Clutton History Archive

Friday 9 October 1863, Shepton Mallet Journal

Turning the First Sod of the Bristol and North Somerset Railway

The ceremony of turning the first sod of this railway took place on Wednesday last, at Clutton, amid great rejoicings. This line has been originated solely with a desire to accommodate a most extensive tract of country which hitherto remained in an undeveloped state from absence of the means of transit. Rich and fertile districts, productive coal mines, and other mineral s have existed, without means of carrying them to extensive markets. The energies of the locality were confines within certain limits, and a stagnation of trade was of not infrequent occurrence. Employment also failed at times, and the well-wishers of the poor felt that they were powerless to aid their brethren of the industrial classes. The want was at last recognised, and an effort made to supply it by two companies, but the result of the investigation before Mr Adair’s committee is too well known to be recapitulated here. The North Somerset line was then projected, but the Great Western Company opposed it, although declining to supply accommodation. After a most severe contest, the North Somerset promoters succeeded, and Sir F. Slade, with that candour and good humour which always characterised him, congratulated them upon the success which had attained their efforts, although he had been called upon to oppose them in a fair fight. The passing of the bill was celebrated with much rejoicing in the district, and steps were immediately taken to inaugurate practical operations by turning the first sod. We should here state that the promoters took powers to construct a tramway along the quays and docks of Bristol, to connect them with the line. The railway, as now proposed, will start from a junction with the Frome branch of the Wilts, Somerset, and Weymouth line, passing through Midsomer Norton, Farrington, Hallatrow, Clutton, Pensford, Whitchurch, and Brislington, having a station at Temple Meads, with a branch to connect the station with the Great Western terminus. From Temple Meads, a tramway for trucks drawn by horses will run along the New Cut to a point on the harbour just below St. Raphael’s church, where there will be a shipping place for coals, and accommodation for heavy goods from the harbour to the station. From Hallatrow, there will be a branch to the Paulton, Timsbury, and Camerton coal works. The line will be extended from Camerton to Bath, it being intended to seek powers for that purpose in the ensuing session of Parliament. It is also proposed to seek powers to extend the line from Farrington Gurney, through Shepton Mallet, to Evercreech, where it will communicate with the Somerset and Dorset line, and also have a connection with the South Western line, which leads to Portsmouth, Southampton, and other important places. These are the chief points of the scheme, as indicated by the plans and statements of the promoters.

As we before remarked, the event was regarded with much interest by the inhabitants of the surrounding district, thousands of whom flocked into the village of Clutton. The field in which the first sod was turned was the property of the Earl of Warwick, and occupied by Mr Gibbons. The arrangements were of a most complete character. Tents had been erected in which to feast the colliers and school children, and a tent for the luncheon to the friends and directors. Space had also been allotted for shareholders and others. In order to render the demonstration as interesting as possible, the whole of the colliers of the district were invited, and the men from the following works attended :- Fry’s Bottom, Greyfield, Clutton, Bishop Sutton, Clandown, Farrington Gurney, Radstock Works, Camerton Works, Paulton Engine, Paulton Old Mills, Timsbury Works (6), Old Welton and New Welton. The men from several collieries declined, including Braysdown, Writhlington, Huish, New Rock, Sweetleaze, and Forscote. The miners arrived on the ground in different parties, headed by banners denoting the collieries with which they were connected. They took up a position to the right of the platform near the place which had been selected for turning the sod. The children of the district national schools also attended in large numbers, the banners which they bore denoting that the following schools were represented :- Publow, Farrington Gurney, Midsomer Norton, Hinton Blewitt, Bishop Sutton, High Littleton, Stanton Drew, Chew Magna, Clandown, Timsbury, Stowey, Clutton Workhouse School, Clutton British School, and Paulton Wesleyan School. The children, with their teachers, were placed in a piece of ground lower than the field, and so arranged that they might have a full view of the proceedings. A large number of persons, many thousands, were in the field, and a band of music, under the direction of Mr Brook, of Bristol adding to the interest. The whole scene was very pleasing. The clean and neatly dressed children, with cheerful and happy faces, and eyes beaming with delight; the colliers, a band of stalwart, brawny men, respectably dressed, and looking anything but dirty, grimy brings, delvers and searchers for coal are supposed to be; the gaily dressed ladies, the more sombre garb of the sterner sex – all tended to make up a charming picture, the effect of which was heightened by the sunshine, which was warm and genial. A photographic artist had established his camera on an eminence, with the intention of taking a view of the proceedings, and the artist of the Illustrated London News, pencil in hand, was making a sketch of the scene to appear in the pages of that well known journal.

