placed about two feet from the wall and the glass studded with eighty jets, and after dusk all are lighted, and the reflection among the Ferns and other plants has the appearance of very powerful moonlight. The next house we entered is the vinery…Near this is the Azalea House, 60 feet long and 14 feet wide…The Pleasure grounds are not extensive; Hollies and Yews appear to grow with great luxuriance and are trained with as much care as Azaleas”

The reporter continued his tour of the extensive glasshouses. He mentioned that he crossed the village, although it is not certain exactly where the tour resumed: “Here is another village of glass houses, The first a small Peach house, 24 feet long by 14 feet wide containing Peach and Nectarine trees, each carrying a heavy crop that would be ripe by the end May. The second house is of the same size as the last, and contains the same number of trees, the fruit to come in for succession. The late vinery is 80 feet long and 14 feet wide… The orchard house is 80 feet long and 14 feet wide. Pears and Plums are grown in pots and Peaches and Nectarines on the back wall… Passing out of this house we enter a vinery 130 feet long and 14 feet wide… The next house in order is a span-roofed greenhouse, containing a choice collection of Heaths and other greenhouse plaints. All the Heaths are trained with the greatest of care, and every plant is in robust health… Strawberries are forced in abundance, and for this purpose a house is provided 70 feet long by 14 wide, in two 2 divisions. The first division was cleared out and planted with Cucumbers and Melons… The Pine stove is 60 feet by 16, with a path down the centre, and the Pines plunged in beds on each side. They were in excellent health, and gave promise of useful fruit“. Sadly, evidence of the large network of glasshouses has all but vanished in the modern landscape. The area of land under glass shows the wealth that was being generated by the ironworks and collieries at this time, as well as the passion for horticulture that Thomas Haden Oakes had.

From the mid-1850’s the company had had an interest in the production of coal gas, both for use by the ironworks and for a supply to Riddings House [as noted in the newspaper article above, referring to the lighting of the conservatory]. A small production facility was built on the site of the works and a gasometer can clearly be seen on maps of the ironworks from around the 1870’s. By the 1880’s the company was looking to increase production and is thought to have had contact with several local gas companies. The demand for gas in the district was increasing and, in 1888, Thomas Haden and Charles Henry Oakes made an application for a Parliamentary Bill to form the Riddings & District Gas Company, which was passed by an Act of Parliament on 28 June that year. The Act incorporated that the “Riddings & District Gas Company shall approve a capital of £30,000 divided into 3,000 shares of £10 each. Gas of a quality not exceeding 14 candles priced at 4 shillings per 1,000 cubic feet of production.” The 1888 Act also undertook that the old gas works, within the boundary of the ironworks be demolished and replaced entirely by a new works under the control of James Oakes & Company. The supply was to be used for their industries and then to be extended to cover the town of Alfreton, South Normanton, Pinxton, Codnor Park and Selston [the “town of Alfreton” included the whole parish]. The new company was actually a joint venture with the Butterley Company. Ever since the establishment of the ironworks at Pye Bridge there had been a close relationship between the Company and Butterley Ironworks. As far back as 1805 David Mushet was recorded as having visited Butterley and directors of both companies sat together on many committees. Under the circumstances the joint venture was not such a surprise and the fact that provision was made to supply Codnor Park, where Butterley had a large foundry, was probably one of the reasons for their involvement in the business. The Riddings & District Gas Company eventually acquired the Pinxton Gas Light & Coke Company in 1914, through the Riddings District Gas Act of the same year. The new gas works was constructed on land in Pye Bridge on the opposite side of the turnpike to the ironworks site. The old gas works, once it had been demolished, made space for expansion of the foundry.

For many of the employees at the ironworks the work was heavy and dangerous. There were many fatalities, particularly during the 19th century, but also some remarkable escapes. On 14 November 1897 several workmen were seriously injured when a number of moulders were making preparations to cast 10 inch pipes in one of the pipe-pits when a ladle containing about four tons of molten iron, which was hanging from a crane, accidently overturned. A key, designed to keep the ladle vertical, had been mis-placed. The molten metal came into contact with wet sand resulting in a violent explosion which was heard some distance away. The Derbyshire Times & Chesterfield Herald of 20 November that year reported that those who required immediate help and medical assistance were “…A Wright, single man of Oakes Row, Codnor Park; A Slaney, Pye Bridge; J Goodman, Lea Brooks; C Glenn, Somercotes and A Stokes, Riddings. These men were all badly burned…”

The company rewarded the workers with a fair and reasonable salary for the time, which is why the influx of families into the area continued. They also occasionally increased the wages, as can be witnessed in a newspaper report published in the Derby Mercury on 11 December 1889, which read: “SPONTANEOUS ADVANCE TO ALFRETON IRONWORKERS. The proprietors of the Alfreton Ironworks, Messrs. James Oakes and Co., have issued a notice to their employees, who number upwards of 1,000, that after the 31st inst. a farther advance of 5 per cent, will be made upon the wages of all engaged at the works. The advance was entirely unexpected, and it is therefore all the more appreciated.”

The Oakes family and managers at the ironworks did not, however, have a perfect relationship with their workforce. Like in many other industrial sectors, the Trade Unions were active and intent on improving the working life and conditions of blue collar workers. An interesting article appeared in the Derbyshire Times & Chesterfield Herald dated 23 September 1893, specifically relating to the foundry workers at the Riddings Ironworks:- "MEETING OF IRONWORKERS AT RIDDINGS - On Saturday night the inaugural meeting of the new Somercotes branch of the Ironfounders Society was held in the large room at the Seven Stars Inn, Riddings. There was a very large attendance of members who had earlier in the evening partook of a substantial dinner. Hitherto members of the Ironfounders Society, employed chiefly at the works of Messrs. James Oakes & Co. have belonged to the Butterley branch, but it was deemed advisable, owing to the distance from Somercotes to Butterley to form a separate organisation. At the meeting the opportunity was taken to present Mr. Thomas Slater, moulder, who has been disabled through the loss of two fingers on his right hand, with the sum of £100 from the accident fund of the society. The Chair was occupied by Mr. T Bradley (Somercotes), and he was supported by Mr. J Davison of Sheffield, chairman of the Sheffield District Committee… Mr. Davison gave an address on the principles and objects of the Ironfounders Society which had been established in the year 1809"

Thomas was a confirmed bachelor and never married. He died in 1902, the business then passing to his younger brother, Charles Henry Oakes [1825-1906]. Although a wealthy man his funeral was a simple affair. There were no flowers [by request] and his coffin was carried from Riddings House to the Church by several of his workers from the collieries and ironworks. A newspaper report on his funeral stated that ”…It needed something of a magnetic character to draw such a large crowd of people to witness the last sad rites, and in truth its dimensions bore inadequate testimony to the esteem in which the deceased gentleman was held not only by his late workmen but by the whole of the inhabitants of Riddings and district”. His body was interred in the family vault at Riddings Church.

By the time that Thomas died the business had undergone many changes. By the end of the 19th century many of the old, small collieries had closed and the shallow coal seams exhausted. Deeper mines and more advanced techniques in mining had left just a few collieries in the area, including Cotes Park Colliery, owned by James Oakes [Riddings Collieries] Ltd; the Birchwood Colliery complex, owned at the time by the Babbington Coal Company and the Swanwick Collieries complex owned by the Palmer-Morewood family of Alfreton. The Ironstone mines too, had all but disappeared. In the mid-19th century James Oakes & Company had operated more ironstone mines than collieries, but by 1900 all of the iron ore was imported from Northamptonshire. Business, however, had flourished. In the latter half of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century the country’s infrastructure was vastly improved. Roads were tarmaced, street lighting installed and most importantly, sewers and water mains were laid, all of which used products manufactured and supplied by the ironworks. Although the production of iron for pipes was synonymous with the ironworks, street furniture such as lighting columns, manhole frames and covers were all cast in the foundry.

Although Charles Henry Oakes had already had an influence in the business empire that the family now ran, being for the most part in charge of the collieries, his time as head of the ironworks was short. After just four years in charge, he too passed away at the age of 81 years. The Oakes business empire had, between 1845 and 1906 passed through the hands of three brothers. Charles had married Georgina Macklin, daughter of the Reverend Roseingrave Macklin and Jane Ann Audouin [who had married in Ireland in 1820]. Charles and Georgina married in Derby in 1856, and they had six children. A long obituary was published for Charles Henry Oakes in the Derbyshire Times & Chesterfield Herald on 24 February 1906. Although kind words are usually expected in such notices, the obituary for Charles Henry was particularly true to his character and perhaps summed up the reasons why the Oakes family had, by then, become a part of the history of the area itself. The obituary is transcribed in full as follows: “DEATH OF MR. C. H. OAKES, SENR - The Loss to Riddings - Tuesday was sad day in Riddings and district, for that day Mr Charles Henry Oakes, Holly Hurst, Riddings, the senior partner in the firm of Messrs. James Oakes and Co., ironfounders and colliery proprietors passed over to the majority. The news of his death will cause sorrow to hundreds of people who have lived m the district, and experienced the many kindly deeds of the deceased gentleman. The Oakes family has lost one its most able, generous, and kindly members, and the name of Chas Hy. Oakes will always be remembered for his consideration for the industrial classes, his indefatigable labours, and his consideration for his employees. It is about five weeks ago since Mr Oakes was confined to his room through illness, and finally dropsy and bronchitis supervened and proved fatal. Dr. Corkery, of Alfreton, his medical attendant, paid unremitting attention to him, and had, as expected, the best medical skill at his command. The deceased gentleman was the third son of James Oakes, who with two others, founded the present important and extensive coal and iron firm of James Oakes and Co., whose ironworks are at Riddings and collieries in the neighbourhood. The deceased’s two brothers, James and Thomas Haden pre-deceased him, the latter just over three years ago. The former, whose widow still survives, left no family, while Mr Thos. H. Oakes was a bachelor. The deceased’s father left three sons and two daughters, a son and daughter being unmarried, and the deceased himself leaves three sons and two daughters, a son and daughter being still single. Mr Oakes’ eldest son is Aid. James Oakes. J.P., the vice-chairman of the Derbyshire County Council, and the Chairman of the County Education Committee, who probably has done more for education under the recent Act than any other person in the county. His other sons are Mr C. H. Oakes J.P. of Newlands House, and Mr Gerard Oakes J.P. of Felley Abbey. His elder daughter (Mrs Barrow) resides at Sydnope, Darley, while Miss Oakes has been a faithful attendant upon her father at home. The deceased was born on Dec. 3rd, 1825, so that he had attained the ripe old age of 80 years, After completing his education he began to take an active part in the management of the concern which he had lived to see extended and enlarged to a considerable degree. From the first he was a hard worker. He might have enjoyed ease and leisure, but preferred the activity of business life, for which was well fitted, physically and educationally. In those early days trade and work were very different to what they are now. The “commercial” spirit had not reached the pitch of to-day and the oldest residents of the district can recall many incidents which well illustrate the "homely" methods, nay, humane, which were utilised by the proprietors in those early days. That relationship still prevails, and nowhere is the bond between owners and workman closer than at Riddings. The late Mr C H Oakes was chiefly associated with the collieries of the firm, and he was no mere “man of the desk" in the management of these. He controlled them by practical methods, by donning the workman’s garb and visiting the working places day by day. He had always a cheery word and greeting for his men and was never averse to chat with them in their stalls. For some years Mr Oakes has not taken an active part in the management of the firm's works, but his experience and advice have always been at command. He seldom missed a day in his visits to the works, and was there as late as five or six weeks ago. In the midst of his business Mr Oakes never Iost sight of the needs and the conditions of the workmen, and their welfare was his constant study. His sympathy, his generosity, his chatty urbane qualities were always in evidence and his kindness to old workmen and tenants which is characteristic of the family, will long live in the public memory- Deceased was not a public man of the stamp of his brother, Thomas or his son, Ald. Oakes, but it was well known that held pronounced views on public men and public appointments. He was never a magistrate, but that was because he would not accept office. For some years he was a member of the old Alfreton Local Board after the extension and incorporation of Riddings and Somercotes. He was a strong Conservative and a Churchman, but his views were sufficiently wide to enable him to extend his liberality and sympathy to all movements which had for their object the betterment of the district and the residents. He was an ardent amateur musician. Music in fact, was a consuming passion with him. He had a record which few can hope to attain and less surpass. For close upon 60 years he has been the organist at the Riddings Parish Church, and he never missed unless he was away from home or ill. He loved to lead the musical portions of the service and retained his position until about a month ago, notwithstanding the fact that was very unwell. Nothing gave him greater pleasure at the Riddings flower show than to hear a good band and to watch a good cricket match. Mr. Oakes had a wonderfully retentive memory, a breezy conversational manner, and a happy way of expressing himself. He could tell a good story and what is more could listen to another in return. Practically for the whole his life has been connected with the Sunday school and Church work in Riddings, and he has given his best in talents and bounty to those causes. For many years he was the superintendent of the former and afterwards conducted a men's Bible class. He was the Vicar‘s warden, a position he was asked to fill upon the death of Mr T H Oakes, who acted in that capacity for about 50 years. In the words of Emmerson, "The only way to have a friend is to be one”' - that was how Mr Oakes made his friends and admirers and this was the true foundation of his popularity. The funeral will take place to-day (Saturday) at 2.30 pm at the Riddings Parish Church, where the coffin will be deposited in the family vault. The obsequies will be of a quirt character, in accordance with the wishes of the deceased gentleman. There is sure to be a large crowd however, to pay their last respects to one of the most popular residents in Riddings. At the Derbyshire County Education Committee on Tuesday, a resolution of sympathy with Ald. Oakes in his bereavement was passed.

