Market Rasen 1921-1930

From the roaring twenties to the great depression, the Market Rasen Mail witnessed all these events and here is how the local people of Market Rasen area lived through those days.

1920's - All aboard for the Kelseys!

These two lovely old photos from the 1920's have been kindly loaned to us by Maurice Higham of Middle Rasen. The first shows the omnibus run by brothers Ed and Harry Balderson parked at Four Cross Roads, South Kelsey. It travelled to Lincoln on a Friday, Market Rasen on Tuesday and Saturday and Brigg on Thursday and Saturday. The second picture is a snapshot of tranquil village life in North Kelsey – with little kids making sure they get in the photo!

_______________________

1920's - Advice from the experts

In the Mail of yesteryear there were many advice columns from experts on all aspects of daily living – handy hints for young ladies, advice for mothers, tips for the sick room and many more. Here we represent some of those pearls of wisdom from the 1920's – do they still hold true today I wonder?

Children and motoring

DO not take children motoring. It is far better for them to run about. They easily get cold; their little limbs are cramped. The wind hurts their eyes, and the wild rush through the streets does them no good. Oh, yes, I know I am old fashioned. One day you will send your children up in an aeroplane with their nurse instead of letting them run in the park. Again I shall protest, and again I shall be ignored. And there are still submarines left. You might try a nice trip in a submarine to bring back the roses to the child's cheek. But in the long run you will find the simple plan of sending the child to run about in the recreation ground will be best.

The way to beauty

EVERYBODY, so it is said, wishes to be beautiful, but everybody does not go the right way about it. The would-be beautiful woman has to be careful of her actions. She must guard against bad habits of wrinkling the eyes, of making little grimaces, of ugly ways of moving, of sitting or standing, of little tricks of her hands, and also she must guard against bad temper and worrying thoughts, for all leave their marks on her face. The woman who follows these rules will certainly be good to look at, and she will deserve admiration too, for she will have won her beauty by the exercise of self-control, patience and perseverance.

Home exercises

After a spell in hospital you must back up your exercises there by your efforts at home. If you have a little ingenuity perhaps you could rig up some simple apparatus which will enable you to carry on the exercises at home. Mother would be delighted if you could help her with the mangle, and it would do your shoulder good. You can take hold of the door handle and turn it round a few dozen times to loosen the stiffness of your wrist. Too many of you think that when the pretty nurse has finished her ten minutes' massage that you have done your duty. You will not get well quickly unless you do a bit for yourself.

_______________________

1920's - Where Woman Rules...

In years gone by your Mail featured a page for ladies, Where Woman Rules, which looked at the latest fashions and gave handy hints for the home.

Here we reproduce some of those pearls of wisdom for modern ladies to enjoy!

Don't marry a man who is reckless and who spends every penny he earns upon enjoyment. He may be a pleasant enough companion, but he will never prosper or save toward a rainy day.

Don't marry a woman who looks down with contempt on all matters connected with housekeeping, condemning them as dull and uninteresting.

Remember a home is never comfortable or well managed without a good mistress.

Don't marry a man whose only idea in life is having a good time himself, and who never troubles to think of sharing his pleasures with his mother and sisters.

In conversation never talk about yourself, and if you find the talk drifting that way get it out of a personal rut at once.

Do not lead willingly into the subject of politics or religion unless you know the creed or the party of your partner.

Never make gestures in society. Never point, and never let your eye wander over the room while your friend is talking to you.

A clothes peg, if cut in half and inserted between the sash of a rattling window, will prove a wonderful soother to nerves racked by constant banging at night.

There is a superstition in regard to the ill-luck sure to follow those who marry when the moon is on the wane.

People who seriously regard this superstition set their bridal day between the periods of the new and full moon.

Some have a strong aversion to wedding in May, for an ancient couplet reads 'Marry in May, And rue the day.'

Here is the ancient rhyme regarding the favourable and unfavourable months for marriage:

Marry when the year is new,

Always loving, kind and true;

When February birds do mate

You may wed, nor dread your fate.

If you wed when March winds blow,

Joy and sorrow both you'll know.

