Westerton Garden Suburb Centenary

To celebrate 100 years since the foundation stone of Westerton Garden Suburb was laid on 19th April 1913, the residents arranged a free family day of entertainment and fun by converting the village hall to an Edwardian tearoom with refreshments and cakes, to the accompaniment of musical performances of various types. Also on display were the original architectural plans of the village houses and old photographs. As a former resident this was of immense interest to me.

The Westerton people had made a tremendous effort to recreate Edwardian times. There were gentlemen with handlebar moustaches and bowler hats, ladies in elaborate millinery and long skirts, waitresses with neat bows and starched headgear, boys in soft caps and big ties.

Jo Swinson, the local Westminster Member of Parliament appeared on her own just as I arrived and disappeared into the hall "to enjoy herself". This is very typical of her willingness to make time to engage with the local community. When I left I noticed that she had been attired in an Edwardian outdoor coat and elaborate hat and was being photographed. I'd have liked to have had a shot of that but the crush in the room where this was taking place was rather too severe.

I opted to blip the happy family shot of the ride on the penny-farthing bicycle. I like the little lad on the left watching proceedings with his diminutive modern bike and crash helmet. Nothing as elaborate for little children 100 years ago! See the village website for more background information. A Gala Day is planned in September.