Hambledon Village Scrapbook

CELEBRATIONS

There are many photos, objects and records in the Museum's collections, which show that Godalming people like to celebrate as a community. Quite a number of the events being celebrated are royal anniversaries or coronations; an early photographer captured some Victorian faces at a High Street tea-party given in honour of Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee in 1897; in 1911 the Borough presented local schoolchildren with a china beaker commemorating the coronation of George V and Queen Mary and, among those donated to the Museum, is one which was kept by its owner until he died aged 102.

Carnivals seem to have been regular and popular events. In 1924 a week-long carnival was held to raise funds for the Royal Surrey Hospital at Guildford. The activities listed in the programme provide fascinating evidence of the musical, dramatic and sporting societies which flourished before the days of television and computer entertainment.

The Hambledon Village Scrapbook celebrates the life of a village and is made up of 'scraps' collected and given by Hambledon residents. The book is now stored for safekeeping by Godalming Museum, but a copy remains available for reference at the village Post Office.

Coronation mug, 1911

Coronation programme, 1953

Coronation procession, 1953

Jubilee tea, 1897

Carnival programme, 1924