Life in Edwardian Tickhill - Summary
Following the publication of Life in Late Victorian Tickhill, this Paper similarly has extracts from The Parish Magazines. Life in Edwardian Tickhill did not change radically from the previous decade with various activities continuing as before. The postponed Coronation celebrations, for example, were typical of the careful planning seen previously in Tickhill. Local people also maintained the tradition of fund raising for a very wide range of causes. Some of the fund raising ventures helped to repair the fabric of St Mary’s, one of the themes in this Paper.
However, the times were changing in several respects. More efforts were made to provide health care, especially through the Sandbeck Nursing Association founded in 1902 by the Countess of Scarbrough. The scheme lasted until 1910, when it was replaced by district nurses. Money, collected at Harvest Festival services, helped to fund Doncaster Infirmary, with local people having the possibility of using its in- and out- patient facilities. Several items in the Magazines dealt with smoking and drinking, temperance being strongly advocated.
From 1906 to 1908 Tickhill felt the impact of the coming of the railways when more than 200 navvies lodged locally. The Magazines shed an interesting light on concerns for the spiritual welfare of these men who had their own ‘Missioner’, Mr Gasson. In a letter from him published in the Magazine in August 1908, Mr Gasson noted the navvies’ work would soon be completed. He quotes one navvy: “We’re the blokes that have to go rough that others may go smooth,” and as another put it: “We walk in the mud that others may ride in the train.”
More opportunities for entertainment opened up in Edwardian Tickhill. With the newly built Public Library in 1908 came the possibility of a more congenial space for seeing silent movies, ‘cinematograph entertainment’, which formed a New Year’s Eve treat for children and adults. Magic lantern shows still featured periodically. Along with New Year’s Eve social gatherings, came teas and entertainment for ‘old folks’ as well as children.
Considerable attention was given to cricket in the Magazines, in the early years of the decade, when Tickhill had some very good players. Fixture lists, batting and bowling averages and cricket suppers all featured. Other activities were specifically arranged for men. During the Edwardian period, men only activities also included concerts, talks on health and church services. As the Vicar, the Revd. A. D. Alderson, wrote in 1909: ‘We have special services for children; mothers’ meetings for women; why should we not have a Service for Men? If women and children require special treatment, most certainly men do....’ The men’s services at St Mary’s lasted from November 1909 to the end of January 1910 when the Vicar had to go on sick leave, one of several absences during the decade as he tried to overcome stress-related ill health.
Another difference was the amount of space the Magazines devoted to missionary work. In the 1890s the Parish was familiar with the work of the Zenana Missions in India. Further talks were given about their work in the 1900s in India and China too. Other reports of missionary work included that in Japan, Canada (see an account in the miscellany section) and New Zealand.
The Magazines consisted of up to three pages attached to the front of the supplement Home Words for Heart and Hearth. A copy of a 1907 Magazine survives showing that the design of the front cover changed compared to the previous decade, see below. In 1906 a successful appeal was made for funds to pay 11/- for a new [printing] block for the Magazines. Advertisements appeared as in the previous decade, an example also being shown below.
Copies of the full text of this paper are on sale in KSM Dry Cleaners priced £1.50 or click the link below to read the article on line.
