DARIUS WINDLE. (MIXMAN)

[Stanley]

DARIUS WINDLE.
Topic: http://www.oneguyfrombarlick.co.uk/link ... IC_ID=4730
Date: 06 April 2006
Topic author: Mixman
Subject: Barnoldswick Mans’s Hobbies
Posted on: 06 April 2006 12:57:07
Message:
Barnoldswick Mans’s Hobbies

ASTRONOMY, LANGUAGES, ENGINEERING.

Astronomy, languages, clock-making, physiology, engineering, cycling, these are but a few of the interests of Mr. Darius Windle after he finishes his day's work among the looms at a local mill, where he is an overlooker (writes a " Yorkshire Observer" special. correspondent).
At the age of 68, Mr. Windle can look back upon a life during which full use has been made of every spare minute.
The cellar at his home, 29, East View, Barnoldswick, is a wonderful place of electric switchboards, engines, dynamos—all made by his own hands. There is a life-time's labour in model making and other constructional work in his home. On the wall is an electric grandmother clock, which has kept accurate time for the past ten years.

MADE HIS OWN TELESCOPE.
He even cut the teeth of the cogwheels, where one-hundredth of an inch inaccuracy would have been enough to prevent the clock from working.
He longed to see the mountains on the moon. So he made a telescope, 4 ft. long and 7 ft. high, through
which he can study the heavens from the backyard or bedroom window.
Wherever you turn there are other examples of his industry and mechanical aptitude. He suffered from knee trouble, so he simply went down into his wonder cellar and made his own sun-ray lamp, which cured him completely.
A scale model of a railway locomotive and tender, representing seven years spare time work, is admired
alike by children and railway engineers who visit his home. He made the thousands of tiny rivets and screws.

STUDY OF LANGUAGES.
He made his own moving-coil loudspeaker, barometer, mechanical bellows, stereoscopic camera, a scale-model marine engine so perfectly balanced that it runs from the pressure of the air from a hand pump, furniture and a host of tools and other engineering gadgets.
And somehow be managed to work in the study of Latin, German and other languages, to say nothing of studying physiology.
He has cut a thread on a screw so fine that it enables, him to procure sectional slices 600th of an inch thick for his microscope. It is a thread so fine that it is barely visible to the naked eye.

A NOVEL "TANDEM."
He belongs to that grand old school of cyclists who father the pastime in its' infancy. He was on the road half a-century ago with his ''bone-shaker," and later with his "penny farthing." He has averaged 2,000 miles a year for the past 50 years on his pedal-cycle, riding to John o' Groats and Land's End, and exploring not only England, Scotland and Wales, but also part of Ireland awheel. Yes— he made his own bicycle.
With the aid of steel tube struts he fastened his cycle parallel to his wife's machine, and they were thus able to ride comfortably side by side— a more, companionable arrangement than "singles "or tandem riding.
And on the threshold of 70 Mr. Windle still seeks the open road awheel —when he is not dabbling in his metal wizardry in the cellar at home.

The Craven Herald date not known
Transcribed by John Turner April 2006
2287
jct
THE WINDLES Sidelights on an Old Earby Family
Topic: http://www.oneguyfrombarlick.co.uk/link ... IC_ID=4728
Date: 06 April 2006
Topic author: Mixman
Subject: THE WINDLES Sidelights on an Old Earby Family
Posted on: 06 April 2006 12:53:47
Message:
THE WINDLES
Sidelights on an Old Earby Family
(by John Hartley) 28/10/1932

As far back as the history of our village can be traced, some of the most esteemed and "well-to-do" residents bore the name of Windle. In the parish register of Thornton-in-Craven, which was commenced in 1566, the name of Wyndle occurs, and in 1698 the name appears as Windle. In the year 1601, Christopher Windle was churchwarden of the Parish Church, and the renowned Grammar School was built and endowed by Robert Windle in 1594. The foundation of the School is a clear proof of the excellent character and generosity of the village benefactor, and as the old Elizabethan building is now used as the
Council Library, and the income utilised for educational scholarships, the residents of Earby will be indebted to the Windle family for many generations in the future years. Two hundred and fifty years ago the old commodious and substantially built village hostel, "The White Lion" was erected by John and Jane Windle, the inscription over the central doorway being as follows: —
Ioshva : IANE
Windle : Ivne 29
RB. 1681 IB.
This ancient hostelry was formerly visited by the pack horse riders for rest and refreshment, as well as for purposes of trade and barter, and the name of Windle must have been known throughout the North of England at that period. Consequent upon the introduction of the Baptist cause into Earby, the Windle families became associated with that denomination. In 1819 a company of Earby Baptists, who had been members of the Barnoldswick Baptist Church, decided to form a new church at Earby, and the name of John Windle appears at the head of the list, which also included the names of Hartley Windle and Betty Windle. Two years later, Hartley Windle began to officiate as a lay preacher. Coming down to members of the Windle clan who were known to villagers of the present day, it may be noted that the Windle name became linked by marriage with that other noted Earby family name, that of Wilkinson.

