Photo 2011, courtesy of Peter'd
Dudley Herald Newspaper report - courtesy of Nessa (a forum member)
DEATH OF A NETHERTON WORTHY
Funeral At The Parish Church
Netherton and disrict has lost one of its most honoured residents in the person of Mr William H Guest, of Oakfield House Netherton.
The deceased gentleman had been in indifferent health for some considerable time, and during the summer months he went away to North Wales for a prolonged holiday in the hope of recuperating himself. He however, continue to follow up his usual occupation until a week or two ago when fresh symptoms of the malady from which he was suffering developed themselves and he passed away on Thursday, November 2nd in his 79th year.
Mr Guest was essentially a Netherton man, and it was his proud boast that he had never resided outside the parish. For many years he and his family were the tenants of the old Netherton Hall, situated at Cinderbank. Probably this was the oldest house in Netherton. They lived there until the place was dismantled by mining operations. The historic old hall was the relic of previous generations, and nothing is now left to mark its whereabouts except the name of the road leading to it, via Hall lane.
Mr Guest was not a public man, never having filled any position of this character, but his interests in local matters was well known, and his opinion was eagerly sought by all bodies having the administration of the affairs of the district. He was not an active politician, but his views were well known and respected by all parties, and all though decidedly liberal in politics, his opinions were never assertive in a manner to become offensive to those with whom he differed, and his attitude towards the general questions of the day only increased the esteem of his opponants and enhanced the confidence of his friends.
In religious matters he was a Nonconformists, and attended the Ebenezer Baptist Church, but his readiness to help in any deserving religious cause, whether of the Established or Free churches, coupled with an open minded and charitable disposition., seemed to make him the confidence of all parties and creed and won for him the respect of all. His great interest in the recent extension of St Andrews Churchyard is within the memory of all and is charcteristic of his large hearted generosity.