Preston in the news: Introduction
The news stories featuring Preston people found on this site are historical prime sources and are in
the public domain. Most of them feature mundane and sometimes unsavoury aspects of village life:
poaching, drunkenness, assault and even manslaughter.
They have been included because they give a compelling insight into life in Preston in the nineteenth
century. If we did not read three references to the Temple Clock above the stables at Temple Dinsley
in the account of the notorious Preston Hill robbery case, how else would we know the way in which
the clock regulated villagers’ lives? From witness statements, we know that the clock could be seen
from Preston Green and was heard at the bottom of Preston Hill. Its clock face and chimes were
therefore an essential part of the sights and sounds of Preston. A different news report even
describes how the clock was destroyed by fire in 1888. Unless we read these news stories, this
aspect of Preston history might be lost.
But how does one respond to learning sordid or detrimental details of one’s family - and does one
want others to know? For example, there was a family who lived in Preston for more than 150 years,
whose ancestor left a will in 1737. In it he stated that his son was “an idiot”. Should this fact be
broadcast? What responsibility comes with this knowledge?
My view is that all information about one’s family - pleasant and squalid - helps us to understand our
heritage. Thus, when I read of the appalling behaviour of my great grandfather who twice uncaringly
passed a dying man at the bottom of Preston Hill - and learn of his flimsy excuse - I can perceive
echoes of this attitude in other family members. I have no qualms about others knowing what
occurred.
Nevertheless, at first I elected to conceal the identities of miscreants. However, after receiving e-mails
on the subject, I have decided to include their names as they appeared in the press - with one
exception.
I have added occasional explanatory comments to the news reports.
It may be helpful to know that often when a fine was imposed on offenders during the nineteenth
century, there was an alternative punishment of imprisonment if the guilty person could not or would
not pay the fine.
Additional notes
To reveal or not to reveal?