Festivities in Stokesley become respectable

In the Cleveland market town of Stokesley at the beginning of the 19th century, festivities were lively and raucous.  As the decades went by, organised and decorous Victorian celebrations took their place.  This is a story about Stokesley – but it will have been true of so many towns and villages!

As I explain in Radicalism in Stokesley in the 1820s, during the Napoleonic Wars the town was particularly outward looking and full of activity.  There were nearly twenty inns and the Stokesley markets were the trading hub of a wide area.  Handloom weaving was at its height and weavers were known for their independence of thought.  The town was very much part of the coastal economy of Cleveland and was the home in the winter months of East India Company captains, merchant seamen, whalers and men of the Royal Navy – and there were plenty of places for them to drink and spend their wages.  

When the Wars ended in 1815, a severe economic depression followed – but all the same, during the 1820s when George IV was on the throne, Stokesley was a Georgian town riven by fractious debate and with a raucous sense of humour.

A lasting reminder of one of the acrimonious debates is the collection of pamphlets produced in the Stokesley Paper Wars (1822-4).  This was a war of the printed word between the radical watchmaker Robert Armstrong and the Methodist tradesman Thomas Mease (much more about his ventures here).  It was a bitter and noisy debate between the supporters of radicalism, Freethought and atheism on the one hand and the supporters of religion and orthodoxy on the other.   

That wasn't the only division – there was also ill-feeling between the various forms of Christianity.  The injustice of the system of tithes lay behind this because it meant that the Methodists, Calvinists and other Nonconformists, who were already financing their own chapels, had to support the Church of England as well in the person of its local representative, Stokesley's very well-to-do rector.  Thomas Mease was an active opponent of tithes and, according to his enemy Robert Armstrong, used to go to the parish church with his friend Robert Kneeshaw "for the purpose of laughing at the Parson". 

The town's bawdy sense of humour can be seen in the newspaper report of an event that took place in the spring of 1825.  The people gave themselves over to hours of fun to celebrate the moment when a 16 year old youth married a 55 year old woman.  The church and factory bells rang, the town-crier made his announcement, the barber shaved the groom with a 30-inch razor, everyone followed the town band to the church and after the ceremony the band led the married pair, carried on chairs and followed by a crowd of people, around the town.  "Rustic festivities followed", said the newspaper report, which can be found here in the account of the flax-spinning mill behind the High Street, where the bride and groom both worked.

By 1828 things were changing and Clarke's Topographical Dictionary described Stokesley as having rather an "air of retirement than business".  But it was still a lively place – in the winter of 1832/1833, there was something like a riot when the Tory candidate Hon William Duncombe visited the town electioneering.  Thomas Mease, who opposed Duncombe's politics, was said to have instigated it.

Celebrations of the tenantry in Ingleby Greenhow, 23 April 1850

York Herald, 27 April 1850

REJOICINGS AT INGLEBY GREENHOW

It was a day of gaiety and festivity long to be remembered at Ingleby Manor, on Tuesday last, the 23rd inst., in celebration of the marriage of Miss Foulis, of Ingleby Manor, to the Hon. Mr Phillip Sidney, only son of Lord de Lisle, of Penshurst, in Kent, which took place in London on that day.  

At two o'clock in the afternoon, in a commodious rustic tent, beautifully fitted up and festooned with evergreens and bloom [sic], about seventy gentlemen, including the tenant farmers on the estates, sat down to a substantial dinner with fine brown October and punch, served up in first-rate style by Widow Hunt, of the Village Inn.  John Peirson, Esq., of Thornton Fields, presided, supported on the left by John H Handyside, Esq., of Stokesley, on the right, by Thomas Garbutt, Esq., of Yarm; the vice-chair being occupied by Mr Henry Chapman of Hutton Rudby.  

Tea was provided at the Village Inn, for the wives and daughters of the tenantry, which was most tastefully set out, and the room chastely ornamented with wreaths of evergreens flowers, and orange blossom, a huge bride's cake taking command in the centre of the table.  Afterwards a ball took place, which was kept up with great spirit.  

It must not be omitted that a fatted ox was slaughtered, and an ample supply of beef given to every poor family in the villages of Ingleby and Battersby so that the aged and infirm, as well as the young and healthy, might each and all rejoice on this auspicious event.

