Stories of Epperstone from the diaries of Major Thomas William Huskinson
Memories of Epperstone
Lord Howe only came to Epperstone about once. When he did and had looked round the estate, the only observation he is reported to have made was "Humph, the timber will build a few ships".
The iron gate is still in the Manor garden with a coronet, and the Howe arms adorn an archway entering the drive, between an old dovecot and Garden House.
The old Manor of the time of James I, was of red brick and stone mullioned windows and gables, flat tile, and had a fine paneled dining hall and tapestry in other rooms. On an island on the fish ponds grew a fine cedar or yew, and another fine old yew stood in the garden now the stack yard.
Old Tom Hemsley until lately a stone breaker, living on his savings now, carried the black flag of the Chartists at Nottingham. Being tired he gave it to someone else who was shot for it. There seems to be a sort of impression that a fight occurred some time on the Brockwell Hill (Wood) for once when young a native said that a skeleton in clothes and a sword was found under a tree near the Dumbles.
I believe that it was Nat, I have always had an impression it was so. A stone coffin of a Monk of Thurgarton was found there and the other day when purchasing an Elizabethan groat found there of the gardener, he said "I think there must at been some fighting up there some time".
Fine oak and ash in the Park, Odingsell's house and coach houses were brick and flat tiles, to which belongs the present Manor Dovecot. The cows were fed on Lady Well Hill (1 1/2 miles from village) and the girls assembled at the rock, one of them shaking her can as a sign. They also went to milk at Parson's Park.
The Hon. John and Lady Mary Paulet were living here about 1652 Lady M. (Lord Scroop's daughter). Probably house built after sack of basing to accommodate them. It was used as Dower House to Langar and Lady Howe lived here 40 or 50 years in 18th century.
Mr. T. Barnard remembers that in 1811 and 1812 many parishioners were sworn as special constables because of the frame breakers or Luddites, 2 of them used to patrol the streets at night armed with blunderbus and' bayonet. Their guard house was Joseph Parr's old house (now belonging to William Lambe Huskinson. There where 13 or 14 soldiers quartered here afterwards and Sam Willes' house opposite was their guardhouse, a little hovel in their garden part pulled down, part now used as garden house and part as Whittamer's Shop.
In 1805 a volunteer regiment was formed in the valley, 400 strong. Colonel was H. Sherbrooke, Esq.,of Oxton. They used often to drill in the Epperstone Cricket field. There now exists a volunteer corps 60 strong, Capt. W.L.Huskinson, Epperstone,
Mr. B. also remembers 70 thatched cottages in Epperstone, now none are thatched except some cow hovels. The homesteads too are removed much away from the village, and except the Manor and 'another one belonging to my, grandfather, and one in Hartshorne's occupation there are no big ones in the town itseIf.'
The farmers wore nothing except boots and hats which were not spun and made at home, and were very poor. Indeed when lawyer Turner was told that Lord Howe intended taking up some business concerning Wash Bridge Lane he said: "And a good thing too, 'for the rest of the village isn't worth a breakfast". The Dowager Lady Howe lived at the Manor.
The iron gate is still in the Manor garden with a coronet, and the Howe arms adorn an archway entering the drive, between an old dovecot and Garden House.
The old Manor of the time of James I, was of red brick and stone mullioned windows and gables, flat tile, and had a fine paneled dining hall and tapestry in other rooms. On an island on the fish ponds grew a fine cedar or yew, and another fine old yew stood in the garden now the stack yard.
Old Tom Hemsley until lately a stone breaker, living on his savings now, carried the black flag of the Chartists at Nottingham. Being tired he gave it to someone else who was shot for it. There seems to be a sort of impression that a fight occurred some time on the Brockwell Hill (Wood) for once when young a native said that a skeleton in clothes and a sword was found under a tree near the Dumbles.
I believe that it was Nat, I have always had an impression it was so. A stone coffin of a Monk of Thurgarton was found there and the other day when purchasing an Elizabethan groat found there of the gardener, he said "I think there must at been some fighting up there some time".
Fine oak and ash in the Park, Odingsell's house and coach houses were brick and flat tiles, to which belongs the present Manor Dovecot. The cows were fed on Lady Well Hill (1 1/2 miles from village) and the girls assembled at the rock, one of them shaking her can as a sign. They also went to milk at Parson's Park.
The Hon. John and Lady Mary Paulet were living here about 1652 Lady M. (Lord Scroop's daughter). Probably house built after sack of basing to accommodate them. It was used as Dower House to Langar and Lady Howe lived here 40 or 50 years in 18th century.
Mr. T. Barnard remembers that in 1811 and 1812 many parishioners were sworn as special constables because of the frame breakers or Luddites, 2 of them used to patrol the streets at night armed with blunderbus and' bayonet. Their guard house was Joseph Parr's old house (now belonging to William Lambe Huskinson. There where 13 or 14 soldiers quartered here afterwards and Sam Willes' house opposite was their guardhouse, a little hovel in their garden part pulled down, part now used as garden house and part as Whittamer's Shop.
In 1805 a volunteer regiment was formed in the valley, 400 strong. Colonel was H. Sherbrooke, Esq.,of Oxton. They used often to drill in the Epperstone Cricket field. There now exists a volunteer corps 60 strong, Capt. W.L.Huskinson, Epperstone,
Mr. B. also remembers 70 thatched cottages in Epperstone, now none are thatched except some cow hovels. The homesteads too are removed much away from the village, and except the Manor and 'another one belonging to my, grandfather, and one in Hartshorne's occupation there are no big ones in the town itseIf.'
The farmers wore nothing except boots and hats which were not spun and made at home, and were very poor. Indeed when lawyer Turner was told that Lord Howe intended taking up some business concerning Wash Bridge Lane he said: "And a good thing too, 'for the rest of the village isn't worth a breakfast". The Dowager Lady Howe lived at the Manor.
Thomas Barnard's recollections of 1792
He remembers otters in the Axendale closes. And badges and manyfomards in the Park Wood. Herons on the stream (which are still pretty common in summer) and badger baiting. Wood from Lambley to Burton Joyce.
Extract of conversation overheard between T. Barnard and old Tom Hemsley:
Hemsley: "Aye, dar, what days those was"
Barnard: "Aye, they were happier than now. People knowed nowt and cared nowt. There was no difference in those days between labourer and farmer,' O. dear. no".
Only the Barnards and Dufty's had 1/2 and 1/2. Half wheat flour and half barley. The rest had barley bread. Servants thought it a good place if they got bacon for dinner. At the Criften the only meat they got once a year was a leg of mutton at the feast. In 1800 a miller would have been fined £30 for dressing pure wheat flour as corn was scarce, it was ground do\'ln with bran.
Extract of conversation overheard between T. Barnard and old Tom Hemsley:
Hemsley: "Aye, dar, what days those was"
Barnard: "Aye, they were happier than now. People knowed nowt and cared nowt. There was no difference in those days between labourer and farmer,' O. dear. no".
Only the Barnards and Dufty's had 1/2 and 1/2. Half wheat flour and half barley. The rest had barley bread. Servants thought it a good place if they got bacon for dinner. At the Criften the only meat they got once a year was a leg of mutton at the feast. In 1800 a miller would have been fined £30 for dressing pure wheat flour as corn was scarce, it was ground do\'ln with bran.
Thomas Barnard's recollections of 1800 and before
Drunkenness' was very prevalent in the village as in others, and he related a story of one of the Chaworth's who killed 2 of his tenants by drinking with him. And at a Harvest supper ."An old Fiddler went and he got drunk and they all got drunk. 0 dear aye, the fiddler lost his fiddle and it was found by an Epperstone man who kept it over Sunday and he and his wife and children were fiddling away"
Alf Lambley - September 1879
I used to go and see old Alf sometimes about 6 o'clock on a winters night, old Jonathan Hudson used to come in to smoke his pipe, and they used to talk of old times. "Aye, there by many sexes and religious" says old Jonathan, "they go struggling and fightin' all the way to heaven, ,if they don't be' quiet' when they get there what a row there'll be when they gets inside. Then· says Paul to Peter, 'What a mess. we're in'(puff), now there's the parson (puff), he's very anxious for me to pinfold other people's sheep, but if I pins is'n what a row he makes. My, wife is a Mormon an' she used' to go to Calverton to, hear 'em preach, she preaches at me but there's nothing new to me so I've become deaf'" With such conversation did they beguile the evening, while old Bess knitted by the fire.
Alf mentioned the rapid denudation of wood in Epperstone. There is now 300 acres of wood and he himself has helped to cut down 200 acres besides such a quantity of single and hedgerow timber that the place looked like a wood even where it was meadow. Even now the hedgerow timber is great and rarely met with in other places. Large woods also surround the parish.
Alf Lambley says that he just remembers the old hall being pulled down, the bricks went to Greaves Lane at Oxton, and to the Norwood Farm near Roshill Wood. The present Manor is very ancient in the old part, being in parts (viz. the cellars, hall) as old as the Hall very nearly, the remainder has been added at various times in the last 20 years. A big elm tree stood just by the Hall door and shadowed the house which was thatched, and at one time an inn, of the sign of the' "Feather", many trees have been cut down in his memory. Brockwood, Eastwood, Bentley Wood and the Linger Wood are cut down now, and enclosed though still in parts it is very well wooded.
Alf mentioned the rapid denudation of wood in Epperstone. There is now 300 acres of wood and he himself has helped to cut down 200 acres besides such a quantity of single and hedgerow timber that the place looked like a wood even where it was meadow. Even now the hedgerow timber is great and rarely met with in other places. Large woods also surround the parish.
