We now change to the Rossendale Free Press, which is now available online and gives better coverage of events in the Rawtenstall area than the Bacup Times does. As these were published on different days of the week there is a couple of days gap in the coverage.

Notice - the ingathering of Israel (the Lost Ten Tribes), for those that are grafted into Christ for the soul to receive the second graft of Christ into them, for the redemption of the mortal body to enter into Life Eternal, is intended to be preached by John Gill, in the Meeting-room, Scoutbottom, on Sunday Next, to commence at 3 in the afternoon, and 6 in the evening.

To farmers and pig keepers - The young boar 'Hero', the property of Mr Enoch Tattersall, Waingate, Rawtenstall, isn ow open to serve a limited number of sows at 4s each at the above address. His quality and breed cannot be beaten.

The Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Bill…was read for the third time [in Parliament].

Wanted immediately, a female assistant for the Cloughfold Mixed School, one who can teach singing by the Tonic Sol-fa Notation. Salary £40 per annum. Applications to be sent on or before the 8th inst, with testimonials, to the Clerk, Fred W Goldsmith, 14 Ash street, Bacup.

A rather curious case under the pedlar's licensing Act occurred recently in Accrington to a Haslingden man named William Lee, who describes himself as a Colporteur or Evangelistic Missioner. It appears that he is the author of several religious pamphlets, which he sells to those he visits. He was recently arrested in Accrington on a charge of hawking without a licence. When brought to the Police Station he denied his liability under the Pedlars' Act and stoutly refused to take out a license. The police authorities appear to have been in so much doubt as to the legality of their action that he was set at liberty. Since then he writes stating that he has communicated with the Home Secretary, and received a reply confirming his right to prosecute his work and sell his pamphlets without restriction.

On Wednesday afternoon, those children attending Cloughfold Board School who had passed their various standards at the recent government examination were presented with certificates. The distribution was made by Mr Hy Schofield, chairman of the Board.

Closing of the lighting season - The Lighting season in Rawtenstall and Haslingden closed with the last day of April, and from Wednesday night the district has each evening been wrapped in intense darkness. As usual there have been many complaints, and in come cases not unjustly either. It will be a source of great satisfaction in inhabitants when some arrangement can be entered into for lighting the lamps with the nights are long and dark rather than having fixed lighting seasons as at present.

On Saturday the birds were singing most joyously in the woods, and larks in dozens were probing forth their song high above the grass fields. On passing the large rookery at Broadcloth I heard the young rooks in their nexts, they must have been hatched our a few days before. In a meadow I saw two pairs of yellow wagtails (Ray's), a grey wagtail, a northern species which occasionally breeds in our district, and a few common (pied) wagtails…a friend tells me a few [ring ouzels] have already put in an appearance..no swallows or sand martins have yet appeared and although the cuckoo has been seen…it is yet mute.

Rifle Volunteers - The members of the Haslingden Company of the 3rd LRV had the first march out of the season
last Saturday afternoon when the assembled at the Drill Hall and marched to Rawtenstall.

The corner stone of the new church of St John, Cloughfold was laid last Saturday afternoon by Mrs Geo Hy Ruston, of Bowden, under most favourable circumstances…the church is designed in the Decorated style, and is being built from plans prepared by the eminent architects of ecclesiastical edifices, Messers Palsy and Austin of Lancaster. It's nave will be 75 ft long, 23 ft 6 in broad, 24 ft high. There will be accommodation for 450 worshippers. Its estimated cost of erection is £5300, of which £3860 had been raised prior to Saturday last.

Rawtenstall 123 all out, Oldham 62 for 3 at stumps.

The Waterbarn Baptists held a jubilee of their Sunday School on Saturday when about 1000 past and present scholars assembled, and many interesting reminiscences of old times were exchanged. Amongst those present was the Rev Thomas Dawson, the father of the place, who is now 84 years of age and who was at the opening of the school in 1838.

The requisition to be presented to Mr Henry Maden, J.P., requesting him to become the candidate for the Parliamentary division of Rossendale, has been placed in the hands of the canvassers throughout the division. Every preparation has been made for a thorough canvass of the constituency, as though a Parliamentary contest was in process. By this means a reliable statement, it is anticipated, will be obtained of the voting strength of the Liberal Party in Rossendale…Language would be inadequate to convey an idea of the effect upon the Liberalism of Rossendale, were Mr Maden to say "Yes". We have every hope he will give an affirmative reply, because Mr Maden has never left the people in the lurch.

We are glad to learn that the efforts which are being put forth to place the Bacup Natural History Society on a more substantial and proper footing are meeting with most gratifying success. The committee have been fortunate in obtaining the premises in Yorkshire Street now occupied by Mr Robert Stewart…which they propose to furnish in a comfortable manner, so that the members may meet nightly, or as often as they think proper, for mutual edification or recreation. Already nearly 100 members have been enrolled…

On Thursday a deputation consisting of the Mayor [of Bacup], Councillors Barrowclough and Smith, accompanied by Alderman Disney, Taylor and Dirty, Councillors Thompson, Pilling and Compton with the surveyor, went to Halifax to inspect a system of sewage treatment, the invention of Mr Jagger, C.E., of Leeds.