Widow Hunt of the Village Inn was Mrs Mary Hunt, then aged 52.  In the census of 1851 she stated that she was born in Hutton, and I think this means Hutton Rudby.  She will have been assisted by her daughter Mary, aged 22.  She also had a 15 year old son, John.

John Peirson was a land agent; Thornton Fields farm is off the Redcar Road, near Guisborough.  

John Hepburn Handyside was a surgeon in Stokesley; he married Hannah Coates, daughter of the solicitor James Coates in Stokesley in 1845.

Thomas Garbutt was a Yarm solicitor.

Mr Henry Chapman of Hutton Rudby was a farmer and land agent.  The family farmed in Enterpen for many years.

Hutton Rudby had a couple of other links with this story besides Henry Chapman.  

Firstly, the Foulis family owned land in the Sexhow area and, secondly, Lucius Cary of the Falkland family, owners for a time of the Rudby and Skutterskelfe estates, was buried at the groom's family estate of Penshurst in 1871.  Lucius was the only child of Lucius Cary and Amelia Fitzclarence, daughter of William IV.  Amelia is commemorated by a tablet in Hutton Rudby church, (for details, see The People behind the Plaques.)

Hutton Rudby celebrates the coronations of 1911 and 1937

Hutton Rudby celebrates George V's coronation

This photograph – provided to me by Malcolm McPhie from the Album entitled The Green on the Facebook page of the Hutton Rudby and District Local History Society – gives a brief glimpse of the village's celebrations in 1911 at the coronation of George V.  

A programme survives in Miss Winifred Blair's Scrapbook, from which I made notes in the days before scanning such things was easily done:-

"The Coronation of their Majesties King George V and Queen Mary"  on Thursday 22 June 1911 was to start at 8:30 am with presentation of Bibles and mugs to the children – church service – cricket – Maypole – sports.

These fascinating instructions showing how they managed to give a Public Tea to the entire village:-

Public Tea in the Council School, Wesleyan and Primitive Methodist Chapels.  

Those having RED Tickets take Tea at the Council School.

     "         "   WHITE     "         "       "    "    "   Prim. Methodist Chapel.    

     "         "   BLUE       "         "       "    "     "  Wesleyan Chapel.

Tickets can only be used by the person whose name is on it.  It will be impossible to obtain Tea without a Ticket. 

This was followed by a continuation of the sports – dancing on the Village Green – and finally the Bonfire at 10 pm

But the photograph and my notes from the programme don't convey the sheer scale and colour of the occasion – the "streamers, flags, and banners", the band, the sports, the marching round the village.  So I was very glad to find this, in the Darlington & Stockton Times:-

Darlington & Stockton Times, Ripon & Richmond Chronicle, 1 July 1911

HUTTON RUDBY

Right loyally did the inhabitants of Hutton Rudby celebrate the Coronation, and never was a happier day spent.  As early as 8.30 am the Hutton Brass Band gathered on the village green, conducted by their old bandmaster, Mr Henry Bainbridge, who freely gave his services on this most special occasion, and they played 'God Save the King' in a manner that did credit to the band, and which set the whole village a-going with a delightful determination to make the day one of the best.  

The band then played a march to the Council School, where Bibles were presented by Mr A. Park to all the school children of the parish, to the number of about 250.  They were also presented with a mug each, given by Mr J.T. Barthram.  Before the presentation Mr Park addressed the children in the schoolyard. 

On the conclusion of the presentations the children, under the control of Mr S. Eyre and his staff of teachers, formed a procession, headed by the band, and marched round the village, which was exceedingly pretty.  The streamers, flags, and banners flapped and danced in the morning breeze, which seemed to give life and gladness to everything.  The smiling faces of the happy children, with a Bible in their right hand and a mug in their left, walking in step to the music, was a sight that will not soon be forgotten.  

