Edition 179 - April 2019

KNIT & NATTER

Thanks to the good folks who turned up at the Manor Hall with their knitting needles and wool, who took part in the raffle and enjoyed tea and cakes, the Knit and Natter on the 25th February was another successful afternoon. The North Devon Hospice will benefit by a donation of £200 and four bags of brightly coloured strips ready for sewing together to make multicoloured blankets. Thank you, all knitters!

It was good, once again, to be able to welcome Ali Hunt from the Hospice who joined us, and not only did she tell us of the current happenings at Deer Park, she set to and helped make the tea and washed up! Thanks Ali.

The Hospice Knit and Natter has been running for some years but the first time the village participated was in February 2005, in conjunction with Sally Barten's Sunday School Pancake Morning. Knitters organised sponsorship which raised a great sum of £603, and Ali joined us for the first time! Knit In's, with Pancakes, followed for the next two years, raising a further £1,300 for the Hospice.

As a consequence of the first Knit In, when someone said "This is fun, we should do it more often", the Monday afternoon Craft Group was formed, running successfully ever since. Knit In's, although sadly without pancakes, have also continued but rather than raising money through sponsorship - it was felt that asking the same sponsors yet again didn't seem right - a minimum donation of £5.00 was introduced and this continues today, with well over £4,000 being raised over the years.

The craft group has enjoyed outings and Christmas lunches together and last year visited Wells Cathedral, where the Cathedral cat, Pangur, could be seen snoozing on his red carpet, and the Bishop's Palace.

Why not come and enjoy a relaxing afternoon with friends and refreshments and help decide to where the next trip will be?

19

PANGUR BÁN

A horrible, definitely 'stay in' wet morning and I began to wonder why the vergers at Wells Cathedral had named the cat Pangur. Looking into this, I found the research took some interesting and personal twists.

About the cat himself. In 2014, the BBC reported, "A turf war looks set to break out at Wells Cathedral, where the resident tom cat, ginger Louis, is facing competition from a tabby interloper."

One of the most photographed features of the Cathedral, Louis, who had been adopted there in 2004, ten years earlier, was said to be unimpressed by the interloper, who had taken not only to roaming the pews and sitting in front of the altar during services, but also preferred stealing Louis' food to eating at his nearby home. Since Louis retired to a loving home in 2017, at the age of 20, Pangur has ruled the roost.

St Mary's Church, Fairford

The original poem, in eight verses of four lines, is preserved in the Reichenau Primer in the Library of St. Paul's Abbey in the Lavanttal, Austria. the Benedictine abbey of Reichenau was founded in 724 by the itinerant St. Pirmin who is said to have fled Spain ahead of the Moorish invasion. It is situated on Reichenau Island, an island in Lake Constance in southern Germany. Connected to the mainland by a causeway, and because of the Abbey, the island was declared a World Heritage Site in 2000.

Today, the island is also famous for its vegetable farms and the nearby large nature reserve, a wetland area of reeds visited by many birds as a stopover during their annual migration.

Judie Weedon

20

LOCAL WALK - 173

James Ravilious: "showing North Devon people to themselves"

You may have seen the work of photographer James Ravilious featured on television on Countryfile recently.

In 1972 John Lane, the founder of Beaford Arts, had commissioned James Ravilious to "show north Devon people to themselves" and eventually this resulted in an archive of seventy thousand photographs depicting farming and rural life, landscape and weather taken throughout the 1970's and '80's.

Seven years ago, the Devon Wildlife Trust and Beaford Arts devised a walking trail around Halsdon Nature Reserve near Dolton [south of Torrington] to explore some of the countryside photographed by Ravilious.

The circular route of about five and a half miles passes through woodland and meadows, alongside a section of the River Torridge and includes the specific locations of some of his photographs.

Halsdon Reserve
Illustrations by: Paul Swailes

A booklet, Dolton as seen by James Ravilious, produced by Beaford Arts, has a map showing the route and incorporated several of the photographs. The walk can be accessed at the north entrance to the nature reserve at Ashwell where there is parking or at Quarry Car Park at the south entrance.

James was the son of Eric Ravilious most famous for his delicate and rather mysterious water colour landscapes. James also started as a painter and taught art in London, later turning to photography when he felt his own paintings were beginning to look too much like his father's!

James Ravilious died in 1999 and from the vast archive [which is housed in the Devon Records Office] he considered seventeen hundred to be his best. However, at Bideford's Burton Gallery there is to be an exhibition of many previously unseen Ravilious photographs, displayed for the first time.