Alf Lambley says that he just remembers the old hall being pulled down, the bricks went to Greaves Lane at Oxton, and to the Norwood Farm near Roshill Wood. The present Manor is very ancient in the old part, being in parts (viz. the cellars, hall) as old as the Hall very nearly, the remainder has been added at various times in the last 20 years. A big elm tree stood just by the Hall door and shadowed the house which was thatched, and at one time an inn, of the sign of the' "Feather", many trees have been cut down in his memory. Brockwood, Eastwood, Bentley Wood and the Linger Wood are cut down now, and enclosed though still in parts it is very well wooded.
Rural Games
I will now give a short account of the games still existing among us middle Notts folk. One game was very popular among us an Christmas Eve when we used to have a juvenile party at Grandpapa's house. It was derived from rural sources.
One child stood in a circle, kneeling, whilst the circle dancing round sang:
'On the carpet you shall kneel
While the grass grows in the field,
Stand up, stand upon your feet (here he stands)
And choose the one you love so sweet'
Here he chose and when he has chosen they dance round as before singing:
'Now you young couple are married together,
Are married together, are married together,
So down on your knees, and kiss one another.'
Then the first goes out and the other stays in and goes on as before. This and the Mistletoe Bough Dance are essentially children's games.
Kiss in the ring, a game I 'believe called Stag, and some handkerchief games are played out of doors, and are played under the old Walnuts in the Manor Park, on Whit Tuesday.
Dances are, of course, very popular but now consist when danced out of doors of doggerel, schottisches, Polkas and Waltzes. But country dances are still popular. 'The old' country reel is almost entirely forgotten. Though once my father and another gentleman submitted themselves to the leadership of two aged females (one was old Bess Lambley). It has almost as many forms as a ballet, though I expect, very similar to the Scotch and Irish reels.
Our principal fairs and feasts are in November and on Whit Monday, when the Club go round to each house headed by the Calverton Band and dancing ensues, a very important day in the village year.
One child stood in a circle, kneeling, whilst the circle dancing round sang:
'On the carpet you shall kneel
While the grass grows in the field,
Stand up, stand upon your feet (here he stands)
And choose the one you love so sweet'
Here he chose and when he has chosen they dance round as before singing:
'Now you young couple are married together,
Are married together, are married together,
So down on your knees, and kiss one another.'
Then the first goes out and the other stays in and goes on as before. This and the Mistletoe Bough Dance are essentially children's games.
Kiss in the ring, a game I 'believe called Stag, and some handkerchief games are played out of doors, and are played under the old Walnuts in the Manor Park, on Whit Tuesday.
Dances are, of course, very popular but now consist when danced out of doors of doggerel, schottisches, Polkas and Waltzes. But country dances are still popular. 'The old' country reel is almost entirely forgotten. Though once my father and another gentleman submitted themselves to the leadership of two aged females (one was old Bess Lambley). It has almost as many forms as a ballet, though I expect, very similar to the Scotch and Irish reels.
Our principal fairs and feasts are in November and on Whit Monday, when the Club go round to each house headed by the Calverton Band and dancing ensues, a very important day in the village year.
Epperstone Park Wood
I here intend to make some remarks relating to Epperstone Park, which is most justly looked on with pride by the inhabitants. In 1734 the wood contained 204 acres, 'since then over 40 acres have been cut down, but so leniently that the 2 grass fields formed look as if they were wood. One field 'A' cuts the wood in two, is very narrow and is well stocked with timber, more so than field 'B' which is sometimes called Parson's Park.
The woodlands now contain 170 acres and stretch along the top of the hill from Oxton parish to near Epperstone village. The formation is so curious that from Lowdham Road, the church spire and the Manor gables shooting out from their clusters of trees, and backed by the Park Wood make the village look as if it was built in a wood, arid the effect is much admired both by the inhabitants and by strangers.
The wood belongs to Henry Sherbrooke,Esq. Lord of the Manor of Oxton and Blidworth, residing at Oxton Hall. My grandfather's own lands come up to the east side of the wood and stretch away southward, one branch running over the hills into Woodborough village, the chief part lying about Epperstone and the Doverbeck up to the Woodborough and' Lowdham road.
Many a picnic and tea have I enjoyed there. Sometimes we have a large party and go there. I remember once when very small there was a picnic there, they made a large fire under an oak in the dividing field and Harry and I drove about in the Donkey cart. Once when 2 little girls were staying we decked up the donkey and by means of rugs and seats made a beautiful car out of the not beautiful cart.
We had tea in Oxton Wood where many others had driven to, but we pulled up in the dividing field between the two parks and feasted off wild strawberries which abound in the grass under the trees on the west side. On coming back I remember we came full gallop down the hill in the same field when the back strap broke and threw us all out without any hurt and we soon mended our harness and galloped off home.
Formerly the Park was free to anybody to picnic in but latterly Mr. Sherbrooke likes to have leave asked for the Nottingham people took liberties, some even coming over with carts and taking away ferns wholesale for Nottingham market, but we in Epperstone can go at any time though in case of big picnics we ask Mr. Sherbrooke the" leave which he always grants for he is one of the old sort of country gentleman~ a gentleman to everyone which is not characteristic of all.
The middle bit of grassland is called the middle or open Park. In big picnics we have tea in the West Park where 2 ridings cross, making a fire. There is about a rood of open briar here, which makes it warm and sunny and views here are fine and the division is bigger than the East Park. When the nursery party go picnicking with some little cousins or someone they take the donkey cart and tie him to the cart during tea. They patronise the East Park and make merry under an old and gigantic tree, under whose branches the ground is clear but is closely surrounded by underwood and trees and is approached from the ridings only by a small pathway through which the provisions have to be carried.
Under the yew is a small hut. They light a fire and the effect is very pretty. The dark yew, lofty spreading branches, a gleam of sunlight here, a mass of underwood around. A small but animated community taking tea, the clatter of cups; the baby among shawls, the 2 nurses, one or two dogs, children up to the number of 5 or 6, including perhaps some little cousins or girls and one or two of us older boys now and then making a row, now and then a vision of a squirrel, a rabbit or a hare.
This year (1879) the round of underwood cutting came to this side of the wood so now the spaces under the tree are comparatively bare and it will not be as it was again for another 6 years, when another generation of small picnickers may view the same scene. If by evil luck this fine estate should pass from its present owners or come under the auctioneer's hammer, I only hope we Huskinsons will be able to buy it, with 10. of us we ought to muster some capital among us.
The woodlands now contain 170 acres and stretch along the top of the hill from Oxton parish to near Epperstone village. The formation is so curious that from Lowdham Road, the church spire and the Manor gables shooting out from their clusters of trees, and backed by the Park Wood make the village look as if it was built in a wood, arid the effect is much admired both by the inhabitants and by strangers.
The wood belongs to Henry Sherbrooke,Esq. Lord of the Manor of Oxton and Blidworth, residing at Oxton Hall. My grandfather's own lands come up to the east side of the wood and stretch away southward, one branch running over the hills into Woodborough village, the chief part lying about Epperstone and the Doverbeck up to the Woodborough and' Lowdham road.
Many a picnic and tea have I enjoyed there. Sometimes we have a large party and go there. I remember once when very small there was a picnic there, they made a large fire under an oak in the dividing field and Harry and I drove about in the Donkey cart. Once when 2 little girls were staying we decked up the donkey and by means of rugs and seats made a beautiful car out of the not beautiful cart.
We had tea in Oxton Wood where many others had driven to, but we pulled up in the dividing field between the two parks and feasted off wild strawberries which abound in the grass under the trees on the west side. On coming back I remember we came full gallop down the hill in the same field when the back strap broke and threw us all out without any hurt and we soon mended our harness and galloped off home.
Formerly the Park was free to anybody to picnic in but latterly Mr. Sherbrooke likes to have leave asked for the Nottingham people took liberties, some even coming over with carts and taking away ferns wholesale for Nottingham market, but we in Epperstone can go at any time though in case of big picnics we ask Mr. Sherbrooke the" leave which he always grants for he is one of the old sort of country gentleman~ a gentleman to everyone which is not characteristic of all.
The middle bit of grassland is called the middle or open Park. In big picnics we have tea in the West Park where 2 ridings cross, making a fire. There is about a rood of open briar here, which makes it warm and sunny and views here are fine and the division is bigger than the East Park. When the nursery party go picnicking with some little cousins or someone they take the donkey cart and tie him to the cart during tea. They patronise the East Park and make merry under an old and gigantic tree, under whose branches the ground is clear but is closely surrounded by underwood and trees and is approached from the ridings only by a small pathway through which the provisions have to be carried.
Under the yew is a small hut. They light a fire and the effect is very pretty. The dark yew, lofty spreading branches, a gleam of sunlight here, a mass of underwood around. A small but animated community taking tea, the clatter of cups; the baby among shawls, the 2 nurses, one or two dogs, children up to the number of 5 or 6, including perhaps some little cousins or girls and one or two of us older boys now and then making a row, now and then a vision of a squirrel, a rabbit or a hare.
This year (1879) the round of underwood cutting came to this side of the wood so now the spaces under the tree are comparatively bare and it will not be as it was again for another 6 years, when another generation of small picnickers may view the same scene. If by evil luck this fine estate should pass from its present owners or come under the auctioneer's hammer, I only hope we Huskinsons will be able to buy it, with 10. of us we ought to muster some capital among us.
Origin of the Nottingham Lamb
During the great Rebellion the Duke of Newcastle raised a regiment of foot in Notts for the Kings. These were dressed in White Lambs wool coats and were called Newcastle's White Coats or Newcastle's Lambs. They were among the best troops among the Royalists and Sir Philip Warwick says that they stood against Cromwell's force like a stone wall but were mown down like hay.
