Harvest Festivals 1903 & 2023

St Michael’s Church – Community Harvest Service 29 October 2023

For over a decade, the Aldbourne Churches Together have organised the Aldbourne Harvest Appeal (A-Ha!) in support of the Swindon Food Collective. Each autumn, the appeal goes out right across the village to encourage support for this worthy cause. Groups and individuals are invited to collect items, raise much needed funds or to donate. For those in need, the churches can refer people for whom the work of the Swindon Food Collective could be a lifeline.

One hundred and twenty years ago goodwill offerings were gathered in for the Savernake Hospital from ‘kind friends, too numerous to name’. The much appreciated gifts were sent off in a large hamper, full to the brim, with apples, pears, bananas, flowers, cabbages, tomatoes, carrots, potatoes and turnips. In that year the font was decorated by Mrs Agnes Cresser, of Vine Cottage on the Green.

Harebells in September 2023 at the grave of Robert Cresser ( 1826 – 1905)

The font was kindly decorated by Mrs Cresser and looked superb, great effect being obtained by treating the upper part according to the peculiar lozenge-shape on the panels, these being each treated separately and hung with grapes and bananas (a most welcome gift), wreathed round with ivy, the rest of the font being decorated with choice flowers.

Aldbourne Parish Magazine November 1903 (with thanks to Aldbourne Heritage Centre)

The harebells by Robert’s grave caught my eye earlier this year, and I was able to find out a little more about this family and their time in the village (including the bananas on the font!).

Agnes and Robert Cresser were living in Vine Cottage at the time of the 1901 census, with daughter Dora aged 9. Both Agnes and Dora took an active role in the life of the village, particularly at the Parish Church. Robert Cresser, a Retired Hotel Keeper, died in 1905. His widow was still at Vine Cottage for the 1911 census; Dora was married in Hannington, Wiltshire later that year. By the time of the 1921 census, Agnes had re-married and was living in Cassington, Oxford.

Another interesting footnote is that Robert’s brother, William, was for ten years organist and composer at His Majesty’s Chapels Royal, St James. William conducted the service and played the organ at the wedding of King George V and Queen Mary, and at the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria (Source: News Chronicle March 1933). William generously donated copies of his music to the St Michael’s Church Choir to sing anthems on Whit Sunday 1903.

St Michael’s Church Discovery Day

We celebrated our village church Patron Saint in style for 2023. St Michael’s Day falls on 29th September (although by the old calendar it’s 10th – or maybe – 11th October) https://aldbournearchive.wordpress.com/2021/10/10/old-michaelmas-pack-rag-day-and-blackberries/

St Michael’s School held their special service on Friday 29th September, and also created many beautiful and thoughtful works of art to decorate the church. https://www.stmichaelsaldbourne.co.uk/uncategorized/cherry-class-celebrate-st-michaels-day/

St Michael’s Church welcomed lots of visitors for the Discovery Day on Saturday 30th September 2023. There was tea and cake thanks to the Friends of St Michael’s Church; history tours by the Aldbourne Community Heritage Group and demonstrations of hand-bell ringing by the Cook Road Clangers and lots more to enjoy. Huge thanks to the many willing volunteers, it was wonderful to have the opportunity for the village and visitors to explore our parish church.

A highlight of the day (literally!) was the epic battle on the top of the tower. St Michael defeated the dragon/serpent who then plummeted down, followed by a host of wingéd messengers spreading the news that Lucifer had fallen. It was totally brilliant. Thank you to everyone!

Veterans of Aldbourne 1911 (Coronation)

I’ve not been able to unearth a great deal of local information about the Coronation of King George V as celebrated in Aldbourne.

A Parish Council meeting in March 1911 resolved itself into an assembly to consider what steps should be taken to commemorate, and celebrate, the forthcoming Coronation.

Various permanent schemes were suggested as a commemoration notably “That the village be lighted with lamps” (by Mr Charles Orchard) “That the Baptist Chapel be leased, or purchased, (if the trust deeds allow) and that the same be converted into a reading and Parish Room” (by Mr Henry B Sheppard) “That a tea, and Coronation Mug be given the children (by ?) “And that the schoolchildren should be provided with a copy of the New Testament” (by Mr Job Barrett).

