1902

 

18 September ‘02

(Written on headed notepaper of “Haxell’s Family Hotel, Strand, London and stuck into diary - ed)

Laura and I arrived at St Pancras 10.55 to the minute- very good journey.  Straight to Haxell’s left luggage.  Walked by Covent Garden to Piccadilly, up Regent Street, half way down Bond and into Doré exhibition.  Her first sight of his pictures “Christ leaving ? “, “Dream of Pilate’s Wife”, “Mons holding the cross to the Plague Stricken”, Christian Marturs etc.  Then back to Oxford Street by tuppeny tube to Post Office.  Lunch at Lyons, walked to Tower, up Tower Bridge, across and back - fine view but a little misty.  Bus back to Haxell,s - went by Billingsgate.  Dinner, and to Empire.

 

19 September ‘02 7am I walked by Embankment to Westminster and back Charing Cross and Strand.  At 10 we walked to Hanover Square for L.R.A.M exam 11 to 11.30.  I waited for her walking about Oxford Street.  Cup of tea and bread and butter then back to exam.  I walked down Holborn to 8 Bedford Row introduced myself to Shaen & Co.  Lunch at First Avenue Hotel luncheon bar.  Walked back.  Waited at exam from 2.30 to 3.50pm.  We had tea at Lewis café Oxford Street.  Walked back down Bond St, St James’ Park to Buckingham Palace.  2 Pelicans in ponds.

 

Back by Horseguards to dinner.  Bus to Hanover Square after dinner 7.15pm.  Failed only 3 out of 28 passed.  Back to Strand tried Vaudeville only standing room.  Then to Savoy Kitty Loftus in Naughty Nancy.  Very pretty.

 

20 September Out 7.10am walked down Strand to Law Courts on Waterloo Bridge.  Very misty.  Back to breakfast 8am.

 

10am Laura and I walked to Trafalgar Square took bus to Regent Circus then to Marble Arch then to Hyde Park Corner then to Earls Court - stayed there all day.

 

10pm bus to Sloane Street then to St Pancras - left there 12.35 home 5am Sunday morning.

 

1903

September 9 To agricultural show.  Very wet.

 

September 16 Laura returned from (left blank ed).

 

September 28 To Wombwell’s Menagerie.

 

October 1 Fred Mason with us, went with Harry to Matlock.

 

October 9 With Harry to Operatic Company smoking concert - enjoyed it.

 

October 13 Barny and Vinnie to tea.

 

October 15 To Bernard’s Annie and self, house at Chellaston on the Hill, first time.  Very nice situation.

November 5 Frosty and very thick fog.  Fell in our room in the dark, and cut my head on the fender.  Bled very much.

 

November 7 Bernard and Vinny came.

 

November 11 Erysipelas set in.

 

November 12 Temperature 103 degrees; pulse 122.

 

November 20 Better.

 

November 21 9pm relapse - very bad until 3pm.

 

November 22 Delirious.

Mrs Sam Leech died and Alton (Brewer).

 

November 25 Improving.  Not out of bed since 12th.

 

November 26 Edward Soulby died suddenly also Dr Highton.

 

November 27 Up and dressed in bedroom.

 

November 30 Down stairs first time.

 

December 6 Hair washed first time.

 

December 10 Out first time since 5 November.

 

December 21   Dr Wright last attendance.

 

December 23  Rosa and Normie arrived, and Archie to dinner.

 

December 24 Ernest and Emmie arrived 10.30pm.  Walter 11pm.

 

December 25 All to Football Derby 2 v Liverpool 0.  Barny and Vinnie to lunch and dinner.

 

December 26  All to Football and Maggie Gray.  Normie also.  Saw Bloomer play.

 

December 28  Football Aston Villa great crowd.  Ernest and Em left.

 

December 29  Lizzie Mason of Louth died.

 

1904

 

January 2  To Football and teas at station.  Walter left.

 

January 5 Rosa and Normie went home we all went to the station to see them off.

