I think it was way back in 2002 when it was Our Dear Queen's Golden Jubilee, and when I had a local history class at Middleham, that I looked at what happened in various villages in the dales when Queen Victoria celebrated her Jubilee on 20 - 21 June 1887. Back then there were no Old Newspapers on t'internet and I spent hours in Northallerton Library winding reels of film and writing down reports. So this month I am looking back at some of these accounts in 1887. Here is Her Majesty Queen Victoria [ 1819 - 1901] painted by Thomas Benjamin Kennington [1856 - 1916] which is in Retford Town Hall and on the ArtUK website. It was not all harmony and innocent good fun. Darlington and Stockton Times 21st May 1887 The inhabitants of Middleham were late in taking any steps for celebrating the Jubilee, but a fortnight ago a meeting was called by an influential party. Very interesting reminiscences of the loyalty displayed on the occasion of the marriage of the Prince of Wales were recalled but Middleham was pictured as a place of considerable deterioration since the days of 1863, and as a consequence, a treat of a more modest nature was to be aimed at. Oh dear, that does not bode well - the report in the newspaper continued - This view the Squire of Middleham House distinctly combated and wished it to be understood that Middleham ... of all places ought to be loyal on this occasion of Her Majesty's Jubilee, and he for one would not be content if the treat did not come up to that of 1863, but surpass it. So who was the Squire of Middleham House? He was a Topham, the leading family in Middleham. Here he is in the 1881 census, John Topham. John Topham was born in 1812 son of Lupton Topham, solicitor in Middleham. Here in 1881 he put as his occupation Constable of Middleham Castle. He did not live to the next census in 1891 but died in 1888. He was buried at Coverham amongst his ancestors and his tomb stone records " In Memory of John Topham of Middleham House, Constable of Middleham Castle and Ranger of the Forest of Richmondshire. Born 29 February 1812 died 8 February 1888. Fiat Dei Voluntas. I doubt his titles had much meaning by the 19th century, but would have been Royal Appointments in the Middle Ages. Back to the meeting in Middleham in May 1887. A strong discussion ensued and it was arranged, providing subscriptions came in, to afford a treat of the magnitude of 1863, when the old Castle was covered in , boarded out and properly fitted with gas and suitable decorations, and a first class dinner was given to the male population of the ages ranging from 15 and upwards, and a tea to all the women and girls followed by a grand ball in the evening..... So back to 1863 - This painting is called The Landing of Her Royal Highness The Princess Alexandra at Gravesend 7th March 1863 by Henry Nelson O'Neil [ 1817 - 1880] and is at The National Portrait Gallery. And here are the happy couple. This painting is called The Marriage of the Prince and Princess of Wales and is by William Powell Frith [1819 - 1909] and is at Barts Trust NHS Archives and Museum. The wedding was on the 10th March 1863. Poor Alexandra she had hardly stepped on dry land when she was marched up the aisle. So what went on in Middleham in 1863? The inside of the keep is rather dark and damp but this is an account in The Yorkshire Gazette for the 14th March 1863. Prince of Wales Marriage Rejoicings in Yorkshire - Middleham In this town of Tuesday last was celebrated in a truly loyal style and the day kept as a holiday. The Church bells were rung occasionally throughout the day and a great number of flags and banners were suspended from the church steeple, the castle and the houses in the town . The weather was most unfavourable, rain and snow being alternate during the whole day. A brass band was especially engaged, assisted by the celebrated Middleham Drummer, Mr John Barber …. The Castle , once a mgnificent one, and the abode of Royalty, was an object of great interest, this being the first time it had been illuminated with gas. … The banqueting hall in the Castle was covered in, fitted up with boards, and decorated for the dinner and tea and ball to be held therein, and the whole was illuminated with gas. About 12 o’clock a procession was formed at the Town Hall, led by Christopher Topham Esq. and Miss Birch, and headed by the band, paraded the town, after which they were marshalled to the banqueting room to enjoy the good old English Fare of Roast Beef and Plum Pudding. Christopher Topham Esq. presided. Upwards of 400 partook of dinner in the hall at one time, the band during dinner playing various tunes. The usual loyal toasts as well as “The Prince and Princess of Wales” …. excellent speeches … After dinner 500 sat down to a substantial tea … after which the hall was cleared for a ball … [lists of the Great and the Good of Wensleydale who were there] - between 200 and 300 persons assembled and dancing was kept up to an early hour in the morning. Back to the Darlington and Stockton Times of 21st May 1887. .... Subscriptions were at once opened and a sum of £200 immediately raised. This would have provided all that had previously been indulged in, and would also have been sufficient for the erection in the Market Place of a memorial in the shape of an ornamental fountain. But this course did not suit several who had started a project of their own, and nothing would suit them but a knife and fork tea - no dancing - no hot roast beef or other joints were to be provided - no plum pudding and no beer - and in a short time the whole project collapsed. The money was to be returned and Middleham made to appear ridiculous. However an informant gives me to understand that the matter is not to rest here. A requisition has been sent out for a public meeting to be held this evening (Saturday) and it is to be hoped amicable counsels will prevail ...... Spectator. Oh dear oh deary me. This picture is just called Beef and is by James Ward [1769 - 1859] and is at The Tate. It looks good