THE FINAL YEARS PART 2
MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST
MAY
1 Sun Rogation Sunday
Rogation Sunday in the manuscript is written as ROG. S. as the headline entry for 1o th of May
Rogation Sunday is the Sunday preceeding Rogation Days, a period set aside for prayer and fasting in Western christianity. You need to know your religion to be including such a term. I have no doubt that Rev. CJB knew his religion as maybe did Elwes but Wisden?
4 Wed Defeat of the French at Fuentes D'Onor 1811
Rev. Charles Cary Barnard a close friend and family member of the extended Elwes family had an ancestor who was in the 24th Regiment. There are several battles commemorated in the Almanack where the link is that a member of the Barnard family belonged to a battle unit that fought at the battle mentioned. The information source for these details was quite likely to have been Cannons Regimental Histories.
May 4th Defeat of the French at Fuentes D'Onor 1811 Battle honours were earned by the 24th Regiment at this engagement
5 Thurs Ascension day Lord F Beauclerk b. 1773
These 2 days are recorded but because they follow Easter and because Easter is on different days each year these two days are also on different days of the year. In the diary they are recorded as occurring " 14 THURSDAY Ascenscion Holy Thursday" and "17 SUN. AF. AS "
Also recorded on the 9th May is the birthday of Lord F. Beauclerk.
Its not impossible that this man, the 4th son and 5th child of the Duke of St. Albans and his wife Lady Caroline Ponsonby and whose mother was Lady Caroline Cavendish from the Cavendish family knew the Elwes family. In fact its almost certain. Beauclerk was at Cambridge at the same time as F.E.C. Elwes's father and Elwes senior purchased in 1799 the Great Billing Estate from another member of the Cavendish family. Furthermore, It a quick study of gentleman cricketers indicates to me at least that there is preponderance of cricketers with connections to Cambridge and of course F.E.C. Elwes and his father have strong connections to Cambridge. Whilst Wisden has minor claims to being the source for this entry these claims, in my opinion at least pale into insignificance when compared to Elwes's. It should also also be remembered as one match makes clear that Elwes was clearly a strong Cambridge supporter. Lastly, most of the people listed have but one entry. LFB has both his birth and death recorded.
9 Mon British Museum re-opens
Almost this exact phrase "British Museum opens" is used for the same day Saturday May 9th.
11 Wed Perceval assassinated by Bellingham 1812
In the shooting diary a gentleman by the name of Percival (different spelling ) takes a part. Banking records show him as paying monies to Elwes presumably for the shooting.
I have recently learnt courtesy of William Barnard's family history "The Quest for Barnard Bear" that a further ancestor of the Barnard family Anthony Rosenhagen was described as "Private Secretary to Prime Minister Perceval"
12 Madame Elizabeth, sister of Louis XVI guillotined 1794
One can surely wonder exactly why Madame Elizabeth has been included within the Almanack if this was Wisden's work. Of Paris and the revolution years what did he know? However if it was Elwes and I am sure it was, there is an answer. It is known that Elwes's father was in Paris in 1790 and was supposedly one of the last to leave before everything "kicked off" in 1792? which would also indicate he may have been in Paris more than once. Perhaps he even knew Madame Elizabeth. A portrait was painted of him in Paris by society painter Ludwig Guttenbrun in 1790. This portrait is now lost and is known only by a photograph. The photograph shows Elwes Senior with long flowing locks all of his own, contrary to the prevailing use of periwigs. According to family tradition this prompted Queen Marie Antoinette to inquire why he wore his own hair long as he did. Frustratingly his reply has been lost and forgotten.
15 Sun Whit Sunday
This day is noted in the diary on the 24th May as 24. WHIT - SUN.
16 Mon Whit Monday Battle of Albuerra 1811
This day is noted in the diary as 25. WHIT MONDAY
The Reverend Cary Barnard also had a relative serving in the 34th regiment. This regiment fought at the Battle of Albuerra although the relative was not involved
18 Wed Oxford Trinity Term begins Ember week
The diary notes this same day as 27 WEDNESDAY OX. T. B.
Those well versed in religious matters such as C.C. Barnard would understand the significance of "Ember Week"
17 Tues Whit Tuesday William Hooker b. 1796
This day is noted in the diary as 26 WHIT TUESDAY
William Hooker is a member of the Barnard family previously mentioned and his son Joseph Hooker married William Barnard's great grandmother Anne's sister Frances
20 Fri The Hon. Admiral John Byng shot by order of a court - martial 1756
This date is also incorrect. It was in fact 1757.
