Wensley Clays in the News
1832. Derby Mercury.
February 22nd. Valuable property at Wensley to be sold by auction. A freehold estate called “Trogues Farm” situate at Wensley consisting of a farm house and suitable outbuildings together with about 124 acres of valuable arable,meadow and pasture land now in the occupation of Elizabeth Clay and Adam Marsden.The respective tenants will show the premises.
1832. Derby Mercury.
March 28th. Valuable Freehold Estate to be sold by auction by order of the divisee under the Will of the late John Southern.Esq.(deceased)
A valuable freehold estate most delightfully situate at Wensley in the parish of Darley consisting of 124 acres of excellent pasture and arable land in good state of cultivation lying very compact ajoining the road near the town of Wensley and now in the occupation of Mrs Elizabeth Clay a highly respectable and old tenant. Auction on Thursday 19th April at 12 o clock at Garraways Coffee House. Cornhill. London.
1848. Derbyshire Times and Chesterfield Herald.
November 29th. Inquest.- A respectable young man named Richard Clay a native of Wensley dropped down and died on Thursday evening at Matlock and an inquisition was taken the following day at Mr Eatons,“The Boathouse Inn”. The evidence of Joseph Carding went to prove that the deceased was 22 years of age and a single man, had on the day of his death and for some time previous been employed at works connected with the Willersley Railway Tunnel near Cromford. Witness and Clay left work together about 5 in the evening of Thursday and while still near the works deceased complained of being unwell and stumbled and witness thought he was joking but deceased said he could not help it and he could not see. They proceeded in the direction of Matlock and deceased drank some water out of a trough near the High Tor and when near “The Boathouse” deceased again stumbled, fell and died in a few minutes.
Mr Chinery.Esq. surgeon was promptly in attendance but life was all but extinct and surgical aid unavailing, Mr Chinery in the course of giving his testimony stated that in the spring of the present year he had told the deceased that he had symptoms indicative of an apoplective tendency and that it would be proper to lose blood but it did not appear that these premonitions had been attended to. Deceased had a short thick neck, was very powerful and famous for lifting heavy weights. Verdict. - Apoplexy.
1862. Derby Mercury.
November 26th. Ratepayers Meeting in the schoolroom at Cross Green in South Darley. Present were William Clay and Benjamin Clay.
1867. Derby Mercury.
May 29th. Extraordinary Tragedy. A man killed. About half past eight on Monday night Joseph Clay the son of a respectable farmer at Wensley went on land the property of his father in Wensley parish for the purpose of shooting rabbits. He took with him a double barrelled gun and after lying in the field for some time he saw what he took to be a rabbit about 30 yards distance on the edge of a ditch and having fired he went to the place and found a man whom he at once recognised to be James Marshall of Winster, lying dead in the bottom of the ditch. The right side of Marshalls face was completely riddled with shot and at a short distance lay a double barrelled gun on full cock. Clay immediately ran back to Winster and sent Mr Browne, surgeon to Marshall and then reported the case to Police Sergeant Shimmell in Winster. Death must have been instantaneous as Clay states that the unfortunate man never moved or spoke.Marshall had no right to be on the land. Mr Lawson the superintendant of the district is now employed investigating the case.
1867. Derby Mercury.
June 5th. Wensley. Last week we reported the fatal case of shooting at Wensley. Mr Coroner Brookes held an inquest on Wednesday last when he took the following evidence.- John Aaron Stronson said,- At about a quarter to nine o clock on Monday night last I was in my own house at the top of Wensley and my little boy came in and said that Joseph Clay had shot a man up in the rocks on the “Trogues Farm”. I then got up and went in that direction, others were also going, I was with the first party but when we got a little above the barns we went up by the farm side. I saw a hat lying on the old mine hillock, I then got over the fence and about two or three yards on the west side of it I saw the deceased lying on his right side with his legs rather drawn up, his head was resting on his right arm and under that arm was a double barrell gun. I placed my head close to the deceased but he was not breathing and I found he was quite dead. I saw also that his face was covered with blood. In the position where the deceased lay a party coming north or west towards the hillock could not have seen the deceased as there was a thorn bush a little below where the blood lay and that would intercept the view of anyone coming in that direction. - Joseph Clay said, -I live in Wensley and am a farmer, I left home about seven o clock on Monday night last to go to my fathers farm with a gun to look for a rabbit. I went into the field entering in at the bottom end and proceeded up by the bushes, I had my gun on full cock, when I got about 24 yards off the bush on the hillock side I saw as I supposed a rabbit in the middle of the bush, I raised my gun and fired the left barrell, I then ran to the spot to find the rabbit as I expected and I found I had shot Daniel Marshall. I knelt down beside and called him twice by his name but he neither spoke nor moved, I saw where the charge of the gun had entered by the side of the left ear under the cheek, the blood was streaming from his neck. I ran down to Wensley and told the first three men I saw near to our house that I had had a misfortune and what happened as I have related it. The parties I told were H.Buckley, Eli Walters and Adam Clay, I then left the gun at home and went with my brother to Sergeant Shimmell, the police officer at Winster and told him all that had happened. It was rather later than half past eight when the accident happened, it was then getting dark.
