Front Cover

An Official Guide

This small booklet, dating from around 1962 is the Bentley-with-Arksey Urban District Official Guide. It is a fascinating little publication, full of history, old photos and adverts.

Using scanned images from the booklet, I present a fully transcribed version of it here for you to enjoy.

Manors, Civil Parishes And Urban Districts
Background Information
Bentley-with-Arksey Urban District - Official Guide
The Booklet
Accessibility
Area
Banks
Charities
Churches
Climate
Clubs And Societies
Early Closing Day
Education
Garages
Hotels And Inns
Housing
Indoor Entertainments
Industries
Libraries
Licensed Hours
Local Government
Newspapers
Police Station
Political
Population
Postal Services
Public Services
Rates
Recreation Grounds
Recreation Centre For Aged Persons
Road Safety
Shopping Facilities
Warden Scheme - Aged Persons

Manors, Civil Parishes And Urban Districts

Background Information

Both Arksey and Bentley grew up during the manorial system era. After a succession of landowners, the manor of Bentley and Arksey was latterly under the ownership of the Cooke family. The Cooke baronets of Wheatley ran the manor for two centuries from the mid seventeenth century. When the Cooke baronets finally relinquished their lands, a civil parish was created in 1866, which placed the church in charge of rural administration. The civil parish was the lowest tier of local government, coming below districts and counties.

In 1875 the villages became part of Doncaster Rural Sanitary District until 1894, and from 1894 until 1911 continued under its successor, Doncaster Rural District.

In 1911 a separate urban district was formed, which meant that Bentley and Arksey were no longer part of the Rural District. The Urban District had its own Council with headquarters in Cooke Street, Bentley, and was divided into five wards for electing members.

The Local Government Act 1972 brought about a reorganisation of administrative areas in England and Wales, so from the 1^st of April 1974 Bentley and Arksey, along with ten other authorities, combined to form the Metropolitan Borough of Doncaster.

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Bentley-with-Arksey Urban District – Official Guide

The Booklet

Inside Front

Covering an area of 4,956 acres, Bentley-with-Arksey is situated to the north of the County Borough of Doncaster, from which it is separated by the River Don. Broadly speaking, its eastern and northern boundaries are formed by a waterway known as the Ea Beck. Its western boundary lies in part along the Great North Road and in part along the Roman Ridge; the latter highway being, today, no more than a country lane, but which was originally part of the ancient Watling Street, the Roman road to the north.

To a large extent the district remains predominantly agricultural, urbanisation having tended to take place on the higher grounds, where, indeed, it still continues to expand towards the west.

The Bentley-with-Arksey Urban District came into being in the year 1911; it embraced the ancient townships and hamlets of Arksey, Bentley, Toll Bar, Scawthorpe, Shaftholme and Almholme. These were parts of the rural district of Doncaster, and, at that time, had a population of 6,487. It is interesting to note that both “Archesei” and “Benedlei” were mentioned as manors in the Domesday Book. The village of Bentley has since grown round the Manor House, now known by its grass-covered site only as the “Moat Hills”. A church at Arksey was known to be in existence at the end of the thirteen century; seventeenth century almshouses and Tudor dwellings are still in existence in the picturesque High Street.

As recently as 1811 the Parish of Arksey-with-Bentley (as it was then) had a population of 1,102. During the following 100 years virtually the only development in the district was in that part immediately adjoining Doncaster. It remained wholly rural in character. In 1908 however, following the opening of Bentley Colliery, which has the distinction of being the first pit to be sunk in the South Yorkshire Coalfield, the population began to increase. Today it is expanding rapidly; its population is 23,160, and it seems likely that it will attain 25,000 within the next few years.

In olden days, Bentley had its monastic connections, for it has been recorded that the monks of Byland were active in this district during the twelfth century, and among their possessions was a forge which was situated at Bentley, and Jordan de Flockton granted them wayleave to Denby thereto. At this latter place, also, their possessions included mines of iron-ore which supplied the Bentley forge.

