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Looking back with Malcolm Tucker – 1903

Last updated: 28th March 2020

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How ever far you look back you find that things don’t change that much. In 1903 Mr H.S. Smith complained that the footpaths and roads in and adjoining Timsbury were in a bad state of repair and were positively dangerous to use. He said that much of the repairing had been done in such an unworkmanlike manner that it amounted to a waste of time and money.

William Yorke-Fausset Rector 1903-10
William Yorke-Fausset Rector 1903-10

Presentations were made to Rev. L.T. Rendall who resigned as Timsbury rector after 20 years in the post. The gifts consisted of a silver tea and coffee service, an armchair, a revolving bookcase and a silver inkstand. The presentations were made by Mr S.S.P. Sambourne on behalf of the parishioners and he spoke of the great esteem in which the rector was held. His replacement was Rev. Yorke-Fausset who was inducted to the living in November 1903. The usual ceremony was carried out of unlocking the door and tolling the bell and prayers were said at the font, lectern and pulpit. The address was given by Archdeacon Bothamley of Bath.

An important Miners’ Conference took place in Bath and a number of the representatives came out to the Somerset coalfield to address a series of mass meetings. One such gathering was held at the Temperance Hall where the speakers were W.E. Harvey from Derbyshire and J.G. Hancock of Nottinghamshire. The Labour Party was still in its infancy and a resolution was passed that the Somerset miners should support a move to put more Labour Party candidates forward for the next General Election. They believed that the only way to secure proper legislation was for the workers to send men of their own class to represent them in Parliament.

An inquest was held at the Upper Conygre Mining office of Samborne, Smith and Co.into the death underground of 53 year old Timsbury miner Robert Lewis who left a widow and 7 children. He had been killed when a stone weighing about 8 tons had come down on top of him. The jury recorded a verdict of accidental death.

The Temperance Movement was going strong in 1903 and the Star of Hope Lodge which met at the Temperance Hall received a visit from the Ark of Safety Lodge of Carlingcott. There was a large number present and at the close of the meeting a resolution was passed declaring its strong opposition to the proposals of Mr Butcher’s License Compensation Bill.

The Laurels
The Laurels

Mr. D. Hamilton of The Laurels announced his resignation as Medical Officer and Vaccinator for the Timsbury district. He said that Dr. Morgan who had previously worked as Medical Officer at Newport and Long Ashton had bought his private practice and would apply for the appointment which he fully backed. It was later ratified by the Clutton Board of Guardians.

The Timsbury Liberal Association held a successful concert before a large audience at the Temperance Hall. The entertainment was provided by a group of artistes from Bristol and acts included pianoforte duets, songs, recitations, violin solos and comedy. A concert was also given in the National Schoolroom by the Timsbury Choral Society. The principal item was a rendering of Sir W. Sterndale Bennett’s “May Queen” which it was said reflected great credit on the conductor Mr. D.C. Wilson-Ewer of Midsomer Norton.

Timsbury Athletic (known as Timsbury Ramblers at the time) 1903-4
Timsbury Athletic (known as Timsbury Ramblers at the time) 1903-4

Many of us look on league cricket as a fairly recent innovation and yet in 1903 Timsbury became members of the Bath and District Cricket League. Timsbury were in the West section alongside Keynsham, Christ Church, Oldfield Park and Association Seconds. On the football front Timsbury Athletic finished fourth in the North Somerset League behind champions Clandown, Welton Rovers and Paulton Rovers. Each member of the winning Clandown team received a medal worth four shillings and sixpence, a sizeable reward one would imagine in 1903.

Finally crime was clearly rife 117 years ago. A Farmborough baker was fined seven shillings and sixpence with five shillings costs for allowing his servant to deliver bread without scales. The defendant explained that the lad had gone out and had forgotten to take the scales which were still in the bakehouse. Meanwhile two youths were caught by P.C. Hathway letting off fireworks upon the highway at Timsbury. They were given the option of a seven shillings and sixpence fine or four days imprisonment.

 

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