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Ancient right exercised
See the BBC story Traffic makes way for sheep herd for a video of Mary Evans exercising her right as an honorary alderman to herd sheep down Fore Street. Note the error in the story: "Traffic came to a standstill in a Devon town when an ancient right to drive sheep through the town was exercised". Fore Street is always closed to traffic from 1.30pm on Carnival Day, so nothing was stopped for the sheep-herding at 2.30.
James Woodrow Matthews
In answer to a number of enquiries about the builder and donor of Topsham's Matthews Hall, here's a brief biography.
James Woodrow Matthews, J.P., started his career in Topsham as a clerk in the office of one of the old sailing ship insuring clubs in the building [Grove House, then residence and business premises of John Holman] in which, having bought the property, he spent the last few years of his life. He was for many years with Messrs. W Lamplough & Co., Insurance Brokers, and was manager for them until, in 1901, he founded Matthews, Wrightson & Co. in conjunction with Mr Harry Wrightson and his brother Mr R.G. Wrightson. The firm became a private limited company in 1911, when Mr Matthews was appointed as chairman, and he held that position until his retirement in 1924. He was an annual subscriber to Lloyd's from 1901 to 1916, when he became an underwriting member. He underwrote marine in the syndicate of Mr Eustace R. Pulbrook [Sir Eustace Pulbrook, 1881-1953, Chairman of Lloyds] and non-marine, motor and employers' liability under the agency of Messrs. Matthews, Wrightson & Co. Ltd. He was one of the founders of the Corporation of Insurance Brokers, and was later its treasurer and a member of the council, finally being elected a vice-president. He was a prominent Freemason, a member of its Grand Lodge. He died at Grove House on July 30 1934 aged 83.
- from Times obituary, July 31, 1934 (thanks to Michael G Matthews for the enquiry that led to filling in the details).
James Woodrow Matthews, J.P., started his career in Topsham as a clerk in the office of one of the old sailing ship insuring clubs in the building [Grove House, then residence and business premises of John Holman] in which, having bought the property, he spent the last few years of his life. He was for many years with Messrs. W Lamplough & Co., Insurance Brokers, and was manager for them until, in 1901, he founded Matthews, Wrightson & Co. in conjunction with Mr Harry Wrightson and his brother Mr R.G. Wrightson. The firm became a private limited company in 1911, when Mr Matthews was appointed as chairman, and he held that position until his retirement in 1924. He was an annual subscriber to Lloyd's from 1901 to 1916, when he became an underwriting member. He underwrote marine in the syndicate of Mr Eustace R. Pulbrook [Sir Eustace Pulbrook, 1881-1953, Chairman of Lloyds] and non-marine, motor and employers' liability under the agency of Messrs. Matthews, Wrightson & Co. Ltd. He was one of the founders of the Corporation of Insurance Brokers, and was later its treasurer and a member of the council, finally being elected a vice-president. He was a prominent Freemason, a member of its Grand Lodge. He died at Grove House on July 30 1934 aged 83.
- from Times obituary, July 31, 1934 (thanks to Michael G Matthews for the enquiry that led to filling in the details).
Topsham Town Fayre 2009
22nd-29th August 2009
A warm welcome to Topsham's biggest annual community event. The word "community" is used a lot these days, but true communities get harder to find with each passing year.
We try to make Town Fayre a week where everyone in Topsham can get together to enjoy one or more of the events and activities.
Inevitably, there are some people who see the week as a disruption to their routine, and others who merely see it as an opportunity to make money. However, we know that there are still many residents and traders who enter into the true community spirit of Town Fayre.
The climax of Town Fayre Week is always the Carnival Procession. It's a chance for people to dress up and parade around the town to entertain the thousands who turn up to watch. We hope to see lots of local entries again this year.
We would also like to welcome our new Town Crier, Keith Smith, and his deputy, Ben Turner. We're sure they will be seen at many of the week's events in their splendid new finery.
Enoy the week!
Shirley Hack (Chair), Veronica Coe (Treasurer), Kevin Hack (Secretary), Gerry Hannaway (Committee), Gary Turley (Committee), Stuart Preestley (Committee).
PROGRAMME OF EVENTS
Full details of events, entry forms etc are in the offficial brochure, 50p from Topsham News, Topsham Post Office, and other local shops.
Saturday 22nd August
10.30am-noon ... Jazz from "Catch a Train", outside Matthews Hall
10.30am-3.30pm ... Open day at Butts Park allotments. Photo competition display in Trading Hut.