The Easter vestry meeting was held at St Nichola' Church, Newchurch, on Tuesday, for the election of church wardens. The Rev S.J. Bastow, curate in charge, presided and the four churchwardens were re-elected as follows:- Mr George Pilling, St James's terrace, Waterfoot, and Mr John Kenyon, Brynbella, Rawtenstall, vicar's wardens, Mr J Clare Cunliffe, Fearns and Mr J Bownass, Scout, parishioners' wardens. Some of those present suggested the election of a fifth warden, and Mr Ashworth Taylor, of Glen Top, was appointed, subject to the election being confirmed by an adjourned meeting to be held next Tuesday, when the propriety of adding to the number of wardens will be definitely settled. Captain Patrick and Mr H.H. Bolton, J.P. were elected representatives to the Diocesan Conference.

On Thursday afternoon a little child, about four years of age, was caught by one of the tram engines passing Cawl-terrace. The child was carried for a distance of about twelve yards, but fortunately escaped uninjured. The engine was running at slackened speed at the time.

At a meeting of the congregation was held at Sion Baptist Chapel, Cloughfold, on Wednesday night. The Rev W.C. Davies, B.A. presided. It was unanimously resolved to proceed at once with the re-painting, re-beautifying and re-carpeting of the chapel. Already £110 has been promised for the purpose, and a member of the congregation volunteered to lend the remainder free of interest.

Rossendale United 3 - 1 Southport Central

Rawtenstall 88 all out, Burnley 77 all out.

Half a century has elapsed since Bacup Mechanics' Institution was started in a very humble way…no written statement or accumulation of statistics can, however, convey a definite idea of what 'the Mechanics' has done for Bacup and its people…there is no denying that much of its vitality must be attributed to the working classes themselves.

A painful case of juvenile depravity and mis-placed genius came before the magistrates at Bacup and Rawtenstall on Saturday, a young girl of 17 years being charged with various acts of theft; some them displaying a considerable amount of ingenuity. The girl who could steal a pair of boots from a shop door, and shortly afterwards persuade a tradesman to purchase his own property, is evidently possessed of an amount of coolness and fertility of resource…

…it is not a matter of surprise that on Tuesday night the muster of Primrose [league] dames at St James' Schools was considerably more numerous than the congregation the vicar had collected in the adjoining church to join him in his Easter devotions. ['upwards of 100 ladies and gentlemen were present, predominantly the former…']

…the northern birds yet linger, chiefly the fieldfares, but in greatly reduced numbers. The resident birds are numerous and many are nesting…on the moorlands the lapwings are busy nesting…the arrival of the first swallow was noted on the 7th inst and a chiffchaff followed two days later

George Fleming, a labourer, was on Saturday committed to prison for begging at Crawshawbooth.

An effort is being made to secure new premises for the local Conservative Club, the present premises, which are known the market, being scarcely creditable to an association which includes amongst its members the wealthiest men in the district.

Richard Barton, Labourer, Glen Street, Leeward, was summoned for being drunk and disorderly. PC Carroll…advised him to go home, but defendant said he should walk the streets all night if he links. He paid rates for them…

Alexander Pounder, landlord of the Angel Inn, Yorkshire Street, was summoned for having an unjust measure in his possession for use in his trade.

James Reid, of Lockgate, was summoned by PC Cannell, for being asleep whilst in charge of a lorry and two horses, travelling along the highway, at Bentgate on April 10th.

Java can produce no more lizard skins. The demand for skins for purses has exhausted supply.

Rossendale beat Haslingden by three goals to nil in the semi-final cup tie.

Newchurch in Rossendale: the annual show of Horses, Cattle, Poultry, Pigeons and Dogs will be held on April 29th 1889. Upwards of £56 in Prizes. W.J. Lonsdale, Secretary.

Rawtenstall Primitive Methodises are making arrangements for running two trips to Blackpool on Whit Friday, starting one from Bacup and one from Cloughfold.One or five days.

Reward: Lost on Saturday last, a long-haired black and tan collie dog, wearing a brown leather muzzle and leather collar.. Anyone detaining it after this notice will be prosecuted. G. Overstall, 6 Barlow St, Rawtenstall.

Spring Gardens Farm, Dean, Wednesday April 17th 1889. Mr Crowther will Sell, for Mr Clement Hargreaves, 6 head of cattle, pony (13 hands), 20 head of poultry, gears, cart, household furniture, implements and utensils. Sale at 1 pm.

The Matrimonial herald and Fashionable Marriage Gazette is the original and only recognised Medium for High Class Introductions. The largest and most successful matrimonial agency in the world. Price 3d, in envelope 4 1/2 d. Address,'Editor', 40 Lamb's Conduit St, London, W.C.

