Mexborough and Swinton Times June 17 1898
Expedition From Conisbrough
Our friend Richard having told us lately such wonderful tales of exploits of one “Bill Lindholm,” who, it is said, live near the village of Wroot in the Isle of Axholme, a party of us decided to pay a visit to their district and see if we could learn anything of this famous personage.
This expedition set out on Whit Monday morning under the guidance and care of Richard. The roads, though rather dusty were in splendid condition, and the drive through the almost perfectly level district beyond Doncaster was delightful. It is said “it is a long Lane that never has a turn,” but we found any amount of such roads down here. What a splendid country it is for cycling!
Our first halt was at the village of Awkley, about 5 miles below Doncaster, where we alighted at a wayside Inn to give the horses a rest. Starting off again we continued our delightful right, until we came to our destination, Wroot.
All the people of this village, young and old, were out in the street all dressed in their Sunday best, we thought all this show was in honour of our visit, but when we learned afterwards that the cause of this commotion was a tea party at the Wesleyan Chapel,” we were indeed crestfallen.
After seeing how horses were looked to at the village inn, and given the landlady orders for a “ham and egg tea,” we sallied forth to see “Bill Lindholm’s Duck Stone.” After numerous enquiries we last came to the field where the stone lay. We followed our guide into this field, and we all began searching as if for mushrooms, till at last we found a piece of stone, about a foot square, which Richard very gravely told us was the one. Then we all stood round with bare heads while our guide told us the wonderful fairytale connected with this down. I am afraid Richard has not heard the last of this.
We wended our way back to the village inn, the landlady at provided for those a splendid tea, which we were quite ready for.
After tea we went to see the large pumping machinery, which pumps the water drained from the surrounding country by the Dutch system of dikes, into a stream, which carries it a distance of 11 miles into the river Trent. It is said that all the district round he has been reclaim by this Dutch system of drainage. These pumps are of enormous size the suction pipes being 50 inches in diameter, and the delivery pipe 47 inches in diameter, so you can imagine what a large quantity of water they can deal with.
Evening coming on, we harness our authors and was soon homeward bound. As in the morning, we stopped for a short time at Awkley, where one of our party greatly delighted the natives by his very humorous rendering one or two of his famous recitations.
We she stayed a little longer, only one of the party wanted to sing a song, but before he could commence the room was cleared. Wasn’t that cool?
The drive home was delicious, and we arrive safe at Conisbrough, just in time to bid good night Mr Crossland.
Each one was delighted with his outing and thank our guide Richard very much.
Our next expedition will be into the Snow Treading Country.”