Olive Dale to George Beardmore, 5 March 1955

[Typed at the top:] Must apologise for few omissions in script; please complete as you wish it to be…. A Beardmore can always “raise a laugh,” so …

Telephone: Newcastle, Staffs. 69015
“Kingsley,” 92 Hassam Parade, Newcastle, Staffs.

5th March, 1955.

Dear Mr. Beardmore,

As I have many other things lying in wait for attention I have hurriedly typed out the notes I took of your lecture sorry, I mean “talk”, of Friday last. I have not even read it through for typing errors, as I know you will wish to alter some of it. After you have finally decided on any corrections and rewording, if you will let me have it back, I think I can get some stencils cut. I have typed it in double spacing to allow for ease in correction, but suggest that it be typed in single spacing to save paper and stencils.

Mr. Ford seems to want to send a copy to all those members who were unable to attend, as “so far they have had nothing for their subscriptions”, and I myself think it would be nice in the case of the Inaugural Lecture, but whether we should continue to do this for future lectures, I do not know. What is your opinion?

I am very glad you agreed to become the Society’s first President, as in my humble opinion, there is no-one more suitable from many aspects. I can understand your desire to obtain someone else, in particular nearer Bennett’s own age and of literary reputation, but unfortunately they are now either dead or too old to undertake any such office.

I am still continuing my investigations into the Beardmore family history, as time allows, together with other families when needed for the Field Club, etc. I had a good time searching through Elizabethan, etc., wills at Birmingham. They are very helpful for establishing definite relationships, but unfortunately, one or two do not appear in the Calendars; there are about six John Beardmores of Henry VIII. to Elizabeth and James I, and they take some sorting out. Anyway, I am trying another tack to see if I can get at the Cheadle registers, which I think I told you are locked up in the Bank, and the Rector and Churchwardens have to go together to get them out. It will make more work for me, as usual, but I may manage to get some desired information. I have got lots of information about Jeremiah’s family, which he did not know when John of Hallfields Foundry, Jeremiah and my uncle George were searching about in 1905. I find that one of my great-great-grandfathers, Ralph Beardmore, born 1751; marr. Mary Beardmore, born 1751, in 1773, both christened, married, and buried at Kingsley. Mary’s parents were Robert and Mary, grandfather Thomas, g’mother Sarah, of Woodhouses, Cheadle, and I have notes going back to round 1550 of Beardmores at Woodhouses, but not connected everybody up yet.

Did you ever examine the notes I put in the envelope which I handed to you when we had the last Committee Meeting and you spoke at the Grammar School? They were copies of letters between John, Jeremiah and Uncle George, and you would be able to see from John of Hallfields Foundry, Hanley, that he descended from the son of William that you had thought John of Burslem (P. & B.) descended from. When you get an opportunity to glance through them, please do. I have been to Newcastle, Hanley, Stafford and Birmingham in search of information, also to Whitmore and Kingsley several times. All this, and my work, too!

I hope you enjoyed your week-end; my husband and I have to attend the Annual Dinner of the Whitmore & Newcastle Cricket Club, of which he was captain for twelve years, and the only founder of the club that is still active. Mr. Cavenagh-Mainwaring, the President, is unable to be present, and has asked Frank to be there (as Senior Vice-President and Life Member) so we shall have to turn out, despite the weather – I prefer school when it is cold.

Let me know, please, when you have had a chance to consider the notes of your talk.

Kindest regards,
Yours sincerely,
Olive A. Dale.

P.S. I am afraid I must apologise for the “roughness” of the transcript; I took down under difficulties – on my knee with a little notebook – and I am rather out of practice – teaching does not keep up one’s own speed much. Still, no doubt you can make something out of it. Best wishes.

P.P.S. Before I could post my notes off to you, I got your letter with yours in to help me. I have “improved” the three first pages, and left all ten for you to look through; I missed a few little words out, but have a few illegible ones, I am afraid, through writing on my knee. I think it would save time for you to read through and insert or correct anything you wish, and then if you return them to me, stencils might be cut shortly, before the Easter holidays, at any rate. Did I tell you I had enrolled Sir George and Lady Wade as members? You would see them on Sat. At our Dinner last night, Mr. Francis Wood (Mr. Harry’s eldest son) told me he had seen my portrait in the paper, (group in “Sentinel”) and he would like to join the Society, if he were asked (holding his head on one side and looking firmly at me, so I said, “Would you like to join”, and he said he would be delighted, so I am going to send him the “objects” and see what happens. He, too, appeared in the New Year Honours, so poor old Arnold has got two of our leading business men interested at this late date!