The business interests in the company passed to his eldest son, James, born at Riddings in 1858. He was the fourth generation with the name James who had an involvement with the firm. James was educated at Harrow and Trinity College Oxford, gaining a BA in 1880 and an MA in 1886. He became a magistrate for Derbyshire [on the roll for High Sheriff in 1912] and Vice Chairman of Derbyshire County Council in 1901.

James continued to expand the ironworks and invest in this section of the company. The Sheffield Independent published on 20 June 1906 reported: “EXTENSION OF MESSRS. JAMES OAKES AND CO.'S IRONWORKS. Considerable extensions are being made at the ironworks of Messrs. James Oakes and Co., near Alfreton. The fitting and erecting shops have been increased to double their size, up-to-date machinery being introduced and a large electric plant installed, principally to work the massive overhead and other cranes. New moulding shops, cupolas, and pipe pits are some of the improvements which have been necessitated by the augmented trade which the firm has been doing for the past two or three years. Mr. W. Ralph Bates, the manager, has initiated improvements in nearly every department, and has infused new life into the works throughout. Mr. Bates is a native of Ripley, and was formerly employed at Messrs. Oakes and Co’s ironworks as draughtsman of the foundry, and he left a responsible position at the Ebbe Vale Iron and Steel Works to take up his present position”. Additions and improvements continued to be made over the next few years. A building that survived the closure of the works carries the date of 1907.

A decision was taken to improve the method of producing vertically cast pipes by purchasing the most modern type of plant available at the time from the German firm of Ardelt. Known as the Ardelt or German Shop, this new facility opened in July 1910. The German company, then known as Robert Ardelt & Söhne, was established in 1902. It was originally involved in the repair of machinery but quickly became an engineering company specialising in the design of factory facilities, especially for foundries. The main focus of the business, by 1904, was the construction of foundry machinery, including cast iron pipe making facilities, designed by the engineer and founder of the company, Robert Ardelt. The Ardelt Shop and associated buildings were constructed on the site of the gas works and gasometer that had been demolished some years previously. Built at the side of the new workshop was the Ardelt Cupolas, which were vertical furnaces in which the pig iron was melted for casting.

Despite a miscellaneous number of other products the emphasis for production continued to be on the manufacture of cast iron pipes and retorts. The principal products of the company were vertically cast straight pipes and specials, made to order. In addition to the range of sizes made in the Ardelt Shop, straight pipes were also made in other parts of the works in sizes up to 72 inches in diameter, while specials could be produced up to 84 inches in diameter. The majority of the pipes and specials produced by the firm were of the flanged type, but considerable quantities of socket and spigot castings were also made.

The in-house magazine, The Stantonian, Volume 15 No 9 published in September 1945 ran a short article on the history of the ironworks, part of which read “It is interesting to note that 350 miles of steel water main laid in 1903 at Coolgardie Gold Mines, was causing so much trouble in 1909. The Government of Western Australia appointed a research committee to investigate and it was found that the only parts of the main giving satisfaction were the CAST IRON SPECIALS made at Riddings”.

PHOTO: The Ardelt Shop [sometimes also referred to as the German Shop]

The improvements that the company made to the production facilities did not, however, extend to the workforce. The employees working in the new Ardelt Shop were subject to new working practices which altered their pay structure. It seems that the men working in the new Shop were told that the changes would not affect their wages, but in practice new piece work rates introduced by the company resulted in a loss of earnings for the pipe moulders. They found it impossible to earn the same amount of wages per day after the introduction of the new rates. Despite the often good relationship between the company and its workforce, the managers seemed unsympathetic. This resulted in the pipe moulders walking out, affecting other parts of the company. The Derbyshire Courier, published on 20 May 1911, summed up the mood of the workforce at the time: “PIPE MOULDERS ON STRIKE - Serious Situation at Alfreton Ironworks… Unfortunately, both for the management and workmen, the dispute at the Alfreton Iron Works (Messrs. Jas. Oakes and Co.) has assumed a very grave aspect. Some months ago the firm put down a new pipe plant for the purpose of moulding pipes on the very latest principle, but the men employed at the pits, not being able to get a day’s wage, put in for an advance. This the management refused, with the result that the men, after serving a week’s notice, came out on strike…”. A spokesperson for the men was quoted in the report “…The manager says we can get a day’s wage if can get the output, but we cannot get it; It is impossible…”. The dispute directly affected about seventy workmen in the Ardelt Shop, but patternmakers, fitters and a large number of labourers were also laid off due to the stoppage, although men still using the traditional pipe making methods continued to work.

Mr. Ralph Bates, manager of the ironworks, had the responsibility of negotiating on behalf of the company. The men were paid per inch of pipe cast, with bonuses depending on the number of casts and amount of wastage made each day. The strike lasted several weeks, but eventually a solution was agreed between the parties. The Derbyshire Courier once again carried news of the dispute. Published on 1 July 1911, the report read: “ALFRETON IRON WORKS STRIKE ENDS - Amicable Settlement - After a strike lasting six weeks, the dispute at the Alfreton Ironworks of Messrs. Jas. Oakes and Co., has been amicably settled, and the pipe moulders will commence work on Monday. The settlement was brought about by a conference between Mr. W. R. Bates and the men at the New Inn, Riddings, on Wednesday evening. A deputation of the men waited upon Mr. Bates at the offices in the morning, the outcome of which was a promise to meet the men at the New Inn in the evening. Previous to coming out on strike the men were receiving 2⅛d. per inch and they asked for this to be increased 2½d. per inch. The management offered another ⅛d. but this the men refused. The terms now offered by the management, and which have been accepted by the men are as follows; 2¼d. per inch and 2½ per cent on 28 casts, which means five each day, and three on Saturday; then 2½ per cent, in that when the wastes are under 6 per cent., and 10 per cent, if the men can manage six casts a day. Six casts a day has never been accomplished but the terms will encourage the men to try. It is possible that only two pits will start Monday, but the rest of the men will be found employment in the other shops. The pipe moulders consider the terms satisfactory and will be pleased get to work again.”

This seemingly complicated arrangement shows how the ironworks was run. As today, there was often a fine line between the salaries paid to workers and the profit expected by the management. Disputes continued and were relatively common; most were settled within a short time, but other factors that resulted in closure and lay-offs were beyond the control of both management and workforce.

In 1912 there was a strike by miners which affected much of the country. The first colliers to strike were actually employed at Alfreton Colliery, but the dispute quickly accelerated. The ironworks at Pye Bridge, dependent on coal, had no choice but to close. A short report was published in the Sunderland Daily Echo and Shipping Gazette on 20 February 1912. It read: “IRONWORKS TO CLOSE- . Messrs. Oakes and Co., have given notice that their Alfreton iron works will close as soon as the miners’ strike begins. Already the foundry of the Staveley Coal and Iron Company is standing idle through lack of fuel.” The plant would stand idle until the miners returned to work.

As well as industrial disputes, James Oakes & Company also found themselves in breach of the Factory and Workshops Act in regard to the employment of boys. Whilst their employment was not in breach of the regulations, their hours of work were strictly controlled by law. The Factory and Workshop Act of 1901 raised the minimum working age to 12 years, but introduced legislation regarding their education, mealtimes and other benefits. From the age of 13, however, children were allowed to take up full-time employment. Whilst the age of the children was not recorded, James Oakes & Company was charged in 1913 with employing five boys in contravention of the Factories and Workshop Act. The Inspector of Factories visited the works on 27 November 1912 and found that “Three of the boys on one occasion had been employed from six o’clock in the morning until seven at night, and on another occasion two boys had been at work from five o'clock in the morning until six at night, contrary to the Act”. The Company admitted the offence [but in defence stated that workmen had kept the boys on and the Company had had no knowledge of the extended time worked]. They were convicted and fine 10s and costs for each offence.

Graces Guide of 1914 describes the business of James Oakes & Company as “…makers of Pig Iron, Gas and Water Pipes, Cylinders, Engineers' Castings, &c., Alfreton Iron Works, Derbyshire; 60, Queen Victoria Street, London, E.C.; and 14, Temple Street, Birmingham. Established in 1800 by the Oakes family and continued by the same family. Present Principals: James Oakes, Gerard Oakes and Charles Henry Oakes. Manager: W. Ralph Bates. The firm is entirely self-contained: Coal Mines, Iron Ore Mines, Sand Quarries, &c. Premises: Cover a large area. Men Employed: Iron Works, 800; Colliery, 3000. Specialities: Flange Work for Power Stations and Condensing Plants, Pig Iron, Gas and Water Pipes, Cylinders, Engineers' Castings up to forty tons weight, also Tar Macadam for Roads.“

As can be seen from the description, the Oakes empire had, by 1914, become a substantial undertaking.

The First World War began in August 1914 and almost from the start a steady flow of workers left the Ironworks at Pye Bridge to enlist in the armed forces. By the end of the war in 1918 a substantial portion of the workforce had either volunteered or had been conscripted to serve. Only those considered too old or to be in essential skilled work remained. Following a pattern repeated up and down the country, James Oakes & Co employed women where possible to fill in the gaps, and found a ready and willing female workforce in Somercotes and Riddings. In fact they became so used to the work, wages and a degree of independence that when the soldiers finally returned after the war, many were unwilling to give up their jobs.

PHOTO: Employees of the Ironworks during the Great War, including women

The end of the war brought with it unforeseen economic consequences that affected large parts of the country. The ironworks at Pye Bridge did not escape. Although improvements to the works had been made in previous years, the three blast furnaces had been standing for a long time, two of them for over one hundred years. Although the economic situation did not help with the finances of the ironworks, continued disputes played a significant part in a decision taken by the Oakes family to work with the Stanton Ironworks Company of Ilkeston. Strikes within the mining industry were not uncommon, and each time the effect of such disputes caused closures and production issues for the ironworks. A strike of Nottingham miners in 1919 resulted in hundreds of ironworkers being laid-off, with the future of the company being questioned. The closure was reported in the Sheffield Daily Telegraph on 27 March 1919, which read: “Big Ironworks Closing Down - Owing to a lack of coal various departments of Messrs. James Oakes and Co.'s Alfreton iron works are being closed down as the men complete the work they have in hand, and yesterday the services of the first batch of workmen, numbering well into hundreds, were dispensed with. This is the direct result of the Nottinghamshire coal strike, and unless there is a speedy settlement the whole of the Alfreton ironworks, it is feared, will be set down, throwing a very large number of workmen out of employment, in fact involving a large percentage of the residents of Riddings and Somercotes”

Whilst James Oakes and his family ran their business empire to sustain their wealth, there must still have been an emotional tie to the local population and a responsibility to the workforce and their families which must have weighed heavily on the owners. The family still lived at Riddings House and still had much influence in the district. James Oakes was an Alderman, Magistrate, Councillor and an active member of the County Education Committee. His work during the Great War as second Chairman of the Military Appeals Tribunal was recognised by conferring upon him the CBE. The economic downturn and financial constraints immediately after the war, combined with various labour disputes, were, however, a significant problem for the stability of the ironworks. From the company’s viewpoint there probably seemed few alternatives regarding the future of the business. Discussions took place between James Oakes & Company and the Stanton Ironworks Company Ltd at Ilkeston during which a relationship formed between the two companies, and in 1920, Stanton finally took control of the Pye Bridge site, ending an association with the Oakes family of over one hundred years. As part of the agreed takeover of the Ironworks, James Oakes became a director of the Stanton Ironworks Company.

The other business concerns of the company were of no interest to Stanton Ironworks, and were not included in the sale. The details were reported in the Derby Daily Telegraph on 24 January 1920. A transcription of the article follows:- "DERBYSHIRE AMALGAMATION – STANTON IRONWORKS & OAKES & CO – We learn that an amalgamation has been effected between the Stanton Ironworks Co. Ltd and Messrs. James Oakes & Co., Alfreton. The Stanton company are one of the largest producers of pig-iron in the country and when the amalgamation is effected they will have 17 blast furnaces. Some time ago the works of the Holwell Iron Company were taken over, bringing the roll of work people to nearly 8,500, and the total will be considerably augmented by the new amalgamation. The company now has nine blast furnaces at Stanton, five at Holwell and three at Alfreton. The Derbyshire works are one of the oldest in the county, having been worked for many years as a private concern. The amalgamation does not affect the collieries and brickyards to which Messrs. Oakes & Co. hold the controlling interest, but only for the furnaces, foundries and ironstone properties. It is understood that the amalgamation will date from Jan 1st, the two firms having been working together some time.

