History | Time Off

Villagers usually had something to occupy their time. The Company provided libraries and arranged interesting talks by visiting speakers. They encouraged competitive sports - cricket, football and wrestling were all popular - and gave money to start a band.

Stiff Competition
The local soil is good for root vegetables and it didn't take long before the miners competed with each other to grow the longest carrots or the biggest leeks, so the Company formed a Horticultural Society. The society held an annual Show when produce was laid out for everyone to judge the winner.

Incomers
The community changed when the Vielle Montagne Company brought men from all over Europe to work at Nenthead. There were a few skirmishes between rival groups but generally everyone got on well. When the First World War began many of the foreign workers were declared 'aliens' and had to return home.

Quakers and Methodists
Methodism was the principal religion in Nenthead with Weslyan Methodists ranking above the Primitive 'Ranters'. The founder of the Methodists, John Wesley, preached at Nenthead in 1748 and 1770.

Methodists love singing and the chapel had an excellent choir. On Easter Monday most villagers attended 'The Banquet' followed by a concert given by the choir and the Nenthead Brass Band. Whit Monday, was the united Sunday School picnic and parade around the village.

Drinking was definitely not approved of. Indeed, the miners were so encouraged to spend their time educating themselves that the pub nearly closed through lack of income - the Company had to reduce the rent to help it survive!