One of the present-day possessions of Bentley, which creates great interest among visitors, is situated at the crossroads and consists of a monument, of comparatively recent date, which was erected to the memory of Dr. Joseph Walker. Dr. Walker took a great interest in the activities and the work of the St. John Ambulance Brigade, and rendered exceptional services to that organisation. Incorporated in the monument there is a cabinet containing first aid appliances for use in an emergency.

Although it is impossible, in a publication of this size, to give the reader a detailed picture of the Urban District, it is hoped that this short introduction will be sufficient to outline the principal facts. In the section that follows an endeavour has been made to supplement these facts with a table of local information, which it is hoped may prove useful both to visitor and resident.

Map

Local Information

Accessibility

Being in such close proximity to Doncaster, the Urban District of Bentley-with-Arksey is easily accessible from that centre, there being a good service of bus transport, and the District itself being similarly served as regards internal communications. As has been previously intimated, the District is also served by good roads.

Area

The Urban District covers a total area of 4,956 acres.

Banks

Banking facilities are provided in the District by a branch of the Westminster Bank Ltd., situated in High Street, Bentley; while the Doncaster Savings Bank, which is a branch of the York County Savings Bank, has a branch office in Arksey Lane.

Charities

A number of charities are still extant in the District, and a number of donors have contributed to these Dole Charities. In 1593, by the will of Cartwright, alias Vicars; in 1631 by Mrs. M. Wormley; in 1641 by the will of H. Howson; and in 1824 by G. Radley. The income is distributed annually to the needy persons resident in the Urban District.

Other foundations include the Cooke’s Almshouse Charity, and those of both Sir George Cooke and Sir Brian Cooke for educational application.

Following the Bentley Pit Disaster in 1931, a fund was established for the payment of weekly sums to the widows and dependents of the miners. This is entitled the Doncaster Mansion House Bentley Disaster Fund.

Churches

The church of All Saints at Arksey is at least 700 years old; it has a fine display of glass windows and contains a number of interesting monuments and the arms of several ancient manorial families can still be traced in the front porch.

Arksey Church

The parish church of Bentley (which is situated in Bentley High Street) is that of St. Peter. It was erected in 1891 as a memorial to the Cooke family. The bells were installed by Lady Mary Cooke, and the clock by the Broughton family as a memorial to their 300 years residence in the district. The vicar is Rev. G. O. Cummings.

In New Village stands the Church of St. Philip and St. James, which was built to serve the needs of the colliery village. It is a pleasing building with a warm brick interior and exterior and red tiled roof. An interesting feature is the exterior pulpit constructed in the front elevation. A war memorial, which was erected by public subscription, is together with the surrounding Rest Garden on the northern side of the church, maintained by the Urban District Council. The vicar is the Rev. D. Saunders.

Other places of worship in the District are the Methodist churches in Arksey, Old Bentley, Bentley Road Toll Bar, which are under the pastorate of Rev. H. Maurice Hart; the Roman Catholic Church in High St. (Rev. Father E. Geaney); the Baptist Chapel in Askern Road, Ministry is vacant, The Manse, Shakespeare Road, Bentley; the Pentecostal Church in Arksey Lane (Mr. R. Harrison, secretary) and the Salvation Army Headquarters in Arksey Lane.

In the newly developed area of the Urban District at Scawthorpe, St. Luke’s Church Hall was dedicated in November 1955. This is a dual purpose building, used as a mission on Sundays and for social activities during the week, St. Luke’s Mission is part of the Parish of St. Leonard and St. Jude, Scawsby. The Methodist Church, Amersall Road, Scawthorpe was opened during 1959 and accommodates 300 worshippers.

New Village Church

Climate

Despite its being a mining area and an Urban District, the climate in this part of the county is a healthy one, the area having its full share of sunshine during the summer months, while the rainfall is not excessive; and the air is, generally speaking, bracing in its quality and purified by the breezes from the Yorkshire wolds.

Clubs And Societies

Since the early days of its existence Bentley-with-Arksey has cultivated a communal spirit which still exists in a gratifying measure. There are no less than ten Working Men’s clubs, catering for the social and recreational needs of the people, and these are spread throughout the district as follows: Toll Bar Central; Arksey Victoria; Bentley; Reform; West End; Yarborough; Bentley Colliery and Londes Borough; Comrades; Bentley North End. There is also a British Legion Club and Institute situated in the High Street, and facilities for playing billiards (apart from the clubs themselves) are available at the Coliseum Billiards Hall; also in the High Street.

