Category Archives: Lady Henry

Review of A Talent for Humanity and Duxhurst – Surrey’s Lost Village

Received from Suzanne Harrison, Reigate: “I read Ros Black’s book and was as intrigued as the author about the incredible life of Lady Henry Somerset and the village she created for women with alcohol problems, and disadvantaged children. Her book … Continue reading

Posted in A Talent for Humanity, Duxhurst, Feminism, Lady Henry, Lady Henry Somerset, Reigate Local History, Surrey Local History, talks and book signings | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Lady Henry Somerset and St Rita, patron of the impossibles

Figure of St Rita from Lady Henry Somerset’s Duxhurst Cottage Amongst all the religious imagery Lady Henry Somerset had in The Cottage, her home in the Duxhurst village, was a small figure of St Rita – very appropriately the Patron … Continue reading

Posted in Anglo-catholicism, Duxhurst, Lady Henry, Lady Henry Somerset, Reigate Local History, religion, Ritualists, Saints, St Rita, Surrey Local History, Temperance | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Talks and book signings

I really enjoy giving talks to local groups and sharing my enthusiasm for local history and of course the wonderful story of Lady Henry Somerset. I often pick up new pieces of information from those attending. For instance, when I … Continue reading

Posted in Duxhurst, Feminism, Lady Henry, Lady Henry Somerset, Out and About, Reigate Local History, Reigate Priory, Surrey Local History, talks and book signings, Temperance, Victorian Do-Gooders | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

Posted on by rosblack | Leave a comment

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

Posted in Duxhurst, Lady Henry, Reigate Local History, Reigate Priory, Surrey Local History, Temperance | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

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

Posted in Lady Henry, Temperance | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

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

Posted in government policy on alcohol, Lady Henry, Temperance | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

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

Posted in Lady Henry, Reigate Priory | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

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

Posted in Lady Henry, Reigate Priory, Temperance, Victorian Do-Gooders | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment