History

Somerset Curious And Surprising

In this sunny and cheerful book, the author Jack Sweet describes the many times and the variety of ways in which the people of Somerset enjoyed themselves – sometimes very oddly indeed – in those ‘good old days’ when the world and our lives were simpler. He tells of outings and excursions to the seaside, the fun to be had at pantomimes, carnivals, fêtes and wedding celebrations. There were the thrills of Buffalo Bill’s Wild The Halsgrove Group includes DAA Halsgrove Ltd., Halsgrove Ltd. & Halstar Ltd. West Show, the pleasure of Registered in England & Wales Nos. 4136732, 6029724 & 6472636 at Halsgrove House, Wellington TA21 9PZ. Imprints: Halsgrove, Ryelands, Halstar, PiXZ Books & Halswood Journals. Halsgrove® is a registered trademark. Copyright© 2016 picking worts (bilberries) on Exmoor, the simple pleasure of looking at a field of wheat and kissing! How we enjoyed the celebrations of the end of the Second World War,

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SOMERSET CURIOUS HALSGROVE TITLE INFORMATION AND SURPRISING Jack Sweet

In this sunny and cheerful book, the author Jack Sweet describes the many times and the variety of ways in which the people of Somerset enjoyed themselves – sometimes very oddly indeed – in those ‘good old days’ when the world and our lives were simpler.

He tells of outings and excursions to the seaside, the fun to be had at pantomimes, carnivals, fêtes and wedding celebrations. There were the thrills of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show, the pleasure of picking worts (bilberries) on Exmoor, the simple pleasure of looking at a field of wheat and kissing! How we enjoyed the celebrations of the end of the Second World War, old fashioned Christmases, song and dance in 1972 and the fun of the Western Gazette’s Sports in the summer of 1911. The coronation of Queen Elizabeth II and her great-great grandmother, Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee gave rise to great patriotic displays, whilst there was Taunton’s ‘Coronatia Fête’ in August 1911 celebrating the coronation of King George V. Jack Sweet also relates how the locals had ‘Six Days of Fun’ at Yeovil Carnival, and how crowds were thrilled by the display by a pioneering aviator in his frail biplane, how a local youth club presented two enjoyable reviews ‘Dinah Mite’ and ‘The Flamingo Club’ and how youngster enjoyed the Saturday Morning Picture Shows. There are memories of family holidays at Blue Anchor in the 1940s, cycling in 1931 and a drive through Somerset in 1924 on a day with ‘a glorious sky and sunshine’.

All these and more records and recollections, quaint and curious as they might now seem to us, present a fascinating collage of good old times in Somerset in the not so long ago.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

A proud Somerset man, Jack Sweet was born in Yeovil in 1937 and following service in the RAF in 1958 became a local government administrator for 34 years working for Yeovil Borough Council and from 1974 for its successor South Somerset District Council. His first book Shocking Somerset Murders of the Nineteenth Century was published by Halsgrove in 1997 and was followed by twelve more with a Somerset or Yeovil theme (three co-authored with Robin Ansell). Jack’s interests include local, family and military history. He has visited former battlefields around the world as well as many visits to Europe. Jack is a widower with three daughters, two grandsons and a granddaughter – he still lives in Yeovil.

In the good old days by Jack Sweet old fashioned

‘In the Good Old Days’ Christmases, song and dance in 1972 and the fun of the Western Gazette’s Sports in the summer of 1911. The coronation of Queen Elizabeth II and her great-great grandmother,

Format: Hardback, 160 pages, A5, illustrated

throughout with black & white photographs. Price: £9.99 Queen Victoria’s Diamond ISBN: 978 0 85704 356 6 Imprint: Halsgrove Jubilee gave rise to great Published: December 2021patriotic displays, whilst there was Taunton’s ‘Coronatia Fête’ in August 1911 celebrating the coronation of King George V. Jack Sweet also relates how the locals had ‘Six Days of Fun’ at Yeovil Carnival, and how crowds were thrilled by the display by a pioneering aviator in his frail biplane, how a local youth club presented two enjoyable reviews ‘Dinah Mite’ and ‘The Flamingo Club’ and how youngster enjoyed the Saturday Morning Picture Shows. There are memories of family holidays at Blue Anchor in the 1940s, cycling in 1931 and a drive through Somerset in 1924 on a day with ‘a glorious sky and sunshine’. All these and more records and recollections, quaint and curious as they might now seem to us, present a fascinating collage of good old times in Somerset in the not so long ago. A proud Somerset man, Jack Sweet was born in Yeovil in 1937 and following service in the RAF in 1958 became a local government administrator for 34 years working for Yeovil Borough Council and from 1974 for its successor South Somerset District Council. His first book Shocking Somerset Murders of the Nineteenth Century was published by Halsgrove in 1997 and was followed by 12 more with a Somerset or Yeovil theme (three co-authored with Robin Ansell). Jack is a widower with three daughters, two grandsons and a granddaughter – he still lives in Yeovil.

Marnhull Hub makes light work of mending

The Saturday sessions of the Marnhull Hub and Repair Café continue to be well attended. Since re-opening in May last year, over 160 items have been brought in for repair; one example being a 100-year-old Junghans mantel clock that had been in someone’s loft for many years. The before and after pictures of the movement show the dramatic improvement achieved by one of the volunteers. The Hub operates out of the village hall every Saturday between 10am and noon, during which times items for recycling can be brought to the back of the hall and placed in the new storage bins. Items that can brought in for repair include furniture, bicycles, clocks, and electrical/electronic items. There is also a sharpening service for knives, pruning shears, scissors, and lawnmower blades. And, of course, tea, coffee and cakes are available – you don’t need to have brought in any recycling or repair items to enjoy! Mandy, Marnhull’s PCSO, drops in on once a month for coffee and a chat; she’ll be there next on February 12. Sioban, who set up the Hub over two years ago, said: “The new venue for the Hub is proving to be very successful, particularly because of the availability of car parking spaces. Because more people are dropping in, we’d like to appeal to anyone who would like to volunteer in any way: if you could spare some time to help with repairs or to make drinks – or simply washing up! Just once every month or two, for a couple of hours, would be all that is needed. Do please get in touch. “New people come along every week and are amazed by the variety of items we repair and recycle. We can also supply and fit watch batteries. Come and see for yourself.” Up-to-date information is available on the Hub’s webpage at marnullhub.org.uk.

A 100-year-old Junghans mantel clock. Before repairs, above, and after, right