A tall poppy Introduction Victorian Bournemouth (81) explores the career and public standing of W. E. Rebbeck, prominent in the resort since its foundation. He had a long and successful career as an estate agent at Bournemouth. He also participated in the town’s administration under the Improvement Commission. The volunteers had him as their sergeant. […]
Tag: Victorian Bournemouth
Victorian Bournemouth (80): photographers
Kinship networks. Itinerant lives. Introduction Victorian Bournemouth (80) explores the social profiles belong to professional photographers who arrived by 1871. Photography appears to have had a slow start at the resort, but its early providers shared several social characteristics. Victorian Bournemouth (80): early photography A new technology Image capture and retention without the use of […]
Victorian Bournemouth (79): quid pro quo?
Oddfellows. Rev. A. M. Bennett. Negotiation. Introduction Victorian Bournemouth (79) explores the possibility that social power brokers negotiated a deal during the summer of 1864. The possible deal involved the Reverend A. M. Bennett and key members of the Oddfellows benefit society. It concerned a Mechanics’ Institute and toleration for temperance. The basis for the […]
Victorian Bournemouth (78): Q2 summary
Identity. Visitors. Persistence Introduction Victorian Bournemouth (78) provides a summary of this year’s second quarter articles. The main themes to emerge include identity, visitor profiles, and persistence. Victorian Bournemouth (78): identity On the map In a few decades a town had emerged from a scatter of ‘poor fishermen’s huts’, achieving an established presence During its […]
Victorian Bournemouth (77): clouds of clergymen
Worship reputation for competitive forms of worship Introduction Victorian Bournemouth (77) explores how Bournemouth appeared to attract numerous clergymen as visitors. The resort’s worship practices had created interest amongst the country’s religious community. Press attention developed this attention into a reputation. Some lodging-house keepers may have specialised in accommodating specific denominations of clergymen. Victorian Bournemouth […]
Victorian Bournemouth (76): visitors of 1861
Interconnected wealth and privilege Introduction Victorian Bournemouth (76) explores those found in the 1861 census who appear to have occupied the hotels and other known holiday venues. Genealogical exploration of identifiable people provides a picture of visitors’ social and economic profiles. This, in turn, enables speculation on the type of society attracted to the Victorian […]
Victorian Bournemouth (75): The Pier
Expensive but valuable status symbol Introduction Victorian Bournemouth (75) examines the role played by the Pier during the resort’s second period. Its mentions weave in and out of the press coverage during the town’s first half century. A prized tourist attraction capable of boosting the town’s economy, like a lightning rod it perhaps drew a […]
Victorian Bournemouth (74): resort society
Gossip. Bathing-suits. Respectability. Introduction Victorian Bournemouth (74) explores society at the resort during its second period as revealed in press clippings. A review of Grantley Berkeley’s book of satirical essays included excerpts about how the author saw Bournemouth’s society. A comment published by a local paper touched on a similar subject. The cuttings suggest the […]
Victorian Bournemouth (73): kin visits
Role. Contribution. Support Introduction Victorian Bournemouth (73) analyses the social and economic contributions made by visiting-kin present in households of 1861 and 1871. It suggests that roles varied according to personal situations and social background. Victorian Bournemouth (73): background Determining relationship and role Census forms included a field describing the relationship connecting each member to […]
Victorian Bournemouth (72): the Sanatorium’s finances
Financial pressure. Admittance quotas. Affordable patients Introduction Victorian Bournemouth (72) analyses aspects of the Sanatorium’s admittance policies during the town’s second period. In concept, the institution had aimed to provide care to people unable to pay. It operated under such financial strain, however, that managers appear to have admitted patients who could contribute to their […]