Marry in April when you can,

Joy for maiden and for man;

Marry in the month of May,

You will surely rue the day;

Marry when June roses blow,

Over land and sea you'll go.

They who in July do wed

Must labour always for their bread;

Whoever wed in August be,

Many a change are sure to see.

Marry in September's shine,

Your living will be rich and fine.

If in October you do marry,

Love will come, but riches tarry;

If you wed in bleak November,

Only joy will come, remember;

When December's snows fall fast,

Marry, and true love will last.

_________________________

1920's - Fond memories of town during the early 1900s

This week we dip into the Mail archives to bring you a snapshot of the town as it was in the early 1900s – thanks to the memories of former Rasen man Mr H L Kirk.

"I WAS born in 1913 at No 6 Linwood Road, later residing in Chapman Street, Kilnwell Road and also at No. 11 Union Street next door to my great uncle, William Elvins drapery shop, now Starbuck's bakers shop.

Starting my reminiscences at the bottom end of Oxford Street I well remember the old malt kilns and in my mind can still recall the warm, soggy odour of the fermenting barley.

Being of good Methodist stock we were told to hold our breath when passing the malt kilns lest the aroma should give us a taste for the demon drink.

On the opposite corner was the old Railway Hotel and I remember in particular one old character there by the name of 'Zott' Cook.

Whether he lived there or whether he was a good customer I do not know, but he owned a couple of horses which had the task of pulling the fire engine.

The snag was these horses were usually out to graze either at Linwood or Wold View or Gallamore Lane, thus giving the fire a chance to get a good hold before the fire engine became mobile.

At the top end of Oxford Street was Stricklands Barber shop and nearby was Mainprizes Fish & Chip Shop where you could get a good blowout of fish and chips for four pence – whilst at Wards, opposite the station gates, you could get fish and chips and a glass of Mason's Botanic Beer for six pence.

On the opposite corner of Oxford Street was Footits Bakery and nextdoor was Hall's greengrocery. The proprietor, Charles Hall, was the local bandmaster and his son, Walt Hill, was an up and coming cornet player.

Further down Jameson Bridge Street was Scuphams Monumental Masonry and nearby was the Primative Methodist Chapel.

My parents were members of that chapel and the names of Islip, Horsefield and Neal come to mind.

Going further down Queen Street was the original of the Kings' Head pub. In those days it was an old fashioned spit and sawdust establishment and the reek of stale beer met you long before you reached the door.

In remembering Rasen at that time several characters come to mind – notably James (Jimmy) Nettleship, Mrs Smith of the White Hart Hotel, a frail little lady with a mind of her own, Ted Limon the seedsman, Mr Beetlestone headmaster at the Wesleyan Day School down Mill Lane, Joseph (Gassy) Green, Job Cox the horse dealer, and the Staves family of whom Harold and Bill were local celebrities by their motorcycle racing exploits.

I do not recall many who made a huge fortune in Rasen but neither did I hear of any who starved.

It was always a place of good neighbours and a pleasant place to return to.

______________________

1922 – A curious incident

As the weather on Sunday last was so fine, the Osgodby garage proprietor decided he would go for a spin on his trusty Triumph.

On nearing Caistor he had occasion to look down at his engine to see if it was still in the frame, when to his amazement he discovered he had lost one of his legs.

He immediately turned round and proceeded on the same track, but unfortunately his leg was not to be seen anywhere, and on arriving home had to manage with his remaining leg until another one could be found. Needless to say the lost limb was a wooden one.

____________________________

Click on >> button for next page!1920's - Middle Rasen

The High Street in the mid 1920's.

picture from Maurice Higham

_____________________________

June 18 1922 - The unveiling of Rasen's War Memorial

It was on June 18 1922 the memorial was unveiled to the public in a moving service – the memories of the First World War still very fresh in everyone's mind. Your Rasen Mail was there and in this special feature we reproduce the original article of the time.

AN EXCEPTIONALLY large assemblage foregathered on Sunday afternoon for the unveiling and dedication of the memorial cross which has been erected by the people of Market Rasen to perpetuate the memory of those of its sons who fell in the Great War.