James died in June 1921, approximately 18 months after the sale of the ironworks to Stanton. He was 68 years old. A comprehensive obituary was published in the Derby Advertiser on 25 June 1921 and as he was the last of the Oakes family to have direct ownership of the ironworks, a full transcription of the notice follows: “DEATH OF ALDERMAN JAMES OAKES, J. P. – A Typical English Gentleman – By the death of Alderman James Oakes, JP of Riddings House, Alfreton, who passed away on Sunday morning, following a seizure on the previous Wednesday, the county has lost a true English gentleman who upheld the best traditions of county and parochial life, whose kindly disposition and sterling Christian character gained for him the love and esteem of all with whom he came in contact. Of him it be said he never wilfully uttered an unkind word or did an unkindly action, and his name will be revered for many a long year. Although failing health for some time past had compelled him to relinquish many of the what he considered to be the essential duties of gentlemen in his position, he still kept in touch with county and local affairs, and up to the day before he was seized with his fatal illness he attended a meeting of the Education Committee at Derby. On Wednesday news that he had been stricken down was received throughout Riddings and the neighbouring villages with a feeling of dismay, so accustomed had the inhabitants become to his kindly presence and the very unexpectedness of the seizure made the feeling more acute. From the time of his seizure on Wednesday Mr Oakes never regained consciousness and he passed peacefully away at 9.30 on Sunday morning.

At this point a brief history of the family will perhaps not be inappropriate. Before the age of the railways the Oakes family were extensive carriers and the yard of St. Peter’s Street, Derby, where their offices and stables were situated is still known as Oakes Yard. A former Mr. Jas. Oakes, a member of this firm, married Miss Haden, whose father, a wine merchant in the Derby Market Place was mayor of Derby in the early part of the nineteenth century. The youngest son of this marriage was Mr. Charles H Oakes, who became the husband of a daughter of the late Rev. Rosengrave Macklin for upwards of twenty years vicar of Christ Church, Derby, and the deceased gentleman was their eldest son who was born at Riddings in 1858. He was educated at Harrow and Trinity College, Oxford, and graduated MA in 1886. In his earlier days he was a capital shot, fond of hunting and for some years was captain of the Riddings Cricket Club, a member of Alfreton Golf Club and at the meetings of the latter used to preside.

When the Derbyshire County Council was formed in 1889, Mr Oakes offered himself as a candidate for the Alfreton Division [no. 2]. He had as opponent Mr Joseph Bown, whom he easily defeated, the result of this poll being Oakes 916, Bown 540. Though much younger than the majority of his colleagues his natural ability and grasp of detail made his services on various important committees most valuable. He continuously represented the Division until 1902 when he was elected to the aldermanic vacancy created by the death of Mr Alfred Barnes, of Ashgate Lodge, Chesterfield. The year previous the council had recognised his excellent business qualifications by electing him as their vice-chairman, and on the retirement of Alderman Herbert Strutt was elected to the chair, a position he occupied with great distinction until failing health compelled him to ask to be released. Mr Oakes was especially interested in the educational function of the Council and was chairman of the committee for very many years and did much to promote the successful carrying out of the Education Act of 1902.

In Parochial affairs he was always keenly aware of the responsibilities of his position and succeeded his father as superintendent of Riddings Sunday School and also Church Warden, and a foundation manager of the Riddings and Somercotes Schools. All social philanthropic and religious movements in his locality had his practical support and co-operation. During the war he rendered valuable service which was recognised by conferring upon him the CBE as second chairman of the Military Appeals Tribunal. He was made a county magistrate in 1891. His business responsibilities were very great as the head of the firm James Oakes and Co., one of the largest private coal and iron firms in the country, employing many thousands of hands on which depends the prosperity of the villages of Riddings, Somercotes, Pye Bridge, Brinsley and Jacksdale. The late Mr Oakes was unmarried and his sister resided with him at Riddings House, which he seldom left except for short intervals as he loved his home. His favourite recreation of recent years was a visit to his club at Derby.

HIS WORK FOR THE COUNTY – Before the business commenced at the meeting of the County Education Committee on Tuesday afternoon, Ald. Johnson Pearson, the chairman, made feeling reference to the late Ald, James Oakes. He need scarcely remind them. He said, of the work Ald. Oakes had done for the county and especially in connection with that committee. He was appointed on the old Technical Education Committee in 1891 and became chairman and ultimately chairman of that committee. His unfailing courtesy and his fair dealing made the work of the committee smooth and pleasant. Personally he regarded Ald. Oakes as a model to look up to, and they had still the tradition he had inculcated. He moved: ‘With thankfulness for our association with so valuable a public life, and deep sorrow at the loss of so esteemed a colleague and personal friend, we place on record our high appreciation of the invaluable services rendered to this committee and the public work of the county generally by Ald. James Oakes, and tender our sincere sympathy to the members of his family in their bereavement.’ This was seconded by Ald. Wilson and carried by the members standing.

MAGISTERIAL REFERENCE – At the Alfreton petty sessions on Wednesday the chairman, Mr W Gladwyn Turbutt, said that on behalf of himself and fellow magistrates he had to discharge a most painful duty. During the last few days the court lost a magistrate who perhaps would claim a larger measure of public esteem than had fallen to the lot of most. As regards his own personal feelings, Mr Turbutt said his acquaintance with the late Mr James Oakes began in the same public school and continued at the same university, and this became cemented and strengthened through a long life of mutual tastes and interests and those feelings had not become dimmed and tarnished as the end approached. Perhaps the court would like to hear some reference to Mr Oakes’ public character which had left its mark on his career. Mr Oakes had strong business capabilities and on the few occasions when he attended Alfreton Court it marked him as a most able magistrate. His abilities perhaps found their greatest expression in the County Council. An original member of that body, his abilities brought him rapidly to the front and before many years he received the chairmanship in succession to Mr Strutt. Most people were aware that the duty of the chairman of the County Council meant something more than presiding at quarterly meetings of that body. It implied attendance at most of the committees and a general supervision to a certain extent of the aims and purposes of those committees. One of those committees on which he presided would leave a lasting influence upon the life of the county – he referred to the Education Committee. Elementary education started a new era in the country by making it necessary to educate the whole body of children, which made it necessary to institute inquiries in every parish in the county and supply the needs required. That implied a vast body of work which devolved upon the chairman and the committee. As chairman of an important tribunal during those long years of war, he [the speaker] had some knowledge of the work which devolved upon him and he could say with some confidence that the seeds of his illness were laid in the anxieties of the arduous duties which devolved upon him. In addition, as head of an important iron and coal industry he had to meet all the anxieties which governed the industries during the war. In conclusion he would like to remind the members of the court that in the late Mr Oakes they had a staunch churchman who believed in the truth of the faith in which he was brought up.He was a model English gentleman, a true Christian and a bright example of public service to his county and district. He felt sure it was their wish to express their feelings of deep sympathy to those of his near relatives on this sad occasion. Mr W Mortimer Wilson [clerk], in associating himself with the chairman’s remarks, said he never remembered a time when the name of Mr James Oakes was not a household word and an emblem of everything. JUST, UPRIGHT AND TRUE”

3. THE STANTON IRONWORKS ERA, 1920

The newspaper articles referring to the merger show that, by 1920, the ironworks had become a smaller player in the manufacture of iron and steel, and the business no doubt was less profitable. In the end, it is likely that James Oakes thought the sale would be the only way to protect the business and its employees in the longer term. James died the following year, and the business, now without the ironworks, passed to his younger brother, Charles Henry Oakes [1863-1929].

An article referring to the Last Will & Testament of James Oakes was published in the Derby Daily Telegraph on 15 March 1922. This shows not only the high positions within the district that James held, but also the companies in which he had an interest: “WILL OF MR. JAMES OAKES. Mr. James Oakes. J.P., of Riddings House, Riddings, Derbyshire, colliery proprietor, for some years chairman of the Derbyshire County Council, and a former High Sheriff of the County, chairman of Messrs Lee and Jerdein, Ltd., and of the Riddings District Gas Company, a director of the Stanton Iron Works Co.. Ltd.. and of Kempson and Co., Ltd., who died on the 19th June last, aged 67 years, left estate of the gross value of £198.689 10s. 10d., with net personalty £111,699 8s. 3d. Probate of his will has been granted to his brother, Mr. Charles Henry Oakes, colliery proprietor, of Newlands, Alfreton. The testator left to his sister, Georgina Frances Oakes. a life annuity of £1,500 free of tax, and the use while she shall reside there of Riddings House and his effects there. He left £3,000 upon trust for his sister, Jane Margaret Barrow, for life, with remainder to her issue as she may appoint, or equally, whom failing, she may otherwise appoint, and all his other property to his brother, Mr. Charles Henry Oakes.” Note that the Will does not mention the ironworks, as this business had already been transferred to the Stanton Ironworks Company.

Under new management, the ironworks once more began to prosper. By 1923, three years after the Stanton Ironworks purchase, improvements were being made to increase the production of iron and steel. The No. 3 Blast Furnace had been shut down for modernisation, and was re-lit during the December of that year. After refurbishment, it had a capacity of some 350 to 400 tons per week. A ceremony was held for the re-lighting, which was performed by Miss Oakes whose family, of course, still had a large part to play in the development of the district, if not specifically the ironworks. In its report on the ceremony, the Derby Daily Telegraph of 22 December 1923 stated that “…the Alfreton works had not been in such a flourishing condition for the past twenty years…” and continued “…The new pipe plant today is turning out more tonnage and breaking all records…”. At the same time, the No. 2 Blast Furnace had also been refurbished and was being prepared for re-lighting.

Despite the fact that the Stanton Ironworks Company had a good reputation for the treatment of its workforce it could not escape the turbulent years of the mid-1920’s. In a scenario repeated in businesses up and down the country relationships between management and workforce became strained. After the Trade Unions called for a country wide general strike, which officially began on 3 May 1926, production at the ironworks was halted. Although the strike was initially solid many employees drifted back to work, and the Dundee Evening Telegraph of 11 May 1926 summed up the mood at the time “LESS ENTHUSIAM FOR STRIKE… Stanton Ironworks, Derbyshire, where four thousand men are employed, resumed work this morning. Alfreton Ironworks, belonging to the same company, are also working, though not at full strength.” The general strike continued officially until 13 May 1926, when it was deemed that support among the workers was not sufficient to carry on.

PHOTO: The Ironworks in 1923. The three blast furnaces can clearly be seen in the photograph

Further disputes, however, did persist, especially with the mine workers, who walked out of the collieries again in September the same year. The ironworks quickly ran out of coal, and laid-off the entire workforce. This was also recorded in the newspapers at the time. The Sheffield Evening Telegraph reported: “COAL DISPUTE VICTIMS … Owing to lack of fuel, the Alfreton Ironworks belonging to the Stanton Coal & Iron Company closed on Saturday. It is unlikely that work will be resumed until the miners return to the pits.” Although many of the employees at the ironworks were by then members of a trade union, as they themselves were not on strike they were not generally entitled to strike pay. Miners throughout the country agreed to end the strike on 12 October 1926, and slowly coal production returned to normal. The hardships endured by the workers who were laid off led to a society being established at the foundry in 1927, which had the grand title “The Alfreton Ironworks Hospital and Kindred Society”. The society would continue until June 1936, when representatives of the foundry were invited to Stanton Ironworks at Ilkeston to discuss the formation of a Works Committee, which continued until the closure of the works.

Along with the national strike of 1926 came the economic depression of the late 1920’s and a general downturn in trade. The Stanton Iron & Coal Company looked to reorganise its business, with the production of iron and steel one of the issues it faced. The three Blast Furnaces at their Pye Bridge site were closed down and rumours regarding the future of the whole of the ironworks began to circulate. To quell these fears, the Company Secretary issued a statement which was printed in the Derby Daily Telegraph on 30 March 1928. The statement followed the closure of the Blast Furnaces and the dismissal of the men who operated them. The statement read “Owing to a rearrangement of the blast furnace output of the Stanton Iron Works Company, Ltd., embracing their three works, the blast furnaces [at the Alfreton Iron Works] have been closed down. As a result a small number of men have been discharged. This department only represents a small part of the Ridding Iron Works. The iron foundries, which represent by far the larger part of the works, are being continued. The blast furnaces of the company at Stanton are, of course, remaining in blast.” The ironworks effectively became a foundry, with iron being supplied from Stanton’s Ilkeston site. The Blast Furnaces at Pye Bridge were eventually demolished in 1938.

With the loss of the blast furnaces at their Pye Bridge works, the management at Stanton could not hide the fact that the foundry had become a more vulnerable concern in their business portfolio. Their Ilkeston and Holwell plants would always take the lion’s share of any investment. It was certainly true that as the tide of business ebbed and flowed, the Pye Bridge works began to feel the forces of economic pressure. Further rumours began to circulate in 1933 regarding the fate of the works, which was heightened when Stanton Ironworks confirmed that it would close their Riddings facility, although only as a temporary measure. The Derbyshire Times & Chesterfield Herald of 11 March 1933 reported as follows: “WORKERS SUSPENDED – Temporary Measure at Riddings Ironworks - Between 400 and 500 men and boys, mainly resident in Riddings, Somercotes and Pye Bridge, are affected by a decision of the Stanton Ironworks Co. Ltd. to suspend work at Riddings Ironworks. The workmen, with few exceptions, are under notice, together with members of the office staff. The Derbyshire Times understands that a number of senior officials will be transferred to the head offices of the company at Stanton. Mr. E. J. Fox, managing director of the company, attended a meeting of the Works Committee at Riddings Ironworks and stated that it was with reluctance that the company were obliged to close down, but thought it would only be a temporary measure. It is understood that Mr. Fox added that the company’s own workmen would be given preference to outsiders when vacancies arose at their Stanton or Holwell Works. Workmen would be able to sign at Riddings Ironworks offices to attest their willingness to work at Stanton or Holwell. Rumours have been prevalent that the works were to close down permanently, but in view of Mr. Fox's assurance such rumours are dispelled. The worst fears of the workmen are thus allayed. The Stanton Ironworks Co. Ltd., succeeded Messrs. James Oakes and Co. as proprietors of Riddings Ironworks some years ago.”

