Victorian Bournemouth (259) traces how the greenfield Bourne Valley became a County Borough within sixty years. Local leaders and groups guided the community through various challenges, promoting unity beyond religion, politics, and puritanism. The example of the Chrysanthemum Society demonstrated cooperation between classes to create successful events, such as flower shows. Ultimately, the “Fountain” vision prevailed over the “Stream,” although the stream continues through the valley.
Victorian Bournemouth (258) examines how the town built its reputation and developed in ways that resemble marketing strategies used by today’s luxury brands. Both faced challenges about the scope of their marketing efforts. Yet, beyond these marketing concerns, deeper questions about Bournemouth’s underlying social structure emerged.
Victorian Bournemouth (254) charts the successful establishment of Bournemouth’s Public Library through the collaborative efforts of two men having different social backgrounds and political leanings. Despite the opposition stemming from social segregation, the Conservative (Leveson Scarth) remained steadfast in working with the Liberal (Whitting) to create an educational resource that transcended social boundaries. This partnership between the sons of a clergyman and of an innkeeper united a broader team to achieve this transformative goal.
Victorian Bournemouth (248), using temporal analysis of Bournemouth’s Waterloo Road (1891-1921), highlights a shift from social stability to potential disruption. Initially, the street, perhaps anchored by the presence of eventual mayor Charles Hunt, a carpenter, showed little resident turnover. While the Edwardian period saw a peak in continuity, the post-war era is marked by a policeman’s presence, indicating a possible deterioration of social conditions.
Victorian Bournemouth (243) has explored events that concerned Bournemouth’s two Perfect Thrift Building Society funds. Newspaper reports suggest that the savings society perhaps achieved a measure of success. Several people won the lottery prizes, although the draws did not happen often. Malpractice lay not far from building societies at this time and may have reached Perfect Thrift, in Bournemouth and across the network. The founder disappeared after a large shortfall emerged at Leeds, while the secretary at Bournemouth took his family to Valparaiso in 1896. Nevertheless, some working people at Bournemouth, attracted by the dream of thrift, economy, and independence, found themselves assisted by their Perfect Thrift.
Victorian Bournemouth (241) has examined aspects of the strike undertaken in 1897 by local carpenters and joiners. Between the lines of the press reports lies the possibility that the union had too few members to create a strike strong enough to bring down the establishment. In January 1898, a reporter called at the union’s clubroom, only to find that the leader had also returned to work. Thus, the first strike at Bournemouth vaporised, unable to contest a wealthy and powerful network of employers.
Victorian Bournemouth (240) has explored the foundation and activities of the local Trades’ Council, a group which acted as a central point for several of the resort’s unions. Established under the guidance of a tailor, Elias Davies, the group played a role in establishing credibility for unionisation. Davies had an interest in literacy and education. He showed a willingness to speak in public or to write to the press. Although Bournemouth experienced its first strike during the 1890s, the Trades’ Council did not appear to act in a militant fashion.
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 (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 (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.