August
Formal weather records from the past show that August could be
quite a variable month in terms of its weather. While there could
often be long, dry, warm spells, there are also plenty of examples
of very cool Augusts, such as in 1891, 1902 and 1986.
Particularly warm spells in August were recorded in the county in
1893, 1930, 1937 and 1947 with temperatures in the 80s Fahrenheit.
Conversely there are examples of very cold nights occurring in the
month such as in 1892 when frost cut the fern and tender plants at
Weston Park with a minimum temperature of 36° Fahrenheit.
Thunderstorms were common and there are also examples of severe
flooding as in 1725. Some freak events are also recorded such as
five inch hailstones occurring in 1810 and damage to crops from
hail.
August was an important month in the farming calendar, when often
the hay harvest had to be completed if the weather in July had been
poor. This resulted in absences from school for children in
Staffordshire’s rural schools.
The extracts are arranged chronologically by the day to show the
progression of weather through the month.
Storm
leads to Flooding at Sandon, 1-3 August 1845
A Spectacular Display of the Northern Lights at Willenhall, 2 August
1736
Rain Delays Hay Harvest at Alstonefield, 2 – 13 August 1880
Early Winter Preparations in Biddulph, 5 August 1942
Wet Weather for Blithfield Gardening Show, 9 August 1881
Phenomenal Temperature Recorded at Weston, 9 August 1911
Thunderstorm Causes Two Deaths at Wolseley, 11 August 1822
Sunday School Festival Rained Off at Wolstanton, 14 August 1875
Servants Hall Flooded at Trentham, 13 August 1857
Dreadful Storm Damage to Crops at Tettenhall, 18 August 1742
Storm at Tamworth, 29
August 1910
A
Perilous Journey through Yoxall, 28 August 1725
Massive Hailstones Smash Hothouses at Alton, 31 August 1810
An Early Harvest, August
1736
A Dark and Gloomy August,
1902
From the Diary of Jeremiah Ginders of Sandon
1 August- S[outh] inclining a little to East at times, a little rain
at noon.
2 August- S[outh], rain & great thunder shower at night
3 August- S[outh] [wind] morn rain a flood Carried a little Hay out
of flood’s way into Fleet Meadow at night
Reference: Staffordshire Record Office 6850/4
© Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Archive Service
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From the Diary of Dr Richard Wilkes of Willenhall
In the past weather was forecast using the aurora. Some countries
believed that they foretold fine weather while others believed that
they would bring storms. In fact August 1736 was a very dry month
with an early harvest. There is some indication that the overall
climate may be linked to the amount of aurora activity.
August 2- This Evening there began an Aurora Borealis[ Northern
Lights] & about 12 o’Clock the whole Sky to the North East & West up
to the very Zenith seem’d to be on Fire. There was a continual
flashing, or rather it seem’d to move like the Waves of the Sea, or
Field of Ripe Corn blown by a brisk Wind. These Vapours seem’d to
touch the Tops of houses & betwixt them the stars appear’d very
bright, & the clear part of the Sky was of a deep blew.
Reference: Staffordshire Record Office D 5350
© Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Archive Service
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From the Log Book of Alstonefield National School
2 August- Re-opened School after the Summer Holidays. The Hay
Harvest not nearly finished on account of the wet weather therefore
a very poor attendance. Average for the week 39.6.
11 August- Owing to the very small attendance this week and last the
Time Table has not strictly been followed.
13 August- A very fine week. Most of the children in the Hay field.
Reference: Staffordshire Record Office D 3805/1/1
© Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Archive Service
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From the Records of Biddulph Urban District
Council
T.O. Harding Esq
Surveyor and Engineer
Council Offices
Biddulph
Staffs
Dear Sir,
SNOW PLOUGH
Our engineer hopes to call and measure vehicle to which you require
Snow Plough attached, arriving 11-30 am Thursday next, (August
13th).
Thank you in anticipation of making it convenient for vehicle to be
free for a short time for measuring.
Yours faithfully
William Bunce and Son
Engineers
Ashbury
Swindon
Reference: Staffordshire Record Office D1441/1/180
© Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Archive Service
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From the Diary of the Vicar of Blithfield
Blithfield Cottage Gardening Society
The Show which took place on August 9th as regards the number and
the quality of the articles exhibited, was a decided improvement
upon that of last year. Unfortunately the wet weather on the day
frightened away many of those who would otherwise have come and
consequently the amount of money taken at the gates as considerably
below the average. At the same time there were evident signs of an
increased interest in the Show, which is an encouragement to the
promoters of it for the future. Some of the children’s nosegays were
especially praiseworthy, as were also the exhibitions in the
Honorary Class, which were much admired.
Reference: Staffordshire Record Office D1386/2/1/5
By courtesy of the Vicar and PCC of Blithfield, St Leonard
© Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Archive Service
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From the Weather Books of the Weston Park Estate
The few days prior to this record saw rising temperatures.
Despite
the comment recorded, a few days later, by 13 August, the
temperature had climbed back to 93° Fahrenheit.