The exhibition entitled "Here: Uncovering North Devon", runs from the 4th May until the 23rd June. Meanwhile, we can explore a sample of the countryside he celebrated with a walk around Halsdon Reserve.

Sue H

21

JAMES RAVILIOUS

James was born in Eastbourne on the 22nd August 1939, the second son of the war artist, wood engraver, and neo-romantic artist Eric Ravilious and his wife, the artist Tirzah Garwood.

The only memory James had of his father was on the day Eric left for Iceland, 'was of running down the lane that summer morning to say good-bye to him and his father hugging him and giving him a threepenny bit!' In 1942, when James was three, Eric took off from an airfield in Iceland, but the plane never returned. Sadly, his mother died of cancer when he was 11.

 

James with his mother, brother John and sister Anne

After attending Bedford School, James studied accountancy but felt that this was not the career for him and in 1959 he enrolled at St. Martin's School of Art in London, which was followed by seven years teaching at Hammersmith College.

In 1970 he married [Caroline] Robin Whistler and in 1972 they moved to Devon to live in a cottage near her family home in in Dolton. They had two children, Ben and Ella.

Self-taught, in the early '70's, James took up photography, having seen the potential in the work of the great French photographer, Henri Cartier-Bresson, and the realisation that his painting was becoming too similar to that of his late father.

John Lane, director of the arts centre in Beaford, invited James to contribute some work to the newly set up Beaford Archive, intended as a photographic record of life in a largely unspoilt but vulnerable country area. What started as a short-term project grew into a 17-year obsession, during which time James took over 70,000 black and white images of all aspects of local life - landscapes, farming, everyday life in local towns and villages and their special occasions.

The resulting historical span and detail makes it probably the most intensive record of any rural area in England. But it is more than that. James's pictures were never posed but composed with the eye of an artist and they capture subtle qualities of light, and are enhanced by his affection and admiration for the people whose lives he recorded. They reveal life as it was being lived in 20th century rural England when many country traditions that had been passed down through the ages, were still part of everyday life. James also undertook private commissions and photographed in France, particularly Normandy, Italy, Greece and Ireland and other parts of the British Isles.

His work has been exhibited in England, France and America and he published a number of books of photographs. In 1977 he was given Honorary Membershipis His of the Royal Photographic Society in recognition of his contribution to photography.

James died of lymphoma in Barnstaple on the 29th September 1999 at the age of 60.

Chalk Paths by Eric Ravilious 1903-1942

For more information on James' work, see: www.jamesravilious.com

Here: Uncovering North Devon
Burton at Bideford, 4th May to 23rd June 2019
Opening Times: Monday to Saturday 10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m.
Sunday 11.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m.

The Beaford Archive is an extraordinary collection of material about North Devon which dates back to 1890. It is best known for its photographs by James Ravilious and it was one of the first commissions taken on by Roger Deakins, now an Oscar-winning cinematographer.

As part of a huge Heritage Lottery-funded project, Beaford has been digitising and revealing thousands of previously unseen images. Through interviews with people connected to the photographs, projects with primary school children and public workshops and events, Beaford has asked people what the Archive means to them.

In this exhibition, those who live and work in North Devon give their unique take on the Archive and the deep connections it inspires, human stories it uncovers and the future considerations it provokes.

You'll be able to explore the photographs, listen to the voices of local people and view new artworks inspired by the Archive.

You'll also discover how its themes impact the lives of people living in North Devon now, and you can add your own responses in order to help shape the Archive.

To accompany the exhibition, there will be a number of talks, discussions and workshops. Keep an eye on our social media and the Beaford website for full listings.

22

A HISTORY OF BERRYNARBOR SCHOOL - 2

In the last Newsletter I outlined my research into the history of the village school and gave a short description of the first logbook. Three of these Head Teacher's logbooks have survived and the first one, which begins in 1874, starts with the words "School re-opened. . .". So, the school was already operational by 1874 and, of course, there is a plaque on the front of the school bearing the date 1847. This immediately raises several questions: were there earlier log books and if so, what happened to them? What can we find out about the school between 1847 and 1874? And was there a village school before 1847?

