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Source: Skegness Herald 13th July 1883

What an insight into Skegness life! Close your eyes and you can almost feel the hustle and bustle scene described below.

In this letter to the editor, one can almost hear the spoken word of an old Skegnessian. Look at the first phrase of the letter “It nearly time that something was done to stay …”.

Dear Sir,
It nearly time that something was done to stay the ‘Touting System’ as practised upon the visitors upon their arrival at our railway station.
The disgraceful scenes as witnessed there and in Lumley Road and High Street, plainly prove that such a system does exist among the lower class of lodging house keepers.
One day upon the arrival of a certain train a visiting party were besieged by numbers of the said “Touters”.
One at length succeeded in walking off with his prey, and had even got a part of luggage inside the premises, when lo and behold, up comes “Touter” No 2 (a woman) and literally drags luggage and party to her own lodgings.
Such proceedings as these cause visitors to our little seaside resort to look upon us with displeasure, and their report upon their return home cannot be in our favour and gain us the good name, and respect we should have.
I trust the hint will be taken and the practise discontinued, and beg to remain
A Well Wisher.

Source: Skegness Herald 30th June 1882

Cattle disease in Skegness

The Herald reported a meeting held at the Courthouse under the “Contagious Diseases (Animals) Act to discuss an outbreak of glanders.
Present were Rawnsley, Canon Rawnsley, Rev Cracroft, Walker, Macinder, Walker, Welsh, Sharp, Wingate.
The incident was reported by the inspector, Mr Pitt of Spilsby.
A horse belonging to bathing van proprietor, Mr Lidgard of Skegness, had been found affected with glanders.
The horse, which had been previously running in a field in Skegness, had died as preparations were being made to have it destroyed.
The Herald stated that it was informed that a horse, which had belonged to Mr Lidgard a short time ago, and which had exchanged hands several time since he sold it, had been suffering from glanders and had be recently shot at Wrangle.
It was supposed that the outbreak of the disease had arose from that animal.
The Inspector requested instruction and it was decided that two other horses belonging to Mrs Emmerson or Mr English and Mr Albert Dennis should be temporarily prohibited from being moved from the field which they were in.
The field was on the road leading to the Vine Hotel..
There was a mare and a foal in an adjoining field, divided only by a wire fence, and which belonged to Mr Clark, were also prohibited from removal. This was because, as the horses were likely to have been in contact with the dead animal. they also could be infected.
The Inspector was directed by the court to make a through inspection of all the horses in Skegness and to report the result to the committee at a meeting to be held in Skegness the following Saturday.

The Herald warned the readers that any person having any infected animals were expected to immediately report the incident to the police, or be subject to a heavy penalty.
The Veterinary Inspector was empowered to enter and inspect all stables, yards and premised suspected of having diseased animals.

The Skegness Herald concluded the article with a hope that with all the necessary precautions being taken, it is hoped that there will be no other outbreak of the contagious disease.

Source: Skegness Herald 4th August 1882

During the high winds on Wednesday morning one of the bathing machines was blown out to sea and soon began to fill with water.
A bather was in it at the time, but he was eventually safely got out by some boatmen, who speedily put off to the rescue, and who secured the machine which was drifting out to sea.

Source: Skegness Herald 28th July 1882

On Monday an accident which may be attended with a fatal result occured on the Sands during the [horse] races.
As the horses were coming in near the winning post at the conclusion of one of the heats, a shoemaker at Kirkstead ran across the course and was knocked down by the last horse.
Two horses had passed and it is supposed the unfortunate man was not aware there was another close at hand.
His shoulder was dislocated and some of his ribs broken, and it is feared he has also received some internal injuries.
The assistance of two medical men were soon procured, and in the evening the poor fellow was taken to the station by Pc Moat and dispatched to his home.

Source: Skegness Standard 26th October 1932

Photo: Charles Smythe

A description of the 1905 ‘Battle of Flowers’ carnival event in Skegness.

Charles Smythe was the first photographer in Skegness. He died in 1910 and is buried in St Clements Church yard.

More pictures of the Battle of Flowers.