Clubs and Societies – Page 20

A Tribute To Percy Trollope

Friday 27th September 1985

A Tribute To Percy Trollope
There was a special service of tribute at the Old Meeting House, Horningsham, on Wednesday 25th September 1985, for the late Percy Trollope, whose name between 1973 and the opening of the new Warminster Library [at Three Horseshoes Mall] in 1982, was synonymous with the study of Warminster history.

During those years, when a museum for Warminster was housed at the old Sexton’s Cottage behind St. Laurence’s Chapel [at High Street], it was to him that all notes and queries about the past of the town and district were directed.

As anyone who had ever cornered him in his “consulting rooms” on a Saturday morning will surely testify, if he was not always able to supply the information one sought from him, he rarely failed to answer a series of far more interesting questions one never thought to ask.

A glorious untidy mine of information was Percy Trollope’s mind, and a five minute glimpse of the workings frequently turned into a full morning’s exploration.

A farmer all his working life, he was born at Horningsham, and began his career as a pupil of Mr Pope at Rye Hill Farm, Longbridge Deverill.

In 1923 he emigrated to Canada, but after only a year (his son Clive says he couldn’t stand the weather) he came home, soon going into farming on his own account at Blackford, near Wincanton.

That same year, 1928, he married Laura Dewey, whose father was the Warminster blacksmith Albert Dewey, and (more significantly in the light of later enthusiasms) whose uncle was Harold Dewey – headmaster, scholar and town benefactor.

In 1935 Percy and his wife moved to Broomclose Farm, Longbridge Deverill, as tenants, and there with their sons, Clive and Earl, they remained until he retired in 1970.

Percy’s love of local history made him a “public figure” two years later, when a letter was published in the Warminster Journal recruiting support for a local history group. The intention then was to begin to piece together a town archive, but in Mr Trollope, the founder chairman of the History Society discovered someone who had already gathered together the nucleus of a collection. In particular, Percy had managed to salvage many of Harold Dewey’s papers, the latter having died not long before, and that precious hoard was to form the major part of the Dewey Museum’s assets when it opened in 1973.

Meanwhile, Mr Trollope’s own researches concentrated on the history of the Pope family with whom he had spent his early farming years. Percy inherited John Pope’s mother’s diaries, a painstaking record covering the years from 1873 to 1913, and the deciphering of her handwriting became almost an obsession with him. That work he is thought to have completed before his death last week at the age of 83. Still continuing was his exploration of the history of Broomclose Farm, since Percy’s retirement in the hands of his son Clive.

‘Our Railway Heritage’ Featured In Warminster History Society Meetings

July 1985:

“Our Railway Heritage’ was the subject of this month’s talk for the Warminster History Society.

Mr. Graham Vincent is an expert photographer and showed beautiful slides under various headings.

First we saw steam engines with romantic and evocative names – The Duchess of Hamilton, the City of Wells, King George V, the Union of South Africa, and most famous of all, the Flying Scotsman.

In 1968 British Rail discontinued steam, but since 1971 several of their lines have been used again for this purpose, with enough passengers to make them profitable.

Many of Mr. Vincent’s slides were taken amid splendid scenery on the Settle to Carlisle line, which, sadly, is again under threat.

During the miners’ strike Mr. Vincent was able to achieve some spectacular smoke effects because the imported Polish coal created much blacker smoke than our own coal.

Station architecture could have been a subject on its own and the artifacts to be found on the station were very wide ranging. Gas lighting was used until the early 1970s and some oil lights survived even longer.

In the last few years fundamental changes have been taking place within British Rail, one of which is the introduction of electronic signal systems. New systems at Westbury and Exeter are making obsolete 29 boxes along the line. The Signalling Record Society is trying to preserve at least some of these. The box at Wellow near Bath is the last in existence of that particular kind and it is very much hoped that it will not be demolished.

During the last month there have been two History Society outings.

Mrs. Helen Rogers took a party of members on a conducted tour of Steeple Ashton. In spite of the rain this was a very interesting afternoon and we were fortunate to have such an excellent guide.

