The Stour near Alscot Park, c.1990.
The name of Preston on Stour
derives from the priest's ton, or farmstead, on the banks of the River
Stour. So an ideal place to start this story is with the river which has lent
the village its name.
Stour, also spelt Stower, is of uncertain definition, but
may mean a powerful or treacherous river. In many places the stream is shallow
and benign, but there are many hidden 'whirly-pools' as they were locally
known, which can drag down unwary bathers. This was especially dangerous in
earlier times when few children could swim.
It was said in the 19th century that the river claimed a life
each year. Records show this wasn't far off the mark.
An extract from the burial book of neighbouring Wimpstone.
One such tragedy happened on a
Saturday evening in December 1901. Albert Jackson, 39, was the
electrical engineer at Alscot Park. His job was to oversee the house's newly
installed electricity supply. He had been born in Yorkshire where he worked as
a grocer's assistant, then moved to Westminster. He found work as an engine
driver, married and had a daughter. The family moved to Preston in the 1890s.
Albert had been at
work as normal on the fateful day. He spent some time in the Servants' Hall in
the evening then informed footman John Barnett that he had half an hour's work
to do in the engine room before he went home.
'If they want any extra light on, you know what to do,' he
said.
'Yes, I do,' Barnett replied. He handed Albert a small parcel
from the larder. 'You can take this for your wife.'
'Yes, certainly,' Albert smiled.
Albert didn't arrive home. His wife Alice stayed up all night
waiting for him, then next morning went to the house of shepherd William
Garrett, sure something had happened to him.
The Stour had been in flood the day before, and William was
sure he knew what had happened. He went to the river and began dragging the
bed. Ten minutes later the hook caught on something, eighty yards downstream
from the bridge. Albert's body had been found.
A very different side to the Stour.
It was concluded that Albert had walked across the deer park
to get home. He had to get close to the river banks to climb over the fence
onto the road, and had lost his footing in the dark.
He was strong, healthy and a good swimmer. Grass and dirt in
his hands showed that he had tried to climb out, but the current had been too strong.
The inquest passed a verdict of accidental death.
Albert was buried in Preston
cemetery. His wife and daughter left the village soon afterwards. Their
subsequent fate is unclear.
