Published
Published in 2019.
Front Cover
Front cover: The Nubian Giraffe (Oct 1827) by Jacques-Laurent Agasse (1767-1849); oil on canvas, 127.3 x 101.7cm. Reproduced here with the kind permission of the Royal Collection Trust, © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, 2019.
Contents
Back Cover
Editorial
Welcome to the 35th edition of Windlesora.
This year we had an embarrassment of riches when it came to contributions, making the job of choosing which to include more difficult than in previous years.
One highlight of this year was finding the missing painting donate to the Royal Borough by Wildfred Higgens, one of Windsor’s Royal Academy artists. Another was the publication of the book on the Ricky-Tick Club. We have articles on both subjects and they are fascinating.
We continue with both the Windsor Cemetry and Lord Roberts and the Veterans series, as well as honouring anniversaries, local people, as well as organisations and events that may otherwise be lost or forgotten.
Revisiting a subject always raises interest, as in the case with both the Camelopard and Doris Mellor articles. We can entertain new readers while bringing more or new information to our regular audience.
Our website was completely overhauled early this year and the soft launch has proven successful. Many of the pages are ‘under construction’ but give an indication of the wealth of information that will be available in the future.
We have had more enquiries this year than ever before, including requests for locating addresses and identifying locations in photographs. Some are swiftly answered, and others require some research, but we endeavour to find an answer for everyone. Do find the time to visit us online.
The breadth and depth of members’ research is exhilarating, and we look forward to bringing more of Windsor’s history to you here and online.
Finally, a special thank you goes to The Royal Collection Trust for giving us permission to use The Nubian Giraffe by Jaques-Laurent Agasse on our front cover. It is a rather beautiful and vibrantly colourful painting.
Enjoy reading this year’s Windlesora.
Carol Dixon-Smith
Did You Know?
On 17 November 1818 Queen Charlotte died at Kew Palace, with her eldest son, the Prince Regent, by her side. She had married King George III in 1761 and born him fifteen children.
Their marriage lasted 57 years, but King George III, who died 14 months later, was unaware of her death, being blind, deaf, and suffering from bouts of insanity at Windsor Castle.
Her funeral took place at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle.
Parking Fines
Windsor and Eton Express 13 October 1832
Next time you grumble because you have to pay a £60 fine for illegal parking in Windsor, think yourself lucky.
In October 1832, Mr Hughes of Eton, Mr Caste of Upton, Edward Col, and John Merriden of Windsor, were each fined 5s plus costs by the Commissioners of the Pavements, for allowing their horses and carts to stand in Datchet Lane beyond the period allowed by law.
One shilling was the average daily wage of a labourer or a common soldier.
Alarming Fire in Thames Street.
Windsor and Eton Express 7 April 1832
A fire started in lower Thames Street about 1 am at the back of Mr Stevens carpenter shop, opposite the bank. A musical party just breaking up at Mr JH Baverstock’s house, raised the alarm and gave assistance. The watchman gave alarm with his rattle and soon six engines from Messrs Ramsbottom and Legh, Princess Augusta, the Eton parish, the Infantry Barracks, and lastly the Parish arrived. Mr Stevens’ house was consumed by fire, he just managed to save his wife and 3 children. The house to the right occupied by Mr Spicer and that on the left by greengrocer Mr Hunter were soon ablaze, and so was a row of small houses at the back in Mills’s Alley, commonly called Cut-throat Alley, occupied by poor families. The house of Mr Brown, ironmonger, next caught fire. Mr Baverstock threw open his house and took in the 26 poor women and children who had been made homeless, and provided refreshment and lodging. Six persons were apprehended on charges of theft. A subscription has been set up for the sufferers.
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