The plaque on the front of Berrynarbor School: 'National School 1847'

Keeping a log book was regulation for all grant-aided schools from 1862, so it is likely that there was at least one earlier logbook, but it is probably lost. To try and find out about the school teachers, I turned to the census returns. The first census was in 1841 and unfortunately does not include people's professions, but in 1851 there were three teachers living in the village - and they were all related. Ann Hicks is described as a 'School Mistress', although since she was 80 years-old she may have retired. George Hicks, 'School Master & Engraver', was 44 years old and lived with Ann and was probably her son or nephew. Their address is simply given as 'Village'. Prudence Griffiths, a 'School Mistress', was 39 years old and lived with her family at Court Cottage, she was the daughter of Ann Hicks and perhaps the sister of George. It seems likely that George and Prudence were teachers at Berrynarbor School, probably with George teaching the older children and Prudence the infants. It is interesting that both Ann and Prudence were married women who apparently worked. Prudence had four children at home in 1851, one of whom was of pre-school age and would have required care. By 1861 Ann had died and Prudence and George appear to have moved out of the village. There is a teacher on the 1861 census, Priscilla Griffield, a single woman of 23 who had been born in Wales, but I have been unable to find out anything more about her. Her name is quite similar to 'Prudence Griffiths', but Prudence was older, married and living in Ilfracombe in 1861.

Trade directories are another useful source of information about people at this time. Kelly's Directory of 1850 lists 'Geo Hicks' as the village schoolmaster, thereby backing up the 1851 census. White's Directory of 1850 lists both Geo Hicks and Mr. James Geer as school teachers at Berrynarbor. There was just one adult named James Gear living in the area in 1851 and he was a farmer living with his family at South Lee and farming just 3 acres. He was born in Berrynarbor and lived there for most of his life but there is no mention of him being a teacher. The Kelly's Directory of 1866 lists William Harding as schoolmaster and Mrs. Jane Hicks as schoolmistress; the name Hicks again and another married woman. There was just one Jane Hicks in the village in 1861, the wife of stone mason James Hicks, but there is nothing to say she was a teacher. No teacher named William Harding appears on the 1861 census for Berrynarbor, but there was one in Ilfracombe and it is likely that this is him. Since teachers generally lived close to the school, he probably moved to Berrynarbor sometime after 1861 to take up the position.

This leaves the question of whether there was a school before 1847. The online catalogue for the National Archives at Kew shows they hold a document about the building of Berrynarbor School in 1847.

At the beginning of this year I went to have a look; this is the first time I have visited the Archives and it was a very interesting experience. I did not know how much information the document would contain, or what form it would take. When I arrived, I was given a large volume entitled 'School Building Grants. Certificates &c.' It proved to be full of application forms for grants to build schools all over the country - and it didn't appear to be in any particular order so I thought I might be there for quite a while. However, I struck lucky and found Berrynarbor quite quickly. The application was on a printed form and had been filled out by the village Rector, Samuel Thomas Gully, and dated the 20th February 1847. There are details about the building site chosen for the school, its design and the funds already raised, but more about these aspects another time. In answer to the question about existing schools in the village,

Reverend Gully says "[there are] two Dame Schools, in each of which, being about 12 feet? 50 children are crowded". Unfortunately, the word after the number 12 feet has disappeared into the binding of the book, perhaps it said 'square', however it is hard to imagine so many children in one room! He also adds that "the Sunday School consisting of 150 children, are taught in the Church, there being no other accommodation."

So we now know that in 1847 there were actually two schools in the village. These were 'dame schools', the earliest schools for the poor and generally held in the teacher's home - hence the cramped conditions.

There are no details about the location of these schools or the teachers, but traditionally such schools were taught by elderly women, hence the name. Perhaps School Mistress Ann Hicks, who would have been about 76 in 1847, was one of these teachers and encouraged her own children to follow in her profession.

Reverend Gully was successful with his application and the school must have been built quickly since the plaque on the wall says 1847. Arthur Davie Bassett of Watermouth, described in the document as 'Lord of the Manor', provided the site for the school. The Reverend Gully put forward £10 of his own money towards the fund and claimed they could raise another £10 by subscriptions. The sum requested in the grant application was for £130.

Tanya Walls
March 2019

23

MEMORIES

The young lady who is researching the Berry School records, hopefully will produce a book.

I was at school there in the days of Miss Lilian Veale [headmistress], Miss Muriel Richards in Primary class from 1944 to Mrs. Cowperthwaite 1951. Mr. Cowperthwaite, a teacher at Combe Martin Sec. Modern School at Seaside, took us for History and Maths.

