A Quick Trip to Scotland Via Australia

I have recently been trawling the Australian newspaper archive (trove.nla.gov.au) in order to write my latest publication – “The Gossiper’s Association”. This is a fictional account of actors Cicely Courtneidge and Thorley Walters’ year in the Antipodes. Of course while I was having a rummage in there, I had to see if there were any references to British village halls. Perhaps there had been some fracas that our own newspapers had been shy to report.

What I did find in the Canberra Times in 1963 was brief reference to Duffus Village Hall in Scotland, the village near where Gordonstoun School is situated. Famous for a certain Royal alumni, the school apparently used the hall for an annual handicrafts exhibition. In 1963, young Prince Charles was notable in his absence from this worthy exhibition in what was then a glorified Nissan hut. Where was the lad? The Canberra Times had the answer. He was in trouble. Apparently he had been on a visit to Stornoway on the school boat and (brace yourself) had purchased an alcoholic cherry brandy in the local hostelry for 2 shillings and sixpence. All concerned probably thought it a good idea if he lay low for a while. They didn’t want a press hoo-ha between the pottery tables.

The Canberra Times reported that the Washington Post had called for the prince to be caned (slow worldwide news day this, obviously) but the laid back Australians were of a different mind. They finished their report with the line:

“He sounds alright to us.”

Good on ya, mates.

Here is a link to my new book "The Gossiper's Association" just in case I have piqued your interest:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gossipers-Association-Courtneidge-Thorley-Australia-ebook/dp/B07XTHJJ2Z

Comments

Woods Ware China at the Serving Hatch - The Book!

I have now put together a book to accompany this blog, featuring all the best bits and much more besides, about the development and use of village halls over the past century. It costs £1.29 for a Kindle download and £3.99 for a printed version. Here's the blurb: "Enter any village hall and look at the noticeboard. The range of activities taking place these days is enough to keep anyone entertained. Cinema evenings, keep fit classes, scouts, Women’s Institute, St John’s Ambulance, lunch clubs, support groups - all keeping the physical and spiritual on the straight and narrow. Where would we be without the village hall? What a marvellous innovation, and one that seems to grow in importance as we realise that we have lost sight of community somewhat, and need to nurse it back to life. You might, if you were in a particularly philosophical mood while hanging around the vestibule, wonder where and how it all began." English village halls have been a fixture of our lands...

The Curious Case of the Whitminster Village Hall Thief

This article is copied from The Illustrated Police News, 14 February 1935: Judge Thanked "Thank you very much, sir, I've got off very light." Remarked John Moore, 76, when sentenced by Mr Justice Hawke at Gloucester Assizes to six months imprisonment on charges of breaking into Whitminster Village Hall and stealing articles valued at 4 shillings and 6 pence. There was a term of 344 days remaining of a previous sentence, and Moore was told that he would have to serve that time. P.S. (Police Sergeant) Howkins revealed that since 1904 Moore had been continually in and out of prison. Since that time he had been sentenced seven times to penal servitude, involving in all 23 years. In addition, he was in 1927 sentenced to four years imprisonment and had served further sentences most of them in respect of house breaking. Moore's last sentence was three year's penal servitude. Moore handed in a statement to the judge, beginning "I most respectfully wish t...

Dixon of Fingers Green

In what could be the script from a gentle BBC comedy of the 60s or 70s, the village policeman triumphed at the horticultural show in a small Kent village. The local bobby walked away from the Village Hall with 11 out of 14 prizes. A cub reporter from the local rag dared to ask the green fingered P.C. if he talked to his blooms, to which the answer came: "No." He was encouraged to elaborate: "Talking to them, singing to them, music, that's all a lot of tripe. There's no substitute for hard work. You have to treat them like children, water them and care for them." I suppose he's right. There are similarities. Both flowers and children are prone to infestations of little creatures. And they never quite turn out how you expect, but sometimes you're lucky. Have a look at my novella for more vintage gardening fun

Woods Ware China at the Serving Hatch

Search This Blog