A Retrospect

1896

January 16 A meeting held at the Town Hall at which interesting addresses on the life and works of the great poetess were given by Mr. Rider HAGGARD, Mr. M. BIDDULPH. M.P. (who presided). Lady Elizabeth BIDDULPH, the Bishop of Hereford. Mr. RANKIN, M.P., Mr. C. W. R. COOKE, M.P., the Rev. Preb. MADDISON GREEN, the Rev. C. Y. POTTS, &c.

January 22 In the evening Lady Elizabeth BIDDULPH presided over the annual meeting of the Ledbury Temperance Union at the Town Hall.

January 27 Popular entertainment in the Town Hall in aid of the Parish Nurse fund.

March 12 the Rev. J. GIBSON, of Ross, lectured at the Town Hall on "Father Matthew."

November 23 Supporters of the Sunday closing movement held a meeting in the Town Hall when a resolution advocating the prohibition of the sale of intoxicating drinks on a Sunday was carried unanimously.

1897

March 22 Mr. J. Herbert SKIPPER (of the National Education Emergency Committee) lectured in the Town Hall, on the "Education Bill of the present government."

June 21 the Queen's Diamond Jubilee was celebrated with much rejoicing in Ledbury. The Volunteers ?red a fue de joie on Dog Hill, at 8 am; at 11 there was a procession of all the public bodies in the town, accompanied by all the school children, being headed by the Worcester Excelsior Band. At the Market Place the National Anthem was sung, and the children sang "God bless the Prince of Wales" After cheers had been given for the Queen the procession wended its way to the Pound Meadow where a long programme of athletic Sports was carried out. At one o'clock there was a dinner of hot roast beef, vegetables and plum puddings for old folks over 60, in the Mission Hall, and all the children sat down to tea in the afternoon around tables erected in High street. In the evening there was a monster bon?re on Bradlow Knoll. All the streets were gaily ecorated, and prizes were given for the best three, viz.: The Capital and Counties, 30/-; D & M. BADCOCK, 20/-: Messrs. MAYO & Co., 10/-.

1898

January 4 A public meeting was held at the Town Hall, in connection with the Science and Art and Technical Education Classes, under the presidency of Lady Elizabeth BIDDULPH, who presented the certi?cates to the successful students

January 12 Lady Henry SOMERSET opened a Cake and Apron Sale at the Town Hall, at the initiative of Lady Elizabeth BIDDULPH, in aid of the funds of the Ledbury Temperance Union, of which Lady Elizabeth is President.

March 31 The Rev. J. G. MUNROE lectured on "Child Life in the Slums of London," in the Town Hall.

June 9 There was a Sale of Work in the Town Hall in aid of the funds of the Congregational Church, which was very successful

December 17 The first popular entertainment, in aid of the Parish Nurse Fund was held at the Town Hall, under the presidency of Lady Elizbeth BIDDULPH.

1900

February 24 Commencement of Saturday Night Popular Entertainments at Town Hall.

April 1 Mrs. Jennie WALKER (the "Yorkshire Nightingale") commenced a week' Mission at Town Hall.

April 2 Urban Council signed a general district rate of 1/8 in the ₤ for the ensuing half-year.

November 5 Annual Meeting of Temperance Union at Town Hall.

December 6 Cake and Apron Sale opened at Town Hall by Lady Agneta MONTAGU in aid of the Funds of the Ledbury Temperance Union and the Mission to Hop-pickers. Proceeds ₤42

1901

March 7 Meeting at Town Hall to consider Lord PEEL'S proposals.

March 30 Opening of the series of Temperance Reform Meetings in the Town Hall, by Mr. A. J. PREECE, Grand Lodge Special Missioner.

October 17 Annual Meeting Ledbury Temperance Union at Town Hall.

October 25 Annual Meetings of the Ledbury Auxiliary Bible Society at the Town Hall. Deputaton: Rev. J. ALSTON.

