Old Photograph

[DSJ]

This is the old photograph. Can anyone guess the year, the possible location & the event?

I look forward to your observations.

http://www3.snapfish.co.uk/snapfishuk/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=18270848010/a=12637259010_12637259010/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfishuk/

[murraymints]

Holding bowls...early 1900 `s ?

[DSJ]

The occasion is the annual Rose & Sweet Pea Show in Deeping St. James, Lincolnshire.

The venue is the garden of the vicarage, as it still is for this event nowadays, and I'm told that the date of this photograph is 1912. I would have put it a few years earlier.

The building in the centre is the Church Hall. It's still there today. You can just see a small part of the Priory Church of St. James in the top left-hand corner. I am told that the ladies are bowling for a pig but I would have expected them to use wooden balls for that. These look more like crown bowls.

Whatever was happening, everyone seems to be enjoying themselves. I wonder how many of those men came home unscathed in 1918?

[stewey]

Interesting, DSJ. Unfortunately, the "Guns Of August" probably permanently obliterated many of those smiling faces for ever.

[Smowball]

Ive been to that village : )

[gness]

Well I wouldn't have got that DSJ but it was fun trying.....thank you.

[Mosaic]

if you look on google maps / satellite you can see the wall the kids were sitting on, in between the priory church and the church hall.
Thanks DSJ - I love a hhistory puzzle!

[echokilo]

Having got to the end to see that you already knew was most interesting - my guess was going to be 1910 ... so pleased I am not too far out. Great photo - and all very interesting.

[AB Editor]

Just added the image in. You can see it a bit larger here:

http://images2.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp5437%3A%3Enu%3D4495%3E957%3E%3B33%3EWSNRCG%3D3789479%3B55333nu0mrj

[Barmaid]

Well blow me, I had a quick look see on Saturday and thought it was Deeping St James. I used to live there.

[DJHawkes]

Ahhh I can see now why the church roof seems to not be there, it's an unusual shape which is easy to see on google maps. Coincidentally, Blanche's family from the photo I posted were from Bourne and Heckington, which are not too far away from Deeping!

[DSJ]

I forgot to mention that the building in the centre, now used as the Church Hall, was the village school at the time that the photo was taken.

Glad you all liked this little mystery.

I have other photographs so may try to set you another puzzle in the future.

[gness]

Do....I enjoyed this one..thanks.

[Peter Pedant]

Deeping parish council here:

http://www.dsjpc.co.uk/pc/

nothing about the Great War

(but their charges for the FOI Act searches seem to be a bit iffy, that is I wonder if they comply with the Act)

[sunny-dave]

I missed this entirely - what a lovely thread - please post another photo when you have time, DSJ.

[rockyracoon]

My aunt lives in Deeping St James, I'll have to show her this picture, she'll love it.

[Lynn_M]

The men are wearing boaters and the lady on the left is baring her ankles! Most probably Edwardian

[DSJ]

Who is your aunt, rockyracoon? I may know her.