We love pairing a vintage postcard with a photograph taken in the same spot today. Alongside the postcards, we feature a newspaper article from a similar time and place – a little glimpse of life when the card was posted.
‘Now’ images by Courtenay Hitchcock
DORSET COUNTY CHRONICLE, 30th August 1920
PARISHIONERS ENTERTAINED
HOLWELL. — On Tuesday a féte was held at Holwell in a field kindly lent by Mr. Coffin. This is the second féte that Mr. A. F. G. Trim, the well-known land dealer, of Yeovil, has generously given for the entertainment of the parishioners of his old parish. Tea and refreshments were provided gratis in a large marquee, and the catering was efficiently carried out by Mr. C. A. Ford, of Sherborne. The Sherborne Town Band discoursed excellent music during the intervals. The weather was beautifully fine, and a most enjoyable time was spent in witnessing the varied sports. Mr. Herbert’s steam musical roundabouts from Winchester had been specially engaged, and these gave much pleasure to the young people, who were given free rides upon the horses at Mr., Trim’s request. A few pony and donkey races were arranged, and some excellent racing took place, considering the limited space available. The general public had been specially invited, and they attended in large numbers from far and near. The steam roundabouts, swings, cocoa-nut shies, and houp-la shows were well patronised.
There were also foot races for adults and children, tug-of-war, obstacle races, &c., for which good prizes were awarded by the generous donor. The ladies were not forgotten, and several races were held for their special benefit. A singing competition took place, and every competitor was obliged to hold a small pig (in arms) while they held forth in song. This event caused endless mirth, especially when the porker squealed its disapproval of being thus exhibited. Prizes were given for the best songs, the judges being Mrs. J. Stevens, Miss Vera Stevens, Mrs. Mogg, Mrs. Percy Rowland, and Mr. V. Marden. The first prize was won by Miss Stock, the second by Mr. Linterne, and the third by Mr. C. Rowe.
A baby show was included, and there were many entries. The judges were Mrs. E. J. Stevens, Mrs. Percy Rowland, and Mrs. Mogg, who, after careful consideration, awarded the first prize for six-months-old babies to Mrs. Barnes, and the second to Mrs. Albert Coffin. For babies over one year, the first prize was won by Mrs. A. Chaffey (Holwell), and second by Mrs. Mogg (Holwell).
A fine display of fireworks, provided by Mr. C. F. Dickinson, of Shaftesbiry, took place during the evening under the supervision of Mr. V. Marden, Mr. Percy Rowland, and Mr. A. G. Nobbs. The committee who worked hard to make the fete a success were Messrs. A. Coffin, H. Coffin,
W. Dredge, John Cole, J. Veall, Mrs Gibson (schoolmistress), Mr. E. Harvey, Mr. Humby, and Mr. G. Feltham. A great deal of the success attained is due to Mr. and Mrs. Mogg, Miss Mogg, and Mr. Howard Mogg (King’s Stag) for the hearty manner in which they helped to organise the proceedings. Many personal friends of Mr. Trim also helped in various ways to make the fete go with a swing.
The general opinion was that it was a first-rate affair, and everyone undoubtedly enjoyed the afternoon and evening’s relaxation.
During the evening Mr. R. J. Stevens proposed a hearty vote of thanks to Mr. Trim for his great kindness in providing such excellent sports and for the hospitality shown to all. The vote was accorded with three cheers. Mr. A. G. Nobbs, on behalf of Mr. Trim, thanked all present for the vote of thanks and for the kind expressions used by Mr. Stevens. A vote of thanks was also passed to the committee and to Mr. and Mrs. Mogg.
Police Constable Hayne super-intended the field, and was most assiduous in his duties. Mr. Trim, with a desire to create a little innovation, would be pleased if any of his friends and others would kindly give a guess predicting the total number of persons present at the fete during the evening. Anyone desiring to do this should send their estimate on a postcard addressed to Mr. A. G. Nobbs, of Cerne Abbas. The person guessing the exact or nearest number will be awarded a handsome prize.
*King’s Stag is in what was once known as the Vale of the White Hart, and gives us the legend of Henry III and a white hart that he met while out hunting, mentioned by Thomas Hardy in Tess of the D’Urbervilles as he considers the view across what we now know as Blackmore Vale. The creature’s beaut so impressed the king that he spared it, and ordered others to do likewise. But the forest bailiff fell foul of the warning, killing the hart on the bridge over the River Lydden, for which he was severely punished: King’s Stag is said to derive its name from the incident.
But place-name experts offer something far less romantic – the boundaries of three parishes meet on the bridge, and King’s Stag really means the “king’s stake or boundary post”, they suggest.
