Weston-super-Mare - The Library

The Old Library, Boulevard, Weston-super-Mare

Research entails many hours sitting in front of a computer or microfilm reader searching old newspapers for facts or interesting stories.  The North Somerset Studies Library can be found in the Frederick Wood Room at Weston Library and has a wealth of information for those interested in “things past”.  It is also worth remembering that the Library provides toilet facilities so there is no need to spend 20p on the seafront. 

The former library on The Boulevard sits forlorn and forgotten – boarded up with a sign announcing “FOR SALE”.  If I had moved to Weston a few months earlier in 2012 then I would have been able to walk through that grand entrance and seen the interior. As it is all I can do is offer a description from the past.

“The ground floor accommodation comprises a ladies’ room, librarian’s room, reading room, entrance hall – also lavatory accommodation for both sexes.  The museum and picture gallery will occupy the upper floor which will be approached by a wide staircase.”

The foundation stone was laid on 1^st. August 1899 declaring that the building was a memorial to the 60^th. Anniversary of the reign of Queen Victoria.  Dates above the entrance testify to the fact showing “1837 – 1897”.   The building was opened the following year on 3^rd. September 1900.

Tragic stories always seem to leap out as I peruse the papers and today proved no exception.  In December 1901, just 15 months after the opening, a retired barrister visited the library with his wife.  Whilst the lady settled herself down with a good book in the Reading Rooms the gentleman visited the toilet.  He was gone for a good while and the lady became concerned.  It was Dr. Wallace who went in search of the missing husband.  When he entered the toilets he found the gentleman slumped on the floor - he had shot himself. 

There is a toilet block adjoining the old building on its East side but it looks as if this might have been added at a later date – perhaps in 1930 when a large extension was built?   In 2014 this block is thrown into the sale for good measure.

It is wonderful to have the new library in Walliscote Grove Road together with all its modern facilities.  I can only hope that a sympathetic buyer is found for the old Grade II listed edifice. 

Weston-super-Mare - Clarence Park

A plaque at the entrance to the park states that the land was presented to the town by Rebecca Davies in memory of her late husband, Henry Davies in October 1882.  The park itself was apparently named Clarence after Prince Albert Victor, Duke of Clarence and second in line of succession.  It was on Queen Victoria’s 71^st. Birthday, 24 May 1890, that Albert was created Duke of Clarence and Avondale and Earl of Athlone.  

"Albert Victor late 1880s" by Alexander Bassano - 

National Portrait Gallery's collection of photographic negatives (website). 

Licensed under Public domain via Wikimedia Commons - 

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Albert_Victor_late_1880s.jpg#mediaviewer/File:Albert_Victor_late_1880s.jpg

Prince Albert was a colourful member of the Royal Family implicated in all sorts of scandals and affairs – although nothing was ever proved.  The most notable rumour was that Prince Albert was Jack the Ripper however this could not have been the case because on the days of the various murders the Prince was elsewhere.  On 31^st. August 1888 when Polly Nicholls was murdered Prince Albert was at Danby Lodge in Yorkshire; on 8^th. September 1888 when Annie Chapman was murdered the Prince was at the Cavalry Barracks in York; on 30^th. September when Elizabeth Stride and Catharine Eddowes met their fate Prince Albert was at Albergeldie in Scotland; and on 9^th. November when Mary Jane Kelly was murdered the Prince was at Sandringham. (The Jack the Ripper A-Z by Paul Begg, Martin Fido and Keith Skinner)

1889 brought its fair share of scandal when the Metropolitan Police uncovered a male brothel in London’s Cleveland Street.  Once again Prince Albert was rumoured to be involved but nothing was ever proven.   

A wife had to be found for the young prince but this was not easy.  He had fallen in love with Princess Helene d’Orleans, daughter of the pretender to the French throne but she was Catholic so unacceptable.  Queen Victoria wanted the prince to marry one of her granddaughters, Princess Alix of Hesse but she married Tsar Nicholas II instead and in 1918 she was executed along with other members of her family.  Finally it was arranged that Prince Albert should marry his distant cousin Princess Mary of Teck.  They became engaged in December 1891 and the wedding was set for May 1892.  However that winter an influenza pandemic swept through Britain and Prince Albert died one month before his wedding.

Cricket Pavilion, Clarence Park

The cricket pavilion dates back to the turn of 19th./20th. centuries and August 1914 saw Somerset playing their last two games here before the Great War.  The third was cancelled as the country had by then been mobilised.  The pavilion is now boarded up and looking very sorry for itself.

 

The Lodge, Clarence Park

The lodge, originally provided as the Park Keeper’s residence, looks as good as ever and just opposite is a delightful café.  

Cafe in the Park, Clarence Park

A few weeks back the flower display, as I mentioned in an earlier post, was a delight to behold – a sea of poppies fluttering in the breeze. 

The old toilet block has recently been refurbished by Weston Town Council and you may “Spend A Penny”

 if you put 20p in the slot

Weston-super-Mare - of Railways, Ferries and Coaches

In Alexandra Parade, at the site of Weston's first railway station, is a replica of Stephenson’s “North Star”.  In the 21^st. century this delightful floral display stands next to the Floral Clock.

Just up the road is the “new” railway station built in 1884.  Much the same now as it was back then apart from the very bland name plate.  If you need to Spend a Penny here then you can, but you will need to have a train ticket to get onto the platform.  The toilets are on Platform 2 just under the bridge.

In a yard next to the railway station, the once proud Bristol Queen sits forlornly in “dry dock”.  

Bristol Queen

She was built to the order of the London Midland & Scottish Railway Company at the Leven Shipyard in Dunbarton and was to be used for special passenger excursions on the River Clyde at the time of the Empire Exhibition.  She was launched in May 1938 and originally named “Leven”.  During the Second World War she was requisitioned by the Royal Navy and went down in history as the boat which landed the first German Prisoners of War.

After the war she went back into service on the Clyde and in the mid 1960s found herself on holiday excursion duties in Torbay – by this time named Pride of the Bay.  In the 80s and 90s she was operating in Jersey before being sold to MW Marine of Weston.  In the year 2000 she was refitted in Bristol, renamed the Bristol Queen and became the Steep Holm ferry.  She is now out of service awaiting another refit.  I do hope that happens sooner rather than later because the rust increases with every passing month.

For those who prefer to travel by road the coach stop is opposite the railway station in the Locking Road carpark.  Refurbished public toilets operated by Weston Town Council can be found here.  

Get that 20p ready for the door!