Sergeant Shimmell said, - I am a police sergeant at Winster, on Monday night at half past nine Joseph Clay came to my house and said, - I have come on a sad errand, I asked him what was the matter, he then related what I have heard him state in evidence. I then put on my uniform and went to the spot and found the deceased, he was dead, lying rather on his right side, his gun was under him clasped in his left hand, he was bleeding very much. I found a shot pouch and powder horn on his person, I found his hat two or three yards off, about two or three corns had gone through it. Clay came with me and explained the position where he stood as he detailed in his evidence. - The Jury returned the following verdict. - That the deceased Daniel Marshall came by his death from a gunshot wound fired by Joseph Clay and we consider the same to have been accidental.
1869. Derbyshire Times and Chesterfield Herald.
October 2nd. Beer Licence. “Crown Inn”. Wensley.Benjamin Clay applied for renewal of his licence, he having been suspended since 18th August last. - Granted with cation.
1873. Derbyshire Times and Chesterfield Herald.
December 13th. Auction to be held on December 16th at 5 o clock in the evening at the “Crown Inn.” Wensley. Darley Dale. - All that capital freehold licensed Inn known as the “Crown Inn” with stabling, yard, garden and premises containing 1,324 square yards occupied by Mr Benjamin Clay at Wensley also a Croft of capital freehold grass land called “Oker Croft”. containing 1 acre 1 rood 9 perches in Wensley.
1876. Derbyshire Times and Chesterfield Herald.
January 12th. To be sold by Auction at the “Square and Compass.” Darley Dale on Thursday 27th January at 6 o clock in the evening. - All that dwelling house and garden situate in Wensley in the occupation of Abraham Clay. The site contains about 10 perches.
1879. High Peak News.
August 16th. Abraham Clay summoned for Allowing his cattle to graze on the roadside at Wensley.
1879. Matlock Petty Sessions.
August 13th.Wednesday. - Before J.Sleigh and C.Sorby. Esqs.
An Unlicensed Feeding Ground. - Abraham Clay was charged with allowing cows to feed on the highway at Wensley on Saturday July 26th. Superintendant Sharpe said that on the day in question he saw defendant pasturing three cows and he was sat on a wall near them.Witness told him that he had received complaints,but defendant said he had no grass for them. Defendant did not occupy land on either side of the road - Defendant said he had to drive them backwards and forwards - The Chairman said that perhaps defendant did not know he had no right to allow them to pasture. -Fined 6d for each cow and 9s-6d.costs. He was warned that though he was with the cattle he had no right to allow them to stop on the road to feed.
1887. Derby Mercury.
January 19th. Sad Accident near Darley Dale.
On Wednesday evening a fatal accident occurred at Wensley,a village
situated between Winster and Darley Dale. It transpires that a butcher named Joseph Caldwell residing at Winster was driving his horse and cart near the “Red Lion Inn” at the top of Wensley when a customer required some meat, he got off the cart and proceeded to open the door at the back, from some cause the horse suddenly bolted towards Winster and overtaking an elderly farmer and grocer named Abraham Clay who suffered from deafness as he was walking towards his field for the purpose of milking knocked him down. He was immediately removed but his injuries were so severe that death took place before medical assistance could be obtained.
1887. Derbyshire Times and Chesterfield Herald.
January 22nd. Sad Fatality at Wensley.
