VAUXHALL GARDENS - St NICHOLAS WARD

Mr. J. Symonds announced 15th May 1819 that he had been impressed with a grateful sense of past favours and wished to acknowledge the liberal support his numerous Friends had given him in the previous season and advised them that no expense had been spared in improving the Gardens which were now open for their inspection.
He had also furnished himself with a large stock of most excellent Porter, Ales and Spirits and hoped to retain the the patronage of his last year's Friends and the Public in general, whose hours of relaxation and amusement could be cheerfully and rationally spent at his retired and highly pleasant retreat.

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The Vauxhall Gardens, Bowling Green and Inn were offered for Sale by Auction Wednesday 2nd October 1833.
The Inn consisting of a large Dining Room, two Parlours, a spacious Kitchen, Bar and several Sleeping Rooms. The adjoining Farm-house had been added to the Inn and provided a Wash-house, Dairy, other Offices, a Store-house, two Stables and a large Cow-house that could be converted into a stable for 20 horses.
The Bowling Green, featuring an Orchestra and Billiard Room, was surrounded by Arbours and the Pleasure Grounds intersected by shaded and interesting walks. A large and productive Garden being on the south side of the Green.
A piece of Meadow Land, containing 3A 2R 18P, lying on the south-west of the Bowling Green, also included.
Mr. John Symonds in occupation as a yearly tenant.

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On Friday 24th July 1840, John Symonds announced his annual show of Fruits, Flowers and Vegetables to be held at the VAUXHALL SUSPENSION BRIDGE. He is however named at the VAUXHALL GARDENS in 1844 and before.

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14th to 17th August 1843, Mr. J. Symonds gave thanks for the unbounded Patronage he had received for many years and intended to improve his Fairy Spot to give a continued series of amusements. To that end he had engaged Mr.
. Blight and his Brass Band. Also a Brilliant Constellation of Artistes including the Yarmouth Military Band, Mr. John Herbert, late comedian at the Sadler's Wells Theatre, Mr. W. Pearce would sing "The Maniac" and "The Ship on Fire" amongst other popular songs, the Three Juvenile Arab Brothers would be making their first appearance here, there would be a Comic Extravaganza by the three Juveniles, the Chinese Pas De Trois and there would be a Magnificent Display of Fireworks.
Admission One Shilling.
No person admitted en déshabille.
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To Let by Tender August 1844.
Including Licensed Inn, Stables and Outbuildings. Along with Pleasure Gardens, Bowling Green, Fruit Gardens and about 95 Acres of Marsh Land.

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During the week ending Saturday 4th April 1846, Maung-Gwud-Daus a chief of the O-Jib-Be-Way tribe of Indians, gave lectures for about an hour upon the manners and customs of his country. He was accompanied by his wife and six children and one stranger of the same tribe. A remarkably intelligent man who had been an interpreter between merchants in Canada and his own countrymen, for twenty-two years. He had also assisted the Church, Wesleyan and other Missionary Societies. The family had been several weeks in France and Belgium and had received valuable presents from the Royal Families of both countries.
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On Saturday 3rd July 1847 Mrs. E. E. Franklin announced that she would be carrying on the business of her late husband and that Bowling would continue every Evening as usual. Furthermore preparations were in progress for the Yarmouth Regatta Fete.

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Mrs Franklin was congratulated 1st September 1849 for the ample amusement provided for her friends during the previous week. Illuminations and fireworks being extremely brilliant and the attendance very satisfactory. No expense being spared on talented vocalists and instrumentalists. The gardens, were, for the first time, brilliantly lighted with gas.

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The Churchwardens and Overseers of Gorleston were in dispute as to which parish the house was situated. They wished to raise taxes for the relief of the poor. At the hearing Wednesday 17th March 1852 it was said that the area known as Vauxhall was always conceived to be extra-parochial and never rated to the relief of the poor. Gorleston was (then) in Suffolk and this house was in Norfolk. Furthermore the house was not in the jurisdiction of Great Yarmouth.
At least 14 persons were called in an attempt to discover the true historical boundaries, so many that the case continued the following day. The persons appearing included Magistrates, brewer Richard Ferrier, the Yarmouth Coroner, a Sherriff's Officer, Tax Commissioners, Overseers, the Sergeant at Mace, an Attorney and several long time residents of the area.
Eventually the Jury sat for an hour and decided that the house was in Southtown, Norfolk.

