Murder of Mary Melvin

This is specifically about a murder at Carr Hill (known then as Carr's Hill) but it is close to The Felling and indeed The Felling is involved in this true story. The book entitled 'The Apprentice of Split Crow Lane' by Jane Housham...

...  is available at Felling Library

Briefly, in April 1866 Sarah Melvin, a 5 years old went along Split Crow Lane looking for her Dad. She was discovered later that night when a couple returning from the pub tripped over her body.

I've just started reading the book so I'll be back to make any additional comments I may have

The Language of Death in Industrial Accidents

When, in 2017, the bomber at the Manchester Arena detonated his explosive device twenty two human beings were deprived of existence. Twenty three people died but, of the bomber who died, it could not be said that he was deprived of existence as he clearly chose it.
This description of death seems perfectly normal when describing a terrorist attack but would it be normal to use that expression in an industrial accident?
It might if it was considered that there was a person or organisation which was culpable in causing the death. but this is not now normal, largely because stringent safety requirements are imposed on industrialists

However, it was a normal concept two centuries ago in considering accidents in dangerous industries such as, but not limited to, coal mining.
In a T Directory of 1833 by John Sykes there is this report
An explosion took place in Felling colliery, by which six human beings were deprived of existence.
Another example in the same John Sykes Directory is this description of an explosion on Oct 11th 1799 at Lumley Colliery by which thirty nine human beings were launched into eternity
John Sykes also reports
An explosion took place, again at Lumley Colliery in 1843 when fourteen human beings were launched into eternity
another example at Lumley

Euphamisms for death still exist today with expressions like "kick the bucket" which stems from the hanging of criminals or this one from America which I particularly like "assume room temperature" which refers to normal body temperature of 37 degrees dropping after death to the temperature of the body's whereabouts eg 20 degrees room temperature
(see more here )

So, there  you have it. But look in again because I intend to make further enquiries and add more to this item

Santa at Felling Library

The Friends of Felling Park and Town Centre funded and hosted a Meet Santa event in a style that equalled or beat many of the commercial Santa grottos that charge £10 or more. Each child got a pressie and a chat with Santa and his numerous helpers for a cost of Nil.

Chief Santa Helper Margaret Maxted telling helpers Monika & Martin how they should walk when leading a child/children to the grotto...kidding!

l to r 

Jon, Jeanette, Monika, Peter, Lorraine, Ros & Martin

Two very happy visitors

In the grotto corridor

Anne, Lorraine & Ros

The snow trail through the Library to the Grotto

Monika, Lorraine, Ros, Anne

Let's approach the end with Dave (left), who struggled in, festively but under the weather, medically and Stephen Millen who took all these smashin' photographs..the last one of him taken by someone else but with his camera

To finish, here's Charley, with her grandson. Tho' not on duty this day she is one of the stalwarts of the Friends of Felling..Group

Felling Soldiers Injured or Killed in World War One

C. H. Howes
Wounded

J. W. Taylor
Wounded

Corp. P. Humble
Wounded

Lce Cpl J. Humble
Wounded

Lce Corpl Jos Thompson
Wounded

Pte Daniel Lawler
Wounded

Pte David Jones
Wounded

Pte Frank Smith
Wounded

Pte George Jackson
Killed

Pte J. Cairns
Wounded

Pte J. Avery
Wounded

Pte J.M. Lightfoot
Killed

Pte John Ditchburn
Wounded

Pte M. Sugden
Wounded

Pte P. Mongomery
Wounded

Pte T. Irving
Wounded

Pte Thomas Tait
Died

Sgt Fred Stewart
Wounded

Sgt Joseph Lightfoot
Wounded

Sgt William Taylor
Wounded