I enjoyed the old photos of Pitt Hill, in particular the cottage where a lady called Miss Ivy Nichols lived. She always wore a maroon coloured coat, 1930's style, with a fur wrap around her shoulders of an animal that had a beady eye. She used a stick at the older boys as they taunted her, but I thought she was a kind soul - Gran said she was a recluse. Sometimes she wouldn't speak at all - I've never forgotten her and the beady eyes of the fur stole - 70 plus years ago!

Another photo of below her cottage was with an article of the School Attendance Officer who would visit to investigate if a child was not at school. It brought back memories of Mr. Major calling on my Gran when I had been kept home with rheumatic fever and childhood ailments in the days before the NHS.

How the country folk lived before antibiotics - every home seemed to have a high-backed wooden armchair beside the cooking iron range and where the eldest member of the family would be dozing, 40 winks - before the days of care homes, and hospitals were for people who could pay. I remember the Hospital Aid that Gran used to pay so much a week to Mrs. Brooks [mother of Jimmy Brooks] she had a wheelchair.

Sheila Twose - Torquay

24

Paul, our Artist in Residence, will be exhibiting his work at his home, 10 Montpelier Terrace, EX34 9E in the Ilfracombe Art Trail, which takes place on Saturday 11th and Sunday, 12th May, 2019, from 10.30 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. Paul's wife, Chris, will also be exhibiting her quilting.

In its 5th year, the 2019 Open Studios Art Trail sees over 60 local artists exhibiting a wide range of work across 40 venues around the town of Ilfracombe.

25

CHILDHOOD LITERATURE

"Alice in Wonderland" illustration
by John Tenniel, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

"Oh, you can't help that," said the Cat, "we're all mad here. I'm mad, you're mad."
"How do you know I'm mad?" said Alice.
"You must be," said the Cat, "or you wouldn't have come here."

 

Cheshire Cat - by John Tenniel
Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

In July 1862, the author Lewis Carroll and the Rev. Robinson Duckworth rowed up the Isis from Oxford with the three young daughters of the Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University and Dean of Christ Church, Henry Liddell - Lorina [13], Alice [10] and Edith [8]. During the trip he told the girls a story about a bored little girl named Alice who went looking for adventures. Captivated by the story, Alice asked him to write it down for her. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland came into being and was published three years later in 1865, with illustrations by John Tenniel.

 

Lewis Carroll
by Hills & Saunders
albumen print, 1860s
Given by Graham Ovenden, before 1977
NPG x5181

© National Portrait Gallery, London
Licenced under CC BY-NC-ND 3.0

Alice in Wonderland, as it is known, was followed in 1871 by Through the Looking Glass and what Alice found There. The tales of Alice have appeared on stage and screen many times, two of which are the American musical fantasy of Walt Disney in 1951, and the 2010 film directed by Tim Burton with an all-star cast including Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter, Mia Wasikowska as Alice, Anne Hathaway and Helena Bonham Carter as the White and Red Queens, the late Alan Rickman as the Caterpillar, Michael Sheen the White Rabbit, Barbara Windsor the sleepy Dormouse and Stephen Fry grinning as the Cheshire Cat.

The tale takes Alice into a fantasy world populated by humans and strange anthropomorphic creatures, The story and its lasting poplularity, with adults and children, is considered to be one of the best examples of literary nonsense, the characters and imagery influential in both popular culture and lieterature, especially in the fantasy genre.

 

Alice Liddell
by Lewis Carroll
albumen print, July 1860
Purchased jointly with the National Science and Media Museum, Bradford, with help from the Art Fund and the National Heritage Memorial Fund, 2002
NPG P991(8)

© National Portrait Gallery, London
Licenced under CC BY-NC-ND 3.0

Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, known by his pseudonym as Lewis Carroll, was born in the parsonage at Daresbury, Cheshire, on the 27th January, 1832, the eldest boy of 11 children, a high church Anglican family. His father, Charles Dodgson, a gifted mathematician, took holy orders but became a country parson, marrying his cousin Frances Jane Lutwidge.

The young Charles, who suffered from a stammer, a condition shared by most of his siblings and one he found debilitating all his life although he found it easier communicating with children, was also a gifted mathematician. He was initially educated at home, going to Richmond School in Yorkshire when he was 12 and then on to Rugby School, where he was very unhappy. Being tall and slender, with a weak chest caused by a severe childhood attack of whooping cough and a stammer, he was possibly bullied.

