FORSTER’S FABULOUS SUCCESS
It was June 1st 1887, the sun was beaming down on Aylsham as the town committee members were gathering in the Town Hall. There was a letter sent out to each member of the committee stating that this meeting was going to be one of the most important they had ever had as this was the beginning of the preparation for Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee.
Once all the members were gathered I – William Forster – started the meeting. I started by supplying each member with a pencil and a notebook; told them to make two columns – one for the ill and infirm and one for people in health – then we each took a street and set off. Knocking on each door of the street inquiring how many people were in the household and how many were ill, we wrote down the numbers and went on our way.
Back at the town hall we collated the information gathered. Our calculations informed us that 1700 people would be attending the celebration. This left 85 people who required the feast to be taken to them. The younger members of the committee were advised that this would be part of their duty.
The committee moved on to discuss the running order of the day. It was decided that the festivities would begin with a procession from the church to the town square shortly after 1 o’clock. William Starling suggested that the feast began at 3 pm accompanied by a band playing late into the afternoon. John Purdy proposed that his land be used for sports and games. I accepted his offer and recommended my own land be used for dancing at 8pm. Charles Clements offered to hold a fireworks display, bonfire and entertainment to finish off the night of celebrations.
I asked the younger members to approach Christmas Stapleton – the owner of the Black Boys – and William White – the head Beer Steward – to see if they would supply the beverages for the event. William Starling and I were in charge of procuring the food from local establishments. Beatrice my wife was charged with gathering a team to prepare and cook all the food.
As the day of the event drew nearer, tensions ran high as the preparations were in full swing. The plan was coming together. The whole town was working as one to ensure the celebration was a success. Everyone was very excited and all conversations were centered around Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee.
The big day arrived. Beatrice and her fellow lady friends had done a wonderful job in the kitchens. The food was so plentiful that they not only had to use the ovens in the town hall but also those in the bakery too! The younger members of the committee had done an excellent job of setting out the tables and benches in the town square. The tables were massive, fitting a staggering 40 people around them.
The smooth running of the day was in part down to my brilliant organisational skills and of course the hard work of the other committee members and towns folk. The procession began at 1:15pm following the church service.
The sounds of excitement and anticipation filled the air. The whole town had turned out to celebrate the momentous occasion. It was the biggest social event I had ever seen. The market square came to life with the energy of the gathering. People found their table and the revelries began. The beer was flowing and the children frolicked in the sunshine. We couldn’t have asked for better weather.
At around 3pm Beatrice and her volunteers served the delightful feast. There was so much food , all cooked to perfection. The meat was succulent and juicy , the fresh baked bread was still hot from the oven. Mountains of vegetables were served with lashings of rich meat gravy. The younger members of the committee did their duty and delivered individual plates piled high with offerings from the feast to the elderly and infirm.
The food and drink flowed well into the late afternoon. The band played and the towns folk sang along to popular numbers. The music could be heard for miles – not that there were many people in their houses to hear it. Everything went splendidly. William White ran out of lemonade and ginger ale, much to the children’s dismay. However the real ale and beer was in abundant supply, which suited the men of the town , especially old Freddie Christie who had clearly had more than enough.
As evening approached, the gathering headed to John Purdy’s land for games and sports. He had set up a series of fun races including the egg and spoon race, sack race and an obstacle course. It was such fun to see people enjoying themselves and joining in with activities that they might not usually get involved in. A real sense of community spirit and comradery washed over the whole town gathering.
When the fun and games came to an end, it was time to head to my land for the big dance. The band had relocated and I had ensured a space was cleared big enough for a makeshift dance floor. Husbands and wives took to the floor for the first dance. Exhausted children were beginning to flag and the local youths were taking their first tentative steps towards courtship.
Once the celebrations were nearing an end, Charles Clements put on a jubilant fireworks display. The beautiful bright colours illuminated the night sky. A bonfire was lit to stave off the night chill of an early June evening. Everybody was able to crowd round and relax after a day full of terrific excitement.
As people drifted home, weary but happy I knew we had provided the town with the most amazing and enjoyable excitement.
The following day a big preparation pf the town turned out to help with the huge clear up operation of returning our town square to its former glory. There was so much food left over that we invited any towns folk less fortunate than us to help themselves. They had to be quick mind as the food was so delicious it didn’t hang around for long. All of the committee members agreed it was the party of the century. We had been successful in our venture ; a spectacular celebration to mark our incredible monarchs 50 year reign. God save the Queen!