November 2 Saturday Night Popular Entertainments started by the Ledbury Temperance Union at the Town Hall.

December 12 Congregational Anniversary Tea and Public Meeting at Town Hall.

1902

March 1 Last of the series of Saturday Night Entertainments.

July 7 Protest Meeting at the Town Hall against the Education Bill.

A Retrospect

1902

February 24 Public Meeting at the Town Hall to consider the Government Temperance Bill.

September 11 Welcome Home from the War of Major-General Sir Elliott WOOD, K.C.B.; illuminated torchlight procession from the Railway Station to Orchardleigh; presentation of an illuminated address in the Market Place by Mr. C. W. STEPHENS, C.C., Chairman of the Ledbury Urban Council.

September 19 Another Meeting at the Town Hall to Protest against the Education Bill.

September 29 Annual Public Meeting in connection with the Science and Art and Technical Education Classes.

November 13 Annual Meeting of the Ledbury Temperance Union at the Town Hall.

November 20 Annual Meetings of the Ledbury Auxiliary British and Foreign Bible Society in the Town Hall: Deputation, Rev. C. MOOR, M.A., Secretary Midland District.

November 27 Public Meeting of the Church of England Temperance Society at the Town Hall: Addresses by Rev. H. SOMERS COCKS and Mr. Eardley WILMOT, R.N.

Paul Carter - Love this hand coloured scene as there aren't any motor vehicles to be seen. The card is posted 1904 but I think this is from a late 19th century glass plate just after The Barrett Browning Institute was opened in 1896. Notice the 2 haywains, the trader loading goods into a horse drawn cart belonging to a gentleman whose driver is wearing a top hat and watched by an errand boy with stiff collar and his bike.

I see the copper kettle is already in place....SM

Paul Carter -Yep and the copper kettle is still in Ledbury at the Butchers Row museum up Church Street Ledbury

I love this....absolutely brilliant...MB

Fantastic picture...SN

Paul Carter - Wonderful photo and great to see the copper kettle there

Jo Edge - Paul super photo, can we tell what the name is on the kettle

Paul Carter - It's J.Davies Ironmonger

Lynne Robinson - Wonderful picture Paul, thanks for sharing.. I'm wondering if the gent with the large moustache and shirt sleeves, by the man with the empty cart, could possibly be my ancestor Charles PEDLINGHAM, who had a grocery shop just by where the two ladies are standing under the canopy... Charles had a rather large moustache too

Paul Carter - Great to see a connection with this photo

Amazing how these possibilities arise ...SM

Janet Jones - I would love to think it could be Charles PEDLINGHAM

Lynne Robinson - Me too it certainly appears to be the right era and place for him to be x

Pauline Preedy - What about the Catholic Bazaar, hed every year at the top of the Market house. Mr HEFFERNAN used to call everyone in using his megaphone, not that he needed it. I loved the smell of mince pies and ground coffee, and of course there was Father Christmas. I remember my little brother Steve asking him if he was Mr NEALE. He was xx

Loved the turkey and stuffing sarnies....AB

Pauline Preedy - Oh yes forgot about them. My mum used to buy that many draw tickets, even for the dog, one year they called out Bobby Ellis and he'd won a big lump of pork, good old Bob xx

The saying is that if you buy tickets on borrowed money you are more likely to win. So, bob being the dog didn't have any money so he borrowed some and he won!...SD

What's happened to all the pigeons that lived in the town. Can remember chasing them under the market house as a child!...CE

Jo Edge - Amazing filming of the outside

First time I have seen upstairs for years, remember queuing on those stairs waiting to see Father Christmas...LS

My grandad used to play Father Christmas, bless him!...DA

Brilliant, got married to there! Such happy memories ...DA

Pauline Preedy - I can still see Mr Heffernan calling all the people in to the Catholic Bizarre, loved going there every year and seeing Father Christmas. xx.

I also got married here as registry office was being done up ..SD.

Amazing...IM

Yup, I remember waiting on the stairs for Father Christmas too...IM