The Fernhurst Society
Tales from the Archives - 15
Fernhurst – Holiday Hotspot
In the 1920s and 30s Fernhurst was a very popular holiday destination with several hotels and guest houses from Kingsley Green Guest House (where Homelands now stands), to Timberscombe (now Reeks Reynolds) to the north of the village and Woodfold to the south. In the middle was the Spreadeagle Inn, where Tavern Court now stands. It had six bedrooms and was run by Hartie and Jack Edwards. We have the Visitors Book covering 1922 – 1939 in the Archive.
It contains many delightful entries including poems and sketches. A child depicted her family in their walking gear and the Micklams, on leave from Egypt, contributed a scene of Egyptian life. One poignant entry reads ‘Great thanks for kindness bestowed on a poor friendless woman’. Mr and Mrs Felton from London came ‘for a short stay’ which ended up being six months!
One satisfied customer expressed herself in verse:
If you are on a diet and trying to get thin,
Don’t stay too long at the Spreadeagle Inn.
The food is so plentiful and good, one cannot resist as one should,
But if it’s comfort and quiet, enjoy yourself - hang the diet,
And stay at the Spreadeagle Inn
If you would like to know more about this story, or research other local topics, the Archive is open on Tuesdays, 2.30-5pm in the Village Hall. Other times by arrangement.
Christine Maynard
Fernhurst ArchiveOne of a series of short articles bringing you some of the incidents from our rich village history. Collated by Christine Maynard, based on documents preserved at the Fernhurst Archives, these originally were published in the monthly Fernhurst News.
The Fernhurst Archives
Fernhurst History
