COMMUNITY LIFE IN VICTORIAN CLAVERING

The social and community life of villages became more varied and busy in the latter half of the 19th century, usually centred on the churches. With the expansion also of local newspapers, we can learn for the first time of the range of entertainments available to Clavering villagers, including concerts, lectures, dinners, penny readings and church anniversaries and other events, notably those aimed at spreading the doctrine of temperance. Here is a selection of the amusing, moral or intellectual activities increasingly offering an alternative culture to the more traditional venue of the beerhouse.

ENTERTAINMENT (1867) An entertainment was held of ‘an amusing and instructive character was given in the National School Room... for the benefit of a Working Man's Class formed by Mr. H. Pavitt. Mr. Willett and Mr. Houghton exhibited some beautiful views with a magic lantern. During the evening a selection of glees was sung by Misses Spencer, Newell and Pavitt, Miss Thurgood presiding at the piano. The Misses Gurney also sang and played. The evening's entertainment gave very great satisfaction and pleasure to the class and friends invited.’

CRICKET MATCH (1869) Clavering Cricket Club played Rickling at Rickling. Clavering team included R. Bunting, W. Gurney, D. Martin, W. Spencer, H. Livings, D. Cowell, J. Marten, S. Green, T. Gurney, R. Bunting, J. Law.

LECTURES (1873) Congregational Chapel: Winter Evening Lectures - Rev. Ault on New Zealand with diagrams: huge audience filled the room.

PENNY READING (1877) ‘An entertainment was given in the National Schoolroom which was filled with an attentive audience. The following songs and glees were encored: "Jack o' Hazeldean", "A hunting we will go", "My mother bids us bind my hair", "See our oars", "Come lassies and lads", "O who will o'er the downs". " Also piano duets by the Misses Johnstone; Mr. J. Pollitt and Rev. F.G. Nash sang a vocal duet; Rev. Nash did readings "Village Politics" Parts I and II. Mr. F. Johnstone sang, etc. Ended with the National Anthem.

PUBLIC DINNER (1878) Announcement of public dinner of the members of the Clavering branch of the Saffron Walden Provident Society on Mr. Savill's lawn at Curls Farm, or in his barn if wet, at 2.30 on Tuesday next, for the members wives at 4.30 p.m. Various amusements will be provided, and the Walford family will attend and play a selection of popular airs on their sweetly toned peal of hand bells in the afternoon and give their popular entertainment in the evening. Admission thereto for all but members - adults 3d, front seats 6d. children half price. A few reserved seats at 1s.

HARVEST THANKSGIVING (1878) The harvest thanksgiving service, with tea, and magic lantern entertainment, advertised in last week’s observer to take place in the p.m. chapel on Tuesday 17th inst. has been postponed in consequence of the lateness of the ingathering. The time when decided upon, will be duly announced in these columns.

TEMPERANCE MEETING (1878) On Wednesday evening last an earnest and impressive address was delivered in the New Primitive Methodist Chapel by that able and talented temperance advocate, Mrs. Noel Thacher of Eastbourne, to a large and attentive audience, when many were induced, after hearing her eloquent appeal, to sign the pledge.

CLAVERING FAIR (1878) William Harris of Gamlingay was charged with encamping at Clavering on June 18th by pitching a booth - Mr Naylor barrister of Cambridge appeared for defendant and stated that defendant had for the past 40 years encamped at Clavering at a public fair. He had had no notice of the abolition of the fair and felt he had a bona fide right to be upon the lord’s waste land. The official order, which was published in the London Gazette was produced - Mr Naylor said he did not wish to dispute the legality of the abolition. He would ask the bench not to convict, and to withdraw the summons without costs. The defendant travelled a great deal and would render a deal of service by spreading it far and wide that the fair was abolished Mr A Spencer was appealed to as the prosecutor by Mr Naylor and he stated he did not personally wish to press the case. The bench convicted and fined defendant 2s and 8s6d costs paid. There was a similar charge against William Spencer. Defendant was not present when the case was called on, but he sent a telegram to state he would be present at 12.30. He came in at 12.45 He was also fined 2s and 8s 6d costs. Note: Act of 1871 gave power to abolish any fair considered a nuisance.