Once all the members were gathered I – William Forster – started the meeting. I started by supplying each member with a pencil and a notebook; told them to make two columns – one for the ill and infirm and one for people in health – then we each took a street and set off. Knocking on each door of the street inquiring how many people were in the household and how many were ill, we wrote down the numbers and went on our way.
Back at the town hall we collated the information gathered. Our calculations informed us that 1700 people would be attending the celebration. This left 85 people who required the feast to be taken to them. The younger members of the committee were advised that this would be part of their duty.
The committee moved on to discuss the running order of the day. It was decided that the festivities would begin with a procession from the church to the town square shortly after 1 o’clock. William Starling suggested that the feast began at 3 pm accompanied by a band playing late into the afternoon. John Purdy proposed that his land be used for sports and games. I accepted his offer and recommended my own land be used for dancing at 8pm. Charles Clements offered to hold a fireworks display, bonfire and entertainment to finish off the night of celebrations.
I asked the younger members to approach Christmas Stapleton – the owner of the Black Boys – and William White – the head Beer Steward – to see if they would supply the beverages for the event. William Starling and I were in charge of procuring the food from local establishments. Beatrice my wife was charged with gathering a team to prepare and cook all the food.
As the day of the event drew nearer, tensions ran high as the preparations were in full swing. The plan was coming together. The whole town was working as one to ensure the celebration was a success. Everyone was very excited and all conversations were centered around Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee.
The big day arrived. Beatrice and her fellow lady friends had done a wonderful job in the kitchens. The food was so plentiful that they not only had to use the ovens in the town hall but also those in the bakery too! The younger members of the committee had done an excellent job of setting out the tables and benches in the town square. The tables were massive, fitting a staggering 40 people around them.
The smooth running of the day was in part down to my brilliant organisational skills and of course the hard work of the other committee members and towns folk. The procession began at 1:15pm following the church service.
The sounds of excitement and anticipation filled the air. The whole town had turned out to celebrate the momentous occasion. It was the biggest social event I had ever seen. The market square came to life with the energy of the gathering. People found their table and the revelries began. The beer was flowing and the children frolicked in the sunshine. We couldn’t have asked for better weather.
At around 3pm Beatrice and her volunteers served the delightful feast. There was so much food , all cooked to perfection. The meat was succulent and juicy , the fresh baked bread was still hot from the oven. Mountains of vegetables were served with lashings of rich meat gravy. The younger members of the committee did their duty and delivered individual plates piled high with offerings from the feast to the elderly and infirm.
The food and drink flowed well into the late afternoon. The band played and the towns folk sang along to popular numbers. The music could be heard for miles – not that there were many people in their houses to hear it. Everything went splendidly. William White ran out of lemonade and ginger ale, much to the children’s dismay. However the real ale and beer was in abundant supply, which suited the men of the town , especially old Freddie Christie who had clearly had more than enough.
As evening approached, the gathering headed to John Purdy’s land for games and sports. He had set up a series of fun races including the egg and spoon race, sack race and an obstacle course. It was such fun to see people enjoying themselves and joining in with activities that they might not usually get involved in. A real sense of community spirit and comradery washed over the whole town gathering.
When the fun and games came to an end, it was time to head to my land for the big dance. The band had relocated and I had ensured a space was cleared big enough for a makeshift dance floor. Husbands and wives took to the floor for the first dance. Exhausted children were beginning to flag and the local youths were taking their first tentative steps towards courtship.
Once the celebrations were nearing an end, Charles Clements put on a jubilant fireworks display. The beautiful bright colours illuminated the night sky. A bonfire was lit to stave off the night chill of an early June evening. Everybody was able to crowd round and relax after a day full of terrific excitement.
As people drifted home, weary but happy I knew we had provided the town with the most amazing and enjoyable excitement.
The following day a big preparation pf the town turned out to help with the huge clear up operation of returning our town square to its former glory. There was so much food left over that we invited any towns folk less fortunate than us to help themselves. They had to be quick mind as the food was so delicious it didn’t hang around for long. All of the committee members agreed it was the party of the century. We had been successful in our venture ; a spectacular celebration to mark our incredible monarchs 50 year reign. God save the Queen!