By agency of plural votes, and various other expedients, Mr. Taylor and Mr. Wardelworth have been placed at the bottom of the poll, i the local board election at Rawtenstall, and but for similar reasons the position of the parties at Chrawshawbooth would have been different to the result announced. The present system under which the elections for local boards and guardians is conducted is effete and indefensible, without one redeeming feature. Apart from the plurality vote, the system opens the door for various abuses, amongst the most apparent being that of intimidation. Then again, a good deal depends on the conscientiousness of the distributors and collectors of the voting papers. "Human nature is still human nature," and we have heard of elections in which distributors and collectors have gone considerably out of their way to ensure that voting papers should be delivered to and collected from members of their own party, while, on the other hand, unless the door of a political opponent's domicile is at once opened in response to their knock, they are off at a tangent, as though the house ere plague stricken. Further, every opportunity os afforded foe the "spoiling" - accidental or otherwise - of voting papers, by an interval of four or five days elapsing between their delivery and collection.

Stacksteads Gospel Temperance Mission. - This mission held their meetings as usual in the open air last Sunday at Greens, Acremill, and at the toll bar, Blackwood, and Waterbarn Bridge. The collections were good, and the people very attentive.

New Football Field. We hear that negotiations are pending, by which the Rawtenstall Football Club propose to acquire the meadow at Constablee, whee the great Liberal demonstration was held in 1879.

The Town Clerk reported that two dogs were slaughtered at Stacksteads, suffering from dumb rabies.

Rossendale United and Heywood played at Dark Lane, Newchurch, the match finishing as a a two-two draw.

Marriage: On the 6th inst. at the Baptist Chapel, Cloughfold, by the Rev W.C. Davies, B.A., Mr Stansfield Watson, Stacksteads, to Miss Clara Jane Murgatroyd, Cloughfold.

Notice: James Taylor, Lord Street, Rawtenstall, IS NO LONGER AUTHORISED to collect accounts for Dr Finlay.

Baptist Chapel, Doals. PUBLIC BREAKFAST on GOOD FRIDAY MORNING Breakfast on Table at 8.30. Tickets 1s6d each.

NEWCHURCH IN ROSSENDALE. THE ANNUAL SHOW of Horses, Cattle, Poultry, Pigeons and Dogs will be held on April 29th 1889. Upwards of £56 in prices. W.J. LONSDALE, Secretary.

Baptist Chapel, Waterbarn. Re-opening of Organ, tomorrow (Sunday) April 7th 1889 by Irvine Dearnale, Esq.

That the Wesleyans of the Bacup Circuit have contributed during the past twelve months for their local church purposes the magnificent sumo £10,000 is doubly gratify8ing, because it proves that Nonconformity is still vigorous in Bacup, and it also proves that, notwithstanding the out-cry of "hard times," neither Bacup employers nor their workpeople are in immediate danger of the financial embarrassment represented by the story of the widow's mite.

Extraordinary Longevity - A link with the past.
We have this week to record the death of one of the oldest inhabitants of the district - one who was born in the last century. We refer to the last Mrs Ann Hudson, relict of the late Richard Hudson of Underbank, who was interred at Bacup Cemetery on Wednesday last. She came of a family noted for their longevity, and was related to the Lords and Laws of Rossendale. She had a vivid recollection of her grandfather and grandmother, who were amongst those who went on Seat Nose, dressed in red cloaks, &c, so as to have the appearance of soldiers, when Prince Charlie passed through Lancashire, after the battle of Prestonpans, in the year 1745. She was the youngest of a family of seven, all of whom lived to upwards of 80 years of age, with the exception of one, who was killed in a coal pit. Her father and mother, grandfather and grandmother, all lived over 80 years, the average being 83 years One brother was in the Life Guards, and served in the Peninsular War, and also took part in the Battle of Waterloo, for which he obtained a medal. Another brother served in Canada during the east brush with America. The deceased was in her 90th year.

Rawtenstall Cattle Fair - The monthly cattle fair was held on Tuesday, on the market ground, adjoining the Ram's Head Inn. About 50 head of cattle were shown, and there was a ready sale at good prices.

SION BAPTIST SCHOOL, CLOUGHFOLD. On Saturday the young men of Cloughfold Baptist School gave a meat tea and entertainment, in order to augment the fund being raised towards re-carpeting the chapel. The whole affair proved a grand success. The young men served the tea, and many were the fines inflicted upon the fair sex, who would insist on giving them a helping hand. The entertainment was presided over by the Rev W.C. Davis B.A. pastor. It was announced that the proceeds of the day, together with several subscriptions, would bring the fund up to £100, which would amply sufficient to buy all the carpets required

TEMPORARY LICENCE - Mr J.E. HeHoworth, of the blue Bell, Newchurch, applied for a license for Newchurch Football field, on A April 6th and 13th from two to five pm and the application was granted.

Rossendale FC beat Haslingden Church Institute by four goals to two in the semi-final of the Rossendale Charity Cup by

(Pg 6 includes a detailed description of the meeting in Waterfoot to discuss the proposed incorporation of Rawtenstall.)