George Freeston - a series of three articles
in the Blisworth Round & About 1987/8

Some Posters and more notes

From the word 'Go' way back in 1845 with the opening of the branch line to Northampton and Peterborough coupled with the establishment of the first class station of the new site, Thomas Shaw of the Angel Hotel, Northampton and our local Richard Dunkley lost no time in formulating their plans to build a new Railway Posting Hotel and Pleasure Garden next to the station built by Richard Dunkley. Both men were already experienced in the new world of Railway needs, especially where money could be made. The Shaw family of the Northampton Hotel 'The Angel' in Bridge Street had already developed an important coaching service, so it was simply a case for them to switch their routes for their horse drawn vehicles to connect with the new Railway Stations. Likewise, Richard Dunkley, the Blisworth entrepreneur, had been heavily involved in the years prior to 1838 in railway work, and he leapt at all the opportunities of furthering his business.

So it was with the new Station at Blisworth. Both men were primed for action. One factor in their favour was that they both had previously met and dealt with the land-owner George Henry the 4th Duke of Grafton who was a keen supporter of the new level Station, which being well served by new local Turnpikes offered the Duke a splendid service from his mansion at Wakefield Lawn, Potterpury to enable him to connect with trains running North and South as well as the new branch line to Peterborough. In those early days of travel the Duke could arrive at Blisworth by his own horse drawn carriage which was then lifted on to a railway flat top truck. So horse, carriage and owner could tirelessly arrive at London, unload, and drive about London in his own vehicle. There's nothing new in this mode of travel be it by cars or rail or crossing the Channel with your car on the ferry. The Duke of Grafton also kept a close watch on the standard of building of the Stable Block at the Hotel ... insisting on the highest standards. It was often said that horses had better accommodation than the labourers.

The lease for 79 years was accepted by Mr. Shaw and supported by the Directors of the Northampton Phipps Brewery who likewise had had good business relations with the Shaw family and the Angel Hotel. With the Hotel built by Mr. Dunkley the 3.25 acre garden site was tackled and laid out in terraces with a large central level area and liberally planted with trees and shrubs, many of which have survived to the present day.

Within a couple of years Blisworth Posting House Hotel and Railway Hotel and Pleasure Gardens became widely advertised. The Railway Company soon became involved too by putting on 'Pleasure' trains from Northampton to Blisworth on weekdays ... but not on Sundays. Trains fares combined the charge for the Hotel Gardens as well as a discount on refreshments. First Class travel return tickets were one shilling (Old Money) and second Class six pence (Old Money). Music was provided by a seemingly endless supply of Brass Bands both Civil and Military. Stage Artists and general entertainers were already conducting tours by rail, much as our present day 'Pop Stars' do today. Pleasure Gardens were springing up in all cities and towns especially if served on or near to the growing Railway network. For instance stars from London's Vauxhall Gardens or Manchesters 'Belle Vue' duly arrived at Blisworth to give performances. In October 1849 a Mr. Creed arrived with his 'Royal Victoria' Balloon but rain stopped his first appearance. On the following week he made a successful ascent with two passengers. Travelling westward it got caught up with a 'raging wind' during which the balloon basket caught trees and fences. It made a safe descent in a field at the village of Tredington near to Shipton-on-Stour after a trip of 1 hr. 20 mins. Again in 1850 an even larger balloon arrived made with 1,200 yards of silk and 120 feet in circumference, held 200,000 gallons of gas and, with the undercarriage attached, was 66 feet high. It was billed that a 'Living Animal' would be taken up attached to a parachute and duly launched over the Gardens. As no description of the animal was stated it leaves the reader to conjure up whether elephant or mouse was used.

The Gardens opened all day for this event. Special trains ran every half hour from Northampton. A Brass Band attended which played 'All Day'.

