RETIRED butcher Bob Chapman is keen to acquire old photographs of Rhodes. Born and bred in the village he has made it his hobby to collect old photographs of the area so they can be enjoyed for future generations.

For a number of years he has sought out past pictures of the good old days from residents of Rhodes, but he is always on the lookout for more.

Recently a neighbour unearthed some old photos and offered them to Bob. To his credit he contacted our office offering to share these interesting pictures with our readers. All of the images published this week are taken from his collection. If you have any Rhodes related photos, Bob would be pleased to hear from you, and as he says: "It only takes a few minutes to copy them, and I always take great care with anybody's photographs."

The ancient village of Rhodes has a rich history. Over the years thousands of stories have been published in the Guardian.

I have a fascination for reading old newspapers, especially the Guardian. As a child growing up in our Victorian two up, two down terrace the newspaper would either be used for lighting the fire or my late father would take great pride in cutting it up into neat piles of small squares, this was done by folding and slitting with the bread knife. Bundles of these would be pierced and a short length of string threaded through. When completed dad would hold them up into the air, proudly stating: "These will keep us going for a day or two, another supply ready for the lav." One comment in our household left me confused. The 'current' unread newspaper would be placed under the chair cushion, this was to safeguard it from premature slitting into squares. If dad wanted to read the paper he would ask: "Are you reading that paper that you are sitting on?"

Looking back at what made the news almost 120 years ago we find a report of a shocking case of violent abuse, and to make matters worse the husband attempted to proportion the cause of his actions on his victim.

John Inglesent of Boardman Lane was a regular at the Gardeners Arms pub, he contributed to the Forresters Club. It was on a Saturday that the club was broken up and the money was shared between its members. Inglesent decided to spend his windfall on drink. Returning home, his wife, Sarah was annoyed at him wasting the money when she could have made good use of it, they had two daughters to support. She went on at him stating that she should have had some of the cash. Inglesent feeling henpecked decided that he wanted a bit of peace and hatched a plan to put his wife up the chimney. The fire was lit and she fought him, he then punched her about the head and tried again. At the fireplace she struggled with him, three times he attempted to force her up the chimney and she suffered burns to her arms as a result.

In court he stated that his wife was always drunk, and on the day in question she tried to hit him with the poker.

Sarah maintained she was sober at the time, although she was not a teetotaller. She also denied ever having stashed a whisky bottle about her person.

Summing up the chairman, said: "Well Inglesent, this is a very bad case of yours, a very bad case indeed. It is also a very deplorable case. You are not justified in taking this course of action, thrashing her like this."

The poor wife was standing in court sporting two black eyes and bandages to her arm. John Inglesent was sent to prison for one month with hard labour, the option of a fine was withdrawn.

An advert published in 1898 reads: ‘The Wilton Hotel, Manchester Old Road, near Heaton Park. We have a Bowling Green which is near a pleasently situated hotel in first class condition. Excellent accommodation for private and picnic parties, teas etc, all supplied on the shortest of notice. Stabling for 12 horses. Every article is of first class quality. 'Billiards.' Travellers accommodated. H Pearson, proprietress.

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