The 1921 edition has been uploaded (20th January 2025). Check out what was happening over 100 years ago in Whitwick. Here is part of an article taken from each month to whet your appetite. Yearly reports are available from 1913 up to 1921 for you to view in the ‘Whitwick in Print’ section.
January
The fourth round of the Coalville Cup Competition was decided on Saturday when, perhaps, the most interesting match of the series was that at Mantle Lane ground, Coalville, between Stableford’s Works and Whitwick Imperial. The teams had met twice previously in the Leicestershire Senior League, each claiming a victory on their own ground. It was calculated that over 3,000 spectators were present, the gate receipts amounting to £72/12/2.
February
Mr Harry Perry, a native of Whitwick, elder son of Mr S. Perry, of Silver Street, who emigrated to Canada a few years ago, will receive many hearty congratulations on his election as a member of the Canadian Parliament. By a majority of 353 he has been returned as the member for the Prince George Province.
March
Many congratulations will be extended to Mr Daniel Patrick O’Mara, son of the late Mr Philip O’Mara, of Silver Street, Whitwick, on his success as a medical student, he having recently obtained his degree as M.R.C.S. and L.R.C.P. He is at present acting as house surgeon in Guy’s Hospital, London, under Sir Arthur Fripp. Mr O’Mara is only 22 years of age.
April
Four persons were injured in a motor smash which occurred at Whitwick, about half-past two o’clock on Saturday afternoon, and others had miraculous escapes. Thirty-two persons in a motor charabanc were being conveyed from Mesham to the football match at Whitwick – the Leicestershire Junior Cup final between Barrow Trinity and Measham Town – and when descending the steep hill at the bottom of Church Lane, the vehicle, by some means got out of control, and dashed into the shop at the bottom, on Pares Hill, owned by the Coalville Urban Council, and occupied by Mr Gideon Slattery. The front window and brick work were demolished, and the middle wall dividing the shop from the kitchen was also knocked down, the place being completely wrecked. The passengers had miraculous escapes, only four being injured, and these not seriously.
May
A pretty wedding took place at Whitwick Parish Church, on Monday afternoon between Miss Ethel Laura Shelton, of Whitwick, and Mr Harry Blunt, only son of Mr and Mrs George Blunt, of Coalville. The Vicar, the Rev. T. W. Walters, performed the ceremony in the presence of a good number of friends. The bride, who was given away by her father, wore a dress of grey satin, with a wreath of orange blossoms and veil, and carried a bouquet of lilies and carnations, and also wore a gold bracelet, the gift of the bridegroom.
June
Alfred Geary (27), James Newt (25) and Horace Horrobin (25), all colliers, of Whitwick, were summoned for a breach of the Poaching Prevention Act, at Whitwick, on May 20th. They pleaded guilty. P.C. Durrands deposed to meeting the men who each had a rabbit. One of the defendants said he had a wife and child, and could not live on 6/- a week. The clerk: You should not go on strike. Mr Brooks (a magistrate): They are not responsible for the strike. The clerk said it was no excuse for poaching. Defendants were each fined 5/- or 7 days. They asked for time to pay, and were allowed three weeks.
July
Coalville Police Court – Albert E. Hind, weaver, Whitwick, was summoned for riding a bicycle with no front light, at Coalville, on July 10th. He pleaded guilty. P.C. Jesson said defendant told him he did not expect to meet a policeman at that time, 1.35 am. Fined 5/- or seven days.
August
A plucky Coalville lad saves two boys from drowning in Whitwick Colliery Co’s Clay Pit. The plucky and commendable act of a 16 year old Coalville boy has been the means of saving two lives. The brave youth is Clarence Moore, son of Mr Joseph Moore, a miner employed at the Whitwick Colliery, and residing in Hermitage Road, Coalville.
September
Leicester City took a strong team to Whitwick on Wednesday night to play the Imperial in a friendly match in consideration of the transfer of F. Price. There was a large attendance. The City were, of course, the superior side, and won by 8 goals to 1. The scorers were King (4), Patterson (2), E. C. Price and Richmond. Thorpe scored for Whitwick from a penalty. City scored seven goals in the firvst half. The second part of the game was more even.
October
Police-Sergeant Eli Betts, of Whitwick, having served 30 years in the Leicestershire Constabulary, is to retire on pension at the end of the present week, (October 30th). As a young constable, he started at Loughborough where he was stationed for 2 ½ years, then he went to Broughton Astley for six years, after which he spent three years at Ullesthorpe, seven years at Shepshed, and he has been 12 years at Whitwick, where he was promoted to sergeant in 1913. Sergeant Betts has always been a painstaking officer, who has enjoyed the fullest confidence of the public, and Whitwick people will wish him well in his retirement. During the war he acted as instructor in Kitchener’s Army, and trained many men, including his own son.
November
Whitwick War Memorial Unveiled by General Sir Reginald Hoskins. One of the finest yet erected in the county, in honour of the men from the parish who fell in the great war, was unveiled on Saturday, in the presence of a vast concourse of people, including many ex-servicemen, who fought side by side with their fallen comrades, and relatives of the deceased men. The unveiling by General Sir Reginald Hoskins, K.C.B., C.M.G., D.S.O., the general officer commanding the North Midland area, and the subsequent dedication by the Lord Bishop of Peterborough, made an impressive scene, which will probably never be forgotten by those present.
December
Poaching At Whitwick. Thomas Hall (39), collier, Whitwick, was summoned for an offence under the Poaching Prevention Act, at Swannington, on November 21st. Defendant did not appear. P.C. Harper said he met the defendant on a footpath, and noticing his pockets bulky, stopped him and found three purse nets which were wet, having been recently used. Other nets were subsequently found over rabbit holes in a field. There had been a lot of this sort of thing and considerable damage done to fences. Fined £2/2/0 or one month, the nets to be forfeited.