BAZAAR (1878) The Primitive Methodists have just held a very successful bazaar on behalf of the funds of a new chapel… a public tea was held in a tent and a meeting in the Congregational Chapel. ...At the close of the meeting it was announced that the cash in hand was over £70. As the meeting broke up Mr. W. Savill and Mr. W. Bush made an offer that £5 each would be given to help the society to raise one half the cost. Under this stimulus the friends began to prepare for a bazaar. Easter Sunday services were preached by....On the following day a bazaar was held in a tent, the total proceeds of the day was over £40 (nett). The stalls were presided over by... Rev. G. Newton gave a lecturette on Cleopatra's Needle, illustrated by a large diagram. The after part of the day was very fine and proved to be a high day to the Primitive Methodists of Clavering...

PROVIDENT SOCIETY (1879) Announcement of public dinner of the members of the Clavering branch of the Saffron Walden Provident Society on Mr. Savill's lawn at Curls Farm, or in his barn if wet, at 2.30 on Tuesday next, for the members wives at 4.30 p.m. Various amusements will be provided, and the Walford family will attend and play a selection of popular airs on their sweetly toned peal of hand bells in the afternoon and give their popular entertainment in the evening. Admission thereto for all but members - adults 3d, front seats 6d. children half price. A few reserved seats at 1s. LECTURE (1879) A lecture illustrated with dissolving views entitled ‘Across America to Oregon and back’ was delivered in the National Schoolroom on Monday evening last by Wallis Nash Esq. of Beckenham, Kent, a nephew of the vicar of this parish. The lecture was of the most interesting description and judging from the attention evinced was much appreciated by the very crowded audience.

CRICKET MATCHES (1881) Clavering v Furneux Pelham, played at Clavering on Saturday May 14th, and won by the home team by 22 runs on the first innings The Clavering team were Ralph Bunting, run out 3, JCL Dutton, b Fleming 0, Reuben Bunting Fleming b Pigg 3, WG Nash c Roberts b Willoughby 10, L Bunting lbw,bFleming 14, S Green b Fleming 2, T Higman c Pigg, B Willoughby 0, E.S Rider b Fleming 9, W Gowlett, b Fleming 1, A Shepherd b. Pigg 1, F.WG Gilbey lbw b Fleming 1, J Hewett not out 4, Byes 8, lbw, w4 . Total 61

BAND OF HOPE (1881) The annual meeting of the Band of Hope was held in the Primitive Methodist Chapel (kindly lent) when some members of the Saffron Walden Band of Hope Choir gave their entertainment, entitled “John Tregenoweth - his mark” The singing was much enjoyed and applauded by the large and attentive audience; and the connective readings, which were kindly given by the Rev E Ault in his usual clear style, were most thoroughly appreciated Although no pledges were taken, the cause is making progress.

A CHRISTMAS ENTERTAINMENT (1881) A Christmas entertainment consisting of magic lantern scenes, very pleasantly varied, was given by the Vicar on Wednesday night, to the children of the National school. The children were afterwards presented with cake and oranges, and both at their parting and throughout the evening, showed their hearty appreciation of the entertainment provided for them. The following evening a meeting of the Clavering Church of England Temperance Society was held in the school room when an interesting address was given by the Rev F Gordon Nash, and a paper with some very striking facts in evidence of the happy effects of Temperance work was read by the Vicar. At the close of the meeting some new members ere admitted. On Friday evening the school room was again opened to offer entertainment to the parishioners in the form of a penny reading. Considering the severity of the weather, there was a good attendance The instrumental pieces and songs, both solos and duets as well as the readings, receive hearty applause Among the vocal performers were Miss S Johnstone and Miss P. Pollis whose valuable help materially contributed to the success of the performance. The following was the programme: instrumental duet, Pretty Bird quadrille... The Harbour Lights… vocal duet The Messenger Swallow… reading The Dutchman’s Story... song Oh the Oak and the Ash… vocal duet Let all the Nations… instrumental Il Corriocolo… song Come to the Sunset… song Phillis is my Only Joy… reading A Night of Terror … vocal duet Non pi mesta… song The Midshipmite… song My Constant Lass… round How Great the Pleasure.

