Queen's Diamond Jubilee (1897)

Post date: Nov 28, 2011 4:56:33 PM

Our current Queen's Diamond Jubilee was in 2012. In 1897 Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee was celebrated. There were many accompanying events in Wateringbury and a permanent memorial in the form of a Lychgate for the cemetery (see Queen's Diamond Jubilee 4) was erected. The following is an extract from Wateringbury Parish Magazine of August 1897 describing one such event held in Wateringbury Place.

DIAMOND jubilee fete.—On 29th July a Fete was given by Alderman Davies. M. P. and Mrs. Davies, at Wateringbury Place, in honour of The Queen's Diamond Jubilee, to which the inhabitants of Wateringbury and the surrounding parishes were invited. Special arrangements, including a dinner and tea, were made for the inmates of Malling Union. During the afternoon a series of sports were held, ably superintended by a committee of gentlemen. In the evening the grounds, the lakes, the house and the terraces were tastefully illuminated, about 5,000 lamps being used for the purpose. Commencing at 9 p.m., a brilliant display of fireworks was given, which lasted about twenty minutes and terminated with the words "Good Night" in green and red fire, accompanied by a salvo of rockets. The weather, which had threatened in the morning and early afternoon, cleared up afterwards, and enabled the very large number of guests to thoroughly enjoy themselves. All fully appreciated the kindness of their hosts, and spent a most enjoyable day.

Sir Horatio David Davies (1842–1912) was a London businessman, politician, magistrate and a driving force behind the establishment of Pimm's as an international brand name. He was an alderman of Bishopsgate ward and at the time of the diamond jubilee Conservative M.P. for Chatham and Lord Mayor of London (exactly 70 years previously Mathias Lucas of Wateringbury Place had also been Lord Mayor of London). He had been a Lieutenant Colonel in the Middlesex Artillery. His wife Lizzie died in 1907.

Whether Pimm's was served at the fete is not recorded. It had been invented by Mr. James Pimm, born in Newnham, Kent (near Faversham) as an aid to digesting the oysters his, London-based, business was selling. James Pimm sold his business to Frederick Sawyer in 1865 who in turn sold to Sir Horatio Davies in 1880. The brand was expanded and was exported particularly to the empire.

There is a James Pimm buried at East Peckham who some believe was the inventor of Pimms, but it possibly was a different person who shared the same name.

On Tower Bridge is a plaque commemorating the opening of the bridge on 30th June 1894 by the Prince of Wales. The plaque lists the "Members of the Bridge House Estates Committee of the City of London" including (on the right hand side) under aldermen Lieut. Col. Horatio David Davies; and (also on right) under commoners James Norris Pimm, Esq., Deputy. Photos are courtesy of Chris Clark.

The Worcestershire Chronicle of 1st March 1890 reported that he paid £20,000 for Wateringbury Place.

For other snippets on Horatio Davies see Bribery at Wateringbury Fete.

For other snippets on the Diamond Jubilee in Wateringbury see Queen's Diamond Jubilee 2 -the church, Queen's Diamond Jubilee 3-the school, and Queen's Diamond Jubilee 4-the cemetery lychgate