Date
|
Max Temp
|
Min Temp
|
Wind
|
Barometer
|
Rainfall
|
Remarks
|
9 August
|
97
|
56
|
SE
|
29.84
|
0
|
This phenomenal temperature changed suddenly in the
afternoon, the thermometer dropping about 20 degrees with a
change of wind from the South East to North & North West
|
Reference: Staffordshire Record Office D1287
By courtesy of the Trustees of the Weston Park Foundation
© Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Archive Service
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From the Diary of Anne Bagot of Lichfield
Went to church at Colwich, the church full of the funeral attendants
of Mrs Sparrow’s coachman and the mistress of the Wolseley Bridge
Inn, whose deaths were both attributed to the effects of the
thunderstorm last Sunday when they were both likewise at this same
church.
Reference: Staffordshire Record Office D4752/4
By courtesy of Nancy, Lady Bagot
© Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Archive Service
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From The Staffordshire Advertiser
Wolstanton Church Sunday and National Schools-The annual festival of
these schools was fixed to take place on Monday afternoon, but owing
to the heavy thunderstorms during the day, only one portion of the
programme was carried out. The children with their teachers attended
a short service at the church conducted by the Rev LH Evans, curate,
and subsequently joined by those from Longbridge Hays. The whole
numbering about 500, afterwards sat down to an excellent tea in the
school rooms. Shortly after the repast they were dismissed to their
homes. It is intended that the arrangements for outdoor sports
should be carried out on Saturday afternoon should the weather prove
more favourable.
Reference: William Salt Library, Staffordshire Advertiser, 16
February 1946
By courtesy of the Staffordshire Newsletter
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From the Weather Journal for Trentham Hall
Despite the account below, the weather improved to such an extent
that the journal records at the end of the month that from 16-31
august the weather was the best that had been known for harvest
operations for many years.
Thursday 13th August- Heavy rain. Thunder during day. Extraordinary
flood- water rose to 49 inches & was a foot deep in lower passages &
dairy– the servants’ hall & kitchen here were also flooded ( on
morning of 16th)
Saturday 15 August- very heavy rain during night- Floods rose to 52
inches.
Reference: Staffordshire Record Office D593/N/2/8/15
© Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Archive Service
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From A History of Staffordshire by William Pitt,
1817
A dreadful thunder-storm, with hail, happened in this neighbourhood,
on 18th August 1742, which completely threshed-out the growing corn,
and occasioned much damage: the hail-stones remained under the roofs
of the buildings for several days.
Reference: William Salt Library, A Topographical History of
Staffordshire, William Pitt, 1817
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From the Log Book of Tamworth Infants School
29 August - Heavy storm at noon caused many children to get wet
through, therefore attendance not so good for afternoon school- 274
children present out of 318 in books.
Reference: Staffordshire Record Office CEL 43/3
© Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Archive Service
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A letter to the Earl of Uxbridge from Peter
Walter, his agent at Beaudesert.
28 August, 1725. Beaudesert
Since the letter which I did myselfe the Honour to write to your
Lordship this day sennight [seven night], I have mett with soe many
difficultyes and have been exposed to soe many dangers from the
badness of the Roades and overflowing of the waters, that I am
almost frighted out of my senses; Tuesday last, which was the day
for Bromley [Abbots Bromley] Fair, the floods were soe great that
there was noe getting to the Towne and the Faire by that meanes was
almost wholey Lost, and when I came hither from Seaney [Sinai, near
Burton], the waters were soe high att your owne Towne of Yoxall that
my Horse was obliged to swim and I my self was carried to a foot
bridge upon a strong Millers backe upp to his middle in water and
the rest of the way was attended with many dangerous interrupcions.
This I tell your lordship, not soe much to inform you of my perils
as to give you some account of the deplorable state of your Countrey.
Peter Walter
Reference: Staffordshire Record Office D603/K/4/1 f61
By courtesy of the Marquess of Anglesey
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From A History of Staffordshire by William Pitt,
1817
Alveton and the neighbourhood was visited with the most dreadful
storm of thunder, hail and rain that ever was remembered by the
oldest inhabitant. Hail-stones of more than five inches in
circumference lay three inches thick upon the ground, and broke many
windows, which were also forced-in by a violent west wind. Much
glass was broken in the hot-houses of the Earl of Shrewsbury, and
those of neighbouring gentlemen, and some damage sustained in the
farms and orchards. This storm lasted three quarters of an hour.
Reference: William Salt Library, A Topographical History of
Staffordshire, William Pitt, 1817
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From the Diary of Dr Richard Wilkes of Willenhall
The Weather was very dry this Month & the Harvest was got in with
very little Loss of Time by the End of it.
Reference: Staffordshire Record Office D 5350
© Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Archive Service
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From the Weather Books of the Weston Park Estate
In this month a total rainfall of 4.73 inches was recorded at
Weston-under-Lizard. On the day of the garden party on 7 August,
0.75” of rain fell, while on the following day 0.79” was recorded.
Maximum temperatures ranged from 58° to 70° Fahrenheit with only two
days when the temperature exceeded 70°. The generally unseasonable
weather produced the following comment from the Earl of Bradford.
Memorandum- the weather during this month has been remarkable for
the almost entire absence of sunshine & when not actually raining
was dark and gloomy overhead & sopping wet underfoot.
Reference: Staffordshire Record Office D1287
By courtesy of the Trustees of the Weston Park Foundation
© Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Archive Service
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