Flash Teapot Parade.
A tradition which dates back 200 years is still alive and celebrated each
year in the small village of Quarnford (Flash) high up in the Staffordshire Moorlands. The village is not only very isolated but it holds the title of being the highest village in England at 1518ft above sea level. Probably the isolation and the economic hardships experienced by the community in the past was the reason that the Teapot Club was formed. On a regular basis each member of the community would contribute to a fund which was collected in a Teapot, should any member of the community fall ill or a burial had to be paid for the Teapot would be emptied to cover the costs. Then the process would start afresh, until the next time an unforseen expense arose. As there was no National Health Service back when the Teapot Club was formed, the fact that it is still functioning in this day and age is a testament to its success.
The way that the Teapot Club celebrates its success is in the form of a parade, this year it took place on the 19th of May 2011 at 2pm. The parade starts from the village hall in Flash and proceeds to the main Leek to Buxton road and in this case is led by a Brass Band, the police seal the main road and stop any traffic while the parade makes its way towards the Travellers Rest Public House at Flash Bar.
ludchurch 
Lovely site! I am loving it!! Will come back again. I am taking your feeds also
Good – I should certainly pronounce, impressed with your site. I had no trouble navigating through all tabs and related information ended up being truly simple to do to access. I recently found what I hoped for before you know it at all. Reasonably unusual. Is likely to appreciate it for those who add forums or anything, site theme . a tones way for your client to communicate. Nice task..
very interesting information! .
I very pleased to find this site on bing, just what I was looking for : D likewise saved to favorites .
my grandfarther was a member his name was jimmy brunt have you got any info andy brunt
Hi Andy, unfortunately I don’t have any information regarding Jimmy Brunt, you would probably have more luck if you checked the Parish records at Flash.
Regards Gary
Lovely to read about Flash, my birthplace, such happy memories. I am 90 now, does anyone remember me? Eric Morris
hello Eric I don’t know you but you may know my father Wilfred Brunt son of Jimmy Brunt. Regards Andy Brunt
I was born at Green Gutter Farm and went to Ramshaw School followed by Flash School after the rebuild, My dad was, I think, the last member of the Tea Pot Club. I have enjoyed reading Margaret Parkers books about Flash which brought back many memories, most good , a few bad, these were mostly weather related. I go back occasionally and am saddened by how the place seems more run down than it was. All my family are buried in Flash Church yard. Colin Critchlo
Please can you help. I am searching for James Slack who was born in Knotbury around 1824. He was a silk printer in 1841 and lived with Abraham Slack, who I think was his brother, at Bank Edge Wildborclough. I have searched for James Slack’s birth parents for nearly 5 years now, and wonder if there are any church records on line or information where I might find it. Incidentally he died in 1898 in Sutton Macclesfield, after living in Dirty Lane, now Cockhall Lane. Another mystery, although his wife Margaret is buried in Sutton , his burial place is also a mystery. I realize this is not a search site as such, but I hope that you an direct me in the right direction. thank you. Eileen Slack.
Hi Eileen
Hopefully someone who reads this blog might be able to help you in your search.
Regards Gary
Hi Eileen,
Not sure you will see this as several years since you posted. I visited Flash church last weekend (I am also a Slack) and my great-grandfather James Slack was part of Flash Teapot – but he would’ve been born early 1900s. However I found the headstone for a John Slack of Knotbury who was born around 1732 and died aged 44 in 1776.
My great-uncle did a family tree several years ago which I will try to find and we may be related and the James you’re looking for may be on there.
Do get back to me if you read this. Lydia
Hi Lydia There used to be a chap named Geoff Mellor who lived on Morridge. I think he was the treasurer of the teapot club who may be able to help.Unfortunately all my family now reside in Flash Churchyard Have to tried David Mellor the undertaker , he has a good knowledge of the history of Flash. Please let me know How you go on Regards Colin Sent from my iPhone
>
Just a thought, You may try David Smith, Funereal Directors, He has a great knowledge of people from Flash or may know where a lot of the old Parish Records are kept.
Are there any documents from the old Crewe & Harper Estates who owned most of the properties around Flash.
Good Luck. Colin Critchlow