As I have not located a record of the balloonists achievements I am unable to tell you whether the day was a success or not. Newspapers carried even larger adverts announcing that Thomas Shaw offered fun for all the family with refreshments at both the Hotel rooms or at the Station refreshment room which has also a Shaw sideline. Not only did folk arrive by train but Mr. Shaw's horse drawn omnibus plied to and from Towcester and the area. From the Hotel one could hire (self drive) post-chaises flys and saddle horses etc. One June day in 1858 'Mons Julliens' and his unrivalled band played in the Pavilion assisted by a choir of Damoiselles'. A troup of Chinese magicians turned up from the Royal Theatre at Drury Lane with their acts of 'Legerdemain' and 'Necromancy' etc. In 1862 the Great Blondin came bringing his 'High Rope' which was stretched across the centre lawn. (He had previously crossed the Niagara Falls). This same act was repeated by walking the 'high rope' then standing on his head, followed by wheeling a wheelbarrow with a man on his back. (He should have least have sat in the barrow).

Most of the special occasions were followed by spectacular Firework Displays and music.

Northampton Floral and Horticultural Society held their shows at the extensive and beautiful Hotel gardens. Picnics and food were arranged and the trees were hung with thousands of glass candle lamps in various colours. But still NO Sunday opening.

Parties came in even greater numbers; Sunday School Outings: Workhouse Inmates: came on their Annual Outings. Temperance Unions held their Grand Fetes enlivened by their own Brass Bands and large quantity of TEA. Not only was the Hotel fully used by the public but the Shaw Family somehow squeezed into the remaining spaces. At the 1861 census there was Thomas Shaw aged 54 and his wife 52; their seven children were Anne 22; Charlotte 20; Thomas Jnr. 19; Emily 15; John 14; Richard 12; Elizabeth 9; and a second cousin 28. Resident Staff was a cook 51; Housemaid 18; Kitchen Maid 19; Waitress 21; Barmaids three 21, 28 and 19 respectively. One Hostler 25 years and the most important 'Boots' aged 16 years. I am quite sure that the Staff was doubled by day workers needed to attend to the stabling ... and the gardens, they presumably would have been locals. By 1866 Thomas Shaw 'Called it a day' and he appointed a Manager. He made the following statement to the local papers. 'I tender with grateful thanks to the nobility, Gentry and general public for their kind and flattering patronage afforded me during the many years I have occupied Blisworth Hotel and Gardens. I have appointed a Miss Whiteman as Manager, late of the Midland Hotel at Derby.

The Shaws continued to hold both the Angel Hotel at Northampton and Blisworth under the watchful eye of Mrs. Shaw and Managers. Mr. T. Shaw died in 1874.

It is recorded that he was one of the largest and most extensive coach proprietors in England ... no one kept better horses. He saw railways arrive, which killed off many rival coaching companies, but T. Shaw by moving into the greater Hotel trade made a success. He was a keen cricketer and as a dying Christian he thanked God for the many mercies he had received. I would assume that he was buried at the Northampton Church of St Giles as was his Father. The Blisworth Hotel Shaws did however, have a connection with our Village Church for three of his daughters were married from it ... Anne, Emily and Elizabeth and a son Thomas.

There is also an interesting local connection; on June 19th, 1952 John Camberlain aged 23 married Iris Sheila Stratton, daugther of Eva Stratton, at Blisworth Church, the Rector was the Rev. P. K. Challen. Sheila with her parents lived at 'Jasmine Cottage', High Street, and Northampton. John, however, is a great grandson of the said Thomas Shaw of Blisworth Hotel.

Mr G. de Wilde (1830-1870), editor for 40 years of the Northampton Mercury wrote the following:- 'To write of Blisworth and to say nothing about Blisworth Gardens be almost like playing Hamlet and leaving out the character of the Prince of Denmark'. He goes on to mention the charming grounds, brilliant with flowers and refreshed with greenest turf and shady bowers, but a pleasanter place to saunter in with a book at noon-day, or when you desire - 'a nest for evening weariness'. He also mentioned the twinkling lights in the shrubberies and the lingering sound of music with ladies' laughter coming through the shade'. I must not let such romantic visions cloud my brain so I will 1 press on with the story of the Hotel and Gardens.