Derivation of Epperstone. From W. S. H.'s notes
I have never found anyone who could solve the name. The 'ton' is plain enough, but what of the 'Epper' - I think - "I have a clue".
In Thoroton it is given' Apiorston'. Now Aper is in Latin a wild boar. Latin has of course nothing to do with it, but it's suggested the High Dutch· 'Aber' a boar. If there is in Low Dutch, Anglian, or Danish a similar word 'Eber' it explains the name.
I cannot find in Bosworth's A.S. Dictionary anything nearer than 'Eofer' a boar, but as under the letter 'f' it states 'f' and 'pt are often interchanged this will probably be the name of our old village." That is - The Town of the Wild Boar.
In Thoroton it is given' Apiorston'. Now Aper is in Latin a wild boar. Latin has of course nothing to do with it, but it's suggested the High Dutch· 'Aber' a boar. If there is in Low Dutch, Anglian, or Danish a similar word 'Eber' it explains the name.
I cannot find in Bosworth's A.S. Dictionary anything nearer than 'Eofer' a boar, but as under the letter 'f' it states 'f' and 'pt are often interchanged this will probably be the name of our old village." That is - The Town of the Wild Boar.
Reminiscences of The Chartist Rebellion 1849 by my father William Lambe Huskinson.
The Yeomanry were up in Nottingham for some months. When the order came to muster they used to collect in little bands of 4 or 5 to go to Nott'm fearing to go alone because of Chartists assaulting them. One man came down Epperstone Street at 10 o 'clock at night riding fast to the Magna Chartar at Lowdham, where a few yeomanery were collecting.
He came out of School one morning to see 600 Chartists march through Epperstone to Nottingham armed mostly with pikes" a metal head on a long ash pole. Richard Patching of Calverton was a special constable then and he broke into a house at Calverton and secured 12 pikes.
He remembers sitting round the fire in one of the smaller front rooms of the bottom house and Grandmama saying "I wonder whether London will be in the possession of the mob tonight". The mob in London assembled at Kennington Common but the Duke of Wellington had secreted soldiers all around" and had hidden a battery of artillery so that if anything but speeches had arisen it would have been bad for the mob.
The Fenian Panic some 12 years ago was an anxious time. Clerkenwell prison was blown up and Chester Castle attempted. There waS 60 stand of arms belonging to the volunteers in Epperstone then. In one isolated spot in Durham where there were arms the commanding officer had 2 men patrolling the street at night. About 30 years ago Bread Riots in which the Bakers' shops were broken into happened about every 3 years. In the Chartist rebellion 1830 Nottingham Castle was burnt down.
Old William Smith who used to live at the little cottage at the East end of the village was an old soldier who "went through all the peninsula war and was present at most of the great battles" and was wounded in the hip at Badagos. He was also at Waterloo' .
When in Spain he was in the outpost" when the army' was in winter quarters I expect. The English outpost held one side of a bridge and the French held the other: which was nearest a town. The 2 outposts got on very good terms. The English gave the French money to buy some little luxuries in the town which the French always did and brought the articles back, which the English shared with them. Once the French sentry was negotiating with the English sentry on the English side of the bridge when a French officer arrived. It was dusk and the French sentry ran back leaving his gun in the hands of the English sentry. The officer asked who it was and was told that it was the French sentry" but I don't think he smelt a rat. They used to tap their guns to give notice to the opposite outpost when a force was coming which it was impossible to stand against.
He came out of School one morning to see 600 Chartists march through Epperstone to Nottingham armed mostly with pikes" a metal head on a long ash pole. Richard Patching of Calverton was a special constable then and he broke into a house at Calverton and secured 12 pikes.
He remembers sitting round the fire in one of the smaller front rooms of the bottom house and Grandmama saying "I wonder whether London will be in the possession of the mob tonight". The mob in London assembled at Kennington Common but the Duke of Wellington had secreted soldiers all around" and had hidden a battery of artillery so that if anything but speeches had arisen it would have been bad for the mob.
The Fenian Panic some 12 years ago was an anxious time. Clerkenwell prison was blown up and Chester Castle attempted. There waS 60 stand of arms belonging to the volunteers in Epperstone then. In one isolated spot in Durham where there were arms the commanding officer had 2 men patrolling the street at night. About 30 years ago Bread Riots in which the Bakers' shops were broken into happened about every 3 years. In the Chartist rebellion 1830 Nottingham Castle was burnt down.
Old William Smith who used to live at the little cottage at the East end of the village was an old soldier who "went through all the peninsula war and was present at most of the great battles" and was wounded in the hip at Badagos. He was also at Waterloo' .
When in Spain he was in the outpost" when the army' was in winter quarters I expect. The English outpost held one side of a bridge and the French held the other: which was nearest a town. The 2 outposts got on very good terms. The English gave the French money to buy some little luxuries in the town which the French always did and brought the articles back, which the English shared with them. Once the French sentry was negotiating with the English sentry on the English side of the bridge when a French officer arrived. It was dusk and the French sentry ran back leaving his gun in the hands of the English sentry. The officer asked who it was and was told that it was the French sentry" but I don't think he smelt a rat. They used to tap their guns to give notice to the opposite outpost when a force was coming which it was impossible to stand against.
Old Epperstone Characters
On April 16th 1880 Mrs. H. Clarke was at tea and she and Mother were talking of the old Epperstone characters;
Old Mr Litchfield who gave the library to the village. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas, William, and John Baccnara, old Mrs. Dufty, Col. Hewes, R.N, Captain Clarke R.N., the Miss Milwards.
The society of Epperstone 20 years (ago) was much better and wider than now. Mr. and Mrs. Edison lived in the present office, old Miss Milward's cottage by the Chapel is now turned into cottages and the trees that were there are cut down.
Colonel Hewes and Captain Hewes where Mr. Adamson now lives, Col. Hewes and Capt. Hewes though Irving together, the Colonel would have his own man, carriage and pair of chestnut horses. Captain Clarke lived where his daughters, now elderly ladies, live now.
Mr. Litchfield lived at the cottage. Old Mr. Litchfield used to wear a wig, a black swallow tale coat, and check breeches braced as high
as he could brace them. He was very short and had a big head, and whenever he told a story, he used to laugh with ,'his', hands on his knees, and then he looked up and if you were laughing at his peculiar gestures he used to perfectly shriek with' laughter, fancying you were laughing at the story. Whenever he disapproved of anything in the sermon at Church, he would through up his wig. At church he sat in a
high square pew in the south aisle, and he was so short that he could not be seen. . He used to kneel on the seat and bob up and down during the service. He was very sensitive. He always had his trouser pockets full of money;' pennies' and sixpences, and in the sermon his hands were always deep in his pockets jingling them.
Every now and then he would bring his hand out with a jerk and a handful of money would roll all about the pew. Then a scuffle was heard as he picked it up again. When the Miss Clarkes were once at St. Pancreas Station they saw him calling their attention, by waving a sponge bag. He was very well off and when he died was very much missed in the village, he was so good and charitable.
I remember old Capt. Hewes. He was another old character. He had round his room a number of sea fights in which there was generally a principal figure waving a sword; he told thrilling tales; of these pictures showing that the central figure was himself. Nothing would ever persuade him that he was not at Balaclava. In the year 1851 at the first or Great Exhibition, he, his brother the Colonel, the three Barnards, Mrs Dufty, and the Clarkes, Captain and Mrs. and the girls and boys went off to London and took lodgings in one of the streets in the Strand, taking with them much provisions, ham, bacon, eggs, cream, which was certainly like taking coals to Newcastle.
Mr. Litchfield was one who had seen a good deal of the world though he was an eccentric. He was in Brussels during the battle of Waterloo and was takin for a spy. The Miss Milwards' used to give tea parties which have now pretty much died out among the present gentry of the place. Namely a tea at 5 or 6 of tea, cake, muffins etc. Then whist of a most orthodox fashion of playing and then about past 8 a regular hot supper, potatoes, pies, tarts etc. Meat teas are now given in the village.
Miss Clarke told me that when old Thomas Barnard whose memory went back to 1790, was alive there were 2 bridges across the road from Dufty's to the church. The road was a deep cutting called the hollows and large elms overhung it on each side, boys used to get from the bridges onto hay and corn wagons passing underneath. They used to have entertainments at the old Manor too.
My Father one day showed me an extract out of a newspaper giving a short account of Mr. King, known as Cathedral King, a first cousin of my mothers. From that account he was a representative of one of the oldest families in Devonshire, and at one time heir to a large landed property but when he came into to it he was up to the chin in mortgages and so he retired to a small cottage at Crediton.
Evidently my Mother's family is like ours; its worldly fortune always slips away. The Kings and the Williams in Devonshire of my Mother's ancestors were once a "wealthy landed people" dating back to Henry Ill, but now their estates are quickly slipping away from them and I believe the last estate was sold a few years ago.
Old Mr Litchfield who gave the library to the village. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas, William, and John Baccnara, old Mrs. Dufty, Col. Hewes, R.N, Captain Clarke R.N., the Miss Milwards.
The society of Epperstone 20 years (ago) was much better and wider than now. Mr. and Mrs. Edison lived in the present office, old Miss Milward's cottage by the Chapel is now turned into cottages and the trees that were there are cut down.
Colonel Hewes and Captain Hewes where Mr. Adamson now lives, Col. Hewes and Capt. Hewes though Irving together, the Colonel would have his own man, carriage and pair of chestnut horses. Captain Clarke lived where his daughters, now elderly ladies, live now.