The most recent outing was to South Wales. A party of thirty-four visited Castle Coch and St. Fagan’s where they saw the Welsh Heritage Museum. This outing was a huge success.

In September Mr. Bryan Wood will talk on the “History of the Postal Service.’

One Act Double-Bill By Athenaeum Youth Theatre, Warminster

Saturday 15th June 1985

One Act Double-Bill
Last winter a new drama group was formed in Warminster with the intention of providing opportunities for young people to learn about and enjoy various aspects of stage-craft and to produce themselves three or four theatre shows a year.

They called themselves the Athenaeum Youth Theatre, and from Thursday 13th June to Saturday 15th June 1985 they made their debut at Warminster Arts Centre, when they dished up two comical helpings in the form of a One Act Double-Bill.

The plots of each are not really relevant. What is important is how well or otherwise the group managed to deal with the material. On the whole they did very well, and there were some moments and performances that were very good indeed.

Dean Lawrie, Marcus Tilt, and Neil Grant, in Robert King’s Red Spy At Night were all worthy of note and on the technical side one must mention the excellent sound and lighting effects that opened this spoof-thriller.

Undoubtedly though, the highlights of the evening were two performances in the second of the two plays, Ladies, This Is War by Anthony Booth. Nadine Rack’s Lady Alicia Smythe was splendidly ghastly; voice, face and gestures all quite in character and not at all overdone. Lucy Toomey’s petty Elaine was a delight; a comical, quaint impersonation right down to her feet (particularly her feet – what a lovely, tripping, little walk).

There were some conspicuous faults as well. In the first piece some unfortunate masking – that is, players standing too close or in front of each other. And on occasions in both plays the elocution was not what it might have been – a line lost in an accent or unheard as a player left the stage. These are important considerations, but errors few enough on the Friday night to allow for a very worthwhile and entertaining show.

What a pity then that so few people ventured out to give them a try, twenty-eight being the most that bothered in one evening. Remember that this is only the beginning. There are already plans for a musical in January. This youth theatre has really got something, so let’s hope that by that time they can reckon a rather more encouraging response to their efforts.

Warminster Chess Club

From the Wylye Valley Life magazine, Friday 3rd May 1985:

The Warminster Chess Club meets at Dewey House, North Row, Warminster, every Monday evening from 7 p.m. till 10 p.m.

There were 15 members present on 22nd April but the Club has at least 16 regular members at the moment. Our members are all ages between 9 to well over 60; 7 are still at school and 4 are ladies.

People of all ages and all abilities are very welcome. We are willing to teach beginners from square one but even champions will be given a good game by our best players.

Enquiries please to David Sleeman, 28 Ludlow Close, Warminster. Telephone 212392.

Family Life In Roman Times ~ Talk By Andrew Houghton To Boreham W.I.

Sunday 28 April 1985

Family Life In Roman Times
Our very good friend, Andrew Houghton, known to many as a teacher at Kingdown School, Warminster, was the speaker at the April 1985 meeting of Boreham Women’s Institute.

His talk was Family Life In Roman Times and was well-attended.

Andrew said that like today, there was no typical Roman family – it all depended on their education and status.

He then described how a well-educated and well-off wife would go about her daily duties which included supervising the running of the house and garden.

Andrew illustrated his talk with a fascinating collection of slides, and recited quotations from Roman writers and historians.

Having heard what conditions were like in Roman times, the audience was able to appreciate the freedom that women enjoy today.

Andrew Houghton concluded his talk by dressing one of the Boreham W.I. members in a toga and there was the opportunity afterwards to see the remains of Roman pottery that had been found locally.

Mrs. Jean Pike thanked Mr. Houghton for his most interesting and informative talk.

Youth Band Concert Staged By PHAB

From the Wylye Valley Life magazine, No.24, Friday 19th April 1985:

About sixty people attended a charity band concert given by the Trowbridge and District Youth Band at Warminster Arts Centre last Wednesday week.

The concert was staged by Warminster Physically Handicapped And Able-Bodied Club and the compere was Mr. B. Cooper who introduced a varied programme of brass band music as well as two pieces for a recorder trio.

