Extracts from 1917 Diary of Elliot Woolford re. purchase of silver rose bowl

Elliot Woolford of Hook Farm Lydiard Tregoze was one of several senior men in the parish who formed a committee to raise funds to purchase a gift to celebrate Vernon St.John coming of age on March 15th 1917.

Elliot, who kept a meticulous diary throughout his life, records his visiting a portion of the tenants on January 6th 1917 to collect money for the present. On January 29th he writes:

'Amy & I with several others went in to W. Deacons jewelers and saw a number of silver articles of a huge size sent there for we to select a present for Vis. Vernon Bolingbroke instead of going to London as previously arranged. We all decided on a rose bowl weighing 200 ozs solid silver on a dark stand £73 including Engraving had some lions heads on with two rings for handles.'

On March 15th Elliot signifies the importance of the day by heading it 'Lord Bolingbroke Came of Age to Day'. He describes the presentation on the steps of Lydiard House, who was there including servants and two reporters.

'We spent a very pleasant afternoon plenty of light refreshments Lady Bolingbroke entertained us admirably'.

A full transcription of these extracts can be read here, kindly provided by Frances Bevan.