Author Archives: rosblack

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About rosblack

I am a freelance writer & author of 4 social history books, featuring female social reformers of the late 19th and early 20th century. In a previous life I managed a housing charity. I also give talks.

SPECIAL SERVICE AT DUXHURST, CELEBRATING WORK OF LADY HENRY SOMERSET

People gather for the special Duxhurst service On Sunday 18th June, 2011 local residents and members of Emmanuel Church, Sidlow gathered on the site of the old church of St Mary and the Angels, at Duxhurst, Surrey. The service was … Continue reading

Posted in Duxhurst, Fr Dolling, Lady Henry, Reigate Local History, religion, Surrey Local History, Temperance, Victorian Do-Gooders | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

It was a great pleasure on Thursday 7th July to give a talk at Reigate Heath Golf Club as part of the 2011 Reigate Heath Exhibition. 5th tee at reigate Heath Golf Course It was in 1895 that Lady Henry … Continue reading

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New Book

I’m thrilled with the cover of my new book – done for me by Steve Ashmore of Agent Design Publication date mid- July

Posted in Duxhurst, Lady Henry Somerset, Reigate Local History, Surrey Local History | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Duxhurst – Surrey’s Lost Village

Duxhurst – Surrey’s Lost Village I have been rather quiet recently on the blog because I have been writing my new book. I’m delighted to announce that Duxhurst – Surrey’s Lost Village is now with the printers and will be … Continue reading

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Duxhurst Church

Religion was at the heart of the work carried out by Lady Henry Somerset at Duxhurst, the village she founded in Surrey as a home for women and children affected by alcohol abuse: “the farm colony for inebriate women” as … Continue reading

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Don’t blame people for drinking when alcohol is cheaper than food

The government’s recent announcement that it will impose minimum prices for beer, wine and spirits is just a small step towards reducing our culture of binge drinking. It probably won’t, of itself, make a huge difference to people’s habits but … Continue reading

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New DVD released re Reigate Priory

Although it was quite scary, it was also an honour last summer to be part of the making of a new DVD about Reigate Priory. Priory Park has recently been subject to a major renovation and improvement scheme, funded by … Continue reading

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The Mighty Rivers of Intemperance and Improvidence

On New Year’s Day 1889, in Hereford, Lady Henry Somerset was the first woman to be initiated into the Independent Order of the Rechabites. We have long since lost sight of the Rechabites but in the late 19th century, they … Continue reading

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Ready for tide to turn on our attitude to Do-Gooders?

Summing up his excellent series on Victorian Do-Gooders, Ian Hislop commented that “their achievements have been underrated, their absurdities accentuated” but posed the question “Are we ready for the tide to turn?” In researching my book, I came across many … Continue reading

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Meet the pragmatic temperance leader

Lady Henry Somerset’s tenure as President of the British Women’s Temperance Association and Vice-President/President of the World Woman’s Christian temperance Union was frequently mired in controversy. One of the main reasons for this was that she was a pragmatist. She … Continue reading

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