Elwes makes a number of mistakes with dates. This could be one reason for such early diligence on the part of Wisden not to make mistakes and thus becoming a byword for accuracy. After a retreat to and defense at Fort St. Philllip in 1756 that lasted 2 months the 34th foot regiment watched themselves being abandoned by Admiral Byng. (see earlier mention of 34th Foot)
28 Sat Battle of Solebay (Southwold) Bay 1672
The most likely source for this entry is Motley's History of the Dutch Republic a copy of which Elwes records reading in his diary
30 Mon Sir James Mackintosh d. 1832
There are some loose links but potential links between the Elwes family and Sir James Mackintosh.
Mackintosh visited France and spoke French "uncommonly" well. Elwes's father certainly knew France and whilst in Paris circa 1790 had a portrait (now sadly lost) painted by Ludwig Gruttenbrun. For a time Mackintosh lived close to Ware near where the Elwes family had an estate in the 18th century. He knew Spencer Percival well enough to be offered a seat in Parliament. The most likely reason perhaps however for his inclusion is that Sir James Mackintosh died at Langham Place in London. Elwes's father rented
Langham Hall in Suffolk from Sir Patrick Blake. A half brother of Elwes is recorded as dying in infancy at Langham Hall.
JUNE
June 2 Benj. Aislabie, Esq. d1842 aetat 68
One of the more unexpected cricketers to be included. He has some of the least impressive if not the worst ever cricket averages. He was also a cricket administrator. Hardly reason enough to be included. However, his surname although spelt differently is pronounced the same was as the place where Elwes and his brother rented a hall in Yorkshire. They rented Aislaby Hall Aislaby . This is also one of the correspondence addresses given by Elwes in his Lords Membership details.
June 6 Jeremy Bentham, the jurist, d. 1832
Yet another bizarre entry for Wisden to have chosen were it Wisden's choice. I mean Why? Jeremy Bentham. What possible reason? The link to Elwes is the diary entry that a man of the name Bentham is recorded as being present at a musical entertainment at Elwes's house.
June 7 William Warburton, Bishop of Gloucester d. 1779
I can only find the most tenuous of connections to Elwes. Another member of the same family owned Colesbourne Park a distance of 11 miles from Gloucester.
June 8
Questions for Victoria Perry to answer
1) The BTBS
The BTBS was originally created by John Dickinson Carr to provide accommodation to destitute booksellers. Over the years this has widened to include individuals from publishing who are in need of accommodation. In order to receive such accommodation an applicant must supply references, evidence of working within the book trade and all financial details clearly showing low financial resources and consequent need.
For example an applicant with good references and obvious evidence of working within the book trade but with assets that included a substantial property (chateau even ) in France, a pension well in excess of 1000 pounds per week and cash and other significant financial assets would find his application declined on the grounds that he or she had no need whatsoever for assistance of any kind from the BTB.
How therefore does the BTBS justify allowing David Hicks owner of a substantial property in France, a pension/s well in excess of 1000 pounds per week and quite likely other significant assets and quite clearly no visible financial difficulty whatsoever to still continue living at The Retreat following his retirement 2 years ago.
Following the retirement of David Hicks 2 years ago and therefore any right via employment with which he may have been permitted to live at The Retreat has he had to undergo the financial scrutiny and assessment of need that ALL other residents have to undergo before being offered a place at The Retreat. If not Why not?
How does the BTBS justify to a possible applicant facing homelessness for example, with a low income and few assets that David Hicks is more deserving of the assistance provided by the BTBS than they are.
2) Utilities
The residents of the The Retreat were all informed in November that failure to switch to domestic tariffs would result in their being required to 240 pounds per month for their utilities. They were told that financially at least it was in their interests to change to a domestic tariff. Faced with this rise from 65 pounds per month to 240 pounds per month most have chosen to change to a domestic tariff.
Utility meter readings have been monitored since the beginning of February. It has surely become apparent very quickly that some residents with hot water and electric heating are going to be facing bills in the region of 500 pounds and perhaps more per month.
Clearly the residents at least have not been given a complete analysis of the situation upon which to make their choices. Has BTBS given the residents facing such increases the choice of returning to the alternative option whereby they would pay 240 pounds per month. If not Why not?
Many years ago when the hot water and electric heating systems in the newer flats was initially installed surely it was apparent to management at the time and soon after installation that the heating and hot water system that had been chosen to be installed was a) very expensive to run when compared to gas central heating and hot water combi system and b) not particularly good. Who was responsible for the decision to install this system.