Eventually a committee of about 36 … were elected, with power to add to their number, to consider the various schemes and suggestions.

Parish Meeting Minutes – with thanks to Aldbourne Heritage Centre

The Vicar at the time, Rev W A Butler, wrote briefly about the forthcoming Coronation in his June 1911 newsletter: “there are rumours of a public dinner”. He then went on to speak about his own wedding plans for the 29th June 1911.

There is a note to the effect that a telegram of congratulation was sent by the Chairman of the Parish Council to their Majesties the King and Queen on Coronation Day – June 22nd 1911. This was acknowledged by Buckingham Palace thanking the Parish Council, and all who joined with them, for the loyal sentiments “to which your telegram gives expression”.

Did the tea or dinner take place? Did the children receive a mug? Any and all information from family albums or stories very welcome!

One interesting note about the Veterans on the Seat, the photo was clearly the inspiration for the wooden cut-outs created for the 1980 Victorian Festival. If anyone has photographs from then, I’d love to see them.

1980 Victorian Festival

Edward VII Coronation 1902 (or When Aldbourne Celebrated Twice!)

Photograph by Frederick Horatio Walker Ault taken on 15 July 1902 (Source Aldbourne Civic Society/Photographic Club)

Prince Albert Edward became King on 22 January 1901, on the death of his mother Queen Victoria. In early May 1902, Henry Charles Howard, Vicar of Aldbourne wrote:

“GOD SAVE THE KING”

Thursday, June 26th, we all hope to keep as a holiday on the occasion of the Coronation of their Majesties King Edward and Queen Alexandra … As I write this we are still in early May; so it is impossible to say much about our festivities here. At present it has been decided to give a dinner to all over 65 years, and a tea to children under 14. Our funds are not large at present; so all the bigger schemes have dropped out, and there seems no prospect of any permanent memorial. There will be a celebration of the Holy Communion at 8 o’clock on the Coronation Day. All our hymns will be well known ones, as we want to aim at a true, hearty service.

Aldbourne Parish Magazine June 1902 (Source Aldbourne Heritage Centre)

The Rev Howard goes on to speak about how he wished “we could all get seats in Westminster Abbey to see the ceremony, of which the last recurrence was 64 years ago. The service to be used is known to be 1100 years old … No other country in the world can show a coronation service as old as ours.”

The best laid plans can go awry. Just two days before the date set for the Coronation the King was taken seriously ill, and an emergency operation was required. In Aldbourne, the Committee for the Coronation Festivities called a morning meeting and it was decided to postpone the festivities until further notice. The local press reported:

About ten minutes after the meeting had dispersed an official telegram was received stating that the King wished that all previous arrangements should be carried out. There was a public meeting in the Square at 12 o’clock when Mr Ault put a resolution to the meeting that the people of Aldbourne shall carry out the King’s wishes, which was carried by a large majority. The committee held another meeting in the evening and it was again decided to postpone it until after the haymaking was finished.

Devizes and Wilts Advertiser 3 July 1902 (Source British Newspaper Archive/British Library)

The Rev Howard wrote again in the middle of July (printed in August 1902)

Aldbourne Parish Magazine August 1902 (Source Aldbourne Heritage Centre)

Talented chap, was Mr Ault, and excellently clear prints of his glass plate photograph do indeed remain as a permanent record of those festivities on 15 July 1902. You can read a little more about him at https://aldbournearchive.wordpress.com/2015/02/14/frederick-horatio-walker-ault/

In the September 1902 Parish Magazine, the Vicar jots some notes about ‘our second Coronation rejoicing on August 9th’. A church service followed by sports for the children, including a greasy pole that defeated all who attempted to climb it. The planned dinner and tea took place, the church bells rang out and a torchlit procession was formed in the evening. The revelry went on to mid-night, all having a most successful and happy time.

The torchlit procession may well have been the Vicar’s idea, because a peep at the July 1902 Parish Magazine shows his joyful reaction to the Treaty of Vereeniging.  