On Thursday Mr A.O.Brookes Deputy Coroner for the High Peak held an inquest at the “Crown Inn”.Wensley on the body of Abraham Clay aged 66 who was a very well known resident in Wensley and was a small farmer and shopkeeper. The first witness was William Clay who said deceased was his brother and was 66 years of age. Dr. Brocklehurst was sent for but he did not see deceased while he was alive. Joseph Cauldwell a well known cattle dealer who attends most of the markets in Derbyshire was then called and said that on Wednesday he was selling meat out of a cart on the highway near “The Red Lion” at Wensley. He was just setting down the back of the cart to get at the meat when the horse moved on, he shouted to it and tried to get to it but he could not stop it and after going a short distance it suddenly dashed off at a good speed. Mr Clay (deceased) was on the road a few yards in front and witness shouted to him to look out but he did not seem to hear and took no notice.The horse went up in the direction of Winster and the deceased was struck heavily by the horse or cart and he fell and was run over, the wheel appeared to pass over his legs. Several inhabitants who saw what had taken place ran to help deceased but he appeared to be very seriously hurt and after breathing heavily for a second or two he died and they carried him home. James Brown a boy living in Wensley gave corroborative evidence as to the nature of the accident. The verdict was as follows.- That death was the result of being accidentally run over by a horse and cart causing injuries to the head from which the deceased instantly died. -- The sad affair cast quite a gloom on the villagers, fatal accidents being happily very rare in this neighbourhood.
1887. Derbyshire Times and Chesterfield Herald.
November 19th. The Mill Close Explosion. Darley.
Adam Clay of Wensley was on the jury at the inquest held at the”Stags Head Inn” at South Darley. 5 men were killed.
1890. High Peak News.
August 30th. Mary Clay. Cross Green School.Wensley. 3rd Prize for sewing at Darley Dale Cottage Gardening and Industrial Society Annual Exhibition.
1891. High Peak News.
August 29th. Mary Ann Clay. Cross Green School. Wensley.-Exhibitor in two sections at the Darley Dale Cottage Garden and Industrial Society Annual Show at the Whitworth Institute. 1,400 people attended.
1892. High Peak News.
August 20th. Job Clay, William Clay and Thomas Clay were amongst the jurymen who gave evidence at the case of a stranger found dead in a barn at Snitterton Hall Farm. One of the jurors remarked that the man had been in Wensley the day before and he looked very ill then.
1893. High Peak News.
September. Darley Dale Gardening and Industrial Exhibition.
Cross Green School. Wensley. - Sewing. 3rd prize Lizzie Clay. Knitting. 2nd prize Lizzie Clay.
1894. High Peak News.
September 8th. Darley Dale Cottage and Industrial Society Show. Cross Green School. Wensley. Sewing . 2nd prize. Mary H.Clay.
1895. High Peak News.
June 8th. South Darley Council Meeting. The Inspector had served a notice on A. and B. Clay to remove a heap of refuse in “The Lane” at Wensley, this had been abated and Mr Pashley remarked that Messrs Clay had removed 12 loads and he was told that they had not put a shovel full there themselves.
1895. High Peak News.
September 7th. Darley Dale Cottage Garden and Industrial Society.
Picture Frames. 3rd prize. J.Clay.
Cross Green School. Wensley. Sewing. Equal 4th prize. -M.A.Clay.
Knitting. 3rd prize. M.A.Clay.
1895. High Peak News.
October 5th. South Darley Council Meeting. Inspector served a notice on A.Clay. senior. to connect a drain with the main sewer and it had been attended to.
1895. High Peak News.
November 9th. South Darley Council Meeting. Mr William Clay was served with a notice to remove pigs and this has been complied with.
1896. High Peak News.
January 4th. Council Meeting South Darley. Request by Adam and Benjamin Clay for consent for pigs to remain in Wensley, they were kept in a cowhouse. The permission was refused.
1896. High Peak News.
March 7th. South Darley Urban District Council Meeting.
It was reported that during October a notice was served for removal of some pigs kept close to the Chapel.
1896. High Peak News.
August 8th. Council Meeting. A nuisance existed in the dwelling house of Mr Adam Clay at Wensley, amongst things needed was a pipe drain to the house. The work has now been done.
1896. High Peak News.
September 5th. Darley Dale Cottage Garden and Indusrial Society held their show at the Whitworth Institute. -Vegetable Show-Kidney potatoes white. 2nd prize J.Clay. Kidney potatoes coloured.1st prize J.Clay. Carrots.2nd prize J.Clay. Rhubarb 2nd prize. J.Clay.
Cheese. 1st prize. Mrs Clay. 3rd prize B.Clay.
1896. High Peak News.
November 7th. Council Meeting. - Carting Contract. -Messrs Clay of Wensley offered their material at 2s-3d per yard.
1897. High Peak News.
August 28th. On Wednesday the church at South Darley held a bazar amongst the stallholders who helped was Miss E.Clay.