The impact on the local workforce would have been immediate. The same newspaper reported on 6 May 1933 that a letter had been sent to Stanton from the Alfreton Urban District Council regarding the continued closure of the foundry, and that a reply had been received: “CLOSED IRONWORKS - No Immediate Hope of Re-opening at Riddings - Letter to Alfreton Council - There is no immediate hope of the reopening of Riddings Ironworks belonging to the Stanton Ironworks Co. A short time ago Alfreton Urban Council asked the Company to receive a deputation with the object of doing something to help in the re-opening of the works, and so providing more employment, but a communication was read from the firm by the Council on Tuesday to the effect that the Company doubted whether such a visit would worth the waste of time involved. They were up against the hard facts of the situation that until the conditions of trade improved and increased the demand for the Company's products they could not say when the works would be re-opened…”

The foundry finally re-opened on 10 July 1933, initially employing between 200 and 300 workmen, or about half those previously employed. During the closure many of the workers had had no choice but to rely on charity from various sources in order to support their families. Churches and chapels organised fund raising events and even the Alfreton British Legion’s Relief Committee helped during these hard times. The Belper News of 13 October 1933 reported that the Committee had received “…heavy claims arising largely from the suspension of work at the Riddings Ironworks.”

At the beginning of 1937 rumours circulated that the Ardelt Shop faced temporary closure for upwards of three months. Such rumours were nothing new and no doubt once started were difficult to refute. A reporter from the Derbyshire Times & Chesterfield Herald contacted the company for comment and an article was printed in their edition published on 15 January that year. Whilst the company representative admitted that rumours were circulating he told the reporter that the Ardelt Shop was working at full capacity and that the speculation was unfounded. The article reported that “…the Ardelt shop has been busily engaged in turning out straight pipes for months past, and speculative statements are not in accordance with the fact of this particular department being at full pressure. The Ardelt shop is chiefly responsible for the production of flange pipes which have been turned out in a steady flow for months. Better known as the “German" shop it is stated to be the only department of its kind in the country and has been subsequently referred to as Riddings Ironworks best asset. Between 90 and 100 men and youths, chiefly from Riddings, Somercotes and Pye Bridge district, are employed in the Ardelt shop, machinery in which was put down by a German firm about 25 years ago.”

On the outbreak of World War Two in September 1939, the British Government realised that the steel and foundry plants available for war production would not be able to cope with the demand for equipment and munitions. The Stanton Ironworks Company was one of several businesses who agreed to establish a new works capable of manufacturing large steel bomb cases for the RAF’s Bomber Command. The new foundry was financed by the Ministry of Supply and constructed on farm land near Stanton-by-Dale. The facility was opened in September 1941 and was known simply as the Stanton Gate Bomb Plant. Such was the need for workers, especially those skilled in the foundries, that workers from Riddings were seconded to the Bomb Plant and given Reserved Occupation status for the duration of the war. This not only included some of the foundry workers but also pattern makers, maintenance fitters and other essential employees. After the war ended in August 1945, these men were released by the Ministry of Labour and returned to their former jobs at the Riddings Foundry.

PHOTO: Women Worker at the Ironworks during the Second World War with bomb casings, thought to date c.1940, prior to the opening of the Stanton Gate Bomb Plant

In the years after the war, the Ironworks began a slow but steadily declining business. In an effort to halt the deterioration new products were added to the range, including slag ladles and pan bottoms for the sugar refining industry.

By the mid-20th century the ironworks at Pye Bridge had settled into the landscape and had become the focus of its workers lives. Its parent company, Stanton Ironworks, had built an ablution centre, a medical centre and other facilities for its employees, encouraged sports and other activities and had a relatively stable workforce. As with almost every other company of its size, the ironworks employed all the trades it needed, unlike today were much of the ancillary work is outsourced. The company not only employed moulders, patternmakers, engine drivers, labourers and fitters but also electricians, plumbers, painters and gardeners. The medical centre was attended by a nurse during normal working hours and a full range of office staff reported to the Ilkeston head office.

Despite Stanton’s investment, however, it could not hide the fact that the Pye Bridge site, known by Stanton as the “Riddings Works” was the smallest of their sites and the one where expansion was generally not possible. The vast majority of the investment that Stanton made went to their Ilkeston site, which could be enlarged as required. Spun iron pipes had been manufactured at Stanton for some years, in large centrifuges, followed by spun pipes internally lined with concrete. A spun concrete plant was also established by the company. A large Coke Oven Plant extension was also built at Ilkeston in 1955.

In 1954 a survey was carried out by Derbyshire County Council for the future development plan of the county which was updated over the following years. Alfreton and the surrounding villages were included and an analysis of the survey was published in 1960. The ironworks featured in a chapter dedicated to the industrial areas: “Alfreton Ironworks, owned by the Stanton Ironworks Company Limited occupies a site of 34 acres to the south of Nottingham Road, Pye Bridge. The Company owns about 28 acres of land in other uses in the vicinity. Most of the land is covered by trees and other vegetation, which effectively screens the works. Pig iron is no longer produced, and the works is now an iron foundry only. As such, it is a special industry for planning purposes, but owing to its situation it causes little disturbance to amenity. The rail connection to the works necessitates a level crossing on Nottingham Road, A613 [now the B600].”

By 1960, many ironworks and foundries throughout the country had closed. The Birmingham Post published on 10 March 1960 reported on the annual general meeting of the National and Midland Ironfounders’ Association, when the chairman, Mr W James, informed the members that 370 iron foundries [almost one in five] had closed in the previous ten years. Whilst the reasons for the closures may have been attributed to various causes the newspaper article quoted Mr James as stating that the introduction of new production facilities and modern machinery meant that the capital expenditure required to compete in an international market was often beyond many of the smaller foundries. There was, also, a problem with many companies obtaining land next to their premises for expansion and new developments, an issue very relevant to the works at Pye Bridge. Without funding and room to expand, the technological advances made in the industry in the previous ten years or so would have been of little consequence to many of the old foundries. During the meeting, Sir Frederick Scopes, then chairman of Stanton Ironworks and a national, well-respected leader of the iron and steel industry spoke in a more upbeat fashion about his company and its employees. It was, he said “…important that employees should be enabled to own their own houses and should be encouraged by special schemes to do so.” Sir Frederick then referred to a private insurance scheme started by Stanton Ironworks which provided sick pay of up to £5 per week for a weekly premium of 3s. Such schemes, along with the company’s encouragement in sport and leisure activities made Stanton Ironworks one of the best and most respected employers in Derbyshire.

Large and bespoke castings had always been a specialty of the ironworks and the Stantonian Magazine Vol.21 No. 12 published in April 1960 reported on a special order: “Recently completed at Riddings Works were the four very large pipe special castings… They formed part of an order by Drysdale & Co., Ltd., of Glasgow, for pipes varying from 60in to 84in internal diameter and the weights of the castings range from 5 tons to a little over eight tons. The pipes and castings will be used in the power station of the Central Electricity Generating Board at Skelton Bridge in Yorkshire”

During the 1960s there was a move away from cast iron and steel pipes to concrete, and the fortunes of the foundry began to sharply decline.

The Stanton Ironworks Company merged with Stewart & Lloyds Ltd in 1960. Stewart & Lloyds were iron and steel pipe and tube manufacturers, who were established on 1 January 1903 when A. J. Stewart & Menzies merged with Lloyd & Lloyd to form the new company. This company grew by acquisition over the following years until it was nationalised in 1951 under the Iron & Steel Act, when it became part of the Iron & Steel Corporation of Great Britain. In 1954, however, the company was offered for public sale and transferred to the Iron & Steel Holding and Rationalisation Agency, from which 50% of the shares were purchased in 1956. Prior to the merger with Stanton, Stewart & Lloyds Ltd purchased the Staveley Iron and Chemical Company from the Iron & Steel Holding and Realisation Agency for six million pounds and began to merge these two companies to form Stanton & Staveley Ltd, whose assets also then included the Riddings Foundry.

The fortunes of the foundry would fluctuate in the following years. The Stantonian Magazine published in February 1962 [Vol 22 No. 11] ran a short article on the Riddings Works Committee Supper, held at Hill’s Café in Alfreton on 29 December previous. It was presided over by Mr L Hearnshaw, General Manager, Foundries. In the article he stated that:-“Despite the industrial clouds which had appeared to be gathering at the beginning, the year at Riddings had been quite satisfactory. In fact, said Mr Hearnshaw, output had risen by 428 tons for sandcast products and 46 tons for flanged spun pipes. Although Riddings was not a modern works, Mr. Hearnshaw continued, new machines had been purchased and new methods developed which had helped to maintain production costs at the same level as the previous year.”

Despite the rosy outlook, however, Stanton still had to compete globally with new and emerging markets in the Far East, which for the UK steel industry would become an ever increasing problem. In 1967 the government of the day began to nationalise the industry. Stewart & Lloyds Ltd, along with all of its associated subsidiaries was nationalised that year, and became a part of the British Steel Corporation.

4. BRITISH STEEL CORPORATION, 1967

As with all major changes in large industries, decisions were made regarding those portions of the business that were not deemed viable, often without emotion and regardless of the impact on the local population. As the British Steel Corporation began a programme to cut costs and centralise production, the workers at Pye Bridge noted a downturn in business and a reduction in overtime. After the notice of closure by British Steel of one of its foundries at Eckington, near Chesterfield, the uncertainty hanging over the future of their Pye Bridge plant became apparent and the works committee began to express their concerns. A local councillor brought the matter to the attention of the Alfreton Urban District Council at a meeting held in April 1968. A local newspaper reported the event as follows: “IRONWORKERS FEAR FOR FUTURE, SAYS COUNCILLOR. Fears for the future of Riddings Ironworks, which employs 450 people, were expressed when Alfreton Urban Council met on Tuesday. Councillor J W Roberts said that employees were concerned about their future, now that the Ironworks was a nationalised concern within the British Steel Corporation. After referring to reports of reduced levels of output and a cutback in overtime working, he added: ‘My colleagues and I have been informed on a number of occasions of the uncertainly which seems to be prevailing among some of the employees and other members of the community. Obviously, these people do not want to see the same sort of thing happen to these works as has happened to the collieries in the urban district – particularly in view of the fact that it is an old works and one where no plant development has taken place.’ Councillor Roberts, one of the council’s Liberal members said the assistance of the Parliamentary Liberal Party had been sought to try to obtain some assurances about the Ironworks. ‘We feel that there is a strong case for the development of these works by the British Steel Corporation’ he said. Men displaced by colliery closures could be trained for work at the Ironworks…”

The meeting then discussed the development of lighter industries in the area which were slowly replacing the colliery workforce that had recently lost their jobs through forced closure, before once again continuing with the ironworks issue: “ ‘An all-out effort should be made to find out what the future of the Ironworks holds. Councillor Roberts pointed out that out of the 450 people employed at the Ironworks 95 per cent were men and of these 90 per cent lived within the urban district. He successfully appealed to the Council that the future of the Ironworks be among the matters raised by a five man council deputation that was due to meet the Parliamentary Secretary yesterday to discuss the industrial future of the Alfreton area. Asked to comment on Councillor Roberts remarks a spokesman for Stanton & Staveley Limited told the Derbyshire Times yesterday: ‘The generally lower level of activity at Riddings Works is common to all foundries within the Stanton & Staveley group. Recently, however, there has been an increase in demand for certain products which has realised in some sections of our foundries, including Riddings, becoming busier’.”

Despite any assurance given by the company, during that same year, 1968, the decision was taken to close the foundry at Pye Bridge.

On 24 February 1969, the local Member of Parliament, Mr. Raymond Fletcher, brought the subject of the closure of the foundry into the political arena of the House of Commons. Just a small part of Mr. Fletcher’s speech in the House of Commons is transcribed as follows: “This is not the first time that I have raised in this House the problems of the Alfreton area, but I sincerely hope that it will be the last time. I am profoundly grateful that it is the duty of my Hon. Friend the Minister of State, Department of Economic Affairs to reply to this debate, because there is nobody in the present Government who understands the problems of this area better than he does. He has made a recent visit to the area and he has talked with the people concerned. He has established first name contact with the trade union people and the industrialists, and when I talk to him about the problems of this area I know that I am talking to a person not only who understands but who is a friend in the strict and literal sense of that word. I have to raise this problem because the decision has been made by the British Steel Corporation to close the Riddings Ironworks. This is an ironworks which has been established for a long time and it is being closed in accordance with the rationalisation measures which the British Steel Corporation has embarked upon.” “...I submit that this closure, whether justified or not—and whether it is justified is the subject of vigorous argument elsewhere in which I intend to participate strongly—hits an area which has already been too savagely hit by the process of industrial restructuring. I will give a few figures to illustrate that simple proposition. When I was first elected for the constituency, which includes the Alfreton Urban District, there were many collieries in full production. By the end of March, 1969, there will not be a single colliery in the area employing workers in the area. In other words, an entire industry has contracted to the point of disappearance. I am not whining about this, I am not moaning about it, and I am not leading protest demonstrations, because I fully recognise the problem is not so much one of keeping uneconomic pits in existence as of bringing new industries into the area to absorb the labour liberated by the closure of the pits. I have said on at least four occasions on the Floor of the House that labour thus liberated is probably the best labour in the country, and I have here a file of testimonials from employers testifying that former mining labour can be trained very easily, and is probably the best labour that is available.”