After the death of Thomas Shaw the management was handled by his widow up to 1879. The new proprietor was Charles Parker who found the establishment a little run down - incidentally this was the first change of owner since the inception of both Hotel and Gardens in 1847. Mr Parker was quick to make extensive alterations especially to the Pleasure Gardens. He built a covered orchestra pavilion to accommodate 100 performers and a new Concert Hall for indoor entertainments and a new roller skating rink of 700 sq. yds. Additional refreshment bars and tea arbours were erected as well as an open air stage and he continued to run the refreshment rooms on the Station Platform, charges at which were higher than in the Hotel Gardens - to this complaint he blamed the rentage charged by the Railway Company. On completion of the improvements he widely advertised claiming that the Hotel and Gardens were the most accommodating and central place of Public Resort in the Midlands. The Grand re-opening Fete and Gala was billed for Saturday 6th October, 1879 and on the following Monday (still seemingly never on a Sunday). BUT IT RAINED BOTH DAYS. He boldly claimed that he could give 3000 persons in various rooms and pavilions good entertainment - AND ONLY ONE MINUTE FROM THE STATION. Poor Charles Parker didn't live long enough to enjoy the fruits of his labours for by 1881 his widow took charge until 1890 when she gave up the Hotel.

Then followed a Robert A Ashby whose name appears in the local trade directories from 1890 to 1898, by which time he would have read of the new form of transport i.e. the internal combustion contraption called the motor carriage which was to gradually oust the horse from our roads.

By 1899 yet another proprietor appears - this time a 45 year old widower named Os. Cooke Wareing who in the same year married a 41 year old Patty Darley whose father was a House Steward and the Bridegrooms father was a builder - altogether a useful combination of in-laws. The Gardens flourished and were used for a great variety of celebrations. The inset picture is of the "Fancy Bazaar" which was created around 1900 but there's no-one who can recall where it was!  The formation of a branch line Westward from Blisworth Station in 1866 had opened up a large new catchment area with easy access to the Blisworth Hotel. Blisworth folk made good use of the Hotel and grounds for their Fetes and money raising stunts. For the non walkers the farmers provided the wagons to get the people there. I recently found a programme card issued for a 'QUADRILLE PARTY' held at the Hotel on 13th March 1894 - It is certainly totally different from our modern discos!! The decorated programme card is lined with printed dance titles against each line a space provided for the holder of the card to obtain the names of partners she would wish to dance with thus filling the evenings programme. The date of the programme is 13th March 1894 and I give you some of the dances :

'Polka-Waltz; Quadrille; Mazurka; Lancers; Princes Quadrille; Shottische; Caledonian Waltz; Cotillion; with the grand finale Waltz Gallop. I must say that I think that I have seen the lot, for in my youthful days it was 'May I have the pleasure' when approaching a likely partner.

Following Mr Wareing 1899-1908 there appeared a Mr & Mrs Edward Francis Tresham whose name lingers on in the memories of numerous village elders including myself. The Tresham parents had two children; a girl named Nora and a boy named Guy, a somewhat fitting name for the family stemmed from the celebrated Northamptonshire family one of whose members Sir Francis Tresham, had been one of the conspirators with Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot. In keeping with the past Hotel proprietors who in turn had witnessed early balloonists, steam railways, cars, motor cycles and cycles. It was the good fortune of the Treshams to see their first flying machine. It so happened that a pilot - Claud Graham White had entered his flying machine, a Farman Bi-Plane in a race from London to Manchester. The other competitor was a Frenchman named Mssr Paulan. Starting late in the day Graham White was forced to land as night approached at Roade where he stayed at Dr. Ryans house - it is said that the local farmer in who's field Mr. White had landed padlocked the gate and going over to the intrepid pilot said "Now Sir, you got in without permission but I'll see you don't get out for I've locked the gate".

