Harry John TIDRIDGE (1863-1944) - Emma L. NEWMAN

Harry John Tidridge was born on the 30^th May 1863 in Lodge Road, then known as Blackberry Lane, Bevois Town, Southampton, England. His father, Harry (Henry) Tidridge was a gardener and Harry John followed in these footsteps at first. He worked as a gardener at Minstead in the New Forest for a few years and then as head gardener to Canon Wilberforce at the Deanery, Southampton. While at the Deanery he was appointed as one of the vergers, a post he held for six years.

On Whit Sunday in 1901, he took over as verger at St. Mark's Church in Archer's Road, Southampton. He remained verger for forty two years and served under four vicars. On his death, St. Marks erected a sundial "in memory of H J Tidridge, verger and friend of St. Marks from 1901 to 1943". This sundial was recovered when St. Marks was demolished and presented to his son, Walter Sidney Tidridge. It has since passed first to Harry John's grand daughter, Jean Ann Bathgate and subsequently to his great grandson Michael Bathgate who lives in Pucklechurch, Bristol, England.

Harry John Tidridge was also well known for his connections in the cricket and bowls worlds. He also played football for the old St. Mary's club, though he did confess that he "was never a shining light on the football field". He was though an attendant at the east stand of Southampton Football Club for more than thirty years.

He was Chairman of Southampton Public Lands Cricket Association from 1921-1934 and his services to the Association were recognised by the presentation of a gold watch. He was also Practice Manager and Umpire for Deanery Club for many years and he umpired at games all over the county. He has said that some of his happiest moments were spent with the Deanery Club.

On the bowling green, he was a fine player, playing for the county on several occasions. His first club was the Atherley although he never got to the top there. When he changed to the Banister Club he won the Green Medal by breaking all records in his first year.

For most of his life he lived at 2 Silverdale Road, Southampton, though at the time of his marriage he lived at Millbrook.

(Dear Mr Tidridge)

Thank you for your email. (July 2010)

I’ve checked the rate books for 1943/4 and Mr H.J. Tidridge is down as the occupier of the property paying the rate. There is a column for owner which is blank, as it is for most of the properties in the road, so you can probably assume that he was the owner/occupier.

I hope that this helps.

Best wishes

Sue Hill
Collections Access Officer
Arts & Heritage
Southampton City Council
Tel: 023 8083 2251 Fax: 023 8083 2156)

He married Emma Louisa Newman, also of Millbrook, in 1884 at Millbrook, Southampton. Emma Newman was an assistant governess at Wimpson School before marriage. They had eleven children, Edward Harry (1884), Annie (Sis) (1886), William John Newman (1888), Min, Bertie (1893), Daisy, George, Ernie A (1898), John (1900), Lulu (1902), and Walter Sidney (1905).

The Golden Wedding Celebration was a big family party held at Granville College Hall in Northlands road, Southampton. The Mayor and Mayoress of Southampton (Councillor and Mrs W D Buck) and the Sheriff (Councillor G A Waller) and Mrs Waller attended the celebrations.

1932

The text beneath this 1932 photograph from perhaps the "Southern Daily Echo" reads as follows: To indulge for a moment in a flight of fantasy:"Southampton's city Councillors' XI today entertained their opposite numbers from Portsmouth at the County Ground".

Our 1932 photo included men who sat on opposite sides of the council chamber, but thoroughly enjoyed their hours spent together in white flannels. They are:
(left to right) Standing: Tidridge, (umpire), Ponsford, Buck, Tolfree, Prince.
Seated: Goulden, Udall, Blanchard, Smalley, Kimber, Maffey, Waller, Young.

The local skipper, Alan Whitehead won the toss and in an opening stand Norman Best and Dave Bull scored freely. After their departure, only Brian Roost and Steve Sutherland reached double figures. Mayor Candy's breezy spell included a might six lofted over the pavilion roof...Pompey soon scored the 93 runs needed for victory although John Arnold and Brian Welch bowled well, with relief from Mike Andrews and Pat Allen. Behind the stumps, Arnold Zinn had a good day, with three catches and two stumpings. So unthinkable as to be ridiculous. Yet - replace the names in the above passage by those of local aldermen and Councillors from the past, and you could have report from this paper 50 years ago. For many years teams of borough councillors led by the redoubtable Sidney Kimber, turned out frequently to meet other amateur elevens.