1897. High Peak News.
September 4th. Darley Dale Cottage Garden and Industrial Society had a record attendance at their annual show at the Whitworth Institute. 6,000 people attended on August 28th.
Vegetable Show. - Carrots. 1st prize. J.Clay.
Potatoes. Round White. 1st prize. J.Clay.
Potatoes. Kidney White. 2nd prize. J.Clay.
1897. High Peak News.
November 6th. Council Meeting. The Surveyor said that some time ago the Council decided that all houses must have drains but at Mr Clays house in Wensley it was nearly impossible because of the rock.
1898. High Peak News.
September 10th. Darley Dale Cottage Garden and Industrial Society held their annual show on September 3rd at the Whitworth Institute, up to 6,000 people attended.
Vegetable Show. - Beans Scarlet Runners. - 2nd prize J.Clay.
Industrial Section:
Teacakes. 1st prize. Mrs J.Clay.
Oatcakes. 2nd prize. Mrs J.Clay.
Pikelets. 2nd prize. Mrs J.Clay.
1898. High Peak News.
December 10th. Newspaper Report. - Up Wensley there was a great deal of excitement last weekend over a fox. In the snow it was tracked to some rocks on Mr Clays farm, over 30 dogs have been sent into the crevasse of the rock to try and get the animal out without success.
1898. Derbyshire Times and Chesterfield Herald.
January 1st. Mary Hannah Clay of Wensley. Died December 22nd age 14 years.
1899. High Peak News.
January 21st. William Clay was amongst those who won prizes at South Darley School.
1899. High Peak News.
September 9th. Darley Dale Cottage Garden and Industrial Society held their annual show in a marquee at Whitworth Park. Darley.
5,000 people attended.
Vegetable Show. South Darley Section.
Kidney Potatoes. 2nd Prize. Job Clay.
Kidney Potatoes Coloured. 2nd Prize. Job Clay.
Industrial Section. Class 1.
Oat Cakes. 3rd Prize. Mrs Job Clay.
Pikelets. 1st Prize. Job Clay.
1899. Derbyshire Times and Chesterfield Herald.
October 7th. Darley Dale Cottage Gardening and Industrial Society Show which took place Friday evening last in the large hall at the Whitworth Institute. Mr Derbyshire proceeded to distribute the prizes which were in the money to the following winners. -
Gardening Section. South Darley. - Job Clay.
Industrial Section. South Darley. - Mrs Job Clay.
1900. Derbyshire Times and Chesterfield Herald.
June 30th. A pretty wedding at Beeley on Wednesday. Mr Charles Cowley of Ashbourne and Miss Mary Clay elder daughter of Mrs Clay of Fallinge Farm. Rowsley. Bridesmaids - Misses Annie and Edith Clay sisters of the bride, after the ceremony the reception was at the brides mothers. Invited guests were Mr J and Miss L.Clay of Wensley.
1900. High Peak News.
April 7th. South Darley Meeting. Mr Clay has the carting contract with 2 carts. The Surveyor said let Mr Clay bring up the stone and someone else the cinders.
1901. High Peak News.
October 5th. J. Clay is amongst others given stone tenders by South Darley Urban District Council.
1902. High Peak News.
April 19th. Mr Adam Clay retired farmer of Wensley was seized with a stroke in the beginning of this week and now lies in a precarious position. Mr Clay who is 69 years of age has resided in Wensley all his life and is highly respected.
1902. High Peak News.
September 6th. South Darley Council Meeting. Alterations to a house owned by Mrs A.Clay. - Conversion into two dwellings approved on condition that the privy was taken to the far corner of the site.
County Bridge Improvement. - The price of carting stone was asked off J.Clay. “Trogues Farm”, J.Clay of “Field Farm” (and others) the lowest and average price was 7d.
1902. High Peak News.
October 4th. Miss Caroline Annie Hardy eldest daughter of William Hardy of “Girdall Farm” Wensley and Mr Joseph Clay son of the late Joseph Clay of “Allens Farm” Rowsley were married, they later went to their home “Field Farm”.
1902. Derbyshire Times and Chesterfield Herald.
May 24th. Adam Clay a farmer of Wensley has died at the age of 69.The deceased was well known in the district.
1902. Derbyshire Times and Chesterfield Herald.
August 6th. Job Clay, William Clay and Thomas Clay were amongst the ratepayers at a meeting in the schoolroom concerning the South Darley Water Scheme.
December 9th. Matlock County Court. - An action brought by Mr Clay. Grocer and provision dealer of South Darley is owed £9 by Mr Stones.
