Leamington-Looks-Back-Programme

Home , Cubbington, Foundry Wood, Jephson Gardens, Leamington Spa, Royal Pump Rooms

THINGS TO SEE AND DO

CELEBRATINGLEAMINGTON’S 200 YEARS HISTORY OF WELCOME TO OUR FESTIVAL

Welcome once again to Leamington Looks Back, our third festival of heritage “ and culture. We’ve assembled a great line up of mainly free events for you. We A First Class are proud to be running three major events in partnership with Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum, to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the opening of the Pump Rooms: A Regency Ball, Victorian Sunday and a World War One Day, Watering Place” as well as many other events and activities throughout the sixteen days. Please come along to commemorate, celebrate and enjoy Leamington’s varied history and culture.

Anne Warren and Jenny St John Heritage Matters

Royal Baths and Pump Room, 1822

Contents • 200 Years of the Royal Pump Rooms • Foreword by the Leamington Mayor Elect 05 3 May – 25 August 2014 Pre-Festival Events 06 Festival Events 08 Acknowledgements 19 Opening Times Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum

Tuesday to Saturday 10.30am – 5pm Royal Pump Rooms, The Parade Map 20 Sunday 11am – 4pm Royal Leamington Spa, CV32 4AA

Monday closed (except Bank Holidays) Tel: 01926 742700

Admission Free www.warwickdc.gov.uk/royalpumprooms

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A R M T U G SE AL U LERY & M All information correct at the time of going to press. Stay up to date online: Website: www.leamingtonlooksback.co.uk Twitter: @LeamLooksBack Facebook: Leamington Looks Back I urge as many of you as possible to join in the celebrations. Leamington Looks Back 2014 promises to be an exciting venture.

It is good to be “I am very pleased to lend my support to Today, Royal Leamington Spa is a Leamington Looks Back 2014. Having fashionable and elegant town, popular reminded of our history lived in or near Leamington for more than with tourists, with celebrated examples of 40 years, I have become more and more Regency and Victorian architecture, and impressed by, and familiar with, its rich beautiful open spaces. But there are many cultural, scientific, industrial and sporting parts of the town that the tourist rarely history, and the important part the town has sees. The Old Town, south of the river A foreword by played in both Warwickshire and National contains much of architectural and industrial affairs. Many local voluntary organisations, archaeological interest. The railways and the Councillor John Knight through their researches, have done much to canal have played a vital part in the town’s Mayor Elect 2014/15 bring this history to life. There are few towns development. Royal Leamington Spa in the country of comparable size, that can boast such a wide range of clubs and I urge as many of you as possible to join in societies that enrich the lives of local people. the celebrations. Leamington Looks Back 2014 promises to be an exciting venture. It Two significant upcoming landmarks are the is good to be reminded of our history. Royal Bicentenary of the opening of the Pump Leamington Spa Town Council is pleased Rooms and the Centenary of the start of to support the occasion, which will remind World War One. Heritage Matters will be us that the town is a good place in which to organising exciting events to commemorate work, play and live.” these two anniversaries, in addition to contributions once again from a wide range of voluntary groups, organisations and individuals showcasing the town’s heritage. Festival themes this year focus on the 200 years in 50 year sections i.e. Regency; Victorian; World War One; 1960s. There will be around forty, mainly free, events including walks, talks, live performances, workshops, exhibitions, family events, etc.

