Bedford's Entertainments

Palace Theatre, High Street, Bedford c.1925 [Z1306/10/33/50]

Saturday 7th August 1915: Bedford has enjoyed some splendid entertainment this week. At the Royal County Theatre Mr. E Graham Falcon has presented a variety program twice nightly. The principal item on the bill was a new revue burlesque, “Beauty Baths” by George Ray which included some novel scenes; The Professor gave a lecture on “Husbands”, illustrated by a map; Ted Mercell, an acrobatic skate dancer demonstrated the art of falling on roller skates, to the delight of his audience; Miss Mollie Drew gave a charming rendition of “Annie Laurie”; and Mr. Harvie strolled around on a tightrope.

The Empire was crowded on Monday night for a program of pictures. The four films included an exciting railway film, a story of American police life, and two topical pictures on “The floating peril” and “Lord Charles Beresford in France”. The films were followed by a stage show starring Phyll and Joe lipton in their burlesque “Seaside Appearances” which is said to be “as bright, breezy and bracing as the seaside itself”. Last night’s film programme included Charlie Chaplin in “Charlie and the Tramp”; the second house was a boxing contest between Gunner Sam Boswell of the Royal Field Artillery and Private Cook of the 1st Monmouths.

 At the Picturedrome Monday’s programme was given to a packed house. This entertainment included “The Morals of Marcus” a play by William J. Lock with the lead role played by actress Marica Doro, a humorous film, and the song “Your daddy was a soldier” played on the Vivaphone. This theatre is now showing “Tilley’s Punctured Romance”, starring Charlie Chaplin, Mabel Normand, and Marie Dressler. Films shown at the Palace this week have included the thrilling adventures of a gipsy king and his daughter in “The Fangs of Hate”, and the comedy “Pimple’s Peril”. The Palace Orchestra plays every evening, and the Pathé Gazette has provided the audience with interesting scenes concerning the war.

Source: Bedford Times, 6 August 1915

Stotfold News

Boys from Stotfold Council School with 

fruit and vegetables for the navy [Z1306/115/19/4] 

Friday 6th August 1915: The residents of Stotfold have been making their own contributions to the war effort. A meeting of the Hospital Demonstration Committee was held on Wednesday at the Church Schools to allocate the money collected at a demonstration held a few weeks ago. The decision was taken to send £12 to Hitchin Hospital, £2 2s. to Bedford Hospital, £2 2s to Addenbrooke’s Hospital at Cambridge, £1 1s to the Beau Site Convalescent Home at Hastings, and £1 1s to the Convalescent Home at Hunstanton. The Honorable Secretary of the Hospital Fund thanks all those who contributed and those who worked hard to make the demonstration such a success. Special thanks were due to the gentlemen who made and gave collecting boxes, to those who used the boxes to collect money, and to the ladies and gentlemen who decorated vehicles and cycles for the procession.

The children of both the Council and Church Schools have been photographed with their latest contribution of fruit and vegetables for the Navy which are the best yet in both size and quality. During the holidays the children will be able to take their contributions to the village depot at Vaughan Farm between 1.30 and 2.30pm every Wednesday. At the end of the holidays all those who have given fruit and vegetables will receive a certificate autographed by Lord Charles Beresford. Connie Billington of the Church Schools has received the following letter of thanks from HMS Claire:

“Dear Connie, All my mates join me in thanking you for your kindness in sending us some rhubarb. We did enjoy it. The cook got some custard powder and made us stewed rhubarb and custard, so you see we had a fine turn-out, and there wasn’t a bit left. It is nice to know that while we are out on the North Sea, sweeping for those dreadful mines, you are thinking about us at home, and doing your little bit to make our lives brighter and more happy. You may rest comfortably at home; the Germans won’t come for you while there are stout hearts and strong arms waiting here for them. I hope you remember us in your prayers at bedtime. I think I  can rely on you doing that. You must be a sweet young lady to think about the sailors as you do.