The cross is of Sicilian marble, 14ft in height, with two bases, the bottom base being of hard York stone.

On the front of the cross is a large bronze sword, whilst on the front of the die is an inscription, and on each side are the names of the fallen, seventy-five in number.

The site is on the west side of the railway station gates, on a piece of land which has been kindly given to the town by the trustees of the Wesleyan Church.

On three sides it is railed round, and on the north side, next to the road, is a chain depended from iron supports. It is an ideal site for such an erection.

The names and inscription are sunk into the marble with lead, and this work has been done by Mr J Brown (one of the employees of Messrs Scupham and Son, who have erected the monument) who was a prisoner of war in Germany.

On Sunday, facing the memorial, seats were provided for the relatives of the fallen, whilst on the east side were lined up the De Aston School cadets in command of Lieut H H Clews, and on the west side members of the local branch of the British Legion, who had assembled in the Market Place and, headed by the Town Band, had marched down under the command of the Rev J Cleland, Hon CF.

Alderman J Cooper, JP, the chairman of the War Memorial Committee, said they were met there on that Sabbath afternoon to take part in a solemn and memorable ceremony, that would mark a great occasion in the annals of Market Rasen, and to some there it would remain as ineffaceable and lasting remembrance.

The war that was just over, and that was green in their memory, would go down in history as the Great War, because of the colossal armies that were engaged in it, the stupendous military preparations and the regrettable huge loss of life.

The millions of men that composed the vast British armies were raised from the towns and villages and hamlets of their great and vast empire. Market Rasen was one of those towns, and Market Rasen had made a noble contribution in its men.

Colonel E Kyme Cordeaux, CBE, deputy lieutenant of the county, said they were met there that afternoon on the anniversary of a day that held the fate of the British Empire and the world.

It was on a Sunday, on the 18th of June, that the manhood of Great Britain faced the great Napoleon and the French Army on the field of Waterloo, and for ever dissipated his dream of world domination.

At the conclusion of the Colonel's address, two wounded ex-service men, Messrs G W Garnett and H M Kitchen, unveiled the memorial, the two Union Jacks which had enveloped it falling clear and exposing the memorial to the expectant gaze of the assemblage.

Then Mr P J Timms, the Headmaster of De Aston School, read out the inscription on the memorial, which is as follows - "To the Glory of God, and in grateful memory of the men of this town, who gave their lives in the Great War, 1914-1918, for the cause of Freedom, Honour and Justice, this Memorial is erected. At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, we shall remember them."

He then read out the names of the fallen.

_________________________

November 1922

The mystery of Tutankhamun

British archaeologist Howard Carter made one of the most spectacular discoveries of all time. His uncovering of the tomb of Tutankhamun in Egypt gripped the public imagination. And of course your Mail covered the story!

"IT WAS a sight surpassing all precedent, and one we never dreamed of seeing. The impression was overwhelming."

So wrote Howard Carter in his diary on that fateful day in November 1922 when he broke through into the famous tomb of the long dead boy king.

His discovery sparked a wave of interest in all things Egyptian that has still not died down to this day.

Over 3000 fabulous objects, including gold figurines, masks and priceless jewellery were found. It took almost a decade to empty the tomb and catalogue all the finds.

The steps leading to the tomb were uncovered on November 4 but Carter, sensing this might be a major discovery, covered up the hole and sent a telegram to his sponsor Lord Carnarvon in England summoning him to the site with the utmost urgency.

On November 24 work resumed in Carnarvon's presence. The stairway was cleared of rubble, and Carter and Carnarvon found themselves before a walled-up door, followed by a second inner door, which bore both the seals of the necropolis and the long dreamed-of name 'Tutankhamun'.

Two days later the intrepid archaeologists pierced a hole through the second door and peered into the gloomy interior of the tomb. The sights they saw were beyond all expectations!

As Carter said: "At first I could see nothing, the hot air escaping from the chamber causing the candle flame to flicker, but presently, as my eyes grew accustomed to the light, details of the room within emerged slowly from the mist, strange animals, statues and gold - everywhere the glint of gold."