4 5 200 YEARS OF REGENCY As part of the celebrations of EDWARD THE ROYAL RETICULES ADULT the 200th anniversary of the DUSINBERRE & PUMP ROOMS WORKSHOP opening of the Pump Rooms, CHARLES OWEN A FIRST CLASS WATERING PLACE Saturday 7 June , 11am - 4pm Leamington Music presents the Sunday 1 June, 4pm 3 May – 25 August following concerts: COST: £15 COST: £12, £15 and £18 To book phone: Tickets available from the FREE EXHIBITION KINSKY PIANO LEAMINGTON SPA ART 01926 742700 Visitors Information Centre at TRIO OF PRAGUE GALLERY & MUSEUM, LEAMINGTON SPA ART GALLERY & the Royal Pump Rooms or LEAMINGTON, CV32 4AA MUSEUM, LEAMINGTON, CV32 4AA call 01926 776438 or online: Friday 30 May, 7.30pm www.bridgehousetheatre.co.uk Celebrate the bicentenary of the Royal Pump Learn about and create your very own ROYAL PUMP ROOMS, Rooms at the A First Class Watering Place Regency reticule bag with Denise Stanton. COST: £12, £15 and £18 LEAMINGTON, CV32 4AA exhibition. The exhibition will explore the Places are limited. Payment required to Tickets available from the Visitors whole 200 year history of this landmark confirm booking. Non-refundable. Information Centre at the Royal Brahms Violin Sonata No 1 in G Op 78 building, with a focus on the years 1814, NB If you are attending the Regency Ball Pump Rooms or call 01926 776438 Bach Chaconne 1864, 1914 and 1964. Find out about the on Friday 27 June, this is a workshop you or online: www.bridgehousetheatre.co.uk Mendelssohn Variations Serieuses Op 54 people who built the Royal Pump Rooms might be interested in, to produce your own ROYAL PUMP ROOMS, Beethoven Violin Sonata in C minor Op 30 and the major redevelopments that were fashion accessory for the ball. LEAMINGTON, CV32 4AA No 2 made in the 1860s. Discover the role the building had during the First World War, and Hummel Piano Trio Op 65 Edward Dusinberre returns to Leamington the impact the introduction of the NHS had Fibich Piano Trio Op posth where he was born and brought up to give on the services that were provided here. Martinu Piano Trio No 2 a recital that will raise funds for a bursary Dvorak Piano Trio in Bb Op 21 to help young local musicians. He himself The Royal Pump Rooms opened in summer was helped at a crucial time in his career to 1814; it was the first and only bath house to This young trio play in Leamington for the go to the Juilliard School, where he landed be built in the fashionable area of the town first time with an all Czech programme, the position of leader of the world famous north of the river Leam. From then until continuing the tradition of promoting Czech Takacs String Quartet. The good news is the 1990s spa and medical treatments were music in the Assembly Hall, where Vilem that the Takacs Quartet will perform in provided in the building. The Royal Pump Tausky used to rehearse the Czech Free Leamington in November. Rooms also functioned as a centre for Army Choir in the early 1940’s. entertainments in the town.

6 7 © Warwickshire County Record Office.

LILLINGTON FROM INDUSTRY HISTORY DISPLAYS TO COMMUNITY WORLD WAR ONE DAY

Saturday 21 June, 10am - 12pm Saturday 21 June and Sunday 6 July 11am & 3pm WORLD WAR ONE FREE DISPLAY POETRY ADULT THE OCTAGON,ST MARY FREE GUIDED WALKS WORKSHOP MAGDALEN PARISH CHURCH, Suitable for all ages. VICARAGE RD, LILLINGTON, CV32 7RH PRINCES DRIVE, LEAMINGTON, 11am – 1pm CV31 3PH Lillington Local History Society hosts Cost £8 a Coffee Morning. Displays and the Foundry Wood is a Community Woodland (£4 for over 60’s and free for people on opportunity to exchange details of local in the heart of Leamington and Warwick certain benefits). Places limited. history. Refreshments available. on part of the old Ford Foundry site off To book, please phone: 01926 742124 Princes Drive. You will learn about the work or 01788 552933 that has taken place as well as the history of LEAMINGTON SPA ART GALLERY & the site and its links with the Ford Foundry MUSEUM, LEAMINGTON, CV32 4AA and the railways. The distance covered is less than 1/2 mile. NB Access may be difficult The workshop will be run by for those with mobility restrictions. Warwickshire’s Adult & Community Please contact us for details to check: Learning team will cover: [email protected]; 07906 262 364. • The background to poetry and war • The importance, impact and influence Foundry Wood project-managed by local of World War One poetry -which was community group ARC CIC (Achieving unique, as it is estimated 1.5 million Results in Communities Community Interest poems were written by soldiers! Company) in partnership with the Friends of • Telling the history of the war Foundry Wood. through the poetry • Information on well-known, and some www.foundrywood.co.uk less well known, poets and their poems Twitter: @foundrywood • Pictures/film of some of the places featured • Poems from the ‘Home Front’ and also Warwickshire Soldier, Raymond Reynolds. one from a German poet

