November
November’s reputation for being a frosty and foggy month is borne out by archive sources which contain plenty of references to both fog and frost. The 1940s in particular was a decade of very frosty Novembers with 11° degrees of frost recorded in the west of the county by the end of the month in 1947 and 9° in 1949. In the days before smokeless fuels and in industrialised parts of the county, fogs are often described as dense. There are also examples of early snowfalls in November such the damaging snow of 1841.
Equally there are references to mid spring-like November days, as, for instance, in 1738 and 1850 and, in 1911, swallows were still to be seen in the county as late as November 3.
The county suffered from floods in November. Examples include the years 1737 and 1852, when the floods followed on an earthquake felt the length of the county, although at its worst in Shrewsbury.
The extracts are arranged chronologically by the day to show the progression of weather through the month.
Early Snows Damage Trees at Blithfield, 1-7 November 1851
A Spring-
like Day in Longnor, 4 November 1909
Earthquake and Floods at Colwich, 9 November 1852
Stormy Week
at Lane End, 9-15 November 1840
Fresh Peas
for Croxden Monks, 11 November 1330
A
‘Winterley’ Week in Wednesbury, 18-25 November, 1904
Extraordinary
Floods, 13-20 November 1852
Severe
Snowstorm in Alstonefield, 23 November 1898
Foggy
Holiday at Huntington, 23 November 1897
A Cloudy St Andrew’s
Day at Freehay, 30 November 1868
Beautiful Autumn Continues in South Staffordshire, 1850
Flooding in
the Trent Valley, November 1737
Mild November Brings
on Grass, 1738
Rain Delays Sheep Recovery at Trentham, November 1840
Early Snows Damage Trees at Blithfield, 1-7 November 1851
From
the Memorandum Book of the Vicar of Colwich
In the first week in this month a very heavy fall of snow took place
which coming earlier than usual did much damage to the trees,
especially the oaks which being still in full leaf held the snow in
great quantities. Not less than 50 oaks in this Parish had great
branches thus broken from them by the weight of the snow; & the
damage done to the oaks on Lord Bagot’s property at Blithfield was
estimated at not less the Two Thousand Ponds.
Reference: Staffordshire Record Office D872/2/27
By courtesy of the Vicar and PCC of Colwich
© Staffordshire Record Office
A Spring- like Day in Longnor, 4 November 1909
From
a Local Farmer’s Diary
A Beautiful Fine day more Like Spring than November. Will cutting a
Fodder Hole in bing [probably a field name] I went to Hall Hill Sale
thay Had a very good sale. Mr RT Bassett came with me to See Mr J
Riley. Had a cow Broke it Leg.
Reference: Staffordshire Record Office D6794
© Staffordshire Record Office
Earthquake and Floods at Colwich, 9 November 1852
From the Memorandum Book of the Vicar of Colwich
This morning soon after 4 o’ clock a slight shock of an Earthquake
was felt in this parish & through the greater part of the north of
England & during the week following the weather was very unsettled &
a great quantity of rain fell producing most unusual and alarming
floods in all parts of England…. In this Parish the river rose so
high that between Colwich and Shugborough it flowed over the towing
path into the Canal and the flood was the greatest that has been
known since the year when old
Wolseley
Bridge was blown up by the force of the water.
Reference: Staffordshire Record Office D872/2/27
By courtesy of the Vicar and PCC of Colwich
© Staffordshire Record Office
Stormy Week at Lane End, 9-15 November 1840
From the Diary of Jacob Marsh of Lane End
Monday 9- Storms Glass very low, neither Riding nor yet walking
Tuesday 10 - Glass as low as ever very wet No getting out. JRM up
before Mother and Betsey last
Thursday 12 – Sale at Caverswall Vicarage ½ past one, fine day
Friday 13 - John gone to Burslem to receive Rents Betsey Riley
returned home, wet day Stormy. Storms & Showers all day. Glass below
all Marks
Saturday 14 – Wet & Storms Dreadful Hail rain and floods.
Sunday 15 – Fine day, all to Church
Reference: Stoke on Trent City Archives SD1465
© Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Archive Service
Fresh Peas for Croxden Monks, 11 November 1330
From the Chronicle of Croxden Abbey, 1330
The chronicler of Croxden Abbey records that on 16 July 1330 there
was an eclipse of the sun. Two months before and three months after
this event, there was extensive flooding and very unseasonable
weather in the county and this meant that the harvest could not
ripen that autumn. Reaping did not begin until the end of September.
The impact of this was felt at Croxden Abbey in the diet of the
monks in November that year.
