Alton Papers, no. 21

Publication Date: 2017

Cost: £3.00 (+p&p if ordering by post)
Where to buy: Curtis Museum or by post - see How to Order page.

Articles:

• Culverton House, Lower Turk Street, Alton - a Residence with ‘Many Temptations’
  Author: Jane Hurst
  ​Culverton House has always had a Mediterranean look, having been known for a short time as Gibraltar House. It was rebuilt in about 1827 by Henry Blankley Rogers and his wife who also had property in Gibraltar. The history follows the owners and occupiers who include grocer James Budden Meaden, brewery family members Philip and Frederick Crowley, iron founder Alfred Hetherington and Dowager Lady Brooke Pechell with her daughters. Having been bought by Alton brewer Henry Hall, Culverton House passed to Courage Ltd and became part of the Harp Brewery premises. At present it lies empty awaiting a new use when the site around it is redeveloped.
• East Worldham Village School
  Author: Miss E M Munday
  These are the memories of Miss Munday who went to East Worldham School in about 1906. She describes the wearing of a starched linen pinafore and using a slate to write on. Outside in the playground in Spring, the girls collected stones and made a home. The article is illustrated with a photograph of the Munday family at Clays Farm, a map and sketches of the school and playground.
• Reminiscences of Chawton
  Author: Paul Fenwick
  A relative of Paul’s, Mollie Trimby, left a vivid description of visiting Chawton between 1915 and 1920. Her grandfather, James Stacey, worked for Squire Knight on the Chawton estate. Grandmother Ellen Stacey had been in service at the Great House but then lived in Malthouse Cottages with their seven children. The story and pictures take one back to village life 100 years ago.
• The Ancient Order of Foresters - Local Branches
  Author: Martin Morris
  The Ancient Order of Foresters began in Alton in 1869 and spread to the surrounding villages. Selborne Foresters held an annual fête which started with a church service followed by a march around the village and a dinner in a marquee. There were many speeches and ‘the toast was accorded musical honours’.

  Also included are extracts from the Rules of the Court ‘Pride of Herriard’. These explain that the objects of the Foresters were to insure the lives of members, pay an allowance to the sick, supply medical attendance and medicine to members and other help that might be required. If they gambled or became intoxicated while sick, they were fined and their money stopped!

• Louisa and Elizabeth Rogers’ School in Alton
  Author: Ann Hurley
  Louisa and Elizabeth Rogers were born in West Meon but moved to Alton and started their school on Crown Hill in Alton in 1837. Here they taught young ladies reading, writing and ‘accomplishments’ which included French, Italian and the Guitar. Later the school moved down to no. 38 High Street and advertised the fees as being 35 guineas a year. Many of the daughters of the local farmers and tradesmen must have been educated by the Misses Rogers during the 17 years that they were in Alton and this gives an insight into their time here.
• Alton Tragedy Recalled - Victim’s Father at Farnham
  A local newspaper of April 1907 reported that the father of the murdered child Fanny Adams was in Farnham Workhouse. The family had moved to Kent after the tragedy but, following the death of Fanny’s mother, her father George and married sister Lizzie moved to Farnham. As the couple could not afford to keep George, he had gone into the Workhouse but money was collected and he was able to return to be with them for a while longer.