August

Formal weather records from the past show that August could be quite a variable month in terms of its weather. While there could often be long, dry, warm spells, there are also plenty of examples of very cool Augusts, such as in 1891, 1902 and 1986. 
 
Particularly warm spells in August were recorded in the county in 1893, 1930, 1937 and 1947 with temperatures in the 80s Fahrenheit. Conversely there are examples of very cold nights occurring in the month such as in 1892 when frost cut the fern and tender plants at Weston Park with a minimum temperature of 36° Fahrenheit.   
 
Thunderstorms were common and there are also examples of severe flooding as in 1725. Some freak events are also recorded such as five inch hailstones occurring in 1810 and damage to crops from hail.
 
August was an important month in the farming calendar, when often the hay harvest had to be completed if the weather in July had been poor. This resulted in absences from school for children in Staffordshire’s rural schools.   
 The extracts are arranged chronologically by the day to show the progression of weather through the month.

Storm leads to Flooding at Sandon, 1-3 August 1845

A Spectacular Display of the Northern Lights at Willenhall, 2 August 1736

Rain Delays Hay Harvest at Alstonefield, 2 – 13 August 1880

Early Winter Preparations in Biddulph, 5 August 1942

Wet Weather for Blithfield Gardening Show, 9 August 1881

Phenomenal Temperature Recorded at Weston, 9 August 1911

Thunderstorm Causes Two Deaths at Wolseley, 11 August 1822

Sunday School Festival Rained Off at Wolstanton, 14 August 1875

Servants Hall Flooded at Trentham, 13 August 1857

Dreadful Storm Damage to Crops at Tettenhall, 18 August 1742

Storm at Tamworth, 29 August 1910

A Perilous Journey through Yoxall, 28 August 1725

Massive Hailstones Smash Hothouses at Alton, 31 August 1810

An Early Harvest, August 1736

A Dark and Gloomy August, 1902

Storm leads to Flooding at Sandon, 1-3 August 1845

From the Diary of Jeremiah Ginders of Sandon
 
1 August- S[outh] inclining a little to East at times, a little rain at noon.
2 August- S[outh], rain & great thunder shower at night
3 August- S[outh] [wind] morn rain a flood Carried a little Hay out of flood’s way into Fleet Meadow at night
 
Reference: Staffordshire Record Office 6850/4
© Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Archive Service

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A Spectacular Display of the Northern Lights at Willenhall, 2 August 1736

From the Diary of Dr Richard Wilkes of Willenhall

In the past weather was forecast using the aurora. Some countries believed that they foretold fine weather while others believed that they would bring storms. In fact August 1736 was a very dry month with an early harvest. There is some indication that the overall climate may be linked to the amount of aurora activity.
 
August 2- This Evening there began an Aurora Borealis[ Northern Lights] & about 12 o’Clock the whole Sky to the North East & West up to the very Zenith seem’d to be on Fire. There was a continual flashing, or rather it seem’d to move like the Waves of the Sea, or Field of Ripe Corn blown by a brisk Wind. These Vapours seem’d to touch the Tops of houses & betwixt them the stars appear’d very bright, & the clear part of the Sky was of a deep blew.
 
Reference: Staffordshire Record Office D 5350
© Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Archive Service

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Rain Delays Hay Harvest at Alstonefield, 2 – 13 August 1880

From the Log Book of Alstonefield National School
 
2 August- Re-opened School after the Summer Holidays. The Hay Harvest not nearly finished on account of the wet weather therefore a very poor attendance. Average for the week 39.6.
11 August- Owing to the very small attendance this week and last the Time Table has not strictly been followed.
13 August- A very fine week. Most of the children in the Hay field.
 
Reference: Staffordshire Record Office D 3805/1/1
© Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Archive Service

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Early Winter Preparations in Biddulph, 5 August 1942

From the Records of Biddulph Urban District Council
 
T.O. Harding Esq
Surveyor and Engineer
Council Offices
Biddulph
Staffs
 
Dear Sir,
 
SNOW PLOUGH
 
Our engineer hopes to call and measure vehicle to which you require Snow Plough attached, arriving 11-30 am Thursday next, (August 13th).
 
Thank you in anticipation of making it convenient for vehicle to be free for a short time for measuring.
 
Yours faithfully
 
William Bunce and Son
 
Engineers
Ashbury
Swindon
 
Reference: Staffordshire Record Office D1441/1/180
© Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Archive Service

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Wet Weather for Blithfield Gardening Show, 9 August 1881

From the Diary of the Vicar of Blithfield
 
Blithfield Cottage Gardening Society
 
The Show which took place on August 9th as regards the number and the quality of the articles exhibited, was a decided improvement upon that of last year. Unfortunately the wet weather on the day frightened away many of those who would otherwise have come and consequently the amount of money taken at the gates as considerably below the average. At the same time there were evident signs of an increased interest in the Show, which is an encouragement to the promoters of it for the future. Some of the children’s nosegays were especially praiseworthy, as were also the exhibitions in the Honorary Class, which were much admired.
 
Reference: Staffordshire Record Office D1386/2/1/5
By courtesy of the Vicar and PCC of Blithfield, St Leonard
© Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Archive Service

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Phenomenal Temperature Recorded at Weston, 9 August 1911

From the Weather Books of the Weston Park Estate

The few days prior to this record saw rising temperatures.

Despite the comment recorded, a few days later, by 13 August, the temperature had climbed back to 93° Fahrenheit.

