It’s really important to be aware of the fire safety risks associated with
the use of emollient creams.
When we talk about emollient creams, we refer to the treatment for dry skin
conditions such as eczema. They come in many forms (creams, lotions, gels and
sprays) and can be water-based, paraffin-based or even contain natural oils.
As a service, we we fully recognise their effectiveness and reasons for their
use, and we also recognise that they are not flammable on their own.
However, a build up of emollient cream residue on fabrics such as bedding,
clothing and dressings can make these already combustible items even more
flammable.
What this means is that, in cases where somebody uses these creams on a
regular basis and/or spends an extended amount of time in their bed or arm
chair, their fire risk can increase dramatically.
Todwick churchyard – headstone of James Needham who died in 1777
Published: 2 February 2026
The primary function of the Todwick Church garden gang is the general
maintenance of the churchyard to prevent overgrowth of foliage and grass. In
addition, when time allows, they also tidy and clean head stones and grave
furniture of those plots that are no longer tended by descendants or others.
This latter activity can be very instructive as details and dates of decedents
are discovered which give clues to the lives of people buried herein.
One such grave that has attracted interest is that of JAMES NEEDHAM. He was
born in Harthill, lived and worked in Sheffield and retired to Todwick where he
died. He married Mary Needham (nee Creswick) in 1744 and had six children. He
worked as an Excise Officer and died in 1777 aged 63 years. His headstone at the
SE corner adjacent to the church chancel reads:
Here
lieth the bodey of
James……………n
who
departed this life
November 3rd 1777
aged 63 years
His surname has been almost totally excised from the headstone. Does anyone
know why this may be?
Thanks are due to Mr Brian White who provided a detailed list of interment
sites in the graveyard.