3)Loft Insulation
It has been pointed out to Victoria Perry that her policy of installing loft insulation is a complete and utter waste of money amounting to fiscal idiocy. To re-insulate the whole estate will cost 10s of thousands of pounds That this is such a waste of money and unlikely to save anything meaningful in at least one flat has been shown to her via an analysis of the gas usage figures in this one flat. The best case scenario is a saving of about 3 pence per day during winter when the heating is on and of course nothing in the summer when it is off; if and this is a very big IF the flat actually needs loft insulation in the first place.
Has she checked whether the tenant is right in his financial assessment as to the likely benefits of installing loft insulation on the estate . If so. Is he correct or incorrect ? If she has not checked his figures. Why not?
This tenant also suggested that it would have made far more financial sense to have installed combi hot water and heating systems in the flats currently using electric with the money earmarked for loft insulation.
Fabric of the building has been cited as one reason for installing this loft insulation. By fabric of the building, in what way and what does she think she will protect; the walls, the rooves, the ceilings, the floor?
The reduction of Carbon footprint is another reason cited for installing loft insulation. How soon does she anticipate that the carbon that has been expended to create, transport, and install loft insulation together with the disposal of waste material will be offset by its installation.
4) David Hicks
David Hicks retired 2 years ago
It has come to the very recent attention of residents by an unintentionally overheard telephone conversation between Glenda Barnard and an unknown contractor that David Hicks despite his retirement 2 years may still be having a decisive influence on the management at The Retreat. The substance of the conversation was that a price / estimate of 10,000 pounds was non- negotiable and would referred to David, thought or assumed to be David Hicks . Could Glenda Barnard be asked to clarify what was going on?
Outside of the above and the Book sales. Can it be confirmed whether David Hicks does in fact still play any part in any way whatsoever, no matter how small, in the management of The Retreat be it advising, guiding, suggesting or deciding and if so what role exactly does he play ?
5)Roll over grants
Is it true that some residents have received more two consecutive roll over grants. If so how many have received them and for how many years.
6)Expenses.
It is reputed that during David Hicks's period in office that expenses were exorbitant to say the least. One bill for a dinner came to 1000 pounds. Excluding the year 2020 which was unusual are expenses broadly the same, less or more under the management of Victoria Perry when compared with David Hicks.
Can it be confirmed whether in fact a bill for a dinner in the region of 1000 pounds was paid for by The Retreat.
If expenses are now less, by how much have they been reduced, and how has this been achieved.
7) Gas bills
residents who have gas hot water and central heating are charged £32.50 pence per month. Some residents however even in the cold month of February have found that if they had been able to go on to a domestic tariff at the same time as for their electricity thelr monthly bill would have been less than the charge of £32.50 pence. This discrepancy will only increase throughout the summer because of course heating is switched off. How do you justify imposing a system of billing whereby you charge more than their bill would actually be.
8) Utilities Again
Up until recently residents used ton pay £ 65 pounds per month for utilities and the trust paid the rest. Looking one year ahead; Now that most people have changed to electricity the trust will no longer have to meet this expense. The cynic might observe that putting all the electricity expenses on to the residents this is one way of improving the finances of the Trust. Why would the cynic be wrong?
The Stock Market
Can it be confirmed whether The Trust has invested any monies on the Stock Market. If so who made the decisions to do so and do the accounts show an overall profit or loss.
Utilities at The Retreat
At the back end of Autumn 2022 we, the residents of The Retreat were invited to the Foyle Centre for a meeting re Utilities at The Retreat.
We were told that the system in operation at that time, namely, that we, the residents paid 65 pounds towards gas and electricity bills and the trust paid the rest was not sustainable in anything other than the very short term. To do so, we were told would lead to the inevitable bankruptcy of The Trust.
For The Trust not to go bankrupt we were presented with 2 choices.
Either
a) From March our payments for utilities would have to rise to 240 pounds per month
Or
b) From March The Trust would no longer pay the electric bills and we, the residents would have to switch to a domestic use tariff and later in the year those who have gas would also have to switch to paying a domestic tariff.
We were assured that switching to a domestic tariff was in our best long term financial interests.
Monitoring of power usage began in February 2023
For those with gas central heating and hot water on demand it does look to be very likely that for the most part they will indeed be better off switching to
domestic tariffs for gas and electric.