Mr. Litchfield lived at the cottage. Old Mr. Litchfield used to wear a wig, a black swallow tale coat, and check breeches braced as high
as he could brace them. He was very short and had a big head, and whenever he told a story, he used to laugh with ,'his', hands on his knees, and then he looked up and if you were laughing at his peculiar gestures he used to perfectly shriek with' laughter, fancying you were laughing at the story. Whenever he disapproved of anything in the sermon at Church, he would through up his wig. At church he sat in a
high square pew in the south aisle, and he was so short that he could not be seen. . He used to kneel on the seat and bob up and down during the service. He was very sensitive. He always had his trouser pockets full of money;' pennies' and sixpences, and in the sermon his hands were always deep in his pockets jingling them.
Every now and then he would bring his hand out with a jerk and a handful of money would roll all about the pew. Then a scuffle was heard as he picked it up again. When the Miss Clarkes were once at St. Pancreas Station they saw him calling their attention, by waving a sponge bag. He was very well off and when he died was very much missed in the village, he was so good and charitable.
I remember old Capt. Hewes. He was another old character. He had round his room a number of sea fights in which there was generally a principal figure waving a sword; he told thrilling tales; of these pictures showing that the central figure was himself. Nothing would ever persuade him that he was not at Balaclava. In the year 1851 at the first or Great Exhibition, he, his brother the Colonel, the three Barnards, Mrs Dufty, and the Clarkes, Captain and Mrs. and the girls and boys went off to London and took lodgings in one of the streets in the Strand, taking with them much provisions, ham, bacon, eggs, cream, which was certainly like taking coals to Newcastle.
Mr. Litchfield was one who had seen a good deal of the world though he was an eccentric. He was in Brussels during the battle of Waterloo and was takin for a spy. The Miss Milwards' used to give tea parties which have now pretty much died out among the present gentry of the place. Namely a tea at 5 or 6 of tea, cake, muffins etc. Then whist of a most orthodox fashion of playing and then about past 8 a regular hot supper, potatoes, pies, tarts etc. Meat teas are now given in the village.
Miss Clarke told me that when old Thomas Barnard whose memory went back to 1790, was alive there were 2 bridges across the road from Dufty's to the church. The road was a deep cutting called the hollows and large elms overhung it on each side, boys used to get from the bridges onto hay and corn wagons passing underneath. They used to have entertainments at the old Manor too.
My Father one day showed me an extract out of a newspaper giving a short account of Mr. King, known as Cathedral King, a first cousin of my mothers. From that account he was a representative of one of the oldest families in Devonshire, and at one time heir to a large landed property but when he came into to it he was up to the chin in mortgages and so he retired to a small cottage at Crediton.
Evidently my Mother's family is like ours; its worldly fortune always slips away. The Kings and the Williams in Devonshire of my Mother's ancestors were once a "wealthy landed people" dating back to Henry Ill, but now their estates are quickly slipping away from them and I believe the last estate was sold a few years ago.
The Ghost of Thistley Wood
At Thistley Wood near Epperstone was formerly a ghost, supposed to be that of a child, for a child's screams were often heard there but about 70 years since it was laid. The fact is the wood is an excellent fox cover and in the spring about March the fox gives utterance (the dog I believe) to mournful sort of wails which sound exactly like a child in distress. The Ghost went by the name of the Boggard of Thurgarton.
Memories of Tom Helmsley
One Sunday evening Father and I had a talk with old Tom Helmsley and his elder brother, two old people who are now living on their savings. The elder brother's memory goes back to 1798 and his brother Tom 2 years later.
He heard from his father that before the Enclosure they used to walk round the boundaries and in order to impress on their offspring the knowledge of the boundary of the property or parish, they dug a hole and the unfortunate small boy was placed head first in it and there left a short time. Old Mr. Musters used to flog small boys on his boundary with a birch, and hence the name Birching Hill on one of his estates.
They remember the Berkshire Militia being stationed in the village during the Luddite riots about 20 of them and an officer and about 4 cavalry men. Also when the mob forced the Hoveringham millers to sell their flour at 2/- a stone. Also they remember earlier, still about 1804 when a volunteer regiment was raised in the valley 400 strong. Old Ned Barnard was Captain and old Mr Thomas was also in it. Ned Barnard made the school master sergeant who was nearly always drunk so it saved the Sergt detection, until at last the colonel said, It's no use trying to shield him any longer Barnard!
People drank heavy then. Old Pearson in the early days once brewed a strike of malt and drunk it one night without ever putting it in barrel. One man from Bulcote called at the public "The Feathers", now the Magna, then a small thatched house, , and drunk 8 pints before drinking 2 pints of mulled beer extra.
Down to 1820 also people were allowed to turn pigs into the park wood and the North Wood without toll. There was so much wood in the parish. They remember when they could go from Epperstone to Mansfield and never let the sun'shine on one.
Harvesting was a long business in the valley as time was then of little count. The autumn harvest was passed thus: Gonalstone Farms began first, as being on light land, then the Epperstone ones, 'then those towards Oxton. After harvest came the nutting in the numerous woods. One farmer used to drive yearly a wagon load of nuts to Nottingham. Then they went acorning for the pigs in the winter. There were many pigs in the parish then and many men used to keep cows, even among the cottagers. Most houses had a barn attached to them.
In their very young days smocks of a blue or white colour were worn. Then came the bright plush waistcoat era. These were followed by a fashion to have white velveteen till at last they merged into cloth. Women nearly all wore a red cloak.
When it was first proposed to make a railway from Nottingham to Lincoln, Thomas Barnard said, "No man outside of the Asylum would think of making a railway beside such a fine river," meaning the Trent. Old Hemsley said that strangers rarely passed through the village. When they did the boys used to follow them hooting and throwing stones. Very few people ever saw the sea. Old Mr. Thomas Barnard, although a man of means and property and died aged 95 years, never once saw the sea, and even now there are many old people who have never seen it or ever likely to see it.
The arable fields up to 1820 or 1830, especially on the hills were surrounded with large belts of Oak, so there was only a little cultivatable land in the centre.
Old Squire John Musters, who married Mary Chaworth, was a great boxer and a great one for horse whipping people. Once two men turned the fox (our old Henry Parr and his brother). The old squire came up and jumped off his horse and began belaboring H's brother who defended himself with a stake. Henry" seeing a whip or some other gentleman riding up with intent to belabor him, seized a stake out of the hedge and gave him such a blow across the knee as to lay him up in bed for a week.
He heard from his father that before the Enclosure they used to walk round the boundaries and in order to impress on their offspring the knowledge of the boundary of the property or parish, they dug a hole and the unfortunate small boy was placed head first in it and there left a short time. Old Mr. Musters used to flog small boys on his boundary with a birch, and hence the name Birching Hill on one of his estates.
They remember the Berkshire Militia being stationed in the village during the Luddite riots about 20 of them and an officer and about 4 cavalry men. Also when the mob forced the Hoveringham millers to sell their flour at 2/- a stone. Also they remember earlier, still about 1804 when a volunteer regiment was raised in the valley 400 strong. Old Ned Barnard was Captain and old Mr Thomas was also in it. Ned Barnard made the school master sergeant who was nearly always drunk so it saved the Sergt detection, until at last the colonel said, It's no use trying to shield him any longer Barnard!
People drank heavy then. Old Pearson in the early days once brewed a strike of malt and drunk it one night without ever putting it in barrel. One man from Bulcote called at the public "The Feathers", now the Magna, then a small thatched house, , and drunk 8 pints before drinking 2 pints of mulled beer extra.
Down to 1820 also people were allowed to turn pigs into the park wood and the North Wood without toll. There was so much wood in the parish. They remember when they could go from Epperstone to Mansfield and never let the sun'shine on one.
Harvesting was a long business in the valley as time was then of little count. The autumn harvest was passed thus: Gonalstone Farms began first, as being on light land, then the Epperstone ones, 'then those towards Oxton. After harvest came the nutting in the numerous woods. One farmer used to drive yearly a wagon load of nuts to Nottingham. Then they went acorning for the pigs in the winter. There were many pigs in the parish then and many men used to keep cows, even among the cottagers. Most houses had a barn attached to them.
In their very young days smocks of a blue or white colour were worn. Then came the bright plush waistcoat era. These were followed by a fashion to have white velveteen till at last they merged into cloth. Women nearly all wore a red cloak.
When it was first proposed to make a railway from Nottingham to Lincoln, Thomas Barnard said, "No man outside of the Asylum would think of making a railway beside such a fine river," meaning the Trent. Old Hemsley said that strangers rarely passed through the village. When they did the boys used to follow them hooting and throwing stones. Very few people ever saw the sea. Old Mr. Thomas Barnard, although a man of means and property and died aged 95 years, never once saw the sea, and even now there are many old people who have never seen it or ever likely to see it.
The arable fields up to 1820 or 1830, especially on the hills were surrounded with large belts of Oak, so there was only a little cultivatable land in the centre.
Old Squire John Musters, who married Mary Chaworth, was a great boxer and a great one for horse whipping people. Once two men turned the fox (our old Henry Parr and his brother). The old squire came up and jumped off his horse and began belaboring H's brother who defended himself with a stake. Henry" seeing a whip or some other gentleman riding up with intent to belabor him, seized a stake out of the hedge and gave him such a blow across the knee as to lay him up in bed for a week.
