Special Occasions Part I , Blisworth, Northamptonshire, UK.

All pictures are presented at relatively low resolution.  There will be hundreds of pictures on this site - there is an economic limit to the webspace available.  The point of this presentation is that you can see for yourself the extent of the collection and return later as the collection expands - as it surely will.  Any interest in copies of a picture at a higher resolution (ie. clarity) should be directed through contacts given in the Blisworth "Round and About" parish council publication or using the comment form on the home page.  In some cases the pictures are not available due to copyright restrictions.  However, permission has been obtained, where possible, to include them here.  Printed below each image is the photographer's name, if known.

Back to INDEX page                 This is Part I                Part II                Part III

Footnote:  Before we start looking at "Occasions" in Blisworth, read what was done to celebrate the 1810 Jubilee of George III or possibly when we defeated Napoleon in 1815.

23-01

Blisworth Benefits Club, c. 1890.  Many of the men carry tall staves which have wooden knobs on top.  By tradition, such staves were used in country street dancing to whirl coloured ribbons etc.

George Freeston has referred to the club as the Penny Club - where parents pay the rector a penny (1d.) a week and this saved up to buy clothing for a needy child.    It is likely anyway that a small number of such clubs co-existed in the village in addition to the custom of the Duke of Grafton providing a load of coal for the village in each Autumn.

The house just to the right of the banner is the Manor Farm house (Mr. Gibbs)

23-02   At the Blisworth Gardens were held displays by the ladies of the Primrose League, c. 1896  This was a sort of musical formation biking for exercise, fun and display to an appreciative audience.  Above all, it was to demonstrate the independence of women when it came to having fun.

The Primrose League disbanded as recently as 2004 - the link here takes you to their information website.  The league was formed in 1883 and inspired by Disraeli.  It strove for unity between the classes, promoted women's rights but deprecated the suffragette movement.  By 1920, women far outnumbered men as members.  Once the Conservative Party had established its regional and central offices, the league could see no future role.

23-04

In the 1920's draughts caused a shortage at all the village pumps.  The pumps were locked up throughout the day and unlocked for one hour at 6am and 6pm each day.  The assembly of people is not posed for the camera.

23-07  Tree planting ceremony for the Jubilee in 1935 -this and the next two pictures.  Evidently four trees were planted but only two oaks survive today.  Better photos at this page.

A series of bills for costs incurred by companies, village traders and individuals provides insight into costs and level of cooperation needed for this sort of celebration.

23-10a   The parade band, probably a post WWII Feast day procession.

There are more parade pictures in Part III.

Picture kindly provided by the Paxton family

The first aeroplane over Northampton.  More research needed.  The location, and the unusual gate, are unknown.

Another fancy dress party followed by various celebrations was held on the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II but there appears to be no photographic record.

23-13  The church choir led by Eddie Ayres on a Feast Day, 25th July, 1952.  The event was known as a "Procession of Witness".

23-14  The last Grafton Hunt to meet at the Old Elm Tree in Blisworth.  Date c. 1950.

23-33 below

There follows a group of pictures taken of the "Wild and Woolly" which was held each year on Boxing Day in Fishweir Close (Fisher..)

More "Wild & Woolly" pictures in Part II.

Part II