The conductors were Mr. J. Parsons and Mr. C. Aldridge.

Codford And Warminster Brownies Holiday At Maiden Bradley

From the Wylye Valley Life magazine, issue No.21, Friday 8th March 1985:

Brownies Holiday
1st Codford Brownies (8 members), 6th Warminster Brownies (12 members), and 7th Warminster Brownies (3 members), spent a pack holiday with an international theme, together, from Saturday 16th February to Thursday 21st February [1985] at Maiden Bradley Village Hall.

They were led by Warminster District Commissioner Mrs. Jean Harrison, who is also the 6th Warminster Brownie Guider.

Each day had an international flavour, commencing with Dutch day on Sunday, when among the activities the children sat in the hall in a barge made out of benches and they ate a Dutch meal of peas, pork, rice and garlic, which was organised by Warminster Guider Mrs. Pauline Hunt.

Monday was American day and included totem pole teddy bears, and eating hot dogs, beans and burgers, while sitting in teepees, and was organised by Codford Brownie Guider Mrs. Glynis Addington.

On Tuesday everyone enjoyed a coach trip to the Commonwealth Institute in Kensington, London. On their return to the hall in the evening they discovered that the lighting and heating had gone off. However, the leaders’ ingenuity shone through as they prepared eggs and bacon for everybody on one ring. Lighting and heating was soon restored with the help of Mr. Laurence Rice and Mr. Melvin Addington.

A Chess Club For Warminster?

From the Wylye Valley Life magazine, issue No.21, Friday 8th March 1985:

Anyone For Chess?
Mr. David Sleeman, who lives at 28 Ludlow Close, Warminster, wants to form a chess club for Warminster and the surrounding district. If you’re interested, whether as a beginner or advanced player, you may contact David by telephoning him on Warminster 212392.

Boreham WI, Warminster ~ Talk On Bananas By David Dodge And Martin Randall (Employees Of Geest Industries Ltd.)

At the November 1984 meeting of Boreham Women’s Institute, Mr. David Dodge and Mr. Martin Randall from Geest Industries (Copheap Lane, Warminster) gave a very interesting talk and showed a film about the production of bananas. They stated that all the bananas sold by Geest came from the Windward Islands in the Caribbean. The fruit was picked green and kept at a temperature of 55 degrees Fahrenheit in refrigerated ships for the 12 day journey to this country. When the bananas arrived at the ripening rooms the temperature was gradually raised, which turned them yellow. This took about six days; they were then all weighed, priced and sent to the shops.

Old Pictures Of Warminster

Saturday 10th November 1984

Danny Howell writes:

Old Pictures Of Warminster
On the evening of Friday 2nd November 1984, at Warminster Library, Warminster History Society launched their first book – Old Pictures Of Warminster.

I was fortunate to receive an invite to the launch, writes Danny Howell, which I was happy to accept and I went along with my Wylye Valley Life colleague, Neil Grant, to witness the occasion.

Andrew Houghton, one of the authors of the book, generously gave me a presentation copy, which I have reviewed for the Wylye Valley Life magazine, issue No.14, dated 16th November 1984.

Here is my review:

Every Picture Tells A Story
Last week saw the first publication by the Warminster History Society of an excellent collection of photographs of Warminster views, people and local events, taken between 1873 and 1944 (complete with additional drawings made prior to that), in an appropriately titled book called “Old Pictures of Warminster’. It’s a superb book, excellently produced and presented and that’s something all the more remarkable when you take into consideration the fact that many of these photographs were collecting dust and deteriorating in drawers and the backs of cupboards before they were donated to the Dewey Museum which was set up in 1972.

Other photographs were uncovered by friends and the History Society hope that this book will encourage others to look out their old photographs and who knows, perhaps this book will be the first of many more to come!

As Andrew Houghton said in his address to the Society and friends at the launch of the book at Warminster Library’s Meeting Room (itself the home of the Dewey Museum) last Friday (November 2nd), “the aim of the Society must always be to present the history of the town and the district to those who seek it and what better way than in book-form like this.”

