Introduction Early Bournemouth in its commercial success may have had a negative impact on a category of business in rural Greater Westover. Young shoemakers, resident in a part of this area, appear to have built a commercial combine based on ties of kinship and friendship. Successful at first, its members later drifted away leaving only […]
Introduction Cultural life began early in the public world of Victorian Bournemouth. Press references suggest that, for the most part, it emphasised music, but other activities occurred. The presence of pianos in auctioneers’ advertisements testifies to the symbolic as well as perhaps actual importance that music played in private lives. Advertisements by music teachers also […]
Introduction Greedy lodginghouse keepers featured in a series of letters written to the Poole & Dorset Herald in 1854. Their author, Dr A.W.P. Pinkerton, adopted as his theme the ‘Capabilities of Bournemouth’. Pinkerton’s subject consisted of invalids, his concern lying in their obtaining the best conditions. He dwelt much on the standards of housing and […]
Introduction Female entrepreneurs appear to have played a major if not the main role in the key business category of lodginghouses at early Victorian Bournemouth. Female entrepreneurs Women in charge Although the documentation suggests that men participated in running some lodginghouses, female entrepreneurs perhaps took the lead in operations. Other evidence shows that for two […]
Introduction Lodginghouses developed into an important part of early Victorian Bournemouth’s economy, the fluid nature of the category reflecting the dynamics of the ever-expanding town. Not least, this business afforded opportunities for women to establish personal and economic independence. Early trends The earliest found directory (1849) listed a single lodginghouse keeper, Mrs Slidle. Before going […]