1934

 

Celebration Today by Mr. and Mrs. H. J. Tidridge, from the Southern Daily Echo
MAYOR AND SHERIFF TO ATTEND BIG FAMILY PARTY

 

Mr. H. J. Tidridge, known to m,any Southampton people for his association with cricket, bowls and football (soccer), and h is vergership of St. Mary's Church, received shoals of congratulatory messages today, when he and his wife celebrated their golden wedding. Mr. and Mrs. Tidridge live at 2, Silverdale Road, Southampton, their home for nearly 30 years. To-night at Granville College hall, Northlands-road, a big family party will gather to mark the important "milestone," and among those who have accepted invitations to be present are the mayor and Mayoress of Southampton, (Councillor and Mrs. W. D. Buck) and the Sheriff (Councillor G. A. Waller and Mrs. Waller.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Tidridge are natives of Southampton. Mr. Tidridge was born in Lodge-road (then known as Blackberry-lane) 70 years ago, and Mrs. Tidridge who, as Miss Newman, was, before her marriage, an assistant governess at Wimpson School. She is now within a fortnight of her 72^nd birthday, and though she has not been in the best of health lately, was able to take an active part in to-day's celebration.

  CHURCH WORK

Mr. Tidridge's association with churches has been even more extensive than his connection with sports. Forty-five years ago, when the head gardener to Canon Wilberforce, at the Deanery, Southampton, he was appointed verger of St. Mary's Church, a post he held for six years. Even before that when working at Minstead he had been in the Church choir there, and on one Sunday during that time a strange incident occurred. The choir, situated in a gallery at the back of the church , had the assistance of a violinist, a man with a wooden leg. While playing he kept time with his wooden leg, and in the course of many Sundays the boards wore thin under the constant beating. On one Sunday, when the choir's singing was rather ragged the wooden leg beat harder, with the result that the boards gave way and the wooden stump going through , displaced a quantity of plaster, which fell with a clatter by the side of the player of the harmonium. Unused to such interruptions, the lady organist fainted.

 

HAPPIEST TIMES

On Whit-Sunday, 1901 (his birthday) Mr. Tidridge became the verger of St. Marks, Archers-road, and began what he describes as the happiest time of his life. He has held the post continuously since, and during that period of 33 years he has been absent from his post on only three Sundays. He is the senior verger in the town and represented the vergers at the memorial service to the late Mr. Oliver Gain of St. Mary's."I have assisted at hundreds of baptisms, weddings and funerals at St. Mark's," Mr. Tidridge told the "Echo." "In recent years I have seen the weddings of young people at whose christening I was present." "There used to be 40 or 50 weddings a year at St. Mark's," he said, "but now nearly everyone goes to the Civic Centre. In the last three months there were only four."A member of the St. Mark's branch of the C.E.M.S., Mr. Tidridge attended several national conferences as delegate.

ASSOCIATION WITH SPORT

 

His sports association have made Mr. Tidridge widely known. This year he will complete 30 years as attendant at the member's stand at the County Cricket Ground, Southampton, and for nearly as long a period he has carried out similar duties at the county matches at Bournemouth. He was practise manager and umpire for the Deanery cricket club for many years, and for the past 10 years or so he has been chairman of the Southampton Public Lands Cricket Association, a position he is giving up this year. Mr. Tidridge's only umpiring these days is on the occasions of the matches between Southampton and Portsmouth Corporations. For 30 years until about three years ago, Mr. Tidridge was the east stand attendant at the Dell. As a bowls player Mr. Tidridge met with considerable success. He has played for Hampshire on several occasions and has as number of badges, including championship badges for Atherley B.C. and Bannister Park B.C. He won the green medal at Bannister Park at his first attempt, an achievement then unique, and he is still a member of the club, though he plays very little now.

Mr. and Mrs. Tidridge had 11 children, six boys and five girls. Nine are living. The youngest son was killed in France during the war. With the exception of one son and one daughter in the United States, all the other members of the family live in Southampton.

1943

May 30 will be a memorable day in the life of Harry John Tidridge, of 2 Silverdale-road, Southampton. On that day he will be 80. It will mark the completion of 42 years as verger of St. Mark's Church, Archers-road, and he will, receive a presentation after evensong, when for the last time he will act as verger.

(The two water color paintings, suppled by Andrew Coombs of the 'new' St. Marks Church)

Thus will end what Mr. Tidridge had described as the happiest days of his life. Mr. Tidridge was born in Blackberry-lane, Bevois Town. And while he does not come from a long-living family, they have a record of long service. His father, a gardener, in whose footsteps Mr. Tidridge followed, was in the same job for 40 years.

  STARTED AS A GARDENER

Mr. Tidridge worked as a gardener at Minstead for a few years, and while there a strange incident occurred in the old church. Mr. Tidridge was in the choir, which in addition to the harmonium had the assistance of a violin played by a man with a wooden leg. While playing this musician kept time with his wooden leg. One Sunday the the singing became rather ragged and he stamped with rather more violence than usual and his wooden stump displaced a large slab of plaster, which then fell by the side of the school mistress, who was playing the harmonium. "She fainted with fright," Mr. Tidridge added with a chuckle, "but the service went on." He was head gardener at the Deanery 53 years ago and while there was appointed one of the vergers, a post he held for years.