Being Warminster born myself, I found the book particularly appealing and interesting. Even the photograph on the front cover told a story for me. It shows a fine view looking up East Street towards Boreham Road in 1912, complete with a horse and cart, several people and another horse (a piebald too!) outside of what was Sharp’s Tearooms (now Young’s carpet shop). This picture was interesting to me because my grandfather Harry Ball called in Sharp’s one day in 1918 and for the first time met my grandmother-to-be Norah Cutler and it was here their romance began.

Next to Sharp’s, at No.7 East Street, Mrs. Holton used to do dress alterations and next door to her was Mr. (Henry) George Sheppard’s Tobacco Shop. He was a little, crippled man in a chair and he also did umbrella repairs which accounts for the umbrella-shaped sign above his door.

Another photograph in the book shows the Ship Inn, which stood next to the Athenaeum until 1901 when it was demolished to open up the Close onto the High Street. Again, this was of particular interest to me because my great-great-grandmother Eliza Pressley was born just behind this inn, at Common Close, at 11 a.m. on the 5th January 1844.

I’m sure that many other Warminster people, especially the older ones, will have their own memories and tales to tell about each picture too, which makes the book so enjoyable. Mind you, that’s not to say you won’t enjoy the book if you’re not Warminster born and bred. Quite the contrary, you will enjoy it, because it’s fascinating to compare the Warminster scenes now to what they were in days gone by.

Some things haven’t changed at all, while others have changed completely, in some cases several times in a hundred years. One instance is where two of Warminster’s newest shops, “Homecharm’ and “Curry’s’ now stand on the south side of the Market Place. Most people will remember that recently a Tesco Supermarket occupied this site but even that is history now, having been and gone already. In the book we have a fine view of a procession moving through the Market Place, with the Town Band marching four abreast past “Wall’s Garage’ which stood here, and next to it can be seen a small shop called the “Central Fruit Stores’. Behind the band are several people wheeling bicycles which appear to be decorated with flowers and things and there’s even a man wearing a splendid hat, wheeling a penny-farthing. The picture was taken in about 1930.

Another photograph of the same site shows the Market House, a rather elegant building, pictured in 1922. It was built by the Marquis of Bath in 1855 and designed by T.H. Wyatt. In the cast iron arcades of its rectangular courtyard, grain sales produced a turnover of £10,000 a week during the early 1860s. Before the Market House was built, grain sales were transacted under the arches of several inns including the Old Bell (which in one photograph taken in the 1880s bears a sign calling it the Australian Hotel). Warminster Corn Market was rated second only to Bristol in the West of England in the 1830s but began to decline soon after. The building of the Market House revived the trade to what is was before but by 1894 the corn market was declared almost dead. Another photograph shows a complete view of the Market Place in 1880, with the weekly market in progress, complete with wagons loaded with sacks of grain and a large crowd of people outside the Market House.

Many of the street scenes show a lack of motor vehicles (how different today) but the book does include Warminster’s associations with transport, with both exterior and interior shots of the Warminster Motor Company in George Street, as well as charabancs, railway engines, traction engines and even the Warminster Spitfire.

There is also a marvellous series of portraits of individuals who made their own personal achievements in community service, commerce or industry in the town. They include Dr. Beaven, Claude Willcox, Harold Dewey, John Wallis Titt and George Wheeler to name but a few.

The townsfolk of Warminster are pictured throughout the book in numerous activities, some of which show their ingenuity; it would seem any national celebration was an excuse to deck the houses or buildings with garlands of flags, leaves and flowers, and even build amazing structures in the same way reaching across the streets. One caption tells us that such was the fervour of the locals to play their part in these activities, there were very few left to be spectators!

So fascinating are the 140 photographs, drawings and other illustrations in “Old Pictures of Warminster’ I can see many of us spending many an hour browsing through the book, thanks to the efforts of Jack Field, Andrew Houghton and David Dodge and the other members of the History Society, and we must thank those who took the photographs and kept them over the years to make this collection possible. I’ve found out already that this is one of those books you can’t put down and every time you look through it, you notice something different. Resident or not, I’d recommend it to anyone.