10 masked men on a ‘Furze’ cart
An event at Uffculme was captured on camera. Can you unlock the mystery behind these strange names?
- Gossip
- Sheep Dip
- Sweet William
- Gen. Tom Thumb
- Our Billy
- Cold Water Jack
- Red Rag
- Hotspur
These are the names on the boards hanging around the necks of 8 of the 10 gents in the picture. They are sat on a cart with the name ‘Furze’ just
I may have solved the mystery. This appears to be from 10 November 1883 for the Luther commemoration. This extract is taken from the Tiverton Gazette 13 November 1883; “A somewhat eccentric fashion of celebrating the Luther commemoration was observed at Uffculme. On Saturday evening a grand torchlight procession and masquerade was formed and started from opposite the London Inn about 7.30. The procession was a very long one for a small place like Uffculme, and over a hundred masked figures joined in it. Many of the masqueraders caused much merriment by their “get up”, some of them being remarkably good. The procession headed by the Holcombe Rogus band paraded the Square and other streets, and afterwards assembled round the bonfire in the Square. The band played, fireworks were let off, and numbers enjoyed themselves until a late hour. As the birthday of H.R.H. the Prince of Wales was on the 9th both events were celebrated on the one day. The affair was quiet and orderly, and with the exception of two slight accidents to two of the bandsmen from fireworks everything passed off very well.” I believe this is from the 1883 event and not another year, as General Tom Thumb, the American circus performer, died in 1883 a couple of months prior. So it makes sense his name was in the public consciousness.
Many thanks to Lewis Wright for his post above related to the cart with various people with placards around their neck. See above. Many thanks Lewis.