The Uncertain Beginnings of Floral Hall

Like many of Scarborough’s best loved attractions, Floral Hall faced opposition when it was first proposed. Thanks to stories published in newspapers across the UK, it is possible to explore the local politics behind these disagreements, and to appreciate that an attraction in one seaside town, offers a glimpse into much wider debates about tourism, entertainment legislation and

The initial proposal seemed innocuous enough. After purchasing Alexandra Field in 1889, the Scarborough Corporation opened Alexandra Gardens in 1907, which included space for open air entertainment. However, the UK’s unpredictable weather necessitated something extra:

A full committee of Scarborough Town Council has adopted a recommendation of the Entertainments Sub-committee that a floral hall should be erected in the Alexandra Gardens, North Cliff, at an estimated cost of £3000. The building will be a little over twelve feet in height, of glass supported by iron columns. it will be used for season entertainments, and protection against wet weather, the sides opening out in fine weather. It will afford accommodation for about fifteen people.

Leeds Mercury, Wednesday 06 October, 1909

The plan seemed relatively uncontroversial on first reading (I think the part about accommodating only 15 people is an error, as you will see later), but subsequent reports reveal deep rooted concerns for local business, and longstanding tensions between committees, ratepayers and the community at large.

MUNICIPAL SCHEME OPPOSED. The managers of the principal places of entertainment in Scarborough, including the roller skating rinks, are memorialising the Scarborough Town Council against the proposed erection by the Council of floral hall and pavilion in the Alexandra Gardens on the North Cliff, being of opinion that the “indoor amusements provided by legitimate caterers are already adequate, and that any addition to the same will greatly affect the revenues of those place– which have to contribute so heavily to the rates of the town.” They also submit that the policy of the Entertainments Committee during the past two seasons, in carrying on the business entertainment caterers in opposition to themselves —ratepayers—is against the best interests of the general body of ratepayers, and they urge that the gardens, stands, and places under the control of the Corporation should in future be let by public tender, so that those carrying them on shall have to bear a burden similar to that borne by those who have carried on their business in the town for so many years.

Sheffield Daily Telegraph, Monday 25 October, 1909

The objections are understandable – local businesspeople wanted to protect their livelihoods, and ensure that any new business venture would fairly contribute to the financial wellbeing of the town.

So what happened next?

The Mayor of Scarborough, Mr. W. Ascough, with the approval of his colleagues, announces it a ‘ clear duty to decline to petition over 500 ratepayers and owners in Scarborough to convene a meeting owners and ratepayers to consider resolutions protesting against any further expenditure, either out of capital revenue, in the erection of a floral hall in Alexandra Gardens…

Hartlepool Northern Daily Mail, Monday 29 November, 1909

Kinderland faced similar opposition when it was first proposed, as did the addition of slides at the North Bay Bathing Pool in the 1980s. However, in all cases, the attractions were built/amended anyway.

At a meeting of Scarborough Town Council last night it was resolved by 17 votes six to expend the erection of a floral hall for the holding entertainment.

London Evening Standard, Tuesday 14 December, 1909

And then…

The Town Clerk of Scarborough has received an intimation from the Local Government Board, sanctioning the borrowing of £3,000 for the purpose of making a Floral Hall the Alexandra Gardens.

Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Advertised, Saturday 12 February, 1910

It’s not been possible to find out what happened to the opposition, which is often the case in disputes such as this.

The Mayor Scarborough (Councillor W. Ascough) on Saturday formally opened the new floral hall in the Alexandra Gardens, on the north side of Scarborough, which the Corporation has erected at a cost of £3,000. Despite the inclement weather there was an excellent attendance. The new hall seats at least 1,200 people, and artistic and effective floral decorations have been carried out internally. The Mayor, in formally declaring the building open, said they could not have too many attractions for a town like Scarborough. Not only would the new floral hall be an attraction to the town, but he prophesied that it would not cost the ratepayers one farthing. In the past the north side entertainers had been the mercy of the weather, but now they had building which would make them independent of the weather. Mr. Charles. Cardow’s company afterwards gave entertainment. Yesterday a band of the Royal Artillery gave concerts during the afternoon and evening.

Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer, Monday 04 July, 1910

William Ascough (1849 – 1926) served as Mayor of Scarborough between 1909 and 1910. It is unclear what kind of entertainment Charles Cadow and his company provided, but the Royal Artillery Band have a well documented history dating back to 1557.

