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1937 was Coronation year. The dramatic events of the previous 12 months had seen 3 kings on the throne, the death of George V, the abdication of Edward VIII and the reluctant rise to prominence of his brother George VI. The coronation celebrations took place on May 12 and in Timsbury were organised by a village committee led by Mr. C. Ruddock (Chairman), Mr. David Bridges (Treasurer) and Mr. Oliver Janes (Secretary).
The day’s programme began with a service at St. Mary’s Church at 10.00 a.m. conducted by Rev. J.C. Rose. In the afternoon children took part in sports on the Glebe field before being entertained to tea in the Senior School. The Senior Citizens were given tea in the Church Room and were then presented with souvenir canisters of tea and a quantity of coal. Each child received a coronation mug from Mrs. J.S.P. Sambourne of Timsbury House. A huge bonfire was lit at nightfall on the Miner’s Welfare field and as a finale there was a brilliant display of fireworks.
It was another big year for the village drama group, the W.E.A. Players. In April they put on the 3 act play, “Michael and Mary” by A.A. Milne. Heading the cast was Iris Cleaves (Russell) and others taking part included Joyce Moon as Violet Cunliffe, Edith Nicholson as Mrs. Tullivant, Gerald Dyer as David and Arthur Moon as the inspector. The play was produced by village postmistress Mrs. May Cox and she was again at the helm later in the year when “Anthony and Anna” by St. John Irvine was staged also in the Church Room (today’s Royal British Legion Club). Amongst the cast on this occasion were Rob and Stanley Dyer, Roland Pickford, Joyce Moon and Edward Short. Mr. Henry Tucker, a drama lecturer from the western region of the W.E.A. said that for an amateur production the standard was unusually high.
A 3 year old boy Glyndwr George Ashman was drowned in the brook at Radford. The brook was swollen after heavy rainfall and was running fast. The boy’s mother said that he had been playing near their home when she heard screams and saw him disappear into the brook. She jumped in after him but failed to find him. The inquest considered that the place where the boy had fallen in should have been fenced off.
A public meeting was organised by the Timsbury committee for the Relief of Distress in Spain in the Occupation Centre (now the Timsbury Hub). A good company attended and heard a speech from Philip Hopkins, the prospective Liberal candidate for the division. The Timsbury committee was formed from representatives of local religious, educational and other bodies and they organised a house-to-house collection which raised £7-8s-1d. Over 90% of householders in Timsbury answered the appeal.
The south division of the Bristol District of Rechabites met at Tabor Chapel for their A.G.M. in June 1937. I was grateful to Mr. Bert Bridges for informing me that this was a temperance organisation. Brother W.J. Blacker presided supported by Bro. M.Ladd, the Divisional Secretary. Tents represented were Midsomer Norton, Radstock, Paulton, Hemington, Peasedown, Carlingcott, Shoscombe and Timsbury. Bro. G. Derrick giving his half-yearly report said that there were increases both in adult and juvenile membership.
In 1937 Timsbury Athletic took part in both the F.A. Cup and the F.A. Amateur Cup. In the former competition they were heavily defeated 7-1 at home to Radstock Town and in the Amateur Cup they lost 6-3 home to Clandown in a 2nd. round replay after drawing the first match 1-1. After finishing 3rd. in the Bristol Suburban League the club decided to apply for membership of the Somerset Senior League.
At the AGM of the cricket club Louis Watts was elected as captain with Len Pickford his vice-captain. Fred Sims was captain of the seconds with Doug Cox his assistant. A social and dance was held in the Church Room in aid of the club and featured Miss Gladys Bridges of Farmborough (pianoforte solos), Miss N. Matthews of Midsomer Norton (piano accordion solos), Miss Parsons of Midsomer Norton (recitations) and Mr. H. Tucker of Bristol (cartoonist and ventriloquist). There were also items by the Radsock Silver Prize Band Quartet and dancing afterwards to Norman Weaver’s Dance Orchestra.
In July 1937 the sports’ clubs held a fete at the Glebe field with a host of attractions. J.A. Coles brought along his fair and there were all the traditional features of a village fete with fancy dress parades and children’s sports. Amongst the fancy dress winners were Audrey Packham (Cattle), Margaret Sims (Chilcott), Colin Packham and Brian Box. There were successes in the children’s running events for Cyrus Chilcott, Ron Sims, Den Sage and Eric Brimble while the winner of the men’s event was Mr. Doug Cox.