He went on to Christ Church, Oxford, and in 1852 was awarded the equivalent of a scholarship, took up residency there and in 1854 awarded First Class Honours in the Final Honours School of Mathematics. He was appointed a Lecturer in Mathematics.Hono

Despite his growing wealth and fame, little changed during the last twenty years of his life. He continued to teach at Christ Church until 1881 and remained in residence there until his death.

His social circle amongst others included John Ruskin, Dante Gabriel Rossetti, William Holman Hunt and Millais. Apart from his literary success, Dodgson was an accomplished photographer with notable portraits of Ellen Terry and Alfred Lord Tennyson. He also photographed children, finding himself vocally fluent when speaking to

children and entertaining them, enjoying their company and creating stories for them. Despite conjecture, there is little evidence of there being anything improper in his behaviour toward them.

Lacking in good health throughout his life, suffering from migraine, epilepsy and micropsia [optical distortion] just before his 66th birthday he contracted 'flu which turned to pneumonia, dying at his sister's home in Guildford on the 14th January 1898. His funeral was held at the nearby church of St. Mary and he is buried in Guildford at the Mount Cemetery.

By the time of his death, Alice and her adventures had become one of the most popular children's books in England and by 1932, one of the most popular in the world.

Judie Weedon

26

RURAL REFLECTIONS - 87

I remember as a young child how the month of May was pivotal in our football-crazy family, for it held a Saturday with a three o'clock whistle that heralded the kick-off of the FA Cup Final. It was a match that back then was a rarity in being televised live and having a build-up, albeit interrupted, on either Grandstand or World of Sport.

Oh, how times have changed! Now, football's season eats well into that of cricket. Likewise, county cricket has expanded its span of play. This year the County Championship will start just after this issue goes to press, on the 5th April, and finish on the 26th September. Like England's international calendar, the powers-that-be are also trying to pack in as many county matches as is realistically possible; a good job, therefore, that teams no longer play on uncovered pitches which could be unpredictable even during cricket's native summer.

The other day, whilst contemplating these thoughts, I was reminded of the story of Alfred Lyttleton. Born in 1857 he was later to become a member of Parliament for the Liberal Unionist Party and brother-in-law to the Prime Minster, Arthur Balfour. The youngest of eight brothers, Lyttleton was born into a family that excelled at sports. However, he would go on to supersede them by becoming arguably one of the most prominent sportsmen of his time. Among other sports, he became a distinguished footballer and cricketer, playing for England in both arenas. But it was whilst competing in a cricket club match against Bethnal Green Tradesmen that, having made 89 runs, a blow from a ball caused an internal abscess. Recuperating in his hospital bed after an emergency operation, he was visited by one of his brothers. "Don't let them make too much fuss of the cricket ball," Lyttleton whispered into his brother's ear. "Just a piece of bad luck."

 

 

 

Illustrations by: Paul Swailes

One cannot compare Lyttleton's take on the incident to that of a lady who tripped and fell whilst shopping in her local town centre. Thankfully able to get herself up and walk back to her car she was soon, however, experiencing severe leg pain and was barely able to weight bear. Fearing the worst, she decided to take herself to the A&E department, but not before taking a detour so as to return to the scene of her fall. Unsure though she was as to whether a raised surface had actually caused her to trip, she hoped all the same to find as much so she could take a photograph and subsequently sue the council for damages and get compensation. Again, how times have changed.

Indeed, when I entered the workforce in the 1980's the term "risk assessment" was far from common knowledge. That's not to denounce Health and Safety, for life in the working environment is far safer than it was once. I may be going back in time, but I should not have wanted, for example, to have been a navvy involved in the construction of the Great Western Railway network, or any other line come to that. Severe injuries and fatalities are well documented. However, whilst such facts justify the safer environment in which we live, others would argue that Health and Safety have gone too far; and it is here that I draw a parallel with trees.

I tend to place the lifespan of trees into one of three categories. There are those that are felled for a useful purpose; for example, for timber or for the creation of copses or for natural regeneration or, arguably, the provision of housing. Then there are those that are taken out as a result of being on land used by the general public and deemed dangerous by risk assessment. To what extent the tree may be unsafe is often open to debate; some will argue that the decision maker is being over cautious for fear of an accident and subsequent costly compensation. Finally, there are trees, usually on private land, that are allowed to live out their natural lifespan. In their twilight years, such trees encounter storms that will snap off a few more branches and create in the process a wizen appearance far removed from the tree's attractive and seemingly symmetrical outline that it once boasted. Bored from the inside out by either beetles, wasps or moths, its trunk eventually lacks the strength to hold up its outer carcass and caves in. Insects and natural degeneration then ensure that the tree returns to the soil from which it once grew.