 

January 6 Wednesday   To office 11 to 1.

 

January 16 To Nottingham.  Football Derby County 2 Notts County 2.  First time out for several months.

 

January 20 Laura birthday.  Bernard and Vinny came in.

 

February 1 Fanny taken ill at Spilsby.

 

February 4 Jim Dolman died at Lincoln from poison.

 

February 5 Letter from Miss Nelly Hill that Fanny worse.

 

February 10 Fanny died 3.5pm.

 

February 12 To Skegness for the night to attend Fanny’s funeral.

 

February 13 To Alford 9.55am.  Met Will Cooke at the Windmill not seen him for a long time.  Funeral at Rigsby 3.30pm.  Very strong wind.  May Talland came.  Not seen her since her marriage.  Lizzie and Maud also.  Home by 4pm train.

 

February 14 Taken with awful cramp and pain in the stomach during night.  McKay at 2am.

 

February 17 Better and up part of day.  Snow 2 inches.

 

February 23 Short walk out with Annie.

 

March 8 Annie and self to Skegness re Fanny to meet Lizzie at Spilsby.

 

March 9 To Spilsby met Lizzie and Miss Hill - going through papers and effects.

 

March 12 Left Skegness 9.35am.  Had beautiful weather and change did us good.  Stopped at Nottingham for Football Derby County v Notts Forest.  Lost.  Home 7pm.

 

March 19 To Wolverhampton with Harry Archie and Lillie to cup tie. Derby County 0 v Bolton 1.

 

March 25 Annie and self to Lancaster, Walter’s.

 

March 27 Walk with Walter in morning past Lord Aston’s works by the River.  In the park 6pm.

 

March 29 Returned home leaving Lancaster 4.15pm.

 

March 30 Snow on the ground at 6am.

 

April 3 Ill from stomach again.  Ernest here for 2 nights.  Left today.

 

April 21 Annie and I went to Bernard’s new home at Chellaston.  They have moved from off the hill to nearer the station on the main road.

 

April 24 At home ill.

 

April 25 Ditto all night.

 

April 28 Better.  Spasms left.

 

May 13 Lil went to stay at Lancaster.

Gout in stomach bad.

 

May 17 Better but still very seedy.

 

May 22 Sunday To church but had to leave before sermon.

 

May 23 Annie Laura and I had a lovely drive to Littleover, Mickleover, Radbourne Lane, Mackworth, Allestree and home.

 

May 25 Rosa a daughter.  Lil returned with Norman.

 

May 26 Annie Laura and self to Nottingham exhibition, came on rain and lasted all the time, after thunder.  Home 7pm train.

 

May 29 Consulted Dr Wright - run down.

 

June 5 Walk with Normie to cattle market etc (Sunday)

 

June 7 Annie Lil Laura Normie and self drive to Findern and Stenson.

 

June 10 Gout in stomach again.  Bad.  Dr Wright.

 

June 14 Better.  Dr Wright again.

 

June 16 Dr Dingle up 11am.

 

June 20 Office first time.

 

June 26 and 28 Fresh attacks.

 

July 3 Earthquake shock.  I felt it while lying on bed.  Crockery in kitchen rattled.

 

July 6 Annie Lil Normie and self to Etwall.

 

July 8 Barny Vinnie and Baby to dinner and tea (Nancie Mary Cooke had been born 8.6.1902 - ed).

 

July 10 Been the hottest consecutive days for years 80 degrees in shade at 6pm.

July 27 Rosa’s baby christened at St Luke’s.

Derby Electric Trams now running.

 

July 30 Isabel Mason died.  Killed on railway at Well crossing.  Walter and Laura went to see Harry at Sawley camp.

 

August 2 Walter with me to cricket match.  Derbyshire v Hampshire all day.

 

August 3 Funeral of Rayner late of the Bell.  Harry Maiden Auctioneer died suddenly.  8pm Thermometer at 80 degrees.

