TRING PERSONALITIES

by Wendy Austin

 

Over the centuries Tring and its surrounding villages have produced their share of varied personalities. This selection of

20 Profiles includes just some of the most interesting.

They have not been chosen for Influence, or for Wealth, although a few were born in favourable circumstances. Among the most intriguing are some of the poorest who lived in the area, and there were others who began life in very ordinary conditions, and became noteworthy because of their resolve and ability.

The group contains many of sterling qualities, and others of flawed character. The Profiles include soldiers, clergymen, scientists, writers, politicians, tradesmen, as well as a 'witch', and a courtesan.

 

TRING PERSONALITIES

1. John Brown. 2. Nell Gwyn. 3. James Osborne V.C. 4. Reverend Arthur Pope.

5. Emma, Lady Rothschild. 6. Sir Robert Whittingham. 7. Professor Keith Simpson C.B.E.

8. Thomas Glover. 9. Henry Guy. 10. Joseph Budd. 11. Mrs. Humphry Ward. 12. Arnold Ward M.P.

13. Arthur Gutteridge. 14. Sir William Gore. 15. Ruth Osborne. 16. Karl Jordan. 17. Robert Hill

18. The Mead Family. 19. Reverend Charles Pearce. 20. Dorian Williams O.B.E.

 

The Second Tring Collection....

Local History and Verse compiled by Wendy Austin.

 

Editors Note.

In 1886 a lecture was held in the Commercial Hall in Tring entitled An Evening with our Modern Poets. The local paper reported this event in great detail, and listed all the titles of the poems read. The account concluded with "The attendance was extremely small the only conclusion we can draw is that the people of Tring are not of a poetical turn of mind, and that `An Evening with our Modern Poets 'is not appreciated by the community at large in this lively town ".

Over one hundred years later, Tring is still lively, but perhaps people are now more appreciative of poetry. On completion of The Tring Collection in 2005, I did not think that enough material would come to light to follow up with a second volume. In any case, I imagined that few people had the time or inclination to read or write any sort of poetry. On both counts I was wrong, and now offer a further collection of local history notes, and verse both old and recent.

My thanks, as always, go to Jill Fowler, Ann Reed, and Mike Bass; to Alec Clements, Joan Hamblin, and Ian Petticrew; and to those very much alive, and to those long dead, whose work I have included; and to the many who have provided anecdotes and information.

W.M.A. November 2007

 

 

 

 

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