We have now recovered from the excitement that the announcement of peace caused us. It took some time to convince people that the good news was really true, as there had been so many false rumours before; but when it was found to be true, the bell-ringers and the band rose to the occasion. What a pity we did not get up a torchlight procession!

Source: with thanks to Aldbourne Heritage Centre

(The) Queen Victoria

I’ve recently learned how the good people of Broad Hinton and thereabouts marked the Coronation of the young queen in 1838. The Hackpen White Horse was made in that year (thanks to Marlborough Downs: A Space for Nature for the info).

Here in Aldbourne, I believe a pub was either opened or re-named in honour of Her Majesty. Historic England – “The Queen Inn opened between 1837 and 1848. It was known as the Queen Victoria from 1855, and closed in around 1970”.

Know Your Place Wiltshire – 1844 – 1848 OS 25″ 1st Edition

In the Wiltshire Post Office Directory of 1855, Stephen Everett is listed as landlord of the Queen Victoria (he later went on to the Blue Boar). I’ve managed to find several trade directories that feature the five pubs in Aldbourne through time – including the landlords of the Queen Victoria:

• Thomas Orchard – 1859
• William Palmer – 1867
• Jesse Bray – 1889, 1895 & 1897
• John Palmer 1903

Aldbourne Civic Society – West Street 1907

John and Fanny Palmer appear in the Kelly’s Directory of 1903. When the widowed Mrs Fanny Palmer died in 1937 the North Wilts Herald acknowledged that “she was for over 22 years proprietress of the Queen Victoria Inn, before it was taken over by her son-in-law and daughter, Mr and Mrs George Dew, with whom she lived after her retirement”.

Parish Magazine December 1982 – with thanks to Aldbourne Heritage Centre

A Season of Remembrance

Opening Day 7 July 1922

It was a great pleasure to work with the Aldbourne War Memorial Hall Committee over the past year. The aim has been to help commemorate and celebrate the opening of the Hall in July 1922. The Hall has had one hundred years as a village institution at the heart of our community. The Centenary Bench carries a message of thanks to everyone who has supported that long journey. Long may it continue to serve!

History tells us that the people of Aldbourne started to plan for their Hall as far back as 1917. My theory is that news of the formation of the Imperial (now Commonwealth) War Graves Commission in May of that year filtered out to the rural areas. Aldbourne was suffering, as did so many other towns and villages, with the loss of loved ones and the return of men and boys broken in body and mind. A decision was made to create both a lasting memorial and a village hall.

Armistice Day in 1922 fell on a Saturday. The two-minute silence was observed at 11am and a Service of Remembrance took place in St Michael’s Church at 6pm. The British Legion, preceded by the Aldbourne Silver Prize Band, marched to the service in the church. After the service the British Legion returned to the Memorial Hall for their annual dinner, followed by a free concert.

In 1923 the supper and concert were fixed for Saturday 10 November. In addition to the church services the following day the ex-servicemen arranged a United Service at the Memorial Hall during the afternoon.

Comrades of the Great War Minute Book – 6 October 1923

And so the tradition continues in the here and now.  Aldbourne marks the Armistice Day with the Silence and a reading. The Aldbourne Churches Together and Royal British Legion conduct the Remembrance Sunday Service, accompanied by the Aldbourne Band and representatives from the Scout and Guide organisations. 

Remembrance Sunday Aldbourne War Memorial Hall – November 2022

The Hall corresponds for us at Aldbourne to the Cenotaph in London. It is our War Memorial and on its walls are inscribed names of the men of this village who fell in the War. It is fitting therefore that at Armistice time the whole village should gather around the place where those names are inscribed.

Parish Magazine November 1938 – Rev Elliott

The Rev Elliott’s words recall the sentiments expressed by his predecessor, the Rev Philip Jasper, at the opening in 1922. They bring this brief history up to the year before the outbreak of a second world conflict that took the lives of village men, with so many others across the globe.