8 9 WORLD WAR MACBETH SCHOOLS ONE DAY PROGRAMME

Saturday 21 June, 12pm - 4pm Saturday 21 June, 7pm – 7.30pm Leamington Looks Back is participating in the national ‘Letter FREE EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES FREE LIVE PERFORMANCE to an Unknown Soldier Project’ PUMP ROOM GARDENS, PUMP ROOM GARDENS, www.1418now.org.uk/letter/ LEAMINGTON, CV32 4AA LEAMINGTON, CV32 4AA as part of the World War One centenary. Any school interested in joining Leamington Discover more about World War One, which A short free taster from Heartbreak Looks Back in submitting letters, please began 100 years ago, during this day of Productions of their new Macbeth contact Jenny St John 01926 774373, activities and events, including re-enactors, production, set in the period of the or email: [email protected]. in the Pump Room Gardens and the First World War. Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum. • Living Military History, World War One Please note: Macbeth has been given an re-enactors will be in the Pump Room age rating of 8+ and contains no Gardens from 12pm to 4pm. swearing or nudity. The themes of • Meet soldiers and nurses in their tents the play in general may, however, be and find out how wounded soldiers were unsuitable for younger children. treated at the Front. • Try on uniforms and make a medal or To buy tickets for the full production in cap badge with the Royal Regiment of Leamington VAD Nurse, Dorothy Burbury the Jephson Gardens on Tuesday 24 June © Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum Fusiliers Museum volunteers (Warwick District Council) and Wednesday 25 June, please visit the • Bring your photos and show us what website: www.heartbreakproductions.co.uk your family (men and women) did in World War One. Heritage Matters are running this event • Write a Letter to an Unknown Soldier in partnership with Leamington Spa Art (part of a National Project). Gallery & Museum. Living Military History • Find out about researching military (www.livingmilitaryhistory.co.uk) sponsored family history. by The Leamington Society and The Friends of the Pump Room Gardens.

10 11 BLACK PEOPLE IN CEMETERY WALKS LEAMINGTON HISTORY WARWICKSHIRE GROUP FREE GUIDED WALKS

Monday 23 June, 7.30pm – 9pm Thursday 26 June – 2pm and 6pm GROWTH OF REGENCY EXPLORING NORTH EAST Sunday 29 June – 2pm LEAMINGTON LEAMINGTON LEAMINGTON HISTORY Friday 4 July – 2pm and 6pm Tuesday 24 June, 2.30pm – 4pm Tuesday 1 July, 2.30pm - 4pm GROUP TALK MEMBERS FREE, VISITORS £2.50 FREE GUIDED WALKS SOUTH LODGE, JEPHSON SOUTH LODGE, JEPHSON DORMER CONFERENCE CENTRE, BRUNSWICK CEMETERY, BRUNSWICK GARDENS (PARADE ENTRANCE), GARDENS (PARADE ENTRANCE), DORMER PLACE, ST, LEAMINGTON, CV31 2DS LEAMINGTON, CV32 4AA LEAMINGTON, CV32 4AA LEAMINGTON, CV32 5AA Enjoy a summer’s walk around Brunswick Enjoy a walk around old Leamington with Visit Holly Walk, Lansdowne Crescent Jim Layton will be giving a presentation Street Cemetery and find out about some History Group member, Michael Pearson. and Circus, and discover the works of on ‘Black People in Warwickshire’. of the interesting characters who have This walk is suitable for all ages. Explore the nineteenth century architect, William Refreshments available after the talk. lived or died in Leamington and where where the Spa Waters were found and find Thomas. Learn about the development they are buried. The walks will last around out interesting facts about the town and of North East Leamington during 60-90 minutes and will be conducted about Leamington’s very own elephants. the early and mid-Victorian period. by local historians, Alan Griffin, Allan Longish walk on level ground. Jennings, Barry Franklin and Nigel Briggs. LEAMINGTON’S VICTORIAN No need to book, just turn up at the TOWN CENTRE THE PARADE & REGENT STREET middle cemetery entrance on Brunswick Wednesday 25 June, 7pm – 8.30pm Wednesday 2 July, 7pm – 8.30pm Street. Walks will start promptly. Please park on the road and not in the cemetery SOUTH LODGE, JEPHSON SOUTH LODGE, JEPHSON grounds. The nearest bus stop for the GARDENS (PARADE ENTRANCE), GARDENS (PARADE ENTRANCE), G1 bus is close by in St. Helen’s Road. LEAMINGTON, CV32 4AA LEAMINGTON, CV32 4AA Please remember that it is a cemetery and A pleasant walk looking at how the Parade show the appropriate respect, especially Discover how the Victorians lived in and Regent Street developed during the if a funeral is in progress. Thank you. Leamington, visit the Parade and the famous Regency period. See the oldest building Jephson Gardens. Suitable for all ages. in Regent Street, find out where a ghost was seen and learn what happened at Lantern Corner. Suitable for all ages.