So that at Croxden [Abbey] they had scarcely reaped the last of
their corn with the greatest toil on the feast of All Saints [1
November], and they had at last collected their peas into barns and
outhouses on the feast of the blessed apostle Andrew [30 November],
And what is so remarkable to see and hear, on the feast of All
Saints and of St Martin [11 November] fresh peas in their shells
were given to the convent in the refectory instead of pears and
apples.
Reference: William Salt Library The Abbey of St Mary, Croxden,
Charles Lynam, including extracts from The Croxden Chronicle.
A ‘Winterley’ Week in Wednesbury, 18-25 November, 1904
From
the Log Book of St Andrew’s National School, Wednesbury
18- The average attendance slightly lowered this week, Monday
morning being a very bad morning for babies to come through the fog.
22- A very winterly morning, deep snow and biting wind, caused the
attendance to fall considerably. Registers marked and work proceeded
in accordance with the Time table.
25- The severe weather still continues and affects the attendance.
Several cases of illness are recorded.
Reference: Staffordshire Record Office CEL/89/1
© Staffordshire Record Office
Extraordinary Floods, 13-20 November 1852
From The Staffordshire Advertiser
These floods followed an earthquake which was felt in most parts of
Staffordshire in the previous week. The part of the county most
affected by the floods was Burton-upon Trent where many malt houses
were under water.
The earthquake of last week has been followed by a more disastrous
visitation from another element more familiar, but no less effective
in its destructive results. For some weeks past continual rain has
been descending, but for several days it appears as if the flood
gates of Heaven were opened and the Almighty in his wrath once more
deluging the earth………
We briefly noticed in our last [edition] the inundations in several
parts of Staffordshire, caused by the heavy rains which had fallen
during the week. The waters began to subside on Saturday, and though
they have risen again at intervals, they have now every appearance
of approaching their usual level at this period of the year and we
are gratified in not having to record any severe casualties in the
county.
Reference: William Salt Library, Staffordshire Advertiser 20
November 1852
By courtesy of The Staffordshire Newsletter
Severe Snowstorm in Alstonefield, 23 November 1898
From
the Log Book of Alstonefield National School
A very severe snowstorm this morning the roads being almost
impassable only a few children present. Consulted with the managers
and decided to close the school for the remainder of the week.
Reference: Staffordshire Record Office D 3805/1/1
© Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Archive Service
Foggy Holiday at Huntington, 23 November 1897
From the Log Book of Huntington Church of England
School
A very dense fog has settled therefore the children have owing to
that and illness, been dismissed this afternoon & a half holiday
given.
Reference: Staffordshire Record Office CEL/23/1
© Staffordshire Record Office
A Cloudy St Andrew’s Day at Freehay, 30 November 1868
From the Log Book of Freehay National School
Attendance 87. Today is the Festival of St Andrew, the consequence
was the children went to Church at 11 o’ clock and the school was
closed at half past 3. The day is very cloudy & dull & I think this
was the cause of some of the children late at morning prayers.
Reference: Staffordshire Record Office D3656/1
© Staffordshire Record Office
Beautiful Autumn Continues in South Staffordshire, 1850
From
The Staffordshire Advertiser
South Staffordshire
The passing month can scarcely be called gloomy November for, with
the exception of a few days, it has been the continuation of a
beautiful autumn. On all sides the usual appearances of husbandry
have been carried on with little or no interruption and, generally
speaking, the wheat crop has been planted in all soils in a manner
most favourable to future growth.
Reference: William Salt Library, Staffordshire Advertiser 30
November 1850
By courtesy of The Staffordshire Newsletter
Flooding in the Trent Valley, November 1737
From
the Diary of Dr Richard Wilkes of Willenhall
The Weather was very dry hereabouts but on the 24, 25, & 26 about
Lichfield, Stafford, Eccleshall etc they had great Hail Storms &
much Rain, so as to cause a Flood upon Trent, but the water of Tame
hardly discoloured. Epidemical Coughs Inflammations, Small Pox etc
still continued but not so violent.
Reference: Staffordshire Record Office 5350
© Staffordshire Record Office
Mild November Brings on Grass, 1738
From the Diary of Dr Richard Wilkes of Willenhall
The Weather was very moderate & the Air so mild that the Grass
sprung & the Meadows lookt as green as if it had been Aprill. We
have not yet had a Frost to bear a Man upon the Ice.
Reference: Staffordshire Record Office 5350
© Staffordshire Record Office
Rain Delays Sheep Recovery at Trentham, November 1840
From
the Report of the Trentham Home Farm Bailiff
The sheep purchased in September last have been afflicted with a
Disease, in consequence of which thirty have died, the remainder
rapidly recovering; the continued wet weather has been much against
them. The Disease is now amongst part of the other sheep.- The
remainder Stock doing well. Amount of payments this Month £107-5-4.
Reference: Staffordshire Record Office D593/L/6/2/22
© Staffordshire Record Office