There was a great deal of interest in Floral Hall from newspapers in Yorkshire and the North East.

Splendid weather conditions were enioyed yesterday (Thursday) and the South Sands and principal promenades presented animated scenes. The new – Floral Hall in the Alexandra Gardens on the North Cliff is much appreciated. The first illuminated fete of the season takes place there to-morrow, and on the following day concerts will he given afternoon and evening by his Majesty’s Band of the Irish Guards.

Newcastle Evening Chronicle, Friday 15 July, 1910

According to research, military bands provided regular entertainment across Scarborough including at the Aquarium (later Gala Land), North Bay Pier and Peasholm Park, just to name a few examples. However, providing entertainment required a license, and Sundays presented particular challenges:

SUNDAY MUSIC AT SCARBOROUGH At a special transfer session Scarborough yesterday, Sidney Jones, Deputy-Town Clerk, behalf of the Scarborough Corporation, made an application to the magistrates for music and the dancing licenses for the new Floral Hall, on the North Side, and for a similar license for shelter on the Marine Drive. Air Jones also applied that music and singing should be permitted Sundays. _ . . The magistrates retired, and on returning the Chairman intimated that the whole question of Sunday in places entertainment would carefully considered before next session. In the meantime these licences would be granted.

Hull Daily Mail, Wednesday 13 July, 1910

Soon reporting on Floral Hall was part of local (and national) newspaper summaries of Scarborough’s entertainment offer. Scarborough’s decision to open Floral Hall even influenced developments in nearby Bridlington:

The list of entertainments in Scarborough is quite bewildering in its variety. First comes the Spa with its Electric Theatre as well as its Open-air Theatre, with a visit from Mr. Pelissier and his Follies.” The Aquarium presents the juvenile fairy spectacle of The Sleeping Princess ” as the close lengthy programme ; the Theatre Royal has forsaken strong melodrama for light comedy; Miss Stella Gastelle and company give soena from La Poupee at the Hippodrome; the Floral Hall was ringing with the music of the Black Dyke Band on Sunday; The Chorus Lady ” is the comedy the Londesborough; and there still remain variety shows and orchestras in other places, all bidding against each other for the patronage the holiday crowds.

Now that the Scarborough Corporation is running a Floral Hall there seems to be no reason why the Bridlington Corporation should not run a People’s Palace. This People’s Palace was a sister scheme of the Scarborough Aquarium. Speculators, with an eye on the Aquarium dividends, readily put £22,500 into the project, and they are about take out £7,250, the price to be paid by the Bridlington Corporation by leave of the Local Government Board. In the days when the Royal Prince’s Parade was conducted upon Puritanical principles by the local authorities the New Spa was built Hilderthorpe by Messrs. Whitaker, of Horsforth, and the late Mr. W. Morgan, of Scarborough, was the head of the company which erected the Palace. Neither had much chance of success against the money-bags the ratepayers, but both rendered a service to Bridlington that should never be forgotten.

Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer, Tuesday 26 July, 1910

Interesting also to note the close links between Scarborough’s Aquarium and events in Bridlington. William Morgan, mentioned above, was the manager who saved the aquarium from financial ruin in the late 1800s. Notice the little jibe against the ratepayers at the end.

You can read more about Floral Hall via the links below, and I am currently using new online sources to compile a more comprehensive list of shows that took place there – watch this space!

Floral Hall: An Introduction

Floral Hall’s Former Stars

Scarborough Aquarium: Did You Know…?

Scarborough Aquarium opened in 1877 beneath the Cliff Bridge in Scarborough. It was re-named Gala Land in 1925 and was eventually demolished in 1968 (after closing in 1966) to make way for an underground car park. You can read more about it on the following links:

Gala Land

Captain Webb At Scarborough Aquarium

The Armless Wonder And The Empress Of The Sea

This post brings together a number of short stories and facts about the aquarium – odds and ends which don’t quite make a complete article on their own.

So, without further ado, did you know that…

1) The original idea was to build medicinal baths…

Above: The site before the aquarium (source)

Scarborough’s popularity as a seaside resort originally derived from the perceived medicinal qualities of its air and water, therefore it is unsurprising that the committee behind the aquarium had originally hoped to cash in on this reputation. However, these original plans proved too expensive, and the aquarium was built instead. Ironically the attraction ended up losing large amounts of money, and even the efforts of successful entrepreneur William Morgan only secured temporary success for the palatial venue.

