Victorian Bournemouth (242) has followed the fortunes of the two main local omnibus companies operating during the 1890s. Beneficial to their directors and shareholders for a while, a comfortable cartel between them, neither could withstand the commercial threat posed by motor traffic and the tramlines.
Victorian Bournemouth (241) has examined aspects of the strike undertaken in 1897 by local carpenters and joiners. Between the lines of the press reports lies the possibility that the union had too few members to create a strike strong enough to bring down the establishment. In January 1898, a reporter called at the union’s clubroom, only to find that the leader had also returned to work. Thus, the first strike at Bournemouth vaporised, unable to contest a wealthy and powerful network of employers.
Victorian Bournemouth (240) has explored the foundation and activities of the local Trades’ Council, a group which acted as a central point for several of the resort’s unions. Established under the guidance of a tailor, Elias Davies, the group played a role in establishing credibility for unionisation. Davies had an interest in literacy and education. He showed a willingness to speak in public or to write to the press. Although Bournemouth experienced its first strike during the 1890s, the Trades’ Council did not appear to act in a militant fashion.
Victorian Bournemouth (239) has surveyed the category and social profiles found for female drapery assistants working at Plummer, Roddis, and Tyrell during the 1890s. In most cases, the girls came from respectable backgrounds, yet proved willing to work for a living. Their social profile suited them well to assist well-heeled customers drawn by the new super-stores.
Victorian Bournemouth (238) has investigated events surrounding the bankruptcy of draper Stephen Ely. It has uncovered a web of dubious supply and financial management. The case leaves unanswered whether Ely’s involvement concerned just commercial failure or extended into the dubious practice of evading insolvency. He claimed never to have met the man to whom he transferred his assets, with the entire process carried out through the unilateral signing of documents. However, soon after, the business went up for sale at £5,000, a price well below the value of his buildings.
Victorian Bournemouth (237) has found that the fabric’s business bustled its way into an important component within the local economy. The category, employing always more people, spread into the suburbs. It drew more women into the economy. Competition introduced new fabrics, induced specialisation amongst retailers, and changed consumers’ shopping experience. The opening of Plummer, Roddis, Tyrrell summarised the category’s changes under one roof in spring, 1898.
Victorian Bournemouth (236) examines the history of the local Steam Packet company during the 1880s and 1890s. The company did not establish a well-defined mission, shifting among various aims. These included serving as a vanity project for its directors, seeking to compete with other companies for profits, and contributing to the town’s reputation. Multiple factors, such as adverse weather, an economic downturn in the early 1890s, and management challenges, contributed to the company’s closure.
Victorian Bournemouth (235) surveyed the commercial terrain evident during the 1890s. It finds that enterprises perhaps adhered to the changing commercial norms wrought by the country’s governments. Nevertheless, Bournemouth’s early success, resulting in part from a strong, closed network comprised of a few people, perhaps experienced difficulties as time passed. By then, the scale of activity required a more open system, welcoming new ideas and qualified people.
Victorian Bournemouth (234) has summarised the articles published in the last quarter. These took community groups as an overall theme. It has shown how the groups differed according to their position within the Maslow hierarchy. In addition, it has observed how, while some groups attempted to perpetuate class and gender prejudice, others succeeded in bringing together all members of society. In some cases, therefore, the groups constituted jeux sans frontières.
Victorian Bournemouth (233) has followed the Town Interest Association as it fluttered into public attention for a short time. Philpots blazed a short-lived trajectory through local politics, but, as did other gentlefolk, he abandoned the town. Perhaps the Association’s main success consisted of launching the community career of its secretary, John Armitage Crawshaw. He adhered to the model whereby others of humble origin achieved respectability at Bournemouth. He exemplified how individuals of modest origins could attain respectability in Bournemouth. His involvement in many activities would have established a broad presence within the community.