For those who are unfortunate enough to have electric heating and hot water supplies and who who followed The Trust's advice that they would be better off switching to a domestic tariff and so therefore did so this scenario is completely false. With bills for some hitting the 400 pound plus mark for March 2023 and likely to double when govt subsidies stop N.B as they one day will the prognosis for next winter is a bleak prospect for those who rely on electricity for heating and hot water.
There are questions to be answered
Questions for The Trust
1) Following monitoring of gas and electricity usage in February 2023 it must have been blindingly obvious to the management at The Trust that those with electric heating and hot water would be facing a very alarming if not devastating price rises in both the short and especially the long term for their electricity. Indeed the offer of wrap around electric blankets indicates they knew full well that the price of electricity for some would be a grave issue moving forward. Costly as the price hike too 240 pounds per month might have appeared, who, in all honesty would have opted for switching to a domestic tariff had they been informed that their bills could rise towards 1000 pounds per month once govt subsidies ended.
So
When did the management become aware that bills for a number of flats switching to a domestic tariff could rise to such heights and why did they not inform those in flats with electric heating and hot water of the true nature of switching to a domestic tariff as opposed to paying 240 pounds per month.
Up until recently both the residents of The Retreat and The Trust have each paid a percentage of the utility bills. For those who have switched to a domestic tariff this support will cease in the near future.
So
In the long term what is happening to the money that The Trust would have planned and projected to spend on utilities but now no longer have to . This is a quantity of tens of thousands of pounds per year and so not an insignificant amount. To what extent is this money being used to subsidise those who have elected to pay 240 pounds per month and therefore at the expense of those who have switched to a domestic tariff.
Gas
Tenants who have gas pay 32.50 per month .During the cooler months of February and April this amount may not have been quite sufficient to cover the entire monthly bill. However from early May it will be somewhat more than is needed
So
Why are tenants required to pay more than there bill actually would have been.
It seems abundantly clear that contracts regarding changes in payment for utilities have been signed on the basis of insufficient information and whether accidental or deliberate full disclosure of all the facts necessary to make a fully informed decision has not been made available
So
Why should these contracts not be declared null and void and therefore invalid and a new contract drawn up for which all the relevant information is given to all tenants so that they are then able to make the best possible and fully informed choice.
'''Wisdenssecret''' is a website blog entitled WISDENSSECRET. It was created by Nigel King to inform those who maybe interested of the research into 3 "works on paper" bought by him and one further piece of research that resulted unexpectedly. The 4 areas of research cover:
1) '''Wisden's Almanack''' This is based upon the 250 plus pages part illustrated manuscript written in 1863 by Francis Emilius Cary Elwes. From which Nigel King can prove that in part at least the 1st edition of Wisden's Almanack 1864 is not, as generally assumed all Wisden's own work, but is provably, as some have long suspected in part at least the work of someone else.
2) '''Jane Austen''' Research into the above led Nigel King to the father of F.E.C. Elwes a man named Robert Cary Elwes. At some point he learnt that this man had received a huge inheritance whilst still a young boy. Could be Mr. Darcy of Pride and Prejudice fame he thought. So out of curiosity he decided to investigate the likelihood that RCE could be the original Mr. Darcy. Whilst he cannot quite state that he has proved his case he can show that virtually everything that Jane Austen tells the reader about Mr. Darcy is applicable to this man. Furthermore he has uncovered an unknown but close one degree of separation link between a member of Jane Austen's family who also has a close one degree of separation with RCE. Remarkable as he thinks this is he claims that he has discovered an extraordinary number of unrealised number and anagram puzzles within Jane Austen's work. In the introduction he provides some simple explanations followed by 36 quotes from Jane Austen in which there is at least one either number and or anagram puzzle to be found.
3) '''Rembrandt''' Nigel King bought an accomplished etching signed and dated 1653 of a bearded old man. To date it appears to be a unique work of art. No expert has seen, knows or has heard of another example.
4) '''John Martin''' Nigel King has acquired a set of 40, finely coloured aquatints created to illustrate an edition of the works of Lord Byron. These were published in 1829 for the most part by Pyall and Stroud. There are a few published by T. Gillard. It is his firm belief that these are unknown works of art by John Martin. He has duplicates and in some cases triplicates and because of this can show the very curious fact that very small as the number of coloured examples is some have been published by both Pyall and Stroud and T. Gillard. There is no complete edition of this work listed on World Cat. He has located just 8 coloured aquatints from the set of 40 which are to be found in America and 1 is in China. There is a possibility that one other full coloured set exists somewhere in the U.K but this has not been confirmed.
This particular copy of Wisden 2021
comes with a...? unique provenance