So, as spring progresses and our deciduous trees come into leaf once more, be sure to give reverence to the lone naked and crooked tree in the field for it is doing its bit for the natural environment. Indeed, through its death it is providing new life. Happy Easter.

Stephen McCarthy

27

FROM THE PARISH COUNCIL

Adoption of the Public Toilets and a Lease for the Car Park - Update:

Following the public consultation held in January, the Parish Council considered the adoption of the public toilets and a lease on the car park in the village at its full Council meeting in February 2019. There was a large amount of community support to pursue the proposals, subject to clarification of some of the details and liabilities which may be placed on the Parish Council. The Council has therefore agreed, in principle, to adopt the toilets and lease the car park and to continue negotiations with the North Devon Council. These negotiations are still in the infant stage and the Council will continue to update the community through the Newsletter, Website and Parish Council meetings.

The Parish Council has been asked by the North Devon Council to consider any updates to its 121 list. This is a list of community projects that can be included in legal agreements for Section 106 money [where appropriate], relating to developments. If there are any projects you would like to see included in this list, please let the Parish Council know.

Berrynarbor Parish Council holds the Foundation Level of the Local Council Award Scheme which highlights that, not only does the Council meet the requirements for operating lawfully, it also goes beyond its legal obligations, leading its community and continuously seeking opportunities to improve and develop further.  The achievement confirms that Berrynarbor Parish Council achieves good practice in governance, community engagement and council improvement. To build on this award the Parish Council has agreed to work towards and apply for the Quality award which is the next level, the aim is to apply following the May 2019 elections.

Elections: Parish Council elections are due to take place on Thursday, 2nd May 2019. If you are interested in becoming a Councillor, a nomination pack can be obtained from the Parish Clerk or from the Returning Officer at the North Devon Council, Lynton House, Commercial Road, Barnstaple. Completed nomination papers must be returned to the Returning Officer between 10.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m. and no later than 4.00 p.m. on Wednesday 4th April 2019.

Finally, I shall be commencing Maternity Leave shortly. Mrs Kate Graddock will be providing cover during this time and will commence with the Parish Council on the 1st April 2019 to allow a handover and induction period. Mrs Graddock can be contacted via the Clerk's email address clerk@berrynarborparishcouncil.org.uk or on 07703 050496.

Vicki Woodhouse - Parish Clerk

Our best wishes go to both Vicki and Kate during the time of Vicki's Maternity Leave.

28

AT-A-GLANCE DIARY

School, Pre-School and Toddler Group - Term Time only

29

FROM REV. BILL

Easter is a time to which most of us look forward. Good things happen at Easter - better weather [sometimes], holidays, Easter eggs, parties, family gatherings, etc.

Easter is the Day in the Christian calendar when we celebrate the Resurrection of Christ following his death on a cross. We are reminded that God loves us and that we have certain hope for the future. In Jesus Christ, God came to us, died in our place so that our sins can be forgiven and through faith in him can have eternal life and begin a good and growing relationship with Him.

Easter is about new life, new beginnings, new attitudes and new growth. For those in the church we can begin to build on those decisions we made in Lent to change for the better, perhaps to do something positive. Without Easter, the Church [the people of God] wouldn't exist, but in this country fewer and fewer people are coming to a growing and real faith in Jesus. Some are turning to other religions, many of which offer rules that only subordinate.

Easter brings forgiveness that through Jesus we can let go of all those things that mar our relationship with God. It never ceases to amaze me how some people, even Christians, live with so much bad stuff [baggage] in their lives for so long. Jesus calls us to 'let it go' [forgive] and start again. And following forgiveness comes joy: joy in knowing that Jesus has set us free: free to live the kind of unselfish life our country is crying out for:

"All believers were together... praising God and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved." [Acts 2:44, 47]

HAPPY EASTER!

Bill

---

If you are interested in knowing more about what it means to be a Christian, why not come along to one of our home groups? We have three groups meeting on different days and at different times. Give me a ring on [01271] 523441 or email: billcole124@btinternet.com.

Illustration by: Paul Swailes

30

MOVERS AND SHAKERS - NO. 80

SIR CHARLES HUBERT HASTINGS PARRY Bt.
[27th February 1848 - 7th October 1918]

Composer. Teacher and Music Historian

A regular contributor to our newsletter suggested that Hubert Parry might be a suitable Mover and Shaker. Having looked into his life and career, even though he wasn't a West Country man, he certainly moved and shook the musical scene!

