1899 A Year of Entertainment and Festivities:
Box village entertainment before the days of radio and television
Jane Browning, December 2014
Box village entertainment before the days of radio and television
Jane Browning, December 2014
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These photos, featuring a production called Bo Peep and Boy Blue, show a pageant in August 1899 in the grounds of Box House. It was a rather grand affair, as befitted the dawn of a new century.[1] It must have taken much preparation, mostly by the mothers of the children involved.
The photo, above left, shows eleven of the cast and, above right, the whole cast of approximately forty-five characters, all splendidly dressed in costume, complete with shepherd's crooks. We can identify two of the players: Lillian Richards standing immediately to Bo Peep's right and Edwin Richards is believed to be in front of her. But we shouldn't think that this was a one-off in the village because the whole year was full of celebrations and festivities, as shown by these extracts from contemporary reports in the Wiltshire Times.
The photo, above left, shows eleven of the cast and, above right, the whole cast of approximately forty-five characters, all splendidly dressed in costume, complete with shepherd's crooks. We can identify two of the players: Lillian Richards standing immediately to Bo Peep's right and Edwin Richards is believed to be in front of her. But we shouldn't think that this was a one-off in the village because the whole year was full of celebrations and festivities, as shown by these extracts from contemporary reports in the Wiltshire Times.
A Year of Events
The year 1899 started with members and friends of the Primitive Methodist Chapel holding their annual watch-night service in the first week of the year. A public tea was provided in the chapel, followed by a meeting, presided over by Mr C Hancock, and addressed by J E Neate, T P Cannings, D Sheppard and others.
January also saw the annual supper of the employees of the Box Railway Station at the Northey Arms. About 30 men attended, presided over by the popular station master Mr Toy. Mr W R Shewring proposed the health of the employees of the GWR, to which Mr Toy briefly responded. The health of the hostesses, the Misses Dyer, was proposed by the chairman and responded to by the company singing For they are jolly good people. The remainder of the evening was spent in harmony: Mr Walter Hann, a vocal comedian from Bath with his comic songs and stump orations; songs by Messrs Toy, Norkett, Hallett, Kirkingham, Shewring, Burrows, Gale, Bradfield, Southard and others. Mr A Perren was at the piano. The evening came to a close with Mr H J Milsom proposing the health of the chairman.
In February nearly 40 members of the parish church choir met in the National Schools, hosted by the Rev G E Gardiner, vicar, and Mrs Gardiner. After the business part of the meeting, the rest of the evening was enlivened with glees, trios, duets, solos by Miss Woodley, Miss Goulstone, Mrs Pitcher, Messr W J Burrows (choirmaster), W J Bradfield, E Gale, C Eyles, W Sawyer, A Eyles. Mr A G Gardiner proved himself quite at home in the songs “Killaloe” and “Same old England” and he was most indefatigable in his “Snapdragon”.
The year 1899 started with members and friends of the Primitive Methodist Chapel holding their annual watch-night service in the first week of the year. A public tea was provided in the chapel, followed by a meeting, presided over by Mr C Hancock, and addressed by J E Neate, T P Cannings, D Sheppard and others.
January also saw the annual supper of the employees of the Box Railway Station at the Northey Arms. About 30 men attended, presided over by the popular station master Mr Toy. Mr W R Shewring proposed the health of the employees of the GWR, to which Mr Toy briefly responded. The health of the hostesses, the Misses Dyer, was proposed by the chairman and responded to by the company singing For they are jolly good people. The remainder of the evening was spent in harmony: Mr Walter Hann, a vocal comedian from Bath with his comic songs and stump orations; songs by Messrs Toy, Norkett, Hallett, Kirkingham, Shewring, Burrows, Gale, Bradfield, Southard and others. Mr A Perren was at the piano. The evening came to a close with Mr H J Milsom proposing the health of the chairman.
In February nearly 40 members of the parish church choir met in the National Schools, hosted by the Rev G E Gardiner, vicar, and Mrs Gardiner. After the business part of the meeting, the rest of the evening was enlivened with glees, trios, duets, solos by Miss Woodley, Miss Goulstone, Mrs Pitcher, Messr W J Burrows (choirmaster), W J Bradfield, E Gale, C Eyles, W Sawyer, A Eyles. Mr A G Gardiner proved himself quite at home in the songs “Killaloe” and “Same old England” and he was most indefatigable in his “Snapdragon”.
