Sheffield Daily Telegraph – Friday 04 October 1889
Parish Meeting at Conisborough.
Proposed Formation Of A Burial Board.
Last night a meeting the parishioners of Conisborough was held in the Church schoolroom, the Rev . J. G. Wood, M.A. (vicar), presiding.
Amongst those present were Mr. Godfrey Walker, J.P., Mr. G.T. Nicholson, Mr. C. Kilner, Mr. J. D. Blyth, Mr. Sharpe, Mr. J. Appleyard etc., etc.
The meeting was called
(1) To receive the report of the waywardens as to the alleged diversion of footpaths;
(2) to receive the report of the committee appointed for the purpose of selecting a site for the extension of burial ground;
(3) to receive the report of the committee respecting the lighting of the village by gas;
and (4) to receive the report of the committee appointed for the purpose of examining the liability of the parish repair the old Pinfold House.
Mr. Joseph Appleyard said with respect to the alleged diversion of footpaths, he met a committee selected by the Doncaster Highway Board, with Mr. Crawshaw at their head, and from what that gentleman said it appeared that one the footpaths accross the “Three Acres” had been stopped for 30 years. With respect to the footpath across the old cattle yard, which bad been diverted, the matter had been placed in the bands of Mr. Nicholson, solicitor, of Doncaster, and he would, perhaps, attend to it.
Mr. Fearn, an old inhabitant, said it was nothing like 30 years since the footpath across the “three acres” was stopped, and several other speakers followed suit. It did not appear, however, that the footpath was used by public, and it was explained that the reason why action was originally taken in the matter was because another gentleman (Mr. Booth) had been forced to spend a considerable sum of money in order to divert a footpath legally, and because he had done so, it was thought that other people should do the same thing. Eventually this subject was deferred for further information.
With respect to the site for the extension of the burial ground, Mr. Walker, J.P., said the committee appointed for the purpose had met, and instructed him to write to Lady Yarborough’s and Mr. Montagu’s agents respecting a plot land on the Station Road which was spoken of at the last meeting. He got replies from both parties saying that they would consider the matter but had received nothing further from Mr. Newstead, Lady Yarborough’s agent. Mr. Cundy, Mr. Montagu’s agent, however, he had seen, and he said that Mr. Montagu would rather not sell the land referred to as it was valuable building land, and the adjoining land would depreciated in value if burial ground were established the neighbourhood.
That being (Mr. Walker) supposed that the question of churchyard extension fell through, as they could not get a plot of land contiguous to the churchyard.
Mr. Appleyard said room must be found somewhere before long, as the churchyard was full.
The Vicar said there did not appear to a possibility of getting a site of land which would have made possible the extension the churchyard. The burial ground would now have to take the form of a cemetery.
Mr. Kilmer said the thing had just ended where he expected it would, and he thought the parish ought to put itself into a form to face the matter at once.
Mr. Walker then moved, and Mr. Gibson seconded, “That it is imperatively necessary that we should have burial accommodation for parish of Conisborough, and that without delay a meeting be called to definitely decide upon a scheme.”
The resolution was carried.
The Vicar said that as much as he grieved, in common with them all, that the dear old churchyard would have to be closed, yet he felt it to be imperatively necessary, because though the greatest care was taken, so far they could, with burials, yet it constantly happened that some bones were turned up, He always gave strictest orders to the sexton to see that the bones were re buried, but was not a pleasant thing to see them, and he hoped that no delay would be caused in providing an additional ground.
It was decided that a meeting held the subject next Friday.
Mr. Godfrey Walker then submitted to the meeting the scheme for the lighting of the village by gas which had been drawn up by the committee appointed by the parish. That scheme had forwarded to the directors of the company, and it was proposed that 42 lamps be lighted, to be under the supervision of the company, to be lighted five hours night during the seven winter months, the cost to be defrayed by a compulsory rate.
The meeting discussed the scheme length, and generally pronounced it to be favourable.