The Shoreham Ferrymen’s Treat

Before the footbridge was built access to the beach was gained either by a long walk through town and over the Norfolk suspension bridge or, for a penny, a short ride across the river in one of the rowing boats operated by a group of ferrymen between Dolphin Hard (the eastern end of Coronation Green) and the south side of the river. In 1901 the Shoreham Workhouse was moved to new premises at Southlands and the original building at Ham Road became the St. Wilfrid’s children’s home. The children there were either from families who could no longer care for them or came from a deprived background – a situation that was recognised with sympathy by many in the town.

It was the ferrymen who came up with the idea to give the St. Wilfrid’s children a water-borne outing by utilising their own boats and manpower for a trip on the river.

The concept was gradually developed and with a generous donation from Major Sexton, benefactor of many charitable concerns in Shoreham, the idea grew to become quite involved with a boat journey to Bramber and back, organised games at the castle grounds, a picnic, a visit to the Bramber museum then a return down river for a two-hour show of films at the Star Cinema in Church Street – an excursion that would surely be enjoyed by many today, adults and children alike.

Exactly when the first outing was organised is not clear but it does seem to have become a regular annual event and we do know of two that took place in the summers of 1919 and 1920.

The Winton family owned the Star cinema and provided the film show but it was William C.A. Winton, photographer and postcard manufacturer (his father organised Shoreham’s famous regattas) who left us a copy of the outing itinerary and whose photographic collection provides a visual record of the event.

Popularly known as the “Ferrymens’ Treat” the children from the home marched from St. Wilfreds to Dolphin Hard where the ferrymen and their boats decorated with flags were waiting:-

Moving on upriver selected images from William Winton’s photographic record provides a taste of some of the views those children would have seen during the outings:-

With the ferrymen once more operating in relays the children embarked on the return journey down river to Shoreham. Arriving back at Dolphin Hard and after a short walk to Church Street they entered the Star Cinema where the Winton family had prepared a film show that most likely included more treats by way of sweets and drinks.

Two hours later with the film show over at the end of a long and full day the children were walked back to St. Wilfrid’s in Ham Road. They must have been tired but hopefully were brighter in spirit knowing that, despite the hard times they had so far endured in their young  lives, there were still things in life to look forward to and people that cared.

Roger Bateman

Shoreham

February 2012

Most of the photographs in this article were taken by William C.A. Winton himself and have been selected from the Winton and Doris Steers Collections on the Shorehambysea.com website.