On they marched to the fine old Parish Church, which stands as a monument of the faith of our forefathers, and which has just been beautified by the fitting in of a reredos at the back of the altar table, with side wings down to the altar rail splendidly carved and panelled in solid wainscot oak, at a cost of something over £50.  This has been given to the church in memory of King George the Fifth's Coronation by Mr Allan Bowes Wilson, J.P., and Miss Annie Hutton Wilson, of Hutton Rudby.  The Coronation service was a most impressive and delightful one, the band taking part in the service by playing hymn 300 and the National Anthem.  The singing was taken up by the congregation with great enthusiasm.  The Vicar-in-Charge, the Rev F.W. Shepherd, gave an address on the great influence derived for good in having a Christian King.  

After the church service the band again headed the procession to the village, where the children dispersed, and the band lunched at the King's Head.  Later on they marched to the cricket field, playing selections while the cricket match was being played between Married and Single, the single winning.  At half-past twelve sports commenced, and lasted all day.  In fact they were not finished until Monday night.  At 2.30 pm the maypole dancers' march from the Council School, headed by the band, was a very pretty sight.  Great praise is due to Mrs Eyre for the trouble taken to get the dancers trained so splendidly, for the singing, dancing, and music was most enjoyable and pretty.  

A free tea was provided for all the parishioners, commencing at 4pm when 915 partook of an excellent repast provided by Misses Sedgwick, Hall, and Mello.  One of the most amusing parts of the programme was the fancy and comic costume parade, which was remarkably good and well got up.  The judges had great difficulty in deciding who was the most fancied and the most funny.  The rest of the night until dark was spent in sports and dancing until 10pm, when the bonfire was lit by Mr S. Snowdon.  

Result of sports:- 

Cricket match for men, Married v Single - 1st, Single
120 yards handicap footrace - J Honeyman; 2, T Bainbridge, 3, S Snowdon
Tug-of-war - G Nelson's team
Potato race - A Bainbridge, 2, D Fortune, 3 P Grearson [Grierson]
Clout the bellman - V Gordon
Sack race for men - J W Sidgwick and A Bainbridge
Point-to-point race - J Honeyman, 2 W Bainbridge, 3 L Hodgson
Pricking the donkey for men - G Featherstone
Do.do. for women - A Irwin
Race, women over 50 - Mitchinson, 2 Walker, 3 Smith
Fancy costume parade - 1 J Garbutt, jun, and M Sherwood, 2 B Foster and Miss Garbutt
Comic costume parade - T Liverseed, 2 D Fortune and R Hodgson, 3 G Husband and Miss Garbutt
Climbing greasy pole for leg of mutton - Gordon, 2 Dobson, 3 Coverdale
Band musical novelty race - T Sidgwick, 2 Lobley
Boys and girls under 14 - Cricket match, Up and Down Towners - Down Towners
Plaiting the maypole - £1 divided
Footrace for boys, under 7 - H Garbutt, G Hodgson
Do.do. for girls under 7 - D Smith
Needle and thread race - M Weighell
Skipping for girls under 14 - M Honeyman, 2 M Weighell
Do.do. for girls 7 to 10 - M Hodgson, 2 H Honeyman
Do.do. under 7 - J Coverdale, J Honeyman
Handicap footrace, 10 to 14 - J Mello, 2 G Stringer
Potato race - M Bainbridge, 2 V Dodsworth
Sack race - B Garbutt, 2 A Kay
Egg and spoon race - M Wood, 3 H Weatherell
Three-legged race for boys - A Wilson and C Chapman
Do.do. for girls - A Metcalfe and J Coverdale
Long jump - J Burton, 2 J Mello
High jump - N Williams, 2 J Dobson 

NOTES

I think the bandmaster must have been the builder Henry Bainbridge, who lived in Enterpen, on the site of the old Sawmill.

The Mr A. Park who presented the children with Bibles was Alexander Park.  

From The People behind the Plaques, an account of the memorials in All Saints', Hutton Rudby:-

The lectern was carved by Alexander Park, a gentleman farmer who retired to live at Leven House (across the river from the church) with his elderly spinster sisters in the late 19th century.  Mr Park was for years the honorary secretary of the Hurworth Hunt, and was said not to have made a single enemy during all his time in office.  On his last day out with the hounds he and his old black horse had a combined age of ninety-nine.  He and his sisters were very generous and active in village and church life: the choir stalls and altar rails were given to the church by the family.