In November 1939, the Memorial Hall was a canteen for troops based in the village. A local newspaper reported that the Poppy Day collection in Aldbourne raised £20 17s 6d – a record – thanks to the inhabitants and the troops for their generosity in supporting this most deserving appeal. The British Legion took steps to ensure that any cases of illness or distress amongst ex-servicemen would be attended to and expressed regret that ‘owing to present conditions’ their annual dinner could not take place.

A third memorial tablet was added at the Hall in 1948, in grateful memory of the men of Aldbourne who gave their lives in the Second World War.

Lest we forget.

First published in the Dabchick Magazine December 2022

800 Years of Aldbourne Feast

Thinking today (a bit late) about the 800th anniversary of ‘Feast’ (22 July), which is the day that triggers that formula for the arrival of the fair. Feast Day in Aldbourne is dedicated to St Mary Mary Magdalene

Aldbourne Feast, Revels & Rural Sports

Originally published on the Aldbourne Archive 28 July 2020

Maurice Crane’s Aldbourne Chronicle (2nd Edition) gives 1222 as the year the Council of Oxford ordered all parishes to keep Feast on their Saint’s Day.

With another entry further on down the time-line in 1460 when the present church tower was built, and the church re-dedicated to St Michael (Feast Day 29 September).

Oh, and then there’s Old Michaelmas which comes later – don’t pick blackberries after 11 – or possibly 10 – October. Goodness it’s complicated 🙂

Just to add to the mix, when ‘Band of Brothers’ was filmed the village church was renamed again and dedicated to another Mary entirely. I think the church in the village that doubled for Aldbourne in the series was, and is, St Mary’s in real life. Possibly ….

I’ve now looked that up and the village that stood in for Aldbourne was Hambleden, near Henley on Thames and there is indeed a church there dedicated to St Mary the Virgin.

Aldbourne War Memorial Hall: One Hundred Years

Aldbourne War Memorial Hall – Opening Day 7 July 1922

The people of Aldbourne started to plan for a war memorial during 1917.  Much consideration was given to the form it should take.  It was ultimately decided that a Parish Hall should be built.  From 1917 onwards money was being collected by a great variety of fund-raising endeavours.

The Memorial Hall Minutes record that during 1921, alongside such important matters as pianos, billiard tables and smoking concerts for the ex-servicemen, there was an ever-present underlying concern for the cost of building.  A temporary hut was built in Whitley Meadow, with a half hut for billiards established by the Comrades of the Great War (this group later amalgamated into the British Legion alongside three other national organisations of ex-servicemen). A Boys Club was also inaugurated, which was the foundation for the Aldbourne Sports & Social Club we have today.

By 21 November 1921, the fundraising target was in reach, it was proposed “that fresh tenders be asked for inside and outside the village to build the Hall. With local labour to be employed as much as possible and the lowest tender be accepted in or out of the village provided the sum is what we can pay.”

It was further proposed by Miss Emily Sophia Todd of Hampstead Cottage, “that the Building Committee see Mr Moulding as regards his tender in view of the continuing fall in prices and the money we have at our disposal”.

By 6 December 1921, £1,000 was in hand.  Mr Mouldings revised tender came in at £1,200, which was accepted.  The Secretary was instructed to collect the subscriptions that had been pledged from members of the community to make up the shortfall.  Our War Memorial Hall was built by Messrs Moulding Bros, a family firm founded here in Aldbourne during 1798 – and today in their 8th generation.

It was decided that the names of the fallen should be outside the Hall rather than inside.  Miss Todd suggested that the list of names in St Michael’s Church (unveiled in March 1920) should be inscribed and ‘those who had died since’ also be included.  The building committee were authorised to arrange for a foundation laying ceremony when the right time arrived.  These decisions were made in January 1922, the contract with Messrs Moulding Brothers having been signed on 13 December 1921.  Did anyone suspect then that space would have to be made for more names to be added less than two decades later when war came again?