to me. And this picture is called The Roast Beef of Old England and is by James Lobley [1828 - 1888] and at the Bradford Museum and Art Gallery. it just needs some Yorkshire Puddings ...... This picture is called Monks in a Cellar and is by Joseph Haler [1816 - 1891] and is at The Wilson Gallery. I think this is what some of the good upstanding folk in Middleham were afraid of, and I can't help thinking that some of my Methodist Middleham ancestors may have been behind the movement to have a Knife and Fork Tea. Here are some very genteel ladies partaking of tea from dainty china. This picture is called Five o'clock tea and is by David Comba Adamson [1859 - 1926] and is at the Dundee Art Gallery. So what happened next? The Darlington and Stockton Times continued to report on the goings on in Middleham. A meeting was held, one hundred turned up. Mr John Topham was made chairman of a new committee. They resolved to have TWO subscription funds, one for a tea and another for a fountain. The original subscriptions were returned. They immediately raised £160 for the fountain and £90 for a tea and a fete. A proposal for a Dinner, Tea AND Dance was defeated, in the end they proposed cold meat, with beer at some tables and tea at others, this proposal was also thrown out, [it must have been a long meeting with votes on all these proposals]. A proposal was then made to have another meeting, committee be dissolved and the chairman to vacate the chair . There was then some disquiet about money which had been subscribed and what was going where. And the chairman and the dissolved committee issued a notice of a counter celebration and opened another subscription fund! This cartoon is of dancing and is called La Belle Assemblee or Sketches of Characteristic Dancing by George Cruikshank [1792 - 1878] and is dated 1818, and is in the Lewis Walpole collection. And this cartoon is called The Drunkard's Children and has the caption - From the gin shop to the dancing room and from the dancing room to the gin shop, the poor girl is driven on the course which ends in misery. By David Bogue [1807 - 1856] dated 1848, also in the Lewis Walpole Collection. Just to illustrate thoughts about dancing! And drinking! So what happened next? The Darlington and Stockton Times for 4th June 1887 reported that the committee appointed at the last meeting had broken up and subscriptions returned, a private meeting was held by Mr Topham at Castle Hill, and it was decided to hold a substantial meat tea for all the inhabitants of the town, including the children, and that was it. Now this was a different Mr Topham, same family, but a cousin. This is the 1881 census for Castle Hill where Mr Thomas Topham, solicitor, son of Christopher Topham, lived. He Saved The Day! So this is what happened, as reported on the 2nd July 1887. Rather a long report, but worth reading to get a flavour of those times in a tiny rural spot in the Yorkshire Dales. Thanksgiving services on behalf of the Queen were held in the parish church on Sunday last…. In the morning the Rector the Rev JGB Knight preached an able and instructive sermon from Romans chapter 13 1st verse, and during his discourse he alluded to the high tone of Her Majesty’s Christian character …. In the evening the curate, Rev J Thomas, preached from 1st Epistle St Peter, 2nd chapter 1st and 2nd verses … collections were taken after each service in aid of the “Victoria Fund” to assist poor clergymen. Anniversary services took place at the Wesleyan Chapel … An excellent fete for all the inhabitants, promoted by Mr Topham of Castle Hill, and a number of influential ladies and gentlemen, in commemoration of the Queen’s Jubilee, was held on Tuesday, by kind permission, in Mr Topham’s grounds in a large marquee … the event was favoured by beautiful weather. At an early hour the bells of the ancient parish church signalled the approach of the festive occasion with a merry peal. Flags were hoisted in all parts of the town, and decorations, festoons and mottoes were both profuse and elegantly arranged. There were triumphal arches in the grounds, the first bearing the motto “God Save The Queen” and a gas jet on the top in the shape of a crown and on each side the letters “VR” which were lighted at night…. The gas arrangement was certainly a great acquisition for the ball in the evening. A grand procession was formed at the Low Market Cross and proceeded through the town to the Castle grounds being preceeded by the Northallerton Temperance Band. The Leyburn Drum and Fife band was also in attendance. Shortly after reaching the field, athletic sports commenced [then the results of the races]. At half past two the children were regaled with an excellent tea. At four o’clock the adults sat down to a substantial meat tea, the whole numbering above 800. The committee men carved. Most of the lady waiters wore aprons made of Union Jack flags. After the inhabitants had finished their repast, a large number of tramps who were loitering in the field was invited to partake … several speeches were made and toasts proposed … The Rev JGB Knight thanked on behalf of those present for the kindness of Mr and Mrs T Topham in allowing the use of their grounds for the day. .. The dancing was led off by the Hon A.C.O. Powlett and Mrs W Swales in “The Triumph” .. at eight o’clock to the strains of the Leyburn Quadrille Band and continued until 12.30 on Wednesday morning. The trees were decorated with Chinese Lanterns making the scene quite like fairyland. At ten o’clock fireworks were let off in the grounds and balloons were let off. Unfortunately two of these caught fire … there then was a list of the committee who so successfully carried out the arrangements. And yes, they did erect a fountain. Queen Victoria [1819 - 1901] by Ernest Dudley Heath [1867 - 1945] at the Museum of the Order of St John. I do hope that whatever celebrations you attended for our own Dear Queen were both enjoyable and memorable.
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