The St. John Ambulance Brigade is represented by the colliery, consisting of Men, Nurses and Cadets. There is a flourishing branch of the National Deposit Friendly Society in Arksey Lane.

The “E” Cadet Squadron Q.O.Y. Dragoons are trained in the Drill Hall, Arksey Lane.

Early Closing Day

Early closing day in Bentley Urban District is on Thursday, when the shops close at 1 p.m.

Education

There are ample facilities for the education of the children of residents, these being provided at all grades, and there being, of course, a number of larger schools and institutes in nearby Doncaster. Secondary: Don Valley High School, Scawthorpe, opened in September, 1957, and covers a wider catchment area than this Urban District. Ultimately secondary education for 600 places will be provided.

Primary school, Scawthorpe estate

Garages

Motorists entering the Urban District are well served, there being two garages situated on the Great North Road, both of which offer a twenty-four hour service. These are the garages operated by Messrs. Anderson and Co., and by Moore’s Garage Ltd.

Hotels And Inns

Similarly, both resident and visitor are well served by the hostelries in the District, there being ten hotels or inns within the area, some of which can offer accommodation to visitors. Among these may be mentioned the Bay Horse Hotel, the Bentley Hotel, the Magnet Hotel and the Sun Inn, the latter occupying a commanding site on the Great North Road. The new housing estate is served by the “Adam and Eve” Hotel in Amersall Road. There are also such smaller premises as the public houses among which may be mentioned the Railway Tavern and the Druids’ Arms.

Housing

For a great many years now the Bentley-with-Arksey Urban District has been noted for the consideration it has given residents in the matter of housing. Indeed, early in the present century, when the Victoria County History of Yorkshire was being prepared for publication, the editors of the history were aware of this progress and noted it. The following extract is taken from the County History:

“At Bentley model villages are being erected, and instead of long depressing rows of houses so commonly met with in the mining districts, the miners’ houses are being built in blocks of eight or ten, with gardens and wide streets.”

Since its inception, the Urban District Council has always adopted a vigorous and progressive attitude towards the housing requirements of the District. The total number of Council Houses, Shops, Flats, at present is 2,276 of which 223 are dwellings for Old People. Individual building plots are also offered for sale by the Council to assist private persons to obtain their own houses. There are now approximately 7,000 dwellings within the Urban District.

The New Scawthorpe Housing Estate

Indoor Entertainments

Apart from the facilities offered by the many clubs in the District, and of which mention has been made on an earlier page, there are other centres which offer facilities for indoor entertainment. The ballroom at the Welfare Pavilion accommodates both modern and old-time dances, sponsored by different organisations throughout the year. Shows sponsored by the Arts Council, boxing displays and dog shows have also been held in this Hall. In addition, the Cooperative Hall in the High Street provides convenient accommodation for dances, receptions and meetings.

There are two cinemas situated in the District: the Don Cinema is on the southern boundary, and central Bentley is provided for at the Coliseum Cinema. At both these houses, the latest films may be seen in comfort immediately upon their release in the District.

The Bentley Pavilion

Industries

While the principal industry in the entire District continues to be that of agriculture, Bentley is also (as has been noted) a coal-mining area and these may be considered the predominant industries. There are, in addition, a number of lighter industries carried on in a smaller way such as those of building, electrical engineering, etc., etc.

Libraries

Situated within the District are branches of the West Riding County Library, where books (both fiction and non-fiction) may be borrowed free of charge. The existing branches are at 118 High Street and a branch to serve the residents of the rapidly-expanding area of Scawthorpe, in Amersall Road.

Licensed Hours

Licensed hours in the District are as follows: weekdays, from 10-30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 10-30 p.m.; and Sundays from 12 noon to 2 p.m. and from 7 p.m. to 10-30 p.m.

Local Government

Local Government in the area is the responsibility of the Bentley-with-Arksey Urban District Council. The Council consists of 18 members representing six wards, and the meetings are held in the Council Chamber, Cooke Street, Bentley, every four weeks throughout the year.

