Goodbye The Wicker – A.R. Fearnley

Book Review

This book is full of fascinating information about the buildings and particularly the people of the Wicker. 
Mr Fearnley, formerly landlord of The Viaduct Pub, is clearly a champion of the “rough and ready” people who make up the Wicker, and pours scorn on those who, through history, have feared going into the area:

“Even as far back as the famous Chief Inspector Shillito’s days, it was alleged that the police were absolutely terrified to enter the district. If such myths were not so sad to the point of being ridiculous the claims would be hilarious”.
While giving account of the strong moral code of the Wicker people, Fearnley admits that they don’t suffer fools gladly. He gleefully tells the story of the boastful ex-soldier who is sold a pair of two left shoes and the story of the loud Cockney who, having offered his view that “all Yorkshiremen are simple”, ends up buying a wrist-watch with one hand!

Such fascinating stories abound in this book. In 1890, a lad was caught steeling apples and pears and ordered to be flogged. When the his mother pleaded for mercy on account of the child’s young age, the chief constable simply decreed that the boys mother should join him and the two were flogged publicly on an open horse and cart which set off from Lady’s Bridge and made its way slowly down the main street and back.

Perhaps the most moving and bizarre story is that of two brothers of Irish descent, who served in the First World War. John O’Malley returned from the war severely injured and shell-shocked, his brother Edward was thought dead. The unfortunate John was later admitted to Middlewood Mental Hospital after claiming to see his dead brother Harry. Years later, after John’s death, it was discovered that Harry had not died in the war, but had deserted, changed his name to Stanley Wicker and joined the Black and Tans – a rabble army recruited by the British to attempt to put down the Irish Rising.

For more stories you’ll have to buy the book. One last thought though. We may be saying goodbye to some of the physical structures of the Wicker when the 4 lane inner ring-road smashes through it, potentially cutting Burngreave off from the Town Centre. But the rough and ready community which doesn’t suffer fools gladly is still around.
Ian Clifford

“Goodbye The Wicker” by A.R. Fearnley, £5.95 is available at Waterstones.

Spital Hill History (extract)

On 11th May 1864, A newly built dam at Dale Dyke at the head of the Loxley Valley burst causing 240 deaths. The water flooded down the Loxley and Don Valleys, the debris caught along the way wedged against Ladies Bridge, causing the water to rise even further. 
The flow then rushed down the Wicker, turning it into a waterway which could have floated a medium sized battleship. The water reached as far as the Lodge pub, half way up Spital Hill, before it receded.