Hundreds of people made their way to Roade to see this early aircraft including the Tresham family from the Hotel. Many folk landing vigil all night in order to see the departure next morning. The Frenchman had landed in Lichfield for the night well ahead of Mr White. Graham White however, decided to take off at 2.50 am the next morning in the dark, a feat never before attempted in Europe.

(Sadly the Frenchman was informed of this manoeuvre so he too made an early start). At Roade cars ringed the field with their car head lights on, and not without qualms amongst the onlookers the aircraft rose and sailed away into the night - sadly again the engine later developed trouble and a second landing was made. Thus Mssr. Paulhan the Frenchman arrived at Manchester to win the £10,000 prize at 44 mph average speed. A spectator commented;-"Twas a curious thing said Oones to me, relieving his mind of a load - that the French machine in the famous race - was forced to go by Road(e)".

And so back to the Blisworth Hotel and the Treshams during their period 1908-1926. During the World War I years, German prisoners were off loaded from the railway at Blisworth and marshalled in the station yard fronting the Hotel, then marched to the 'Prisoner of War Camp' at nearby Eastcote. The prisoners reception guards used to arrive in good time so that they could enjoy their 'pintas' at the Hotel Bar - there were numerous incidents on these occasions. I well remember seeing the prisoners.

Following the 1914-18 war other entertainment centres were attracting pleasure seeking folk. Franklin's Gardens in Northampton became a new centre for Northamptonians - their attractions followed much the same pattern as the Hotel had done last century such as balloonists and pageants; the Blisworth Hotel lawn was turned into Tennis Courts. Regular dances were held in the Ballroom; Wedding parties were well catered for etc. The 79 year lease expired in 1926. Although some previous occupiers called themselves proprietors, they were in fact managers . Foreseeing changes ahead of ownership, probably caused Mr Tresham to call it a day - after 18 years at Blisworth; he retired and moved to Duston.

Also in the year 1926 the 79 year old lease held by Phipps Brewery of Northampton had expired.

The next recorded license was MR CHRISTOPHER FINNEGAN. He made a small contribution to the history of the Hotel by being the first Blisworth Hotelier to have a telephone installed, his local exchange number was 16. Mr Finnegan stepped out of the Hotel in 1929 when a Mr G.H Roberts comes into the picture for a short period. By March 1932 the Hotel and Gardens were bought by Major Steedman. Many changes were made by him including the construction of a splendid swimming pool which was fed from a natural water course running through the gardens, there were 75 changing cubicles, a children's paddling pool, and a high and spring diving board, as well as a water slide, this local innovation attracted a lot of people from a wide area, transport via the new family cars brought in the crowds. After four years Major Speedman sold out to a Mr G.W.Hodges in 1936, who in a quick turn-around sold the Hotel and gardens 'lock, stock and bathing pool' to Miss Marjorie Somers in 1939. In November 1944 there was another change of ownership to Messre. Gensalve Ltd, the licensee Manageress could have been a Mrs Maude V. Godier, of these facts I am not quite clear. Then in quick time three changes of ownership followed one after the other - from the Magistrates licensing list the following names are recorded:- January 1946 - Gertrude V Curry; April 1946 - Alfred F Charlton; followed by Richard C.N. Woodhouse in 1947. During the war years plus the Hotel attracted a large following from the American Air-force bases, especially those from the Oxford direction. It was voiced that the Whisky supply was endless, so seemingly was the American money. By March 1948 a new owner took over whose name was Sir Francis Leyland-Barratt who installed as his manager/licencee - John Henry Eaton-Hall; both men were ex-Life Guardsmen who had served in the forces together. John was a very popular 'Landlord'. In February 1949 he married a Miss Eleanor Morgan whose father was the licensee of the ancient Talbot Hotel at Towcester. All things looked set for a long run and it was hoped that Mr and Mrs J Eaton-Hall would make the Hotel their home for many years ... but it was not to be. On 6th October 1955 the Hotel & Gardens were put up for sale by auction in London without reserve; the report also stated that the furniture and contents would be sold in November (surmising that the Hotel would be sold).