12 13 REGENCY REGENCY VICTORIAN VICTORIAN LEAMINGTON BALL LEAMINGTON SUNDAY

Friday 27 June, 1pm – 1.30pm Friday 27 June, 7.30pm – 11pm Sunday 29 June, 10.30am – 12pm Sunday 29 June, 12pm – 4pm

FREE FRIDAY Tickets £40 FREE GUIDED WALK FREE EVENT AND FOCUS TALK including a Regency-inspired supper, SOUTH LODGE, JEPHSON ACTIVITIES LEAMINGTON SPA ART GALLERY & available from the Leamington Spa GARDENS (PARADE ENTRANCE), PUMP ROOM GARDENS, MUSEUM, LEAMINGTON, CV32 4AA Art Gallery & Museum 01926 742700. LEAMINGTON, CV32 4AA LEAMINGTON, CV32 4AA Or the Box Office, The Town Hall, Discover what the social life was The Parade, Leamington Spa, CV32 Enjoy a walk around Leamington with Enjoy a relaxing Sunday afternoon at the like in Regency Leamington Priors. 4AT 01926 334418 email: boxoffice@ historian, Jo Clark. Visit the buildings Pump Rooms in the manner of the Victorians. Senior Curator Vicki Slade will talk warwickdc.gov.uk or buy online: http:// designed and built by Leamington’s • Punch & Judy shows (12.30pm and about the various entertainments that www.warwickdc.gov.uk/royalspacentre/ local architects. Find out where 2pm) sponsored by the Friends existed in the town at that time. ROYAL PUMP ROOMS, THE PARADE, Princess Victoria stayed as young of the Pump Room Gardens LEAMINGTON, CV32 4AA child and find out why as Queen she • Bands playing in the Pump Room granted Leamington the Royal title. Gardens on the bandstand. Step back in time at our Regency Ball • Dress up and bring a Victorian-style picnic THE BOMBING OF to celebrate the 200th anniversary of • Free drop-in family workshop LEAMINGTON the opening of the Royal Pump Rooms. - design your own Victorian Green Ginger players will provide the Industrial T-Shirt (1pm to 4pm) Friday 27 June, 7.30pm - 9pm music while Caller, Diana Campbell, • Play a Victorian-themed video-game on guides you through the dances. the Spa-cade cabinet in the Museum TALK £2 • Talk on ‘Making Money in LILLINGTON PRIMARY Regency-style dress recommended. Victorian Leamington’ (2pm in SCHOOL, CUBBINGTON RD, Heritage Matters is running this the Art Gallery & Museum) LILLINGTON, CV32 7AG event in partnership with Leamington • Enjoy a Magic Lantern show (3.15pm Spa Art Gallery & Museum. in the Art Gallery & Museum) Presentation on the Bombing of Leamington • Visit St Peter’s Flower Festival, in World War Two by historian, Allan celebrating their 150th anniversary Jennings. Refreshments available. (overlooking the Pump Room Gardens) • Hire a Victorian skiff at Leam Boat Victorian Sunday is run by Heritage Matters Centre in the Mill Gardens close by in partnership with Leamington Spa Art (NB free ice-cream or 10% discount Gallery & Museum on boat hire charge during the day) 14 15 MEMORIES OF LOOK BACK TO GROOVY SIXTIES CLEMENS STREET THE SIXTIES

Sunday 29 June, 2.30pm – 4.30pm Monday 30 June, 10.30am - 12pm Tuesday 1 July, 2pm – 3.30pm