This was the first royal tomb found intact in the history of Egyptology - and its treasures had been untouched by human hand for thousands of years.

So began the legend of Tutankhamun - and his curse! As one by one the leaders of the expedition died the story grew they were being struck down by ancient Egyptian magic.

Your Rasen Mail was one of the first to report an interest in the supernatural side of the discovery.

Here is what we wrote at the time: "Mr Howard Carter, who discovered the wonder tomb of King Tutankhamun, has been for more than 30 years searching for relics such as those he has now found in the Valley of the Kings.

"He met with failure until the idea came to him he would find what he wanted at a certain spot, and he acted upon this impression with remarkable results.

"He felt certain the tomb for which he was searching was under one piece of ground. Superstitious Egyptians living near the tomb firmly believe it was the ghost of the dead king that led Mr Carter to the spot.

"Another strange story of this romantic find concerns Mr Carter's canary. The day the tomb was opened he found a gold crown in the form of a serpent.

"That night, as Mr Carter was at dinner, a disturbance was heard. Going outside, he found a serpent in the canary's cage.

"The bird was already dead, and Mr Carter soon killed the reptile.

"The natives interpreted this story in just the opposite way to the first. They said it was a sign of the king's anger at the breaking open of his tomb.

"At any rate, the story is a pretty one."

Pretty indeed, but when Lord Carnarvon died just a few months later the superstitions took on a darker significance!

_________________________________________

Click on >> button for next page!December 1, 1922

The village that never forgets

By Michael Steed

ONE OF the more unusual memorials to the fallen of the 1914-18 War, is the Memorial Cottage in Moortown Road, Nettleton.

Opened 80 years ago, on December 1 1922 by Lady Yarborough, it was a result of the desire of villagers to build a house 'wherein poor families might spend in happiness their declining years,' rather than an 'imposing monument.'

Rain fell almost continuously on the afternoon of the opening ceremony, which initially had to be conducted in the schoolroom, and attended by Lord and Lady Yarborough, Mr T Kell, the 'well known agriculturist' in the chair and Mrs Kell, the Rev TG Dixon (Holton Hall), the Rev HA Riggall, the Rev AS Wright of Nettleton and the Rev AJ Chessum of Market Rasen.

There was a hymn, a prayer and lesson and addresses from the Rev TG Dixon and Lord Yarborough, who was visiting Nettleton for the first time.

He referred to the splendid work done on behalf of the Red Cross in Nettleton, raising 450 during the war and having also sent parcels to two prisoners who had been in enemy's hands.

The chairman, Mr Kell, said the cost of the cottage had been slightly in excess of 400 and that 888.14s.1d had been raised for the cottage and they hoped one day to provide an endowment 'so that no burden would be bequeathed to succeeding generations.'

"This work had been done largely through the ungrudging help of a wonderful committee and the loyal help and support of the whole village," he said.

The memorial cottage, 'placed in the centre of a beautiful garden and surrounded by ornamental shrubs' presented by Lord Yarborough, was carried out by Messrs CW Marshall and Son and much of the work was done voluntarily without payment by Mr Marshall's men.

The plaque on the cottage reads 'To the glory of God and the men who gave their lives for King and country in the Great War' and the names of the fallen are listed – T Andrews, P Andrews, FV Baker, GF Enderby, H Enderby, RJ Johnson, C Leonard, J Norton, R Norton, A Scott, T Waite and WS Witty

____________________________

1922 - Caught in the act!

"WE did not think there was so much dramatic talent in Market Rasen!" So began the Mail's review of the very first show staged by the original Market Rasen Amateur Dramatic Society.

The society put on their first production, the comedy Are You a Mason?, at the old Central Cinema back in 1922.

It was the start of a 57 year run, only interrupted by Hitler and Co for a few years in the 40s.

Those early plays included such gems as Tilly of Bloomsbury, Come out of the Kitchen, The Rotters and Hobson's Choice.

Plays in the Central Cinema were accompanied by the creaking of the stage and the thump, thump of the engine which drove the dynamo to supply the lighting!