Opening Day was 7 July 1922.  Described in the local press as ‘a tribute to lost sons, husbands and sweethearts’, this long-awaited day also heralded the creation of our village institute.  A venue that had been the aim from 1917, enshrined in the very earliest days of the project.  Built by the determination, love and enthusiasm of young and old alike, the aim was to provide a room “fitted in every way for public meetings with arrangements for concerts and theatricals, a real and lasting centre for community life and interest in the village”.  The present-day Memorial Hall Committee continues this tradition: with great facilities offering a popular venue at the centre of the village.

There will be an exhibition at the Memorial Hall over the weekend of 16^th and 17^th July 2022.  I’m always looking for new stories and history, so please contact me if you have anything like that to share.  For example, this photo of opening day belonged to Effie Brown nee Veitch.  Effie’s brother and father, both named John, are listed among the Great War names.  Effie’s recollection was that everyone in the crowd had either lost, or knew someone who had lost, a loved one.  It is clear to see the emotion on the faces of the crowd as Field Marshall Lord Methuen speaks with the ex-servicemen. Other photos show the Hall more clearly, but in this one we can see the faces of some of the people who worked so hard to create a lasting memorial.

A postcard kept by Effie Brown nee Veitch

Aldbourne War Memorial Hall 1922 – 2022

Photo: Catherine Hutchings #AldbourneRemembers November 2018

Over 100 years ago the village worked together to honour the memory of those lost in the Great War, and those who died following injury or illness. 

At the same time, the aim was very much to provide a room ‘fitted in every way for public meetings, with arrangements for concerts and theatricals – a building which all hoped would be a real and lasting centre for community life and interest in the village’ (North Wilts Herald 2 May 1919/British Newspaper Archive).  After due deliberation and a review of the money raised, the Memorial Hall Committee accepted the tender of Messrs Moulding Bros.  The sum of £1,000 was in hand from the fundraising that began in 1917; the cost of building had fallen, and the successful tender was for £1,200.  The contract was signed on 13^th December 1921.

By 9^th January 1922 it was decided that the names should be outside the Hall and suitable stones were on order.  Miss Todd of Hampstead Cottage proposed that the list of names in Church (unveiled in March 1920) should be inscribed and ‘those who had died since’ also included.  The building committee were authorised to arrange for a foundation laying ceremony when the right time arrived.  It must have been such a relief that the long years of loss and huge efforts for raising funds were finally moving towards that common aim: community remembrance and a venue for people to gather.

With the festive season just over, is it too soon to write about food?

The Senior Citizen’s Christmas Dinner (then known as ‘The Old People’s Tea) moved into the Memorial Hall during the 1920s, has endured since, and took place again in 2022, with great success.  Well done to all concerned!

When war came again, the Hall was requisitioned for use by the troops billeted in the village from October 1939.  There was a Canteen Manager, Chef, Barman and Vegetable Cook; it certainly seems that the troops were very well fed and watered!

American veterans returned in June 1974, and by their special request sat down to lunch with Fish & Chips in the Memorial Hall.  In 1994 the Parish Council hosted the Troop Carrier Veterans’ Association with tea and scones for the presentation of a commemorative plaque to the 436^th that operated from Membury.  In 2015 villagers and visitors alike dined on roast beef and Yorkshire pudding, organised by the Aldbourne Community Heritage Group and a tour group from the World War II Museum in New Orleans. Photos can be found on the Aldbourne Village Gallery https://www.flickr.com/photos/aldbournevillagegallery/albums/72157651910392603

How many of us in the present day have attended community events in the Hall, or hope to in the future?  There have been a full range of refreshments, from comfortable chats with tea and biscuits to themed concerts with three course meals.  Luncheon Club, Soup & Puddings, Barn Dances and Quiz Night Suppers, Scouts and Guides pop-up cafés and that great favourite, Big Breakfasts.  The Memorial Hall is now fully open for all activities – for more information or to book, please visit https://wvha.org.uk/listing/aldbourne-memorial-hall/

Originally published in the February 2022 Dabchick Magazine

Senior Citizens Christmas Dinner 2022

If anyone has memories (or photos) to share from past events, please get in touch.  We are looking forward to writing more articles, and plans are afoot for events and exhibitions to mark this anniversary year (with tea and cake of course!).

history@johutchings.co.uk

Memories of Carnival from Mrs Nancy Barrett (1986)

Nancy Barrett (nee Hawkins) Aldbourne’s first Carnival Queen in 1934

When I was asked by the Carnival Committee if I would write some of my personal memories of the Carnival with which my family have been so closely involved over the years, so many things came to my mind that I find it difficult to know where to begin.