1903. High Peak News.
June 6th. W.S.Clay on the committee of Wensley Reading Room.
June 27th. B.Clay. Assistant secretary of Wensley Jubilee Friendly Society.
August 22nd. Wensley footpath needs gravelling, Mr Clay will deliver it at 2 shillings a load.
1905. High Peak News.
January 7th. William Clay on jury at a Wensley inquest.
January 7th. Mr Clays rubbish tip used by Wensley council.
March 4th. Adam Clays planning application approved by Wensley council.
April 1st. W. Clay on jury, inquest into fatal quarry accident.
August 5th. F. Clay juror in Darley court case.
October 7th. Joseph Clay. “Field Farm” Wensley. Water Scheme Plans.
1906. High Peak News.
January 6th. South Darley Council Meeting. A. Clay and J. Clay amongst owners and tenants affected by railway workings.
1907. High Peak News.
April 6th. William Clay of Wensley mentioned at council meeting about acquiring a new property.
May 4th. Mr Clay mentioned at Wensley council meeting concerning land.
May 25th. W. Clay present at South Darley Harriers Annual Dinner.
August 31st. Joseph Clay of “Field Farm”. Wensley loans field for South Darley Wakes.
September 3rd. Job Clay and W. Clay were amongst those on the committee of Wensley Wakes. Sports were held in the field loaned by Joseph Clay of “Field Farm” Wensley.
1907. High Peak News.
September 14th. William Clay of Wensley makes gift of land to the council for road widening.
1908. High Peak News.
August 29th. Annual Dinner of the South Darley Friendly Society held at the “Crown Inn” Wensley, amongst those present were W.Clay and also Joseph Clay of “Field Farm” Wensley.
September 5th. Mr William Clay of Wensley gave a special prize at South Darley Sports. Joseph Clay of “Field Farm” loaned a field. W. Clay on the committee.
October 10th. Joseph F. Clay. Juror at Darley Inquest.
1909. High Peak News.
Ben Clay. Assisant secretary of South Darley Hospital Sunday Parade.
July 24th. Job Clay, Mrs Clay, Mr H.Searle, Mrs Searle, Mr E.Bradshaw at the funeral of William Rouse. (Ada Clays brother).
July 31st. J. Clay on the committee. Darley Football Club AGM held at the “Square and Compass”. South Darley.
August 28th. Joseph Clay of “Field Farm” also William Clay were amongst those present at the Wensley Jubilee Friendly Society dinner held at the “Crown Inn”. 100 people attended.
October 2nd. Mr Clays tender for carting accepted by Wensley Council.
1910. High Peak News.
March 19th. W. Clay on committee of “Oker Trust Charity” meeting.
September 3rd. William Clay present at a dinner held at the “Crown Inn”. Wensley by the “South Darley Friendly Society”.
September 3rd. Job Clay and W. Clay were amongst those on committee of Wensley Wakes. The sports were held in the field loaned by Joseph Clay of “Field Farm”.Wensley.
1911. High Peak News.
July 1st. Joseph Clay. Officer at Wensley “Jubilee Friendly Society”.
September 9th. Job Clay, Joseph Clay and W.Clay on the committee of Wensley Wakes.
September 16th. Joseph Clay of “Field Farm”,William Clay and Joseph Clay of the “Red Lion” gave to a collection for Job Taylor whose milk cow was struck by lightning.
October 7th. Mr Clay is the only one in Wensley not yet connected to the water supply. The council is to write to him.
October 7th. Mr J. Clay of Wensley and J. Clay of “Field Farm”.Wensley were both granted carting tenders by the council.
1912. High Peak News.
June 8th. William Clay of Wensley, the water supply has been connected to the house.
August 31st. W. Clay. jnr. Secretary at the anniversary of the “Jubilee Friendly Society” dinner at the “Crown Inn” Wensley. Mr. Clay said he hoped the Society would prosper.
August 31st. Reference to a letter signed by four farmers one of whom was J. Clay of Wensley.
1913. High Peak News.
November 8th. Wensley Council Meeting. Tenders for stone sent to J. Clay of “Field Farm”, Joseph Clay of the “Red Lion” and also William Clay.
1914. High Peak News.
June 27th. Job Clay on committee of “Hospital Sunday Parade” event at Wensley. August 29th. Tom Clay at the funeral of a Wensley lady. September 5th. Job Clay, William Clay jnr, and Joseph Clay of the “Red Lion” were officers on the committee at Wensley Flower Show, William Clay won a prize for bread.
