Arundel Park
This card shows a parade of the 2nd Volunteer Battalion of the East Kent Regiment somewhere in Arundel Park in 1907, which was a regular venue for military camps and for other organisations, such as the YMCA. Notice the range of ages, presumably a mix of new recruits and ex-servicemen. The publisher was Mezzotint of Brighton, recognisable from their characteristic design under the heading on the back of the card.
The text is unusual as it is written in semaphore, no doubt demonstrating one of the skills practised at the camp. It was sent to Miss Parker, High Street, Cranbrook, Kent. We might have expected some coded endearment but instead it translates as: "Just one at last. Yours, Charlie!”.
Our Burpham video features another glimpse of military training manoeuvres in the area.
This card shows a Sunday school group in Arundel Park. A handwritten message on the back, from S.C. Barrett, identifies the date and place, and that this is Littlehampton Sunday School at a congregational gathering in Arundel Park which seems to have been a popular venue for group gatherings. Perhaps they travelled by river but it’s more likely that they went by train, as the group would have been quite large and the railway was a cheaper option.
The photograph is by F.W. Spry, who is perhaps better remembered for his ship photographs. However, this one is a reminder that he was much more versatile.. Large group pictures would have generated a useful income, with sales guaranteed, although it would have involved travel from his base in Surrey Street. The number 3 on the card shows that this is part of a series taken on that day.