Mr J T Barthram, who presented the mugs, was John Thomas Barthram, grocer & draper, who lived with his wife Mary, and children Martha, Thomas, Richard and James half way along North Side.

Samuel Eyre was the village schoolmaster.  He first appears in the Hutton Rudby census of 1881 as a young married man of 25.  He was born in Hope, Derbyshire and was twice married, firstly to Sarah and then to Hilda Marguerita.  Both women were schoolmistresses; Sarah was born in East Harlsey and Hilda in Hutton Rudby.  Hilda survived him.  In the early 20th century Samuel lived at West House.  This is the house next door to the Village Hall; it has been much extended over the years.  Under Mr Eyre, the garden in front of the house was put out to vegetables and boys were sometimes sent out of their lessons to do some weeding for him. (A History Walk round Hutton Rudby).  He died on 18 November 1914, aged 60.

The first verse of Hymn 300 of Hymns Ancient and Modern:-

All hail the power of JESUS' Name;
Let Angels prostrate fall;
Bring forth the royal diadem
And crown Him LORD of all.

Mr S. Snowdon was the 20 year old son of Dr Anthony Snowdon, who lived at Ravensthorpe on Doctors Lane.  For more on Dr Snowdon, his car and the story of the pet raven, see A History Walk round Hutton Rudby.

The name Mello appeared twice in the newspaper account as Mellor, but I have changed it to Mello on the assumption that it is a typo.  Mr Joshua Arnold Mello and his family lived, according to the 1911 Census, in the Bungalow on North End, next to the original Methodist Chapel, in the island of houses in the middle of North End Green.  Mr Mello is described as a Refreshment Caterer; the Bungalow was used as Refreshment Rooms and a dance hall before the building of the Village Hall.

There are many familiar village names in the list of winners, and I am sure their descendants will get in touch with Malcolm McPhie to explain who they are!

The Coronation in 1937

The Coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth on 12 May 1937 was celebrated in a similar style.

The programme in Miss Blair's Scrapbook shows that it was to start at 8:50 am with the children assembling at the school and marching to the Village Hall – presentation of mugs and souvenirs – cricket – service – sports – children’s tea at Village Hall, followed by tea for over 65's – fancy dress parade – sports – broadcast at the Village Hall – King’s speech broadcast from the Village Hall – dance in the Village Hall at 9:30

Hutton Rudby celebrates Queen Victoria's Jubilees, 1887 & 1897

In 1863, Hutton Rudby had celebrated the marriage of the Prince of Wales (the future Edward VII) in great style with flags, the brass band, tea and plum cake for 500 or 600 people, an immense bonfire and a firework display.  In 1887, the villagers prepared for another day of festival when Queen Victoria celebrated her Golden Jubilee.

Jubilee 1887 celebrations on Hutton Rudby Green

This remarkable photograph shows the crowds gathering around the maypole, newly erected for the purpose, on 21 June 1887.  The only account of the festivities that I can find in the newspapers is a few lines about the village's plans.  This appeared in the Whitby Gazette:-

Whitby Gazette, 21 May 1887

HUTTON RUDBY

QUEEN'S JUBILEE

The inhabitants of this village have decided to celebrate the approaching Jubilee by a dinner for the aged poor, tea and medals for the children, old English sports, including a dance round a May pole, and a display of fireworks.

However, a memento of the Jubilee does exist, which conveys the ambitious scale of the event, and was kindly lent by Bob Hutchinson to Malcolm McPhie for scanning.  You can see this booklet in full on the Hutton Rudby History Society facebook page.  Here is its attractive front cover:-

I have transcribed the booklet, and will set it out here, broken up into paragraphs for easier reading.  I've left the punctuation as it was, but have corrected the spelling of Dr Snowdon and of Osmotherley, so that they may be found in an onlline search.  

You may notice that the date of the celebration was 21 June 1887, but the date is frequently given elsewhere as 20 June.  The Royal Family's website explains that the Jubilee was celebrated on both 20 and 21 June.