November 21st. Wensley War Collection. Donations given by Tom Clay, Joseph Clay, William Clay, William Clay jnr. W.Shaw Clay.
November 28th. Gifts to “The Red Cross” at Darley from Mrs Joseph Clay.
December 26th. Job Clay jnr. of Wensley rejected for the army.
1915. High Peak News.
August 25th. Concert for wounded soldiers, recitation given by W.H.Clay at the Whitworth Institute.Darley.
1915. Derby Evening Telegraph.
May 13th. Matlock Petty Sessions. Job Clay. Wensley labourer was charged with being drunk and disorderly at South Darley on May 3rd. defendant did not appear, ordered to pay 5 shillings.
1915. High Peak. News.
October 15th. Job Clay jnr of Wensley wounded in the war.
1915. Derbyshire Times.
October 30th. Wensley Man Wounded. Mr Job Clay of Wensley has received a letter from one of the hospitals in France stating that his son Job Clay of the Grenadier Guards has been seriously wounded in the chest, elbow and leg. The information is also given that Private Clay is progressing as favourably as can be expected and that as soon as he is fit to travel he will be conveyed to an English hospital. Private Clay had been at the front since the last week of August. Before enlisting he was a platelayer on the Midland Railway.(Photo).
1915. High Peak News.
October 30th. Private Clay Wounded Seriously.
Private Job Clay was in the Grenadier Guards and he went to the French front last February.He is the son of Mr Job Clay of Wensley and he has another younger brother enlisted with the Royal Engineers. Last Monday the father received a postcard from the Chaplain of the hospital that Private Clay was seriously wounded in the chest, elbow and leg, he added that he was progressing favourably and as soon as possible he would be sent to England. On Tuesday morning there arrived at the fathers house a parcel from the front containing the pocket book and letters etc. of Private Clay. Private Clay is 33 years of age and single and before the war he worked as a platelayer between Rowsley and Darley Dale. He bravely joined the army determined to help the country in this grave crisis. Everyone hopes the best of him.
1916. High Peak News.
March 18th. Ben Clay of Wensley an all round dealer, flour and corn carter, buyer and seller asked for exemption from military service, application refused.
March 18th. William Shaw Clay of 1 Eagle Terrace.Wensley, Cornish Pumpman at Millclose Mine granted temporary exemption being in a reserved occupation.
March 25th. Residents of Wensley visit Job Clay in Birmingham Hospital. - He was badly wounded in the war. They found the wounded man in splendid form and getting on well. It is hoped he will be able to come home to Wensley in about a fortnight.
April 29th. South Darley Council. - The Clerk was asked to write to Mr Job Clay inquiring if he was prepared to find a quarry and to find and break and provide stone for the council and if so on what terms.
October 28th. William Clay jnr. Age 31 of Wensley, married and a grocers assistant appealed for exemption from military service as father is ill and unable to tend the business, appeal granted on condition of drilling with the Volunteers.
1916. High Peak News.
November 4th. South Darley War News. Lance Corporal Ben Clays Cheery Letter. - Lance Corporal Ben Clay writing to his pal Mr F.Taylor jnr. of Lily Bank View, Wensley says, - Just a few lines to thank you for your most welcome letter. Pleased to hear you are keeping better. I am in the pink and we are also getting very good rations. We get rum which is no bon for me, cigarettes and tobacco and matches. There are several canteens and we can buy almost anything, cake, tins of salmon, chocolate, apricots, sardines and Woodbines 10d for fifty etc, etc. There are travelling canteens almost like the Marshall van. We have had some rough times, but I am still enjoying it, it is a fine experience, you can see more here in two minutes than you could see in fifty years in Blighty. I have seen some sights especially in the last big push. Leave has commenced for those who are due. It was a fine sight to see the Bosch prisoners come down like half starved rats, the poorest sample of men you ever saw, they gave themselves up in swarms, they put their hands up and say “Mercy camarade”. They do not want any guarding, they say you have no need to put up barbed wire, you could put cotton wool around we shall not try to get away, they say “Bon prisoner”. It was a continual stream of prisoners coming down the road for over a day like a flock of sheep, two guards to about a hundred men some about a hundred yards behind the guards. Their wounded ride down with our wounded. It is a fine sight to see them in the wire cages. There are villages with not a single brick standing and churches blown to the ground there is one church with nothing left only the Virgin Mary and the bell not damaged.