 

August 7 Walter left.  Harry returned from camp.

 

August 18 Rosa Normie and Baby left with Laura.

 

August 29 Gallop formerly at Smith’s Hall Derby Hat (?) died.

 

September 8 Electric Trams to Dale Road opened.

 

September 19 Laura returned.

 

November 19 Ernest came.

 

November 30 Annie and I called to ask after S. Bridden.  Very bad.

 

December 3 Lil and Laura went to Liverpool 8.12am to see Archie.  I went to see them off.  They had a very nice day.

 

December 5 Clark’s birthday and anniversary of his wedding.  Been married 13 years.

 

December 10 Friend Sam Bridden died.  Retired from Midland Railway (Osmaston Road).

 

December 13 Not well - cold etc.  Annie also.

 

December 15 Dr Wright.  Medicine etc.

 

December 18 Terry Briggs died.

 

December 19 Still have bronchial cough.

 

December 22 Turkey from Polly.

 

December 24 Archie, Barny, Vinnie and Baby in the morning - played cards.

 

December 27 Laura and self to Football.  Bernard and Vinny to tea.

 

December 30 To Long Eaton on business.  Heavy wind.  Blew Brown’s chimney down next door.

December 31 Laura and self to Football.

Archie Ma (?) Lil Laura and self sat the new year in.

 

1905

 

January 1 Sunday Not out

 

January 3 Tuesday Maggie Gray (Laura’s friend) and Mr Hodgkinson Maggie’s fiancé to tea.

 

January 10 Louie Soulby engaged to Mr Matthew George Megaw.  His father lives at Brighton and is a Diamond Merchant.

 

January 12 Simkiss of Derby told me my old client Sam Crooks of Horsley Woodhead is dead.

 

January 19 Have had cough and consulted Dr Wright, been mostly in house.  Had frost lately.

 

February 24 Trams from Peter St into the Market Place opened.

 

March 9 Had blood poisoning in left forefinger from a scratch.

 

March 13 Bernard Vinny and baby Nancy to tea.  B Neale came in, not seen him since a year last July.

 

April 4 Ethel Wright and Harry Springett her fiancé to tea.

 

April 6 Snow at Matlock etc.

 

April 15 Bernard Vinny and Nancy to tea.

 

April 21 Good Friday.  Walk.

 

May 6 Old William Hall (84) died.  A noted Teetotal character.

 

May 13 To Bernard’s new house first time.

 

May 24 With Clark to Birmingham on business.  Nothing particular.

 

May 29 Japanese won great naval victory over Russians - first great sea fight of modern ironclads etc.

 

May 31 Eardly Mason died.

 

July 15 Bad attack gout in stomach.  Ernest came for the night.

 

August 10 Walter Pratt Rosa ‘Normie’ Baby and servant came.

August 22 Lil and Archie wedding.  Fine day.  20 to Breakfast.  They went to Kingstown (Ireland - now Dun Laoghaire - ed) For honeymoon.

 

August 31 To Derby agricultural show afternoon.

 

September 23 Lizzie B and Soulbys have been at Buxton this summer, not been able to go to them.  They were passing through Derby to Hastings today, and I went to the station at 12 to see them, but they had passed by the 10.10am train.

 

September 26 Louie Soulby married - invited to the wedding but we could not go.

 

October 24 With Annie to concert for Police Court Mission.  Clark sent us tickets.

Laura to Ernest’s for exam - apothecary’s assistant.

 

November 3 Bernard Vinny and Nancy to tea.

 

November 11 Moved office to 22 Derwent Street in Harry’s name.  The Tannery company have closed the tannery and are trying to sell all the property - no 8 is now empty.

 

November 20 Sharp frost 3 nights.  Thaw in day time.

