Wednesday 25 June 2014

Questions And Answers

As I cycle or walk around the countryside I find all sorts of odd objects, some of which pose questions while others provide answers.


Biking Country



Fenland and much of East Anglia is prime motorbiking country and many bike racers hail from the area. In Littleport there stands this monument to Harley-Davidson motorcycles. William Harley emigrated from the town in 1865, fought in the American Civil War and later fathered several children, one of whom, William Sylvester Harley, co-founded the motorcycle company with Arthur Davidson in 1903. I know what someone's going to ask and the answer is "Yes....


....of course!"


Faithful Servants



In Trumpington churchyard I spotted this interesting old stone. The inscription tells us


I M O

TWO FAITHFUL AND VALUED SERVANTS 
SYLVIA VIGOR 
WHO WAS BURIED FEB 3, 1867 
AND 
HADNEY ANTHONY TOLEMAN 
COMMONLY KNOWN AS JAMES TOLEMAN 
WHO WAS BURIED DEC 31 1872 
BOTH LIVED UPWARDS OF 50 YEARS 
IN THE FAMILY 
OF THE LATE COL. AND MRS. PEMBERTON 
WHOSE DAUGHTER ERECTS THIS 
MEMORIAL

Sylvia Vigor was the housekeeper for the Pemberton family at Trumpington Hall while James Toleman was the butler. It is known that Toleman was given the job of bringing the body of F C J Pemberton back from France when he died in 1849. What is not known (and what all of you who tune in to Downton Abbey want to know) is what the relationship was between Mr Toleman and Miss Vigor during their lifetimes.


Fire Fighters


Before the days of a regular organised fire brigade many towns and villages had their own volunteer fire fighters. In some villages the old brigades are remembered by an old Engine House, like this one in Thaxted. But this time the question is "What sort of fire-engine would they have housed?" In Thaxted the answer can be found in the museum at the old windmill.



Some Unlikely Addresses


How would you like to live here? North American readers should substitute "Moochers Lane" to get the full meaning while those in Australia should consider what it might be like to live in "Bludgers Lane". In other words it's someone who asks for and obtains something to which they are not entitled. But "cadger" originally meant nothing more sinister than "itinerant trader" and this lane is where they set up their stalls. But how about....


This time it just happens to be in Devil's Alley, a street in King's Lynn where it is said the footprint of the devil can be seen on the stone street. Maybe, but I couldn't see it.

And finally some comforting news on this name-plaque....


'Nuff said!


Take care.



11 comments:

  1. Great photo of you on the bike! Interesting collection of photos and questions. I like the old engine house. I've seen an old engine in a museum before, but never an old engine house.

    ReplyDelete
  2. ...and the Harley names lives on in a big way doesn't it? The fire-engine sure has evolved some too over the years....oh, and was the finale' name plaque on the church door :)? A travel post from me here at snaphappyonline.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. I am enjoying the eclectic bits of information and accompanying photos on your blog very much. Interesting headstone ...No one could ask for better inscription than that; valued and faithful. Love that last plaque ... indeed!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Love it, John. Makes me smile too. You have a knack - not sure what of, but you definitely have one.

    ReplyDelete
  5. varoom! varoom! and I thought you were on a bicycle powered by legs--
    now for a leather jacket and boots--

    so many treasures to discover and document, and you are doing a good job

    ReplyDelete
  6. I did not know that about Mr. Harley. I'd need a softer seat on that bike.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I love when you take a walk and the things I get to see through your camera lens. Wonderful!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I didn't know about the engine house in Thaxted. I'll have to tell my retired fire fighter hubby - he'll love this! Thanks for the tours again John.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I'm sure the old firemen put in a valiant effort, but it's hard to imagine that they were able to subdue many fires with such a small engine. Still they inspired others to build bigger and better ones that today are very effective. Lots of Harley riders in our neck of the woods- some biker gang ones,but lots of riders who just love the sound. I wonder if the Colonel and his wife knew as much as their daughter did. It certainly was hard for servants who weren't supposed to have any feelings or relationships. I doubt that Anna and Mr. Bates would have been able to marry in real life.
    At least the signs are just addresses and not names. Some poor people are stuck with doozies.

    ReplyDelete
  10. You wouldn't want to sneak over there in the dark of night and abscond with that The Old Organ Works plaque, would you?

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for taking the time to comment. I'll try to answer any questions via a comment or e-mail within the next day or two (no hard questions, please!).