Since the closing of the blast furnaces in the 1920’s the foundry at Pye Bridge had had to compete with the larger works at Ilkeston and Holwell. Both of these sites had retained their blast furnaces and Stanton Ironworks continued to increase the size of the company through further acquisitions. In the early 19th century when the works at Pye Bridge was initially established it was ideally located, sitting as it did almost on top of the ironstone rakes and coal seams, and next to the most modern transport infrastructure at that time, the Cromford Canal; but by the mid-20th century the site had become anything but ideal. The ironstone had long since been shipped from elsewhere, the canal had closed, and in the 1960’s even the railway stations of Pye Bridge and Pye Hill & Somercotes had all but been abandoned. More importantly, the ironworks sat on a small enclosed site. On one side was the old canal and the railway line, on another it was bordered by Riddings House and Park, on another by the encroaching houses in Somercotes that would eventually become the Cottage Farm estate and finally, completing the encirclement was Pye Bridge itself. There was, in effect, little available land for expansion. When something new was required, something old had to be removed, always at a cost.

Stanton Ironworks was still a company that ran its affairs like a family run business, as was often the case in those days. Their duty was not just to their shareholders but also to the workers and their families. This attitude amongst the management probably kept the foundry open and working throughout the 1960’s. Their approach to this can be seen in the encouragement and support offered to various works committees and the investment in the sports ground, across from Furnace Row at Lower Somercotes. Despite disputes and business problems Stanton was deemed a good employer by its workforce but although the company still invested in the foundry at Pye Bridge, over time it was the plants at Ilkeston and Holwell where the bulk of the investment would be made.

When the steel industry was nationalised the British Steel Corporation was tasked with both streamlining and modernising it. Those plants deemed too old or too costly to improve, or simply unprofitable, were unceremoniously axed from their business model. The question of whether the foundry at Pye Bridge would have survived if Stanton Ironworks had not been nationalised is one that has been asked on many occasions. It is, in the event, likely that if the closure had not occurred in 1969, Stanton Ironworks would have had to make the same decision not long after.

PHOTO: A photograph taken on the last day, Friday 13 June 1969

In the end, Riddings Foundry closed on Friday, 13 June 1969. The site was earmarked for development as an industrial estate, and when it was finally opened, it was given the name which more correctly reflected the area in which it was located. It became known as the Pye Bridge Industrial Estate.

As to the employees, the trade unions negotiated several options with British Steel. The first was redundancy, under which terms the employee was effectively paid off and dismissed; the second was relocation to Ilkeston with a guaranteed job at their Stanton & Staveley plant (to which British Steel would make a contribution to the relocation costs) and finally, for those not wanting to relocate, a job at the Ilkeston plant with dedicated transport from Somercotes and Pye Bridge to the Ilkeston plant and return. Although many of the workers took redundancy, a considerable number initially took the option of free transport and a continued job with British Steel. The bus which ferried them back and forth each working day would continue to operate well into the 1980s.

A few of the old buildings remained, taken over by new enterprises as part of the new industrial estate, but development could not hide the fact that a large part of the early history of the area had vanished.

5. THE RIDDINGS WORKS SPORTS ASSOCIATION

The Stanton Ironworks Company was known for its relatively good relationship with its workforce and its foundry at Pye Bridge was no exception. A Riddings Works Sports Association was formed by workers which organised football and cricket teams to play interdepartmental matches as well as other teams from relevant local associated leagues. Other sports were also catered for and the company gave both sponsorship and encouragement.

On 9 May 1953 the Sports Ground [located across from Furnace Row, Lower Somercotes] was opened. The opening was reported in the in-house magazine The Stantonian, Volume 18, No. 7, published in June 1953. Part of the article read: “RIDDINGS WORKS NEW SPORTS GROUND – ‘Those who remember this site before operations commenced must be amazed at the transformation’ said the Managing Director when, at the opening of Riddings Works new Sports Ground on Saturday, May 9th he addressed a gathering of some 500 of our colleagues and friends. Continuing, Mr. Scopes mentioned the possibility that some of the Riddings employees might be under the impression that they did not get the same amenities as their colleagues at Stanton. But he wanted them to know that it was his wish that all branches of the organisation should get their share of the amenities which the company was willing to provide. ‘This Sports Ground’, he said, ‘is a tangible example of what we are prepared to do – but we can only provide the facilities; it is up to the work-people to make full and proper use of them. I hope this ground will prove to be of the greatest possible value to the employees at Riddings’... Immediately after the official opening the Riddings Works Cricket Team and their opponents, Codnor CC, took the field to play their first match on this new ground. It turned out to be an exciting game, in which our Riddings colleagues celebrated the event by beating Codnor by three runs: Riddings 34, Codnor 31… It is only after many months of planning, negotiation, hard work and much expense that this site – which for many years was no beauty spot - has been so transformed. Today it is an amenity which will provide excellent sports facilities for our Riddings colleagues and at the same time give not a little pleasure to the residents in the immediate vicinity; it is a credit not only to the Riddings Works and the Company but also to the whole neighbourhood. It is just a year since we published a plan of the layout of this 7½ acre site. We also gave a description of the various facilities provided which include cricket and football pitches, bowling greens, tennis courts and a fine pavilion”.

There followed a list of dignitaries at the opening ceremony. The Sports Ground became one of the best amenities of its type in the district. Prior to the sports ground being laid out it was used to extract clay by James Oakes & Company, who had extensive clay pipe and brick works at Pye Hill. This land has also been subject to opencast coal extraction and then a landfill site, before being restored as a rugby ground for Amber Valley Rugby Club.

PHOTO: Riddings Ironworks Football Club, 1960's

On 5 June 1954, the Riddings Works Sports Association held its first Sports and Gala Day which was held on the sports field. Attractions included the Stanton Ironworks Band, Sports, Entertainment Sideshows and Open Tennis and Bowls Tournaments. A fancy dress parade was also held, which started at the Black Horse Inn, Lower Somercotes. Admission was charged at 1s, with all children under 15 years free.

The Gala became an annual event, often well attended, until the ironworks itself became scheduled for closure. The 1955 event was reported in the Ripley & Heanor News, published on Friday 9 September that year. A full transcription is given as follows: “SPORTS AND GALA AT PYE BRIDGE – Three wrestling bouts in which one of the contenders was Jack Taylor of Accrington, British lightweight champion, were the main attraction at the second annual sports and gala of the Riddings branch of the Stanton Ironworks, held at the sports ground, Pye Bridge last Saturday. The sports were opened by Lady Scopes, wife of Sir Frederick Scopes (managing director of Stanton Ironworks). Also present at the opening ceremony were Sir Frederick Scopes, Mr A Watson, assistant managing director of Stanton Ironworks and Mrs Watson, Mr W S Matthews, training officer and Mrs Matthews, Mr C S Whitfield, works manager and Mr J E A King, personnel manager. Features of the afternoon included sports events for children and adults, a bowls competition for which there were 64 entries, sideshows, and a Punch and Judy show. The Duffin Cup, awarded to the winner of an inter-departmental relay race was won by Pattern Shop “D”.

Sports results were:

GIRLS – 60 yards flat (8-10 years); 1 P Perks, 2 S Marriott, 3. M Crook. 80 yards flat (11-13 years); 1 J Bassett; 2 D W Evans; 3 J Mills. 100 yards flat; 1 J Mills; 2 W Dawes; 3 D W Evans.
WOMEN’S RACE – Mrs V Drew and Mrs H Pinchin (tie); 3 Mrs T Stone.
BOYS – 60 yards flat (8-10 years); 1 T Olney; 2 C T Adams; 3 D W Bonsor. 80 yards flat (11-13); 1 D Foulds; 2 M H Jevons; 3 T Weightman. 100 yards flat; 1 R Dalby; 2 R C Chamberlain; 3 D Cook. 440 yards handicap (under 15); 1 R Rowe; 2 R Anthony; 3 J G Blount. 880 yards handicap (under 15); 1 J White; 2 R Anthony; 3 J Smith. 100 yards handicap (youths); 1 R Dalby; 2 T R Bolger; 3 K Barnett. (Men): 1 R H Sutcliffe; 2 E Carlin; 3 S Smith. 220 yards handicap (youths 1 T R Bolger; 2 K Barnett 3 R Dalby. (Men) 1 S Smith; 2 R H Sutcliffe; 3 E Carlin.
VETERANS RACE (100 yards flat handicap): 1 F C Bolitho; 2 A E Flint; 3 L Green. Musical chairs-on-cycles (under 15) 1 D Foulds;

WRESTLING – The organisers were well pleased with the increased attendance this year, due to the wrestling attraction in a natural setting, the contests apparently thrilled the crowd and provided a mixture of the rough and dirty stuff as well as some real classy wrestling. First bout, over five three minute rounds, brought together Con Cooper, of Ripley, versus Ric Staley of Heanor. This bout started off fairly quiet, Cooper taking the first fall in the second round., but in the third round the stronger Heanor boy equalised with a “Boston Crab”. The next round was clear, with Cooper showing much superior wrestling ability. In the last round the Ripley boy became too confident and after a number of thigh throws found himself “pinned” and an unlucky looser.”

In 1956 the event was held on 9 June. The Melton Mowbray Tally Ho Carnival Band was a star attraction with Cookery, Handicraft and Pet Show competitions all added. As with all such events, however, the weather played a crucial part in the success of the day. The Ripley & Heanor News reported that: “The attendance was not as large as expected owing to the weather”.

The 1957 Sports & Gala Day was held on 1 June that year. Prior to this event a Sports Association Dance was held at Leabrooks Miners’ Welfare on 8 March in aid of the Gala Day, organised by the Arts & Crafts Section. According to the Stantonian Magazine of April that year more than 170 people attended the Dance. An article on the Gala and Sports Day was published on 7 June in the Ripley & Heanor News: “GALA AT PYE BRIDGE – A street parade by Chesterfield Newbold Toppers’ Carnival Band added greatly to the success of Riddings Works Sports Association’s fourth annual sports and gala on the Works Sports Ground, last Saturday. In the heat of the afternoon crowds of employees and friends enjoyed a miscellany of entertainment, including athletic sports, gymnastics by the Five Equilibrists and Birchwood Boys’ Club; judo by Somercotes Judo Club under the leadership of Mr C Shepherd; displays of marching and counter-marching by the Toppers Carnival Band; and an arts and crafts and handicrafts exhibition, along with numerous side-shows. Special attractions for the children included Mr Eric Hawksworth’s miniature railway, a Punch and Judy show, and Joe Sparta, the lightning cartoonist whose talent made him a firm favourite. The programme was most entertaining to the visitors with something of interest to watch due to the hard work of the organising committee, stewards and all the helpers. The prizes were presented by Mr. Whitfield, manager of Stanton Ironworks. The Duffin Challenge Cup was won by the Pattern Shop, and it was presented by Mrs Duffin.”

The Riddings Works Sports Association also oversaw the management of several of the works teams connected with various sports, including several football teams, at least two cricket teams, a bowling club [which had a large membership], and a tennis club. Inter-departmental matches were organised and the football and crickets teams also played in local leagues. Almost every copy of the Stantonian Magazine contained stories of the various sports fixtures and team news. The following transcriptions are randomly taken from the Stantonian, all relating to the foundry:

August 1952 – Volume 18 No.2: “FUN OF THE GAME – There was quite a bit of fun and excitement at Stanton Institute Sports Ground on Friday evening July 18th when a friendly cricket match was played between New Works Foundry and Riddings Staff. It appears that the match was already well won, and, with a few overs to go, the Riddings captain decided to let the ‘non-cricketing’ members of his team have a chance to show their prowess. Whereupon, Joe Radford [Despatch Foreman] went in to bowl and immediately took three wickets for no runs – hitting the stumps each time. The second time the bails flew thirty yards; the third time, one bail disintegrated completely”
April 1955 - Volume 19 No.6: “TENNIS – The Men’s Section of the Tennis Club has joined the Derby and Area Tennis League [Section 8] and this innovation is being looked forward to with anticipation. BOWLS – A full list of fixtures has been arranged for the coming season, both league and friendly – and keen rivalry is expected for team places”
April 1957 – Volume 20 No.6: “SPORTSMANSHIP PAYS AGAIN – For the second time in recent months our Riddings colleagues have had their undoubted sportsmanship worthily acknowledged. At the annual general meeting of the Alfreton and District Wednesday League the Younger Trophy recently instituted for the special recognition of outstanding sportsmanship within the league was presented for the first time. The proud recipients were our colleagues of the Riddings Works Bowls Club…”
February 1959 – Volume 21 No.5: This edition of the magazine ran a large article covering the Riddings 2nd XI Football Team, which was awarded the Sportsmen’s Trophy of the Derbyshire and Notts. Football Alliance for the third consecutive season, and news regarding the Sports Association Dinner: “…The Bowls and Cricket sections of the Riddings Sports Association held their annual dinner on Friday 21st November at Hill’s Café, Alfreton…” The corresponding photographs published for this article show well over 50 people in attendance.

