Different forms of entertainment in the past in Three Rivers

A couple of weeks ago we looked at ‘going out’ – to the cinema. But before and after the arrival of ‘films’, what did people do for entertainment?

By and large, whatever it was was done ‘together’ - until quite recently, when we retreated to watch TV at home. The ’wireless’, and then television, were really the first entertainments that could be done on your own: most games needed a partner (or opponent) of some sort, and they were often played in public places.

Chorleywood – Harry Field's violin class, c1880. Image: Three Rivers Museum

And in an agricultural area such as ours, for many the concept of ‘entertainment’ was an illusion. Until the First World War, at least, the day was often filled with poorly paid work, augmented for some by the plaiting of straw for the St Albans hat factories: life was pretty unremitting, although Sundays (and after 1871 the occasional Bank Holiday) were normally genuine days off. So when we think of entertainment, we’re usually, but not always, looking at those who could afford that luxury, commonplace as it is nowadays.

Croxley Green – the Dickinsons Institute, dressed for a party 1908. Image: Rickmansworth Historical Society/Geoff Saul Collection

But very often, people entertained, not themselves, but each other. Recitals, lectures and concerts were happening all the time. The Rickmansworth teacher and author Tom Bevan, who had ‘a fine tenor voice’, performed locally as well as arranging and conducting, especially for the Madrigal Society, the local group of which he led. But there was a lot more.

The Church Lads Brigade band 1908. Image: Rickmansworth Historical Society/Geoff Saul Collection

For example, the Rev Robert Bayne was an Anglican, then a Baptist, minister in Rickmansworth, who wrote a history of Moor Park in 1970. But on February 18, 1868 John White "Attended a Lecture in the Evg at the Baptist Chapel delivered by Mr Bayne the Minister. Subject Moor Park from the 7th Century and most interesting it was and remarkably well delivered." And the Bible Society met for a talk at least monthly, in a way perhaps like the U3A today.

Rickmansworth Town band c1908. Image: Rickmansworth Historical Society/Geoff Saul Collection

There seem to have been a lot of dinners, at least for those who could afford it. They were usually held in local inns: the Swan in Rickmansworth and the Essex Arms in Watford featured regularly, and they were in honour of all sorts of things – in the New Year 1877 the churchwardens of St Mary’s entertained the bell ringers to what sounds like a fine spread (preceded by a peal of bells). What’s missing from this sort of thing seems to be women – such was the custom of the day, I suppose.

The Royal Herts Laundry - seaside outing c1920. Image: Three Rivers Museum

But they were at other events. In February 1878 the Hertfordshire Advertiser reported the fourth meeting of the season of the Penny Reading Society in Rickmansworth Town Hall, at which “the readings did not last too long”, but “the entertainments passed off highly successfully”, with songs and recitals of all sorts – a real knees up. In February 1887 Mill End saw ‘an entertainment’ in the Old Schoolroom, with music, songs, glees and recitations, and there were many others. But the lists of those attending generally name the ‘great and good’, and one hopes that more ordinary residents were also there to enjoy the fun.

Rickmansworth Cycle Parade, August 1908. Image: Three Rivers Museum

And there were things to do. Scouting was getting going in the early 20th century, and is still going strong. There were bands and music classes as well as choirs, and village ‘events’ – and group activities like cycling, much changed now (no Lycra then). And there were works outings - to the seaside!

The children certainly had the occasional opportunity, if they attended Sunday school, or were part of Sophie White’s ‘Lad’s Club’, for example, or just at the National schools – annual ‘treats’ were given, with a bountiful tea and toys to take home. These were held in pretty well every village, but they did depend on private benefaction, and Mrs White was just such a provider. And more recently the libraries, as they do now, provided entertainment for the children – here’s a Womble!

More modern – children at the library with Wombles 1974. Image: Rickmansworth Historical Society/Geoff Saul Collection

So these were typical of the entertainments provided in times past: lectures and talks, dinners and musical evenings, and treats for the children. The fact that they were relatively infrequent no doubt allowed people to look forward to some ‘fun’, and they may appear rather staid today. But we shouldn’t think that people didn’t come together to enjoy life: they did - at least, if they could afford to go, and there were a lot of people trying to make sure that everyone did have the opportunity.