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Shireoaks Local History Group
Shireoaks in 1861 was a very different place than it is today. The coming of the colliery in 1854 had increased the population 5
times. The number of houses had increased three fold and what was once a relatively sleepy little village was beginning to
boom.
The village had for a long time had a grocery shop situated at what is now 65 Shireoaks Row and this continued to trade right
through until 1974. However with the increasing population the entrepreneurial spirit was about and two Retford men took
the opportunity to establish businesses in purpose built accommodation at the top of the newly built Shireoaks Row.
The first was John Palmer who, on finishing his butchery apprenticeship to Mr J Morley at Retford, took the bold step to set up
in business on his own at Shireoaks at only 19 years old. The business was to flourish and John became a stalwart of life in the
village and the surrounding area being regarded as one of the best judges of cattle in the area. The second son of Retford who
took the shop next to the butchers was Henry Smedley. His shop was a grocer and general store. Like John he was heavily
involved with village life being at one time a governor of the school and church warden as well as running his business virtually
single handed. Both men were buried in St Luke’s Graveyard when they died.
At the time of the laying of the church foundation stone the Row would not have
been completed. There were one or two farm houses to the north of the railway
line but no other properties. Shireoaks Road was the main focus of housing with
a number of stone built cottages, two farm houses (one now demolished), the
mill and its associated buildings, the Hall and all its outbuildings. What is now the
village hall was the village place of worship. On completion of the church the
building became the village school.
On the 15th and 16th October Shireoaks will be celebrating 150 years since the
laying of the foundation stone at St Luke’s Church.
Illustrated London News 1861 depiction of Prince of Wales visit
to Shireoaks Colliery. He went on later in the day to lay the
foundation stone of St Luke’s Church.
The history group will be putting on a exhibition of photos and memorabilia connected with the church. If you have any items,
photos, parish magazines, programmes of flowers festivals or anything that relates to St Luke’s please contact Bernie Ayton
on 483443 or email shireoaks1861-news@yahoo.co.uk so that your item can be copied and take its place in the exhibition.
So in October as you walk down to look at the exhibition, imagine the scene 150 years earlier. A different place from today!
Do you have a passion for history? Maybe you have a love of costume? Or perhaps you have an adoration of antiques,
medals and memorabilia?
The Shireoaks and District Local History Group is hosting a series of talks over the next few months giving an
insight into our past. The programme ranges from stories of a costume mistress to the history of stoneware.
The talks include:
6th September - Open air museums in the UK and Europe by Rodney Cousins
4th October - Medals and memorabilia of the Great War by Captain G.L.S. Dyer
1st November -’Little Brown Jug’ (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Stoneware) by Adrian Henstock
6th December - ’Rags to Riches’ (Stories of a Costume Mistress) by Judy Colby
Everyone is welcome to go along to the meetings, which are held at Shireoaks Village Hall on the above dates
starting at 7.30pm. Admission is £2.50. For further details call Bernie Ayton on 483443.
ShireOaks & District
Local History Group
Chairman: Trevor Dolby - 10 Gloucester Road, Worksop. S81 0PQ
Telephone: 01909 473146
Formed
1998
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Shireoaks Newsletter - “Reaching the Community”