After the war the players moved to the Modern School hall, starting with Family Affairs in 1946. They stayed there throughout the 50s and 60s.

In 1972 the society celebrated its Golden Jubilee with J B Priestly's When We Are Married - a play they had also chosen to celebrate their 25th anniversary.

Produced by Frederick Shegog it starred Joy Walker, John Dring, Marjorie Beckett, Janet Dring, John Worthington, Gordon Wild, Steve Vickers, Madge Shegog, Terry Buckle, Gerald Sayer, Ida Hall, Hilda Balean, Mollie Sykes and Rex Wheeldon. The lighting was by Derek Peatfield.

From this point onwards shows were put on at the new Festival Hall – but sadly the writing was on the wall.

The society performed Noel Coward's Blithe Spirit in March 1979 but declining membership and the difficulty of getting younger people involved meant they had to fold in November that year.

Dr Shegog, producer for many years, told the Mail at the time it was sad but he was sure the society had given much pleasure to people over the decades.

This year history turned full circle. Eighty years after Are You a Mason? was performed a group of locals started a new amateur dramatic society in the town.

Their next project is a pantoin the New Year – will yourMail one day look back on their golden days?

_____________________

May 1923 - The runaway

About half-past one on Wednesday Mr W A Ward had his horse and dray standing in front of his shop in Union Street, when, having been startled by a bolt dropping out of the axle and letting the dray down, the horse ran off down the street at a fast pace.

It ran straight into the iron gate and railings in front of the Wesleyan Chapel at the bottom of the street, knocking down a portion of the gate and some of the railings, as well as dislodging some of the brickwork.

The runaway sustained some serious injury to one of its forelegs and a hind leg. No damage was done to the dray.

_____________________

July 1923 - when Market Rasen was in the grip of a freak heat wave.

Boiling hot day

The day of the horticultural and Agricultural Show was the hottest day for twelve years and in support of this we may mention that in Mr J. Adams' garden, on the Willingham Road, nine young sparrows were found lying dead under trees, having been overcome by the excessive heat. In the town just over 96 degrees in the shade were registered.

The past week has been unprecedented in many respects. Throughout the length and breadth of the country intense heat has prevailed, and truly terrific thunderstorms, accompanied in many cases by torrential downpours of rain, have prevailed. Loss of life and great damage are reported from several districts.

We in this district seem to have escaped the worst severities of the storms, although at times the lightning has been particularly vivid. So far as we can learn the only damage done locally was at North Willingham, where a tree on the Sixhills Road was struck. Reports just to hand show that on Thursday night Caistor and Nettleton had a particularly terrifying storm experience, the latter being flooded out.

Never arrived

A Dr Ellis was to have visited Market Rasen on Wednesday evening to lecture before the members of the Women's Institute on 'Venereal Disease,' but did not arrive, sending a message that he had met with a misfortune. He was on his way to the meeting when his motor car caught fire, and was totally destroyed.

__________________________

May 1923- The oldest woman

There was laid to rest in the Canwick Road Cemetery, Lincoln, on Saturday, the remains of England's oldest woman, Mrs Jane Lister, who passed away the previous Thursday at the age of 107.

Although not born at Market Rasen, the deceased old lady and her husband resided for many years in the town, and occupied the Aston Arms Inn, where they were a popular host and hostess.

__________________________

May 1923 - Violent storm causes havoc in Rasen area

Market Rasen and district was on Saturday night visited by an unusually violent thunderstorm.

There was at times a torrential downpour of rain, and the lightning for a time was almost continuous.

It was particularly vivid, and lighted up the whole countryside, everything standing out almost as clearly as daylight, to be followed by intense darkness and loud peals of thunder.

Although no great damage was done locally the lightning was sufficiently near to give several people a rather uncomfortable time.

At Mr Holden's (Bank House) an upstairs bay window was struck, and a portion of the ceiling was brought down, and the room filled with sulphurous fumes.

At Mrs Honneyman's, The Elms, a particularly heavy crash of thunder was the means of cracking a bedroom ceiling and letting in the heavy rain.

