1923 April

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Wedding_of_George_VI_and_Elizabeth_Bowes-Lyon

Again the new Village Hall appeared to be the centre of village social life. The Royal Vaudevillians visited on Thursday, 12th April.

The Men’s Club entertainment was a Magic Lantern show and the presentation of prizes for the billiards competition. The W.I. at their meeting were treated to a talk on ‘The Life of William Shakespeare’.

The Cricket Club in the run up to the coming season presented the prizes for last year’s achievements. The evening was rounded off by a Whist Drive, which raised £6-1s-11d for funds.
In another part of Page’s old brewery site near the village hall a troop of North London Scouts were billeted by kind permission of the owner, Mrs W.A. Fordham.

However, the most exciting event of the month in the hall was the very first Motion Picture Show. Unfortunately, we do not know the film projected on this occasion but the event was to become a regular Saturday afternoon and evening feature.

Mr James Huffer, an old inhabitant, aged 79, died where he had lived at Foresters Cottages in Back Street. The funeral was at the Wesleyan Church.

The football 1st team drew 1-1 at home with Kimpton, the Reserves had the same result at Letchworth against 10 men of the ‘CLB’ team. Amazingly when the 1st team played at home to Pirton Athletic strong wind disrupted play and the Ashwell team walked off in 2nd half!

It was announced that a Bazaar and Concert would be held on the 3rd May to raise funds for the Church Tower Restoration Fund.

On a lighter note there was news of a Linnet’s nest that was found in white sprouting broccoli growing at Hand Post allotments. The location of Hand Post allotments is a bit of a mystery. 100 years ago there were many more allotment sites all around Ashwell. They were a necessary way to supplement low wages.

The schools were closed on the 26th April to celebrate the wedding in Westminster Abbey of Prince Albert, Duke of York, who was to become King George VI and Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, known more recently as the Queen Mother. I wonder how they celebrated in Ashwell as there was no television to keep everybody informed but judging from the crowds in London the event touched many people.

You can view The Wedding of Prince Albert and Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon as it went out to cinemas and perhaps the Village Hall Motion Picture Shows.