The Riddings Works Sports Association also organised other events, and had an active Social Committee that arranged staff outings and dinners. As well as company news, the Stantonian Magazine also ran news articles on the main sites of the group, which included Ilkeston, Holwell, Wellingborough, Cochranes [in the North East] and Riddings. Photographs of various dinners and outings were published, but family photographs of weddings and children were also printed.

The company had a “cradle to grave” mentality that, despite the industrial and economic issues it faced, continued to be at the centre of its philosophy. It left behind fond memories for its workforce and its closure in 1969 ended over one hundred and sixty years of history.

6. THE ALFRETON IRONWORKS LODGE

The Alfreton Ironworks Lodge was established 1848. Little is known of its origins but the date can be derived from an article published in the Ilkeston Pioneer on 9 August 1866, which read: “On Wednesday August 1st, the eighteenth anniversary of the Alfreton Ironworks Lodge was celebrated at the house of Mr. Wm. Smith, Rose and Crown Inn, Somercotes, when upwards of sixty of the members sat down to an excellent dinner, which reflected great credit upon the host and hostess…”

There were many ironworks lodges established throughout the country. The Alfreton ironworks Lodge was affiliated to the Independent Order of Oddfellows Manchester Unity, a fraternal order founded in Manchester in 1810. The Oddfellows were established to protect and care for their members and communities at a time when there was no welfare state or health service. The members raised money locally with all income being passed back to its members in the form of services and benefits. Individual lodges like the Alfreton Ironworks Lodge would also have originally acted as a sort of workers union, and the combined influence of all the lodges within a district was not insignificant.

The Nottingham Evening Post printed a long article on 1 August 1888 which related to an anniversary dinner held for the Alfreton Ironworks Lodge: “…Yesterday afternoon the anniversary dinner of the Alfreton Ironworks Lodge of the United Order of Oddfellows (Manchester Unity) was held in the large room at the Horse and Jockey Inn, Lea Brooks, Alfreton. The members earlier in the day attended a service at Riddings Church, where a sermon was preached by the Rev. H. Rogers, the vicar. Afterwards a procession marched through the streets headed by the Somercotes Brass Band. A large number subsequently partook of dinner, which was well provided by Mr. J. Wain, the landlord. Mr. G. Wild presided, and there were also present—Mr. J. S. Sandars (Conservative candidate for Mid-Derbyshire), Mr. James Oakes, Rev. H. Rogers, Rev. A. Cotton, Mr. H. Hole (secretary), Mr. R. Ames, and others. The loyal toasts were proposed from the chair and heartily responded to. Mr. Sandars, who had an enthusiastic reception, proposed the toast of the day, ‘Success to the Alfreton Ironworks Lodge.'” The article followed with a comprehensive transcription of the speech given by Mr. Sandars in which he described the history of the friendly societies and the current government legislation of the day regarding their operations. By this date, the Manchester Unity had become a large organisation of some 550,729 members and a realised capital which had reached the sum of £5,174,000. Part of the original concept of the friendly societies was to give help to the sick and to provide financial support to bereaved families, especially in helping with funeral arrangements and their costs. When the Alfreton Ironworks Lodge was founded, funeral expenses were still a large burden that many families could ill afford, particularly if it was the head of the household who had died. In this respect, the Alfreton Ironworks Lodge would have been an important part of the social fabric of the locality.

Regular anniversary parades and dinners were held, usually at the Horse & Jockey Inn on Leabrooks Road, which seems to have been the main meeting place for the Lodge. The Derbyshire Courier, published on 9 August 1890 reported that: “On Monday the members the Alfreton Ironworks Lodge of Oddfellows held their anniversary dinner at the Horse and Jockey Inn. Lea Brooks, when a large number sat down to an excellent repast. Mr. James Oakes presided, and he was supported Mr. J. Sanders (Conservative candidate for the division), the Rev. A. Cotton, Mr. G. Brown, and others.”

Over the years, the Ironworkers Union took over much of the fight for the rights and pay of the workers, leaving organisations like the Manchester Unity to concentrate on the physical and spiritual welfare of its members. As the 20th century dawned though, the Alfreton Ironworks Lodge was still a large and active association. The influence that friendly societies still had can be seen in the number of active lodges in the district in 1908, when an Oddfellows Conference took place at the Red Lion Inn, Alfreton. The Ripley & Heanor News of 3 January that year reported that the annual conference was attended by members of the Alfreton district of Manchester Unity Oddfellows represented by the Alfreton Ironworks Lodge, the Brackenfield Trinity Lodge, the Ironville King William IV Lodge, and the Shirland Jackson Lodge.

The annual conference held in 1908 was presided over by Mr. William Brown, who worked at the head office of James Oakes & Co. [Riddings Collieries] Ltd, and became their chief clerk. He was well-known in the district, being secretary to the Riddings Flower Show Committee, secretary to the Riddings Allotment Association and secretary of the Riddings Working Men’s Club. As well as these offices, William was also a member of the Riddings Higher Education Committee and a director and auditor of the Somercotes Permanent Land Investment Society. Notwithstanding all of these roles, he was, for some sixty years, treasurer to the Alfreton Ironworks Lodge of the Manchester Unity of Oddfellows. According to his obituary printed in the Derbyshire Times & Chesterfield Herald on 1 October 1937, by the time of his death William Brown’s service to the Alfreton Ironworks Lodge had extended over 65 years.

The Alfreton Ironworks Lodge continued for many years, but it is not known when it was wound up. The ironworks itself closed on 13 July 1969. The last report regarding the Lodge was an obituary printed in the Mansfield & Sutton Recorder on 17 May 1990 for Mavis Mary Hogg, of Riddings, who died at the age of 66 years. In her obituary it states that she was a trustee of the “Alfreton Ironworks Lodge of the Independent Order of Oddfellows, Chesterfield District”.

7. LONG SERVICE AWARDS

After such a long association with the district and an important employer, the ironworks and foundry had many workers who spent their entire working lives at the foundry. Whole families were often employed; fathers, sons and brothers alike.

PHOTO: A Long Service Presentation for Stanton Employees, 1953

As each change of ownership in the company occurred, the employee’s period of service was accrued and carried forward, resulting in many of them being presented with long-service awards for 25 and 40 years. They were usually presented with a watch, engraved with their name and year on the back.

The years worked by some of the employees at Riddings was astonishing by today’s standards although in the early years of the 20th century the school leaving age was much lower than today. Mr. T. H. Boultbee, for example, who worked in the foundry department, completed 42 years’ service on 7 November 1951, while A. E. Hendley completed 51 years on 31 December 1958 and T. Whilde, who worked in “Sundry Services” a staggering 55 years on 29 December 1961. Mr. Whilde’s retirement was recorded in the Stantonian Magazine Vol. 22 No. 11 of February 1962: “Among the longer serving employees to feature in our pages this month is Mr. T Whilde who retired from Riddings on December 29, after 55 years’ service. For most of his working life Mr. Whilde was a moulder at the New Foundry but the last three years he has spent tending the gardens at Riddings Works. A member of the Amalgamated Union of Foundryworkers for more than forty years, Mr. Whilde has been treasurer of the Somercotes Branch for the past fifteen of them. His son, Mr. A. J. Whilde is employed in the order office at Riddings.”

In the Stantonian Magazine of February 1952 [Vol 17 No.11] various references to long service were made at the annual Pensioner’s reunion Party. The oldest retiree present in 1952 was Mr. Frederick Street, who started work at the Alfreton Iron Works in 1887, retiring in 1926 and, as the magazine reported, had been “drawing a retirement allowance ever since”. Another, William Meakin, started work at the age of 13 and did not retire until he was 70 years old. Edward Perkins started work just four days before his fourteenth birthday and retired four days before his 70th. The fact that generations of the same family worked at the Pye Bridge plant can be seen in an article published in in the same magazine. This read: “ANOTHER OLD STANTONIAN FAMILY -During his speech at the annual supper of Riddings Works Committee, Mr H. Swindell [Chairman], related how in the year 1837, his grandfather, Mr. Henry Cotterell Swindell started work at the Riddings Foundry at the age of 11 years. He was a moulder; he had six sons, they also had sons and all came to work at the foundry [some of them later came to Stanton where the name is a household word] and between them, father, sons and grandsons had been with the Company for a total of 236 years. ‘During all those years since 1837,’ continued Mr.Swindell, ‘there has always been a Swindell at Riddings’”

8. APPENDIX

1. DAVID MUSHET'S CORRESPONDENCE [FROM THE GLOUCESTER RECORD OFFICE]

There are many letters in the archives between Mushet and Silverwood that give a small insight into the running of the ironworks during 1808 and 1809. Correspondence between Mushet and Thomas Halford, who was at the time a co-partner in the Whitecliff Ironworks in the Forest of Dean also survives. Thomas Halford, a London Stockbroker and majority shareholder was not satisfied with the output at Whitecliff and approached Mushet due to his reputation as a metallurgist. Whitecliff Ironworks was substantially rebuilt under the supervision and guidance of Mushet, who was, at the time, also managing the Alfreton Iron Works. Mushet left Alfreton and moved to Coleford in February 1810 after Halford had bought out his partners and became the sole owner. Mushet was to take up the position of manager of Whitecliff, but left after just six months, although the reasons for his actions are not fully known.

Please note that many of the letters below have been transcribed only in part, although care has been taken to ensure that relevant parts relating to the ironworks at Pye Bridge are included. In some instances this may alter the context of the letter as a whole, but does not affect the history of the ironworks itself.

Letter 17

Theodore Silverwood to David Mushet - Alfreton Iron Works 14th April 1808

Sir, There is this letter come to hand from Smith – yet I thought it necessary to inform you how we are going on – but I am sorry I cannot send you a more flattering account. The coke hearth is in a very poor state. On Monday they turned about 15 tons of coal and slack; on Tuesday 19th and yesterday about 27 tons; today we shall have about the same quantity we had yesterday.- and that we have made every exertion – and have employed Argill to bring down ironstone on purpose to keep our own Team at Coal leading – we have not done more than bring in a supply – we have gained nothing upon the stock as a reserve for next week which we expected to be 2 or 3 days holiday at all the pits. I am afraid there will not be many left upon Morewood Hills after this week and if there is, that they will not let us fetch them after Saturday. The road is not yet passable to Birchwood and the only feasible step to present a stand as far as I can conceive is to get a boat from Woolleys to come in on Monday.

Stenson expects to get the Whimsey ready on that day and thinks he shall get all hands to work on Wednesday – perhaps some on Tuesday and then we shall certainly do better.

The furnace has carried the ¼ cwt thro and what is singular instead of the iron getting sharper is has become more duller [this word is actually indecipherable in the letter] more so than we have had it for a length of time. The Dam gets very bad, the iron comes over by 3 o’clock – so I think it will be well to put one in on Saturday. I have found a very good one under the engine cokes – at the same time we may be as well to shift the tuyre more backward – and this stand may well agree with the coke hearth – we must repair the old furnace chimney on Sunday; it will take two days. Ashwell has wrote offering old brass and copper in any quantity we may want at 1/- a lb. Please to say in your next whether we should order any or whether Samuel should go over and look some out. We have none by us. I am, Sir, your obedient servant, T. Silverwood.

Letter 20

Theodore Silverwood to David Mushet - Alfreton Iron Works 18th April 1808

Sir, When I last wrote you I gave you an account of our state in respect of coals – on Thursday and Friday they turned about 23 tons one day and 27 the other and on Saturday morning they would not go down and of course did not turn coal. We had only 14 chimneys on the Coke Hearth. Morewood’s was cleared to a few tons – there was no prospect of them working this week it being a great holiday amongst them – there was more to be got from Woolley’s – a Trent boat lay there taking in theirs as fast as they could turn them… I sent Samuel over to Mr. Fletcher to see if he would accommodate us with 2 or 3 cargoes and he very politely offered to accommodate us as far as lay in his power – he sent us one cargo this morning and will send us two more tomorrow which I think will pull us thro’; each cargo about 20 or 21 tons. I don’t know whether you will approve of this but I could see no other way of carrying on – and if we must have stood I could not have held up my head. I stopt [sic] a days work in hand from the colliers as we had some reason to suppose they did not intend to come to work this week. They threatened and bullied a great deal about this thinking - they had it in their power to us fast, but when they understood this morning that we could get supplied they changed the Note – and the bullies ae gone to seek more men and have promised to begin to work tomorrow – but I don’t expect them beginning till the day after. The whimsy will be ready to start in the morning so that if they get sufficient strength into the pit I am still in hope we shall do better than we have done.

