1 Timeline of Events in Long Crendon From 1900 to 2000 Photographs of Church & CourtHouse to commence the Timeline Information obtained from the following: - Memories of my Youth by Ernest Blane; A Short History of Long Crendon by Joyce Donald; Long Crendon School Centenary 1877 – 1977; Parish Council minutes from 1927-1973; Preservation Societies History Committee; Crendon in Camera by Malcolm Warner; Crendon Crier since it’s inception in 1973 and many villagers who have provided me with information. My apologies if you should find anything incorrect as this has been put together in a very short time. Olive Waters 1899 The Court House was one of the first properties to be acquired by the National Trust. (Photo No.1) Pre 1900 – See history of Long Crendon Part 1 & 2 by Joyce Donald. The Village School - the foundation having been laid in 1876, it opened for it’s first pupils on 26th March 1877 when 118 children registered. Prior to the school opening most children’s learning came about through the Sunday Schools of the village Churches. There were four places of worship, the Parish Church of St Mary’s, the Baptist Chapel, the Methodist and the Weslyan. The Salvation Army had no permanent building but used the Hall in Burts Lane (was Searles Bakery before becoming a Butchers shop and now a private dwelling). Employment for men was mostly as farm labourers – 14 farms in all. The largest landowner was Lord of the Manor Mr Herbert Dodwell. He also owned the brickwork’s at the foot of Barrel Hill, which employed some men. There were 4 Bakers who also gave employment, 2 Coal Merchants and 2 Blacksmiths. Lace Making was an occupation for women and up to 200 were recorded in the 1861 census. (Photo No 2) 1901 Sir Lawrence & Lady Gomme came to live in the lower part of the Court House and in 1904 re-built the Mound from a collection of cottages (See Photographs from Preservation Society). 1902 In June, School Children were given a half day holiday to celebrate the ending of the Boer War (1900-1902) and school was closed for a whole week to celebrate the Coronation of Edwards VII on 20th June. Around this era there was much poverty and some women became foster mothers to Dr Barnardos children, which gave extra income. 1904 Transport to Thame, Oxford and Aylesbury was by the Carriers Cart. 1908 The Horticultural and Industrial Society started in this year and held it’s 1st show in the cart shed in Herbert Dodwells rickyard, catering mainly for Allotment Holders. The day ended with sports in the park at the rear of the Manor. 1909 Lloyd George’s Old Age Pension Act became law and elderly people over 65 who earned less than 10/- were entitled to a pension of 5/- per week. Church House was opened and was given to the village by Dr Elwell as a memorial to his wife. 1910 Village laundress was Sally Edwards who lived at Lower End (56 Bicester Road). On Sunday the copper was filled ready for the fire to be lit early on Monday, which was washing day, Tuesday and Wednesday ironing and on Friday deliveries were made using a hand cart, plus collecting of laundry ready to start again on the next Monday. 1914 A Horse-tram driver from London, (Photo No 5) a Mr White took over the Golden Cross public house and began a carrier service to Thame picking up parcels from Thame Station. Mr Fred Pearce (Baker) had a special cart called 2 a "fly" which he used for weddings and special occasions. The Post Office was kept by Henry Hunt and situated on the East Side of the Square (now Stratten Cottage). Charlie Clark and Henry Hunt delivered the Post. 1911 School was closed for the Coronation of King George V. 1918 The School Children were granted a holiday to celebrate the signing of the Armistice. 1919 The Recreation Ground as we now know it was given to the village. The Women’s Institute was formed in this year; the Minute Book of 1923 records the following as officers: - President – Mrs Burrows, The Manor High Street. Vice Presidents – Miss Curwen, The Crown, Bicester Road & Miss Woodhouse, Sandy Lane. Treasurer – Mrs Coles, Mill Terrace, Chilton Road. Secretary – Mrs Woodcock, The White House (now Burnham Cottage) High Street. There was a Committee of Eleven and a membership of 55. 1920 Still one of the largest landowners and employer was Lord of the Manor Herbert Dodwell. Mr Henry Reynolds, farmer of Notley Abbey (Photo No3) gave work to many men and boys around this time. One project was to build a road from the Abbey to join the Aylesbury to Thame Road (Photo No 4). Long Crendon Manor came into the hands of Mrs Laline Barry, daughter of Lady de Lisle & Dudley of Penshurst. The Architect Philip Tilden transformed it to its present state. He later restored Nether Winchendon House and also built the Bernard Hall and Vicarage in the village of Cuddington. 