Source: Bedfordshire Standard, 6 August 1915

Sleepwalker Dies at Luton

Inkerman Street, Luton c.1890 [Z50/75/185]

Thursday 5th August 1915: An inquest has been held into a tragic accident which took place at 17 Inkerman Street, Luton where Charles Hollingsworth Reading lived with his wife and her parents. A visit from relative had caused the occupants to arrange makeshift sleeping arrangements, with Reading sleeping by himself on a mattress in the back bedroom. A loud crash was heard during the night and Reading was found to have fallen downstairs. No doctor was called until the morning as his injuries did not seem serious. Grace Reading gave evidence that her husband was in very good health. A couple of weeks ago she had found him walking round the bedroom while apparently still asleep. He tried to open the bedroom door but failed and went back to bed. He had also walked in his sleep once last year. On Sunday night they all went to bed about 10.30pm. She was not called when the accident happened as she had not been well.

Mrs. Reading’s father, George Summerfield, had slept downstairs on the couch that night. At about 11.45pm he heard a thud, went to the stairs and called up to ask what was the matter. He did not at first notice Mr. Reading lying on his back at the foot of the stairs. When he saw him he called one of the guests, Horace Inwards, and they put Mr. Reading on the couch. He appeared to be sound asleep and snoring heavily. Just before seven Mr. Summerfield went for the doctor, at which time Mr. Reading was still alive and still appeared asleep. Someone was with Mr. Reading at all times and he believed he had come round.

Horace Inwards agreed that Mr. Reading was snoring heavily when put on the couch. He could find no broken bones and did not think there was any serious injury. They had bathed the man’s head with cold water, but he never regained consciousness. When Dr. Harmer arrived at the house early on Monday morning he found Mr. Reading dead. There were no marks on his body but there was a haemorrhage from his right ear. He believed Mr. Reading died from a fracture to the base of the skull. The Coroner thought there could be no doubt that sleepwalking was the cause of the accident and the jury returned a verdict of accidental death.

Source: Luton Times, 6 August 1915

Linslade Commemorates the First Anniversary of the War

Armistice Day at Linslade War Memorial, c.1950 [Z50/74/12]

Wednesday August 4th 1915: Today marks the end of a year of war and we recall sadly the optimism with which most people presumed in the early days of the conflict that it would all be over by Christmas. Meetings and church services are being held across the country to commemorate the anniversary. Inhabitants of Leighton Buzzard have complained that the town is allowing the day to pass almost unnoticed. The Urban Council met last week but no plans to observe the date were made. In contrast to its larger neighbour, the people of Linslade will meet tonight for a short ceremony in the Recreation Ground at which the following resolution will be put the assembled crowd:

“That, on this anniversary of the declaration of a righteous war, this meeting of the inhabitants of Linslade records its inflexible determination to continue to a victorious end the struggle in maintenance of those ideas of liberty and justice which are the common and sacred cause of the Allies.”

Before the meeting a service of intercession is to be held in St. Barnabas Church. The Recreation Ground is being decorated with patriotic flags in preparation for the event.

Source: Leighton Buzzard Observer, 10th August 1915

Harriet Reeve Murder - Husband Sent For Trial

Tuesday 3rd August 1915: The magistrates sat at Leighton Buzzard Police Court this morning to hear the charge against William Benjamin Reeve of wilfully murdering his wife. Most of the evidence repeated that already heard at the inquest into Harriet Reeve’s death. Their son, William Benjamin Reeve junior, said that he had never before heard his father threaten his mother, but the boy’s friend George Flemming told a different story under questioning from the prosecuting lawyer, Mr. Prynne:

Prynne: Have you ever heard [Reeve] threaten his wife?

Flemming: Yes.

Prynne: More than once?

Flemming: Yes, two or three times.

Prynne: What was the nature of the threat?

Flemming: He said “I’ll kill you if I get near you.”

Prynne: When did he last threaten her?

Flemming: In June, when I was sleeping at his house.

Prynne: Did you ever see him strike her?

Flemming: No.

Prynne: Or say how he was going to kill her?

Flemming: Yes, once.

Prynne: What did he say?

Flemming: He saids “I’ll shoot you.”

Prynne: Did he go for the gun then?

Flemming: I don’t know, I was upstairs.

Reeve spent the hearing sitting on a chair near the dock with his head in his hands, looking up with a worn and haggard face only while his son was giving evidence. After a hearing lasting over three hours Reeve was sent for trial at the Bedfordshire Assizes. If found guilty, there can only be one penalty: death.

