So here we have the new Volta Blog! This is where I will keep people up to date with what's going on and what's been happening in the name of research and Volta Tower developments. Although there are many things I could have talked about in the past, from now on any news and progress will be recorded down and the new blog starts here!Firstly, I must mention my research last month into a gentleman who lived in the Volta Tower in 1910 by the name of Harry Durden. Harry was born in Finedon in 1881 to a William and Louisa Durden who he is recorded down as living with in 1901, in Ivy Cottages in The Grove, Finedon.
Harry was married in 1905 to a Bertha Durden, and according to a relative of mine, he had at least one daughter by the name of Olive. There is a photo of Harry as a young boy in 1892 at the Boys School and by 1910 as already mentioned, he was married and living in the Volta Tower. In 1931, Harry was an undertaker along Wellingborough Road and also a carpenter, with his workshop being an ironstone barn that sat in the yard of Roy Bailey's shoe factory which is now the site of Yorke Close. In 1934, Harry was photographed as a member of the Finedon Bowls Club and in 1946, he is seen in the photograph on the right hand side making the church's current communion rail. Harry Durden died aged 78 in 1959 at 48 Church Street.
A year or two ago I came to own Harry Durden's own copy of the 1912 Finedon Hall Sale catalogue with 'H. Durden' and 'Please do not remove' written on the front. Also enclosed I found a couple of newspaper articles from the Evening Telegraph in November 1951 with information regarding the Volta Tower's collapse a week after, and a coroner's report. This is fascinating to read when I already hold the newspaper from the day the tower collapsed. Harry is buried with his wife Bertha in an unmarked, stoneless spot in the cemetery which I was shown last month. It is only assumed they had only enough money for the grave itself but not a stone, a sad sign of the times back then, and I think quite sad for a man who was so involved with the activity in Finedon. My Nan told me recently how Mr. Durden was a "nice man" who was very little.
A year or two ago I came to own Harry Durden's own copy of the 1912 Finedon Hall Sale catalogue with 'H. Durden' and 'Please do not remove' written on the front. Also enclosed I found a couple of newspaper articles from the Evening Telegraph in November 1951 with information regarding the Volta Tower's collapse a week after, and a coroner's report. This is fascinating to read when I already hold the newspaper from the day the tower collapsed. Harry is buried with his wife Bertha in an unmarked, stoneless spot in the cemetery which I was shown last month. It is only assumed they had only enough money for the grave itself but not a stone, a sad sign of the times back then, and I think quite sad for a man who was so involved with the activity in Finedon. My Nan told me recently how Mr. Durden was a "nice man" who was very little.
In addition to this news, in May I was amazed to discover a display of Volta Tower stones in the Wellingborough Museum on Castle Way in Wellingborough. I went back again and immediately took countless photos, and the new 'Wellingborough Museum' page tonight aired live on the website with photos of the display. This display included a cherub from near the top, the shield bearing the Mackworth Dolben arms that was above the porch, and the two name stones from either side of the front door. I will soon also be posting a video of the display to YouTube, and that too will be featured on this site.
Well this is all from me for now. I hope all that look at this site continue to enjoy it and I will from now on keep people up to date with what's going on with this new page.
All the very Best from me and bye for now folks!
~ Jamie
Well this is all from me for now. I hope all that look at this site continue to enjoy it and I will from now on keep people up to date with what's going on with this new page.
All the very Best from me and bye for now folks!
~ Jamie