King George V – Silver Jubilee – 1910-1935

Both George V and his wife Mary were of German descent and, from the time they came to the throne, both tried hard to win the hearts of the British, which couldn′t have been easy so soon, relatively speaking, after the death of their beloved Queen Victoria.

As an example, when the First World War started, George visited various military hospitals in Flanders, and munitions factories in England, in an effort to raise the morale of the troops and the nation. On, at least five of his visits to the battlefields, the troops loudly cheered him.

It was he who, having become so concerned that his German surname of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha might come between him and his people, changed it to Windsor. He, also, encouraged his cousins to do the same by changing their surnames to ones more English-sounding and this they did – for example, the Mountbatten family.

The King celebrated his Silver Jubilee on May 6th, 1935 and was surprised, pleased, and greatly moved by the display of affection for him, from his subjects. "I′d no idea they felt like that about me", he said, "I′m beginning to think that they like me for myself."

George V′s Silver Jubilee was the first to be celebrated by a British monarch as, what would have been Queen Victoria's Silver Jubilee, in 1862, didn′t take place because it was considered too soon after the death of her consort, Prince Albert, in December 1861, to do so.

After the Great War, most of George V′s reign had been a question of re-building the nation and, so, his Jubilee came to be looked upon as a celebration of peace.

Many souvenirs and memorabilia were produced at the time to mark the event; silver trays with picture of both the King and Queen in the centre; the inevitable mugs, beakers, plates, medals and, of course, souvenir newspapers, and books.

Throughout the Kingdom, in towns and villages, all manner of celebrations took place and Hooe was no exception.

The first official mention of a celebration, in Hooe, being discussed appeared in the Bexhill Observer on 26th January 1935, and it said,

"HOOE PARISH COUNCIL – A meeting was held in the Village Hall on Thursday of last week. Mr. A. R. Hayward presiding."

"General business of a routine character was transacted, and the local celebration of the King′s Silver Jubilee was discussed. It was decided to hold a public meeting at an early date."

The following appeared in the 2nd February edition of the Bexhill Observer: -

"HOOE"

"SILVER JUBILEE.- A public meeting is to he held in the Village Hall next Wednesday to consider what can be done in time to celebrate the King's Silver Jubilee"

And on that Wednesday, 6th February, a public meeting was held in the village and reported, in the newspaper, on the following Saturday, as follow:

"JUBILEE CELEBRATION - Under the auspices of the Parish Council, a public meeting was held in the Village Hall on Wednesday to consider what celebrations could be held in the village on the occasion of the King's Silver Jubilee. Mr. A. R. Hayward was in the chair. Free discussion was invited as to what might be attempted and how the cost could be met. It was resolved to form a provisional committee, with power to co-opt, to form sub-committees and appoint a treasurer and secretary. The committee will consist of Mr. A. R. Hayward (chairman), Mrs. Constant, Mr. H. Clifton, Mr. F. Hayes, Miss J. Hayward, Mr. Lely, Mr. and Mrs. Lennard, Mr, J. Lewis, Mr. and Mrs Newport, Mr, W. Sargent, Mr. E. Taylor and Mrs. F. Vitler."

From the Bexhill Observer (16th March 1935)

"Hooe"

"KING′S JUBILEE. – The committee met in the Village Hall on Wednesday, to make further arrangements for the celebration of the King′s Silver Jubilee. In the absence of Mr. A. R. Hayward, the chair was taken by Mr. F. Hayes, supported by Mr, J. J. Newport (hon. secretary). Sub-committees were appointed to make arrangements for the sports (secretary. Mr. W. Crouch), side shows (secretary, Mr. A. Lennard), and bonfire and decorations (secretary. Mr. W. Newport). It was decided to buy Jubilee mugs for the children. It was suggested that an open-air drumhead service would be held at 1.30 p.m., with the Hooe Prize Band in attendance."

From the Bexhill Observer 23rd February 1935

"HOOE"

"JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS. Further arrangements for celebrating the King's Silver Jubilee were made at a meeting of the committee at the Village Hall this week. Mr. A. R. Hayward was in the chair, supported by Mr. J. J. Newport (hon. secretary). It was announced that Mr. S. Morris, of Akehurst's Farm had offered the use of his field for the occasion. The committee decided to hold a public tea and sports and have a bonfire and fireworks in the evening. Mementos of mugs or medals were to be given to the children according to the money available."

From the Bexhill Observer, 20th April 1935

"JUBILEE MEETING – The Silver Jubilee Committee met in the Village Hall to make further arrangements for the celebrations on May 6th. Mr F. Hayes was in the chair and others present included the Vicar (the Rev. A. W. E. Dowse) and Mr. J. J. Newport, (hon. Secretary)."

"The Chairman reported that the Jubilee Mugs for the children were expected to be delivered in a few days. Mrs Constant had promised to pay for them. The secretary announced that the fireworks had been received and placed in the Hall cupboard. It was decided that no charge should be made for the public tea and that it should be open to all parishioners and sanctioned guests. The sports and general secretaries were instructed to draw up a programme of events and have 250 copies printed to be sold on the ground."

"The committee decided to ask Mrs. Dowse to distribute the prizes at seven oclock, and request Mr. S. Morris to light the bonfire, which was to be built up by Mr. W. Newport. The Vicar suggested that a permanent memorial of the event might be made in the planting of trees or by the erection of a public seat or shelter. It was decided that the balance of the funds for the celebrations on May 6th should be devoted to a memorial, which would possibly include a recording of the names of those in the parish who fell in the Great War. As regards the sports it was agreed that entrants over 14 years of age should be charged an entrance fee. Consolation prizes would probably be offered."

