Thursday, 29 November 2012
Don't always believe in what the papers say!
A recent item in the newspaper about refurbishment of The Badger stated that the owner in the late 18th century had earned a vast fortune during the Napolionic wars by selling hair powder.
Someone has their wires crossed a little! The certificate above shows that Shafto Coulter paid Hair powder tax in 1797.
Duty on Hair Powder Act 1795 (35 Geo. III, c. 49) was an Act of Parliament levying a tax on hair powder. It was repealed in 1869.
The Act stated that everyone wishing to use hair powder must, from 5 May 1795, visit a stamp office to enter their name and pay for an annual certificate costing one guinea. Certain exemptions were included: the Royal Family and their servants, clergymen with an income of under £100 a year, subalterns, non-commissioned officers, privates in the army, artillery, militia, mariners, engineers, fencibles, officers in the navy below commander, yeomanry, and volunteers. A father with more than two unmarried daughters might buy two certificates which would be valid for any number he stated at the stamp office. The master of a household might buy a certificate for a member of his servants which would also be valid for their successors within that year. The use of hair powder had been declining and the tax hastened its near death. In 1812 46,684 people still paid the tax, in 1855 only 997 did, and almost all of these were servants.
Tuesday, 27 November 2012
Tuesday, 20 November 2012
Explosives
ICI's Nobel division transported explosives from its factory at Ardeer, Ayrshire to its depot from 1953 until the1970's. The explosives were distributed from the Callerton depot, with offices at Street Houses, to mines all over the North East of England.
A full history of the ICI local operations can be found in the Ponteland Local History Society publication "Pont Island News 2010"
Tuesday, 13 November 2012
PC Wanderings a Blog not to miss
Apologies to Peter for this repost but I'm sure many will like to see the latest entry and indeed many of his other posts at PC Wanderings.
AND don't miss
Sunday, 11 November 2012
A place to sit
Just read that the Town Council are to replace half of the public seats in Ponteland Parish.
Pity that the money could not be spent on the pavements - perhaps Councillors should sit in a wheelchair and be pushed around the area.
Alright! no doubt I will be told that the money is allocated from a different "pot" but I'm sure that bit of bureaucracy could be overcome.
I bet a "pound to a penny" the council is turning down offers to provide seats "in memorial" of deceased loved ones.
Pity that the money could not be spent on the pavements - perhaps Councillors should sit in a wheelchair and be pushed around the area.
Alright! no doubt I will be told that the money is allocated from a different "pot" but I'm sure that bit of bureaucracy could be overcome.
I bet a "pound to a penny" the council is turning down offers to provide seats "in memorial" of deceased loved ones.
Wednesday, 7 November 2012
Saturday, 3 November 2012
Newcastle Airport "on the ball"
A week ago attention was drawn to the uncut hedge on Prestwick Road - its now been cut! And a good job as well.
All credit to the airport who own the hedge!
All credit to the airport who own the hedge!
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