Then and Now – Rose Cottage, High Street, Tattenhall

With everyone out and about and sending in their favourite images of the village, Tattenhall Local History thought this 'Then and Now' set of images might interest you and particularly those residents who are new to the village.

The black and white postcard of Rose Cottage on the High Street (with a postmark of 31 August 1909), was the former home and working practice of Rowland Willis. Rowland was the Relieving and Vaccination Officer for the Tarvin Union (which included Tattenhall) and he was also the local Registrar of Births, Marriages and Deaths. The opening hours of his practice are clearly displayed on the outside of Rose Cottage in this image (Monday 8am-10am; Tuesday 4pm-6pm; Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 8am-10am; Saturday 6pm-8pm).

Civil Registration in England began in 1837.

The building identified as 'Rose Cottage' on both the 1901 and 1911 Census, is still known as 'Rose Cottage' today. In 1901 Rowland and his wife Mary had a boarder, Cissie Eccleston, staying with them. She was 19 years of age and was a Milliner's Assistant. Gertrude Nield from Burwardsley and aged 16 years, was employed by them as a General Domestic Servant. By the time of the 1911 Census, two other young women were staying with Rowland and Mary Willis; Beatrice May who was a 'lady's help' and Fanny Randles (aged just 14) who was their servant.

The colour image was taken just last week in glorious sunshine and reveals the most quintessential of English gardens.

We hope you enjoy this piece of local history – for more information on the history of local buildings in the village, then visit the Tattenhall Local History Website by CLICKING HERE