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by | 14th November 2024

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The Tiverton Gazette, at the beginning of November 1924, devoted two whole pages to the local and regional results of the General Election which was held on October 29th.

A newspaper cutting from 1924 reading 'Tiverton Division Unionists regain the seat. Col. Troyte's surprising majority. Troyte: 13,601. Acland: 11,942. Conservative majority: 1,659. At the last election the numbers were: Acland 12,303; Troyte 12,300. It will be seen that Colonel Troyte improved his position by 1,301; whereas Mr. Acland went back 361.

A newspaper cutting announcing Colonel Troyte’s ‘surprising majority’ of 1,659 votes over Mr Acland.

Villages also celebrated the victory.

Newspaper cutting from 1924 reading 'A Conservative Victory Dance will be held in the Club Room, Huntsham on Thursday November 6th. Vincent's Band in attendance. Dancing 7 to 2. Admission 1/- each. Refreshments at moderate charges. All are cordially invited.

A news paper cutting announcing a ‘Conservative Victory Dance’ in Huntsham

In 1924 the turnout was a massive 90%. In this year’s General Election only 66% of the electorate voted in the new constituency of Tiverton and Minehead. However, this was better than the national average which was 59.7%.

The Museum holds many artefacts relating to General Elections across the years. Although there are a large number of photographs and postcards, there are none for the election of 1924. We do have election leaflets for both the candidates who stood in that year. In July 1925, Bradfield House near Uffculme, then the seat of the Walrond family, hosted a visit from the Prime Minister. This was ‘to celebrate the 1924 Conservative and Unionist Victories in the West of England’.

A photograph showing a page of a book which features a photograph of Stanley Baldwin and on of his wife.

Stanley and Mrs Baldwin

An advertisement featuring a photograph of a large country house 'Bradfield'. The advert is for a 'Great Celebration of 1924 Conservative and Unionist Victories in the west of England at Bradfield'.

Great Celebration of 1924 Conservative & Unionist Victories in the West of England at Bradfield

The programme for the event, which is part of our archive collection, starts with a history of the Walrond family back to the 11th century. Their link with Bradfield starts in the 13th century and only ended in the 1960s. Local ensembles contributed to the celebrations including the Town Bands of both Tiverton and Crediton along with Exeter Cadet Battalion Band.

There were various theatrical performances along with a whole host of sporting activities from a Gymkhana to a Tug o’ War and an ‘Inter-County Lawn Tennis Tournament to be played on the hard courts’. The ‘Grand Aquatic Gala’ was held in the lake and included inter-constituency races for both men and women. The prizes for these competitions were interesting – for the ladies first prize, a case of tea knives, second, a smelling salts bottle and third, a pair of egg cups. For the men, a silver cigarette case, gents’ brushes and a fountain pen! The whole gala finished off with ‘daylight fireworks’ at 7pm and then ‘a magnificent display of fireworks’ at 10pm.

Written by Museum Volunteer, Sue B