 

November 21 With Clark to Warwick, first time I have been there.  We had ½ an hour at Birmingham 12.30 to 1pm.  On to Coventry changed there, and to Warwick 3pm.  We had business to do and had not time to see the castle.  It is a quaint old town.  The market place is divided into three parts.  Went into the “Woolpack” a very old Hotel.  4pm went by electric tram to Leamington 3 miles 3d for first time.  Did not see much it was soon dark, reminded me of Folkstone without the sea.  Left there 5.20pm.  To Burton on scheduled time 7.50 then fog delayed, 1hr 15mins Burton to Derby.  Arrived 9.5pm.

 

In Derby heavy fog.  Laura in tram from Alvaston, when dray ran into it, broke two windows on her side, but further down, and did not hurt her, the horse was knocked down.

 

November 25 With Clark to Football match Derby v Sunderland (at home).  Derby 1 to 0.  Poor game.

 

November 27 Alderman Heckinbottom died aged 76.

Ethel Wright and Harry Springett ‘off’.

An exhibition of trades and machinery is being held by the co-operative central association.  They have good things but the associations do great harm to small middle tradesmen.

 

November 29 To the autumn picture exhibition at Free Library, with Annie, not a great show.

 

December 7 Mrs Pike of the Reporter and Derby Daily Telegraph died aged 71.  I did not think she was so old.  She sang in the Derby Choral Union when I joined in 1867.

 

December 9 Football Derby County v Everton.  Bloomer and B Warren joint benefit - a great game but no goals - over 10000 there.

December 13 Thick fog in night and varying during day.

 

December 16 Took grandfather’s watch to Moone to mend.  They have taken out the diamond and put in a common garnet, said the diamond was broken.  I don’t believe it!

 

December 18 Very dark cloudy drizzle.

 

December 21 Wrote Ernest and Rosa Xmas letters.

 

December 22 Lil and Archie home first time since their marriage; been living in Hampstead (96 Abbey Road) in lodgings.

Polly sent us a 12lb goose - a beauty; Clark 12 grand hen eggs; Lizzie a leather case for paper cuttings and an envelope folder in burnt wood.

 

December 23 For the first time for several years we have nobody staying in the house - Bad times.  Our party is only Harry, Laura, ourselves.

Kiss (?) solicitor of Skegness, formerly with Eddowes died about 3 weeks since.  I liked him.

 

December 24 Archie and Lil to dinner and supper.  Very jolly day.  Fine, cool.  I did not go out - not very well.  Lots of cards etc.

 

December 25 Fine cool cloudy - improving.  Football Derby County 1 v Manchester 2.

 

December 26 Lunch 12.45 to Football 1.15 for 2.15.  Derby County 2 v Notts Forest 2 with Archie Wright and Harry Springett.

 

December 27 Business in morning.  Football afternoon Derby County 2 v Corinthians 4.  Only Reserve team for Derby.

 

December 28 Rain all day.  Lil and Archie to supper.

 

December 29 (Friday) Rain all day (not heavy rain).

 

December 30 Archie and Lil in evening.  Fine and bright.

 

December 31 Wind East sharp frost.  On Xmas day only our own party Annie self Laura and Harry but very comfortable.  Had lots of Xmas cards from family and friends.

 

The past has been a very poor year for me, from illness and bad condition of the town - no property moving - heavy rates and bad trade.

 

Vinnie and Bernard have had Mrs Briggs staying with them so we have not seen them for a fortnight.

 

Miss Redshaw, an old St Alkmund’s friend died on 30th inst aged 79.  I saw her out about a month since (rather less).

 

During December Balfour’s Conservative Government resigned and Campbell Bannerman has come in.  Election to be next month chiefly on fiscal and home rule lines.

 

 

1906

 

January 1 North wind frost and cloud.  This morning ground hard.  At 8pm wind moved to SE and rain came on.

 

January 2 and 3 Constant rain.

 

January 6 Rain all day.  Football very heavy ground.

 

January 7 To church first Sunday in new year.

The First of January was Monday, and on 1st January 1867 I first began work in the Wardwick Derby with Mark Huish - in the old “Jacobean Residence” at the corner of Becket St now on sale - dated 1611.