FREE WORKSHOP COST £5 COST £5 COMMUNITY ROOM, NEXT TO Advance Booking Required: Advance Booking Required: THE HINDU TEMPLE, 10 HIGH ST, 01926 738959/412132/412501 01926 738959/412132/412501 LEAMINGTON WARWICKSHIRE COUNTY RECORD WARWICKSHIRE MUSEUM STORES, OFFICE, PRIORY PARK, WARWICK, MONTAGUE RD, WARWICK, CV34 5LW Road access off High Street, pedestrian CV34 4JS access off Clemens Street. Go back in time to the Sixties and explore Come and share your memories Go behind the scenes at the County Record a selection of costume and objects from or old photos of Clemens Street Office, view original records from the 1960s, Warwickshire Museum’s Social History in this relaxed session. including photographs, newspapers and collection, with Curator of Human History, community archives, and discover how we Sara Wear. care for Warwickshire’s records.

A CELEBRATION SYDENHAM OF SYDENHAM HISTORY

Tuesday 1 July, 7.30pm – 9pm Friday 4 July, 1pm – 1.30pm

BOOK LAUNCH FREE FRIDAY SYDNI CENTRE, FOCUS TALK COTTAGE SQUARE (OFF MARLOES LEAMINGTON SPA ART GALLERY & WALK), SYDENHAM, CV31 1PT MUSEUM, LEAMINGTON, CV32 4AA

Sydenham History Group launch their book Find out about the history of the Sydenham ’A celebration of Sydenham’. Guest speaker estate with local historian and resident, will be Alistair Clark, director of A.C.Lloyd, Nigel Briggs. talking about the history of the company and the development of Sydenham.

16 17 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Heritage Matters would like to thank the following for their support of Leamington Looks Back 2014:

Our particular thanks this year go to our festival organising and volunteer team; Jeff Watkin, Vicki Slade and Coral Manton, our partners at Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum; David Butler, Leamington Town Centre Manager.

PUBS OF ROYAL SYDENHAM 50th We would also like to thank Councillor John Knight, Leamington Spa Mayor LEAMINGTON SPA CELEBRATIONS Elect 2014/15, for his foreword and support of Leamington Looks Back. Anne Warren and Jenny St John Thursday 3 July, 12pm – 2pm Saturday 5 July 1pm – 5pm Sydni Centre BOOK-SIGNING Fallow Hill 3pm - 5pm Individuals, Groups, Businesses and Organisations THE PLOUGH & HARROW, St Mary’s Church 7pm – 9pm The Backspace Team; Nigel Briggs; Friends of the Pump Room Gardens; Foundry Wood; WHITNASH RD, WHITNASH, CV31 2HX Natalie Griffith, PressSpace PR; Heartbreak Productions; Leamington Hindu Temple; EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES ALL DAY Leam Boat Centre; Leamington History Group; Leamington Music; The Leamington Pubs of Royal Leamington Spa: Society; Stas Librowski; Lillington Local History Society; Living Military History; Monster & Two Centuries of History The Sydenham estate was started in 1964 Monster; Radiant Worlds; Royal Regiment of Fusiliers Museum; Spencer & Son; Sydenham Two of the authors of this recently and is celebrating its 50th anniversary. History Project; Sydni Centre; Tip Top Puppets; Warwickshire County Record Office; published book will be on hand to sell A day of music, theatre, displays, fun, Warwickshire’s Adult & Community Learning Service; Warwickshire Heritage and Culture. this popular book for the special price of food, sports, competitions, and more £20. The book is the first to document Thanks also Warwick District Council Media Room, for this year’s artwork, the history of its pubs. It records more as well as Vital Marketing for the Leamington Looks Back branding. than 200 years of history tracking back to a time in the late 1700s when the SYDENHAM Sponsors small village of Leamington Priors had HISTORY The Friends of the Pump Room Gardens around 300 residents and just two inns. The Leamington Society Sunday 6 July, 6pm – 7.30pm Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum Royal Leamington Spa Town Council FREE GUIDED WALK Social Panda Website Design Agency SYDNI CENTRE, Warwickshire District Council COTTAGE SQUARE Warwickshire County Council (OFF MARLOES WALK), SYDENHAM, CV31 1PT

A walking tour around Sydenham, starting at the Sydni Centre, to reveal the history behind this modern estate, from a 12th Photography Credits century mill to a Victorian polo club, Historical images from the Leamington Community Archive and to Buffalo Bill and even a First World Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum. Other images credited where known. War flying ace, Sir Alan Cobham.

18 19 ON TO ST ELEIGH

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