As to whether it was genuinely a letter found in Doctors Lane, I leave it to the reader to judge.  It begins with a foreword by Allan Bowes Wilson and Alfred Wilkinson Kindler:-

A Memento of the Celebration of Queen Victoria's Jubilee Year

Hutton Rudby, June 21st 1887

The following letter was found a few weeks ago in the Doctors lane and though evidently not intended for publication it gives so good a description of our rejoicings on the jubilee day that a copy will it is thought form a very agreeable memento of the day

We apologize to the writer and the person written to for the advantage taken of the discovery

Wishing you a very happy new year
We are
Yours faithfully
[signed]Allan Bowes Wilson
              A W Kindler

Hutton Rudby
Decr. 1887 

Hutton Rudby

June 23rd 1887

Dear Kitty

You remember what a jolly time we had when we were staying here with Auntie 3 years ago how we enjoyed ourselves and how we both joined in saying we never had so festive a time and never met a jollier lot of people than we met at Hutton then  Well you know I was delighted when I was invited to spend the jubilee week by Auntie though I was sorry that you could not come too as dear Harry was coming over to stay with you but I dare say you enjoyed yourself and you and Harry managed to get lost or lose yourselves 

The chairman of the committee who had charge of the arrangements was Mr A B Wilson you know what a good sort he is and the programme for the day of which I have got a copy for you was printed in Old English on rough paper and a time was arranged for everything and it was signed by a formidable list of secretaries some of whom you will remember. Here they are the schoolmaster Mr S Eyre, Mr T B Wilson, Mr Wm Chapman and Mr A W Kindler 

The morning was a lovely one and when we turned out on the green it was as pretty a sight as ever I saw  There was a triumphal arch at the brow of the hill and flags on each side of the road down to the wynd  The boys were already playing a cricket match and when the bandsmen with the children had assembled at the bottom of the village to receive the pretty gold stars the gift of the chairman which were hung round the girls necks with ribbons and pinned to the breast of the boys by an ornamental pin everyone had turned out.  Visitors came in from all round the district even from Stockton and Middlesbrough  

Then there was a service at the church which is a fine dear old building standing as it does in the Leven valley close by the river and surrounded by woods on the north and east  

Afterwards more medals were given to the children and everybody joined in a procession which reached from the school half way up the Doctors lane and marched round the village singing  

Then all the people formed a large ring round the maypole which had been given by Mr Pyman of Linden Grove  The maypole dance which I had never seen before is so pretty  The boys and girls about 20 of them who had been trained by the schoolmaster each held a colored ribbon which was fastened to the pole about half way up and then when the band played they moved round in and out singing as they went until the ribbons were plaited round the pole  

After this we had a presentation to that merry old gentleman Mr Mease who teased you so much when you were here of a timepiece and supports  During this time photographs had been taken by McLeish of Darlington of the scene  

Until tea time we had all sorts of sports skipping and racing  At tea time there was such a crowd everybody who came had a free tea and all of us had to work hard  At the school we had about 6 sittings down and Kitty Garbutt who had charge of the children at the Wesleyan School had as many

After tea and until dark we had more sports about half of which I can't tell you  There was the old game of Clout the bellman a lot of blindfolded men blindfolded with ugly masks carrying bag of flour running after a man who was not blinded who carried a bell  They kept hitting each other until they were all over flour  There was sack racing and old men racing racing over obstacles through barrels and all sorts of funny things I forgot to tell you about the donkey racing which was very amusing especially with the committee and later in the evening by others of which I will tell you some other time 

After the sports were over there was dancing on the green and an immense bonfire  Some were playing Kiss in the ring and other games and some were dipping for coins in an electric bath provided by Dr Snowdon  After the fireworks everybody went up to the bonfire and there was a lot of speechmaking and cheering  Mr Wilson Mr Pyman Mr Jas Kindler Dr Snowdon and Mr Thompson from Osmotherley all made speeches  After that we went in but the men kept it up until about 2 o'clock in the morning I heard cousin Bob say he had an awful spree  I do wish you could have been here it was one of the best days I ever had 

Of course [blank] was with me the whole day and took care of me  If all Jubilees were kept as they keep them in Hutton I wish they would happen every month

With love to all
I am
Yours affectionately

An appendix is added, listing the prize winners at the sports

So we can see from the Memento that the photograph at the top of this post was taken by Mr McLeish of Darlington, and the maypole was provided by Mr Pyman of Linden Grove.