At Mr Brumpton's in Waterloo Street the storm was the means of sending a large quantity of soot down the chimney into the living room, giving the occupants a rather unpleasant time.

At West Rasen, Mrs Drakes of the Rectory Farm had the misfortune to have a sheep and a lamb killed by the lightning, whilst Mr Ward had his chimney pot knocked off, and the ceiling of one of the bedrooms fell in on the children in bed, who, however, escaped injury.

__________________________

1924 - Remarkable Tealby hen

snippet from the Mail of 1924 about an incredible hen!

MR W. Horton, of Tealby, has a white wyandotte hen which has displayed remarkable traits. Almost from chickenhood it has held aloof from the other fowls, and last year when it started to lay it refused to go in the chicken house, but when Mr and Mrs Horton were not looking it would go through the back door of the farmhouse and pass through to the stairs. Up these it would hop one step at a time till it came to the topmost step, and here, apparently nowhere else, the hen would lay. During the cold winter months the back door was of course closed, but nothing daunted the hen would perch on a table immediately in front of the window, and would persistently peck on the pane until she was admitted. Two weeks ago she wanted to sit, and Mr Horton put her in various places, but no, she would sit nowhere except at the top of the house stairs, and there she is sitting now, perfectly unconcerned, nestling in a cozy little hai-lined box.

__________________________________

Click on >> button for next page!1920's A Poem about Binbrook.

The first by Sergt W. Challans was published in the Mail back in the 1920s

Verses on the Wolds

On the Wolds of Lincolnshire,

Not far from Grimsby Town,

There stands an old time village,

Of old world fame renown.

Its people are but simple folks,

Who seldom roam afar,

And never hear a noisy train

But the modern motor car.

The Church, a lovely edifice,

Not stained by years of time,

Was erected in place of one before

In eighteen sixty nine.

Loved ones sleep 'neath its shrine

Their worldly cares are o'er;

Shepherd, Herdsman, Yeoman bold

Are gathered in its store.

The parson is a pleasant chap,

Of that there is no doubt,

A smile, a pleasing word or two,

When you chance to meet him out.

Where St Mary's Church once stood

In the old Churchyard there,

The sexton old and grey

Still tends with tender care.

And from this glorious countryside,

A score of miles away,

Lincoln's stately Minster,

Still holds its old time sway.

Eastward of these Wolds of old,

O'er hill and dale to roam,

View the ships of Old England

Riding on the foam.

The harvesters are toiling hard

On hill, and vale and down,

At Binbrook on the Wolds

Not far from Grimsby Town.

Away from City's tumult throng

Where peace and contentment dwell,

Reynard in his lonely home

Across in yonder dell.

The lark his song on high,

The swallow on the wing,

The thrush from yonder lofty tree,

His sweetest praises sing.

And as the sands of time run on

In one of England's best,

May its rural loveliness

Be ours for ever blest.

by Sergt W. Challans

_________________________

1920's "The Hope of Rasen"

This photo shows what appears to be a religious procession "The Hope of Rasen", apparently sometime around 1920.

Picture from Mr Higham of Middle Rasen

__________________________

June 1927 - Good old 'Soapy'

Readers may be amused by this snippet from the Rasen Mail, which appeared back in June 1927.

IF THE following is correct, and we have no doubt it is 'in parts,' then we tender our sincerest sympathy to the unfortunate Grimbarian. In the Grimsby Telegraph on Monday night, 'The Man in the Street' wrote -

A Grimsby man I know who went to Market Rasen races on Saturday had a most annoying experience. He doesn't know much about racing. He has a little 'horse' sense for all that. There is a friend of his at Market Rasen, however, who knows all about racing - well, Market Rasen racing, anyhow. He has lived in the town for years, and is friendly with all the course officials. He says, too, that he has partaken of refreshment with a jockey before now. Of this I have my doubts, seeing that jockeys never partake of refreshment on any account. But there you are.