In another letter he writes - I am very pleased to get the news from Wensley, we have had another move, the place we left was hotter than Colemans mustard, shells dropping around us all day. We were working on land that had only been taken from the Germans a few days. There were some awful sights, there is not a yard of land that had not been shelled nor a tree alive in the woods. We were getting trees out of the woods and filling shell holes up in the road and the wood was undermined with dugouts twenty feet deep, they are fitted up with wire beds, chairs, fireplaces etc. I should think the Germans were preparing for winter, the top consisted of iron bars, trees and cement. It is marvellous how we have got them out, we were getting some timber off the top of one and there was a dead German in, he was an attendant it looked like a hospital as there were several medicine bottles and bandages, I picked him up to get a piece of wood and his head was missing. I think it is a matter of time the Germans have about shot their bolt. It was a fine sight to see the prisoners come down in the last big push, the poorest sample of men you ever did see, if only you could see them you would think the war could not last long, they are giving themselves up wholesale. The landships have given them a big surprise, they can go over most anything they do not trouble to choose their road up goes their nose and over. We went up to take some German trenches and when we got there the Germans had gone and left them. We have got to a nice place now almost like Wirksworth, it is a fine change as where we have come from it was worse than being in the moors. I have not seen a girl nor a civilian for weeks until we arrived here, I have just had a good feed of Quaker Oats with the blacks, they are very good natured they can speak English very plain. It will take me weeks to tell you all the news, I am enjoying life it is fine and it is a fine experience and I am in the pink, never better. I will make things hum when I get back again and it will not be long before I am promenading down at Matlock.
1917. High Peak News.
March 10t. Mention of Mr Clays allottment at Potters Close.Wensley.
April 7th. William Clay of Wensley age 31. Appeal for exemption from military service as his father is feeble and in bed. Exemption to carry on business.
April 14th. Letters to the Editor. - Joseph Clay of the “Red Lion” Wensley writes about a fox.
1917. Derbyshire Times.
December 1st. Photograph and article. -
News has reached Bolsover that Gunner W. Clay. Royal Field Artillery has been wounded in action in France and has arrived at the Wharncliffe Hospital. Sheffield. where he is progressing favourably. The gallant gunner whose wife lives at 81 New Bolsover went to the front in January 1915 returning to Blighty with a poisoned hand in April last. On September 22nd he married Mrs Annie Twelves eldest daughter of Mr E.Bradshaw, New Bolsover and about a fortnight later was again in the thick of the fighting on the Western Front. He received his injuries on November 2nd. The youngest son of Mr J. Clay of Wensley. Darley Dale, he has a brother J. Clay recently discharged from the army through wounds received in action who has been awarded the Military Medal.
1917. High Peak News.
December 15th. Obituary. William Clay of Wensley. Grocer. Age 58.
1919. High Peak News.
August 19th. Mr B.Clay present at “Soldiers Return Dinner” at the schoolroom. South Darley. 22 men from South Darley were killed in the war.
August 30th. Wensley Council Meeting. Mr Clay mentioned in carting matter.
November 15th. Article on history of Beeley. (Peter Clay of Birchover in Youlgreave parish mentioned as a witness in Beeley church dispute 1670).
1921. High Peak News.
February 5th. J.Clay had 15 cows. South Darleys total was 195 cows, 201 houses, population 656 people.
September 10th. T.Clay. 1st prize at the Flower Show at Wensley Wakes.
1922. High Peak News.
December 9th. Mr. T.Clay of Wensley has fixed a bath without permission. The council is to write to him.
1923. High Peak News.
February 10th. Mrs. T. Clay won 2nd prize.Wensley Whist Drive and Dance.
1936. High Peak News.
January 4th. Funeral of William Shaw Clay of Wensley age 58. He worked at Cowder Quarries. Hannah Clay his cousin was present.
1949. Photograph and article.
During this month Matlock hit the headlines of many of the big daily papers. The central figure in the news was Mr. Ben Clay the market fruiterer to whose action in selling fruit from a barrow at Park Head many of the councillors objected. When one morning the council workmen erected a barricade of planks and drainpipes round Bens site, the incident was exploited by the newspaper men and provided them with much copy. The picture shows part of the barricade and “Barrow Boy Ben” as he came to be known serving a customer.
1984. Matlock Mercury.
August 17th. Article and Photograph. - New York learns about Matlock Bath and Billy. -- Buy a newspaper on the sidewalks of New York and you don’t really expect to find Matlock featured in it nor for a bonus Matlocks personality councillor Billy Clay. But that is what happened to West Derbyshire District Council area planning officer Mr Nigel Parker when he bought a copy of the New York Times while he was on holiday in the United States last month. Said Mr Parker,- I was surprised when I turned to the travel section and found a picture of Billy Clay staring at me. Billy made the headlines in English newspapers many years ago when he and his father the late Mr. Ben Clay were the central figures in a Matlock barrow boy controversy. -- Joked Billy, -Its nice to be a tourist attraction, Im quite flattered.
