Citylife in Lichfield June 2023

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Bloody Lichfield The Gallows at the Crossroads By Jono Oates In the winter of 1651 George Fox, founder of the Society of Friends, or Quakers, strode through the streets of Lichfield crying out ‘Woe to the Bloody City of Lichfield’, after he had a vision of the streets running with blood as he approached the city gates. One of the bloodiest locations was at the Lichfield Gallows, situated at the cross roads of St John Street, Tamworth Road, London Road and Shortbutts Lane (where the Shell Garage is now). Gallows were often erected on crossroads and there are several possible explanations for this, one of the most popular being that the gallows would act as a warning beacon to others, that this might happen to them if they broke the law too – welcome to Lichfield! Gallows were a wooden structure, with two upright posts connected by a crosspiece, from which the hanging rope would be attached. Gallows were used in Britain from as early as the 5th century, and the last two people to be executed by hanging took place in August 1964, just before Capital Punishment was abolished in the UK. Although executions were definitely not commonplace in Lichfield, between 1735 and 1799 15 death sentences were issued leading to six executions (the others received an official pardon post-sentencing). Prisoners were held in the Lichfield Gaol, now the Prison Cells in the Guildhall building on Bore Street, before being taken in a horse and cart to their final destination at the gallows. The death sentence was often issued for major crimes such as murder, as was the case with Henry Murral in May 1738 for the murder of Edward Cheney, but also for minor crimes, such as John Jones in August 1735, who was a pickpocket, and Joseph Yates in August 1776 for the crime of forgery. In September 1782 William Davis was hung at the gallows, found guilty of stealing a horse from John Silvester, who was a butcher from Lichfield. Davis was a an ‘old lag’, a multiple offender and who had been sentenced to death at the Old Bailey a few years earlier, but had received a Royal pardon after agreeing to be transported abroad for life - although he had obviously escaped and returned to England! As William stood in the cart waiting for the executioner to despatch him, he hurled himself off the edge of the cart with such force that he snapped the hanging rope and fell, unharmed, to the ground! His ‘freedom’ was short-lived though as another rope was found, and he was not so fortunate the second time around, although the enforced delay did give him the opportunity to turn to the large crowd and cry out ‘This is indeed murder…’. Several of the executions at the start of the 19th century were for the act of forgery, known at that time as the crime of ‘uttering’. In April 1801 Ralph Greenfield, who had a wife and six children, Thomas Nailor aged 31 and William Chetland, 46, were all executed at the gallows for the crime of forgery. The three men all showed contrition while awaiting their grisly demise, and were visited daily in the gaol by a clergyman, when they each professed ‘a humbling hope of the pardoning mercy of God through the blood of Christ’. The last three men to be hung at the Lichfield Gallows followed a few years later, in 1810. William Weightman, aged 26, who owned a draper’s shop in Birmingham, his assistant John Neve, 25, and another multiple Gallows Wharf at the Lichfield and Hatherton Canal offender James Jackson, aged 39, were all sentenced for the crime of forgery. Unlike Jackson, Neve and Weightman were first time offenders, and from good families, but despite this they were all sentenced to death. A large crowd attended this gruesome event, and an eyewitness said that they arrived in droves on foot, on horseback or in carriages and that they all drank ale and wine, laughed out loud and chatted to their friends as though they were at a garden party. After they had been executed the Memorial of Neve, Weightman and Jackson, St Michael's Churchyard 1765 map of Lichfield showing Gallows location bodies were transported in the cart to St Michael’s churchyard on Greenhill, where all three bodies were placed in to the same, unmarked grave. A stone tablet at the side of the church lists the initials of the three men and their date of execution. Today there is no sign of where the gallows once stood, but the nearby bridge across the former Lichfield and Hatherton Canal, now being restored, bears the name Gallows Wharf, a stark reminder of Lichfield’s bloody past. Sources: The British Newspaper Archive; www.capitalpunishmentuk.org; Lichfield Lore website. 28
Deanslade Fitness & Events New ‘Tableau’ for Tucklesholme By Marie Smith Tucklesholme is a former gravel pit being restored by Staffordshire Wildlife Trust to a wetland habitat. It will provide a nesting ground for key bird species that thrive in an open wetland environment. In 2021 Transforming the Trent Valley’s Wildchild Officer, Kathryn Kavanagh, began developing an Andrew Frost working on sculpture area within the reserve for families, but found that the open environment favoured by the birds was not ideal for hosting children’s activities. The Transforming the Trent Valley project team therefore called on local artists to design a sculptural screen that could provide some shelter from the elements to enable a more welcoming space for families to enjoy nature-based arts and crafts. Derbyshire-based Andrew Frost, a tree and wood sculptor, was chosen after a competitive tender process. Andrew’s workshop is situated in Crich Tramway Village, where he adds to the growing collection of sculpture along their woodland trail. Andrew originally trained in Fine Art before working as a Countryside Ranger and Forester, eventually combining his skillset to create wood sculptures using chainsaws. Consisting of ten cedar panels, the screen at Tucklesholme features a variety of birds that visitors will recognise around the reserve, including lapwing, reed bunting and an oyster catcher. ‘Hollows’ have been ingeniously incorporated into the relief logs, which can be used as bug hotels or viewing holes. Spanning about 5m and set to a staggered line, the screen will be a great enhancement to the reserve. Hints of colour will be added to the screen to help distinguish the birds from one another. Installation of the sculpture is due to take place later this year. *Marie Smith is the Transforming the Trent Valley Senior Interpretation Officer. Citylife recently accepted an invitation from Jo at Deanslade Fitness & Events to have a look at the new event and fitness area. A family owned and run (and dog friendly) venture, Deanslade has created a unique workout and boutique event space. The beautifully appointed studio features a wooden sprung floor and air-conditioned unit, making it perfect for tailormade workouts and this is exactly what it is used for. Deanslade runs a variety of classes to suit all ages and abilities, including pilates, circuits, yoga, tone & condition, and many more. The friendly and fun fitness classes are accessible for everyone in the community. This bright and inviting space, however, can also be utilised for events and special occasions. Whether it’s your wedding, a birthday or another reason to celebrate, Deanslade aims to add that touch of individuality each and every time. For further information, email jo@deanslade.fitness and find out what Deanslade could offer you! 29
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Citylife in Lichfield June 2023

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