After an enjoyable holiday or a day out, people often purchase something which serves as a memento. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, visitors to Edwinstowe would buy picture postcards or a piece of crested ware which would be on sale in one of the shops on the High Street. The china souvenirs were in a variety of shapes and sizes, all embellished with a coat of arms, incorporating the Major Oak, stags, crowns, pheasant and Robin Hood.
A Tudsbury & Sons boasted royal patronage, and tempted the visitor with their carvings in oak. Mr B Stocks, landscape photographer, offered views of the village, the ducal houses and, as his speciality, ‘a large selection of photographs of Forest Scenes’.
A visit to one of the local hostelries and cafés would probably be made before making for home and, if returning by train, what better place to call en-route to the station than the Dukeries Hotel?
Edwinstowe Historical Society’s programme of talks for 2022-23 has been finalised, and at the meeting on Wednesday 21st September Linda Hardy will talk about the hop industry in the area. Additional talks will take members on visits to Nottingham Castle and Skegness (the latter will be a trip down memory lane for some), and present the opportunity to learn more about the Suffragette movement and Major Hayman Rooke, whose name is synonymous with the Major Oak.
Meetings are held in the Church Rooms, Mansfield Road, Edwinstowe NG21 9NJ on the third Wednesday of the month at 2.00pm, and last for approximately two hours. Tea, coffee and biscuits are available.
The annual subscription is £12.00, and visitors are welcome at a charge of £3.00. For further information visit www.edwinstowehistory.org.uk or email EdwinstoweHistorySoc@gmail.com.