Bedfordshire Lace

Lacemaker who made handkerchiefs for Queen Alexandra, the Queen of the Belgians, and Queen Amélie of Portugal (by Arthur Augustus Carnes, 1866-1932)

Thursday 20th April 1916: Mr A. A. Carnes of Shaftesbury Avenue, Bedford has secured various royal honours for Bedfordshire’s famous lace industry. He has been granted permission to name handkerchief designs after HM Queen Amélie of Portugal, and also after the Queen of the Belgians, the Princess Royal, Princess Christian, Princess Louise, Princess Beatrice, Princess Maud, Princess Victoria, and Princess Marie Louise. Other handkerchief designs have also been named after Viscountess French and Madame Sarah Bernhardt. These lace designs are all of fine thread work known locally as “12 slip”. It is hoped that local lace workers will realise that this gives them the opportunity to specialise in this fine work instead of continuing to use coarse threads, and will rediscover and pass on their skills in working traditional patterns.

Mr. Carnes has received a number of letters of gratitude and encouragement from the royal ladies. Princess Christian wrote that “it was most important to encourage and help this long established industry” and said she would be glad to bring it to others’ attention. HRH Princess Louise not only gratefully accepted the handkerchief sent her and was pleased to have it named after her, but chose a second and gave permission to have her name associated with both. Madame Sarah Bernhardt’s acknowledgment read “Je voue remercie pour votre mouchoir charmant et j’accepte avec plaisir que vous le donniez mon nom”.

In 1913 HM Queen Alexandra accepted a photograph of twelve old Bedfordshire lace workers, all over 80 years old and still engaged on lace making. The Queen had the photograph hung in her own room and sent a gracious message wishing “these clever, industrious old ladies every possible happiness in their declining years”. It is believed that lacemaking was introduced to Bedfordshire by Queen Katherine of Aragon during her time at Ampthill. After a prosperous time under the Stuarts the industry declined but was revived in the reign of Queen Victoria, with local work winning many honours at Exhibitions. In recent years poor designs and inferior quality lace has caused much harm, but there are now persistent efforts to revive the old designs. This art was kept alive mainly by village lace schools, where children began to learn the skill at the age of five. Bedfordshire lace is worked in one piece, both in the point and the designs connected by legs, which makes it particularly durable.  Source: Bedfordshire Times, 21st April 1916

Princess Victoria Opens YMCA Hut at Biscot

Guard of Honour line the route as Princess Victoria arrives 

[Z1306/75/16/19]

Monday 10th April 1916: Her Highness Princess Victoria Louise of Schleswig-Holstein has today visited Luton in order to perform the opening ceremony for the “Hubbard Hut” provided by the town for the use of the YMCA at Biscot Camp. The Princess reached the town at 1 p.m. and was taken by Lady Wernher to Luton Hoo. By two o’clock the route from the southern end of the town to the top of Biscot Hill was lined with people. On arriving at the camp Her Highness was greeted by a fanfare from the trumpeters of the London R.F.A.  She then passed between a guard of honour and was received by the Mayor and Mayoress. Her Highness wore a heavy black fur coat, with a small ermine wrap at the neck, and a simply cut black silk dress. She had a large green hat trimmed with green ribbon and worn at a slant. Lady Wernher wore a dress of rich mauve cloth with a silk corsage, a sealskin coat, and a distinctive large mauve hat.

The Princess was conducted to the platform within the hut and the National Anthem was sung, before a prayer of dedication was said by the Vicar and a hymn sung. The Mayor gave a speech in which he welcomed the Princess, and praised the efforts which had raised £1500 to provide huts for the YMCA at Folkestone, a scheme successfully launched by a generous gift of £500 from Councillor and Mrs. Hubbard. The success of the fund-raising meant there was enough money to provide another hut at Luton, and Mr. and Mrs. Hubbard’s contribution had been used for this purpose and the total cost of £700 had been raised within a week. A representative of the YMCA responded with his thanks and an explanation of how the hut would be used, providing a place for soldiers to deal with correspondence, to play billiards and other games, and to enjoy concerts and other entertainments. The speeches were followed by a song from Miss Mary Hilliard and Her Highness then declared the hut open, granting permission for it to be known as the Princess Victoria Hut. A vote of thanks was proposed by Lady Wernher and seconded by Colonel Griffiths. Councillor Hubbard was persuaded to make closing remarks before proceedings concluded with another song and a blessing.

Before the Princess left Luton she accepted an invitation from the Mayor to visit the factory of Messrs Vyse, Sons and Company in Bute Street. She was able inspect the modern premises and see all stages of the hat manufacturing process. Her Highness chatted with the girls and expressed herself delighted with everything she saw. She will soon receive the gift of a hat in a design of her own choosing. Her Highness returned to London on the 5.30 p.m. express, which made a special stop at Chiltern Green for her benefit.

Source: Luton News, 13th April 1916

A Royal Command For Bedford

St Paul's Square, Bedford, 1909 [Z1306/10/58/14]

Sunday 28th November 1915: Earlier this month the Bedfordshire toy industry was honoured to have received a command from Buckingham Palace to send a selection of toys from which Queen Mary, Queen Alexandra and Princess Victoria would make a choice. A number of models were sent and from these a Red Cross hospital, a coster cart with a tray of vegetables, a dancing Highlander, a little painted cradle, an alphabet, and “The old woman who lived in a shoe” were selected. Queen Mary ordered a very complimentary letter to be written expressing her pleasure with the toys she had seen; she was most impressed by the skill acquired in such a short time by the village women who are new to this craft. Many of the models now being produced have been on display at the Englishwoman’s Exhibition at Central Hall, Westminster. These are now to be displayed at Bedford at the Depot, 15a St Paul’s Square from Monday 13th December to Friday 17th December to give people in the local area the opportunity to view them. It is hoped that people will be able to buy Christmas presents for children without going further afield.

Source: Bedfordshire Standard, 26th November 1915

Princess Louise Visits the Troops

Soldiers and Colonel of Argyll and Sutherland Brigade pushing Princess Louise's Car [Z1306/12/6/6]

Wednesday 3rd February 1915:  The Argyll and Sutherland Brigade was inspected this afternoon by H.R.H. Princess Louise, the second royal visitor to Bedford in three months.[1] The battalions marched up Kimbolton Road soon after noon and took up their positions in a field near Putnoe Farm. The Princess arrived by motor car at 1.35 and was driven into the field. She was welcomed by the Brigadier; the troops presented the “general salute” and the band played the National Anthem. After walking along in front of the battalions and acknowledging their salutes, the Princess took up a position near the Park Hotel for the troops to march past. The secret of the visit was well kept, and very few civilians were present.

Source: Bedfordshire Times 5th February 1915

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[1] King George V visited Bedford on 22  October 1914 to review the Highland troops.