The Banstead Image Library
Gordon Colman at Nork HouseThis picture was taken at Nork House, but I do not know when. Probably between 1907 and 1924. The man in the top hat is Gordon Colman. I do not know who is being escorted by Gordon, and I do not know what event is being photographed. Perhaps someone has an idea. This picture was in Murray Dalziel's scrapbook when he died in 1942.
Response from LNW; fascinating photo and completely new to us at BHRG. We will need to do a bit of research.
Picture added on 31 July 2014 at 00:46
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Nork House
Nork House
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Banstead History
Banstead History
What an extraordinary event, all in aid of a church building fund. And just imagine children today lining up in the street to see a duchess ride by... improbable, to say the least!
Added by Peter Denton on 04 November 2019
What's also interesting to me is the man on the left, who appears to be holding a camera or similar 'photographic apparatus'.
Added by Peter Denton on 23 April 2020
My Great Grandmother Elsie Wingrove and her step mother Eleanor Wingrove of Buff House were at this event and were in charge of the Pet stall!
Added by Helen Averley on 19 September 2020
The Times Thursday 16 July 1908 page 13
The Duchess of Albany yesterday opened a fete and gala held at Nork Park, Banstead, the residence of Mrs Frederick Colman, on behalf of the erection of a new church at Burgh Heath, a village which forms part of the parish of Banstead. The church is estimated to cost about £5,000 of which sum £4,100 has already been obtained or promised. Mrs Colman and her two sons have between them subscribed £2,000.
The Duchess of Albany, who had an escort of a detachment of the Surrey Imperial Yeomanry, drove through the street of Banstead, decorated in honour of the occasion, to Nork Park. Her Royal Highness who was presented with a bouquet by Miss Vivienne Benson, a niece of Mrs Colman, was thanked for performing the opening ceremony of the motion of Mr F. Gordon Colman, seconded by Colonel the Honourable Henry Cubitt (Lord Lieutenant of Surrey).
The Duchess subsequently witnessed maypole and Morris dances performed by children attending the Banstead and Burgh Heath schools. The fete was unfortunately much spoilt by rain.
The Duchess of Albany yesterday opened a fete and gala held at Nork Park, Banstead, the residence of Mrs Frederick Colman, on behalf of the erection of a new church at Burgh Heath, a village which forms part of the parish of Banstead. The church is estimated to cost about £5,000 of which sum £4,100 has already been obtained or promised. Mrs Colman and her two sons have between them subscribed £2,000.
The Duchess of Albany, who had an escort of a detachment of the Surrey Imperial Yeomanry, drove through the street of Banstead, decorated in honour of the occasion, to Nork Park. Her Royal Highness who was presented with a bouquet by Miss Vivienne Benson, a niece of Mrs Colman, was thanked for performing the opening ceremony of the motion of Mr F. Gordon Colman, seconded by Colonel the Honourable Henry Cubitt (Lord Lieutenant of Surrey).
The Duchess subsequently witnessed maypole and Morris dances performed by children attending the Banstead and Burgh Heath schools. The fete was unfortunately much spoilt by rain.
Added by Chris Watkins on 18 March 2022
Gordon Colman is escorting the Duchess of Albany, with the Surrey Yeomanry (in which Gordon was an officer) providing a guard of honour. The Duchess's carriage had earlier driven through Banstead High Street, with the schoolchildren lining up to watch her pass.
There were concerts, speeches, sports and stalls, children dancing around the maypole, a traditional English fair, a gypsy encampment (run by the society ladies and their daughters) in which you could have your fortune told or be entertained with songs and music. In the evening, there was dancing on the lawn, under electric light (the lampposts are shown in the photo), which must have been a real novelty in those days.
This photograph was taken by David Knights-Whittome, of Sutton and Epsom, or one of his assistants, and features in the Banstead's Past On Glass exhibition in the gallery at Sutton Library. Entry is free and it runs from Saturday 9th November 2019 until Friday 29th November.
Banstead History Research Group