Charabanc Outings Alan Payne September 2018
Stanley and Mildred Brunt next but one to driver and Reggie Garland standing in half shade, back row right (photo courtesy Genevieve Horne, nee Brunt).
When I was a young man I often heard the word char-a-banc and wondered what it was. It is a French word meaning a chariot or cart with benches, as you can see an apt description for the vehicle above. In the early 1900s it was used to take groups on local outings from Box, such as the trip to the caves in Cheddar Gorge mentioned in the sign. Originally drawn by horse teams, by the 1920s the vehicles were motorised but still very uncomfortable without a roof and with seats that could move. With so many passengers, most vehicles had trouble getting up steep hills and travellers would have to constantly get out to lighten the load.
It isn't possible to identify the particular outing shown in the photo but we might guess from the presence of Stanley and Mildred Brunt, who lived at Valens Terrace, that it was around the time of their wedding in 1930. Mildred's brother Reginald Garland is also in the picture. If I was asked to guess, I would suggest a year of 1930 when the vicar Rev George Foster referred to an excursion season implying that a number of outings went from Box.[1] By the age and appearance of the passengers, we might suspect a Church outing or one organised by the Women's Institute for the old folk.
It isn't possible to identify the particular outing shown in the photo but we might guess from the presence of Stanley and Mildred Brunt, who lived at Valens Terrace, that it was around the time of their wedding in 1930. Mildred's brother Reginald Garland is also in the picture. If I was asked to guess, I would suggest a year of 1930 when the vicar Rev George Foster referred to an excursion season implying that a number of outings went from Box.[1] By the age and appearance of the passengers, we might suspect a Church outing or one organised by the Women's Institute for the old folk.
Problems with Early Outings
Early charabanc outings were rather a lottery, with inadequate headlamps and no street lights, catseyes or road signs. On a train visit from Box to Bournemouth in 1903, the 10.30pm motor car return journey from Bath Station had to be abandoned. It rained heavily on the party in the open-top journey in the pitch black. One car arrived safely at the schools at 11.30pm but the second car failed to show. The driver had great difficulty in finding his way in the darkness (from Shockerwick) and, after various unpleasant adventures, the party elected to dismount and walk the rest of the way, feeling it safer in so doing.[2]
There were reliability issues a decade later. The Parish Magazine of 1912 reported the problems experienced by the Mother's Meeting on their annual outing on 3 June.[3] About forty ladies left Box by motor bus at 9am going to Cheddar. They never made it. The bus broke down in an isolated spot outside the Gorge and the driver had to walk into Cheddar to summon help from Bath. The ladies eventually arrived at the Gorge at 4.30pm, when lunch was taken followed by a quick visit to the caves and to Wells before arriving back in Box after midnight.
Early charabanc outings were rather a lottery, with inadequate headlamps and no street lights, catseyes or road signs. On a train visit from Box to Bournemouth in 1903, the 10.30pm motor car return journey from Bath Station had to be abandoned. It rained heavily on the party in the open-top journey in the pitch black. One car arrived safely at the schools at 11.30pm but the second car failed to show. The driver had great difficulty in finding his way in the darkness (from Shockerwick) and, after various unpleasant adventures, the party elected to dismount and walk the rest of the way, feeling it safer in so doing.[2]
There were reliability issues a decade later. The Parish Magazine of 1912 reported the problems experienced by the Mother's Meeting on their annual outing on 3 June.[3] About forty ladies left Box by motor bus at 9am going to Cheddar. They never made it. The bus broke down in an isolated spot outside the Gorge and the driver had to walk into Cheddar to summon help from Bath. The ladies eventually arrived at the Gorge at 4.30pm, when lunch was taken followed by a quick visit to the caves and to Wells before arriving back in Box after midnight.
We get some idea of the entertainment enjoyed on outings from the two accordian players. Fred Sheppard is seen central at the very back (courtesy Janet Charles)
Riotous Behaviour
The coach outings were an occasion for much merriment and works events often accompanied by considerable alcohol. It was a good excuse to misbehave when away from home where you would not be recognised. In January 1926, Somerset County Council passed a by-law to limit the behaviour of the coach parties, stopping them from annoying peaceful citizens, throwing money or sweets to be scrambled for by children in the roadway, and the trailing streamers and balloons.[4]
One of the problems with the vehicles was that they were top-heavy and liable to roll over as the number of passengers and speed of the vehicles increased. In 1927 a Bournemouth charabanc driver tried to cut the corner near Bathford going at 35 miles per hour.[5] He nearly collided with Mr Shaw Mellor of Box House, who was being driven by his chauffeur and the case brought to court.
The coach outings were an occasion for much merriment and works events often accompanied by considerable alcohol. It was a good excuse to misbehave when away from home where you would not be recognised. In January 1926, Somerset County Council passed a by-law to limit the behaviour of the coach parties, stopping them from annoying peaceful citizens, throwing money or sweets to be scrambled for by children in the roadway, and the trailing streamers and balloons.[4]
One of the problems with the vehicles was that they were top-heavy and liable to roll over as the number of passengers and speed of the vehicles increased. In 1927 a Bournemouth charabanc driver tried to cut the corner near Bathford going at 35 miles per hour.[5] He nearly collided with Mr Shaw Mellor of Box House, who was being driven by his chauffeur and the case brought to court.
We would love to hear from you if you can identify any of the people shown in the photos. They were both local groups perhaps social or works clubs and their ancestors will be known by someone.
References
[1] Parish Magazine, July 1930
[2] Parish Magazine, September 1903
[3] Parish Magazine, June 1912
[4] Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette, 9 January 1926
[5] Wiltshire Times and Trowbridge Advertiser, 1 September 1928
[1] Parish Magazine, July 1930
[2] Parish Magazine, September 1903
[3] Parish Magazine, June 1912
[4] Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette, 9 January 1926
[5] Wiltshire Times and Trowbridge Advertiser, 1 September 1928