NEVER LATE

It was on Whit Sunday 1901 that Mr. Tidridge took over his duties at St. Mark's. He was never late and has been absent only on three Sundays.

The sundial shown in the photograph was erected in memory of Harry John.(Thought to be erected after his death). It started off in the small area in front of St. Mark's Church. When it was learned the church was to be demolished Harry John's son, Walter Sidney took custody of the stone. It was moved to Totton, Hampshire. Later, when Sid and his wife Ethel moved into a smaller place, Jean Bathgate (daughter) took the sundial. It was moved to Wales and then to Lydney, Glos. but now 'rests' at the home of Michael and Sue Bathgate (Jean and John's family) in Pucklehurst, Bristol.

He has seen hundreds of weddings and christenings. He thinks there has been more weddings during this war in the church than in 1914-1918. He has served under four vicars. Mr. Tidridge was in his shelter the night the incendiaries rained upon the church, and had high praise for some soldiers who tackled them.

CHURCH SAVED

John Tidridge, while trying to secure a photograph of St. Mark's before it was demolished, he was directed by the Church of England offices in Winchester, to the 'new' St. Mark's Church, still in Archer's Road. To learn more about the new St. Mark's click here

"They undoubtedly saved the church from serious damage," he said. "As it was only a few slates were dislodged, and one or two of the bombs only fell into the church".

In cricket circles Mr. Tidridge is as well known as he is in church work. For more than 30 years he was attendant at the members' stand at the County Cricket Ground, and for nearly as long he carried out similar duties at county matches at Bournemouth. He had an almost life-long connection with the Deanery Club and has any memories of the old days. He considers Mr. A. I Russell to be the best captain the club ever had. Mr. Russell's father was churchwarden at St. Mary's when Mr. Tidridge was in charge of the Deanery garden.

CRICKET GIFT

Mr. Tidridge was chairman of the Southampton Public Lands Cricket Association from 1921 to 1934, and in services to the association were recognized by the presentation of a gold watch. He was practice manager and umpire of Deanery Club for many years, and he umpired at games all over the county. He confessed that some of his happiest days have been spent with the Deanery Club On the bowling green Mr. Tidridge was a fine player. He played for the county on several occasions. His first club the Atherley, who then played where the Civil Service ground is now situated.

WON GREEN MEDAL

"Strangely enough, I never got to the top there," he mused, "but when I changed to the Bannister I broke all records, winning the green medal in my first year". Although he played football (soccer) for the old St. Mary's Club (Crow's Nest), Mr. Tidridge confessed he was never a shining light in the football field. He will be remembered by many of the Saints patrons, as for more than 30 years he was attendant at the East Stands.

 

VERGER

The word 'verger' appears in some the above accounts... here for your interest are the duties of a Verger

The Church Of England Guild of Vergers Duties of a Verger
Taken from the Church of England Vergers Guild, St, Albans Branch

Vergers Duties

The Original Description of the Word Virga is from a Latin description or Virger (modern way Verger) means to lead and Vergers lead processions in church as what still happens today. In today's world the cathedrals and some larger parish church's employ staff to carry out these duties male and female and duties vary from place to place The Majority of vergers in Parish life tend to be part time and voluntary and often un-paid some being given fees for weddings and funerals under the scale of parochial fees A limited amount of information should be in the publication "Handbook for Churchwardens" and PCC And or An ABC for the PCC is available also the council for the care of church's do a range of publications also various publications may be available from The Diocesan Resource Centre

I (author of this article) was asked recently what does a verger do and I came up with the following which is no way complete as we all do a multitude of different tasks. Some duties may include any of the following as agreed with either P.C.C or the incumbent where they serve and are usually drawn up in an informal contract or agreement.

Duties in Detail

Opening up and locking of church premises
Preparation for various weekday services where applicable
Preparation for Weddings and Funerals
Leading processions I.e. Weddings Funerals Sunday services
Setting out vestments
Changing altar frontals according to liturgical year
Care of linen and altar cloths
Operation of sound system
Ensuring adequate supplies of Wine & altar Breads
Ensuring supplies of candles etc and any other requirements
Preparation of service registers also wedding registers etc
Looking after heating and lighting if applicable
Good housekeeping cleaning polishing floors and furniture ensuring it is in good order
Checking visually fabric and reporting to appropriate person i.e churchwardens any problems
Keeping entrance to porch or entrance clean and tidy
Care of Churchyard if required
Other practical issues which vary from place to place
If you have concerts duties may be re-arranging furniture
Health and safety isles, fire regulations current regulations on disability access etc
Cathedrals and larger church establishments may insist on a first Aid Certificate be obtained as well as other certification IE I have a defibrillator Training certificate
Any local issues appertaining to employment
Be able to carry out minor repairs
Care and welcome of visitors
Be knowledgeable about your church history and locality for visitors

 

Letter received from Catherine M. Lusmore, Southampton. 1985

Dear Mr. Tidridge (John Tidridge)

With reference to your letter printed in the Echo regarding Mr. G. Tidridge, I may not be able to help much but it brought back many happy childhood memories.

