Ever wondered what was making the local paper exactly a century ago?

Although the daily grind in October 1919 was a far cry from our modern lifestyles today, you may be surprised to know that the local paper was basically full of the same things it is all these years later – community news, court stories and inquests, fundraising events, a readers’ letters page, timetables and adverts for film screenings and local entertainment.

There were very few photographs and only a handful of adverts in each edition of the Grays and Tilbury Gazette.

The ads that did go in were usually to promote some kind of wacky health tonic or cure being offered at local chemists.

For example, Davis Pharmacy in Grays was flogging ‘Eau de Quinine’ for hair loss.

By October 1919, the year had already been an eventful one. It had been less than 12 months since the Great War had ended, changing the country and the world forever.

The Treaty of Versailles – the most important of the peace treaties had been signed earlier that summer, in June 1919, in the Hall of Mirrors in the Palace of Versailles, Paris, France.

Elsewhere people were beginning to shake off the shackles of the pre-war era. In April the Original Dixieland Jazz Band brought a flavour of jazz to England, opening a 15-month tour at the Hippodrome in London which had proved to be huge success and had seen many young Essex people flocking up to London.

Locally, south Essex was plodding along nicely, although (just like today) there had been some debilitating railway strikes which led to disruption for delighted schoolchildren who had a day off, while the news was also filled with complaints by Essex teachers over their dire wages.

A rogue thief had been stealing books from Grays Library, which caused a sensation – especially when they made off with a religious newspaper and a book of timetables.

In Langdon Hills the local rector had taken a tumble and was bed-bound while in South Ockendon, some sort of spat over gossip about a local married woman had got to the stage that solicitors had been drafted in.

In Grays people were buzzing with excitement over news that Sanger’s circus was about to hit town for one day only, complete with elephants, African snake -charmers, ‘North American Indians’ and a ‘spectacular grand Roman pyramid display.

This was the first tour of the circus since the outbreak of war as the animals - the horses and elephants- had been employed in war work.

Here is a round-up of stories from the in October of 1919, as they appeared in the Gazette word for word:

LANGDON HILLS

The Rector of Langdon Hills (Rev F G Clayton) has been in bed for some days as the result of an unfortunate accident on Friday week.

On the day he was visiting the army hut, which is being broken up for transport to Langdon Hills, for use by the newly formed men’s club, when on stepping out, he slipped and fell, spraining his ankle. He was conveyed back to the Rectory where he was attended by Dr T.C Hailey. Much sympathy is felt for the Rector who was unable to preach at the harvest festival on Sunday as was intended and other church organisation have had to postpone their meetings.

WHIST DRIVE AND DANCE- In aid of the newly formed Men’s Social Club at Langdon Hills, a successful whist drive and dance was held on Saturday . Altogether a pleasant evening was spent.

ORSETT

Dance – in aid of the funds of the Orsett Football Club a well attended dance was held on Wednesday week. The M.C was Mr H Plowright.

AGED INHABITANT'S DEATH The death occurred on Thursday week of an old well known inhabitant of Orsett in the person of Mrs Emily Kimmings, aged 87, of Ridgewell’s Cottages.

The funeral was arranged to take place in the parish church.

PUBLIC NOTICES

TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN

Whereas certain slanderous statements have been circulated in South Ockendon, Essex and the neighbourhood thereof, touching the character of Mrs Emma Newman, the wife of Henry James Newman of No 10 North Road, South Ockendon. Now this is to give notice that steps are being taken to trace the said slanders to their source and on discovery of the same, legal proceedings will at once be instituted against the parties responsible.

Dated 22 October 1919

W R Millar and Sons

22 St Thomas Street

London Bridge SE1

Solicitors for the said Emma Newman and Henry James Newman

MR DAVIDSON IS COMING

Monday next and the following five days will be a great time for Grays and district. Mr Davidson, the London eye specialist is coming to help them. All his great skill and lifelong experience, all the remarkable talent and accumulated knowledge that 36 years close study of science of sight has taught him, is placed freely and greatly as the service of every man, woman and child who seeks his aid.

(Mr Davidson set up shop at the Oddfellows Hall in Orsett Road, Grays and his visit was so popular he ended up staying on for a couple of weeks).

LAINDON

BAPTIST ANNIVERSARY – The tenth anniversary of the Laindon Baptist Church was celebrated by large congregations on Sunday The Pastor (Rev G S Read) preached both morning and evening and three new members were received into the church.

TILBURY

At the Grays Police Court on Wednesday evening, before G.L Michell Esq, Cornelius Brunolt, a Dutch seaman was charged with being in unlawful possession of 13 towels at Tilbury Dock that day. P.S Simmonds. PLA Police, stated he found the towels in the accused’s bag. The man’s explanation was that he bought them at Baenah for 6s. Prisoner was reminded till Friday.

GREAT WAKERING

Great Wakering church was nicely decorated with garden products for the harvest festival which commenced on Wednesday. Throughout the festival there were large attendance and offertories were made for the Bishop of Chelmsford’s Crusade Fund. The gifts of fruit and vegetables were sent to the Cripples Home, Southend.

GRAYS

Pilferings from the Grays Library are reported to still continue but one would scarcely expect anyone to steal a religious paper like the ‘Guardian.’ Such a thief ought really to do penance in the church porch, clothed in a white sheet and if it is the same rogue who purloined ‘Bradshaw’ with the latter suspended round his neck, there would certainly be a good congregation to see the offender.

(Bradshaw’s was a popular railway timetable and travel guided book)

LITTLE THURROCK

KILLED IN ACTION- During the past week Mr and Mrs Taylor, 38, Chadwell Road, Little Thurrock, have received the official intimation that their son, Private E Taylor, 18th Lancashire Fusiliers was killed in action on October 31st 1918.

STANFORD-LE-HOPE

A CHURCH GIFT – The pulpit of St Margaret’s Church has lately been provided with a handsome copy of the holy scripture. The gift is in memory of Mr Thomas Henry Taylor who passed to his rest on November 27, 1918.

The beautiful new bible is the offering of his widow and children, to whom the rector and the church wardens are greatly indebted for so welcome a gift.

AN UNEXPECTED HOLIDAY – The children attending the Stanford Council school had an easy time last week. It appears that the headmaster, Mr AA Gwynne Phillips was unfortunately ill and the staff in charge of the school consisted of a lady teacher and two masters, who lived one at Benfleet and the other in London. During the strike the Londoner was of course unable to get down and the school had to be closed. The result was that the children had a holiday and were seen marching home with great enjoyment.