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PROCLAMATION OF DUNHAM FAIR
In the British Museum are preserved two proclamations of the Fair, dates, August 12th, 1752 and 1792, respectively. The one signed by Charles Mellish, written on vellum, the other by Samuel Crawley on paper. They set forth an order for just trading and good behaviour during the Pair. (Add Charter 53456). That for Aug. 12th, 1792, is as follows:—
"Samuel Crawley Esq, Lord of the Manor of this fair doth in his Majesty's name strictly charge and command all maner of persons also assembled or shall take resort to this fair that they and every one of them shall not do or attempt any matters or things tending to the breach of his Majesty's peace. But duly keep and observe the same. And that they or any of them other than the Lord's officers shall wear and carry in the fair or precincts thereof any arms unlawful and not usual weapons to the disquiet or affright of any of his Majesty's subjects or to the disturbance of his Majesty's peace upon pain of punishment due to the like. Also that no persons forestall regrate or ingress any offence. . . . Merchant ware or vendible commodities within the limits or scints of this fair nor make any secret or covert contract bargain or argument touching the same in secret of his loving subjects and exercise of trade and commerce betwixt party and party and that no person or persons who shall buy goods chatties or saleable commodities within this fair shall .... thereof by use and custom or tallage shall convey or carry away articles upon pain of forfeiture of the goods and chatties so bought and fine to be imposed estreated and levied to the Lord's use. And also that no inhabitants of this town do permit suffer any wares or merchandise bought within this fair or the scints thereof to be conveyed or carried through the houses yards or backsides or to be laid up in or about the same to defraud or defeat the Lord of this fair of such solid duties and customs as have been hitherto due and pay .... And also that no inholder (Innholder) vietluar tipler or other inhabitant shall to his knowledge lodge or harbour any thief rogue or sturdy beggar or any other suspected person. And if any such happens to come into his house he shall forthwith acquaint the bailiff or head officer of this fair. To the end that due execution of the law may be performed to such ill disposed persons as to justice appertains. And also that all such persons as shall buy or sell any wares or merchandise and be abused therein and shall make complaint for the same within the scints of this fair or any controvsy happen to arise touching the same they may repair to the Lord's officer who shall be ready to relieve them according to the laws of this realm. And if any person or persons be afraid of any arm so to be done unto him or them by any person within this fair his Majesty's officer for this purpose upon complaint thereof be ready to put such offenders in safety during the time and continuance of the same. And if any person or persons do or shall make sail give or exchange or put away any horse mare gelding or filley within this fair or the scints thereof before the same hath been gently ridden led walked driven or kept standing by the space of one hour at the least in the open place of the fair where .... are commonly .... to be sold and that all and each person and persons which shall exchange .... such goods as aforesaid shall bring the same so exchanged or sold to the toll-keeper of this fair and shall enter his christian name and sirname incitery (industry?) and place of habitation and also the colour and one special mark of the goods so bought and sold or exchanged and shall vouch the same with two sufficient vouchers the one to known to the toll-book keeper and the other shall pay all such moneys as shall bedue for such entries according to the statute. And this fair so continue from this time .... tomorrow at night and so God save the King and the Lord of the Manor."
FLOODS.
A PORTION OF DUNHAM VILLAGE IN FLOOD, DECEMBER, 1910 The flood ground on the left was the Village Green
Since Dunham became a village the bed of the Trent has, through natural causes, risen considerably and consequently before the high banks were made the village was subject to frequent inundations, probably floods were an annual occurrence, if not in the village, at least on all sides of it.
Records have been preserved of some of the more disastrous floods. In 1346 rain fell continuously from Midsummer to Christmas, causing a fearsome flood in the Trent valley. In 1683 there was a notable flood. In November, 1770, the water reached Lincoln because the Fossdyke Embankment gave way near Torksey. There was another flood in February, 1795, in consequence of a quick thaw after seven weeks of frost, and the whole Trent Valley was a scene of desolation. The church is said to have been much damaged by large pieces of floating ice, it then being in a ruinous state. Thousands of acres of hay and corn were under water in 1837. In order to prevent these inundations, an Act was obtained for raising an embankment, which was completed in 1844. In 1852 the bank burst at Dunham. A writer in the Nottingham Journal of November 26th, says: "On Saturday, the 14th inst., the Trent was rising so rapidly that the whole village lost its confidence; fear succeeded confidence. . . . On Monday, the 15th inst., at half-past seven, the bank on the Dunham side burst with tremendous violence, effecting an opening of fifty yards. ... In less than an hour Dunham was submerged nine feet deep in water, its population, driven upstairs, leaving furniture and other valuables to the mercy of the water." Again on October 24th, 1875, the bank burst, and there was another disastrous flood. The breach in the river bank was said to be twenty yards. However the flood had been anticipated, and so the stock was placed on high land in safety, and the inhabitants took refuge in the upper chambers. Ragnall village also suffered much from the flood. The cottages at the far end towards Fledborough were under water to a great depth, and were abandoned by the inhabitants with one exception. An account of the flood is given in the "Retford Worksop, and Gainsborough News.''