BUT THERE WASN'T A SINGLE BID MADE FOR THE HOTEL!!

It was thought that a caravan firm was interested in the site attached to the hotel.

Dancers circulating on the ballroom floor on the night of 18th November 1955, thought that it would be their last night - and on the following Monday the locals were to have had their last pint with the landlord. The auction sale of the whole contents of the Hotel had been advertised - beer engines and the lot, including garden seats which carried a plaque saying that they came from Lady Leyland-Barratts Walk, presumably the Barratts property from their former home. 'But hold on' - News soon spread around that the buyers for the whole of the hotel and gardens had turned up, and subject to the exchange of contracts, it had been sold as a going concern. 'Hurrah said the locals' - change of ownership took place on Tuesday 13th December 1955. Outgoing Mr & Mrs J.H. Eaton-Hall moved down to Newmarket where they took over a Hotel in the High Street. The new owners were Mr Harold Faithful of New Bradwell and Mr Horace Green of Bletchley, neither having any experience in the hotel line, seemingly appointed a manager whose name could have been Thompson. By this time caravans had appeared in the Hotel grounds, many belonging to the engineers and workers employed in the construction of the Northamptonshire stretch of the new M1 Motorway which was opened on the 2nd November 1959.

By May 1960 the two Buckinghamshire businessmen pulled out of their hotel venture, and on the 8th June the establishment was again on the market - at the Auction the highest bid was £4,000, £1,000 short of the reserve price even though a lot of interest had been shown by some of the 50 people present in the hotel's ballroom at Blisworth. The outgoing owners had named the restaurant 'The Hunters Moon'. Once again the hotel was sold privately to a Mr R.G. Archer of Hockcliffe, the price was not revealed. Mr Archer said that he would run the premises as a Hotel with mid-week dances and at week-ends commencing 8th July 1960. The next names that appear on the scene were Mr Frank Topham and his father John, they represented a family syndicate calling themselves Topham Estates, they had bought both Hotel and gardens. In 1963 a young Alan Mathews arrived at Blisworth Gardens from London, together with his wife. Alan's job was to assist Frank Topham in the development and running the then established Caravan Park.

Seemingly Mr Topham realised that land surface was worth more than water so the swimming pool which became rather tatty was filled in, and the area was concreted for a car park. Later Mr Topham sold away the Hotel but retained the gardens, and Alan.

With the development of the new and larger Caravans so the Park developed on more permanent lines - individuals creating splended pocket gardens around their homes.

The Topham syndicate sold the Park in 1969 to a Charles Simpson Organisation, Alan continues as Manager and under his direction the whole Park is being transformed into a splendid Residential area of permanent dwellings starting at £30,000 to £65,000.

I now come to the last chapter which takes us up to the present year 1988. Following the Topham sale of the Hotel the next name I have is Mr P.H Vanderveldon and partner Mr. Ernest Huff. By Febuary 1974 Mr Dino Charalambous buys the Hotel on a 40 year lease. Later in 1974 Mr J.R Yates became the Licencees. In May 1978 Mr C.E Bentham appears and with him a partner Mr N.S Fookes. By June 1982 and 1983 Mr Fookes stays on but two different partners names appear; July 1985 - the tenant Licensee was a Mr D. Horrix, changing again in Febuary 1986 to a Mr J. Reissman. Finally, to date, Mr David Unwin with partner Mr John Everett took over on 1st May, 1987 followed by a splendid opening celebration on Tuesday 19th May, 1987 and... no longer using the name 'Blisworth Hotel' it becomes 'Beadles of Blisworth.

By the way, as I have only mentioned names taken from the Magistrates list of Licensees I haven't mentioned wives and families who likewise came to Blisworth Hotel and in many cases shared in schooling and other village activities, plus of course the need for a feminine hand in the Hotels running.