One of the lesser known aspects of the Daniel Bingham Foundation is our Archive of nearly 6,000 items. Its existence is thanks to Sidney Harrison who became librarian of the Bingham Public Library in 1909. He vowed to collect “every book, print, political squib, map, report, catalogue, newspaper, and periodical issued from a printing press in Cirencester, every book written by a Ciceter man or woman, and every book containing reference to this grand old town”.
The Archive features a range of material including ephemera, photographs, drawings, records of clubs, societies and businesses, deeds, maps and plans, all relating to Cirencester and the local area. In 2007 the collection was deposited at Gloucestershire Archives to ensure it would be preserved in the best archival conditions whilst remaining fully accessible to all.
In the first of a series of monthly features, we delve ‘Into the Archives’ to highlight some of the treasures in the collection in the hope of encouraging use of the Archive and allowing us to share it with those who cannot visit. For more information about the Archive visit https://www.danielbinghamfoundation.org.uk/archives/
December’s document is a programme for the annual Cirencester Christmas Market dinner from December 1913. This was the year that had sadly seen the death of Daniel George Bingham in his adopted home of Utrecht. However, he had left his legacy in the safe hands of his Trustees. 1913 also saw the conflict in the Balkans, the latest in a series of events that all influenced the outbreak of the First World War.
Newspaper articles of the time enhance this document, with detailed descriptions of the event. The dinner took place on the evening of Monday 8th December at the King’s Head Hotel Assembly Rooms. This was an annual celebration that followed the Christmas fat stock market. The Christmas market and subsequent dinner had been established for decades. Although the threat of war was discussed in the speeches, little did the attendees know the scale of what was to come the following year, nor could they have guessed that the market and dinner was to be the last of these events for 16 years.
Lord Bathurst presided and a series of toasts with speeches were delivered, in between which Lord Bathurst distributed the prizes won at the market. The toasts included “Success to Agriculture” which was proposed by Principal Ainsworth-Davis.
He talked about how agriculture was supposed to be the most important of all industries, yet it was a fact that a vast area was going out of cultivation at an alarming increase, and this was a serious matter, and he suggested something ought to be done to stop the state of affairs. Mr. E.B.C. Sewell submitted the toast to “Success to Cirencester Christmas Market” and the individual prizes were given out. Other toasts included those to the Auctioneers and to the Town and trade.
For the main meal, several meats were on offer including beef. The source of the meal is not mentioned but surely it would be fitting if the menu boasted the local produce being celebrated. There was also an extensive wine list and desserts. A fitting spread spread for what proved to be the last dinner for many years to come.
