THE NORTHERN ECHO of August 12, 1902, contained the full report of the coronation of King Edward VII, which had been delayed six weeks by his emergency operation, but far more interesting than the pages and pages of detailed descriptions is the single paragraph story contained beneath the fascinating headline: “Stockton’s Jane Cakebread fined at Darlington.”
READ MORE: GREAT PICTURES SHOW HOW DARLINGTON CELEBRATED PREVIOUS CORONATIONS
Jane Cakebread (below) is said to have been the subject of more column inches in 19th Century newspapers than any other woman except Queen Victoria.
She was “the most drunken woman in the world”, having been convicted by London magistrates for being drunk and disorderly at least 281 times until her death in 1898, aged about 71. She always had a ready quip for magistrates, was friendly with the police, enjoyed the shelter of prison and adored seeing her name in the papers.
While social reformers despaired of her treatment, the British public rather admired her spirit.
Stockton’s Jane Cakebread was Elizabeth Conlon who was fined five shillings, or 14 days in jail, for being drunk and disorderly in Darlington during the coronation celebrations.
“Stockton’s Jane admitted her identity and said she had been before the magistrates 64 times,” said the Echo. The real Jane Cakebread’s record was not under threat from the Stockton imposter.
A PITHY STORY ABOUT HOW DARLINGTON WAS A CAPITAL OF MARMALADE PRODUCTION
Jonathan Ruffer, Lord Peter Hendy and Lord Lieutenant Sue Snowdon open the lineside path in Bishop Auckland. Picture: David Wood
A NEW footpath linking the two stations of Bishop Auckland was opened this week, enabling passengers to safely leave the services on the Bishop Line from Darlington, walk down the side of B&Q and catch a heritage train up the Weardale Line.
It shows what can be created alongside a working railway line.
Now and then: The site of the new footpath, above, connecting the two stations of Bishop Auckland in 1988 when B&Q was being built. And below, as it now looks. Both pictures by John Askwith
Among the many campaigns of the Friends of the Stockton & Darlington Railway is one to get a footpath and cycleway the 26-mile length of the line in time for the bicentenary in 2025.
This week, the Friends have placed an advert for a secretary who will earn £4,732-a-year for one day’s work a week assisting them in their campaigns and activities which aim to create a legacy for the railway that will live on after the bicentenary has passed.
The post will involve minuting the Friends’ various meetings, corresponding with partner bodies, collating reports and circulating views of members.
Having an existing interest in railway history is not essential. Enquiries to the Vice-Chair of the Friends, Professor Alan Townsend, email alan.townsend1939@gmail.com or 07379-005205 by April 20. Can you do your bit to help the railway that got the world on track?
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