Commemoration Photos Photos Augustus F Perren February 2025
Copies of Augustus' photographs courtesy Jane Browning
Pastoral Operetta, 1899
As part of the fundraising events for the restoration of Box Church in 1898, major community events were put on throughout the village of Box. Mrs Amelia Watson, widow, allowed use of the lawn in front of her residence, Box House, for a substantial event in 1899.[1] There was something for everyone with a Japenese lantern display, fairy lights on trees and shrubs behind the lawn, and an acetylene light operated by Daniel Bingham, who later donated the village Bingham Hall.[2]
The major entertainment was put on by 50 children from Box School who enacted a Pastoral Operetta with the theme of
Bo-Peep and Boy Blue. All the performers were in fancy dress and the work was performed on a raised stage illuminated by Daniel Bingham.[3] The newly-appointed curate of Box Church, Rev Bernard Everett, was responsible for rehersing the children in the libretto written by G Clifton Bingham and the music by Florian Pascal. The Misses Vezey made all the costumes.
As part of the fundraising events for the restoration of Box Church in 1898, major community events were put on throughout the village of Box. Mrs Amelia Watson, widow, allowed use of the lawn in front of her residence, Box House, for a substantial event in 1899.[1] There was something for everyone with a Japenese lantern display, fairy lights on trees and shrubs behind the lawn, and an acetylene light operated by Daniel Bingham, who later donated the village Bingham Hall.[2]
The major entertainment was put on by 50 children from Box School who enacted a Pastoral Operetta with the theme of
Bo-Peep and Boy Blue. All the performers were in fancy dress and the work was performed on a raised stage illuminated by Daniel Bingham.[3] The newly-appointed curate of Box Church, Rev Bernard Everett, was responsible for rehersing the children in the libretto written by G Clifton Bingham and the music by Florian Pascal. The Misses Vezey made all the costumes.
The performance started at sunset with children dressed as merry shepherds and shepherdesses on stage singing a welcoming chorus in a land called Arcadia (implying a garden of harmony and bounty). Leading roles were performed by Ada Emsley aged 14 of Myrtle Cottage (Boy Blue) and Elizabeth McIlwraith aged 13 from Alcombe (Bo-Peep). The newspaper listed all the children who took part.
Augustus took the photographs to commemorate the event and one was presented to each family involved in the production, with the intention that other copies would be bought to be sent to other family members.
Coronation, 1902
Coronation, 1902
Augustus' photograph courtesy David Pollard
Augustus was the official village photographer for the numerous events of Edwardian Box. He was on the organising committee of the coronation of Edward VII in August 1902.
Coronation, 1911
Only a few years later there was a further coronation celebrating the new reign of King George V (above and below courtesy Ainsley and Shirley Goulstone).
Only a few years later there was a further coronation celebrating the new reign of King George V (above and below courtesy Ainsley and Shirley Goulstone).
References
[1] Box Parish Magazine, September 1899
[2] The Wiltshire Times, 12 August 1899
[3] The Wiltshire Times, 19 August 1899
[1] Box Parish Magazine, September 1899
[2] The Wiltshire Times, 12 August 1899
[3] The Wiltshire Times, 19 August 1899