1925 A dinner for the Aged and Poor began in 1876 in the Eight Bells public house. From 1890 in early January of each year a Xmas Dinner was held for the Old Folk. Now organised by a local committee and provided by John Coltman who also supplied staff from his hotel in London to serve the meal in the New Hall. Entertainment followed and all the folk took home a bag of groceries. This came to be knows as the Old Folks Dinner. The meal was cooked in the Bake house of Dodwells Stores, which was adjacent to the New Hall; a turkey dinner with Xmas pudding to follow. A real treat for the elderly folk. Summer Holiday for villagers was the Annual Feast held on Whit WeekEnd when The Square plus areas of Bicester Road to the Angel Public House was occupied by travelling showmen. 1928 Parish Council considered the cost of street lighting; estimated cost per light to be £2.50 per annum. After much discussion the matter was deferred until 1929. In October the Parish Council (See Photo No.7) made plans for a United Armistice Service at the War Memorial. Organisations represented were: Scouts – Mr Reynolds; School - Mr Maugham (Head Master); W.I. – Miss Woodhouse; British Legion – Mr A Turner; Trumpeter – Mr Ernest Cadle. Rev Williams of the Parish Church St Mary’s and Rev Pugh of the Baptist Church led the Service. 1930 Parish meeting held on February 13th 1930 discussed improvements to be made to the Recreation Ground, i.e. 3 Tennis Courts, Bowling Green, Cricket Table, Senior & Junior Football Pitches, Children’s Corner, Old Peoples Corner! and a Social Club. Aylesbury R.D.C. proposed the Parish Council should consider a piped water supply. This was rejected as unnecessary and too expensive. 1931 The Population of the village was now 978. The Bowls Club was formed. 1932 In this year Mr Bradbury Snr bought Drakes Farm and the land surrounding and operated a small gravel pit (Photo No.6) until 1936. New building projects began to emerge making roof tiles and glazed wall tiles. 3 1934 Until this year Long Crendon had a Rural District Council, which comprised the Parishes of Boarstall, Brill, Chilton, Dorton, Ickford, Long Crendon, Oakley, Shabbington, Towersey and Worminghall. Towersey at that time was in Bucks but was later swapped with Kingsey, which was then in Oxon. Long Crendon Horticultural & Industrial Society paid out a total of £33. 14s 1d to villagers for the collection of queen wasps, 1d per wasp. The winner was George Warner who collected 355. 1936 Land adjoining the Recreation Ground on the north side was purchased from Mr G Gascoyne, which was then, called the ½ acre. Street Lighting again considered by Parish Council, but no action taken. 1937 Coronation of King George VI (Item 2) A Carnival procession took place along with Sports. A sit down tea for children under 14 years of age and a Coronation Mug & Buffet refreshments for all over 14 years. Miss Ruby Hamilton opened a fee-paying school at her cottage in Hollington. This she ran for 28 years. Amenities were sparse, 1 cold water tap and an Elsan toilet. Long Crendon Flower Show held an Athletic Sports event at The Manor on 21st August. (Photo No.10) Interesting to see that the programme advertised Willis Hawes of The Friars Dairy as the only dairyman with Steam Cleansing Equipment, Refrigeration and ‘Three’ deliveries daily. 1939 War having been declared, the school did not open after the Summer Holidays until 15th September, when arrangements could be made to accommodate evacuees from Ealing. As there was not enough seating, two sessions were organised, one a.m. with the local teachers the other p.m. with the Ealing teachers. On the August Bank Holiday the Horticultural & Industrial Society Show took place at Long Crendon Manor, this was to be the last of these Annual events until after the War. Bucks Water Board provided a main water supply, but very few houses were connected. Public wells continued in use until after the War. These were situated at the rear of The Star, Well Cottage (Church House Square), grass verge opposite Madges (High Street) and Lower End Green. There were also pumps in Bicester Road (Opposite Highfields), in Chilton Road and two Springs in Sandy Lane & Barrel Hill (Lion Spring). 1940 In March the School was having problems with its water supply and workmen had to descend into the well to correct the pump. No census was taken for 1941 due to the war and the population probably doubled due to the evacuation from London.