When it came to the first race the Grimsby man had a look at the programme and remarked to the Market Rasen expert, "I should think Soapy will win this race. I'm going to put half-a-crown on it." The M.R. man laughed loudly. "Don't be an ass," he said. "Soapy is a joke. It has never won here, it only runs for exercise."

Naturally on learning this from 'the man on the spot,' so to speak, the Grimsby man kept tight hold of his half-crown. Imagine his chagrin when Soapy won at five to one! The expert was brimming over with apologies, but that was not the worst of it. As a sort of soother, he said, "Look here, if I hear of anything good I'll be sure and let you know." After the 3-15 race they saw each other again. The Market Rasen man's face was wreathed in smiles. "What's up?" asked the Grimbarian. "Have you had some money left you?"

"Not exactly," said the other, "but I've just had 5s on Swift Maiden and got 10 to 1 about it!" Then the Grimsby novice blew up in clouds of sulphurous language.

______________________

January 1927 – and mark the 75th anniversary of the closure of the Market Rasen Brewery.

FOR nearly half a century the Market Rasen Brewery has been one of the leading industries in the town, and its disposal to Messrs Jas. Hole and Co, of Newark, brings to an end the brewing industry so far as Market Rasen is concerned.

It is a distinct loss to the town, and is much to be regretted. It means for one thing the throwing out of work of a number of hands who will find it extremely difficult to get other work either in the town or elsewhere.

Then again during the whole of the time it has been in existence the Market Rasen Brewery Company has always been amongst the first to give financial support to the various shows and other public gatherings that have been held and which depended upon local support for their existence.

Just before the outbreak of war the Brewery Co had 24 employees working at the brewery, including three (Messrs Neale, Tom Case and F. Ingilby) who had been in their employ from almost the very commencement of the Company.

The Great War brought about a vast change, and no less than 14 employees of the Company enrolled themselves for war service. They were Messrs H.H.J. Dickinson, who has been cashier for 20 years (awarded the Military Medal, and had his right arm amputated), E.C. Crow (who died in France), F. Page (killed in action), G. Brown (killed in action), W.A. Cantwell, J. Brown, T. Nettleship, C. Cressy, C. Atkin, F. Aisthorpe, A. Cash, A.S. Hodson, R. Brumpton and G. Sellars.

It is interesting to recall that the Brewery Company arose from a private partnership between the late Mr Joseph Taylor and the late Mr Robert Favill. In 1879 a Company was formed under the name of Favill and Co Ltd, and in 1881 the title was altered to the Market Rasen Brewery Co Ltd.

The buildings were extended as the business demanded, and in 1884 the offices, with a frontage to Oxford Street, were erected, the other buildings by this time being quite extensive.

Brewing was done on the premises until 1921 when, on account of the shortage of water, the Company made arrangements for the brewing to be done elsewhere.

At the end of last year Messrs James Hole and Co purchased the whole of the properties of the Company, these including 33 licensed houses situated in Lincoln, Market Rasen, Horncastle, Boston and the neighbouring villages.

________________________

1928 - Window ablaze

As Miss Hall, the proprietress of the Bijou Cafe, was lighting the gas in her window on Friday evening the trimmings with which she had decorated the window for Christmas caught fire, and the whole window was soon a mass of flames. She rushed out for assistance, and in doing so slammed the door and the latch dropping she was fastened on the outside. Whilst Mr E. Marsh was forcing the door Miss Hall climbed in through a window, and in doing so cut herself so badly that she had to have some stitches put in her arm. Water was thrown on the blaze, but it was not until Mr Sanderson brought the minimax into play (by that time all the contents of the window had been spoilt) that it was subdued. Miss Hall has only just started the business and this proves a rather unfortunate beginning, especially as the loss, which is estimated at 20, is not covered by insurance.

_______________________

1929 - kelsey cottages

Old cottages in Pig Alley, North Kelsey, pictured in 1929.

_______________________

1930 - Tealby's wonder cat

This story from the Mail of 1930 cannot fail to tug at the heart strings.

'KATIE', a cat belonging to Mr H. Lee, the well known Tealby postmaster, just fell short of becoming a national figure.

