Orkney & Shetland 2019 - Day 3

A day around Rotherham

Introduction

Rotherham was home to several generations of Froggatt familes back in the 19th century. They started in farming but moved into coal mining, the steel industry and other labouring occupations. Having looked into the family genealogy I thought it interesting to visit the area and the various churches that recorded family events. The large Rotherham Minster was the first stop, then Swinton St Margaret and finally Wath upon Dearne.

Rotherham and the Minster

In the centre of Rotherham lies the large and ornate All Saints Rotherham Minster. It sits on a low hill looking out over the town and river. This is the third church on this site, the first dating from before 937AD. The present version was started in 1409.

Rotherham Minster on a gray day

Side view of the Minster

Story of the removal of the graveyard

Ceiling detail inside the Minster

The Minster

View of the stained glass windows

Memorial to the officers and men lost in WWI

The Roll of Honour for 1914-1919

Detail of Benjamin Froggatt

The main spire

The chapel on the bridge near to the Minster.

The weir in the Rother River adjacent to the Minster.

Swinton St Margaret

Not far from Rotherham lies the iron-works town os Swinton. Te coal mines and iron works are long gone but the church and its large graveyard remain. Unlike the Rotherham Minster, All Saints was firmly locked up.

All Saints Church, Swinton

Wath upon Dearne

A few miles west of Swinton lies Wath upon Dearne. The church here was also firmly locked up but was surrounded by flowering cherry trees with blossom covering the ground.

Rotherham Minster on a gray day