Sunday 23rd August
2.00pm ... Topsham Flower & Vegetable Show, in Matthews Hall.
Sales of produce, teas and cakes from 2pm, presentation of awards at 3.45pm.
Monday 24th August
10.30am ... Children's Pavement Art Competition, at Topsham School (in Matthews Hall if wet).
3.00pm-7.00pm ... Croquet Challenge, on Matthews Hall Green.
6.30pm ... Town Fayre Bingo, at Matthews Hall. Eyes down 7.30pm.
7.15pm ... Crowning of the 2009 Royal Family, at Matthews Hall.
8.00pm ... Cheese & Wine Evening at the Globe Hotel Malt House. Tickets £5 from the Globe or at the door.
Tuesday 25th August
10.30am .... Topsham Museum Sumer Market and Coffee Morning.
2.30pm ... Dog Show, on Matthews Hall Green. Parades and judging: 2.45pm for crossbreeds, 3.00pm for pedigrees.
7.45pm ... Euchre at the Exeter Inn. Sign on from 7.45pm, start at 8pm.
Wednesday 26th August
7.00pm ... The famous Topsham Pub-a-Thon: an evening of fun team games in fancy dress around Topsham's pubs. Entries fully booked, but come and watch.
10.30pm ... results and presentations at the Globe Malt House.
Thursday 27th August
10.00am ... Flower Arrangement Exhibition - theme of "Song Titles" - in St Margaret's Church social area. 10am-12noon: coffee and biscuits. 12noon-2pm: lunches.
11.00am ... Children's Flower Competition at the Globe Malt House.
7.30pm ... General Knowledge Quiz, Globe Malt House. £18 entry fee for table of six; forms from Globe Hotel and Topsham News.
8.00pm ... Morris Dancing Display, 8pm outside Lighter, 9pm outside Globe.
Friday 28th August
10am ... Flower Arrangement Exhibition (details as Thursday)
TBA ... Children's Fun, at the Globe Hotel
8.30pm ... Live Music at Drakes
Saturday 29th August
CARNIVAL DAY
9.30am-12.30pm ... Flower Arrangement Exhibition (details as Thursday)
10.00am-noon ... Family Morning at Topsham Pool
10.00am ... Brownies' Coin Trail and Jazz from "Jazz Bag", outside Matthews Hall
10.00am ... Fire Station Open Day
2.30pm ... Town Criers' Procession fom Globe to Matthews Hall and back, for the Town Criers' Competition, 3pm at the Globe.
2.30pm ... Ceremonial herding of sheep, by Alderman Mary Evans, from Matthews Hall to Topsham Quay.
4.30pm ... Family Fun Run: a 3k fun run around the streets of our old port town. Entry forms from Topsham News and Route 2 Cafe.
5.30pm ... Children's Hour and Pre-Carnival Entertainment, children's disco/karaoke & games with the Stuart Preestley Roadshow, ootuside Matthews Hall.
All evening ... Fore Street Fayre - burgers, hot dogs, licensed bar, stalls.
Fore Street will be officially closed to unauthorised traffic from 1.30pm.
6.30pm ... Judging of Carnival Entries, in Elm Grove Road
7.30pm ... CARNIVAL PROCESSION
9.00pm ... Music and dancing in the street with "The Bobkatz", outside Matthews Hall.
9.45 pm ... Grand Prize Draw: the winning tickets will be drawn by the Carnival Queen and Princesses.
CARNIVAL ETIQUETTE
We hope that you enjoy the Carnival Procession and will show your appreciation by giving generously to the official collectors. However, for safety reasons, please do not throw coins at any float except the Last Appeal Float. Have a safe and enjoyable Carnival!
FOR FULL CONDITIONS OF ENTRY, AND ENTRY FORMS
See the official programme, available from Topsham News, Topsham Post Office, and various other Topsham shops.
A warm welcome to Topsham's biggest annual community event. The word "community" is used a lot these days, but true communities get harder to find with each passing year.
We try to make Town Fayre a week where everyone in Topsham can get together to enjoy one or more of the events and activities.
Inevitably, there are some people who see the week as a disruption to their routine, and others who merely see it as an opportunity to make money. However, we know that there are still many residents and traders who enter into the true community spirit of Town Fayre.
The climax of Town Fayre Week is always the Carnival Procession. It's a chance for people to dress up and parade around the town to entertain the thousands who turn up to watch. We hope to see lots of local entries again this year.