BROTHER BAPTISTS.
John Windle, a son of Hartley Windle, was known to many Earby people alive to-day. He lived in a house near the beck in the old part of the village leading up to the "top of the town," and the bridge nearby was then called "Windle Bridge." John Windle's wife was Sarah Wilkinson, and she belonged to the "Nicky's." John had a brother called Thomas, and he married one of the "Dicks's," Ann, the daughter of John Wilkinson (John o' Dicks). Thomas Windle lived in a house near the bottom of "Cat-gate" (Cattle Gate) and he was generally known as "Pogie."
Both brothers were prominently identified with the Baptist cause, and when the new chapel was built in 1861, John was unpaid "clerk of works." He watched the work proceed with diligent interest, and on its completion he was presented by the joiners with a mahogany looking-glass. By occupation John was a twister at Bracewells cotton mill, and he was allowed to leave his work whenever his services were needed at the chapel. In the wintertime he always wore a nightcap as he sat twirling away in his twisting frame.
Thomas Windle was an active worker in the Sunday School, and a leading member of the choir. He was well remembered for musical zeal in teaching the children to sing new hymns, which were becoming popular at that time, such as "O have you not heard of that beautiful stream."
The eldest son of John and Sarah Windle was called William, and as a young man he emigrated to America, and settled at Alabama City. He went as a tackler into a weaving shed, and later became the manager, with personal interest in the business. Later, two of his sons became managers, and the eldest had an office in the centre of a large weaving shed, with windows all round, so that he could keep his eyes on the weavers. During the American Civil War, William fought with the forces of the North, and he had a pension as long as he lived.

Village Oracle
Three of John Windle's sons were prominently connected with the Baptist Church, viz : Joseph, Hartley and Dan. Before the days of compulsory elementary education, these men were intelligent, and in every respect capable teachers, and scores of raw Earby lads came under their influence.
Mr. Elihu Wilkinson, of Eastby, was a scholar of that period, and he delights to recall how he passed out of Hartley Windle's class into Dan's, and then into Joseph's. When Mr. Wilkinson removed to Nelson some years later, he found he had all the three children of Dan Windle's in his Adult Bible Class at Carr Road Baptist School. Dan Windle was an enthusiastic musician, and also possessed of the poetical faculty, for he once composed a number of verses about everyone he was familiar with. Hartley Windle was an exceptionally gifted and forceful public speaker, and in addition to serving the Baptist Churches as a lay preacher, he often appeared on the platform at temperance and political meetings. He had the vision of the seer, and in appearance and declamation he was a veritable prophet, and none who listened to him could ever forget his impassioned fervour and manifest sincerity.
In his early life he was a cotton weaver, and then became a tackier at Smallpage's mill at Sough Bridge. Practical joking was often engaged, in by the tacklers, and Hartley could enjoy a joke as well as any man. Nothing pleased him better 'than to tell, or listen to, a good story, and to be in good company, where there was a "flow of soul" and "a battle of wits," was Paradise to him.
He was a staunch supporter of the old Victoria Institute, and that platform was his throne. Joseph Windle was a very highly respected member of the village community. He was married very young, to Mary Lee, before he was 18 years of age, and the worthy couple brought up a large family of children. He was a keen reader, and in language restrained and tolerant. He shared the same interests as his brother Hartley, and as lay preachers and deacons they were pillars of the Baptist Church. The Village Institute was a second home to him.
In later years, the two brothers, along with Edward Ellis, were the proprietors of a general store in Water Street, and were known and respected by all.

ELECTION DAYS.
Mr. Joseph Windle was one of the original members of the local Parish Council, and he had a long term of service. The elections were often keenly contested, and on one occasion Mr. Windle headed the poll, a convincing token of the esteem in which he was held in the village. He was one of the promoters of the Earby Shed Company in Earby's dark days, and was made a director. Mr. Joseph Windle's son, Percy Windle, has maintained the family prestige as lay preacher and officer of the Baptist Church, and throughout the Craven Baptist Churches no man is better known, and his services are highly appreciated.
Alice Windle, a daughter of John Windle, married a Barnoldswick man, Crispin Demain, and they lived there for twelve years, in a shop next door to the "Seven Stars" Hotel. He was known to everybody in "Barlick," and so were two of his lads, Willie Demain and Jack Demain, two of the best known cricketers in the district, and who played for Earby in after years, and were always welcome on their native heath, being "Barlick" born and bred. During their residence in Barnoldswick the Demains were connected with the Baptist Church, and the children were among the first scholars of the "New Laithe" School.
Thomas Windle, a son of Thomas Windle mentioned previously, was a very choice character, and he became a teacher at Burnley. He afterwards obtained a post as sanitary inspector in the South of England, and has had a very honourable career.

Charles Windle, now residing at Skipton, was an interesting and well-known character, and a favourite in the conversation room at the old Institute.

J.H.
The Craven Herald 28th October 1932
Transcribed by John Turner April 2006
1385
jct

[Stanley]

Bumped.

[Stanley]

Bumped again.....