Part 4: Billy on holiday - Motor Car Day
Saturday 14th November 1896 “Motor Car Day”
After a very busy morning, Dad and I managed to get cleaned up and
catch the 1.50 for Crawley to see the Motor Cars go through, this
being the day the new Act becomes law, allowing them to travel in a
reasonable manner. A trip from London to Brighton had been arranged
by several interested ones. We got to Crawley in plenty of time.
Found a rare lot there. In fact our train and the previous one was
packed with Horsham folks. Had the weather kept fine I’ve no doubt
it would have been rather “interesting”, but instead of that we had
a fair miserable afternoon. Saw about 10 or 12 cars of various
kinds pass. Seem to go pretty fair. I believe that over 50 started
from town but many fell out.
The Inaugural Brighton Run, 14
November 1896, Brighton and Hove Libraries, Photo
credit.
Bank Holiday Monday 7th June 1897
Decided not to go to Warnham Castle after all. Bern and I caught
6.35 for town, arrived at London Bridge soon after 8 a.m., had
breakfast in Holburn then made our way to Temperance Hospital in
Hampstead Road. Arrived too early so had dinner and called again
when Bern saw a doctor who told him his fears as to cancer were
impossible[1]. Hope it may prove
correct. Gave him a day’s pills and physic and instructions to get
some more later.
A recent photograph of the
Temperance Hospital, Hampstead Road, steve_w’s photostream,;
Photo
credit.
From there went to Lords where a match (Middlesex vs. Somerset) was
in progress. Spent afternoon there but owing to the enormous crowd
we were unable to get a seat and saw very little cricket. We had
made up our minds to go to the Military Tournament in the evening
but somehow the idea didn’t go down well. In fact Mrs Pearce and
Annie[2] were “a bit off” altogether.
Must confess I noticed a difference. Anyway, we came away with the
supposed intention of going back home. Bern was very much upset. I
didn’t relish the idea quite so, after talking the matter over,
decided not to go back just like that after all. Took a doss at
Rose and Crown, Knightsbridge, and then off for a theatre. Managed
to get into the Savoy and saw “Yeoman of the Guards”. Alright. In
fact, I enjoyed it very much. Am rather doubtful if B did quite so
much for two reasons. First, he couldn’t forget the affair at Lords
and then by a curious coincidence we saw George Pearce[3] in the Savoy [and] ran against him again
out in the Strand on our way to bed. Think I enjoyed the walk to
Knightsbridge as much as anything. Everywhere one turns Jubilee
stands are to be seen. All along the route of the Royal Procession
to St. Pauls the houses churches, shops and everything else are
cased with seats. London certainly looks very peculiar in
hoardings.
Tuesday 13th July 1897
Day arranged for Sunday School excursion to Littlehampton. Really I
ought not to have gone as Dad is still “on”[4] but decided to do so and chance it as we
have not much in just now. When Bern and “Pops” Hunt called we
(Sis, Kit[5] and I) were ready. Got
to station to see all supplied with badges. Caught 8.03 train.
After about an hour’s ride, arrived at Littlehampton for first
time. Find it to be anything but lively in the usual acceptance of
the term but just the place for “kiddies”. Bern and I first called
on the refreshments contractor then made for the beach and were
soon on for a bathe (met the Rev. J,J. Marten[6] in the same pond). Found the girls again
and went for a row up the river. Very tame landscape there, though
one sometimes gets a sight of the hills in the background. Got back
on terra firma again about 2 p.m. as hungry as donkeys. Soon got
better of that and made for the beach again. Beautiful sands
stretched away for nearly a mile I should think, all alive with
children “paddling” by which temptation we were overcome and so
came time to assemble for tea. Was to have been held in a tent but
it blew down so we went to the Victoria Hall after the children.
We, that is, the elder children, had our tea and made for the beach
again for another paddle. Got all the children together by 7.30 and
caught train alright. Arrived safely in Horsham soon after 9
p.m.
- [1] The principal
purpose of the expedition was to get an expert opinion on Bert’s
long running stomach condition.
- [2] Annie was Bern’s
fiancée (and cousin) and Mrs Pearce was his prospective
mother-in-law (and Aunt).
- [3] George Pearce was
Annie’s brother. It is not clear why this meeting should have been
an awkward one.
- [4] Billy’s father was
a drinker subject to periodic binges.
- [5] Two of Billy’s
sisters.
- [6] The minister at
Horsham Free Christian Church that Billy attended.
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