On the 12 September 1862, the Nottinghamshire Guardian reported that an Amateur Horticultural and Flower fete by “a society, whose object is the promotion and encouragement of Horticulture and Floriculture, has been organised, during the past few months, amongst the amateur gardeners of the Hunger Hills and its immediate neighbourhood.” The fete was held in a field near St. Ann’s Well Road.
As part of this jovial event “a splendid brass band and quadrille band was in attendance and played sections of secular music during the exhibition.” Apparently, a quadrille band of the nineteenth century was an established musical group that, for example, provided the accompaniment for ballroom dancing, as well as offering visitors to an event an opportunity to listen to popular music played by skilled musicians. By the time of the twenty-second annual rose show of St Ann’s Amateur Floral and Horticultural Society in 1883 “the attractions of the show were supplemented by three bands — that of the Robin Hood Rifles, of the Juvenile Foresters, and of the Training School — which played a selection of music during the day and also in the evening, when dancing took place on the grounds.”
The link between music and gardening was surprisingly noted in an 1839 article in the Nottingham and Newark Mercury. It reported that a drumming match had been held at the Colonel Hutchinson – presumably a pub – on Castle-terrace. The two “aspirants to drumming fame, (both Terrace-men) had in days of yore both been celebrated for their acquirements in the cross-sticks art, and this was a trial of skill for a considerable wager.”
The first drummer accompanied the fife playing “O dear what can the matter be”, while the second drummer chose to accompany “The girl I left behind me.” The judges couldn’t decide a winner but, for me, as “The girl I left behind me” was part of the musical score for the film “She Wore a Yellow Ribbon” starring John Wayne, number two drummer has my vote!
The newspaper then reported that “after the grand match a minor contest for a keg of double X, came off, …. the fifer playing “Gorsey Close Gardens” and “The Devil among the tailors”. The house was now literally crowded; the evening was spent in drumming, singing, &c. till a late hour, the greatest harmony prevailed, and the company present declared they had not had “sich a doo” since the passing of the Reform Bill.”
The keg of double X sounds as if it was strong stuff, but what held my attention was the fact that a fifer played a tune called “Gorsey Close Gardens”. I can’t find any other reference to such a tune, so in the meantime we can speculate that in the 1830’s, at least, a tenant of the Gorsey Close Gardens was inspired by his garden to compose a tune.
If anyone has any knowledge of that tune, we would be pleased to hear from you. “Gorsey Close Gardens – The Musical” could well be the next blockbuster.