 

Sir (Charles) Hubert Hastings Parry, 1st Bt
by Walter Stoneman, for James Russell & Sons
bromide print, circa 1916
NPG Ax46144

© National Portrait Gallery, London
Licenced under CC BY-NC-ND 3.0

Hubert was born into a wealthy family. His parents were Thomas Gambier Parry and his first wife, Isabella [nëe Fynes -Clinton]. Thomas, the youngest of six children, had been orphaned at the age of five and was brought up by his maternal family adopting their name, Gambier, as part of his surname. His grandfather had acquired enormous wealth as director of the East India Company, much of which was passed on to Thomas, who with his riches was able to buy a country seat, 17th century Highnam Court near the River Severn, just two miles west of Gloucester.

Thomas was also a collector of fine arts, and music too, having studied piano and French horn whilst at Eton. His wife, Isabella, died of consumption aged just 32, only twelve days after giving birth to Hubert.

He, and his second wife, Ethelinda, produced another six children, giving her little time for the older ones.

Hubert's nearest sibling was Clinton, who was at boarding school, and his sister Lucy was seven years his senior. His three other siblings had all died in infancy. With his father away much of the time, Hubert's main support was his governess.

Much of his education was at Eton. He received a setback at the age of 13 when his sister Lucy died of consumption and in the same year, Clinton was sent down from Oxford for womanising, drinking and taking opium, so homelife was not good! His father was against Hubert having a career in music and wanted him to have a conventional one in commerce. Thus, at Oxford, he read law and modern history, his musical interests taking second place.

From 1870 to 1877, Hubert was an underwriter at Lloyds of London. He found the work uncongenial but stuck to it to please his father and in-laws. In 1872 he married Elizabeth Maude Herbert, daughter of the politician Sidney Herbert and his wife Elizabeth, who all also felt that a career in music was not suitable. Hubert and Elizabeth had two daughters, Dorothea and Gwendolen [named after George Eliot characters]. During his time in insurance, he continued with his musical studies at which he was far more successful so that by 1880 his first major work was premiered: a piano concerto. This was followed by the first of a series of choral works: scenes from Shelley's Prometheus Unbound. In 1883 he was appointed Festival Conductor of Oxford University and then Professor of Composition and Musical History at the Royal School of Music under the then Head, George Grove who had used him as a contributor to his own massive Dictionary of Music and Musicians.

Twelve years later, Hubert became the Head himself when Grove retired, a position he held for the rest of his life. In 1900 he became Professor of Music at Oxford. Just to add to his accomplishments, he received a Knighthood in 1898 and a Baronetcy five years later. Because he had no sons, this baronetcy died with him.

Many of his contemporaries rated his talents as exceptional. However, Frederic Delius did not. Neither did Bernard Shaw, at the time a music critic in London, who mocked Hubert's lack of sympathy with his oratorios based on the Bible.

Highnam Court, home to Hubert Parry during his life time
©mattbuck (category), CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Many of Hubert's pupils, including Ralph Vaughan Williams, Gustav Holst, Frank Bridge and John Ireland, all rated him highly, both as a composer and teacher. Praise indeed! Edward Elgar was also greatly influenced by him.

 

Sir Hurbert Parry, Rustington
©Sidpickle, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Although his academic work took up much of his time, over the years he composed a wide variety of music, including 5 symphonies, organ recitals, music to accompany various plays and incidental music for West End productions. His works have had revivals in the late 20th and early 21st centuries and as recently as May 2015, seventy unpublished works by him were found in a family archive and recently auctioned.

But to most of us, what is probably his most famous claim to fame is as the composer for setting the poem Jerusalem to music. Written by William Blake and printed in 1808, Blake called it 'And did those feet in ancient times', as a preface to his epic 'Milton: A poem in Two Books'.

As all Women's Institute members past and present will know, this became their anthem in the mid 1920's.

It had earlier beginnings, though. Hubert Parry composed the music in 1916, to 'brace the spirit of the nation' during the dark days of the First World War. When Millicent Fawcett [see the article about her in the June 2018 newsletter] asked him if it could be used by the suffrage movement saying, "Your Jerusalem ought to be made the women voters' hymn", he agreed, for both he and his wife were keen supporters of women's rights.

Millicent felt it was more in keeping for the suffragettes than the dreary 'Shoulder to Shoulder', and infinitely less strident than Ethel Smythe's 'March of Women'. It was first sung by a mass of women at the Royal Albert Hall at a suffrage rally to celebrate their right to vote in 1918.