 

January 12   Parliamentary Election for the Borough of Derby is tomorrow.  Harry is on as Presiding Officer.  I am not.  They said it would allow of two from one office.  Sir T Roe and Bell (Labour) the old Members Radicals; Capt Holford and Spencer Churchill Conservative candidates..  The Mayor this year is Alderman T? of the Midland Drapery.

 

January 13 Bell head of Poll Sir T Roe 2nd Holford 3 Churchill 4.  Majority over 2000!

 

January 18 Thursday Heavy rain all day - been a deal of rain lately much wanted at Leicester.

 

January 20 Laura left by 1.45pm train for Ernest’s to attend exam at Apothecaries Hall on Wednesday next.

South Derbyshire Election Gretton v Raphael - count on Monday.

 

January 22 (Monday) Declaration of South Derbyshire Poll today.  Mr John Gretton turned out by majority of 2000 papers although he polled 400 and odd more than last time.  He has been Member for 8 years.

 

January 25 Laura returned from London.

 

January 27 Saturday To Birmingham 10.50am for Clark.  Back at Derby 1.45pm.  To Football match Derby County 2 v Newcastle on Tyne 1 League match.  Next Saturday the same teams play cup tie at Derby - what result?

Sarah’s brother was drowned in Little Eaton Canal last Wednesday by accident it is presumed.  She has been away since.

 

January 28 Archie has been over for three days, the Doctor in London for his call to the Bar!

 

January 29 Monday Laura news that she has passed!!

 

February 3 Saturday Cup tie Derby County v Newcastle - no goals.  Went on 6d stand - 18000, £722.  Derby County beat Newcastle at Newcastle last September, and again at Derby last week; it is a heavy business to beat an equal team 3 times.  In some parts of play Newcastle are better than Derby but they are not so good in shooting.  Derby were bad today they might have had 3 goals in the first half.  Middleton and Richards were the defaulters.

Lizzie wrote last Tuesday that Maud is very ill, and then on Thursday that she was a little better.  We have not heard since, nor what is the matter with her.

 

February 9 About 4 inches snow this morning, but melting.  To Clark’s at Alvaston 9am, he has bad bilious attack.  Not out in afternoon.  Freezing 8pm.

Gave Archie pair of razors - William Cooke’s 1834 about.

 

February 10 Derby County v Liverpool.  Derby lost 3 to 0!

 

February 13 Not out afternoon making extracts Miss Gordon Cumming’s china for Rosa - and wrote her.

 

February 14 Wednesday To Long Eaton to Wilson’s, lovely day, not been there for a long time now.

 

February 17 Football Reserves v —.  Derby won 4 to 2.  Last week Derby at Somercotes scored 6 goals!  Where are the first team scorers?

 

Sunday 18 February Had news last week that Will Mason had a slight stroke, has been very ill, but post card last night said he is recovering.

Not heard from Rosa yet.

 

Archie has passed chief part of Apothecaries exams - he is M.R.C.S., but has to finish exams.

 

February 19 Cold wet day.  A brick fell out of the kitchen chimney into the draft of the oven and stopped it so we could not light the fire in the morning and Mrs Preston (washerwoman) and Sarah had to shiver through breakfast.  I tried to take the large plates out but the screws were so burnt in I could not.

Powell late of the Bell Hotel died yesterday.  They say he lost £15000 there!

 

February 22 6 degrees of frost, with fog.  Been several night frosts.  Had lovely letter from Rosa.

 

February 25 Frost nearly every morning early.

 

February 27 Rain morning snow 12 to 6pm about 4 inches melting slush.  Not out afternoon.

 

February 28 With Clark (invitation) to Birmingham 1.10pm to Cup game Tottenham Hotspur 0 v Birmingham 2, replied tie (at Tottenham 1-1).  No goals up to full time played half hour extra.  Tottenham played better game ought to have won.  During extra time Birmingham wore them down.  Returned by 7.20 train home 9pm. 30000 there - very packed - a wretched ground - sludge 6ins deep.