My parents moved down here in 1922 from Newcastle on Tyne, when I was six years old. Although my father was only 30 he was a keen bowler, know as an 'old man's game' in those days. He joined the Atherley Bowling Club at the Civil Service Club (& Sports Ground) not far from the Dell. Your uncle as greenskeeper there and I spent many happy hours playing with him when taken round by my father.

Soon after that Atherley purchased land in Hill Lane facing the Common. It was large enough to accommodate 2 greens attractively landscaped, a commodious Club House and four tennis courts which they leased out. "Tid" as he was known to everyone was the greenskeeper till he retired . They've certainly not had another to compare with him. It was his life and he did not regard it an as 9-5 job. The greens and surroundings were always tip-top. I don't think he married, and lived with his father in Silverdale Road, next to the Dell. By coincidence I attended a large Private School, whose playing fields faced Silverdale Rd. and next St,. Marks C of E Parish Church. As a school we had to attend certain services and the verger was "Tid's" father. I remember he had a white beard (naturally he appeared elderly) to me. We regarded him with great respect. St. Mark's was very well attended being in a very exclusive residential area, but those days are gone. Last year the church was demolished for house buildup.

Unfortunately all the old bowlers who perhaps could have told you more about "Tid" are no longer with us. My mother aged 96, remembers him well but my father has been dead for 30 years.

As a matter of fact Atherley now has large Indoor Bowling Section and a Social Club, having used the tennis court land.

I hope this is a little bit of family news for you. I can assure you "Tid" was very highly respected. Maybe some else will come up with further information.

Yours sincerely,

Catherine M. Lusmore.

Mr. J. Tidridge

Letter from (Mr.) D. Parker

9, Stoke Road
Shirley
Feb. 1 1985
11315 60 Street
Edmonton Alberta
T5W 3Z2 Canada

Dear Mr. Tidridge,

Ref. to your letter in the Southern Daily Echo Feb 1^st

I knew a Mr. Tidridge or Titheridge in the 1920-1930 as he was then verger of St. Mark's Church in Archers Rd. next to the Dell just down from where he lived in Silverdale Rd. whether he was a grounds man as well I do not know as I was a Choir Boy at the church in those days, but my father took over the job when he died in the thirties (?)

But there is or was a Man called "Eddie Place" who lived in Kentish Rd. Freemantle, who lived in the same house or near it in Silverdale Rd in those days

Now the Vicar's name was Mr. Brummitt or Brumit the old Church had just been pulled down and built on, but there is a smaller church still there by the Dell.

Whether I have the right man I do not know but good luck

Yours sincerely,

D. Parker

P.S. The vicar may be dead now as it was so long ago but there may be records, no harm trying.

January 2013: Granddad and Grandma Tidridge at the back door of 2 Silverdale Rd. I remember (now) the ferns!). I have been trying to judge g-dad's height, my Dad was just under 6 ft. Will and Bert, his brothers and according to army records, were around 5' 7".

The photograph is in fact a Post Card and comes from the collection provided by Florence Haven, USA who sent over 30 pictures from long ago. It has proved interesting getting the people identified. So far Ted Place, son of Lulu Tidridge, his grandson Rob, and now Nick Board son of Barbara Board, nee Tidridge have been involved.

                          Part of the same collection, will treat the names as OK, Annie Louisa at 5 yrs is inscribed on the back, making the picture a c 1891 item. Tidridge guessed at the identity of the other child, assuming it to be a boy, and quite possibly William John Newman Tidridge, her brother.

More pictures the collection, the one the left is this one by The Cheapside Photo Company, 5 Bernard St. Southampton, Hampshire. G-Dad looking quite the prosperous gentleman. I have hopes of finding more about about his social standing...not that it matters a hoot now, but....

The picture on the right threw me! Taken by the same company it shows G-Dad with a Capt. Hode (?), it surely has to be posed? Pipe, cigar, whiskey (the dominoes look harmless enough), but what was going on here?

Would have loved to have shown it to my Dad when he almost took as to the pictures on a Sunday! But then I remember some of my Dad's pictures, dressed in drag, when he was at sea!

As an aside, I ran Capt. Hode's name through 'Google' and all I found was story of a black

 Capt. Hode, a tale of racial tensions and a mixed marriage. Surely not related

Aunt Nell (on the left in both photographs) was born in 1862, Minnie in 1873. Their parents were Harry Tidridge and Ann Cullimore. Ellen was the oldest of 8 children.