*EDIT* The medicinal baths plans actually came much later. After purchasing the aquarium in 1925, the Scarborough Corporation originally hoped to convert the attraction into aforementioned baths. The changes were too expensive, therefore the venue became Gala Land instead.

2) The building was used as a drill hall during WWI…

Following the closure of the aquarium (the company was liquidated in 1914), troops commandeered the space for training exercises. Apparently some of the opulent architecture (designed by Eugenius Birch back in the 1800s) were damaged during this period, due to the heavy duty training that took place there. Nonetheless, the Scarborough Corporation decided to buy and restore the building after the war, renaming it Gala Land.

Above: Members of the Scarborough Corporation in an undated photograph (from Some Scarborough Faces – Past and Present, 1901)

3) The aquarium opened with a grand concert…

On Whit Monday in 1877, the venue opened with music from Leeds Harmonic, Glee and Madrigal Union at the cost of one shilling per ticket. The previous Saturday a private opening had been held for Scarborough residents, and featured music from the Band of Yorkshire Militia.

Above: An early Victorian shilling – the equivalent of a modern day 5p piece, which certainly wouldn’t cover the costs of a concert ticket today! (source)

4) There were lions and tigers…

Scarborough Aquarium hosted an array of exotic animals following William Morgan’s takeover, including lions, tigers, monkeys and birds. Stories From Scarborough has as yet been unable to ascertain how long and under what conditions these animals were kept at the venue. The lions and tigers were a later addition, joining the newly expanded Zoo section in 1913, only a year before the aquarium closed at the start of the war.

Above: Illustration of exotic creatures and the grand aquarium interior from an unnamed article held at Scarborough Library (without the publication name it has not been possible to identify the exact source)

5) One of the elephants got angry…

A performing elephant at the aquarium attempted to attack an audience member who resembled a former trainer. Apparently said trainer had not enjoyed a good relationship with said elephant; the latter apparently seeking revenge on an innocent lookalike. Below is the original text from the 1889 Manchester Guardian.

The beast in question, while going through a performance, saw among those present Mr. Philburn, a detective in the local police. He unfortunately bears a strong facial resemblance to a former keeper of the elephant, with whom the creature had quarrelled, and he was for some time viewed by the offended pachyderm with that “disgust concealed” which, according to Cowper, “is ofttimes proof of wisdom”. But even an elephant may feel that it is surfeited with wisdom. Hence the performing beast at Scarborough gradually sidled up to Mr. Philburn and “went” for him with fearful trumpeting. The victim of the animal’s mistaken fury was badly hurt, and he is scarcely likely to endorse the popular impression that elephants are creatures of shrewd perspicacity. Vengeance, however, is not a sentiment that usually harmonises even in the human subject with these excellent but prosaic qualities.

(source)

6) There was also a theatre…

Victorian and Edwardian visitors were treated to performances from the likes of Miss Flo Everette and her Clever Canine Pets, Mr Walter Wade (Lady Impersonator), Zasma the acrobat and Professor Deveno (conjurer and juggler). Miss Ada Webb, Captain Webb and Unthan (The Armless Wonder) have already been mentioned, but other more mysterious acts included the Clock Eyed Lady, Madam Leva (The Electric Lady) and Professor Finney (perhaps a magician of some sort?).

Above: A visualisation of the Clock-Eyed Lady drawn by the author (Copyright: Sarah Coggrave)

7) The venue was known ‘The Umbrella’…

This title emerged during the early 1900s, and became a popular nickname for the aquarium, which not only resided underground, but was also a source of alternative entertainment during the inevitable rainy days that blight British summertime.

Do you know any facts about the old Scarborough Aquarium? Are any of the above false or misreported? Stories From Scarborough wants to hear your views – please comment below or email.

The Armless Wonder And The Empress Of The Sea

When enterprising businessman William Morgan took over Scarborough Aquarium in 1887, the venue was widely viewed as a colossal waste of money. In spite of the grandness of this underground palace – designed by legendary architect Eugenius Birch – its extensive tanks and sea life specimens were failing to draw in the crowds.

Above: William Morgan, temporary saviour of the Scarborough Aquarium (source)

Morgan, described affectionately as “portly, bespectacled and bewhiskered”, saw great potential in the Aquarium. People, he argued, “would rather see a juggler than an uncooked lobster”.