From Mr. S. H.'s notes
In the history of Retford and in White's directory under the head of Retford, it is stated that in 1246 Henry III granted the burgesses of Retford for the yearly rent of 20 marks of silver. "The tolls of the bridge of Kelm {Kelham} and all along to Dourbeck,"where it falls into the Trent, and of Eperstone and the bridge of Mirald of Retford and of all other places where the Burgesses of the town of Nott'm were wont to take toll."
Epperstone Church (1880)
As regards the Crosses on the floor of the Church. I find in the Gentleman's Magazine for 179?, a representation of one, and from there I find that they are the lids of stone coffins, some say of the priests.
There is in the Vestry at Epperstone an oak seat anterior to the old high pin pews. It has a fleur de lys on each arm. It is no doubt one of the old pews or open benches which used to be found in churches in the olden time and were much more becoming than than the old high pews which afterwards replaced them. The open oak benches have replaced the high pews in Epperstone, but in many churches, Cain chairs have, which are very ugly.
As concerns church architecture, I think that the Norman circular arch is much finer for entrances than the Gothic, and does not look incongruous or out of place .even when the rest of the building is Gothic, which certainly is better 'adapted for' interiors; for instance, the western doorway at Southwell with a large Gothic window over it (put in subsequently to the original building), and the North porch, with Gothic windows on either side.
At Newstead too, where the window which takes the place of a western doorway is not so pointed as the one above, and the two block up on either side. It is pointed, certainly, but not nearly so much as the windows, and so I claim that as an example of one leaning towards my theory. The Norman is not suitable for interiors, except where the interior is lofty, as in the transepts of Southwell Minster .The arches and pillars are lofty and awe inspiring but in the nave they are not so, and seem to lessen the building. The interweaving of arches is certainly very pretty.
William Lambe Huskinson said that in a parish church the clergyman had no right to let seats for money; nor had persons the right to go where they liked, but the church wardens allotted seats to parishioners, according to their rank and station and strangers were shown into free seats or vacant pews.
An appeal could be made to the bishop if anyone was dissatisfied. A clergyman could not preach that all 'seats were free', but had to ask leave of the church wardens, and if they consented, and any parishioners objected he could appeal to the bishop, whose word was final. In the case of a Newark church, the vicar had consulted the wardens, who had again consulted the parish and had finally got leave of the bishop. But in the case of Beeston Church, no such leave had been got either from the wardens, parish or bishop.
But the clergyman preached that all seats were free, "Go where you like, 11,' which is the high church opinion, but is not legal. After the restoration of Epperstone Church, a domestic was requested to leave the seat allotted to cottagers and sit in the one allotted to domestic servants. In the afternoon, the Misses Clarkes conducted the servant between them to their own pew, and one of them took a seat in (the) cottagers pew, relying on her position in the parish not to be turned out, and thus show and tried by example to let people to choose their own seats which is illegal.
There is in the Vestry at Epperstone an oak seat anterior to the old high pin pews. It has a fleur de lys on each arm. It is no doubt one of the old pews or open benches which used to be found in churches in the olden time and were much more becoming than than the old high pews which afterwards replaced them. The open oak benches have replaced the high pews in Epperstone, but in many churches, Cain chairs have, which are very ugly.
As concerns church architecture, I think that the Norman circular arch is much finer for entrances than the Gothic, and does not look incongruous or out of place .even when the rest of the building is Gothic, which certainly is better 'adapted for' interiors; for instance, the western doorway at Southwell with a large Gothic window over it (put in subsequently to the original building), and the North porch, with Gothic windows on either side.
At Newstead too, where the window which takes the place of a western doorway is not so pointed as the one above, and the two block up on either side. It is pointed, certainly, but not nearly so much as the windows, and so I claim that as an example of one leaning towards my theory. The Norman is not suitable for interiors, except where the interior is lofty, as in the transepts of Southwell Minster .The arches and pillars are lofty and awe inspiring but in the nave they are not so, and seem to lessen the building. The interweaving of arches is certainly very pretty.
William Lambe Huskinson said that in a parish church the clergyman had no right to let seats for money; nor had persons the right to go where they liked, but the church wardens allotted seats to parishioners, according to their rank and station and strangers were shown into free seats or vacant pews.
An appeal could be made to the bishop if anyone was dissatisfied. A clergyman could not preach that all 'seats were free', but had to ask leave of the church wardens, and if they consented, and any parishioners objected he could appeal to the bishop, whose word was final. In the case of a Newark church, the vicar had consulted the wardens, who had again consulted the parish and had finally got leave of the bishop. But in the case of Beeston Church, no such leave had been got either from the wardens, parish or bishop.
But the clergyman preached that all seats were free, "Go where you like, 11,' which is the high church opinion, but is not legal. After the restoration of Epperstone Church, a domestic was requested to leave the seat allotted to cottagers and sit in the one allotted to domestic servants. In the afternoon, the Misses Clarkes conducted the servant between them to their own pew, and one of them took a seat in (the) cottagers pew, relying on her position in the parish not to be turned out, and thus show and tried by example to let people to choose their own seats which is illegal.
Blues & Liberals 1880
2nd April
I go down to see the Nottingham paper of last night and it do grieve me to see the large majority of the liberals. I do hear of no great disturbance. A Conservative has got in for Newark, one Nicholson, and also for Sheffield and Greenwich and various places which doth encourage me seeing how the Conservatives have gained some. London. has sent all Conservatives, Westminster and Greenwich 2 conservatives each. But it troubles me to see how the Cathedral towns except Canterbury do send up ,liberals but I am pleased to see how slow the home rulers do poll in lreland.
5th April
I got up early. to drive my father and Mr. Clarke to the train. Mr. Clarke had received many applications for voting; Lowdham is posted all over with blue papers. When I got back I did canvass a bit for the conservatives and was promised 6 votes; 2 others were away. In Epperstone there are 31 votes and about 5 out of them are liberals, but among the cottagers and labourers are many liberals so if manhood suffrage or county franchise comes in we shall be more liberal, which I hope will, not be. The liberal strongholds are at Woodbro. and Calverton, Lambley and some at Burton Joyce and at Carlton, but they are chiefly among the cottagers and stockingers so I do not know how they will poll. Mr. Franklin and his lady are very energetic in the conservative interest at Lowdham and Gonalstone and Mrs. Beaumont is canvassing at Fintham and East Bridgeford
6th April
Went to Mr. Brett, found he was conservative and secured him to canvass Woodbro. for father had received 2 books for canvassing Woodbro. and Epperstone. I have taken Epperstone in hand, secured several votes before breakfast and had a long talk with Freeman and he promised for Hildyard and Storer. Set off to see about Col. Burnell's vote. Went by Rossel Wood to Halam. Called at the overseer, Col. Burnell's vote was not down there. I heard that all that valley were blues. Went on through Kirklington to Winkburn and they are all blues. Working men have blue placards in their cap. I found Col. Burnell's voting number at Winkburn. All are blues about here. Went on to Newark.
Some villages by Newark seem to be liberal, but I soon got into the blue country. Had a talk with the man at Gunthorpe Bridge. He was a blue. The conservatives were hard at work in Lowdham posting blue placards all over, the yellow ones. One cottager had got a blue placard as a banner on a stick on his chimney and a yellow man was following his example with a yellow placard amidst the cheers of small boys. Heard that the card I had given Cupid signed with my name, Thos Huskinson, had got to the liberal rooms at Nottingham and they were kicking up a row about thinking it was Grandpapa who is in the Reform Club. Bristoe had been speaking at Epperstone in the morning before the Kings Head Inn, just by the Manor. It was a very vulgar speech I heard.
Our servants, who are very good looking, were at the wall, and one of his supporters said; "Three cheers for all the good looking women." He was mobbed by the school boys at Southwell and was not able to speak. At Cropwell Butler; across the Trent there was only a man and a boy to speak to. They are all blues that way.
7th April
Went out at past 8 with Grandpapa. He had received a letter from Mr. Acton from the head committee of Liberals at Nottingham about my card. He was rather annoyed, but Father says he can put it right. The Conservatives about here think it rather a good joke but the liberals are highly incensed. Called at the White Post to hear how the North Notts. election had gone, but could not get any news.
Called at Rio Whitworth's. in Blidworth. Conservatives about here. Put Grandpapa down at Oxton Hall and drove on. Went in to talk to Grandmama. Charlie came from school this morning. He was very surprised, when in the train 3 persons began taltking about my card, saying it turned out to be Mr. Huskinson's grandson who signed it and not Mr. Huskinson. One said 'I bet almost anything Mr. Huskinson is a conservative." "Oh nonsense, " said another, "he's a liberal, he belongs to the Reform Club.'
When some liberals were going through Ratcliffe they called at an inn arid put up. The mob, which is conservative at Ratcliffe, took out the horses, cut the harness into pieces about a foot long and painted, the horses and carriage a bright blue to the astonishment of the canvassers when they came out.
8th April
In the afternoon father was arranging about a conservative meeting at Calverton. Mother drove through Calverton about 5 o'clock; all seemed quiet. About 1/2 past 8 came a loud single knock at the front door. Father went out and came back saying that Mr Franklin had ridden over the fields from Calverton saying that the carriages and meeting had been attacked by a large crowd mustering many hundreds perhaps thousands.
Mr. Hildyard's valet had been dragged into the crowd when he was opening the door of the waggonette and stoned, kicked and cuffed and nearly killed. He had cut his way, into the fields and went hunting fashion across country. He thought Dr. Storer had been caught by the mob and ill used. He said he was going to ride on and to telegraph for the police. Father came in, got on his boots, got a thick stick and went out. I followed him shortly.
