Notable Visitors Alan Payne March 2023
The Duke was shown around the Selwyn Hall by residents Norman Haines, Derek Lovell and Margaret Rousell (courtesy Gazette & Herald, 25 April 2002)
Box has had several royal visitors in its history including a few since the Second World War. It was reported that Princess Margaret was a regular visitor to Middlehill in the 1960s and 70s but these were personal and private occasions. This article focusses on the publicised visits of the royal establishment, together with national radio coming to Box.
Visit of the Duke of Kent, April 2002
The visit by the Duke of Kent in April 2002 was part of a royal tour of North Wiltshire to commemorate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee. The Duke's attendance was literally a flying visit, arriving by helicopter on The Rec, seeing what he could in the time available, and leaving for Colerne by the same aircraft. Nonetheless, it was thoroughly enjoyed by local schoolchildren. The Duke was introduced to local dignitaries, including James Gray MP, Norman Haines (chairman of the Selwyn Hall management committee), Derek Lovell (chairman of the parish council) and vicar Rev Tom Selwyn-Smith.
Visit of the Duke of Kent, April 2002
The visit by the Duke of Kent in April 2002 was part of a royal tour of North Wiltshire to commemorate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee. The Duke's attendance was literally a flying visit, arriving by helicopter on The Rec, seeing what he could in the time available, and leaving for Colerne by the same aircraft. Nonetheless, it was thoroughly enjoyed by local schoolchildren. The Duke was introduced to local dignitaries, including James Gray MP, Norman Haines (chairman of the Selwyn Hall management committee), Derek Lovell (chairman of the parish council) and vicar Rev Tom Selwyn-Smith.
Duke of Kent meeting Box schoolchildren (courtesy Gazette & Herald, 25 April 2002)
The visit was important enough to attract the local press to record the event. The Duke was introduced to many young villagers, including Lisa Whitemore (director of local theatre group) who showed him the props and costumes for upcoming productions, and a host of children (including Emily Harrison and Emma Newman). All of this notwithstanding a hailstorm which broke over the village as he arrived.
The original bowls clubhouse built in 1974 was showing its age by 2009 (courtesy Bob Hancock)
Visit of the Duchess of Cornwall, 11 May 2009 to open the Box Parish Pavilion
The Box Bowling Club was founded in February 1968 but events didn’t go well at first.[1] The club joined a local league but had to withdraw for two seasons because of the poor condition of the green. By 1972 things had settled down and the club re-joined the league. The club built its original clubhouse in 1974 and was able to host county matches and member Harold Ebdon was elected president of the Wiltshire Bowls Association. The Short Mat Bowls Club was founded in 1993 with Keith Whelan as the founder chairman.[2]
The Box Bowling Club was founded in February 1968 but events didn’t go well at first.[1] The club joined a local league but had to withdraw for two seasons because of the poor condition of the green. By 1972 things had settled down and the club re-joined the league. The club built its original clubhouse in 1974 and was able to host county matches and member Harold Ebdon was elected president of the Wiltshire Bowls Association. The Short Mat Bowls Club was founded in 1993 with Keith Whelan as the founder chairman.[2]
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The history of the club and its premises altered dramatically in 2009 with the construction of a new stone building as a youth pavilion and sports changing facilities. The concept plans were designed and built by Ashford Associates at a cost reputed to have been £400,000. As befitted such a grand scheme it was planned to invite Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, to officially open the site on 27 March 2009. But all seemed lost when she was obliged to pull out at the last minute due to illness.[3]
Remarkably, she re-arranged her royal schedules and agreed to perform the opening six weeks later on Monday 11 May 2009.[4] Fortunately, this was a brilliant sunny day for the Duchess’ visit and a marvellous attendance was ensured by residents, cheering schoolchildren, civic dignitaries and sports representatives of the bowls, football and tennis clubs. The children lined the approach road, waving flags. Following a welcoming speech by Box Parish Chairman, Frederick G Sheppard, the Duchess unveiled a commemorative plaque.The Duchess joined in with events and was invited to bowl on the green by club chairman Ian Collier. She accepted the challenge, quipping, I’ve never bowled before but I’ll have a go and she did. Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, demonstrating her new found skill and winning the admiration of many for her unpretentious willingness to join in (believed to be courtesy Chippenham News) |
National Media
In addition to the royal visits, Box village has had national media coming to put on shows here after the Second World War. Some TV programmes have shown Box Tunnel in the background and Larkrise to Candleford was shot in the hamlet of Old Jockey. But the most obvious to residents (and best promoted) events was the attendance of BBC radio productions to record programmes here.