Its dexterity in letting itself into the house in order that it might perform the homely act of drinking its bowl of milk became known to the high gods who control the destinies of the London newspapers, and not only have 'stories' about this wonderful cat been in request this week, but the Gaumont British Film Co wired to Mr Lee on Monday asking that arrangements might be made immediately for including the cat in its national newsreel.

And all this, unfortunately, to no purpose. The Tealby cat will not be filmed, nor will it open doors any more to drink its milk. For it engaged in a fight with another cat at Christmastide and has since passed away.

It is quite true, as Mr Lee reminds us, that it was an exceptional cat. Regularly, as a matter of habit, it would open the back door for itself at mealtimes by springing up from the ground and pressing down the latch, and occasionally it opened other doors in the house in the same way.

But 'Katie' will not any more perform this charming feat for the edification of London newspapers or anybody else. For 'Katie' is dead.

__________________________

April 1930 - The Captain forsakes professional life

CAPTAIN Tennyson d'Eyncourt, of Bayons Manor, the present head of the well known county family, is following the example of many other well known people in Lincolnshire and elsewhere in forsaking the routine of ordinary professional life for the greater fascination and prospects of a commercial career.

Until recently he was with his regiment, the Coldstream Guards in China, but after a visit to America, in which he has obtained a close insight into film production in some of the best known studios at Los Angeles and elsewhere, he has decided to enter the film business, which now gives new opportunities because of the 'talkies,' and he is, we learn, to take part with his brother, Mr Walter Tennyson d'Eyncourt (the Walter Tennyson of the films), in a new British film which is to be produced by Mrs Elinor Glyn the famous novelist, at studios at Elstree.

The brothers are cast for the two principal roles and, twins as they are in reality, it is appropriate that in their first picture made together they will appear as twins on the screen. The picture is to be produced in colour and will be refreshingly English in atmosphere and vocal accompaniment.

In an interview at Bayons Manor this week Captain d'Eyncourt spoke enthusiastically of the prospects for British films providing the business was taken in hand by the right people in the right way.

"That is to say," he explained, "that we must above all things avoid producing what are merely pale imitations of American films. We can learn from them - anyone who has come into close contact with American film production is convinced that we have a great deal to learn - but we have wonderful assets of our own which we do not value sufficiently highly - our own wonderful scenery and all that makes up English life, and our English

authors, actors and technicians."

We asked Capt d'Eyncourt if there was any chance of a film being made in Lincolnshire or whether there was any possibility of Bayons Manor being used as a setting for some medieval picture. "Ah, I can't tell you that at present," he said.

________________________

August 1930 - when the Tealby Memorial Hall was opened.

FROM this weekend Tealby becomes the possessor of a fine new village institute which is so handsomely and completely equipped it might well serve as a model to many less fortunate places.

No decision has yet been reached as to whether a formal opening ceremony will be held but the village people are being invited to inspect the building at six o'clock on Saturday evening. Members of the Tennyson d'Eyncourt family, who are the generous donors, are expected to be present.

The hall is being given as a memorial to three members of the well known county family – Mr E C Tennyson d'Eyncourt, the late squire and former London magistrate, and Mr Louis and Admiral Tennyson d'Eyncourt, two previous owners of the Bayons Manor estate.

The building, which is designed to be in keeping with the old-world appearance of the cottages surrounding it, is substantially constructed of stone from local quarries, the picturesque roof of fluted tiles having low overhanging eaves.

Inside, the eye is immediately attracted by a polished oak floor, which has been laid down to give the best possible dancing surface.

The walls are panelled to a height of about five feet all the way round. Above this the neatly trimmed stone wall, left quite bare, and the heavy, dark-coloured beams supporting the unceiled roof, give an effect which is beautifully old-fashioned while remaining in all the essentials perfectly practical.

Partitions turn the large hall into three rooms at will – designed to be a ladies' room, a general room or lounge, and a men's room containing a billiard table.

A balcony has been provided, with cloak rooms behind, and there is a little kitchen and also, very unusual in buildings of the kind, a bathroom.

_____________________________

Click on << button for previous page!

• Email to a friend
• Print this page