Notes on people mentioned

Allan Bowes Wilson (c1839-1932) and his brother Thomas Bowes Wilson (1845-1929) ran the Sailcloth Mill and were considerable figures in the village

Samuel Eyre was the village schoolmaster.  He died aged 60 on 18 November 1914.

William Chapman farmed at Old Hall, Sexhow.  He was for many years a churchwarden and Superintendent of the Sunday School.  He was in his sixties when he died in 1916.  The font cover was donated to All Saints' church by his siblings in his memory.

Alfred  Wilkinson Kindler was a Stockton solicitor.  The family lived for a time at Eden Cottage on Belbrough Lane.

Mr Thomas English Pyman of Linden Grove (and for more on the house, see here) was a member of the Cleveland shipowning family.  After living in Hutton Rudby for many years, he and his family moved on to West Hartlepool.  Sadly he died there at the age of 49 – his death is noted with much regret in the Parish Magazine in 1892.

Mr Mease.  This must be Joseph Mellanby Mease (1827-1928). 

[29 February 2020: For more on the Mease family, see the articles that begin here]

Percy A F Blair.  Percy Alexander Field Sadler (1866-1906) took his wife's surname Blair after the death of her brother.  For the Blairs of Drumrauch Hall see here

Alexander Park was a gentleman farmer who retired to live at Leven House (across the river from the church) with his elderly spinster sisters in the late 19th century.  Mr Park was for years the honorary secretary of the Hurworth Hunt, and was said not to have made a single enemy during all his time in office.  On his last day out with the hounds he and his old black horse had a combined age of ninety-nine.  He and his sisters were very generous and active in village and church life: the choir stalls and altar rails were given to the church by the family.  He died on 8 May 1914.

Henry Chapman (born 1859) the son of Henry Chapman (1800-78), farmers of Enterpen.  Henry built Highfield on Enterpen when he retired from farming.

Bartholomew Goldsbrough, butcher.  For more on Bartholomew Goldsborough (both spellings seem to occur) see The planting of the trees on Hutton Rudby green

George Smith.  George Henry Smith farmed at White House [Bulmer's Directory 1890]

John Goldsbrough.  Mr John Goldsborough is listed in Bulmer's Directory 1890 at the Gospel Temperance Hall.

Dr Anthony Snowdon lived at Ravensthorpe on Doctors Lane.  For more on Dr Snowdon, his car and the story of the pet raven, see A History Walk round Hutton Rudby.  He died aged 66 in 1920

Hutton Rudby Invitation Ball 1887

This programme for an Invitation Ball to be held that same year also survives, and Malcolm McPhie suggests that it probably relates to the Jubilee as well, but was evidently not held on the same day.  Thirty-six dances, in two parts, with supper in the middle at midnight, and festivities to end a 6 o'clock in the morning!

We don't know where this Ball was held, but I think it was probably in the Schoolroom.

Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee, 1897

The success of the celebrations of 1863 and 1887 set a pattern for the future, and when the old Queen's Diamond Jubilee came around, there were grand plans made.  Luckily a programme survives in Miss Winifred Blair's scrapbook.  I made notes from it in the days before scanning documents and photographs was easily done - I do hope Malcolm is able to go through the Blair albums!

As in 1887, the 1897 programme was written in Olde Englishe:-

Ye Ceremonyes and Games at ye Rejoycyngs on Ye Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria, at ye town of Hutton Rudby, June 22nd , 1897…Chairman:  Myster Allan Bowes Wilson … Commyttee:  Mysters P A F Blair, William Chapman, Alexander Park, Henry Chapman, Barthw. Goldsbrough, George Smith, John Goldsbrough and Dr Snowdon

The day started at 8:30 am with boys and girls at school being given 1/- (one shilling) each by Allan Bowes Wilson – then there was cricket – thanksgiving service – parade – Maypole – children’s tea – aged people given half-crowns – games and sports – great "fyre" at 10 o’clock

Again in 1911 and in 1937, the village celebrated with fervour.  The 1977 Silver Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II was celebrated in style, and can be glimpsed on this video, while these videos on youtube show the Village Event in the 1990s.

