Funds for a new Village Hall 1923

In this magazine and elsewhere, you will have read about the upcoming events to celebrate 100 years of our Village Hall. In researching the history of the Hall, in particular where the funds came from, we uncovered two programmes of fund raising events. These were Whitsun fetes in 1923 and 1924 (there was also a fete in 1922 but no programme has come to light).

These two documents contain details of the days’ events and also numerous adverts from village and Cambridge businesses who presumably made donations. They provide an interesting insight into the history and culture of the time.

How much did things cost? A cup of tea and a bun at the fetes would cost you 3d (just over 1p in today’s money).  A thousand envelopes from Harry Johnson, stationer of St Andrew’s Street, Cambridge, costs 3s 6d (17.5p). For 2s6d – 4s 11d (12.5 – 25p) Robert Sayle were selling ‘boys tweed knickers’ – I assume today these would be shorts otherwise they sound like a very itchy wear!! A good place to buy was W T Thrussell St Andrew’s Street where ‘all prices are strictly moderate’.

What was happening at the Fetes? You could play in a mixed doubles tennis tournament at Baggott Hall, Mill House and other village courts – all long gone! You could have a go on the Fortune’s Wheel and win your tobacco, cigarettes and cigars or visit the Pottery & Textile Stall with many gay pieces from Normandy, Brittany, Austria – don’t think the prizes or the pottery description would be acceptable today! You could also see a Wireless demonstration which included ‘the reception by means of wireless telephony of concert items as broadcasted in London during the evening by the London Broadcasting Company’.

What language did businesses use to attract us? T Titchmarsh Church Street – ‘the favour of your patronage and recommendation respectfully solicited’. Cherry Hinton Granaries – ‘a postcard will ensure a call from our traveller’. Barkers butcher, Gt Shelford (still there) – ‘families waited upon daily. Strict and prompt attention’. Hudson’s Brewery (Hudson’s Ale House Trumpington recently rebranded as ‘The Duchess of Cambridge’)  – ‘Drink beer – the only perfectly sterilised beverage, sustaining and health giving. Help agriculture and support a home industry’.

What could you visit Cambridge for? At A S Campkin, Rose Crescent Opticians & Pharmacists, horse, dog and cattle medicines were a speciality! At Moore’s, Bridge Street Athletic Stores and Sports Depot were the ‘University Haircutters and Perfumers’.  At Central Cinema Hobson Street (this was the original 1921 building, not the current one) there were ‘continuous performances each day with a full London Orchestra’.