May saw the Good Templar Lodge holding a lecture at the National Schoolroom on Food reform and fruit culture by W J Willway of Bath. This was followed by vocal and instrumental music by Misses Pay, Spackman, Messrs Lucas, W H E and C F Spackman. Two weeks later there was a concert at the Schoolroom in aid of the church choir fund. Those who took part included: the Misses Vezey, the church choir, Miss Noble, Messrs P Gane, Burrows, Gale & Bradfield, Mrs Gardiner, Miss Goulstone, W Roach, Miss Keir, Miss Cowley, Miss Heathcote and E C Heath. The month closed with a surprise visit by the Box Lodge of Templars to their Corsham brothers. The programme was: a song by Bro. E Spackman, a pianoforte duet by Bros C Spackman & Jones, a song by Bro A Jones and then one by Sister R Churchill.
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In June young members of the CETS (Church of England Temperance Society) travelled to Weston-super-Mare, leaving on the 10.00 train arriving midday. A special train brought them home, arriving at 9pm.
There was singing and entertainment in June, as well. The weekly meeting of the Lighthouse Lodge, International Organisation of Good Templars (IOGT), had an extensive programme (shown right). June saw Box take on Midford quoits at Box. There were a large number of spectators. The Box players were: Messrs Gibbons, Vezey, Merrett, Shewring, Pocock and Browning. Midford won a well contested game by seven points. A two- handed game was then played, Mr Browning and Mr Vezey representing Box. Midford won by four points. |
Lighthouse Lodge Programme
Bro A Jones, harmonium solos Bro Ernest Spackman –song Bro W J March – reading Old Sayings Bro A Jones – Song The Merry Old Maid Bros E Clare, Wilfred Spackman trio Jack & Jill (encored) Bro G Robins- recitation Across the Barley Field Bro Ernest Spackman - song Bros E C & W Spackman trio - Peter Piper Bro A Jones- harmonium solo |
The Good Templar lodge had a talk on Japan, with music and singing in the intervals.
In July the Gleaner lodge of the Good Templar lodge at Corsham made an evening visit to Box. Bro E Spackman presided, congratulating Box on the progress they had made. The programme that night was songs, music, readings and dialogues from: Bro E Spackman, C Spackman, G Robbins, Bros Spackman, Robbins, Dinham, Hughes & Mr Bromley, Bro Marsh and an address from Bro N Fido. A coffee supper for 50 was provided at the close.
In July the Gleaner lodge of the Good Templar lodge at Corsham made an evening visit to Box. Bro E Spackman presided, congratulating Box on the progress they had made. The programme that night was songs, music, readings and dialogues from: Bro E Spackman, C Spackman, G Robbins, Bros Spackman, Robbins, Dinham, Hughes & Mr Bromley, Bro Marsh and an address from Bro N Fido. A coffee supper for 50 was provided at the close.
September
brought a Bazaar in aid of the restoration of the church organ, held
in the school. The room was decorated with bunting, flags and Chinese
lanterns; Pot plants featured in the decorations. The opening
ceremony was performed by Mrs Fuller and Corsham Brass band played.
There was handbell ringing by Dr Sudlow, accompanied by Miss
Goldsmith; Miss N Harston executed on the piano in an appreciable
manner, The morcean naturel in a flat; a recitation by
the Rev H B Freeman was also well rendered. Mrs Jarley’s
Waxworks was in the infants’ schoolroom. Mr W H Brinkworth made
an efficient showman and Mr W Roach, as usual, took the
character of John. In the schoolyard at the rear of the
building the attractions included coconuts, Aunt Sally, and a shooting range, and in a gypsy’s tent Miss Lana Forbes officiated as Zilla and told marvellous fortunes for a small sum. £160 was raised.
Excursion to Longleat
In September, instead of the usual trip to the seaside, the annual choir outing had a picnic at Longleat. It had been arranged that the park to the east of the lake was at their disposal. Forty people started off from Box between 7-8am, well-laden with hampers of delicacies, drinks and provisions, kindly provided by the vicar. The first stop was at Bradford-on-Avon to rid the horses of their weight up the steep and hilly town. Road came next, of Constance Kent notoriety, and here the horses stayed to halt. Then to Frome, where they visited the church.
When they came within sight of Longleat House, the youngsters tried to count the 365 windows, unsuccessfully, as a bend in the road hid the house from view before they could count them all. Unpacking the hampers a most ludicrous "contretemps" became evident. The hamper with the knives, silver and table linen was conspicuous by its absence. The party good-humouredly laughed over such a picnic incident. But somehow some kind souls were induced to supply them.
Parties of fifteen then looked around the house and garden. Then Mr A Perren, organist, had brought his camera and photographed the choir in a group. Horses were harnessed, tea was taken at Frome. The horses had another break at Beckington, where some of the group visited friends. Another break with refreshments at Bradford-on-Avon (for the horses) then a final start for home was made, the whole way after that being enlivened by songs and glees, with the exception of the break containing the boys, who having done so much execution of their lungs in the earlier part of the day, were for them remarkably quiet. Box was reached about eleven pm.