"The Vicar said that he thought some souvenirs should be sent to the Hooe patients in hospital. This matter was to be further discussed at the next meeting."

"The sum of 10 was voted to the ladies for the tea arrangements and 5 for the side-show expenses.

From the Bexhill Observer, 4th May, 1935.

VILLAGE CELEBRATIONS

HOOE - A drumhead service at 1.30 p.m. marks the opening of the celebrations at Hooe. The Vicar (the Rev. A. W. E. Dowse) is to conduct the service, which will be led by the Hooe Prize Band. From two to four oclock sports will be held and a childrens fancy dress procession will leave the school, headed by the band. Side shows and all the usual fun on a fair ground have been arranged."

"After a public tea a masque and country dancing are to be enjoyed, followed by more sports and the presentation of the prizes. A bonfire is to be lit at 9.20, with a full fireworks display. The concluding item is a dance at the Village Hall.

Also, from the Bexhill Observer, on the same date, 4th May, 1935.

HOOE"

"JUBILEE MEETING a meeting of the Hooe Jubilee Committee was held in the Village Hall last week, Mr. A. R. Hayward presiding, supported by the General Hon. Secretary (Mr. J. J. Newport) and the Vicar (the Rev. A. W. E. Dowse). It was decided that Mrs. Bate should take as many children as possible to have tea in the schoolroom. It was agreed to ask Mrs. Constant to present the jubilee mugs at 7 oclock. Mrs Scotchers offer to lend crockery was accepted with thanks. The Sports Secretary reported that the programme would be of a souvenir character.

Finally, the great day arrived and the whole village turned out to enjoy the celebrations and, as used to happen in those days and, did so, where I lived, up until the late 1950s, everyone took part not just enjoying the entertainment but helping to provide it and enjoying doing that just as much.

The Bexhill Observer gave a long descriptive account of the days events in Hooe, which provides us with the names of some of the villagers who attended in one capacity or another.

The article, in the Bexhill Observer, dated 11th May 1935, has a heading in large bold type -

NOVELTIES AT HOOE

Village Blacksmith Fires the Anvil

There were some unique incidents during Jubilee day at Hooe. The villagers were aroused at five o'clock in the morning by Mrs. Cornford playing a melodeon. She was joined by other ladies with musical instruments and the inhabitants were very soon out of bed ready for a full programme of celebrations."

"A loud report disturbed the slumbers of the slackers an hour later. It was Mr. F. Hayes, the blacksmith, who has shod for royalty, giving the royal salute by firing the anvil. He repeated the salute later in the day."

"The Vicar (the Rev. A. W. E. Dowse) conducted a drumhead service in the early afternoon, which was attended by the Hooe Prize Band. A collection for hospitals amounted to 2 18s 7d."

"Fun of The Fair"

"All the fun of the fair was enjoyed in the afternoon when sports were the chief item. There were races for both children and adults. A fancy dress parade was another feature."

"A public tea in the Village Hall was attended by about 300 adults. The children, who numbered 100, had their tea in the School Room and each received a Jubilee mug. Mr. Lade and a party from Ninfield arrived on the ground in a decorated lorry and distributed oranges to the villagers."

"Mr E. Morris lit a huge bonfire after nine o'clock and this was followed by a firework display. A dance in the Village Hall brought the celebrations to a close. The music was provided by Mr. Lade's jazz band."

"Of the decorations, special mention must be made of the Village Hall, which was elaborately adorned."

"The prize-winners for the sports and fancy dresses are given below:-"

"SPORTS"

FANCY DRESS

Girls - 1 Kathleen Sheather; 2, Pamela Cavey; 3, Drusilla Hayes.
Boys - 1. Raymond Sargent; 2, Philip Lennard; 3, Gerald Taylor.
Adults -1. Mrs. Ernest Gander; 2, Miss Sheather; 3, Mr. A. Lennard.
Special prize: Alexander Smith with his Rag Time Band

Following the Jubilee, there was a Parish Council Meeting at which the finances resulting from the celebrations were discussed and a reasonable balance-in-hand.

From the Bexhill Observer, 25th May 1935: -

SILVER JUBILEE A Meeting of the committee was held in the Village Hall, last week, Mr A. R. Hayward presiding. He was supported by the Vicar (the Rev. A. E. W. Dowse and the Hon. Secretary (Mr. J. J. Newport). Mr Newport reported that the receipts amounted to 53 7s 9d., and there was a balance in hand of 21 15s 3d. This sum was to be devoted to the erection of a public shelter as a permanent memorial. It was stated that many villagers had expressed a desire that the shelter should bear a tablet with the names of the local men who fell in the Great War. The Secretary stated that the proceeds of the Jubilee dance amounted to 1 18s 3d., and this had been spent on new crockery for the Hall. As a result of the collection on the ground on Monday, 3 had been divided between the Bexhill, Royal East Sussex (Hastings) and the Princess Alice (Eastbourne) Hospitals.

In the same newspaper, in the same column, was the following report on the plans for the new shelter.

NEW SHELTER During the week-end members of the Jubilee Celebrations Committee surveyed a proposed site for the erection of a public shelter as a permanent memorial of the Kings Jubilee. They met in the village hall on Monday and discussed plans. It was decided that the best site was at Hooe Common, at the junction of Pevensey-road and Barnhorn-road, in front of the Post Office. The committee agreed to invite plans and estimates.

I haven't found the shelter, as yet but I've got to leave something for when I get old!