My very first memory of the Carnival is setting off from the shop in West Street (now the framers) where we then lived, to take part in the procession with Molly Lunn (Stacey), as Bride and Bridegroom. We were between five and six years old!

We have come a long way since those days, when the Carnival was a much simpler affair, but nevertheless an important event in our village life.

When my father took over from Mr Arthur Ford as Secretary, around 1930, we had moved to Southern Farm, and for a few weeks each year, the Carnival took over our house which was overflowing with posters, prize cards and collecting boxes, etc.

At that time, all the proceeds were for Savernake Hospital and every collecting box had to be clearly labelled to that effect.

Unlike today, there were no events during the week preceding the Carnival, except for ‘Bowling for the Pig’ which took place in the Square from Friday evening onwards.

A comic football match on the Saturday afternoon was a jolly event, leading up to the grand procession which, by any village standards, was always second to none and drew crowds of onlookers.

After a tour of the village (not quite so far in those days), the procession always wound up in front of the Old Rectory, where the prizes were given out from the steps of the house.

The climax to the evening was the Carnival Dance in the Memorial Hall, but when the Fun Fair became part of the celebrations, this event was dropped through lack of support.

I clearly remember the Sunday evening Carnival Service, also in the Memorial Hall, at which one of the resident doctors at Savernake always took part. One thing that stands out in my mind is that we always sang the hymn ‘Sun of My Soul Thou Saviour Dear’, and I associate that hymn with those services to this day.

I was seventeen when the powers that be decided to introduce a Carnival Queen to the proceedings and I was literally thrown in at the deep end. It was a new venture for the Committee, and I and the four attendants: Marjorie Barrett, Nellie Crook, Molly Brind and a young girl who worked at ‘High Town’, were more or less left to make our own arrangements. Not for us the glamorous crowning ceremony, the bouquets and presents etc. We made our own dresses and the cloak and crown were borrowed from Swindon Carnival Committee.

I seem to remember that we did visit the local hospitals and, on Carnival Day, my uncle Chris (Hawkins) dressed as a coachman and drove us round in the procession in an open horse-drawn carriage which we had decorated ourselves. I think we worked harder than the Committee that week.

Sadly, the Carnival lapsed during the War, but was resumed with even greater enthusiasm at the earliest opportunity.

When hospitals came under the Health Service, the Carnival proceeds were divided between the Memorial Hall and the Sports Field which had to be reclaimed after the War.

Although the Community was much smaller in those days, it was surprising how much money was raised each year. The boxes were all taken to the [Memorial] Hall on the Monday evening and the total takings were known the same night.

For several years a special feature of the Carnival was Mr Cooper’s vintage car which transported the Secretary at the head of the procession.

Our involvement in the Carnival carried into the next generation and sometimes it was difficult to think of new things to do each year.

One year we even took Tim’s pony into the old farm-house kitchen when it rained during the preparations. The only other shelter was already taken by Andrea’s pony.

The Band has always played an important part in the proceedings and that involved my husband and later, Tim.

There have been many memorable incidents too numerous to mention, such as the year history repeated itself and Andrea won the 1956 Carnival Queen.

When Mr Tony Gilligan became Secretary in 1962, things were far less hectic on the home front but Carnival week remained very important for our family.

These days, relegated to the side lines, I get very nostalgic at Carnival time and when the Band plays ‘Nightfall in Camp’ and the flags are lowered round the pond, I feel sad for the things that are past, but glad that so many of our new residents have caught our Carnival spirit and are helping to keep the tradition alive.

Carnivals have come and gone in neighbouring villages and towns, but hopefully ours will go on. Long Live Aldbourne Carnival!

Nancy Barrett writing in the 1986 Aldbourne Carnival Programme