Image Ref : DRA 1112.tif

Dartington welcomes Mr and Mrs A M Champernowne, 1907

The image matches closely an account in The Western Times, 28 October 1907 (page 2): "Mr and Mrs Champernowne arrived at Totnes by the 3.51 p.m. train, where the Misses Champernowne awaited their coming. Outside the station were eleven of the tenants on horseback, wearing white rosettes, and they rode ahead of the conveyance to the Hall. At the lodge gates [shown in the image] there was a large assembly of members of the family, tenantry, cottagers, schoolchildren and friends, who greeted Mrs and Mrs Champernowne with cheers." The preceding paragraph of the news article refers to "the bride and bridegroom, just back from their honeymoon, [who] had a gratifying welcome on Saturday afternoon when they arrived at Dartington Hall on a week-end visit to the Misses Champernowne. The approach road presented quite a festive appearance with its rows of flags and streamers and triumphal arches with the words 'Welcome' and 'Health and Happiness'." Since the occasion was a Saturday, the date of the image must be 26 October 1907. The wedding was that of Arthur Melville Champernowne who had married Helen Iris Walker at East Budleigh on 25 September 1907. DRA 1855 D 100