Unionist Fete, Bank Hall Burnley 20 June 1908

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iBase ID

274573

Reference identifier

EBU20171206004

Title

Unionist Fete, Bank Hall Burnley 20 June 1908

Place

Burnley

Personal names

Gerald Arbuthnot, Mrs. Arbuthnot, Sir John Thursby, Lady Thursby, Sir Ian Malcolm, Jeanne Langtry, Lillie Langtry, Philip Morell

General notes

On 20th June 1908, Sir John and Lady Thursby invited the public to the grounds of Bank Hall for a "demonstration", organised by the Conservative and Unionist Parties, which was to include Morris Dancing, sports, gymnastic displays, refreshments etc. and speeches. On a sunny day approximately 4,000 people were said to have attended. The Burnley Express of 24th June 1908 had a full report including the speeches verbatim. Guest speaker was Ian Malcom, described by Sir John as "one of the rising young men" of the Conservative Party who had come from London specially, as had Sir John, who had sacrificed the King's Garden Party at Windsor to attend. After Ian Malcolm, Gerald Arbuthnot, despite feeling unwell, also spoke, until he felt too ill to continue. After the speeches, there were sports, including "Needle threading race (ladies)", the Bank Hall Brass Band took the stage and played for dancing into the evening. This image shows Gerald Arbuthnot speaking from the platform, Arbuthnot became M.P. for Burnley from January to December 1910, when he lost to the Liberal Philip Morell. He died in action in 1916.See also 274572 and 4; 274350 for Arbuthnot; 267555 for Bank Hall

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