I went to Mr. Clarke first. He was at the office. As I went there and found him he was going to see about the doctor Store. We went up street and found Father talking with Dufty and Henry Clark who had just come from Calverton. They had stopped a fly with Clifton the liberal agent who was just come from Calverton, fearing to drive to Nottingham was going by train from Lowdham. I got a couple of thick sticks in case of men trouping down this way. Dufty and Harry Clark had driven back with Dr. Storer. They said the Doctor was wild. He said "You call yourselves nice liberals. So you want extension of the franchise. do you?" But he was on foot at first so he escaped a good deal of attack . Dufty was close to Francklin who tried to check the riot. But some women got hold of his legs and tried to pull him off his horse, one crying, "Have the bloody b '••••• off, kill him, screw his neck round."
A man caught his rein where upon Mr. Francklin felled him with his hunting stick and got away rescuing the valet. The carriages galloped up the street and escaped mid showers of stones, to Oxton. Mr. George Storer M.P. drove through in Mr. Sherbrooke's carriage. He said they came swarming over his carriage like Julus. After that we went home. I went to tell Mr. Adamson. I heard shouting in the direction of Calverton.
9th April
Went directly after breakfast to Lowdham. Was joined by Mr. Henry Clark. Went first to Dr. Storer's. Mr. G. Storer was just starting for the station to go to Newark. Went over the fields to Lowdham village. The polling is at the school. Four policemen were there. A small band of yellow roughs stood a little way off. Father said they'd increased to about a couple of hundred, but a few then went home. The blues are nearly all walking fearing a lot and insult. The Calverton blues came by stealth. The most ridiculous sight was the arrival of 2 blues from Woodbro. in a carriage protected by 4 policemen.
I hear that in Lowdham 70 police are hidden away, to prevent any annoyance. In the afternoon about a dozen yellow mob men came to Epperstone. They Tom.. fooled a bit, stoned Edward Champneys and a few other nuisances, and at last went off in time to escape 5 policemen which had been sent.
Mr. Parkinson went to Lowdham on horse back and young Seely, is there. Went down to Lowdham at 4 0 'clock. Mr. Francklin was on horseback at the beginning of the village, about 20 policemen patrolling the street, a small crowd about the liberal committee rooms, but all the rest quiet. About 70 or 80 roughs were in the liberal committee rooms and about the door.
A blue carriage passed us going; we 'cheered'. There were 3 on the box and they all cheered, and those inside cheered and waved blue papers. A few policemen have been round in 2 carriages to see that all is quiet in the neighbouring villages. Mr. Sherbrooke and Mr. Francklin were hooted by the liberals. A force of police remains in Calverton tonight for the blues feel insecure. They have had disturbances for 2 nights. Mr. Smith, the vicar, had his window smashed and 5 policemen were at his house last night.
About 30 special Constables were sworn in at the Consrvative Committee rooms at the Magna Charta, Lowdham. Mr. Clarke is one. About 6, 2 waggonettes full of police drove through Epperstone to Farnsfield. The police arrangements were excellent. 100 roughs were coming from Calverton this morning to stop voters etc. but they heard of police about. I went about in the evening but could hear nothing.
28th May
This morning Fisher, who gave evidence against the Calverton rioters, came this morning. He said that the people had regularly plotted against him to ruin him, and it is not so much among the lowest classes as among the small shopkeeper element, headed by Clifton the postmaster and, I strongly suspect, Collyer the baker, a Iittle man barely 5 feet high and rather proud of himself, I should imagine.
Fisher brought a letter sent him, I believe, by Mr. Hunt, a farmer at Farnsfield who acts as steward for Fisher's landlord. Hunt had received this letter, which was headed "Oblivion;" saying that there was a plot formed against him and if he did not give Fisher notice to quit, he would find his haystacks burnt down and his cattle poisoned. If he did, he, his wife and his cattle would remain unhurt.
Unfortunately, this man being a stockinger and owing to the past depression a little in debt and has been sold (as was also another man who gave evidence) by the wretch, Clifton, who issued the writs. . . . A man in Lambley was similarly persecuted just because he was heard to say, just before Hilyard and Storer spoke at Lambley, that he thought both sides should have a hearing.
The other day he saw the ringleader of his persecutors in the street, so he went up to him and gave him a blow in the face which knocked him down. Of course, he had to be fined 30. The parts that Hill and Morley, the stocking frame owners, both Liberals, have taken is rather peculiar for men of their position. It is also rumored that Colonel Seely M. P paid the fines of the rioters, but I do not believe he would do such a thing.
I go down to see the Nottingham paper of last night and it do grieve me to see the large majority of the liberals. I do hear of no great disturbance. A Conservative has got in for Newark, one Nicholson, and also for Sheffield and Greenwich and various places which doth encourage me seeing how the Conservatives have gained some. London. has sent all Conservatives, Westminster and Greenwich 2 conservatives each. But it troubles me to see how the Cathedral towns except Canterbury do send up ,liberals but I am pleased to see how slow the home rulers do poll in lreland.
5th April
I got up early. to drive my father and Mr. Clarke to the train. Mr. Clarke had received many applications for voting; Lowdham is posted all over with blue papers. When I got back I did canvass a bit for the conservatives and was promised 6 votes; 2 others were away. In Epperstone there are 31 votes and about 5 out of them are liberals, but among the cottagers and labourers are many liberals so if manhood suffrage or county franchise comes in we shall be more liberal, which I hope will, not be. The liberal strongholds are at Woodbro. and Calverton, Lambley and some at Burton Joyce and at Carlton, but they are chiefly among the cottagers and stockingers so I do not know how they will poll. Mr. Franklin and his lady are very energetic in the conservative interest at Lowdham and Gonalstone and Mrs. Beaumont is canvassing at Fintham and East Bridgeford
6th April
Went to Mr. Brett, found he was conservative and secured him to canvass Woodbro. for father had received 2 books for canvassing Woodbro. and Epperstone. I have taken Epperstone in hand, secured several votes before breakfast and had a long talk with Freeman and he promised for Hildyard and Storer. Set off to see about Col. Burnell's vote. Went by Rossel Wood to Halam. Called at the overseer, Col. Burnell's vote was not down there. I heard that all that valley were blues. Went on through Kirklington to Winkburn and they are all blues. Working men have blue placards in their cap. I found Col. Burnell's voting number at Winkburn. All are blues about here. Went on to Newark.
Some villages by Newark seem to be liberal, but I soon got into the blue country. Had a talk with the man at Gunthorpe Bridge. He was a blue. The conservatives were hard at work in Lowdham posting blue placards all over, the yellow ones. One cottager had got a blue placard as a banner on a stick on his chimney and a yellow man was following his example with a yellow placard amidst the cheers of small boys. Heard that the card I had given Cupid signed with my name, Thos Huskinson, had got to the liberal rooms at Nottingham and they were kicking up a row about thinking it was Grandpapa who is in the Reform Club. Bristoe had been speaking at Epperstone in the morning before the Kings Head Inn, just by the Manor. It was a very vulgar speech I heard.
Our servants, who are very good looking, were at the wall, and one of his supporters said; "Three cheers for all the good looking women." He was mobbed by the school boys at Southwell and was not able to speak. At Cropwell Butler; across the Trent there was only a man and a boy to speak to. They are all blues that way.
7th April
Went out at past 8 with Grandpapa. He had received a letter from Mr. Acton from the head committee of Liberals at Nottingham about my card. He was rather annoyed, but Father says he can put it right. The Conservatives about here think it rather a good joke but the liberals are highly incensed. Called at the White Post to hear how the North Notts. election had gone, but could not get any news.
Called at Rio Whitworth's. in Blidworth. Conservatives about here. Put Grandpapa down at Oxton Hall and drove on. Went in to talk to Grandmama. Charlie came from school this morning. He was very surprised, when in the train 3 persons began taltking about my card, saying it turned out to be Mr. Huskinson's grandson who signed it and not Mr. Huskinson. One said 'I bet almost anything Mr. Huskinson is a conservative." "Oh nonsense, " said another, "he's a liberal, he belongs to the Reform Club.'
When some liberals were going through Ratcliffe they called at an inn arid put up. The mob, which is conservative at Ratcliffe, took out the horses, cut the harness into pieces about a foot long and painted, the horses and carriage a bright blue to the astonishment of the canvassers when they came out.
8th April
In the afternoon father was arranging about a conservative meeting at Calverton. Mother drove through Calverton about 5 o'clock; all seemed quiet. About 1/2 past 8 came a loud single knock at the front door. Father went out and came back saying that Mr Franklin had ridden over the fields from Calverton saying that the carriages and meeting had been attacked by a large crowd mustering many hundreds perhaps thousands.
Mr. Hildyard's valet had been dragged into the crowd when he was opening the door of the waggonette and stoned, kicked and cuffed and nearly killed. He had cut his way, into the fields and went hunting fashion across country. He thought Dr. Storer had been caught by the mob and ill used. He said he was going to ride on and to telegraph for the police. Father came in, got on his boots, got a thick stick and went out. I followed him shortly.
I went to Mr. Clarke first. He was at the office. As I went there and found him he was going to see about the doctor Store. We went up street and found Father talking with Dufty and Henry Clark who had just come from Calverton. They had stopped a fly with Clifton the liberal agent who was just come from Calverton, fearing to drive to Nottingham was going by train from Lowdham. I got a couple of thick sticks in case of men trouping down this way. Dufty and Harry Clark had driven back with Dr. Storer. They said the Doctor was wild. He said "You call yourselves nice liberals. So you want extension of the franchise. do you?" But he was on foot at first so he escaped a good deal of attack . Dufty was close to Francklin who tried to check the riot. But some women got hold of his legs and tried to pull him off his horse, one crying, "Have the bloody b '••••• off, kill him, screw his neck round."
