Published in Windelsora 02 (1983)
© WLHG
September 1875 – Holiday in Windsor Great Park
Saturday the 19th of August was set apart as a general holiday for those who live and work in Windsor Great Park. This holiday is an annual one, and is always looked forward to with great interest. Their Royal Highnesses, Prince and Princess Christian, who have of late years taken a very kindly interest in the day’s proceedings, were absent from home this year, and we may say that this was the only drawback. The weather was somewhat threatening and very hot and sultry, but the storm fortunately did not begin ’til late in the evening.
The chief amusement of the day was Cricket: the men assembled about 12 0’clock: sides were then chosen by Mr Chesshire and Mr F. Smith and a match was played on the Cumberland Lodge Ground, resulting in a victory for the latter’s side on the first innings. A second game was played, at the same time, between two other elevens, on another part of the ground. At half past three, the cricket ceased; and under the superintendence of Mr. Menzies, Col. D. G. Gordon and Mr. Bartlett, the men ran several races: the names of the winners however, we have been unable to ascertain.
After the races were over, all adjourned for dinner to a large tent erected under the trees and above a hundred sat down to the excellent repast provided for them. Mr. Menzies took the chair. After the dinner, the usual loyal toasts were drunk and then dancing commenced on the green outside to the strains of a good band which had been in attendance all day. The wives and families of the men and their friends had now assembled in large numbers and the dancing was kept up with great spirit so long as the light lasted. The remainder of the evening was spent in the tent which was lighted up, in singing songs and drinking toasts and about 10 o’clock all dispersed to their homes.
April 1879 – Penny Royal Cottages
There being a balance of £9.10.6d in hand from the Rents of these Cottages, for three years ending December 31st 1878, the present Trustees, in addition to doing the necessary repairs and white-washing, were able last month to have the doors and shutters of all the cottages grained and varnished and the window sills painted – a thing, which we are given to understand, has not been done before for nineteen years. The work seems to have been well executed by Mr. W. Johnstone of Old Windsor and the cottages look more presentable than they have done for some time.
(The original Penny Royal Almshouses were erected in 1798. Seven new Almshouses were built in 1976 in Crimp Hill, Old Windsor, by the Trustees of the Almshouses).
Windsor Local History Group 