The postcard was sent by ‘Annie' on July 10th 1912 to Mrs A. Barlow, who was holidaying in Blackpool. It shows the opening of Werneth Low Golf Club near Manchester. Annie wondered if her friend recognised anyone ‘on the other side’. We will never know the answer, as this is not a postcard which has been handed down through the family. However, it does show my husband’s maternal grandfather, George; he is one of the people 'on the other side’. Of course, they are all on the other side these days, most of them having passed over many years ago. I believe George is the hatless one, behind the two gentlemen centre front wearing light-coloured suits and boaters. This information is too late for Annie and Mrs Barlow of course.
We have another postcard of the same event. George has donned his flat cap and is standing next to the young boy on the back row, right. I wrote about the young George in ‘The Eyes of Margaret’ where there are some lovely pictures of him as a young man. He was quite sporty, playing golf, cricket and bowls, and he obviously had the wherewithal to do so, as he was a dealer on the Manchester Cotton Exchange.
Here is George seated centre front, with his golf clubs, outside the clubhouse door, and below is his wife, Alice (fourth from right), with her golfing chums.
Our Sepia Saturday prompt this week was a picture of an Australian golfing foursome. Why not join us for a round of sepia pictures and memories? It’s not an exclusive club; anyone can join.
A great selection of vintage photographs. My eye was struck by all the wonderful chats worn by the women.
ReplyDeleteWasn't George handsome! I'm struck by how small the bags were compared to today's golf bags. Plus they didn't seem to carry as many clubs. I'm now wondering how the game has changed over time. Are there more "specialized" clubs engineered for certain situations? I must ask my brother-in-law who plays and coaches.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful family story, and it's remarkable how the hats seemed to stand out so much for me in almost every photo. I am a hat fan, wish more Americans thought the same, and I'm not speaking of baseball caps. I'm hoping to get my SS post in later tonight!
ReplyDeleteThey wore ties while golfing? I wonder why their pants hems are so large and prominent. Great photos.
ReplyDeleteI'd have thought that removing the ivy from ivy-covered buildings in England would be illegal.
ReplyDeleteA lot of people interested in golf. They are really nice vintage shots.
ReplyDeleteThis is a wonderful collection of photos. I like how it had a family atmosphere. Even the dogs were welcome.
ReplyDeleteWhat great pics, I especially love all the hats, and the grinning baby is adorable. They make golf look a lot more appealing than it does today.
ReplyDeleteGreat collection of photos with one golfing club, and your husband's ancestor! Thanks.
ReplyDeleteYes, a fantastic collection of photos. I especially like that family shot with the pram and baby. I agree, the composition is great!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite is the last one of the women in a row.
ReplyDeleteLooks like they had a jolly good time! Good to see the club still exists, I hope the building is still in place.
ReplyDeleteClassic images of leisure time in the old days before recreations like golf became expensive and geeky.
ReplyDeleteSome beautiful photos your are showing. Love the big family gathering, the ladies in their big hats. Especially taken with the lady with her dog, so lovely. Also love the picture with the baby carriage and again a lady with her pet, perhaps the same lady as in the picture before. Thoroughly enjoyed the old photos and also the stories that go with them.
ReplyDeleteThese are a geat set of old golfing photos. We don't see many like it these days in modern clubhouses.
ReplyDeleteThese are beautiful photos and I find the idea of husband and wife being interested in playing golf in those times fascinating. No-one had any interest in golf in my familly to the best of my knowledge, I think an uncle played weekend hockey in his early days but that's about it.
ReplyDeleteOh I love the ladies group! Now why didn't they ever add golf to Downton Abbey? I would have enjoyed seeing that group attempting to whack the little ball. Mary would have been of course very good at it, but incredibly bored.
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