A CYCLE PARADE

When the harvest is in ...

In 1896, at the end of yet another old English summer, the people of Melton Mowbray were invited to witness a grand fancy dress cycle parade.  A local paper published this little filler:-

On Saturday evening a fancy illuminated cycle parade took place.  Mr. G. Johnson, secretary of the Melton Mowbray Cycle Club, and Mr. H. Plant were the chief inaugurators of the event, which eclipsed all others of the kind which have taken place in this town.  Decorated conveyances were lent by several tradespeople, and one of the chief objects of attraction was an infirmary cot with a doctor and nurse in charge of a patient.  The other notable characters were a donkey tandem and two-in-hand goat chaise, the personification of Li Hung Chan.  The procession started from the Leicester-road Bridge about 7.30, and paraded the principal streets of the town, which were lined with people.  The proceeds amounted to about £13, which will be devoted to the joint benefit of the Leicester Infirmary and Mr. R. Warner, late groundsman of the Melton Town F.C. '

But the news wasn't all good, as the following piece told of Mr Albert Greaves, a labourer of Nether Broughton, who was to have appeared at the Tuesday Petty Sessions before the Rev. P. F. Gorst and Colonel Powell to answer a charge of neglecting to send his child, Albert, to school. It informs us that the defendant did not appear, but was fined 5s in his absence.

Locals were also informed that Henry Stirk of Sileby was charged with being drunk on the highway at Thrussington, but he didn't appear either and a warrant was issued.

Political Matters ...

More intriguingly, '... a working-man appeared in court with a nasty wound on his head, and alleged that while at work at building operations that morning he was badly assaulted by unionist men, presumably because he was a non-unionist.  The magistrates promised that the police should inquire into the matter.'

... and the Aristocracy. 

In passing, the proletariat was duly informed that Count Zborowski and his new bride from America, Margaret, Countess Zborowski, had arrived back at their new marital home, Coventry House at Burton End and also that Colonel and Mrs Baldock were now safely returned to the town and re-ensconced at Craven Lodge on Burton Road. The hunting season was drawing nigh.