Old Ashburton

                               Join the Club - Organizations and societies

The St John Ambulance Association, formed to train the public in first aid, was established in 1877. 

http://www.orderofstjohn.org/

1902 Devon had centres at Plymouth, Uffculme, Ashburton, Newton Abbot and Exeter. Newton Abbot had been first in 1895. William Jewell, superintendent of the Newton Division, stated that Newton now had 86 members, wiith Ashburton a 'poor second' with 13.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette 22 July 1902 p7 col3

                                                   The Library

The subscription library, 'one of Ashburton's oldest institutions', was established in 1831 at the house of Mr Joseph Fitze, later the Registrar of Births and Deaths. 
Western Times 20 April 1916 p13 col1

Before this, however, there was a Library Society, established in 1825 but on the brink of being dissolved in early 1830, when shareholders were to meet 'at the library' on the 18th February. W E Stentiford was secretary at the time.
Exeter and Plymouth Gazette 30 January 1830 p1 col2

Joseph Fitze, saddler, is living in East Street at the time of the 1861 census
http://www.freecen.org.uk/

For a portrait of Joseph Fitze, see the 1860s section of the Virtual museum. 

On the 1901 census John Peter Foot is a bootmaker in East Street, living with his wife Elizabeth.

He died at The Library, a month after the census, aged 85
http://ancestry.co.uk
Western Times 2 May 1901 p1 col1

In 1903 Mr W T Butchers, the headmaster of the board school, 'deplored' the fact that there was no library* for the people of Ashburton. Speaking at the Mutual Improvement Society, he said that he would rather young people read nothing at all rather than the 'trash' that they currently got hold of.

Western Times 19 March 1903 p3 col5

*ie a free one

At a ratepayers' meeting in 1905 it was noted that a Mr Carnegie had been consulted over a free library, which might be achieved if a penny rate was adopted.
Western Times 20 June 1905 p3 col6

Mrs J P Foot is the librarian in the Ashburton, Buckfastleigh, Brent and Ivybridge Almanac 1906.

Subscriptions dwindled during the First World War, and the books were then offered to the Governors of the Grammar School, on condition that the public could have access once a week. This resolution was adopted on 15th April 1916, with Miss May Tucker being elected librarian.

Western Times 20 April 1916 p13 col1

'The Old Library' is now No 49, East Street

When James Mortimer, a former headmaster of the Grammar School, died in 1929, the Old Ashburtonian Society appealed for money to fund a scholarship in his name.

The fund closed in December 1932, but as there was insufficient money to provide a scholarship a plan was formed for the refurnishment of the Library. The work was carried out during the following summer, and there was a formal opening in September. 'A new oak floor was laid and the somewhat ugly fireplace replaced by a modern grate with an oak mantelpiece and surround. In addition, the library was furnished with two large oak refectory tables and twenty two chairs.' A large photograph of James Mortimer was hung above an inscribed tablet.

Ashburton Grammar School 1314-1935, W S Graf, Ashburton 1938, pp 31 and 36.

1942. During the Second World War Devon County became involved in the library when a new branch of the Devon County Library opened in Ashburton. Up until that point volunteers had maintained the library with money subscribed from all over the world by old boys. The county library scheme had been in operation for 17 years, and the Chairman of the Devon County Library Committee said that books played a valuable part in keeping up public morale.
The library was located in the library room of the old Grammar School.

Western Morning News 15 October 1941 p5 col5

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette 15 May 1942 p6 col5

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette 29 May 1942 p5 col2                                                                    

The Church Band may have been separate from the amateur band.

John Waycott, aged 53*, died in September 1846. He was described as formerly being a member of the Amateur Band.
Western Times 17 October 1846, p5 col2
The Exeter and Plymouth Gazette said that he was 45

A thief stole a clarionette, belonging to the Town Band, from H Foot, West Street. He was captured at Exeter.

Exeter Flying Post 4 January 1849 p8 col4

When William Popelstone, a rope manufacturer, died at Ashburton, he was described as being a member of the Ashburton Band for many years. He was 59.

Western Times 8 December 1855, p5 col3

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                                  The Ashburton Farmer's Club

1847 Intending members of the Ashburton Farmers' Club were invited to Bracewell's London Inn on alternate Saturdays. Meetings were to begin in January, with Dr. Soper delivering the first lecture on agricultural chemistry. The committee included John Berry, Solomon Tozer, John S. Amery, John King, W. R. Whiteway, William Widger, John Hext, Richard Searle and others.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette 27 November 1847 p4 col4

In 1848 there were plans for a ploughing match.

Mr W R Whiteway, seed merchant, had shown some new implements at a recent fair. Some 'extraordinary mangel worzel and turnips' had 'excited unusual interest'.

