Catherine Dibben (1850–1934) returning to Hayling Island after twenty years, managing a boarding house amidst personal losses and the evolving social landscape of the late 19th century
Enterprise, Respectability, and Seaside Tourism
Tag: Collingwood
Endurance Through War and Change
Catherine Dibben (1850–1934) faced significant personal and social challenges during WWI, managing her boarding house while mourning deeply for her family and navigating economic hardships
Not just a pretty face
Ellen Kirby (1851-1924) whose humble origins in rural Berkshire contrasted sharply with her later success as a respected housekeeper, wife, and businesswoman
A ‘blue on blue’ disaster
A tragic wartime incident during a military demonstration when a pilot mistakenly fired on spectators, causing the deaths of dozens of Army and Home Guard officers and men
My grandmother’s house
Wyke Regis is a village and ancient parish in southern Dorset which looks out over the Isle of Portland to the south, Portland Harbour to the south and east, and Chesil Beach and the Fleet lagoon to the west. Historically, the area gained a reputation for both smuggling and the looting of wrecks thanks to … Continue reading My grandmother’s house
A most trusted and loyal aide
Charles Reginald Collingwood (1855-1934): Thirty five years in service and links to a notorious Victorian gothic mystery
“Tail End Charlie”
The remarkable life of a child born from a First World War love-affair
