Issue 9: Health & Leisure: 1870 - 1920s September 2015
Kingsdown House at the top of Doctors Hill was famous as one of the oldest Lunatic Asylums in Britain started in 1615.
The full scale of its barbaric methods have been uncovered by David Ibberson and the fascinating story of its occupants in the mid-1800s. You can find out what went on room-by-room in Inside Box Mad House and you can see the brochure issued by
Dr MacBryan in 1903 when it became more like an Old People's Home.
The full scale of its barbaric methods have been uncovered by David Ibberson and the fascinating story of its occupants in the mid-1800s. You can find out what went on room-by-room in Inside Box Mad House and you can see the brochure issued by
Dr MacBryan in 1903 when it became more like an Old People's Home.
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Above Left: The main entrance seen in a brochure of 1903 (courtesy Wilts History Centre) and Right: As we see it today (courtesy Carol Payne)
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Sports Clubs - The Victorian period witnessed the start of many of Box's social and sports clubs from badminton to tennis.
Gay Nineties Dances - The age of elegance revisited by Box people after the Second World War, long before Strictly Come Dancing attracted mass weekly attention. Hungarian Revolt - Almost an internationl incident caused over a football match on Box Rec in 1956 until vicar Tom Selwyn-Smith calmed things down. Makes activities at FIFA seem tame. Box Woman's Story - We launch a series about the lives of Box women with Sheila Bartlett's story of her grandmother Maud Cogswell (left). Comrades Legion Club - The history of the naming of this building started as help for First World War heroes and, at one time, was almost an unwelcome take-over. The history told by Cecil Lambert who was involved throughout. |
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Ashley Part 2 - The story of Ashley Lane in our last issue only covered part of this area. Now we rectify the omissions, including the medieval pilgrim's chapel (right) at Wormcliffe and the story of Ashley Manor and its residents.
Remains of Box Railway Station - Not much is left of Box Station but we reconstruct the story of Station House right up to its present day when it is part of the accommodation of the Northey Arms Hotel. Box Horse Show - It ran for a decade and attracted the attention of international show jumping stars. The full story uncovered. Heleigh House, Middlehill - Martin and Elizabeth Devon record the history of the house and its owners. |
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George and Sarah Reeves (courtesy Graham Matthews)
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Victorian Box Index
Alcoholic Women in Box, 1881 - The amazing story of a women's alcohol addiction establishment which existed for a short time in Box in the 1880s. George Reeves - Fabulous photos of a quarryman who ran his own gang of men and worked two underground cranes. New Box Schools, 1875 - The social impact on Box. We welcome all corrections and additions to the information on the website. And please give us your suggestion for stories about the women of Box.
Contact us via the Contact tab with your suggestions. |
URGENT Post Script
The area of Box is under threat from a proposal by Corsham Council to amalgamate Rudloe, Wadswick and Chapel Plaister into Corsham instead of Box. A public meeting is scheduled for 14 October at Springfield Centre. Your views are needed; the views of Alan Payne at Can They Be Saved are that this would be a tragedy for Box and for Rudloe, Wadswick and Chapel Plaister.
The area of Box is under threat from a proposal by Corsham Council to amalgamate Rudloe, Wadswick and Chapel Plaister into Corsham instead of Box. A public meeting is scheduled for 14 October at Springfield Centre. Your views are needed; the views of Alan Payne at Can They Be Saved are that this would be a tragedy for Box and for Rudloe, Wadswick and Chapel Plaister.
Can't Find Something?
All previous issues are still available to access using the Previous Issues tab. You can track the people who have contributed from the Index by Author tab.Or go into People Index or Places Index for a list of articles and the chance to search the whole website for particluar items.
All previous issues are still available to access using the Previous Issues tab. You can track the people who have contributed from the Index by Author tab.Or go into People Index or Places Index for a list of articles and the chance to search the whole website for particluar items.