Western Times 18 November 1848 p5 col5

1849 The Ashburton Farmer's Club held its first anniversary dinner at Bracewell's London Inn.

Exeter Flying Post 4 January 1849 p8 col4

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                            The Ashburton and South Devon Geological and Mineralogical  Society

The rules of the society (1850) are held at the Devon Heritage Centre, ref QS/56/23

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                              The Ashburton Mutual Improvement Society.

1851 A large number of people attended the lecture by the Rev J Dore on the use of globes.

Western Times 22 November 1851 p7 col5

John Dore, a Baptist minister, is living with his wife Mary, son and daughter in East Street on the 1851 census. Aged 59, he was born in Lymington, Hampshire.

1851 census Class: HO107; Piece: 1871; Folio: 290; p8

The Mutual Improvement Society became dormant after the 1916-17 session, on account of the First World War; at the time there were 49 members. When meetings resumed in 1920. Mr J H Mitchelmore presented the report for that last session, and said that all those members who had joined the armed forces had returned safely from the war with the exception of Wilfred Evans, a past president and hon. secretary.

Western Times 5 November 1920 p9 col2

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                               The Ashburton Madrigal and Glee Club

1854 saw the club's fourth public performance. The Western Times was complimentary, harking back to a time when music 'was more cultivated' than modern 'trashy compositions'  and was regarded as an important part of education.

Western Times 30 March 1850 p7 col5

In 1855 the Musical Times said the Madrigal Society had been in existence for forty years.* '[It] is at present progressing favorably, and was augmented on the 11th May to the number of twenty-one members, with H Caunter Esq. as their President.'

The Musical Times, vol7 1855, London, p28

*Four?

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                                                 The Rifle Volunteers

Worried by the idea of an invasion of Britain, a slightly reluctant Government allowed, in 1859, the formation of local groups of volunteers, to defend the country if necessary. Arranged by county, they were formed into companies and battalions.
Review of 'Tracing the Rifle Volunteers, a Guide for military and family historians', by Ray Westlake, on http://dalyhistory.wordpress.com

'Almost every town in Devon (held) meetings for the purpose of forming corps'

The Ashburton and Buckfastleigh Corps was 'accepted' (by Queen Victoria) on the 25 February 1860 as the 9th Devon R. V.
The Haytor Volunteers, Their history and development, Lieut Col Amery, rep from the Totnes Times and Western Guardian 1888, pp19,20

9 months after it was formed, a bazaar was held in the new Market Hall to raise funds. Items on the stalls included lace, embroidery, stuffed birds and lithographs. One stall attracted particular attention - it consisted of fresh game birds, including a rare one shot on Dartmoor.
Exeter and Plymouth Gazette 6 October 1860 p7 col1

1864. J H Astell M. P. gave the 9th Devon R. V.£20 towards new uniform.

Ashburton ladies were planning a 'fancy bazaar' to raise funds for the corps.
Exeter Flying Post 23 March 1864 p3 col6

About 1865 the whole Battalion was clothed alike in slate grey with scarlet facings, and black belts.
The Haytor Volunteers, Their history and development, Lieut Col Amery, rep from the Totnes Times and Western Guardian 1888, pp19,20

1869 George Rowlands, a member of the Volunteers, had to have his foot amputated after a gun accident (not necessarily connected to the Volunteers). Corporal Edgecumbe started a collection for the young man, and £7 12s 6d was raised.
Exeter and Plymouth Gazette 9 October 1869 p4 col1

In the 1871 census 25 year old John S[parke] Amery gives his occupation as Lieutenant in the Volunteers.
1871 census RG10 piece no 2080 folio 21 p19

In 1883 25 year old Richard Rowland died. The youngest son of John Rowland of Lower Headborough, he was a private in the Volunteer Corps. He was buried in Ashburton churchyard, with a procession which included a  firing party with reversed arms. They fired three volleys. Present were: Maj Amery, Lieut. Tozer, Lieut. Tuckers, Sergts Distin, Foot, Smerdon and Barnicott, Corporals Skinner and Maynard and forty rank and file. Richard was described as a 'promising shot'.
Western Times 2 October 1883 p5 col2
Western Times 5 October 1883 p7 col2                                          

In the 1901 census Frank Loveridge, aged 42, was the Colour Sergeant Instructor of the Volunteers. He was living in St. Lawrence Lane.
1901 Census RG13, Piece 2053, Folio 5, p2

When he died in 1920 he was described as the holder of various medals, including the Afghan medal of 1878-79-80. He had also served in India with the 2nd Devons.
Western Times 21 May 1920 p8 col1
See The Rifle Volunteers in the main menu for Dave Dycher's research.                     