In September, instead of the usual trip to the seaside, the annual choir outing had a picnic at Longleat. It had been arranged that the park to the east of the lake was at their disposal. Forty people started off from Box between 7-8am, well-laden with hampers of delicacies, drinks and provisions, kindly provided by the vicar. The first stop was at Bradford-on-Avon to rid the horses of their weight up the steep and hilly town. Road came next, of Constance Kent notoriety, and here the horses stayed to halt. Then to Frome, where they visited the church.
When they came within sight of Longleat House, the youngsters tried to count the 365 windows, unsuccessfully, as a bend in the road hid the house from view before they could count them all. Unpacking the hampers a most ludicrous "contretemps" became evident. The hamper with the knives, silver and table linen was conspicuous by its absence. The party good-humouredly laughed over such a picnic incident. But somehow some kind souls were induced to supply them.
Parties of fifteen then looked around the house and garden. Then Mr A Perren, organist, had brought his camera and photographed the choir in a group. Horses were harnessed, tea was taken at Frome. The horses had another break at Beckington, where some of the group visited friends. Another break with refreshments at Bradford-on-Avon (for the horses) then a final start for home was made, the whole way after that being enlivened by songs and glees, with the exception of the break containing the boys, who having done so much execution of their lungs in the earlier part of the day, were for them remarkably quiet. Box was reached about eleven pm.
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Harvest Festival Programme
Miss Noble Why should we say goodbye? Mr W Barlow All in a garden fair Miss Woodley, Miss Goulstone, Messr Burrows and Bradfield sang a quartette, The last rose of summer Miss Mabel Northey Brodina The Bath Glee Club Strike the Lyre Mr A G Spurr O’er the hills of Normandie The choir The reapers song Choir See our wagon golden laden Miss Pay Many a mile away Mr Harding Powder Monkey Miss Mabel Northey with Miss Coney on violin Fiddle and I The Bath Glee Club Absence Box choir Come where my love lies dreaming The Bath Glee Club Father o’Flynn and Beware God save the Queen. |
Harvest Thanksgiving Supper
The annual Harvest Festival started with tea in the schools. About 260 sat down to tea, presided over by, inter alia, Mrs Northey, Mrs James Vezey, Mrs Pinchin. They then went down to the old Parish Church, beautifully decorated by, inter alia, Mrs Gardiner, (who could not come on the day, confined to her room with neuralgia), Miss Nellie Browning, Miss Vezey, Miss Annie Vezey, Messrs Hancock, Richards etc. The Organ had not been restored in time for the harvest festivities. A Concert was held at 8pm. The Vicar was in chair. The programme opened with a piano solo by Mr W Barlow, then the choir sang Lord who bidst the rolling year. The programme then continued as follows: |
On Sat 12th October the British and Foreign Bible Society met in the old schools. Miss Heathcote of Ditteridge presided at the harmonium. The Church Parade, an annual parade of the friendly societies, took place on the following day with a collection for the Royal United Hospital in Bath.
A Cricket supper was held on a Wednesday evening at the Queens Head. About thirty sat down to a capital repast provided by Host Ponting. Col Northey JP presided and Mr G E Northey occupied the vice Chair. Dr J P Martin gave the toasts. Mr W J Burrows received the bat for the highest batting average. Some capital songs were given by Messrs Harding, Shackell, Gale, Walters, Lambert, Toy, Shewring, Bradfield, Chaffey, Hankes, Browning, Slatford etc. Mr A Perrin was at the piano.
October also saw the Primitive Methodist Chapel at Box Hill have their Harvest Thankgiving service. This was followed by Rev G Hellawell, preacher, who lectured on Little Abe the Bishop of Berry Brow. Mr J Boscombe of Corsham presided. At the close fruit and veg were sold and proceeds given to chapel funds.
A Cricket supper was held on a Wednesday evening at the Queens Head. About thirty sat down to a capital repast provided by Host Ponting. Col Northey JP presided and Mr G E Northey occupied the vice Chair. Dr J P Martin gave the toasts. Mr W J Burrows received the bat for the highest batting average. Some capital songs were given by Messrs Harding, Shackell, Gale, Walters, Lambert, Toy, Shewring, Bradfield, Chaffey, Hankes, Browning, Slatford etc. Mr A Perrin was at the piano.
October also saw the Primitive Methodist Chapel at Box Hill have their Harvest Thankgiving service. This was followed by Rev G Hellawell, preacher, who lectured on Little Abe the Bishop of Berry Brow. Mr J Boscombe of Corsham presided. At the close fruit and veg were sold and proceeds given to chapel funds.
References
[1] Photos courtesy Jane Browning
[1] Photos courtesy Jane Browning