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Thunderstorm Causes Two Deaths at Wolseley, 11 August 1822

From the Diary of Anne Bagot of Lichfield
 
Went to church at Colwich, the church full of the funeral attendants of Mrs Sparrow’s coachman and the mistress of the Wolseley Bridge Inn, whose deaths were both attributed to the effects of the thunderstorm last Sunday when they were both likewise at this same church.
 
Reference: Staffordshire Record Office D4752/4
By courtesy of Nancy, Lady Bagot
© Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Archive Service

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Sunday School Festival Rained Off at Wolstanton, 14 August 1875

From The Staffordshire Advertiser
 
Wolstanton Church Sunday and National Schools-The annual festival of these schools was fixed to take place on Monday afternoon, but owing to the heavy thunderstorms during the day, only one portion of the programme was carried out. The children with their teachers attended a short service at the church conducted by the Rev LH Evans, curate, and subsequently joined by those from Longbridge Hays. The whole numbering about 500, afterwards sat down to an excellent tea in the school rooms. Shortly after the repast they were dismissed to their homes. It is intended that the arrangements for outdoor sports should be carried out on Saturday afternoon should the weather prove more favourable.
 
Reference: William Salt Library, Staffordshire Advertiser, 16 February 1946
By courtesy of the Staffordshire Newsletter

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Servants Hall Flooded at Trentham, 13 August 1857

From the Weather Journal for Trentham Hall

Despite the account below, the weather improved to such an extent that the journal records at the end of the month that from 16-31 august the weather was the best that had been known for harvest operations for many years.
 
Thursday 13th August- Heavy rain. Thunder during day. Extraordinary flood- water rose to 49 inches & was a foot deep in lower passages & dairy– the servants’ hall & kitchen here were also flooded ( on morning of 16th)
Saturday 15 August- very heavy rain during night- Floods rose to 52 inches.
 
Reference: Staffordshire Record Office D593/N/2/8/15
© Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Archive Service

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Dreadful Storm Damage to Crops at Tettenhall, 18 August 1742

From A History of Staffordshire by William Pitt, 1817
 
A dreadful thunder-storm, with hail, happened in this neighbourhood, on 18th August 1742, which completely threshed-out the growing corn, and occasioned much damage: the hail-stones remained under the roofs of the buildings for several days.
 
Reference: William Salt Library, A Topographical History of Staffordshire, William Pitt, 1817

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Storm at Tamworth, 29 August 1910

From the Log Book of Tamworth Infants School
 
29 August - Heavy storm at noon caused many children to get wet through, therefore attendance not so good for afternoon school- 274 children present out of 318 in books.
 
Reference: Staffordshire Record Office CEL 43/3
© Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Archive Service

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A Perilous Journey through Yoxall, 28 August 1725

A letter to the Earl of Uxbridge from Peter Walter, his agent at Beaudesert.
 
 
28 August, 1725. Beaudesert
 
Since the letter which I did myselfe the Honour to write to your Lordship this day sennight [seven night], I have mett with soe many difficultyes and have been exposed to soe many dangers from the badness of the Roades and overflowing of the waters, that I am almost frighted out of my senses; Tuesday last, which was the day for Bromley [Abbots Bromley] Fair, the floods were soe great that there was noe getting to the Towne and the Faire by that meanes was almost wholey Lost, and when I came hither from Seaney [Sinai, near Burton], the waters were soe high att your owne Towne of Yoxall that my Horse was obliged to swim and I my self was carried to a foot bridge upon a strong Millers backe upp to his middle in water and the rest of the way was attended with many dangerous interrupcions. This I tell your lordship, not soe much to inform you of my perils as to give you some account of the deplorable state of your Countrey.
 
Peter Walter
 
Reference: Staffordshire Record Office D603/K/4/1 f61
By courtesy of the Marquess of Anglesey
© Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Archive Service

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Massive Hailstones Smash Hothouses at Alton, 31 August 1810

From A History of Staffordshire by William Pitt, 1817
 
Alveton and the neighbourhood was visited with the most dreadful storm of thunder, hail and rain that ever was remembered by the oldest inhabitant. Hail-stones of more than five inches in circumference lay three inches thick upon the ground, and broke many windows, which were also forced-in by a violent west wind. Much glass was broken in the hot-houses of the Earl of Shrewsbury, and those of neighbouring gentlemen, and some damage sustained in the farms and orchards. This storm lasted three quarters of an hour.
 
Reference: William Salt Library, A Topographical History of Staffordshire, William Pitt, 1817

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An Early Harvest, August 1736

From the Diary of Dr Richard Wilkes of Willenhall
 
The Weather was very dry this Month & the Harvest was got in with very little Loss of Time by the End of it.
 
Reference: Staffordshire Record Office D 5350
© Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Archive Service

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A Dark and Gloomy August, 1902

From the Weather Books of the Weston Park Estate

In this month a total rainfall of 4.73 inches was recorded at Weston-under-Lizard. On the day of the garden party on 7 August, 0.75” of rain fell, while on the following day 0.79” was recorded. Maximum temperatures ranged from 58° to 70° Fahrenheit with only two days when the temperature exceeded 70°. The generally unseasonable weather produced the following comment from the Earl of Bradford.  
 
Memorandum- the weather during this month has been remarkable for the almost entire absence of sunshine & when not actually raining was dark and gloomy overhead & sopping wet underfoot.
 
Reference: Staffordshire Record Office D1287
By courtesy of the Trustees of the Weston Park Foundation
© Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Archive Service

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