A man caught his rein where upon Mr. Francklin felled him with his hunting stick and got away rescuing the valet. The carriages galloped up the street and escaped mid showers of stones, to Oxton. Mr. George Storer M.P. drove through in Mr. Sherbrooke's carriage. He said they came swarming over his carriage like Julus. After that we went home. I went to tell Mr. Adamson. I heard shouting in the direction of Calverton.
9th April
Went directly after breakfast to Lowdham. Was joined by Mr. Henry Clark. Went first to Dr. Storer's. Mr. G. Storer was just starting for the station to go to Newark. Went over the fields to Lowdham village. The polling is at the school. Four policemen were there. A small band of yellow roughs stood a little way off. Father said they'd increased to about a couple of hundred, but a few then went home. The blues are nearly all walking fearing a lot and insult. The Calverton blues came by stealth. The most ridiculous sight was the arrival of 2 blues from Woodbro. in a carriage protected by 4 policemen.
I hear that in Lowdham 70 police are hidden away, to prevent any annoyance. In the afternoon about a dozen yellow mob men came to Epperstone. They Tom.. fooled a bit, stoned Edward Champneys and a few other nuisances, and at last went off in time to escape 5 policemen which had been sent.
Mr. Parkinson went to Lowdham on horse back and young Seely, is there. Went down to Lowdham at 4 0 'clock. Mr. Francklin was on horseback at the beginning of the village, about 20 policemen patrolling the street, a small crowd about the liberal committee rooms, but all the rest quiet. About 70 or 80 roughs were in the liberal committee rooms and about the door.
A blue carriage passed us going; we 'cheered'. There were 3 on the box and they all cheered, and those inside cheered and waved blue papers. A few policemen have been round in 2 carriages to see that all is quiet in the neighbouring villages. Mr. Sherbrooke and Mr. Francklin were hooted by the liberals. A force of police remains in Calverton tonight for the blues feel insecure. They have had disturbances for 2 nights. Mr. Smith, the vicar, had his window smashed and 5 policemen were at his house last night.
About 30 special Constables were sworn in at the Consrvative Committee rooms at the Magna Charta, Lowdham. Mr. Clarke is one. About 6, 2 waggonettes full of police drove through Epperstone to Farnsfield. The police arrangements were excellent. 100 roughs were coming from Calverton this morning to stop voters etc. but they heard of police about. I went about in the evening but could hear nothing.
28th May
This morning Fisher, who gave evidence against the Calverton rioters, came this morning. He said that the people had regularly plotted against him to ruin him, and it is not so much among the lowest classes as among the small shopkeeper element, headed by Clifton the postmaster and, I strongly suspect, Collyer the baker, a Iittle man barely 5 feet high and rather proud of himself, I should imagine.
Fisher brought a letter sent him, I believe, by Mr. Hunt, a farmer at Farnsfield who acts as steward for Fisher's landlord. Hunt had received this letter, which was headed "Oblivion;" saying that there was a plot formed against him and if he did not give Fisher notice to quit, he would find his haystacks burnt down and his cattle poisoned. If he did, he, his wife and his cattle would remain unhurt.
Unfortunately, this man being a stockinger and owing to the past depression a little in debt and has been sold (as was also another man who gave evidence) by the wretch, Clifton, who issued the writs. . . . A man in Lambley was similarly persecuted just because he was heard to say, just before Hilyard and Storer spoke at Lambley, that he thought both sides should have a hearing.
The other day he saw the ringleader of his persecutors in the street, so he went up to him and gave him a blow in the face which knocked him down. Of course, he had to be fined 30. The parts that Hill and Morley, the stocking frame owners, both Liberals, have taken is rather peculiar for men of their position. It is also rumored that Colonel Seely M. P paid the fines of the rioters, but I do not believe he would do such a thing.
Flood in Epperstone - 15th July 1880
He had a dreadful thunderstorm during the night and heavy rain and after breakfast Grandmama sent up for me to say her house was flooding. I ran down and the Dyke was very swollen but the road as yet not much flooded. The water was coming out of the house at the little pantry', but only 3 were wanted to bale out water so I want to the office. I came down again at 10 and found the water pouring in a torrent down the road. All between the Dyke and the house was 2 ft. under water, the stable yard was very deep. The little Dyke had in the past swelled to a torrent 20 yards broad, aided by tributaries from the hills. The drive was 2 ft. under water. Sergeant O'Flynn's garden was flooded and the lawn and orchard too. I had to wade over my knees to get to the door. We formed a line and handed buckets, ladling out the pantry. There were 15 men working at it. The water then came up through the dining room floor, through the pantries and through the kitchen . Our line was through the hall. The water gained on us but at half-past 11 the rising ceased and by 2 the water was drained away by the Dyke, the rain having ceased.
Clara - Epperstone Church Tower - 17th May 1880
I had promised the children to take them up the church tower after breakfast. So I told Harold to ask John Birlow for the keys. The others ran up first and I came up last helping Clara. We went to the top first. The difficulty was the coming down. I took hold of Clara round the waist and carried her down. We stopped and sat on the belfry steps close by the big bell to listen to the bell to strike the quarter of an hour, which at last struck, taking us much by surprise; the striking of this bell when close to it rather tries the nerves, the vibration is rather great. We then came down to the clock chamber and I cut Clara's name in the stone to commemorate the visit saying perhaps her great great grand children might look at it in 200 years, as we were now looking at the initials HW 1646 close beside it.
When the bells began to ring I again took Clara and Harold to see them rung. Then to Church at past 11. It being the meeting day of the Order Beck Lodge of Odd Fellows. All marching in procession with a band at their head in Crimson and blue sashes over their shoulders. A few dignitaries in Robes of Red and blue. They formed after service and marched down to the Cross Keys where they had dinner.
When the bells began to ring I again took Clara and Harold to see them rung. Then to Church at past 11. It being the meeting day of the Order Beck Lodge of Odd Fellows. All marching in procession with a band at their head in Crimson and blue sashes over their shoulders. A few dignitaries in Robes of Red and blue. They formed after service and marched down to the Cross Keys where they had dinner.
Calverton - 22nd June 1906
At Calverton Audit dinner, Sir Charles Seely's smaller tenants. Each village has its special characteristics. Calverton's is uncouthness and roughness. Woodborough next door, equally a stockinger village, is clever, neat and its people good looking.
Party at Epperstone - 29th June 1906
Margaret's (5 years) party to the village school children in the meadow near the Lower House, my grandfather's old home which I have let furnished the last few years to Charles Richardson. I brought over my unofficial volunteer band from Southwell, one of my corporals was 24 years in the band of the York and Lancaster Regiment and got up a bugle, drum and fife band among my young volunteers and the boys of the Church Brigade, which I use in my local volunteer functions. My position as a volunteer officer is unique and comfortable. With a brevet of Major I have a company over 100 strong and about the pretty Cathedral village of Southwell, isolated, well endowed and too far off for central authority to trouble me, I enjoy quite a little military lordship. My men line the aisles at Cathedral functions so I nickname them the Pope's Lifeguards.
The Bishop of Southwell's garden party at the Palace - 23rd July 1907
I dropped Polly at the cathedral and went up to the Warwicks and then walked through the cathedral nave, service going on in the choir, to the postern in the south transept where I joined Polly. We went in at the old doorway of the palace just opposite, where is a fine stone stairway to the fine 14th century banqueting hall above.
Turning through a stone arched door we found the Bishop and Mrs. Hoskyns receiving in the court. The sides are formed by the perfect outer walls of the old palace, the present house being the west side of the court from the old part of the banqueting hall, a new house built incorporating much of the old walls. We wandered through the house and had tea in the old hall, whose stained glass windows contain the arms of bygone local magnates and portraits of the old Archbishops of York, including Wolsey, whose hunting seat it was, hanging on the walls.
Many came up to talk to us. Near by was to Lord Manvers and Lady Mary Pierrepont having tea with Miss Hoskyns and they afterwards came up to speak to us. Lord and Lady Middleton were also there and some 300 others. The Bishop had tactfully asked little Frost, the Baptist minister, whom we greeted in the hall. Introduced Polly to Sir S. Johnson, a nice old man, and they got on well. Mrs. Kelham complimented Polly on her dress and appearance and indeed she looked as well as any.
I met old Colonel Burnell and we greeted the HoIdens and Skeffyngton Craigs as we were leaving. Changing into uniform in the evening we had a drill parading at the drill hall with cyclists, boys brigade and our infantry company. With our unofficial band we went down to Easthorpe and had an outpost exercise till after dusk when we returned to the drill hall for supper. Colonel Fuljambe and the adjutant present.
Turning through a stone arched door we found the Bishop and Mrs. Hoskyns receiving in the court. The sides are formed by the perfect outer walls of the old palace, the present house being the west side of the court from the old part of the banqueting hall, a new house built incorporating much of the old walls. We wandered through the house and had tea in the old hall, whose stained glass windows contain the arms of bygone local magnates and portraits of the old Archbishops of York, including Wolsey, whose hunting seat it was, hanging on the walls.
Many came up to talk to us. Near by was to Lord Manvers and Lady Mary Pierrepont having tea with Miss Hoskyns and they afterwards came up to speak to us. Lord and Lady Middleton were also there and some 300 others. The Bishop had tactfully asked little Frost, the Baptist minister, whom we greeted in the hall. Introduced Polly to Sir S. Johnson, a nice old man, and they got on well. Mrs. Kelham complimented Polly on her dress and appearance and indeed she looked as well as any.
