Thursday Flashback

The people of Pickering are seen parading down the main street feeling very patriotic, with many holding Union Jacks. At the front of the parade the banner reads St Peter’s Church Sunday School. The occasion was to celebrate the coronation of King George V on June 22, and that was that prisoner did not appear to have stolen the articles with a view to her personal profit because the police had only been able to trace one case where a stolen article was sold for 5s. All the remainder she gave away. Edith Annie Southwick, defendant in another case, took a parcel to the Post Office for the accused addressed to her mother at Bolton, and with feminine curiosity had a look to see what it contained. It consisted of some of the articles mentioned in the charge and they had since been recovered. When arrested by PC Nalton prisoner was wearing underclothing belonging to her employer and she had one or two trinkets upon her.

Prisoner in reply to the charge said she was very sorry indeed. She did not know what made her do it.

Edith Annie Southwick (21), domestic servant, or Brompton, was then charged on remand with stealing a blouse, stylo pen, and other articles, value 1911. The day’s festivities would have most probably ended with a big street party. Photo reproduced courtesy of the Max Payne collection.

For reprints telephone 0330 1230203 and quote YRN-180521-154822050. 9s, the property of the same employer, between the 9th of March and 4th of May. Prisoner, who was represented by Mr Whitfield, pleaded guilty.

Chief Constable Windsor said Southwick was in the employ of the prosecutrix from the 9th of March to the 4th of May. She was there a few days with the other defendant, and after she obtained another situation she visited the house daily. The prisoner Ward said on the 30th of May last Southwick handed to her a parcel and asked her to take it to the railway station. It was addressed to Mrs Southwick, and Ward opened the parcel and saw articles belonging to the mistress. The parcel of goods had been recovered.

Mr Whitfield, in extenuation, said Southwick had hitherto borne a perfectly good character.

Although she had pleaded guilty to taking the whole of these things, there was perhaps something to be said with regard to some of them. With regard the blouse, she wore it one evening without permission and then put it in a box and overlooked it. She later took it away with her. It was not a very valuable blouse and indeed all the articles were small in value. The pen she thought had been thrown out with some papers, and the same remark applied to a powder box which she had cleaned up.

Defendant confirmed her solicitor’s statement in the box, and the chief constable agreed that her parents were very respectable.

At the close of the cases and before the magistrates retired, the chief constable said he hoped the magistrates would consider the question of disallowing the expenses of four witnesses who had received articles of value without making any enquiry as to how defendant became possessed of them. If people were prepared to accept presents in that sort of way they should have their expenses disallowed.

On the magistrates returning the chairman said Southwick would be fined 40s.

With regard to Ward the charge was a very serious one, and she would have to go to prison for three months’ hard labour. ‘Such lovely things, are yours and mine forever,

The peaceful stream, the murmur of the sea...’

How fortunate we are to live in such a beautiful county as North Yorkshire. We should never take it for granted, but treasure each and every moment.

An early morning walk with Tigga, with blue skies and warm sunshine, is rivalled only by evening strolls when the world is still. Just before sunset, blackbirds contribute to even-song, their melodious calls delivered from the height of a chimney or television aerial. A pot pourri of perfumes linger in the air.

All too soon the pink and white cherry blossom has fluttered to the ground like confetti, smothering footpaths in a blanket of petals.

Now it’s the horsechestnut ‘candles’ that brighten the day with creamy-white blossom, closely followed by hawthorn buds bursting into life once more. Yes, May brings a surge of new life to the countryside, and a burst of energy to us all.

Birds are desperately seeking worms, caterpillars and insects on which to feed their demanding chicks. Nature has provided all their needs at the appropriate time. A cat sits motionless on a branch, waiting... waiting. Alarm calls from distressed nesting birds warn of impending danger, but the cat just waits for its chance of victory.

Now is the time for visiting open gardens and lavender farms. Aromatic plants have long been used as strewing herbs for strewing on floors of houses, halls and banqueting places in summer time. When crushed underfoot, their perfume made the heart merry.

Nowadays, with fitted carpets, strewing plants seems an obstacle to hygiene, but try lavender and meadowsweet along with other herbs and rushes, around your next barbecue, or in the shed and greenhouse, and a dog kennel if you have one.

Lavender leaves have been added to ‘tobacco’ and included in other smoking mixtures. Lavender sachets placed on pillows become more strongly fragrant the longer they’re lain upon. They really do seem to help you enjoy a good night’s sleep! You’ll be amazed at the variety of products available nowadays using lavender, so do go and discover a perfect, scented gift at a lavender farm.

You don’t have to travel far to discover in local woodland, a flower admired since April. Among the leaf litter and moss-coated tree stumps are tiny ‘fairy bells’. The delicate stems bear solitary, five-petalled white flowers.

Peep inside the ‘bells’ and the delicate pencilling of mauve veins is most attractive.

Their true name is wood sorrel, and this plant has three heart-shaped leaves similar to clover. St Patrick is said to have used this sorrel to illustrate the doctrine of the trinity.

The lime-green leaves contain calcium oxalate which resembles vinegar. It was used in salads and as a sharpening ingredient for sauces during the 14th century. I love it in cheese sandwiches - in small quantities.