George Freeston's Notes on Blisworth Hotel and Garden
From the word 'Go' way back in 1845 with the opening of the branch line to Northampton and Peterborough coupled with the establishment of the first class station of the new site, Thomas Shaw our local Richard Dunkley lost no time in formulating their plans to build a new Railway Posting Hotel and Pleasure Garden next to the station built by Richard Dunkley.
Both men were already experienced in the new world of Railway needs, especially where money could be made.
The Shaw family of the Northampton Hotel 'The Angel' in Bridge Street had already developed an important coaching service, so it was simply a case for them to switch their routes for their horse drawn vehicles to connect with the new Railway Stations.
Likewise, Richard Dunkley ... the Blisworth entrepreneur had been heavily involved in the years prior to 1838 in railway work, and he leapt at all the opportunities of furthering his business.
So it was with the new Station at Blisworth. Both men were primed for action. One factor in their favour was that they both had previously met and dealt with the land-owner George Henry the 4th Duke of Grafton who was a keen supporter of the new level Station (ie. a station laid out on level ground), which being well served by new local Turnpikes offered the Duke a splendid service from his mansion at Wakefield Lawn, Potterspury to enable him to connect with trains running north and south as well as the new branch line to Peterborough.
In those early days of travel the Duke could arrive at Blisworth by his own horse drawn carriage which was then lifted on to a railway flat top truck ... so horse, carriage and owner could tirelessly arrive at London, unload and drive about London in his own vehicle. There's nothing new in this same mode of travel be it by cars or rail or crossing the Channel with your car on the ferry. The Duke of Grafton also kept a close watch on the standard of building of the Stable Block at the Hotel - insisting on the highest-standards. It was often said that horses had better accommodation than the labourers.
The lease for 79 years was accepted by Mr. Shaw and supported by the Directors of the Northampton Phipps Brewery who likewise had had good business relations with the Shaw family and the Angel Hotel. At the 1861 census there was Thomas Shaw aged 54 and his wife 52; their seven children were Anne 22; Charlotte 20; Thomas Jnr. 19; Emily 15; John 14; Richard 12; Elizabeth 9; and a second cousin 28. The resident staff was a cook 51; Housemaid 18; Kitchen Maid 19; Waitress 21; Barmaids three 21, 28 and 19 respectively. One Hostler 25 years and the most important 'Boots' aged 16 years. I am quite sure that the Staff was doubled by day workers needed to attend to the stabling ... and the gardens, they presumably would have been locals.
By 1866 Thomas Shaw 'Called it a day' and he appointed a Manager. He made the following statement to the local papers. "I tender with grateful thanks to the nobility, Gentry and general public for their kind and flattering patronage afforded me during the many years I have occupied Blisworth Hotel and Gardens. I have appointed a Miss Whileman as Manager, late of the Midland Hotel at Derby". The Shaws continued to hold both the Angel Hotel at Northampton and Blisworth under the watchful eye of Mrs. Shaw and Managers. Mr. Thomas Shaw died in 1874.
It is recorded that he was one of the largest and most extensive coach proprietors in England ... no one kept better horses ... he saw the railways arrive, which killed off many rival coaching companies, but Thomas Shaw by moving into the greater hotel trade made a success of it; He was a keen cricketer ... and as a dying Christian he thanked God for the many mercies he had received. I would assume that he was buried at the Northampton Church of St Giles as was his Father.
The Blisworth Hotel Shaws did however, have a connection with our Village Church for three of his daughters were married from it ... Anne, Emily and Elizabeth. A 1940s Sheila lived at 'Jasmine Cottage', High Street, with her parents. The mother was Eva Stratton. On June 19th, 1952 John Chamberlain, aged 23, married Sheila Stratton at Blisworth Church, the Rector being Rev. P. K. Challen. The link is that John is a great grandson of the said Thomas Shaw of Blisworth Hotel.
With the Hotel built by Mr. Dunkley the 4 acre garden site was tackled. It was laid out in terraces with a large central level area, and liberally planted with trees and shrubs, many of which have survived to the present day. Within a couple of years Blisworth "Posting House" Hotel, and effectively the Railway Hotel, along with the Pleasure Gardens became widely advertised. The Railway Company soon became involved too by putting on 'Pleasure' trains from Northampton to Blisworth on weekdays ... but NOT on Sundays. Trains fares combined the charge for the Hotel Gardens as well as a discount on refreshments. First Class travel return tickets were one shilling (Old-Money) and second Class six pence (Old Money). Music was provided by a seemingly endless supply of Brass Bands both Civil and Military. Stage Artists and general entertainers were already conducting tours by rail, much as our present day 'Pop Stars' do today.
Pleasure Gardens were springing up in all cities and towns especially if served on or near to the growing Railway network. For instance stars from London's Vauxhall Gardens or Manchester's 'Belle Vue' duly arrived at Blisworth to give performances. In October 1849 a Mr. Creed arrived with his 'Royal Victoria' Balloon ... but rain stopped his first appearance. On the following week he made a successful ascent with two passengers. Travelling westward it got caught up with a 'raging wind' during which the balloon basket caught trees and fences then, in modern parlance, 'took off'. It made a safe descent in a field at the village of Tredington near to Shipton-on-Stour after a trip of 1 hr. 20 mins - that's quite a journey, unbelievable! Again in 1850 an even larger balloon arrived ... made with 1,200 yards of silk ... 120 feet in circumference, held 200,000 gallons of gas and, with the undercarriage attached, was 66 feet high. It was billed that a 'Living Animal' would be taken up, attached to a parachute, and duly launched over the Gardens ... as no description of the animal was stated it leaves the reader to conjure up whether an elephant or mouse was used. The Gardens opened all day for this event ... Special trains ran every half hour from Northampton. A Brass Band attended which played 'All Day'. As I have not located a record of the balloonists achievements on that day I am unable to tell you whether it was a success or not..
Newspapers carried even larger adverts, see links above, announcing that Thomas Shaw offered fun for all the family with refreshments at both the Hotel rooms and at the Station refreshment room - a Shaw sideline. Not only did folk arrive by train but Mr. Shaw's horse drawn omnibus plied to and from Towcester. From the Hotel one could hire (self drive) post-chaises flys and saddle horses etc.
One June 1858, 'Mons Julliens' and his unrivalled band played in the Pavilion assisted by a choir of 'Damoiselles' ... (Oh Boy!) ... A troup of Chinese magicians turned up from the Royal Theatre at Drury Lane with their acts of 'Legerdemain' and 'Necromancy' etc. In 1862 the Great Blondin came bringing his 'High Rope' which was stretched across the centre lawn. He had previously crossed the Niagara Falls. This same act was repeated by walking the 'high rope' ... then standing on his head, followed by wheeling a wheelbarrow with a man on his back. He should have least have sat in the barrow.
Most of the special occasions were followed by spectacular Firework Displays and music. Northampton Floral and Horticultural Society held their shows at the extensive and beautiful Hotel gardens. Picnics and food were arranged and the trees were hung with thousands of glass candle lamps in various colours.
But there was still NO Sunday opening. Parties came in even greater numbers; Sunday School Outings: Workhouse Inmates: came on their Annual Outings. Temperance Unions held their Grand Fetes enlivened by their own Brass Bands and a large quantity of TEA.
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