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Regatta Galas were held at the ROYAL VAUXHALL GARDENS 5th and 6th August 1851.
The following year, 13th & 14th July 1852, Mr Broadstreet announced that following the unrivalled patronage he had received the previous year, the programme of events would include:-
WIDDOWS UNRIVALLED SAX-HORN BAND,
Vocalist Mrs. S. SAWFORD,
Tenor and Baritone Mr. D. WOOLLAMS,
that Old and Well Esteemed Favourite Mr. HARRY FOX the Warbling Waggoner from Middlesex,
The far-famed and much admired Comic Singer Mr. W. WARD,
At Enormous expense, those wonderful Artistes BEVAN and HIGGINS the SOUTHERN MINSTRELS,
A Full and Efficient Concert Band led by Mr. F. MERRY & a well-organised MILITARY BAND.
Thousands of variegated lamps will light the scene.
A Magnificent Display of Fireworks of the Most Gorgeous Character will conclude the Evening's Amusements.

PUBLIC REHEARSAL Monday 12th July 1852, admission 6d each, to be refunded in Refreshments.

Special trains were laid on for both Regatta Nights at 11:00pm, with the Norwich Excursion Passengers.

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John Bartram was summoned to appear before the magistrates on Monday 16th October 1854, for non-payment of rates, due 21st January, 21st April and 20th July. The dispute was about who was entitled to charge rates on the house.
The Queen's Bench had failed to support the claim of Gorleston parish and a decision was sought from the magistrates.
They in turn refused to support a warrant of distress against the goods of Mr. Bartram.

For Sale by Auction, Tuesday, 12th August 1856,

For Sale by Auction, Tuesday, 12th August 1856,
"The well-known Vauxhall Gardens, Bowling Green surrounded with arbours, tastefully laid out Pleasure Grounds, also additional valuable ground to be laid into the garden, of land between the Railway and Suspension Bridges down to the river (380 feet frontage), and land on the north boundary up to the Acle turnpike road; convenient Dwelling-house, Ale and Porter Stores, bottling yard, five-stalled stable, stable, shed, and yard; a well-built Dancing saloon, 90ft by 27ft, used occasionally as a skittle ground, with tap and porter room facing the New Road.
Also the recently built, "RAILWAY REFRESHMENT ROOMS, immediately opposite and within a few yards of the Railway Station, commanding the passenger traffic. The Lot containing 2A 0R 25P, and in the occupation of Mr. John Bartram, under notice to quit at Michaelmas".

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At the County Petty Sessions held Wednesday 24th August 1870 Superintendent Wingfield stated that he had been served ale and gin on 15th August. It was claimed that the licence held by John Bartram was for the adjoining parishes of Southtown and Gorleston and was not valid in Runham. In spite of it being confirmed that the premises were contiguous to and formed part of property already licensed, the Bench decided on a fine of £5 and referred the case to a higher court.

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On Wednesday 1st March 1876, a new Lodge of the Independent Order of Good Templars was instituted in the Runham Mission Room (A building formerly used as the Vauxhall Gardens Saloon).

Offered To Let By Auction, Thursday, 9th March 1876.
"Long used as as Refreshment Rooms to the Railway Station"
The house containing on the ground floor:-
A roomy bar, side bar, or porter room, with separate entrance; bar parlour, private entrance; smoking room, sitting room with bay window next the Green, forming the summer bar; kitchen, cooking kitchen, washhouse, and larder.
On the first floor:-
Club room, 23 feet by 14 feet, suitable for the refreshment room bar, to be approached by the intended new bridge; two spirit stores, six bedrooms, W.C., landing, front and back staircases, cellarage for beer and coals, Back yard, Boarded Shed, Stable and Gig house.
To be let for a term of seven years, from 25th March 1876.
(The Great Eastern Railway having agreed to build a bridge over the rails immediately in front of the Station, and in front of the Vauxhall Gardens.

On Tuesday 28th March 1876, Mr. Bartram instructed the sale by auction of his Household Furniture, a well-known cream coloured Pony, Dog cart, Luggage cart, stone Ale and porter bottles and numerous Outdoor Effects.

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