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| Image found on Google. Apologies, I can't recall where. |
One hundred and seventeen years ago, on June 24th, there was an air of great excitement in the parish, for it was the day of the Choir and Sunday School's visit to Mablethorpe. One of the local farmers had offered the use of his waggon*, horses and men to convey the children and some adults down the winding country roads which lead through farmland and on to the small coastal town, a journey of a little less than ten miles.
I take that same route almost every week when I go to the supermarket or, occasionally, the cinema. Next time I will try to imagine that happy and excited group of children, the gaily dressed waggon and the beautiful farm horses travelling along there. Don't worry, I won't be driving!
In those days Mablethorpe was even tinier than it is today, rather more well-loved, perhaps. A visit to the coast was a big treat for country children, a glimpse of the sea, perhaps a paddle in the chilly sea, plenty of sand everywhere.
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| I found this postcard on oldukphotos.com |
The farm waggon (unlike the one in the first photograph) had been beautifully decorated to mark the occasion and the big farm horses had been thoroughly groomed, their harnesses burnished until they gleamed brightly. Loaded on board the waggon, the party set off at 7 am and made a pretty picture, by all accounts.
Another smaller party gathered at this old railway bridge at 9 am with their bicycles and were expected to reach Mablethorpe at the same time as the waggon. Others had opted to travel there by train - the railway station was just a couple of hundred yards along to the left of this photograph. Another small group of people motored over to join them all later.
Fifty people sat down to eat a meal at the Pie-in-Hand a restaurant/cafe. I don't know what they ate - pie and chips or fish and chips, perhaps. Then they turned their attention to the beach where games were organised for the children, sandcastles dug and a little paddling was enjoyed.
At 5 pm they ate tea, though weather this was sandy sandwiches and cake, eaten among the sand dunes, or a meal taken at the cafe, I have no way of knowing. I quite like the idea of a vast picnic of simple foods being eaten with great appetite after all that fresh sea air and exercise.
By 6pm they had to be ready to board the waggon, mount their bicycles, or catch the train, to return home.
Everyone returned safely.
This account is based on a small report in a village magazine dated 1901/02 which was kindly given to me by a friend, in return for a little bit of typing I had done for him.
*waggon is the spelling used in the report.
Oh wonderful! Those "treats" must have been so much treasured.
ReplyDeleteI had my first visit to Mablethorpe just a few years ago. I parked at the south end (near a crazy golf, I think) and rode my trundle truck along the front to the main town. I loved it but am glad that I parked at the south end and saw that bit first. Much of Mablethorpe does look rather unloved today but that south end is still lovely.
You definitely got the best introduction to it and I'm glad you enjoyed it. One of these days I must try to look at it with fresh eyes, instead of my usual blinkered dash around.
DeleteWhat an excursion. And as you said quite a treat for the children. No bathing suits back then?
ReplyDeleteYou asked a post or two ago about how other bloggers get inspiration on what to write. For me the inspiration comes from the photos I've taken. Though sometimes I take the photos so I'll have something to write about. I'm finding it harder though to write on a regular basis and I admire those that can. Like you!
Even if they possessed such a thing as a bathing suit, I doubt there would have been time, Marcia.
DeleteI'm glad you found a good book to read!
We think of them as "simple pleasures", but how much planning and work. The mothers keeping watch on all the children on the beach and in the water. Keeping food as sandless as possible. Doing it all in long dresses and high button shoes. I can see my grandmother and her family there, in my mind's eye.
ReplyDeleteIt does paint a wonderful picture - but like you, I kept thinking about the work that went on to make it all happen. The clothing and the fun may be different, but somehow I think some mothers/grandmothers work just as hard at it these days!
DeleteWhat delightful, simple pleasures. So much more meaningful, because they came so rarely.
ReplyDeleteIsn't that one of the things we have lost? Anticipation of this or that...? Anticipation of a seasonal food. (Fresh, local, strawberries, for instance) The abundant display of delicious foods, at Christmas Time... Etc., etc., etc.
Now, we drive anywhere, on a moments notice. Almost.. And we eat all foods, all year, if we want them shipped from "tim-buck-tooo." Unique things, are getting more and more scarce. Sad to say...
But this was certainly a happening, anticipated long in advance. And talked about, all year, until the next one. :-)
Anticipation would have been a great part of it. Then the fun of that wagon ride, the jingle of the harnesses, that first glimpse of the sea and the sands, so different from the fields of green which surrounded their homes.
DeleteIt must have been quite an experience and will have lived long in their memories. Perhaps at some point someone will turn up an old photograph of the actual outing - I have my fingers crossed on that one!
What a wonderful time that must have been! It certainly seems (to me) to still be a rather magical place - that bridge, with its overflow of greenery is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteThe bridge is an old railway bridge, just a couple of hundred yards from where I live - I walk along there every day. It is looking very pretty right now, I enjoy thinking about those cyclists meeting down there and the wagon full of excited children setting out on their big adventure.
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