Nottinghamshire Contents

Worksop, with the eastern suburb of Radford, is a pleasant market town, situated on the Sheffield and Newark road, eight miles west by south of Retford, 12 miles north by east of Mansfield, 18 miles east by south of Sheffield by the turnpike, or 16 by the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway, which has a handsome station here, opened in July 1849. It is 26 miles north of Nottingham, and 146 miles north by west of London. On the approach from the north-east, the town has a very picturesque appearance. The magnificent towers of the church are seen lying in a valley, and the elevated ground in the distance, beautifully clothed with wooded scenery, finely contrasting with the cultivated scene around you. Its situation is indeed delightful, and both nature and art have contributed to its beauty. The houses are, in general, well built, and the two principal streets spacious and well paved, and there are more noblemen's seats in this vicinity than any place in the kingdom can boast ofm so distant from London. Much of the bustle of business enlivens it, from being on the post road to Sheffield, and having the advantage of the Chesterfield Canal, and of the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway, which runs close to the north side of the town. Though there are no manufactureres here, yet the place is noted for the making of agricultural machinery, and Windsor chairs, and the condition of the poor is better than in most other places. The numerous malt kilns, and several extensive corn mills, afford considerable employment, and the Duke of Newcastle has let, at the various extremities of the town, upwards of 60 acres of land at a moderate rent, as cottage allotments. There is no doubt but the poor will find as great a benefactor in his Grace of Newcastle, as they formerly had in that of Norfolk.

The Market, which is held on Wednesday, is well supplied, as also are the two annual fairs, held on March 31st for cattle, and on October 14th for horses, cattle and pedlery. The fair, which was held on St Waldberg's Day, June 21st, has long been obsolete. The Corn Exchange is a handsome building in Potter Street, in the Itlaian style, with a convenient and covered market at the back for butchers, poultry, butter, eggs, fruit &c. It was erected at the cost of £2,600, in £10 shares, and opened July 2nd 1851. In the upper storey of the Exchange is a spacious and handsome room, in which the courts, public meetings and assemblies are held. in the front is an illuminated clock, made by Mr Barlow, and given by the Duke of Newcastle. There is also a public news-room and a mechanics' institute.

The town of Worksop has been much improved over the last twenty years, and since the opening of the railway, many new houses have been erected near the station. Mr George Footit erected, in 1850, a large tillage warehouse, called the Portland Warehouse, and also in 1852 a steam bone mill, of 16 horse power, close to the railway.

Besides the Abbey Church, there are four other places of worship in the town, viz. A methodist Chapel in Bridge Street, built in 1813; an Independent Chapel in West Gate, erected in 1830; an Association Methodist Chapel, built in 1837; and the Catholic Chapel, erected in 1840, which is situated on an eminance at the top of Park Street, and was built by the Duke of Norfolk at a cost of nearly £3,000. It is a gothic building in the Tudor style, and while its roportions and details have been carefully selected, its carved enrichments have been executed with much freedom. In the interior, the harmony and simplicity of the nave, with the traceried roof, command the eye of the beholder, as well as the ancient architecture developed in the organ loft, the entrance porch, and the seats or stalls. The chancel is semi-hexangular, lighted by three windows of stained glass, the centre representing our Saviour and the Blessed Virgin, and the side ones the four Evangelists. The altar is of White Roche Abbey stone, richly carved,, and upon it rests an eleborate oak screen, the crocketed canopies and pinnacles of which reach the line of the window sill. Parts of the whole composition are slightly coloured and gilded after the ancient manner. The general effect of the design is exceedingly good, and reflects great credit on the architects. Messrs Weightman and Hadfield of Sheffield. The Rev. James Jones is the priest. A neat school was also erected at the same time near the chapel. The chapel at Sand Hill, neat the Park gate, erected and endowed about 70 years ago by Charles, the tenth Duke of Norfolk, of the Howard family, has been converted into a dwelling house.

The Boys' and Girls' National Schools were opened in 1813, and are supported by voluntary subscriptions. The boys are taught at the Abbey Gate, and the girls in a neat building erected a few years ago, near the church. A commodious infant school was established in 1837 by Robert Ramsden Esq., who also created a house for the master, and liberally supports the institution. The building is cemented, and has a very neat appearance. Sabbath Schools are attached to the Abbey Church, and all the chapels, which are numerously attended.

The Gas Works were erected in 1832 at a cost of £5,000, in £10 shares, on the canal bank, by Mr Malam. The Music Hall, in Ward Lane, was built in 1843 by Mr Thomas Ellis, which also serves as a theatre. The Savings Bank was commenced in 1817, and a handsome building appropriated to its use was erected in 1844, in Bridge Street, at a cost of about £300, taken from the surplus fund. Mr John Nunn is the secretary.

Charities. In 1716, the sum of £230, left in 1623 and 1628 by James Woodhouse, William Medley and Mary Storne, was laid out in the purchase of 17a 3r 30p of land in the parish of Ecclesfield, let for £30 per annum which, with the interest of £316 2s 6d, accumulated out of the former income, and now in the Savings Bank, swells the total yearly value of this charity to upwars of £30, out of which 4s each is given to 20 poor widows; 10s to the parish clerk; £3 to the vicar, for preaching sermons on Good Friday and St Thomas' Day; £14 to the Master of the National School; £14 to 60 poor families; and the remainder is expended in repairing the highways &c. In 1581, john Smith left a yearly rent charge of 10s to be distributed on Good Friday, amongst 30 poor persons, out of a house and garden now belonging to Mrs Bates, but anciently the property of the Ellots, from whom this is called the Ellot's Charity. The £20 left in 1681 by Rosamond Magson, was lost many years ago.

White's Directory of Nottinghamshire 1853

© Copyright C.R.G. Henly 1998