1985. Matlock Mercury.
January 4th. The Man who made shopping fun. --Barrow Boys sad farewell. -- Ex Market Trader and one time barrow boy Billy Clay is dead and the loss to the Matlock district of one of its most colourful characters of the post war era came suddenly when 1985 was only a few hours old. William Holland Clay a West Derbyshire District Councillor died suddenly at his home at 24 Water Lane. Cromford, on the morning of New Years Day, he collapsed as he was about to have breakfast. Billy had been at work on Monday apparently in good health at G.W and B.Stathams Fruit and vegetable store in Crown Square where he had been employed for the past two and a half years.--Said Mr Statham who runs the family business -We are stunned, Billy seemed on top of the world when he left to go home on New Years Eve joking and laughing as usual. This is a terrible blow, everybody in Matlock knew Billy and he seemed to know everybody. Happy go lucky Billy of the handlebar moustache and always cheery banter created his own brand image on the old Matlock open stall market in Bakewell Road, apart from a short spell in the early sixties he worked on the greengrocery stall for more than 35 years before he joined Stathams in 1982. He was apprenticed to mens hairdressing but after serving first as a Bevan Boy in the coal mines and then in the Royal Artillery during the 1939 - 45 war he joined his father the late Mr. Ben Clay on the market. Ben was an equally rich character and he schooled his son in the age old tradition of keeping the customers happy. It was with his father that Billy rocketed to not only local but national fame as a barrow boy back in 1949. Ben and Billy ran into trouble with the old Matlock Urban Council when they set up a fruit barrow at the Hall Leys Park Head, they ignored a council order to move on and at one stage alleged that barricades had been erected to keep their barrow off its pitch. An era was ending as Billy quit the open stall market in May 1982, but Billy could not dodge fame, suddenly last summer his picture, straw hatted behind the counter of Mr Stathams shop appeared in a leading American newspaper the New York Times. Billy became a District Councillor in May 1983. The man who became an institution in Matlock in his lifetime always took an interest in local events and he had amassed a vast store of knowledge about the district and its people during his years on the market. Characteristically when his nomination as an election candidate was announced Billy quipped - I have stood on the sidelines long enough its about time I went up to the Town Hall and put the Council on the right lines -- they need a bit of guidance. Wensley born Billy lived in Matlock until moving to Cromford last October. He leaves a widow Dorothy, two sons, two daughters and three grandchildren.
1985. Matlock Mercury.
January 18th. Article and Drawing. -- So many memories of Billy and the barrow. -- One time barrow boy and ex market trader Billy Clays untimely death on New Years Day at the age of 58 cast a sombre shadow over the start of 1985 in Matlock.
Billy with his banter and unfailing good humour was not only the housewives choice on the market for over 35 years and latterly at Stathams fruit and vegetable shop in Crown Square but he was also one of the districts characters in every sense. His sad farewell has stirred many memories - Mrs Barbara Weston recalls that in November 1949 Billy and his father the late Mr. Ben Clay were featured by the Mercury cartoonist. Not surprisingly for Billy and Ben had been making the headlines in their barrow boy controversy with Matlock District Council and the reproduction of the cartoon shows them standing with the barrow that caused all the trouble. Billy on the left had still to sprout the handlebar moustache which became part of the old stall markets brand image. A dedicated Matlock Town fan Billy could claim the distinction of having actually turned out for the team and scoring. Billy had travelled to a match and was pressed into service on the left wing when a player failed to turn up. Almost inevitably he became involved in touchline exchanges with spectators, the referee found it necessary to enquire from Billy --are you playing or watching --playing was Billys reply and the ball came over from the right Billy stuck out a boot and it was in the back of the net. Not only football but the stage was part of Billys scene, in an echo of the old controversy Billy appeared as a barrow boy in a Lambeth street scene in Ivanhoe Theatre Groups production of the Cockney musical “Me and My Girl” at Matlock Bath Pavillion.When the producer asked him to take part Billy deliberated for a moment and then with true Derbyshire pride replied, --I will do it but thall never make me into a Cockney. -- No indeed for who would have wanted Billy to be other than the lad from Wensley who carved out his own intimitable place in Matlocks folklore.