Source: Leighton Buzzard Observer 3 August 1915

Runaway Wagon at Biggleswade

Shortmead Street, Biggleswade 1913 [Z1306/16/18/1]

Monday 2nd August 1915: An accident which could easily have had tragic consquences occurred in Shortmead Street, Biggleswade this morning. The horses pulling a transport wagon belonging to the Signal Section Royal Engineers ran away from elsewhere in the town and bolted down Shortmead Street.  A cart belonging to Mr. Humphreys, a carrier from Northill, was standing outside Messrs. Woodall and Co.’s premises with Mr. Humphreys’ son inside. As the wagon passed the cart the horses and pole separated from it. The wagon caught the cart, totally wrecking it; the boy inside was extremely fortunate to escaping injury.

After hitting the cart the wagon ran on a few more yards, wheeled round and crashed into the bay window and glass door of Mr. W. Marsh’s house. Damage estimated at £6.10s was caused both to the window and door and to a quantity of antique china. Two little boys who were sitting on the doorstep had a miraculous escape. One suffered a slight injury to his foot and the other a grazed face. The horses ran on down the street until one fell near the Bridge, after which they were both secured. The wagon was only slightly damaged.

This was the second incident in the same area in three days. On Saturday an army van was being turned nearby at such a speed that the horses ran into the iron fence and hedge of Mrs. Pope’s house. The horses’ heads and legs together with the van pole were shot up into the air above the hedge and fence. It took about a dozen men to rescue the horses and get them and the van back into position. They went on their way apparently none the worse for the escapade.

Source: Biggleswade Chronicle, 6 August 1915

Excursions, Thunderstorms, War Savings, and a New Army Chaplain

St Mary's Church, Woburn, 2012 [CR-PH]

Sunday 1st August 1915: News from the Villages

Barton-le-Clay

The scaled down Sunday School Treat took place on July 14th. The attendance of around 300 was larger than last year and the showery weather did not dampen enthusiasm. Fortunately the Rectory grounds offer plenty of shelter, and sports, cricket and football were held between showers. As suspected last month all railway excursions have had to be cancelled this year, but the probationary choir of the Parish Church were taken to Bedford on Saturday 17th July. The forty members of the Choir visited Woburn on Wednesday 21st July, stopping at Ampthill Park on the way where they watched the soldiers drill and perform a gymnastic display. The Park at Woburn was “a pretty picture, trees in their beauty, graceful deer of all descriptions, emus, birds and the bushy squirrel”. After tea there was a visit to Woburn Church and a return trip by way of Eversholt and a visit to the Manor gardens at Westoning.

Gravenhurst

On Sunday evening July 4th a violent thunderstorm passed over the village while the sermon was being given at the Methodist Chapel. Mrs Frank Fisher was seated between two open windows; the draught acted as a vehicle for the lightning, which struck the spectacles she held in her hand. These were snapped in two and hurled to the ground, and Mrs Fisher was paralysed down her left side. The Doctor believes that if she was wearing the glasses she would have been killed instantly. Fortunately Mrs Fisher is now on the road to recovery. We should all learn the lesson never to wear glasses during a storm and to close all windows.

Silsoe

On Friday July 23rd a meeting was held in the schoolroom to promote the South Beds War Savings Campaign. It is important to remember that the German military machine cannot be defeated without money and that everyone, rich and poor, is able to help. Imagine what a large sum could be raised if everyone saved one penny a day – money that would be lent to the government at a good rate of interest. The War Loan was explained, and the audience were reminded that money invested could be withdrawn at any time by application to any Money order Office. Is was suggested that a large amount could be saved by following the King’s example in abstaining from drink.

Clophill

The Rector of Clophill, Reverend Cecil L. Matthews has left at short notice to join the troops as a chaplain. He says “I hope that when I go to the Front you will remember me, and the other Clophill men, in your prayers, and that God will send us the Victory in this awful war”. The village has seen a number of other departures. Bertie Webb and Herbert Young have joined the Mechanical Transport of the Army Service Corps; Trooper H. Gibson of the 5th Royal Irish Lancers, Corporal H. L. Cunnington of the 8th Battalion of the East Surrey Regiment, and Privates L. Ansell and E. Eddy of the Beds Territorials have all left for the Front. Also to the Corps Headquarters of the Royal Engineers who have been at Clophill since early February have left for the East. Relations between these “splendid fellows” and the village have been most cordial.

Source: Monthly Magazine for the parishes of Barton-le-Cley, Clophill, Flitton and Greenfield, Gravenhurst, Silsoe, Westoning, August 1915 [P21/30/17]