There is no letter from Smith nor of Stokes yet come up, but we expect him tomorrow. We have better than two cargoes of shot and 10 tons of excellent No.1 iron. If you would wish it to be sent to you will you let me know and we should soon make up a third cargo.

The Furnace carried the week thro’ with good No.1 and made 37 tons – we stood on Saturday as I mentioned – we had one cast yesterday morning No.2 but see again upon No.1 and I have put on 15lb more ironstone which I think the Furnace will carry. The shot has been very good and but few wasters. I hope in my next to give you a favourable account of our coal turning and hope in the meantime you will make yourself perfectly easy as I think things are likely to go smoother and well; we certainly must expect a change, for strange to tell Morewood’s have turned some coal todayand on Saturday they did not bring their bill.

George Waine has given a months notice to leave.

I anxiously expect hearing from you and Remain Sir, Your obedient servant, T. Silverwood.

During the early years of the ironworks cannon shot was regularly made at Pye Bridge and shipped by canal, as can be seen from the above letter. Further correspondence on 20th April 1808 indicates the different sizes of shot produced and the quantities that were being shipped.

On 19th April the following cargo was shipped:

32 pound shot x 1600
24 pound shot x 1200
18 pound shot x 432

Shot was bought by weight. The total weight of the above cargo was just over 38 tons with a value of £438.16s.0d. Part of the letter is transcribed below:

Letter 21

Theodore Silverwood to David Mushet - Alfreton Iron Works 20th April 1808

“…The delay of the three cargoes of shot is really very discouraging and vexatious after such a time of difficulty. Previous to Graham’s sending down the order for 24 [pounds] they had wrote to say that 32, 18, 12 & 9 [pounds] were very much wanted and they don’t say in the order whether the 24 [pounds] are much wanted. We have 52 pairs of 24 [pound] moulds in and will let them remain till we hear further from you… The colliers began to work this morning and the Wimsey seems to act very well – they will turn about 20 tons today…”

Letter 22

Theodore Silverwood to Crawshay & Company - Alfreton Iron Works 23rd April 1808

Both Mushet and Silverwood new many people within the iron and steel making industry and corresponded with them regularly. Pig iron made at the Alfreton Ironworks but not used in their own production was sold to other foundries and ironworks, especially pig iron No.1. Letter No. 22 was addressed to Crawshay & Company. Richard Crawshay [1739-1810] was a very well respected ironmaster. Born in Normanton, Yorkshire he left home at the age of sixteen for London. He eventually became the sole proprietor of the business he worked for and afterwards leased then purchased the Cyfarthfa Ironworks in South Wales. He died in 1810 a very rich man. Part of Letter No. 22 is transcribed below:

“…14 tons No.1 Pig Iron long weight – the pig iron is of very good quality. The furnace has continued to make No.1 the whole of this week. We have now on 3½ cwt, the last 15lb is not thro’ but the furnace is working very grey… She has gone but 456 charges this week – we shall have about 29 tons 4 [cwt] of iron which falls far short of last weeks produce – we shall get our own coke again on Tuesday when it will perhaps be necessary to lighten the burden or the present weight will probably throw her too high upon sharp iron. I thought of reducing the burthen ¼ cwt as soon as our own cokes are wholly on. The colliers are working very well. They turned about 36 tons yesterday and will do as much today if they work it thro’…”

Letter 23

Thomas Saxelbye to David Mushet - Derby, 8th May 1808

Business was also conducted locally, as can be seen in Letter No. 23 referring to an agreement with William Jessop of Butterley.

“Dear Sir, I called upon Mr. Jessop last night and made a bargain with him for about 20 tons of metal a week delivered upon our wharf at £5.17s.6d per ton; three months and two, with a promise that you would be punctual. I think the terms are better than what you offered which would have averaged only eight weeks. He will send you some immediately, which I did not object to, as I thought any surplus you might have until the Furnace is built you could send to our own in London. He asked me what we was getting for shot but I told him I did not know – I believed about £10 or £10.10s... I have got a boat which will be loaded early in the morning and I hope will be with you on Tuesday or Wednesday morning, I shall send the fire bricks in here, I think there will be two or three boat loads of sundry things. With respects to Mrs. M. I am Sir… Thomas Saxelbye”.

Letter No. 28 [Draft]

David Mushet to Thomas Halford - Alfreton Iron Works 21st May 1808

The fact that Mushet was corresponding with Thomas Halford at Coleford regarding the running and ownership of the Whitecliff Ironworks whilst still being in the employ of Thomas Saxelbye & Company can clearly be seen in Letter No. 28, part transcribed below. The ‘Mr Teague, referred to in the letter was one of the partners of the Whitecliff works:

“Dear Halford, I was duly favoured with your letter of the 18th. I looked in vain for some particulars as to the ironstone which I conceive still to be of the greatest importance to the ultimate welfare of the world, tho’ from the backwardness that Mr. Teague exhibited on the subject I did not expect much fairness or perseverance in the outcome. I think on the subject of buying his shares or indeed the share of anyone, the only risk is in appearing anxious to purchase - if the furnace goes on as it has been doing, and for a few months longer, and which seems very likely to be the case. Shares as they so far relate to the manufacturing of iron will be had cheap enough. Whatever opportunities you may have when at Coleford of striking a bargain, I would advise you to do it conditionally. I mean by this whether it be an annuity or a Lordship that the same be only paid while it is for the interest of the manufacturing partners to carry on the works. If tho’ the works cease, this annuity or Lordship also to terminate…”

The letter continues with Mushet referring to the prices of pig iron and the relationship between that and the share price with the recommendation “…Be not in a hurry, if not this year I am confident that next year you may almost be sole proprietor of the ironworks...” The last part of the letter implies that Mushet and Halford had been discussing a possible partnership: “…On the subject of my joining the concern at Coleford, I can only in the present stage of business say that if, ¼ share can be made over to me, the old capital set aside and a certainty of funds to carry the works forward upon a profitable sale, everything else I think might be made agreeable. Tho’ at this time it is impossible to enter into particulars”

Letter 30

David Mushet to Thomas Halford - Dated 6th June 1808

This long letter refers to the work at the Whitecross Ironworks and again references the partnership, with a man named Isaiah Birt mentioned. Birt, with Teague and Halford are the principal partners in the Whitecross Ironworks. In part, Mushet writes:

“It is impossible in the compass of even a long letter to say what occurs on both sides with your intentions of going forward in the business. It is certainly your best interest to let the whole thing stop…” “… The man of whom you write is a kind of gentleman keeper. He is the servant of the Butterley Co., and I think receives 2 guineas weekly as an overlooker of furnaces… Young Birt’s conduct is certainly amusing – you did right however to put it in his power to refuse – and better still not to supplicate. I am dertermined never to have any concern with you if Birt continues [his] connection in the concern…”

The letter continues: “I hope that what I am going to say will not be deemed to proceed from any improper motive – you should endeavour to get a monied man to buy Birt’s share, because I reckon that a further advance of £10,000 will be necessary to give the works a fair chance of success... I am still of my former opinion that I would not like to enter the concern with less than a fourth tho’ if a harmonious and ample co-partnership not exceeding four could be formed, I should accept…”

Letter 59

Thomas Halford to David Mushet - London 21st January 1809

By this time it is obvious that David Mushet had decided to join Thomas Halford at the Whitecross Ironworks. From this letter it appears that Theodore Silverwood may also have been asked to work there, but had refused the offer. This shows the esteem in which Silverwood was held, but by 1809 he had a family at Pye Bridge and a relatively stable career. After Mushet’s resignation would become the manager at the Alfreton Iron Works, a position he would hold for many years. Again, this letter is transcribed in part:

“I am sorry that Silverwood cannot be had, though for the present it may be better, for we shall have you much more at Coleford which will be far better than Silverwood. With respect to you residing constantly at Coleford it would most assuredly be advantageous for the whole concern, but more of this when I have the pleasure of seeing you. As everything lies with you, you must therefore give the time when to meet…” “…I think by that time I shall have Birt’s conveyance completed which I am very desirous of having for the 12th.”

Letter 100

David Mushet to Thomas Halford - Alfreton Iron Works 21st October 1809

Various correspondence continued after the above letter No. 59 to from Mushet and Halford with regard to the Whitecross Ironworks but also from Silverwood on the perhaps more mundane issues of production at the Alfreton Iron Works, which was still producing many tons of cannon shot and had started production of smaller grape shot. By October 1809 it was possible that Mushet’s association with Whitecross Ironworks was causing concern for the partners at Alfreton, as this may have impeded his ability to run the Alfreton Iron Works as efficiently as the partners would have liked. Things came to a head when during a meeting with the proprietors at Alfreton it seems that a suggestion was made that Mushet relinquish his work at Whitecross. Letter 100 refers to the situation and confirms David Mushet’s intentions to move to Coleford.

“Dear Halford, I begin to feel anxious at your long silence. I trust nothing new from the surveyor has occurred to plague you – for seeing some time the necessity that a much greater portion of my presence will be necessary at Coleford than I have hitherto been able to spare, I have of late endeavoured to arrange matters for that purpose with my friends here, but without effect. This has led to considerable discussion and which like all discussions wherein the interests are opposite has terminated unpleasingly as I will not acceded to the proposition abandoning the Coleford concern, in preference to the one in which I am now engaged. I have therefore determined upon bringing matters to a conclusion here and if perfectly agreeable to you and Mr. Spicer take upon me as soon as possible the immediate superintendence of the Coleford concern. We shall discuss this subject when we meet at Coleford…”

David Mushet left the Alfreton Iron Works and moved permanently to Coleford to take up his new position at the Whitecross Ironworks in February 1810.

2. THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN CHRISTOPHER ROLLESTON AND THOMAS SAXELBYE & COMPANY, 1806

The agreement mentioned in chapter one relating to the lease of the mineral rights in 1806 for both coal and ironstone was an important step in the history of the ironworks, enabling Thomas Saxelbye & Company to mine the coal and ironstone used in their blast furnace and foundry. Below is a transcript of the agreement:

“Copy of an Agreement respecting a lease of coal and ironstone at Riddings and Somercotes from Christopher Rolleston Esq. and son to Thomas Saxelbye & Company

It was agreed this 4th day of July 1806 between James Green of Lenton Abbey, Gentleman, as agent for and on behalf of Christopher Rolleston of Watnall Esq. and Christopher Rolleston the younger, his son, of the same place Esq. on the one part, and Messrs. Thos. Saxelbye, Nath Edwards and Richard Forester Forester, Iron Masters, the partners of the other part.

1st. That the said Messrs. Rolleston, father and son, shall forthwith grant to the said Thomas Saxelbye & Co. a lease for 40 years commencing the 1st day of August next but determinable at the end of 30 years as after mentioned of all the Mines, Veins, Seams and beds of coal and ironstone lying within or under all the lands and grounds belonging to the said Messrs Rolleston or either of their heirs within the lordship or hamlet of Riddings or Somercotes or either of them or elsewhere in the parish of Alfreton in the said county of Derby with all necessary requisite Liberties and Privileges for getting, working, burning, stacking, selling and carrying away the same or otherwise for the beneficial enjoyment of the said lease and particularly land for wharfs by the canal side where most convenient.

2nd. The rent for the coals to be at and after the rate of £150 for every surface acre but subject to deduction and abatement in respect of all the coals not actually gotten in the hard or main seam after the same rate per acre.

3rd. The rent for the ironstone to be at and after the rate of £100 for every surface acre of land out of which it is gotten or one shilling per ton of 22 hundreds weight to the ton at the option of the leases.

4th. The rents to be ascertained and paid for both coals and ironstone on the 1st day of August annually.

5th. To pay a fiscal rent of £350 a year for both coals and ironstone so long as the Lessees shall choose to work the whether they get a quantity sufficient at the above rent to amount to £350 in the year or not, but to pay for any excess of quantity gotten until the deficiency of former years is allowed for.

6th. The Lessees may determine the leases as to the coal by giving 6 months previous notice at the end of any year ending 1st August if they should choose to discontinue working the colliery.

7th. The Lessees to pay such rent annually for any land they may damage by making pits, roads etc., as is paid by the tenant of the land for the other part of it, and also a proportionate part of the levies and taxes in respect thereof.

8th. In getting ironstone by Bell Pits in openwork the surface soil to be laid aside and afterwards replaced on the surface.

9th. The rent paid by way of recompense for damages to continue payable for 3 years after the pits or roads in respect whereof it became payable to cease to be used, in lieu of the Lessees making good the land unless the land is sooner made good by either the tenant or the Lessess of the coals etc.

10th. Messrs Rolleston may determine the Lease at the end of 30 years next after the time from which the rent became first payable, giving 2 years previous notice to the Lessees in which a case of compensation is to be made to the Lessees to be settled by arbitration if the parties themselves cannot agree.

11th. The Lessees to have the Liberty to take away and convert to their own use Clay, Sand, Stone and other material gotten in the working of the colliery or getting ironstone.

12th. The Lessees may get Clay for bricks, Stone, Sand and any other materials in the land for use of the colliery buildings, workmen’s houses etc.

13th. The Lessees to be allowed 2 years to bore and sink trial pits etc., to enable them to determine whether or not to work the colliery. The rent not to commence until the end of the 2 years unless the colliery is sooner begun to be worked and coal gotten, nor these if they decline the leases.

