Some Selected Reports from The Windsor and Eton Express
24th December 1836
Christmas Fare
The butchers in Windsor and Eton have been this week, according to their usual custom, rivalling each other with their show of meat. The shops of the principal tradesmen have attracted particular notice from the immense quantity exhibited, and from the fineness of its quality. Without an exception however all the meat to be seen in these towns have been of the finest quality.
We are happy to learn that a Choral Society is in the course of formation in Windsor, which is to be open to all persons who choose to subscribe to its maintenance, and the performers of which are to consist of vocal and instrumental amateurs. A sort of
preliminary meeting took place at the residence of Mr.Elvey, the Organist of St.George's Chapel, on Tuesday evening, which was attended by about forty performers, who executed a variety of pieces from the Messiah in a most satisfactory manner. We need hardly say that the society has our best wishes for its success.
Church Rates In Windsor
The Aylesbury News of this day contains the following paragraph:-
"We hear that a public meeting is about to be called in Windsor upon the subject of church-rates. Its object is to form a society, and send a petition to parliament , praying for their abolition. There is no town in England, we believe, where this rate is more unwillingly paid than in Windsor; and it is a notorious fact, that of late, the Independent chapel has been much better attended than the Church, although the latter has been puffing for an audience."
We believe our contemporary is wrongly informed as to the intention to hold a meeting in Windsor to petition for the abolition of church-rates, but that a strong feeling prevails in this Borough against the payment of those rates, is evident from the fact,
that there is a large amount of arrears which cannot be collected, many persons declaring their determination not to pay them. The church-rates for Windsor have for many years been mortgaged, and we fancy the mortgagee will find that his investment will eventually prove a sorry speculation.
The annual audit meeting of the Windsor and Eton Junior Cricket Club was held on Wednesday evening at the Swan Inn, when the funds proved to be in a very flourishing state, and on which occasion a large richly embossed silver cup was presented in the name of
the club, by the Major , Edward Bovingdon, Esq., to the Treasurer, Mr. John Kellner, who had been upward of 24 years a member. The Major, in addressing the meeting, referred at some length to the transactions of the Club
during the whole of the period it has been established, and expressed in terms highly honourable to Mr. Kellner, the sentiments of all the members, as to his zealous, unwearied and disinterested exertions on all occasions to promote its prosperity.
The cup bore the following inscription , which was very cleverly engraved by Mr.Jewers, of Adelaide Square:-
"Presented to Mr.John Kellner, by the Members of the Windsor and Eton Junior Cricket Club, as a token of esteem for his great exertions in the Club for a period of 24 years." On the reverse side was engraved the date "December 21 1836," together with a bat, ball, and stumps.
Mr.Robert Crook was appointed Secretary , Mr.Kellner re-elected Treasurer, and Messr. Thompson and H.Crook chosen Stewards for the year ensuing.
Windsor Police - Thursday
(before the Mayor and Sir John Chapman.)
Louisa Jackson, who stated herself to be the wife of a soldier, and who was some short time since, convicted of having assaulted some other person, was brought up , charged with larceny.
It appeared, that on the preceding evening, about six o'clock, the prisoner went into the shop of Mr.Goldsmith of Sheet-street, and asked to look at some ear-rings. Mrs. Goldsmith attended her, but from her manner and appearance suspected that her intention was not to purchase anything,
and so she told her. While Mrs.G was coming round the counter, the prisoner left the shop, saying she would return again, and at that moment a paper box, containing a piece of soap, a box of tooth powder, and two bottles of scented water was missed.
The Servant maid was sent after her and in about half an hour the prisoner was taken by George Woodroffe, police-constable, with the box in her possession.
The prisoner declined to say anything on her behalf , and was remanded until Monday.
John Gibbs, the keeper of a beer-shop, called the Coach and Horses, in Peascod-street, was summoned for permitting persons to drink in his house at a quarter to 12 o'clock, on Sunday morning last.
It appeared from the evidence of Robert Roach, policeman, that he and Mr.Gillman, the superintendent of police, saw three soldiers, smoking and drinking in the defendants house, at the time stated in the information.
The defendant did not deny that such was the case, but stated he was from home, and he understood from his wife that she did not serve the soldiers with anything after eleven o'clock, and they refused to go until they had drank what they had got.
The defendant was told that if he looked to his licence he would find he was not at liberty to serve any persons with liquor on Sundays until after one o'clock.
Sir John Chapman : I am sorry to say, you house is a very bad one. This is not the first time we have had complaints about it, and if your house is not indicted at the sessions, I shall be very much surprised.
Mr.Long, the magistrates clerk, cited several instances of bad management of the defendants house.
Mr.Gillman said, that several respectable inhabitants had complained of the defendants house and thought he did not do his duty in suffering it to go on in such a way.
Sir John Chapman observed, that at any time of the day and night, the defendants house was open to receive persons. Women and men could at all times go there and get a bed for three-pence.
The Mayor said there could be no doubt that the offence was proved against the defendant. The Magistrates could fine him �5 and costs if they pleased, but, although this was not the first time the offence had been committed, it was the first time he had been brought before the Magistrates,
and therefore they would now only fine him 40s and costs. His worship however , cautioned the defendant against a repetition of the offence as the fine would then be very heavy, besides which the license would be suspended.
The defendant was then fined 40s and 12s 6d costs. At the suggestion of Mr.Gillman , the moiety of the penalty was ordered to be paid over to the Treasurer of the Borough fund. The Magistrates also directed that means should be taken to indict the defendants house at the ensuing Borough sessions.