Lord Arthurs Funeral

The day of the funeral began early and all arrived at Michalmas Hall to the sound of a piper and the bell of St. Botolop’s Church rang out as a silent crowd of stoic doff-capped Yorkshire folk gathered at the gates.

As the morning progressed, car after car of guests arrive, a few they guessed where friends and workers of Lord Arthur, most they had not met.

At 10:35am the bearer party of Blues and Greys removed the coffin from the Great Hall, where he had been lying for people to pay their respects for the past 2 days.

The coffin was pulled by six of Lord Arthur’s favourite horses in black livery and, in the town, a guard of honour was provided by the Blues and Greys, with the regimental Colour of the battalion mounted in The High Street.

The 12 o'clock service in St. Botolop’s was attended by several noticeable faces -

Sidney Webb, Chairman of the National Executive and representative for Labour constituency of Seaham. The famous economist, John Maynard Keynes. Lord Arthurs personal friend and former wool merchant Edward Pease, co-founder of The Robert Stephenson Company the famous locomotive builders. Sylvia Pankhurst, writer of the infamous History of the Women's Suffrage Movement and co-founder of the Women's Peace Army, well known supporter of the Russian Revolution back in 1917. Arnold Bennett, part of the three-man British War Memorial Committee (BWMC) and director of British propaganda in France. Clement Atlee, Labour MP for Limehouse in London and Under Secretary of State for War. Well know racing drivers Henry Seagrave and Malcolm Campbell. Ramsay Macdonald, leader of the Labour Party in the House of Commons. George Lansbury, Labour MP for Bow & Bromley. Oswald Mosley, former Conservative MP who had recently joined the Labour Party. H G Wells, writer, member of The Fabian Society and continued activist in the campaign for socialism.

Most of the services where represented, The Air Force and The Navy, as where the local tradesmen and the farming community. The church was full, many people standing out in the church yard for want of space. There was a broad cross section of cultures represented. Jews, turks, Christians, even a few Arabic Gentlemen dressed in black. A varied congregation.

The service, lead by the vicar of St. Botolop’s, included a hymn beginning, 'Who would true valour see, let him come hither...” and “Jerusalem” was sung by one and all. The service was a sombre one and vehemently Christian. The staff from the hall keept close by Flora throughout. Reverend Tracy said prayers, he did not lack for good things to say about Lord Arthur and Lord Arthur did not lack for friends. The Last Post was sounded and, after a brief silence, Reveille.

The bearer party removed the coffin from the church and preceded by the pipers of Blues and Greys, playing, they carried the coffin to the family crypt in the church yard.

The wake, however, was an entirely different matter. It was held at The Philadelphia Arms in the village of Horbury. Flora and her friends toasted Lord Arthur with a bottle of Bushmills Lord Arthur kept behind the bar while people mingled and, quite frankly, got drunk.

It was easy to spot a few of The League members of the course of the next few hours. Sarah Hunter Fitz-Simmons chatting with some RAF chappie (called Hume-Ross), Chunky Baxter and Eddie (briefly talkng to Henry Seagrave and Malcolm Campbell), Amy Fawcett (talking to a tall Arabic fellow with a beard), Hendrick Vorster, Mr. Riley (sharing a joke with HG Wells). Rose keept an eye on Mr. Flynn, who kept an eye on Madelaine. Lady Violet is there. Morton (who was perhaps a little too load for a funeral not being held in New Orleans), Consuela, Celia and The Proff. Captain Leighton and Chester, who kept himself to himself and, naturally, Mr. Black.

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Private Lives & The Glass Aquarium

Noel Coward's Private Lives at Yorks Theatre Royal, by kind invitation of Mr Vorster...

Barbed wit and the passion of a love/hate relationship where the order of the day, as Noel Coward’s Private Lives entertained one and all. Meeting at Mr Vorsters York residence the League took dinner at the theatre and enjoyed a syrupy treat of rich language and a sophisticated cocktail of satire.

Celia, apparently, has a disliking for the author and didn't attend. Jack and Evelyn discussed business at dinner and all but Miss Mobury appeared to have forgotten about events at Lady Violets Lodge. Miss Mobury was heard to give Mr Riley some firm advice regarding the maintenance of his walking stick prior to the performance, drawing attention from other members of the audience, but refused to utter a word to Mr Flynn. Miss Hunter Fitz-Simmons looked as charming as ever and Mr Vorster was the perfect host.

On the Sunday, League members visited an exhibition in York, Leopold and Rudolf Blaschkas: The Glass Aquarium. Stunning glass replica sea creatures designed and made by the 19th century German glassworker Leopold Blaschka and his son, Rudolf.

From their tiny Dresden workshop, the Blaschkas made thousands of glass models of squids, sea-slugs, cuttlefish, sea squirts, jellyfish, dead men’s fingers and other sea creatures for natural history museums all over the world. Rose was quite taken with the exquisite fine detailing and Mr Vorster found them startlingly realistic, almost the stuff of nightmares...

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