Above: Apparently Victorian Scarborough didn’t want to see live lobsters (source)

In 1887 he oversaw the conversion of a number of tanks – glass and seawater were replaced by shops, stalls, a Japanese theatre, teahouse, monkey house and aviary. However, more importantly, Morgan saw to it that some of the biggest names in music hall were performing at the aptly named People’s Palace and Aquarium, also known as the Palace of Amusements.

Above: The entrance to the Aquarium, depicted on an old postcard (from the author’s collection)

The following post will consider two of these stars, whose legacies have endured into the present day.

1) Miss Ada Webb

Along with the team of “lady swimmers and high divers”, she frequently performed with, Miss Ada Webb was an accomplished athlete and acrobat.

Above: Miss Ada Webb (source)

Known as an ornamental swimmer, this term perhaps undermines Miss Webb’s incredible athleticism, which drew great praise from audiences and critics.

Miss Ada Webb shares with Britannia the title of “Empress of the Sea”. She has dived into the sea from a height of fifty-six feet, and therefore claims the distinction of being the champion lady diver of the world. Her underwater feats in the tank are those to which music hall audiences have become accustomed, and her symmetrical form lends grace and attractiveness to her various posings in the crystal tank.

(source – the original reference is listed at the bottom of the page)

Although the feats of male swimmers, such as Captain Webb (no relation) were generally regarded with greater respect and gravitas, both men and women performed some strange aquatic tasks, much to the delight of onlookers. One of Webb’s was his 74 hour swimming marathon in Scarborough Aquarium. His namesake Ada engaged in various water-based activities across numerous venues:

in October 1889, Ada Webb, ‘Champion Lady High Diver of the World and Queen of the Crystal Tank’, appeared at the Canterbury Theatre of Varieties where her underwater feats included eating, drinking, smoking, peeling an apple, answering questions, sewing, singing, taking snuff and writing.

(source)

Rumour has it that Miss Webb also saved the lives of three female swimmers at Bromley Swimming Baths in 1890, diving in whilst fully clothed. She was also an accomplished acrobat who performed aerial stunts. However, inevitably her athletic abilities eventually waned, prompting a move into theatrical management. Her time in Scarborough was presumably only a small part of a whirlwind tour of music halls and entertainment venues.

2) Unthan – The Armless Wonder

Prussian-born Carl Unthan reputedly escaped being smothered by the midwife who delivered him, having been born without arms. Remarkably he grew up to become a serious musician, after being encouraged by his father to use his feet for everyday tasks. He even performed for renowned composer Johann Strauss in Vienna.

Above: Carl Unthan plays the violin with his feet (source)

Although Unthan performed with classical orchestras as a violinist, he also developed further tricks to showcase his other remarkable abilities, which included shooting a rifle with his feet. He appeared a silent film, called Atlantis and typed up an autobiography – again with his dextrous feet.

Above: Shooting a rifle (source)

Unthan’s story depicts a man who was independent and shrewd – he knew how to exploit his unique skills, and is rumoured to have arranged for strings on his violin to break, mid-performance, just so that audiences could witness him fixing and tuning them with his toes.

Maybe he played this trick on Scarborough audiences during his Aquarium visit?

Unthan died in 1929, aged 71, by which point Scarborough Aquarium had been rebranded as Gala Land.

Above: Gala Land operated between 1925 and 1966 (source – unnamed newspaper or magazine article in Scarborough Library; see bottom of the page for details)

Many of the music hall stars who visited the Aquarium, however, are difficult to track down.  Mr Walter Wode, lady impersonator; Miss Flo Everette and her Clever Canine Pets; Zasma the acrobat, and perhaps most intriguing of all, the Clock-Eyed Lady. Who were these fascinating characters? Stories From Scarborough hopes to find out more about the stars of the Aquarium and it’s later reincarnation – Gala Land. Keep checking back to read all the new stories!

Are there any music hall history buffs out there? Does anyone know anything about the acts mentioned? Please do comment or get in touch.

Sources

British Sporting Legacies Blog

The Human Marvels

Article by Dave Day

Assorted newspaper articles and materials kept at the Scarborough Room in Scarborough Library

                       

Gala Land

Gala Land was an underground entertainment complex in Scarborough. Originally a public aquarium, it was built in 1877 beneath the Spa Bridge, and initially operated as The People’s Palace & Aquarium (see below).