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                                   Registrar of Friendly Societies in England

Amicable Society, established Ashburton, Devon, Midsummer session 1829
Accounts and papers, Private bills, Friendly Societies, Poor Laws (Ireland) etc., vol13, 31 Jan-17 July 1837, p6

Dissolution of the Ashburton Provident Tradesmen's Friendly Society, held at the Duke's Head Inn, Ashburton
London Gazette Issue 22731 1 May 1863, p2326    

The Ashburton Union Society, (a Friendly Society), held at the London Inn, West Street, was dissolved in February 1883 
London Gazette Issue 25206 2 March 1883, p1187                                                          

                                          The  Ashburton Institute

The Ashburton Institute 'established chiefly for the working classes' opened in St Lawrence Street in October 1878.

Financed by voluntary subscription and charges (working men paid 1d weekly, others 2d), it provided reading, smoking, recreation and refreshment rooms. Newspapers and magazines were provided.

Housekeeper - Mrs Whiddon

Secretary - J Mortimer

Treasurer - J Bickford 

White's History, Gazetteer and Directory of Devon, 1878-79,p14

In March 1881 Dr Adams read a paper on Cremation at the Institute. This was followed by a discussion on the proposal that, 'Cremation, from a sanitary point of view, is the best mode of disposing of the dead, and with due safeguards should be permitted in this country.'
Western Times 1 March 1881, p6 col1

At the beginning of the winter season an exhibition was held on the subject of home and foreign travel. The Messrs Amery contributed pictures of ancient forms of travel; Dr. Adams brought his microscope, graphoscope and specimens including coral, Dead Sea stone and cedar wood; Dr. Fraser displayed Indian hand paintings; and the Rev. W M Birch brought a stereoscope and a number of views. Mr. Clymo contributed an Australian whip to the exhibition, and Mr. Mortimer showed a case of stuffed birds from Queensland. There were many more exhibits, plus demonstrations. The Messrs. Amery 'caused much merriment with their experiments on their galvanic battery.'
Western Times 26 November 1881 p4 col3

The Ashburton Lodge received its warrant of Constitution in 1886, and received its lodge number - 2189 - from 1894 onwards*. Meetings were held from 1887 at the Commercial Hotel, North Street.
Lane's Masonic Records 1717 - 1894 http://www.hrionline.ac.uk/lane/
* The item below contradicts this date

The Commercial Hotel is presumably the same as The Commercial Inn documented by Pete Webb (The Pubs and Inns of Ashburton 1995 page 8), located at 7 North Street.

In 1890 the Ashburton Lodge moved to The Masonic Hall, Chuley Road. 

In 1906, at the funeral of John Berry*, a newspaper report stated ' The Freemasons, wearing sprigs of acacia, headed the mournful procession...'
*Died 15th June 1906
Unknown newspaper article. Many thanks to Richard and Frances Berry for this item.

In 1945 the Ashburton Lodge of Mark Master Masons, number 1038, was founded and consecrated. In November 1946 the retiring Master was W Bro M H Needham, Prov G Chap. Bro E. O. Babbington was installed for the coming year
Western Times 22 Nov 1946 p5 col 6

                                                  The Liberal Club

http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk - Accessed 14-1-2014

In 1888 the Liberal Association was meeting in Kingsbridge House

Western Times 21 February 1888 p7 col3

The 1911 census shows 32 year old Susan Luscombe as the club caretaker at Kingsbridge House - she is living there with her two children

http://.ancestry.co.uk

Old Age Pension Day was celebrated by a social gathering at the club. Congratulatory messages were sent to Mr Asquith during the evening on the success of the Old-age Pensions Act.

Western Times 4 January 1909 p4 col6

In April 1913 the Liberal Club moved from its old premises in Kingsbridge Lane to new ones in North St, formerly the Commercial Inn* Bought for £386, the property had been renovated to provide 2 billiard rooms, a bagatelle room, and rooms for reading and cards, in addition to the caretaker's apartment. The chairman commented that if 'Old Mr Andrews could rise up and see his hotel used as a Liberal Club, he did not know what he would say (laughter)'.

Western Times 18 April 1913 p11 col4

* 7 North St - the newspaper item has a photograph.

Mr John Cornish, Woodland Road, appointed caretaker

Western Times 26 February 1915 p10 col1

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                               The Ashburton Mutual Improvement Society

In August 1881 the Mutual Improvement Society, together with some members of the Institute, went on an expedition to Castle Parks on Tower Hill. Mr F Amery put forward the argument for this being an ancient encampment before the group moved on to Ashburton Down, where Mr James Mortimer gave a talk on 'The effect of mountain scenery upon character.'
Western Times 5 August 1881 p8 col2

In 1883 the Rev. T N Oliphant as president. In October he gave a talk on the subject of 'Books'. J S and F Amery, R Eggbeer and J Batten were amongst those present.

