Victorian Bournemouth (238) has investigated events surrounding the bankruptcy of draper Stephen Ely. It has uncovered a web of dubious supply and financial management. The case leaves unanswered whether Ely’s involvement concerned just commercial failure or extended into the dubious practice of evading insolvency. He claimed never to have met the man to whom he transferred his assets, with the entire process carried out through the unilateral signing of documents. However, soon after, the business went up for sale at £5,000, a price well below the value of his buildings.
Author: Kitablios
Victorian Bournemouth (237): fabric trends
Victorian Bournemouth (237) has found that the fabric’s business bustled its way into an important component within the local economy. The category, employing always more people, spread into the suburbs. It drew more women into the economy. Competition introduced new fabrics, induced specialisation amongst retailers, and changed consumers’ shopping experience. The opening of Plummer, Roddis, Tyrrell summarised the category’s changes under one roof in spring, 1898.
Victorian Bournemouth (236): steam-packet blues
Victorian Bournemouth (236) examines the history of the local Steam Packet company during the 1880s and 1890s. The company did not establish a well-defined mission, shifting among various aims. These included serving as a vanity project for its directors, seeking to compete with other companies for profits, and contributing to the town’s reputation. Multiple factors, such as adverse weather, an economic downturn in the early 1890s, and management challenges, contributed to the company’s closure.
Victorian Bournemouth (235): commercial terrain (1890s)
Victorian Bournemouth (235) surveyed the commercial terrain evident during the 1890s. It finds that enterprises perhaps adhered to the changing commercial norms wrought by the country’s governments. Nevertheless, Bournemouth’s early success, resulting in part from a strong, closed network comprised of a few people, perhaps experienced difficulties as time passed. By then, the scale of activity required a more open system, welcoming new ideas and qualified people.
Victorian Bournemouth (234): Q2 summary
Victorian Bournemouth (234) has summarised the articles published in the last quarter. These took community groups as an overall theme. It has shown how the groups differed according to their position within the Maslow hierarchy. In addition, it has observed how, while some groups attempted to perpetuate class and gender prejudice, others succeeded in bringing together all members of society. In some cases, therefore, the groups constituted jeux sans frontières.
Victorian Bournemouth (233): Town Interest Association
Victorian Bournemouth (233) has followed the Town Interest Association as it fluttered into public attention for a short time. Philpots blazed a short-lived trajectory through local politics, but, as did other gentlefolk, he abandoned the town. Perhaps the Association’s main success consisted of launching the community career of its secretary, John Armitage Crawshaw. He adhered to the model whereby others of humble origin achieved respectability at Bournemouth. He exemplified how individuals of modest origins could attain respectability in Bournemouth. His involvement in many activities would have established a broad presence within the community.
Victorian Bournemouth (232): golf
Victorian Bournemouth (232) notes that Meyrick Park, the resort’s first golf course, boosted the local economy by attracting gentle folk and leisured people to the new sport of golf. This supported tourism and promoted Bournemouth’s fashionable image. It also provided jobs, bringing income and an opportunity for social improvement to local working people.
Victorian Bournemouth (231): CEWMU
Victorian Bournemouth (231) has explored the fortunes of the resort’s CEWMU during the 1890s. It finds a group that prospered. It supported a variety of cultural activities and meeting points where the religious message perhaps acted at most as an undertow. Members found opportunities for social and cultural experiences. They could also read a newsletter. Crumpler’s support, energy, and direction stimulated the spread of similar groups across the suburbs.
Victorian Bournemouth (230): slate clubs
Victorian Bournemouth (230) has traced the activities of slate clubs as reported in the local press during the last two decades of the century. Once a feature expressing the personality of their sponsoring local pubs, this form of behaviour became institutionalised to take its place amongst Bournemouth’s other charitable bodies.
Victorian Bournemouth (229): knowledge sharing
Victorian Bournemouth (229) explored the wide range of topics addressed through lectures and debates. Lectures typically offered gentle, didactic discussions, sometimes touching on politics and current affairs that could spark passionate views. Debates aimed to provoke active engagement with contemporary issues. This approach enriched Bournemouth’s culture by addressing subjects of both academic and current relevance.