The War Years; 1920: Inaugural Dinner at the Institute

In the Shadow of the Abbey

The first 2 minutes silence, Women’s Institute comes to Bisham, football club success, Expansion of the Bisham Institute New Billiard table and ladies join club.
Revd Farrer reflected on Winter 1919 in his report of May 1920. "It was a great pleasure to Mrs Farrer and myself to welcome once again the members of our Choir to a dinner at the Vicarage in the Autumn" The choir was in good voice at that time and comprised around 15 people including both Frederick and George Harding. The Farrers were involved in all aspects of the village life and entertaining at the vicarage was a key part of that. Victorian vicarages were built with this in mind.

1919 was the first formal Remembrance Day. 11th November at 11am. "All locomotion should cease, so that, in perfect stillness, the thoughts of everyone may be concentrated on reverent remembrance of the glorious dead."

It was reported that everything and everyone stopped: The minutiae of everyday life ceased completely The Times “a great awful silence”. There had been no instructions about where people should observe the silence most chose to go outdoors to stand silently in a public place. Lady V-VN 11 November 1919 2 min: silence Remembrance & Prayer at 11 a.m. Rang big bell. “Still to this day, the casualties and deaths in the First World War have not been surpassed for Britain, even in the Second World War.
School was running well under the leadership of Mr Jones with around 100 pupils. Major and Mrs Faudel-Philips kindly invited the whole school to tea at Stoney Ware (the riverside mansion) at Christmas time.

A Women’s Institute was started in Bisham. The programme was introduced by Mrs Paget at the Abbey on April 22 1920. Mrs Paget daughter of Sir Henry and Lady Florence who married Capt Paget – in the Abbey Wedding Episode. ”These Institutes have proved a great success in many places.”
The rainfall for the year (1919) was 27’82, five inches in December. "The winter was a warm one, The cuckoo was heard as early as April 9th ten days earlier than usual.”

“We congratulate the Football Club on winning the Wargrave Cup for the third time.
The Bisham Club and Institute was established in 1888, in a building built on land given to the village by Edward Neale Esquire who became its first president. The society is a Working Man’s Club and shall be called the Bisham Club and Institute and its registered office shall be the Club-room, Bisham in the county of Bucks. The Menu for the inaugural Dinner ..

We are happy to be able to hold this meeting in the new addition to the premises which we thank Sir Henry for having built and I hope it will prove a boon to the village. The membership has increased from 27 to 84. The Billiard Table presented by Sir Henry has proved a great asset to the Club.
Revd Farrer reports that Major and Mrs Faudel-Philips were leaving Bisham.

“With thanks of the Parish, together with my own, to all who help us in so many ways, and I must conclude this long letter.” I remain yours sincerely, W. Farrer

Episode researched, written and narrated by Sheila Featherstone-Clark based on The Bisham Parish Report of May 1920.
Revd W Farrer is voiced by Nigel Greenwich, George Harding is voiced by Derek Tydeman and Lady Vansittat-Neale by Shirley Jenkins-Pandya.
Image is the programme for the Opening of the New Wing.
Sound effects from www.Freesound.org. Bells , Handbell for the school, rain, celebration and coin.
Series music is Shine by Herb Wiedorfd and the Cinderella Roof Orchestra