Western Times 9 October 1883 p8 col6

'In my early days there was a Mutual Improvement Society in the town; it met during the winter months in the schoolroom of the Congregational Chapel. Special speakers would be invited and frequently those two scholarly brothers, Fabyan and John Amery, who show lantern slides of the various countries they had visited. It was an enlightening society.'

From the memories of Reg Andrews, born 1893.
Many thanks to Dave Hodge-Brooks and Ernie Smerdon.

The society sent congratulations to Queen Victoria on her 60th jubilee

London Gazette Issue 26872 13 July 1897, p3892

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                                                The Oddfellows

At the funeral of John Down (see The Down and Beer families, in the sub-menu of People and Properties) the bearers were past Grand Masters of the Ashburton Loyal Lodge of Oddfellows. They were: Bros J Cock, A Hays, G Edgecombe, G H Andrews, W H Langler, W H Whiddon, J French and C H Baker. Other Oddfellows included C J Roberts, E Salter, F Oliver, E Winsor, H Boon, J H Pomroy.

Western Times 6 March 1913 p4 col7

The Ashburton branch was at this time 70 years old - about 40 members were about to form a lodge on March 3rd, 1845, assembling at Husson's Crispin Inn, North Street.

Western Times 1 Mar 1845 p4 col 3

 Below: A letter from the Loyal Ashburton Lodge of Oddfellows, summoning members to the annual financial meeting of the lodge in February 1915. It is signed (Yours fraternally) by Charles H Baker, Secretary - presumably Highcross is his own address.

From my own collection 

                                                  The Constitutional Club            

 Arrangements were in hand during 1890 to build a Constitutional Club in St Lawrence Lane, on land belonging to Mr W Mann.

The new club was due to open on December 22nd 1890 

Western Times 20 June 1890 p8 col5

Western Times 15 December 1890 p2 col5

The front of the Constitutional Club was decorated on 19th April to celebrate Primrose Day*.

Western Times 21 April 1891 p7 col3

*Primrose Day commemorated the death of Conservative statesman Benjamin Disraeli on April 19th 1881. Frank Bramley, a Newlyn painter, entitled one of his works in 1885 'Primrose Day'.

A copy of the Constitutional Club Library rules can be seen at Ashburton Museum

resources. Whether it would be possible to persuade large numbers of socialists to emigrate and to found a Socialist Republic in Northern Patagonia is rather doubtful...." 
From my own collection

                                       The Ashburton Choral Society

'He [Mr H O Jones] founded and conducted the choral society. Every year he presented a concert, with London artists and the Royal Marine Orchestra. They were considered social events of the year. Occasionally the parish church would be used and an oratorio sung, for which the acoustics of our splendid church were well nigh perfect.'
From the memories of Reg Andrews, born 1893.
Many thanks to Dave Hodge-Brooks and Ernie Smerdon.

1901 Charles Saunders, tenor, complimented Ashburton on the organization of its Choral and Orchestral Society.
Western Times 3 May 1901 p6 col1       

The Ashburton Choral Society was in existence in 1925, with President the Rev Prebendary A H Thompson, and Vice-President H J Mason.

See the poster for a Grand Festival Performance in that year, in the 1920s section of the Virtual museum.

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                                                      Clubs and societies in the 1920s

(In the 1920s) the vicar and his wife were greatly respected, the church providing activities for children and young people. Teenagers did not exist then. There was Sunday School, King’s Messengers, Boy Scouts, Girl Guides, Cubs and Brownies. The chapels had their organisations too, children belonged to Guides and there were numerous other activities. I remember being taken by one of my chapel friends to see a magic lantern show for the princely sum of two pence. The first slide showed waves beating against rocks, I can still visualise it! A quite serious discussion between my mother and aunt took place as to whether I should be allowed to accompany my friend, happily for me it was agreed that as it was not a service, just a slide show, it probably wouldn’t do me any harm! On my arrival home I was cross-questioned by my mother, she seemed satisfied that I had not been indoctrinated, the opening hymn “Hark, hark my soul” being one of her favourites. This shows the hostility and suspicion that existed between church and chapel.

Thanks to Hazel Bray for the above item.

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                                                          Ashburton Girl Guides, late 1920s.

In 1937 'Ye Pride of Ashburton' Lodge held their third annual church parade. At this time the lodge had over 150 members.

Western Times 23 July 1937 p6 col2

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