Issue 6: Celebrations in Box - 1870 to 1920s March 2015
This is a website for people who are interested in the history of Box, in the county of Wiltshire, and its surrounding hamlets.
The site publishes articles about the characters who lived here and how the village developed. It is also a community website where you can record your story and that of your ancestors. Click on the blue headings below to read the articles.
The site publishes articles about the characters who lived here and how the village developed. It is also a community website where you can record your story and that of your ancestors. Click on the blue headings below to read the articles.
Village Gatherings
This issue features some of the most interesting photographs that we have ever published. Above is an amazing picture of a thousand villagers sitting down at Fete Field to celebrate the coronation of George V in 1911 (photo courtesy Ainslie Goulstone). You can read the story of this event and how Box celebrated together before radio and television at Village Celebrations.
We also have the story of community events in the Bingham Hall, at one time located in the centre of Box, and of the remarkable man, Mr DG Bingham, who donated the building to the village. You will be amazed to see the Women's Suffragette march in the very centre of Box in 1913 in the centenary celebrations of Box Women's Institute.
People Index [Click left for articles about Box People]
Ben Drew, Box's baker, and his horse, Joey, feature in several articles including the story of Ted Hulbert recorded by his grandson Mark Jaworski.
Joey, Ted and Mark are all shown in the photo left.
You can read more about Joey in the stories of The Ley and Les Dancey's People of the 1950s. You can also enjoy Les' charming recollections of growing up in the village at A Box Childhood.
A number of well-known Box people are featured in this issue:
Charley Oatley, the auctioneer, property developer and furniture retailer is recorded by his great nephew Ken Oatley; and the Bullock Clockmakers family is recalled by Pat Whalley.
Ben Drew, Box's baker, and his horse, Joey, feature in several articles including the story of Ted Hulbert recorded by his grandson Mark Jaworski.
Joey, Ted and Mark are all shown in the photo left.
You can read more about Joey in the stories of The Ley and Les Dancey's People of the 1950s. You can also enjoy Les' charming recollections of growing up in the village at A Box Childhood.
A number of well-known Box people are featured in this issue:
Charley Oatley, the auctioneer, property developer and furniture retailer is recorded by his great nephew Ken Oatley; and the Bullock Clockmakers family is recalled by Pat Whalley.
Places Index [Click on the blue heading left for list of Box Places articles]
The picture right is of the entry gates to Box House on the A4 from Bath.
David Ibberson records the story of the people who lived behind the entrance and the impact they had on the village.
We also continue our history of areas in the village with a feature story of the development of The Ley area. This part of the village was previously a large field and Anna Grayson has recorded her insight and marvellous photos of the area between the two World Wars.
Victorian Box [Click blue heading left for details.]
Our occasional history of Box life in Victorian and Edwardian times continues with Box Postcards illustrated from the collection of Rose Ledbury. It is a strange period in our history with codes and secret cyphers and of a passion for collecting still with us today.
You can enjoy Brian Hatton's article about the Box Parish Magazine, which began in 1897. Brian should know all about it; he was the editor before Chris Jones.
Sometimes readers enjoy articles and find that they have more information in their archives. That happened with the Ponting story in the last issue and produced an intriguing article about family names long-known in the village but now died out: the Skeates and Speck families.
And if you missed them have another look at 1899 Year of Festivities and Village Outings.
Our occasional history of Box life in Victorian and Edwardian times continues with Box Postcards illustrated from the collection of Rose Ledbury. It is a strange period in our history with codes and secret cyphers and of a passion for collecting still with us today.
You can enjoy Brian Hatton's article about the Box Parish Magazine, which began in 1897. Brian should know all about it; he was the editor before Chris Jones.
Sometimes readers enjoy articles and find that they have more information in their archives. That happened with the Ponting story in the last issue and produced an intriguing article about family names long-known in the village but now died out: the Skeates and Speck families.
And if you missed them have another look at 1899 Year of Festivities and Village Outings.
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Next Issue
In the summer we are featuring an extended issue about manufacturing in the village in the 1800s and 1900s. It covers the Candle Factory (now tennis ball factory) and Box Brewery.We also have some amazing revelations about the Vezey Family and the Pinchin Family, important Victorian people in Box, who ran these factories. If you can add to these stories from your family connections, we would love to hear from you to ensure that this important part of our past is recorded as accurately as possible. Or perhaps you have a story to tell about the Mineral Water Factory on Box Hill or other village industries including the story of Steam Mill Cottages and businesses in Box Railway Sidings. |
Tracing the story of James Vezey in our summer issue.
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Finally
New to the website? Use the Previous Issues to catch up on past stories. Still can't find something? Just contact us and we will get back to you. Don't forget to sign up on the Contact tab if you want to receive our free quarterly newsletter.
New to the website? Use the Previous Issues to catch up on past stories. Still can't find something? Just contact us and we will get back to you. Don't forget to sign up on the Contact tab if you want to receive our free quarterly newsletter.