Above: Entrance to the old aquarium (source)

Designed by Eugenius Birch (who also designed the Brighton Aquarium and the Blackpool North Pier Indian Pavilion), the 2.25 acre complex also included a concert hall, reading room, dining area and fernery. With an interior inspired by Hindu temples, the aquarium boasted the (then) largest tank in the world. Holding over 75,000 gallons of water, the tank was also used for swimming exhibitions.

Scarborough Art Gallery has a painting of the interior in its permanent collection.

You can view it here.

Above: Brighton Aquarium, also designed by Eugenius Birch (source)

Various sources refer to the impressive decoration inside the aquarium, for example:

Red, buff and black encaustic tiles with a central hawthorn blossom pattern ornamented the dados, while those used on the floor were patterned with shells, seaweed, starfish and dolphins. Amid this colourful mass of international motifs, English pastoral scenes in oils were intended to add light and interest to the concert hall…

(source)

The aquarium struggled to attract visitors, and after just nine years it was sold to William Morgan – the manager of Blackpool Winter Gardens. It was not until Morgan’s tenure that the venue became a success. By 1890 a monkey house, aviary, seal and alligator ponds had all been added, and for a number of years the attraction thrived. Later additions included a swimming pool, theatre and skating rink. However, eventually the underground complex faced financial difficulties again, prompting Scarborough Council to take it over in 1925.

Above: Another view of the Aquarium entrance (source)

The venue was renamed Gala Land by council bosses, who oversaw its running until 1966.

Former Scarborough resident Margaret Smolensky refers to the attraction in Scarborough Archaeological and Historical Society’s Community Archive:

At roughly about the bottom of Vernon Road where it intersects with the Valley Road was Gala Land. An underground sort of amusement park which I can only just remember. I do vaguely recall though that there was an all girl orchestra. In that same area, at the end of the Valley Road were the swimming baths. They were underground and what seemed to me at that time a long way down. The girls walked there from the old Girls‟ High School in the valley for lessons. Those of us who had bikes cycled and waited for the others. Once in the front door there were stairs going round and round and down and down to the low level baths. Since Margaret Dean and I had to wait for the walkers we spent the time leaning over the railing at the top spitting and trying to hit one or another of the black and while tiles on the far below floor. We never did get caught!!!

(source – with permission from Scarborough Archaeological and Historical Society)

The Gala Land buildings were demolished to make way for an underground car park in 1968, which still stands today.

Above: Demolition of the site (source)

Adrian Hanwell, a member of Scarborough Archaeological and Historical Society, remembers the demolition from his schooldays, and kindly contributed the following memory:

It was closed down (to make way for the underground car park) whilst I was at school (1965 to 1969) and we were horrified to see many of the wood and glass cased Victorian amusement machines smashed and dumped into skips. We did gain from this vandalism ourselves though, because many of the machines ran on lovely little Parvalux electric motors, so many pupils rescued them for use in our own projects. Even in the 1960s, those Victorian machines would have fetched worthwhile money at auction if anyone had bothered to send them there. Today, those machines would fetch anything upwards of £350.00 each and the more desirable ones could possibly fetch over £1,000.00.

I only got one motor myself. It was a geared motor and I used it to drive a small workshop sandstone (for sharpening knives and tools). That sandstone got smaller and smaller, then wore out during the last 40 years. I still have the motor and I have another sandstone, but I have yet to couple it up to the motor.

I became an Engineer and was not interested in the puppets (automatons) and only salvaged mechanical bits myself. Others did get backcloth pictures, puppets and other bits. I do not know whether they kept them.

Just as Adrian and his schoolmates rescued and reused parts of Gala Land in new projects, Stories From Scarborough similarly aims to use the memories of old attractions to inspire new ideas and art. Scarborough has a long history of reinvention and the rise and fall of its many former attractions are a testament to this.

Galaland is a recent addition to Stories From Scarborough– if you’d like a particular attraction to be added to the list, then please leave a comment below. Likewise, if you remember Gala Land/Galaland) please share your memories!

Sources

Pastscape

Scarborough Theatres and Halls

Scarborough Archaeological and Historical Society

(The society’s Community Archive is an excellent resource for anyone investigating the history of Scarborough)