Any Questions January 1963
In January 1963 Freddie Grisewood and the BBC Home Service team of the radio show Any Questions arrived in the Bingham Hall to broadcast the programme. The panel was distinguished, including Sir John Wolfenden, Judith Hart MP and Peter Amery MP but the surroundings were rather elderly in one of the last major events in the hall.[5] The questions weren’t challenging, including Why do women wear wigs? and Should the capital of England be moved to the Yorkshire Moors? Everyone was reported to have enjoyed the evening.
Curiously, Box Women’s Institute put on their own event in July 1973 when the questions were much more challenging.[6]
Of course, in the meantime the country had gone through a social revolution called The Swinging Sixties. Mrs Swift (Box’s pharmacist) advocated women doing what they really wanted in answer to Is this a man’s world? although the answers to ingredient for a successful marriage seemed to defeat the panel beyond vague generalities.
In addition to the royal visits, Box village has had national media coming to put on shows here after the Second World War. Some TV programmes have shown Box Tunnel in the background and Larkrise to Candleford was shot in the hamlet of Old Jockey. But the most obvious to residents (and best promoted) events was the attendance of BBC radio productions to record programmes here.
Any Questions January 1963
In January 1963 Freddie Grisewood and the BBC Home Service team of the radio show Any Questions arrived in the Bingham Hall to broadcast the programme. The panel was distinguished, including Sir John Wolfenden, Judith Hart MP and Peter Amery MP but the surroundings were rather elderly in one of the last major events in the hall.[5] The questions weren’t challenging, including Why do women wear wigs? and Should the capital of England be moved to the Yorkshire Moors? Everyone was reported to have enjoyed the evening.
Curiously, Box Women’s Institute put on their own event in July 1973 when the questions were much more challenging.[6]
Of course, in the meantime the country had gone through a social revolution called The Swinging Sixties. Mrs Swift (Box’s pharmacist) advocated women doing what they really wanted in answer to Is this a man’s world? although the answers to ingredient for a successful marriage seemed to defeat the panel beyond vague generalities.
Photo courtesy Box Parish Magazine January 2003
Gardeners’ Question Time, November 2002
A national and international audience came to Box on 27 November 2002 when the Box Gardening Club hosted Pippa Greenwood, Roy Lancaster, Tony Russell and Eric Robson for BBC Radio 4’s prestigious show. Chairman of Box Gardening Club
David Brown from Hill View, Beech Road, had a lot to contend with. First, the acoustics of the hall echoed constantly and Brian Nicholas spent several days building a remarkable indoor potting shed on the stage, assisted by Steve Wheeler. The Box trees on the stage were handily tranplanted from the cemetery for the occasion. Then it rained constantly on the day, and finally Pippa Greenwood got lost and couldn’t find the Selwyn Hall.[7]
Despite the hiccups, it all went amazingly well. The radio recorded two shows back-to-back; they were funny and interesting; and were transmitted on 12 January and 9 February 2003. The questions included a proposal to chop down large trees on The Rec, which got the audience going.
A national and international audience came to Box on 27 November 2002 when the Box Gardening Club hosted Pippa Greenwood, Roy Lancaster, Tony Russell and Eric Robson for BBC Radio 4’s prestigious show. Chairman of Box Gardening Club
David Brown from Hill View, Beech Road, had a lot to contend with. First, the acoustics of the hall echoed constantly and Brian Nicholas spent several days building a remarkable indoor potting shed on the stage, assisted by Steve Wheeler. The Box trees on the stage were handily tranplanted from the cemetery for the occasion. Then it rained constantly on the day, and finally Pippa Greenwood got lost and couldn’t find the Selwyn Hall.[7]
Despite the hiccups, it all went amazingly well. The radio recorded two shows back-to-back; they were funny and interesting; and were transmitted on 12 January and 9 February 2003. The questions included a proposal to chop down large trees on The Rec, which got the audience going.
For a village of only some 3,000 residents, Box should not expect to have royal visitors let alone an international news programme. That makes these visitors even more special and we owe a great deal of gratitude to them.
References
[1] Parish Magazine, May 2001
[2] Parish Magazine, February 2017
[3] Parish Magazine, May 2009
[4] Parish Magazine, June 2009
[5] Parish Magazine, January 1963
[6] Parish Magazine, July 1973
[7] Parish Magazine, January 2003
[1] Parish Magazine, May 2001
[2] Parish Magazine, February 2017
[3] Parish Magazine, May 2009
[4] Parish Magazine, June 2009
[5] Parish Magazine, January 1963
[6] Parish Magazine, July 1973
[7] Parish Magazine, January 2003