Photographs courtesy of the Hutton Rudby & District Local History Society.  

Visit their Facebook page for many more!

Hutton Rudby celebrates a Royal Wedding, 1863

Newcastle Chronicle, 21 March 1863

HUTTON RUDBY. - Among the Yorkshire villages, none were more conspicuous in their celebrations of the marriage of the Prince of Wales than Hutton Rudby.  

A correspondent says that on the wedding day the British and Danish flags were seen waving in the air from the summits of the Cleveland Sailcloth Manufactory, and in various prominent places of the village.  The Hutton brass band sent forth its animating and melodious strains, and Mr George Wilson provided a liberal banquet for all his workmen and their wives, in which the band joined them, and all enjoyed themselves most heartily.  

A subscription was set on foot to provide the juveniles and poor of the village with tea and plum cake, and through the exertions of Miss Garbutt and Mrs Henry Chapman, and the liberality of Miss Righton, sufficient funds were raised so as to enable them to give out a general invitation to the whole of the inhabitants of Hutton Rudby to come and partake of a bountiful supply of tea and plum cake, and some five or six hundred availed themselves of the treat.  

The tea was served in the National School-room, which was lent for the occasion by the Rev J Barton [actually the Revd R J Barlow], the vicar, who did all in his power to promote the festivities of the day.  In the evening, an immense bonfire blazed on the village green, and the day's proceedings finished with a grand display of fireworks.

For the story of the political ramifications of the marriage of the Prince of Wales with Alexandra, daughter of Prince Christian of Denmark, on the 10 March 1863, don't miss the website called the Heirs to the Throne Project. 

This is a Research Project based at the University of St Andrews and its full title is Heirs to the Throne in the Constitutional Monarchies of Nineteenth-Century Europe (1815-1914).  Their article on the marriage of Bertie and Alix, with full details and illustrations, is a must-read.

Queen Victoria is proclaimed in Boroughbridge, 1837

This seems to be the draft of an account of the proclamation of the young Queen Victoria, written for the Intelligencer:

“Boro’Bridge
On Friday the 30th Ult at 2 o’clock P.M. the Queen was proclaimed in the Town with every demonstration of loyalty.  Wm Hirst Esq [‘Esq’ is deleted in pencil, and ‘Mr’ written above ‘Wm’] (in the stead of the Borough Bailiff who was indisposed) accompanied by the Sheriff’s Officer, read the Proclamation in the Square in the presence of a large concourse of people.  The children of the National & Infant Schools formed a large circle & were regaled with negus and Biscuits, and the populace had several Barrels of ale distributed amongst them.  The Proclamation was received with hearty British English cheers, after which the procession being formed & headed by two Bands of music moved to other parts of Town where the Proclamation was read with similar expressions of loyalty - after which a large party of Gent. adjourned to the Crown Inn, where the health of the young Queen with many [other?] patriotic toasts was drunk with due honors and the remainder of the afternoon spent in the greatest good humour.  The Procession was accompanied by a great number of ladies who contributed in no small degree to enliven the scene.”

The solicitor William Hirst was married to John Richard Stubbs' aunt Elizabeth Stubbs (1798-1858).

He was of a local family – one uncle was Thomas Dew, borough bailiff and a partner in the Boroughbridge Bank with Thomas Stubbs and others; another uncle was Henry Hirst, a Northallerton solicitor. 

Hirst’s career bridges the old and the new.  He was the agent for the Duke of Newcastle, who owned the rotten boroughs of Boroughbridge and Aldborough in the last days before Parliamentary Reform.  And he was Boroughbridge's first Postmaster.  He must have had a finger in every pie in Boroughbridge during his years in practice!

Miss Winifred Blair's red album

The red album entitled "Newspaper Gleanings" covers the period 1894 to 1936.

Most of the cuttings relate to the early and mid-1930s and they give a vivid picture of life in Hutton Rudby in the years before the Second World War, when "Herr Hitler" was still a figure of fun and not an imminent menace. 

The notes that follow will convey some idea of the contents of the album.  The story of the thunderbolt that struck Doctors Lane in 1928 is particulary worth reading!

I have added photographs from the Hutton Rudby History Society collection, by way of illustration.