Signed by Nathaniel Edwards for Thomas Saxelbye & Company and James Green for Christopher Rolleston Esq. and Son”.

3. THE OAKES FAMILY AFTER 1920

After James Oakes [1858-1921] sold the ironworks to the Stanton Ironworks Company Ltd in 1920 the family still had substantial businesses and estates throughout the district. Amongst their holdings were the Cotes Park, Pye Hill and New Selston Collieries, the Brick and Pipe Works at Pye Hill, the Riddings and District Gas Company and the Midland Acid Company, both at Pye Bridge, and a substantial number of houses, farms and land. After the sale of the ironworks they were still the largest private employer in the area.

In 1920, just one year before his death, James was awarded the C.B.E. for his services to the Military Tribunal. The official notice of the award was published in The London Gazette on 26 March 1920 - “CENTRAL CHANCERY OF THE ORDERS OF KNIGHTHOOD, St. James's Palace, S.W. 1., March 30th, 1920 - The KING has been graciously pleased to give orders for the following promotions in, and appointments to, the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for services in connection with the War, to be dated 1st January, 1920:— To be Commanders of the Civil Division of the said Most Excellent Order:— James Oakes, Esq. - Chairman of the Derbyshire Appeal Tribunal”.

James had three younger brothers, the eldest of which was Gerard Roseingrave Oakes who was born in Riddings in 1861. He pre-deceased James, having died at Hollyhurst House, Riddings in 1916. When James died in 1921, the estate passed to his next eldest brother, Charles Henry Oakes II [1863-1929]. Charles, like his brother James, died a bachelor and the estate then passed to Charles’s nephew Charles Audouin Macklin Oakes [1907-1969], the son of Gerard Rosingrave Oakes.

Gerard Rosingrave Oakes married Margaret Ethel Peel in 1892 and their eldest son was named Gerard Edmund Roseingrave Oakes, who was born in London in 1894. At the outbreak of war in August 1914 Gerard Edmund joined the 3rd Battalion, The Prince of Wales’s Own [West Yorkshire Regiment]. He went to Sandhurst Military College in 1915 and was gazetted to the 1st Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment. He was sent to France and was invalided home twice before being sent back to the Front Line on 5th April 1918. Just fourteen days later Lieutenant Gerard Edmund Rosingrave Oakes was wounded by a shell and died as a result of his wounds. Due to his death, the estate passed to his younger brother, Charles Audouin Macklin Oakes.

Some idea of the size of the Oakes estate may be seen in a conveyance dated 31st March 1942 when a change in the ownership was made, probably for legal reasons. The Conveyance by C.A.M. Oakes to James Oakes (Riddings Collieries) Ltd includes only property and not the business interests:

Pye Bridge

A Stone House
9 Houses
Pye Bridge House
The Mission Room
The Institute [Land Only]

Lower Somercotes

10 Houses on Furnace Row
4 Houses on Coopers Row
5 Houses [Rose & Crown]
4 Houses on Norman Road
6 Houses known as Oakland Villas
The Oaklands
10 Houses on Barrack Yard

Somercotes

5 Houses on Queen Street
4 Houses stated to be off Birchwood Lane
The Old Vicarage, Birchwood Lane
7 Houses on the Market Place
1 House on High Street

Greenhill Lane

The Riddings Mills
The Mill House
3 Houses on Shaw Street
7 Houses on Colledge Street

Riddings

9 Houses on Melbourne Row
4 Houses on Newlands Road
47 Houses on the High Street
39 Houses on Church Street
The Institute on Church Street
The Parish Room on Church Street
The Moulders Arms Public House
5 Houses on Lygoes Yard
2 Houses near the Estate Yard
The Estate Yard
The Seven Stars Inn
10 Houses on Market Place
11 Houses on Spring Road
7 Houses on Nottingham Lane
Hollyhurst House
2 Houses near Hollyhurst Row
18 Houses on Hollyhurst Row
1 House on Mount Pleasant

Ironville

22 Houses on Fletchers Row
5 Houses on Oakes Row
2 Houses known as Highfield Villas
Highfield House

Golden Valley

9 Houses

Pye Hill

10 Houses on Tunnel Row
17 Houses on Top Row
5 Houses on Cross Row
30 Houses on Main Road
10 Houses on New Row

Stoneyford

6 Houses on Erewash Road
4 Houses near the Boat Inn
The Boat Inn

After the Second World War the country experienced significant changes, brought about in part by the unexpected election of a Labour government in 1945. This government not only established the National Health Service, but also brought in legislation to nationalise much of Britain’s main infrastructure. The Transport Act nationalised the railways in 1947 and the same year saw the start of the nationalisation of the coal industry through the Coal Industry Nationalisation Act which had received Royal Assent on 12th July the previous year. The collieries owned and managed by James Oakes [Riddings Collieries] Ltd were duly taken over and became part of the National Coal Board. At the same time, this enterprise also took ownership of various parts of the Oakes estate, most well-known being the Riddings Mills. In 1948, the government introduced the Gas Act, which began to nationalise the gas industry, and the Riddings & District Gas Company was dissolved and became part of British Gas.

After the nationalisation of much of the business the company continued to manufacture acid-resisting stoneware, Vitrinite acid-resisting cement, ground fireclay and engineering bricks and in 1947 changed the name of the parent company to Oanco, one of the trade names already in use at the time.

Over the next few years the Oakes estate was disposed of through various sales and agreements. The Seven Stars Inn was sold in 1952, as was the Moulders Arms. The Parish Rooms on Church Street, Riddings were sold in 1954. Many of the houses on the High Street, Riddings were sold to the Alfreton Urban District Council. The London Gazette of April 1965, reported the impending liquidation of Kempson & Company of Pye Bridge as follows: “An extraordinary General meeting of the above named company duly convened and held at the registered office of the company, Riddings, in the county of Derby on the 5th day of April 1965 the special resolution was formerly passed that Kempson & Co. Ltd. be wound up voluntarily…” Just three years later in 1968 the Midland Acid Company followed suit, and liquidators were appointed on 29th November 1968, although the business did not finally close until 1971.

By the very early 1970’s the only substantial business still owned by the Oakes family was the pipe yard and brickworks at Pye Hill. This was sold to the Hepworth Company in 1972, finally ending the business empire started as Thomas Saxelbye & Company some 170 years earlier.

The Oakes family had previously purchased an estate in Skipness, Scotland in 1936, where Charles Audouin Macklin Oakes died in 1969. Riddings House, undoubtedly the most well-known property owned by the family was eventually sold in the 1970’s.

4. THE OAKES FAMILY TREE

5. “The Ashupton Garland” or “A Day in the Woodlands”

In 1867, Llewellynn Jewitt edited a book featuring ballads and songs of Derbyshire. One of the ballads referred to a trip taken by James Oakes and others to Ashopton in the High Peak of Derbyshire. This village now lies under the Ladybower Reservoir.

The ballad was called “The Ashupton Garland”, or “A Day in the Woodlands” and was described by Jewitt as “Showing how a ‘right merrie companie’ went forth to seek a diversion in the Woodlands, and what befell them there”. It would have been sung to a “pleasant Northern Tune”. The writer of this song is not recorded.

Jewitt’s description continues: “Ashopton is a small village, but little is known away from its own neighbourhood, in the vale of the river Ashop, in the chapelry of Derwent, in the High Peak. This very clever ballad was written on occasion of what was evidently an extremely happy picnic party, held there not many years ago. It is one of the best modern ballads I have seen”. This curious and lengthy ballad is transcribed in full below:

The Ashupton Garland, or A Day in the Woodlands

In summer time when leaves were green
With a hey derry down, you shall see
James Oakes he called his merry men all
Unto the green-wood tree

James Oakes he was a worthy squire
Full six feet high he stood
No braver chief the forest rang’d
Since the days of Robin Hood

Then some came East, and some came West
And Southrons there came three
Such a jovial band of fine fellows
You never more shall see

Nor fair Maidens ever tripp’d
Than bore them companie
The wood-nymphs peep’d, in wonder all
As they were passing by

There was Sally of Riddings with her wit so sly
That young men’s hearts beguil’d
And wilding Meg, with the hazel eye
And sweet Maid Marian mild

Then came blithe Helen of Osgarthorpe
With her sister as you shall know
Two fairer maids in Sheffield town
Did ne’er set foot I trow

Maid Marian’s sister too was there
And a merry little minx was she
And they were merry merry maidens all
When under the greenwood tree

Then followed straight a matron dame
That summers more had seen
Her kindly eye did sparkle bright
And she seemed the woodland queen

James Oakes the elder he went first
As captain of the band
Bill Graham of Skiers was by his side
And they shouted “For Merrie England”

Sylvester next, that rover bold
(Some called him Little John)
With Bob the tall, from London town
As you shall hear anon

Two stalworth blades, sworn friends, were there
Jem Oakes and Asho’er Will
They wanted only a good cross-bow
The Queen’s fat deer to kill

Then can Nick Milnes, that smart young man
Of fifteen winters old
With Charley Oakes, a proper young man
Of courage stout and bold

Next Tom of Riddings, the rural swain
(Their Allen-a-Dale was he)
Cane tripping o’er the heather bell
As blithe as blithe could be

Good Lord it was a pleasant sight
To see them all on a row
With every man his good cigar
And his little bag hanging low

Bill Graham of Skiers, he then stepped forth
All buskined up to the knee
And he swore by all the fair maids there
Their champion he would be

When this the Captain he did hear
To Bill up stepped he
And thus he said before the face
Of that goodly companie:

“To the devil a drop, thou proud fellow!
Of my whiskey thou shalt see
Until thy courage here be tried
Thou shalt not go scot free”

“By my troth,” cried Bill “thou art a gallant knight
And worthy of me for thy squire
And I’ll show thee how for a lady I’ll fight
If thoul’t meet me in good Yorkshire”

When sweet Maid Marian this did hear
With a hey down down and a derry
Her rosy cheeks did bleach with fear
But sweet Meg it made merry

“A boon, a boon” cried Little John
“I’m sick and fain would see
What thou hast got in the leather bottle
I pray thee show to me”

“Come hither, come hither, thou fine fellow
Hold up thou head again
I’ve that within my leather bottle
That shall not breed thee pain”

Then the Captain took Little John by the hand
And they sat them under the tree
“If we drink water while this doth last
Then an ill death may we dee”

Then Little John rose up once more
Renewed with mirth and glee
And eke with a bound, he danced around
In sight of that companie

These fine fellows all, did then take hands
And danced about the green tree
For six merry men, for seven merry men
For nine merry men we be

Then on they walked the rocks among
All on a midsummer day
Every youth with a maiden by his side
While the birds sang from each spray

With kirtle tucked up to the knee
The maidens far did go
And Bob the tall, to each and all
Great courtesie did show

Some plucked the green leaf, some the rose
As to Kinder Scout they sped
Or wiled away the sweet summers day
At lovely Derwent Head

And some did shout, and some did sing
With a heart so blithe and merry
And some adown the hill did roll
With a hey derry down, down derry

And ever and anon they’d sit
On a mossy bank to rest
While the bag and the whiskey glass went round
With the ringing glass and jest

Then some among the heather strayed
Springing the bonny Moor-hen
And some did climb the green hills side
Or roam the tangled glen

The blackbird tried his golden bill
His sooty love to greet
Upon the bough, the throstle cock
Did carol blithe and sweet

And when the dews began to fall
And the glowworm’s lamp to shine
To Ashupton Inn they did repair
In order for to dine

Then on the board did smoke roast beef
With pasties hot and cold
Any many a right good stomach showed
And many a tale was told

And when the table it was cleared
And landlord brought them wine
He swore, that never there before
Such a companie did dine

So a health to the Queene, and long may she reign
And Albert live long he
Push the glass about – Old Kinder Scout
We’ll drink long life to thee

And here’s a health to those fine fellows
And to all those maidens merry
May each take heart from the Ashupton-hills
Singing hey derry down, down derry

And here’s a health unto James Oakes!
And many a year may he
Rise up, and call his merry men all
Unto the greenwood tree

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Several characters are mentioned by name, but sadly in most cases only their given name is recorded. The ballad may refer to James Oakes [1788-1845] as verse 9 of the ballad refers to “James Oakes the elder,” who would have been about 54 years of age when it was written, although his son, also named James and could have been the main character.

The wife of James Oakes senior was Sarah Haden, and “Sally of Riddings” mentioned in verse 5 could be her, as Sally was used as a variation of the name. They also had a daughter, Sarah Ann.

In verse 12 the writer refers to “Nick Milnes.” This is Nicholas Bourne Milnes who was born in about 1827 at Stubbin Edge, near Ashover. He became a clergyman. “Nick Milnes” is recorded as 15 years old in the song, which dates the work to around 1842. His sister was Marian Milnes, who married James Oakes [the son] at Ashover in July 1846, and who is almost certainly referred to as Maid Marian in the ballad.

“Bill Graham”, mentioned several times in the song, could William Graham, and engineer who was born at South Wingfield and lived in later years at Kilburn, Derbyshire, although there is no direct evidence to link him with James Oakes.

[MANY MORE PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE IRONWORKS, ITS WORKERS AND THE OAKES FAMILY CAN BE FOUND IN THE PHOTO GALLERY]