I met old Colonel Burnell and we greeted the HoIdens and Skeffyngton Craigs as we were leaving. Changing into uniform in the evening we had a drill parading at the drill hall with cyclists, boys brigade and our infantry company. With our unofficial band we went down to Easthorpe and had an outpost exercise till after dusk when we returned to the drill hall for supper. Colonel Fuljambe and the adjutant present.
Independent firing on the Epperstone range - 27th July 1097
Returned from Nottingham with John Becher for rapid independent firing on the Epperstone range for the Thorneywood Chase squad, about 25 men, a last relic of the old company my father had in the Chase 25 years ago.
It was raised in 1860 by the then notabilities of our valley, Squire Sherbrooke, my grandfather, Squire Litchfield, the Barnards, Mansfield Parkyns and Storer of Lowldham Grange. (The Barnards had been members of the 1802 volunteers and Litchfield had tales of Waterloo as he was staying in Brussells at the time).
Mansfield Parkyns of Woodborough Hall, the celebrated Abyssinian traveler, was first Captain, then Storer, then my father till '81 when Milward, heir of Ld. Milward of Thurgarton Priory, had it but it was then coupled to Carlton and Bingham squads, which Edge of Strelley took over and in '98 he gave me Thorneywood to go to Southwell.
After the shooting the men went to Sergeant Parr's house for tea in the orchard. Thus pleasantly do we keep up the traditions of now 47 years. I wonder how Haldane's scheme will affect us.
It was raised in 1860 by the then notabilities of our valley, Squire Sherbrooke, my grandfather, Squire Litchfield, the Barnards, Mansfield Parkyns and Storer of Lowldham Grange. (The Barnards had been members of the 1802 volunteers and Litchfield had tales of Waterloo as he was staying in Brussells at the time).
Mansfield Parkyns of Woodborough Hall, the celebrated Abyssinian traveler, was first Captain, then Storer, then my father till '81 when Milward, heir of Ld. Milward of Thurgarton Priory, had it but it was then coupled to Carlton and Bingham squads, which Edge of Strelley took over and in '98 he gave me Thorneywood to go to Southwell.
After the shooting the men went to Sergeant Parr's house for tea in the orchard. Thus pleasantly do we keep up the traditions of now 47 years. I wonder how Haldane's scheme will affect us.
Links with Robin Hood
Had a long drive with Polly by Blidworth as far as Newstead, a fine day in this wild still forest land. The view from the terrace walk of Blidworth church over some miles is fine and over what was Sherwood and still lovely and wooded.
Called on the Vicar Whitworth, who has been there over 50 years and was for long also Chaplain at Newstead and Sir Chas. Seely's place. A great local antiquarian and historian. My grandfather's old friend, Mrs. Need, lived at Fountains Dale close by the moated grange of Robin Hood, the moat still exists and close by where the Bishop of Hereford was caught in a corner of the then bogs whilst essaying the ford at Ranmouth to gain the main road to Nottingham from York. Ranworth Lodge was a cell of Newstead where a friar was posted to guide travelers across the ford.
In Robin's time Friar Tuck was here and it was as the curtail friar in performing this duty to Robin that he let him fall in the water. Sherwood Forest had this peculiarity, its soil was a bright sand rolling in hills of some height for sand land and its colour gives even its winter landscape a cheerful look and provides dry lodging: it was then finely timbered with oak and birch and holly underwood chiefly: but its great feature for a home of outlaws is that it is traversed at frequent intervals with trout streams which for miles was then bordered with boggy ground almost 200 yards broad, covered with a dense bush of osiers, willows and such trees, the fords were few and difficult and men who knew the country could defy capture better even than brigands in mountains, and the incidents of the ballads are easily understood by those who know the ground.
The names of his men are still surnames. At many places are the underground homes of an old cave race and excellent harbourage for outlaws. It must be remembered that Robin had the sympathy of the local gentry and people and he waged war against the wealthy clergy and usurers (Jews) and against the authorities and the story that he was an outlawed Earl is probably correct. It is rather thought that his exploits belong to the reign of Henry III than to John and Richard. He and his band followed the laws of chivalry hence their local popularity with the local classes and it is said that many a Notts squire had been with Robin in his youth and wild days.
Allan-a-Dale's wedding was at Epperstone and the tower and spire are of the period. Dale is a very uncommon name in the Forest and probably refers to Langdale or Ramsdale. It is a pity the district was disafforested as there has been no profit in making the farms and timber does well. Note: Maid Marion said to be a daughter of Lord Fitzwalter, whose home was at Plumtree just south of Nottingham. The Plumtree family represent the old Barons FitzWalter who took the village name as surname.
Called on the Vicar Whitworth, who has been there over 50 years and was for long also Chaplain at Newstead and Sir Chas. Seely's place. A great local antiquarian and historian. My grandfather's old friend, Mrs. Need, lived at Fountains Dale close by the moated grange of Robin Hood, the moat still exists and close by where the Bishop of Hereford was caught in a corner of the then bogs whilst essaying the ford at Ranmouth to gain the main road to Nottingham from York. Ranworth Lodge was a cell of Newstead where a friar was posted to guide travelers across the ford.
In Robin's time Friar Tuck was here and it was as the curtail friar in performing this duty to Robin that he let him fall in the water. Sherwood Forest had this peculiarity, its soil was a bright sand rolling in hills of some height for sand land and its colour gives even its winter landscape a cheerful look and provides dry lodging: it was then finely timbered with oak and birch and holly underwood chiefly: but its great feature for a home of outlaws is that it is traversed at frequent intervals with trout streams which for miles was then bordered with boggy ground almost 200 yards broad, covered with a dense bush of osiers, willows and such trees, the fords were few and difficult and men who knew the country could defy capture better even than brigands in mountains, and the incidents of the ballads are easily understood by those who know the ground.
The names of his men are still surnames. At many places are the underground homes of an old cave race and excellent harbourage for outlaws. It must be remembered that Robin had the sympathy of the local gentry and people and he waged war against the wealthy clergy and usurers (Jews) and against the authorities and the story that he was an outlawed Earl is probably correct. It is rather thought that his exploits belong to the reign of Henry III than to John and Richard. He and his band followed the laws of chivalry hence their local popularity with the local classes and it is said that many a Notts squire had been with Robin in his youth and wild days.
Allan-a-Dale's wedding was at Epperstone and the tower and spire are of the period. Dale is a very uncommon name in the Forest and probably refers to Langdale or Ramsdale. It is a pity the district was disafforested as there has been no profit in making the farms and timber does well. Note: Maid Marion said to be a daughter of Lord Fitzwalter, whose home was at Plumtree just south of Nottingham. The Plumtree family represent the old Barons FitzWalter who took the village name as surname.
A trip to Skegness - 6th September 1907
Drove early to Victoria Station at Nottingham and just caught the quarter to 9 express to Skegness where Polly had" preceded me on Thursday. My first class carriage was filled up by the family of my hairdresser, a very good fellow and a Dane by birth. His wife is a Boston woman. Harvest was going on merrily.
At the Skegness parade I found Polly and Miss Frances Hodgkinson, both enjoying their golf at Seacroft. Miss Bond, Margie and her cousin Geoffrey H. I stayed till Wednesday evening enjoying the glorious weather and the fine breezes. The wide sands and dunes have a great fascination and in fact ''the poetry" of this Fenland appeals to me.
Every morning we turned out early, i.e. Margie (age 6), Geoffrey (age 7) and myself for a paddling expedition, ending up with a visit to the Bohemians singing booth and the mirror maze which latter is really very amusing as whilst we see each other multiplied many times yet to find each other was a problem.
One afternoon we drove to Ingoldmells to see the church and had tea at Morning Dawn a pretty coast bungalow kept by an old servant once at Gonalston, thence we walked to Skeg. Another afternoon we attended the circus in great state with the Webb boys. Webb has a fine bungalow at Seacroft where his children stay all summer. Seacroft is the Newport of Nottingham and many wealthy people have bungalows along the dunes and by the really beautiful golf links.
In the evening we flew kites and indulged in all the seaside delights of children. Basil Bond joined us on Tuesday. We were fortunate in having a really good comedy company acting at the theatre and in the evening went there to see "Mr. Sheridan" and the "Adventure of Lady Ursula". The dresses excellent, the stage small and properties simple which the better served to show up excellent acting.
At the Skegness parade I found Polly and Miss Frances Hodgkinson, both enjoying their golf at Seacroft. Miss Bond, Margie and her cousin Geoffrey H. I stayed till Wednesday evening enjoying the glorious weather and the fine breezes. The wide sands and dunes have a great fascination and in fact ''the poetry" of this Fenland appeals to me.
Every morning we turned out early, i.e. Margie (age 6), Geoffrey (age 7) and myself for a paddling expedition, ending up with a visit to the Bohemians singing booth and the mirror maze which latter is really very amusing as whilst we see each other multiplied many times yet to find each other was a problem.
One afternoon we drove to Ingoldmells to see the church and had tea at Morning Dawn a pretty coast bungalow kept by an old servant once at Gonalston, thence we walked to Skeg. Another afternoon we attended the circus in great state with the Webb boys. Webb has a fine bungalow at Seacroft where his children stay all summer. Seacroft is the Newport of Nottingham and many wealthy people have bungalows along the dunes and by the really beautiful golf links.
In the evening we flew kites and indulged in all the seaside delights of children. Basil Bond joined us on Tuesday. We were fortunate in having a really good comedy company acting at the theatre and in the evening went there to see "Mr. Sheridan" and the "Adventure of Lady Ursula". The dresses excellent, the stage small and properties simple which the better served to show up excellent acting.