One suffragist and also a founder and Vice-chairman of the W.I was Grace Hadow. She organised a nationwide competition for a W.I. anthem in the 1920's and was so depressed by the results that she had a brainwave: why not transfer Jerusalem from the suffrage group to the W.I? After all, both sides were concerned with giving more power to women; both sides were bracing and inspirational.

 

Parry's Memorial to Parry in Gloucester Cathedral
©Andrewrabbott, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

From the 8th Annual General Meeting held in the Queen's Hall, London on the 20th and 21st May 1924, and filled with delegates and visitors from all around the country, Jerusalem was sung lustily, after the National Anthem.

It wasn't adopted then. It was after Millicent Fawcett wrote to Hubert Parry that it became their official anthem. All members pledged to learn the words and tune by heart, and be 'ready to sing whether she thinks she can sing or whether she thinks she can't'.

Not only the W.I. but famous singers including Harry Secombe, Charlotte Church and Lesley Garrett have all featured it. It appears at the Last Night of the Proms and has even been hinted as a replacement of God Save the Queen - in England at least!

Sir Hubert resigned his Oxford Professorship in 1908 on medical advice and over his last ten years wrote some of his best-known works, including of course Jerusalem.

In the autumn of 1918, he contracted the worldwide pandemic of Spanish flu and died on October 7th. He is buried in the OBE Chapel in the crypt of St Paul's Cathedral.

But what a legacy! Without him, his students might not have developed so prolifically, the world would have been denied his great musical works and the Women's Institute would not still be lustily singing Jerusalem at their meetings, whether or not they think they can sing!

Thank you, Sir Hubert Parry.

PP of DC

P.S. An article in the Telegraph on 12th March caught my eye, "Call us dinosaurs but film of fossil hero didn't need same-sex affair". This was reporting the start of filming Ammonite, the day before in Lyme Regis. The comments from various relatives around the world were that there was no evidence to prove that Mary Anning was a lesbian, and that she should be remembered only for her lifetime success. What did I say in my article in February?

One comment was, "Too few have even heard of her name, let alone her remarkable achievements . . . At least this way Mary Anning's name will get more recognition even it it's because of a daft Hollywood blockbuster!"

That says it all!

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Scrapbook Jokes!

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BERRYNARBOR VIEW NO. 178

Easter Wishes

For this issue I have chosen a selection of early Easter cards which I hope you will enjoy. Easter Greetings shows two March Hares with their Easter eggs. Published by Wildt & Kray of London, in their series 1183, was sent on the 12th 1911.

A Bright happy and Joyous Easter was published by E.A. Schwerdfeger & Co. of London and printed in Germany. It shows two chicks carrying a pink egg filled with flowers in the form of a sedan chair with the message, "This car is a patent there is no doubt, You don't see many like this about." Interestingly, the reverse address side is printed the opposite way up.

Easter Greetings, printed in Germany, shows a young lad carrying his sister. Her shoulder basket contains four chicks, but one has popped out! A Happy Easter, printed in Germany c1904 and numbered 298 depicts a hare with a sack of Easter eggs, contained within an egg shape surrounded by pussy willow.

The final card, May Your Easter Be Bright with the words 'May your Easter brighter be Because I've not forgotten thee', has a 1918 postmark with a message 'Buy National War Bonds Now'. The lady chick wears a pretty blue bonnet, whilst he wears a bowler hat and is smoking a pipe!

 

Finally, I should like to wish all readers A Very Happy Easter 2019 and thank Judie for the very good quality Newsletter she produces these days.

Tom Bartlett
Tower Cottage, March 2019
e-mail: tomandinge40@gmail.com

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BEAFORD ARTS - JEREMIAH

Beaford Arts will be presenting Jeremiah, performed by Jack Dean, on Saturday, 8th June. From the critically acclaimed rap storyteller comes a raucous and stirring new show about one of England's greatest forgotten revolutionaries.

To be held at the Stables Barn, Bodstone Barton, doors open at 7.30 p.m.

Tickets: Adults £7.50, Under 16 £5.00, Family [2 adults and 2 Under 16's] £22.50. For tickets please call [01271] 267850. Age suitability: 12 plus

There will be no bar, so bring your own drinks, soft drinks will be available to purchase. Also available to purchase, burgers and hot dogs, and bring a blanket if it's typical British summer weather!

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