Tue 02 Apr 2024
| Stuart Whalley (July 1933 - Mar
2024) |
Family and friends gathered at Pleasington Crematorium this
afternoon to say our final farewell to Stuart Whalley
(1934-2024) of Abbey Village. Stuart was a farmer and in his
younger days also ran some shops at the same time. He was also
one of the longest serving members of Chorley Historical Society
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Stuart's first home was Marl Pits Farm in Wheelton but when
Stuart was one, the family moved to Roddlesworth Farm in
Withnell.
He attended Abbey Village School but his school
reports were not good. After one report Stuart’s father was
required to write a comment. He wrote ‘Poor bugger!’
Stuart
met Irene, his future wife, at a local dance. After they were
married they moved to a farm at Donnington Park in Derbyshire,
where Stuart worked as the farm manager. He didn’t stay long and
returned to Lower Roddlesworth Farm.
In addition to farming
he bought his first greengrocer shop in Blackburn, selling
fruit, veg and fresh fish.
Every morning Stuart would get up
to tend to the farm before going off to the wholesale market in
Blackburn for 5.30am to pick up the fruit and veg, then to
Blackburn railway station to buy the fish, which had just
arrived fresh off the train.
He also became a keen metal
detectorist and was a member of Chorley Archaeological Society
and enjoyed going out and about in his local area with his metal
detector.
While out detecting with his friend Richard
Forkasiewicz in 1971 they found a hoard of 59 silver coins which
became known as the Tockholes Hoard. They reported the find and
after a spell in the British Museum they eventually found their
way back to Blackburn Museum, where some are on display.
When
Stuart found the coins there were also fragments of a pot and it
is thought that the hoard was originally buried in this vessel
around 1223. The coins are from the reign of Richard I, John,
Henry III and William the Lion of Scotland. |
Pleasington Crematorium |
Stuart's final journey. |
Afterwards
at the Royal Arms, Tockholes.
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Stuart Whalley. |
|
Stuart Whalley. |
Stuart
Whalley & Richard Forkasiewicz with the Tockholes Hoard in
Blackburn Museum.
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The Tockholes Hoard |
Stuart with members of Chorley Archaeological
Society in Bamber bridge excavating a section of the old tramway
track between Walton Summit and Preston. |
 |
One of Stuart's finds from the Tockholes
Hoard. A Henry III silver penny c1250.
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