History Society Report

AUDLEM HISTORY SOCIETY’S OCTOBER REVIEW

Winsford’s Inspector of Nuisances

We had a wonderful talk this month by David Nellist, who is the author of several papers on the history of the chemical industry in the North West. The talk was in turns quirky, amusing and decidedly “gruesome”, as was pointed out in the vote of thanks at the end.

David’s great-grandfather was Thomas Hickson, who was appointed Inspector of Nuisances for Winsford in 1906, and the talk comprised basically a potted history of the development of Winsford’s infrastructure concerning public health from the late nineteenth century to the early twentieth.

A potentially dry and bureaucratic topic was brought to life by David, who sometimes made us laugh out loud, but then horrified us by the descriptions of the terrible standards in those days where public health was concerned.

Thomas Hickson’s job description was vast and all-encompassing, and was mainly conducted by his travelling around the area by bicycle, He was responsible, amongst other things, for sewage, refuse, unfit homes, water and drainage, rivers, streams, social conditions, and inspecting maternity homes and factories. The local authority dragged its feet terribly over any improvements recommended by Thomas, (due to cost of course!), and it took many years before health conditions began to improve, around the year 1929 when Thomas retired.

The audience are now experts on the various types of privy, and have detailed knowledge of Scavangers, or night-soil men!

It was a fascinating evening, and David was an exceptional speaker, educating and entertaining us at the same time.

Brenda Smethurst.

Click on the pdf File for illustration

Credit: Report 1919 / Medical Officer of Health, Winsford U.D.C. Source: Wellcome Collection.