Ice skating was popular in Victorian and Edwardian times - when the winters must have been colder. It gave the young ladies and gentlemen a way to meet informally and show off their skills.
This quote is below the picture - so not everyone was a natural on the ice!
Francis Kilvert also writes in his diary about skating at Draycott Water ( near Chippenham?) in 1870, there were bands playing so the skater did the dances of the time - The Lancers, Quadrilles and The Sir Roger de Coverley. It sounds as if skating carried on until after dark because he mentions Chinese Lanterns and torches being lit.
This poem is on the same page
Last Saturday there was an "ice" rink in the middle of Stowmarket nothing like the painting!
It was only little but big enough for children and their parents to have a go. I didn't like to take a photo with children in it so just a quick snap.
I had volunteered to do a couple of extra hours in the charity shop in case it was extra busy , but it wasn't too bad and there were three of us there so I tidied and topped up the book shelves and then did some sorting upstairs. I'm still overwhelmed by the muddle and it doesn't help that each week things have been moved round because it's all so new and gradually getting organised. When I left the charity shop at midday everywhere was packed with people. There was free parking on all the car parks which was a good idea to get people into town.
I've been to many things alone in the last 7 months but it felt odd to be walking through town on my own among all the families, so quickly got the shopping done at Asda and home to light the wood-burner and warm up the house for an evening of glitzy glamour........ the Strictly Final. (Think Stacey and Kevin got the sympathy vote because on the day none of their routines were as good as the others! I didn't mind who won, it's all good entertainment.)
After I wrote this I did some research on the artist - because under the picture it say's "L Prang & Co(after a work by Henry Sandham)". Turns out L Prang & Co were a company well know for producing Christmas cards .......in the USA! and Henry Sandham was actually a Canadian Painter.
This is an original of Sandham's dated 1886, from which the Christmas card could have been copied
He came to the UK in 1901 to exhibit at the Royal Academy of Arts and died in London in 1910
Back Tomorrow
Sue
I've never tried to skate - I'd be too worried about my ankles which are wonky at the best of times!
ReplyDeleteI agree about Strictly - she wasn't the best but her personality has shone through all throught this series. If the best dancer had won, it would have been Ashley, I think.
I read yesterday that Joe is a thatcher by trade. That's quite unusual (if true) and rather nice.
xx
Yes he was a thatcher, now a well known vlogger ( or well known to lots of younger people!)
DeleteMorning Sue and Joy - yes Joe is a thatcher, he's mentioned it himself. I'm glad they won...not only is Stacey a total fresh, honest, down to earth delight, Kevin is just such a nice guy - I was crying along with him when they won! Thanks once again Sue for your lovely Christmas posts, I do enjoy them.
ReplyDeleteI like writing the Christmas posts, although getting short of ideas for the rest of the week!
DeleteStrictly Final was glamorous on a stormy Saturday night and I’m glad Kevin finally won. George Square in Glasgow has quite a big ice rink but sadly it was closed on Saturday due to snowy, icy rain which meant very little trade for the Christmas market. Well done Sue on giving some extra time to the charity shop and keeping the books topped up and orderly.
ReplyDeleteI don't think it started raining here until late ( I had shut the curtains by then) but so very cold all day
DeleteWhen I lived in Minnesota (v.v. cold winters, -15F and below) in my 20s, lakes and ponds would ice over thickly enough for skating. The only downfall (pun intended) is that the ice wouldn't usually form a nice smooth surface. It was often rough and, in my case, falling due to hitting a rough patch was more likely than being able to swan off looking like an Olympic skater--at least until the surface was worn down a bit by use. At least women in Victorian and Edwardian times had a lot of padding in their clothing to cushion their falls.
ReplyDeleteI was no good on roller skates so would never manage ice skates!
DeleteInteresting post today. I have brought 6 lovely Christmas books for 50p each from the charity shop for my daughter. It's a beautiful day here.
ReplyDeleteHazel c uk
That sounds a good buy - what books did you find?
DeleteCreative Christmas book, candle making, the country Christmas, decorating for Christmas, Christmas table decorations, Christmas kitchen. Her main present is fairlise wool for a jumper she wants to knit. The ones what she like can go back to the charity shop.
DeleteHazel c uk
Very interesting - and shows how many things stay the same. After church yesterday I walked up to City Hall with 3 other ladies as there is a winter fair on the go at the moment. It was a lovely, sunny day and right around 2C so quite mild.
ReplyDeleteThere is a huge square out front of the hall with a large fountain that becomes a skating rink for the winter. There were hundreds of people out there yesterday enjoying themselves - the skating goes on until around midnight I believe as the Christmas lights go on at sunset and it is gorgeous (I walked by late one night last week just to see the square and the giant Christmas tree all lit up).
That sounds amazing to see, specially lit up at night.
DeleteAmazingly, my small Florida city has installed an outdoor ice skating rink for the first time. It’s under a tent. Lovely for the children who’ve grown up in our tropical climate.
ReplyDeleteI think these portable "ice" rinks are a lovely idea, pity they are only seen at Christmas. There are no real ice rinks anywhere in the East of England and never cold enough for ponds to freeze nowadays
DeleteThe charity shop is fortunate to have you as a volunteer with your knowledge and expertise of sorting books. I bet it is fun for you to get the first look at many of the books!
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine skating in all those skirts! I was just ok at roller skating My town had a year round ice rink but after one time was never interested in ice skating. Love the pictures of the skaters though.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was young skating was one of the best ways to spend a sunny winter's day. Now I would be afraid of falling and breaking another bone or two.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
All this reminds me of when my husband (then boyfriend)and I went sliding about on the lake in St Albans many years ago . It had frozen solid and I can remember there were lots of people sliding about on it ...no not skating but just going on with their shoes and sliding ..I can almost hear the laughter once again thinking about it ! I wouldn't do that again today ..far too dangerous ! We sat down to have a picnic and got chased for our sandwiches by a huge swan !!! lol ! Sweet memories :) Hugs Debbie :) x
ReplyDelete