BAND OF HOPE ENTERTAINMENT (1882) At the Primitive Methodist Chapel on Easter Monday an entertainment was given by the Saffron Walden Primitive Methodist Band of Hope Choir to a very crowded audience who thoroughly enjoyed the songs and recitations given by the young people The service was varied by short addresses from a few total abstainers of long standing Eleven pledges were taken at the end of the meeting.

CHILDREN’S OUTING (1888) Chapel anniversary of Clavering Congregational Church now in 206th year; children’s outing from British schools with a few members of the Band of Hope enjoyable outing to Walden, one of managers Savill and Mr Lines the master ran it with horses and conveyances lent. About 100 including Miss Parnwell, at Saffron Walden Mrs. GS Gibson kindly threw their beautiful ground open to the party and after an inspection of the gardens and sundry games, she presented the young people with a bun an orange each. Tea at the coffee tavern and a visit to Fry’s gardens, the castle, and museum.

VILLAGE WEDDING (1889) James Fison and Lucy Nash wedding – long report on this - village en fete, flags, etc. "The presents, which were both numerous and costly were on view and on Wednesday many of the poorer classes of the village were allowed to see them."

GRAND BAZAAR (1893) With the object of liquidating a debt of œ300 on the Church Restoration Fund, a grand bazaar was held in the grounds of the Clavering Vicarage, and under the patronage of Lady Walter Gilbey, Lady Braybrooke, Lady Winifred Gardner, etc. Glass & china & curios, amusements, etc. Also dramatic performances. Band of 1st Herts Volunteers. Bazaar continued into second day. JULY 28th: further report on bazaar = Shakespeare and other costume recitals by London artistes. So far œ1,600-œ1,700 had been spent on the restoration, this was mostly met by subscriptions. Bazaar added another œ153 profit, or œ110 net, with œ190 still to raise.

CONCERT (1895) A Concert in aid of the British School Funds was held in the Schoolroom on Friday evening. Despite the wintry weather the room was crowded, numbers being unable to gain admittance, and the audience enjoyed a well-rendered programme. Miss Gayler and Miss F. Gayler opted for a pianoforte duet...Miss Gayler who made her first appearance as a vocalist, charmed the audience with "The Dear Homeland", "I Mean to wait for Jack"...the platform was decorated with stove plants lent by Mr. Watson, and the accompaniments were played by Miss Gayler on a piano kindly lent by the Rev. E. Ault. The proceeds amounted to £4.7s.10d."

CHAPEL ANNIVERSARY (1897) 215th anniversary of Clavering Congregational Church celebrated - public tea 5 p.m. Evening sermon - big crowd.

THE FAIR (1898) Miss Pigg of Clavering Place Farm, presented to all the children on Stickling Green a small present of money on Clavering Fair day, June 18th.

CONCERT (1898) Concert arranged by Mr. W. Watson in aid of the Cricket Club, held at the National Schools. The Misses Gayler and the Misses Spencer, etc. took part. Raised £5.10s.

AMERICAN FAIR (1898) An American fair was held to pay for new lamps for the church. Held in national School – raised £7.

COMPARISON TO TODAY
Today, of course, village life has widened out considerably, with a much wider range of events made possible by having two meeting places, the Village Hall and the Christian Centre. Village events reported in the Parish News for the year 2008, these included:

Clavering Horticultural Show July 2008