Flood in 1875.
From the "Retford, Worksop, and Gainsborough News," Oct. 30th.
Again on October 24th, 1875, the bank burst and there was another disastrous flood, which is thus described in the local newspaper:—"The great body of water which did so much serious damage at Nottingham, Newark, and other places up the Trent, made itself felt at Dunham on Sunday morning, and since that time the damage has been very heavy. It appears that the waters made a breach in the Trent bank in Mr. Cartwright's low pasture gate on Saturday night and the lands, which were at that time considerable flooded, so became inundated to such an extent as to imperil the lives of stock. However the flood had been anticipated, and the cattle were placed on high lands in safety. The waters rose rapidly in the village and the inhabitants had to take shelter in the upperchambers, and have had to remain there ever since, or make their escape in boats, which have been plying continually each day through the streets. When we visited the place on Tuesday, the sight was indeed a terrible one. Far as the eye could see was one broad expanse of water, the bridge being the only mark by which to distinguish the Trent. The Church of St. Oswald presented a strange appearance with the water nearly up to the top of the entrance porch. ... In some of the low parts the water is as much as 12 feet deep. . . . The damage done in this district would be very serious. The breach in the Trent was said to be 20 yards wide, and it was calculated that under favourable circumstances the place would not be cleared of the flood for some 10 days. The wind on Tuesday was very high and rose waves, which dashed against the more exposed houses with almost sufficient force to break the windows. Three large boats were attending to the requirements of the inhabitants, and everything was done that could be done for their relief by a number of willing hands."
"Ragnall village has suffered much from the disastrous flood. The cottages at the far end towards Marnham are under water to a great depth, and have been abandoned by the inhabitants with one exception. . . . M Cartwright's stackyard has been dammed round and twenty men were kept at work all night in bailing out the water, which, up to that time, had not penetrated to any extent."
When the Vicar entered Dunham Church, having approached it by boat, he found the water had not reached the level of the floor.
Since Dunham became a village the bed of the river has, through natural causes been raised considerably, and consequently before the high banks were made the village was subject to frequent inundations. The course of the river has also changed. Standing on Dunham bridge and observing the land to the south of it, the former course of the river towards Fledborough is quite distinct.
There was another flood in December, 1910. Early on Tuesday, December 6th, the water began to flow over the bank at Laneham, and the water in the fields rose rapidly as the backwash flowed towards Dunham, by 5 p. m. the village was flooded. The water continued to rise all night, and on Wednesday, until it covered the ramper within 30 yards of the junction of the roads, and was up to the garden gates of the houses on the row. The cottagers, having ample warning, were able to remove their furniture and belongings up stairs, and those who had live stock to higher ground. The rapid rise of the river was caused by heavy and continuous rain after a fall of snow on the Derbyshire hills. The water did not enter the Church either in 1875 or 1910.
The following is from Add Charter 53457. BM. "Covenant for securing rights and interests upon common and waste lands in Dunham and Ragnall, 1795, with plans":—
"Whereas almost all the houses in Dunham are liable to very frequent inundations by the overflowing of the river Trent to the very great loss and inconvenience of the inhabitants and the dilapidation of the said houses. And whereas several of the houses in Ragnal by reason of their age are and the materials of which they consist are almost untenable it would be eligible to some of the Proprietors to take down those in a ruinous state and rebuild them or build others in more convenient situations."
The Award.
| Year of Act | Date | Acreage | Enclosed: | |
| Dunham and Ragnall . | .43 Geo. III | 1815 | 1430 | 0 |
From the County Records of the 17th century. (H. H. Copnall).