 

March 3 Wrote Rosa long letter.  Football Reserves match.  3 new men.

Posted letter to Rosa which got lost.

 

Thursday 8 March Annie and I went to Barny’s, not been for a long time from one cause or other.  Nancy is growing a dear little thing and very pretty.

 

15 March John Shaw of Normanton died aged 81.  I have known him ever since I came to Derby a very pleasant and clever man.  Mrs Gadsby also died aged 86, have known her since 1868, a very nice old lady, very kind and friendly.

 

Bloomer has gone to Middlesborough after 14 years with Derby.  He has been ‘going off’ lately.

 

March 16 Friday Thermometer 54 degrees at 2pm.  Very variable.

 

March 17 Saturday Bloomer played for Middlesborough, they lost 6 to 1 and he did not score.

 

March 18 Lovely day. 

 

March 19 Wind N.N.E.  Cold dry.

 

March 21 Harry on Borough Election Babington Ward.  Wind East very cold.

 

March 22 Sharp frost East very cold wind.

 

March 25 Sunday Very cold since 22nd many heavy snow showers, also rain squalls.  Never heard more of my letter to Rosa.

 

March 26 Very cold.  Snow storms.

 

1 April Sunday Nothing particular this week.  Very variable weather some very cold.  Pratts moved to Caton “Pratchetts”.  Lil and Archie still in London.

 

3 April Tuesday With C Clark to Little Eaton by Motor Train Midland railway (composed of small engine and old Pullman car).  Walked on to Duffield then by train to Cromford.  Dinner at the Greyhound and walked to Matlock Bath Bank and Bridge.  Home by train 5.50pm.  Lovely day.  Enjoyed it very much.

 

April 4 Wednesday Walk to Chellaston and Swarkestone with Clark.  Called at Barny’s a few minutes.

 

April 6 Friday Vinny and Nancy and Barny to tea.  They left at 7pm - and at 7.30 a large fire broke out at Smart and Elsom’s timber yard G.N.R. yard.  Ma saw the glare first and we went out to see it.  Two sheds and tools etc were burnt out about £8000 estimated damage.  The fire was started by two boys 9 and 6 years old.  The little one was overcome by smoke and could not reach the window of the shed and was burned to cinders.

 

April 9 Monday With Clark to Skegness 7.55am.  Lovely morning, arrived 11am.  Dined at Red Lion.  Looking for rooms for Mrs C and Roy.  Left 4.43pm lovely day.  I have not been since 2 years last March after Fanny’s death.  Many houses built towards the Vine.

 

April 13 Good Friday Not out all day, not well (except to see if any letters).

 

April 15 Sunday Not out.  Cannot go yet until things settled.

 

April 16 Easter Monday   To Boys and Shields football finals 11 to 1.  Not out after.  Lovely day.  We have now had over three weeks lovely sunny cool dry weather with E and NE breezes, no rain, things getting very dry.

 

Letter from Iley this morning that Will very ill with dropsey.

 

April 17 Football Reserves v Pyebridge 11.30am.  Afternoon trams and walk with Annie.  Very cold.

 

April 20 Archie passed final MRCS, LRCP, LSA. Lon.

 

21 April Saturday Rain 7pm first for nearly a month.  Cup final - Crystal Palace - Newcastle 0 v Preston 1.  Archie came down from London and came in 7pm to 10.  Lil went till Monday to Mrs — at Belvedere (near Woolwich opposite Purfleet).

 

San Francisco nearly destroyed by earthquake last week - and fire following - 4000 believed killed damage estimated £50000000.

 

22 April Sunday Nottingham — Hall (concert) turned out.

 

24 April Will Mason no worse.  Doctor thinks water in the lungs.

 

(Here the diary ends.  The will of a Frederick Cooke was registered in Derby in 1917.  If this was the same man, he died aged 74, his last 11 years of life not covered by the diary. - ed)