St. Mathias Church

The Church and School finally closed it's doors at the end of summer term 1973. It is now a residence, whoever could have envisaged that.

The Primitive Methodist Chanel, situated on Newlands Road, the Riddings hillside of the Valley, was built in 1905.  The residents contributed 1d (1 penny, old currency) each to buy a brick which helped to defray costs.

Year 1932 taken on the Green, Codnor Park
Left to right - May Queen - May Lemons, Train Bearer - Dorothy Turner, Kathy Poole,  ?,
Sarah Watson, Betty Watson,  ?, Gladys Caulton,  ?,  ?
Behind 'Queen' - Alfred Gent

Sports and competitions for writing and painting by children were held in the grounds of the Monument. I remember winning a box of paints for writing, which I greatly treasured. Families and friends were united on these joyous occasions. (The Monument was built in memory of William Jessop the second and was paid for by subscription by Butterley workmen.)

An adult choir was formed at the Chapel which in the early years was competitive with other choirs. On one occasion winning a trophy at Arkwright Mill, Cromford.

Before World War II a young Peoples Guild was formed. Mr Jack Needham, Roy Dooley and Alan Wall organised events. George, Eva and May Lemon from Riddings also participated. During the War the Guild became the Youth Club which was affiliated to Alfreton Youth Club. They had various speakers and put on plays, e.g. "Pride and Prejudice " etc..

After the War a Grand Concert and musical evenings were held to help pay for the installation of electricity. Dorothy Turner from Newlands Farm participated in these shows along with Raymond Fryer. Mr. Joseph Needham was Chapel Superintendent and he was succeeded by his son Jack who was also the organist. Mr Alfred Gent was the caretaker and held office. The Chapel and the Church of England often combined for various functions - concerts, treats, trips and festivals.

Primitive Methodist Chapel on the occasion of winning the Choir Trophy at Arkwright IVIasson Mill, Cromford.
Back row - left to right: Lawrence Bradley, Mr Waller, Jack Needham, Bill Needham, Alfred Gent,
Joe Needham,  ?, George Needham Jnr., Aloysious King.
Middle Row - May Freeman, Elsie Ward, Mrs Caulton, Mrs Joe Needham, George Needharn Snr.,
Clara Needham, May Hoyles, Sarah Astle, Elsie Needham.
Front Row - Hilda Gent, B. Cox, D Aguther, Kathleen Needham.

A detached house further up the road from the Chapel which looks as if it should have been semi-detached was built around 1900 by Mr Georgge Gent, grandfather of Donald and Jeffrey Gent of Builders Supply Ltd.  He was a winder at the Brittain Colliery. To buy the house he did extra work at the pit at night as a stoker for sixpence a shift (2.1/2 pence). Mr and Mrs Habgood followed the Gents into the house, (Mrs. Habgood was formally Elizabeth Hawkins) they lived there for many years.

My forebear, Israel Hawkins from Crich was a boatmaster on the canals. His barge No. 902 carried iron, coal and other sundries from Bullbridge to Nottingham, it was his regular route. He obtained navigation permits to pass through the locks at Langley Mill and paid according to the tonnage on board.

His eldest son was born on the barge as often their wives travelled with the bargemaster. Israel was one of the early settlers of Golden Valley. His home was No. 50, the last house of the Stone Row. He rented the Croft and stone stables which stood alongside the Canal towpath, also land on the opposite side of the Canal for grazing his horses. Israel was the son of a publican and he brewed beer in the cellar of No. 50 where he entertained his cronies. To this day that house is reputed to be an old public house, which was not the case. He raised a large family in Golden Valley.

The last house in the row at the back of the picture was the house of Israel Hawkins – Barge Master. Israel is seen in the photo as the man standing away from the warehouse.

Other early inhabitants were named Gent, Wood, Cox, Purdy, Sparham, Hawkins, Foulds, Vernon, King, Breedon, Ward, Saunders, Needham, Johnson, Langton, Keys, Henshaw and Foster. Then came Holden, Stuart, Willis, Freeman, Inwood, Dooly, Frost, Thorpe and Cooper. It was inevitable that some of these families offspring married into neighbours families and they in turn lived in the Valley near their parents, thus becoming a very close community.