We would also like to welcome our new Town Crier, Keith Smith, and his deputy, Ben Turner. We're sure they will be seen at many of the week's events in their splendid new finery.
Enoy the week!
Shirley Hack (Chair), Veronica Coe (Treasurer), Kevin Hack (Secretary), Gerry Hannaway (Committee), Gary Turley (Committee), Stuart Preestley (Committee).
PROGRAMME OF EVENTS
Full details of events, entry forms etc are in the offficial brochure, 50p from Topsham News, Topsham Post Office, and other local shops.
Saturday 22nd August
10.30am-noon ... Jazz from "Catch a Train", outside Matthews Hall
10.30am-3.30pm ... Open day at Butts Park allotments. Photo competition display in Trading Hut.
Sunday 23rd August
2.00pm ... Topsham Flower & Vegetable Show, in Matthews Hall.
Sales of produce, teas and cakes from 2pm, presentation of awards at 3.45pm.
Monday 24th August
10.30am ... Children's Pavement Art Competition, at Topsham School (in Matthews Hall if wet).
3.00pm-7.00pm ... Croquet Challenge, on Matthews Hall Green.
6.30pm ... Town Fayre Bingo, at Matthews Hall. Eyes down 7.30pm.
7.15pm ... Crowning of the 2009 Royal Family, at Matthews Hall.
8.00pm ... Cheese & Wine Evening at the Globe Hotel Malt House. Tickets £5 from the Globe or at the door.
Tuesday 25th August
10.30am .... Topsham Museum Sumer Market and Coffee Morning.
2.30pm ... Dog Show, on Matthews Hall Green. Parades and judging: 2.45pm for crossbreeds, 3.00pm for pedigrees.
7.45pm ... Euchre at the Exeter Inn. Sign on from 7.45pm, start at 8pm.
Wednesday 26th August
7.00pm ... The famous Topsham Pub-a-Thon: an evening of fun team games in fancy dress around Topsham's pubs. Entries fully booked, but come and watch.
10.30pm ... results and presentations at the Globe Malt House.
Thursday 27th August
10.00am ... Flower Arrangement Exhibition - theme of "Song Titles" - in St Margaret's Church social area. 10am-12noon: coffee and biscuits. 12noon-2pm: lunches.
11.00am ... Children's Flower Competition at the Globe Malt House.
7.30pm ... General Knowledge Quiz, Globe Malt House. £18 entry fee for table of six; forms from Globe Hotel and Topsham News.
8.00pm ... Morris Dancing Display, 8pm outside Lighter, 9pm outside Globe.
Friday 28th August
10am ... Flower Arrangement Exhibition (details as Thursday)
TBA ... Children's Fun, at the Globe Hotel
8.30pm ... Live Music at Drakes
Saturday 29th August
CARNIVAL DAY
9.30am-12.30pm ... Flower Arrangement Exhibition (details as Thursday)
10.00am-noon ... Family Morning at Topsham Pool
10.00am ... Brownies' Coin Trail and Jazz from "Jazz Bag", outside Matthews Hall
10.00am ... Fire Station Open Day
2.30pm ... Town Criers' Procession fom Globe to Matthews Hall and back, for the Town Criers' Competition, 3pm at the Globe.
2.30pm ... Ceremonial herding of sheep, by Alderman Mary Evans, from Matthews Hall to Topsham Quay.
4.30pm ... Family Fun Run: a 3k fun run around the streets of our old port town. Entry forms from Topsham News and Route 2 Cafe.
5.30pm ... Children's Hour and Pre-Carnival Entertainment, children's disco/karaoke & games with the Stuart Preestley Roadshow, ootuside Matthews Hall.
All evening ... Fore Street Fayre - burgers, hot dogs, licensed bar, stalls.
Fore Street will be officially closed to unauthorised traffic from 1.30pm.
6.30pm ... Judging of Carnival Entries, in Elm Grove Road
7.30pm ... CARNIVAL PROCESSION
9.00pm ... Music and dancing in the street with "The Bobkatz", outside Matthews Hall.
9.45 pm ... Grand Prize Draw: the winning tickets will be drawn by the Carnival Queen and Princesses.
CARNIVAL ETIQUETTE
We hope that you enjoy the Carnival Procession and will show your appreciation by giving generously to the official collectors. However, for safety reasons, please do not throw coins at any float except the Last Appeal Float. Have a safe and enjoyable Carnival!
FOR FULL CONDITIONS OF ENTRY, AND ENTRY FORMS
See the official programme, available from Topsham News, Topsham Post Office, and various other Topsham shops.
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