The postal address of the Council Offices is Cooke Street, Bentley; and the telephone numbers: Doncaster 54154, 54155 and 54349.

The Clerk of the Council is W. H. M. Alexander, Esq., whose address is Midland Bank Chambers, High Street, Doncaster.

Newspapers

In addition to the daily and Sunday national newspapers, which are on general sale in the District, news of the area is contained in the local newspapers published at Doncaster: the Doncaster Free Press, the Doncaster Chronicle and the Doncaster Gazette.

Police Station

The Urban District is policed by the West Riding Constabulary, the Police Station being situated at Arksey Lane, Bentley (‘phone Doncaster 54115) and Police Station, Grove Avenue, Doncaster (‘phone Doncaster 66422).

Political

The District is represented in Parliament by Mr. Richard Kelley, M.P. for Don Valley, in the Labour interest.

Population

The present population of the Urban District is approximately 23,160; but, as has been previously noted, the population is rapidly increasing, and a further 5,000 residents are expected to settle in the Urban District within the next few years.

Postal Services

Bentley is served by a Post Office at which telegraph and money order business may also be transacted, while there is a sub-Post Office situated in Bentley Road. There are regular daily collections and deliveries of letters and parcels.

Public Services

Public services of a high standard are enjoyed by the residents of the Urban District. Both gas and electricity are supplied by the respective regional Boards. The Doncaster and District Water Board is responsible for the provision of water, which is in excellent supply. The sewage disposal works and other health services are administered by the Urban District Council.

Rates

The rateable value of the Urban District is £193,529, the rate levied for the year 1962-63 being 21s. 0d. in the £.

Recreation Grounds

The Council maintains approximately 50 acres of recreation grounds, including a large and well-developed Central Park, where facilities are provided for the enjoyment of outdoor games. There are also, in the District, a number of private sports grounds, together with the ground of the Doncaster and District Rugby League Club.

Fountain, Bowling Green and Pavilion

An attractive pavilion presented to the Council by the local Miners’ Welfare Committee, is ideally situated in the centre of the township. It contains a spacious ballroom, café, etc., and is available for dances and other functions. Some indication of the care taken by the Council to provide amenities for its residents in this respect can be obtained by consulting the King’s England series of hand-books. In that devoted to the West Riding a note is made of the efforts undertaken to bring beauty into Bentley’s park, with its lawns, bushes and flowers, and its rockery of Alpine plants.

The Park and Bandstand

Recreation Centre For Aged Persons

A recreation centre for the aged in the Homestead area has been built. This centre has a large room, kitchen, laundry and spare bedroom.

Road Safety

The Urban District Council is responsible for road safety precautions within its area, which it regards as a highly important responsibility. In consultation with the County Authority, a sustained propaganda campaign is carried out, by which it is hoped to materially reduce the number of avoidable accidents which take place upon the roads.

Shopping Facilities

The Urban District is an excellent shopping centre, there being premises devoted to all trades and services, including branches of the larger stores, such as the Doncaster Co-operative Society. So representative is this centre that there is little need for residents to travel further afield for their supplies, and it should be mentioned here that the shopkeepers and business men in the District are both courteous and helpful and anxious to assist their customers and clients to the best of their ability at all times.

In those unusual cases, however, where more ambitious shopping expeditions must be occasionally planned, the residents are fortunate in being within very easy reach of Doncaster, with its fine and varied selection of shops and business houses of all kinds.

Wardens Scheme – Aged Persons

There are now 10 wardens employed to visit the five sites in Scawthorpe, The Homstead, Redbourne Road and Queen’s Drive areas. In addition there are also 4 relief wardens.

The wardens each have a telephone installed in their homes to enable the service to operate more efficiently. They also have a list of duties and conditions and reports are submitted to the Public Health Department.

In addition to the schemes covering Council houses and bungalows a pilot scheme has been commenced for the aged persons living in private houses. Two wardens and one relief warden are employed to visit some 40 houses in the Bentley Road areas.

At the present time, arrangements are in hand to commence a further scheme for the Pipering Lane and Park Road areas.

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