Old newspaper clippings

Judi searched high and low and found these old newspaper clippings telling stories of Old Weston life in times gone by.

Old Weston Manor and Freehold Estate

Auction description from The Times, July 1822 New addition!

by Fox and Pocock at Auction Mart on Wednesday November 6th between 12 noon and 1pm in one lot according to such conditions of sale as will be produced. The Manor of Old Weston in the County of Huntingdon with its royalties and appertances: together with the manor house and upwards of 180 acres of excellent wood, arable and pasture land, the property of the children of the late Edward Ashton deceased, part thereof is enclosed with quick fences and the remainder dispersed with open fields. The whole is in the occupation of Mr John Smith who will show the same.

The homestead comprises, a good farm house, stud and tiled, containing on the ground floor 2 good sitting rooms 15 feet by 18 feet 1 ditto 17 feet square, 2 kitchens, 2 cellars, dairy and pantry: also 7 good bed chambers: in the yard granary and dove cote, brick and tiled; 3 barns thatched with reed, 2 stables and other out buildings; a small garden in front, kitchen garden, 2 orchards well stocked with fruit trees in full bearing and a paddock containing acres. Two of the closest containing 16 acres of old pasture land lie very near to the house.

The woodland containing 9 acres called Old Weston Groveis remarkable for its abundance of thriftiness of its oak, ash and elm timber and underwood. Old Weston is situated about a mile east of the turnpike between Huntingdon and Thrapston. 12 miles from Huntingdon, 8 from Thrapston, 8 from Oundle, 7 from Kimbolton in fine sporting country close to some of the Earl of Fitzwilliam's best covers and within easy reach of Pytchley, Oakley and Croxton hounds.

Further particulars obtained at the office of the auctioneer, High Street, Huntingdon where a ferrier and plan of the estate may be seen or Messrs Margetts and Son, soliciters or to view the estate apply to Mr James Smith, the tenant.

Dastardly Deed

Did Not Like Old Weston

This was the excuse given by one Alexander Burnett in court for deserting his wife and child in July 1920.

Alexander, of no fixed abode, went to work on Monday morning and failed to return. He did odd jobs as a horse breaker. The prisoner reported that as he left for work his wife had told him that when he returned he would find her and their child in the pond. He claimed that he was so upset he decided not to go back.

In a letter to his wife he had said he was working very hard and he asked some clothes to be sent to him. He wrote that he knew he had done wrong and would not be returning to Old Weston. His wife took the letter to the police.

As the result of Burnett's desertion his family had received some £12 from the Thrapston Guardians. This money now had to be paid back.

Burnett said that 'he was very sorry; he knew that he was in fault. He wished to do better and that if the Bench would give him a chance he would try to pay the arrears'.

The Chairman of the Bench said that 'the prisoner had behaved badly, and he had no excuse to offer. He would have to pay the penalty, and he deserved it three months imprisonment with hard labour.'

Hunts Post August 1920

Tragic Death

Mrs Elizabeth Ayres, 60, died after attempting to drive a tame Buzzard out of a tree in her garden in Old Weston. The Buzzard stuck its claws in her hand and mortification ensued and she survived but a few days.
London Gazette August 26th 1881

Football

A well attended meeting was held at the Swan and Shepherd Inn to discuss a proposal to form a football club. Several gentlemen promised assistance and it was unanimously decided to form a club. Officers were elected and it was decided to enter the Leighton and District League
Hunts Post July 1921

Cricket

Spaldwick cricketers scored an easy victory over Old Weston in a recent match; Spaldwick scored 117 runs. Old Weston scored 22 runs in their first inning and 30 in the second.
Hunts Post May 1921

Dance

On Saturday a very successful dance in aid of the Cricket Club was held on the Manor Lawn by kind permission of Mr and Mrs W Strangward About a 100 people enjoyed some excellent dancing, the volunteer pianists included Mrs G Brookbanks of Old Weston. Refreshments were under the supervision of Mrs C Burbidge and Mrs W Turner. Mr W Strangward and Mr H Berry acted as M.Cís the club will benefit by nearly £5.00.
Hunts Post July 1921

Fire!

A disastrous fire caused the destruction of a range of farm buildings, belonging to Mr Strangward, and 3 cottages. According to the Hunts Post the thatched cottages belonged to the Oddfellows Hall and the unlucky tenants were William Hill, Edward Radwell and Thomas Carrier. Fortunately there was no loss of life other than 2a number of fowl that were roasted alive".

The Leighton fire engine was called and the Huntingdon fire brigade brought a 'steamer'. The Oddfellows Hall was on the site where 'The Retreat' and 'Benfield' now stand. Hunts Post in May 1918

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