Alas! that such a pleasing picture should so soon be destroyed – we had almost said dissolved. Within a quarter of an hour of the time fixed for the ceremony, the clouds assumed an ominous look, a few drops few, followed by a soaking shower. The assemblage, however, bore the rain manfully. Umbrellas were elevated, and overcoats donned, while the ladies took every means to shelter themselves from the shower. The rain maintained a steady pitiless fall, and things began to wear a less cheery aspect. Delicate silk dresses were dripping with water, and many a “duck on a bonnet” was totally destroyed. About a quarter past one Mrs Milward, the wife of the vicar of Paulton, who was to turn the sod, appeared on the ground, and the proceedings commenced. Mr John Bingham, the secretary of the company, mounted on a platform, and, under the shelter of an umbrella, read an address from the directors to Mrs Milward. The address recapitulated the origin and progress of the scheme, and the efforts which had been made to secure its success. The address concluded thus :-

Acting under the belief that the work which is to be commenced today will, under the blessing of Almighty God, redound to the welfare of the inhabitants of the district, so large a portion of whom are this day gathered together, the directors are not unmindful of the fact that for whatever measure of success this undertaking may continue hereafter to enjoy, the country is mainly if not entirely indebted to the straightforward, self-denying, and laborious services of one who stands in so near a relation to yourselves, as the late chairman of the Provisional Committee of the Bristol and North Somerset Railway Company.
Deeply deploring as they do, that circumstances do not permit them any longer to have the assistance of that gentleman as their colleague, they have known of no better way of testifying their own personal gratitude and affection towards him, than by requesting by you to perform the office which you have so kindly consented to do upon this present occasion, in the presence of those who love him so well and revere him so highly, as the population of a neighbourhood in which he has exercised him pastoral office for well neigh 20 years.

With the full knowledge which the directors enjoy of the feeling of the whole district, it would have been most gratifying to them to have been present here today, but when this became, from the extent of the population impossible, they felt that at least, it would have been most gratifying to them to have been enabled to have invited every class of the community to have been present today, but when this became, from the extent of the population impossible, they felt that at least, it would be the most consonant to his feelings, and they are assured to yours also, that the work should be commenced in the presence of that body of colliery labour with whose wants and necessities he is so well acquainted, and of that younger portion of this large community in whose education he has taken so deep an interest, and who, the directors trust will, long after, have a lively recollection as well as of the auspicious occasion upon which we are assembled together, as of him to whom the country is so largely indebted for the occasion itself.

The directors in their own name, and in that of the shareholders of the company whose interests are entrusted to their keeping, have only, in conclusion, to tender you, madam, their most grateful thanks, for the manner in which you have accepted their invitation to turn the first sod of the Bristol and North Somerset Railway, and through you to express to those who have assembled around you upon the present occasion their most earnest hope that, unmindful of any past jealousies or deficiencies, but acting in perfect harmony and accord, the inhabitants of the district will unite with the directors in their earnest endeavour to carry out the work which you will have this day so successfully commenced.
Signed, by order of the directors,
John Colthurst, Chairman.

To this address Mrs Milward made the following reply :-

Mr Chairman, Directors and Shareholders of the Bristol and North Somerset Railway – I have to congratulate you and this neighbourhood on the success which has attended your efforts to provide for a want that has been so long felt, and I trust that the wishes of the promoters of this line of railway may be amply fulfilled. I believe that the benefits which this undertaking will confer on the property of this district on the working classes (so well represented by the large body of men now before me,) and on these children whose presence here forms so interesting a part of this day’s proceedings – will prove to be very great, I can assure you that I take a deep interest in all that tends to the welfare of this district, and it is with feelings of great pleasure that I have consented to go so far out of my usual course, as to come here today to inaugurate and undertaking which must be of such great use to us all. I can only add my humble hope that in answer to the prayers of this vast assembly our Heavenly Father may, in his mercy, be pleased to prosper this our handy work.

The 100th Psalm was then sung by the school children, and an appropriate prayer offered by the Rev. Preb. Ommaney, rural dean, in the unavoidable absence of the Bishop of Bath and Wells.

Mrs Milward then received at the hands of Mr Colthurst, the chairman of the board of directors, a handsome new spade with oaken handle, ornamented with silver. She then placed several sods of earth in a highly polished oak wheelbarrow, mounted with silver, and wheeled it to the end of the platform, where it was tipped; and a bottle of champagne broken over it, by way of a christening. Further prayer was offered by Prebendary Ommaney, and the proceedings were brought to a close by the school children singing the national anthem. The wheelbarrow and spade, which were presented to Mrs Milward, were supplied by Messrs. Mappin, of London. The spade bore the following inscription :- presented to Mrs Eliza Ann Millward, Oct., 9th, 1863.”
The colliers then proceeded to several tents which had been erected, and where, to the number of about 4,000, they were regaled with bread and beef and beer. The noise of the many voices in this “feeding” department was beyond description, and afforded a sight not often witnessed. About 1200 school children were also regaled with tea and cake. The caterers for the colliers were Mr Clark of Farrington Inn; Mr Selway, Chewton Inn; Mr Combes, Bell Inn, Radstock; and Mr Willcox, Waldegrave Arms, Radstock.

The directors entertained a large party of clergy and gentry of the neighbourhood, to a dejeneur [formal lunch], supplied by Mr Keen, of the Greyhound Inn, Broadmead, Bristol. The chair was occupied by Mr Colthurst the chairman of the company, supported by several influential persons.

At the conclusion of the repast various toasts were proposed and responded to and the proceedings terminated.