Borstal, Past and Present

by Norman Clout

POST-SCRIPT
JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS IN BORSTAL - IN 1897!

With the Queen's Silver Jubilee celebrations only just behind us, it is fascinating to read a local newspaper cutting of 1897 which reports how Borstal celebrated the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria. Names still with a familiar ring in 1978 crop up - Jeffery, Prall, Godden, Oliver, Norton, Pollock. For many of us, there are very happy memories of the annual Village School Sports, which used to be held on Priestfields. The Sports of 1897, however, were held on the Recreation Ground by the river and in Mr. Craske's adjoining meadow.

"The children assembled near the School at one o'clock and marched in procession to the fete fields. Athletic sports ... continued until well on in the evening. The Borstal Brass Band played selections at intervals ... The children re-assembled at half past three o'clock and marched to the schools and hall of the Institute for tea, which was an excellent repast..." There were flat races, sack races, bicylce races (including one for the ladies - how we would like to have seen the ladies' attire for this daring event!), putting the shot, throwing the hammer, and tug-of-war between the Prison Officials and the Villagers, won by the latter! Prizes for the over-60s were tobacco for the men and packets of tea for the ladies. "A huge bonfire was lighted at ten o'clock in the "White Horse" field by kind permission of the authorities (and of Mr. Elphick, the tenant) subject to the restrictions that the public approach the field only by Chalk Road, not to approach within a hundred yards of the bonfire, and not to interfere with the same in any way whatever. There was also a display of fireworks. Both were great successes."

Many houses were gaily decorated including "Longueville", "Saumarez", "St. Brelade" and "St. Heliers" - all in the Borstal Road, "Borstal Villas", "Albion House" (at the corver of Manor Lane) and "The White Horse". Also decorated were the premises of the local Chemist (yes, we did actually have a chemist here eighty years ago; so much for "progress"!)

As the report so fittingly concludes - "WELL DONE, BORSTAL!"

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