[AlanK]

Hello folks,
Here are a few more images from the Clark family during their time in Shoreham-by-sea. It seems that the Clark sisters were quite into their acting and dancing, and the first photo is of Adah when she was performing as Cinderella in 1914. The second picture of Cynthia in Highland mode has an almost identical studio setting, so may have been taken at a similar time. The third photo of a dance troupe preparing for a massed gypsy number has no information written on it, but we think it also dates from the Shoreham period. The building behind them does look suspiciously school-like, perhaps some of you will recognise it if the photo was taken locally.
regards,
Alan

Attached File(s)

•  Adah_Cinderella_1914.jpg (2.56MB)
  Number of downloads: 30
•  Cynthia.jpg (3.7MB)
  Number of downloads: 64
•  Gypsies.jpg (3.24MB)
  Number of downloads: 63

[Nelson]

Once again superb photos Alan which we'll add to the others. Being involved with amateur dramatics in Shoreham at that time it's a pretty safe bet that they knew the Winton family who were also heavily into performing and producing plays and musicals locally. I've had a quick look at the programmes from around then (that can be seen on our Winton photo gallery) but couldn't see any Clarks listed in them. I did wonder if the building in the 'Gypsy' photo was Ham Road School but that doesn't seem to have had any perfectly rounded tops to its windows (you can see them through the square windows behind the girls). Perhaps it may have been St.Mary's church hall in New Road where the Wintons performed many of their productions or even Shoreham Grammar School but those doesn't seem to have had any round-topped windows either.

[richard]

The ventilator air brick grilles appear to be a unique'ish design?

[green angel]

In the picture of you rodger I like the additions to your hat, very fetching I must say.

You will be the talk at the church on Sunday.

[Nelson]

green angel, on 10 December 2010 - 10:58 AM, said:

In the picture of you rodger I like the additions to your hat, very fetching I must say.

You will be the talk at the church on Sunday.

Yes, sets it off nicely doesn't it (I think I'm going to regret this).

[green angel]

Nelson, on 10 December 2010 - 15:34 PM, said:

Yes, sets it off nicely doesn't it (I think I'm going to regret this).

Why is that Rodger, didn't you tell the Mrs you raided her sowing basket for the trim?

you will soon know if you are late home and she tells you your dinners in the dog.

[Cynthia]

AlanK, on 09 December 2010 - 14:07 PM, said:

Hello folks,
Here are a few more images from the Clark family during their time in Shoreham-by-sea. It seems that the Clark sisters were quite into their acting and dancing, and the first photo is of Adah when she was performing as Cinderella in 1914. The second picture of Cynthia in Highland mode has an almost identical studio setting, so may have been taken at a similar time. The third photo of a dance troupe preparing for a massed gypsy number has no information written on it, but we think it also dates from the Shoreham period. The building behind them does look suspiciously school-like, perhaps some of you will recognise it if the photo was taken locally.
regards,
Alan

[Spinalman]

Hi Cynthia, welcome to the forum.

Do you want to try that reply again?
I would suggest use the "Add reply" button towards the bottom right of the page, rather than the smaller "reply" button next to edit. (because that one will include / quote the previous posts in your reply)

[Spinalman]

That hall building is tantalising. There were quite a few in Shoreham - the grilles are significant but also you can see the other facade had bigger windows with curved tops - also implying it was two storey in height. It is built with cavity walls so was relatively new. There are plants on the windows cills and lamps inside. I'd put money on it being a school hall.

How many halls can we list?

Victoria Road school,
St. Peters school - West Street?
Ham Road School?
St. Wilfreds? did they have a hall?
Southlands
Coliseum
The Cinema at Victoria Road?
The old school gym in Windlesham?
Grammar School Pond Road
Lancing college
Connaught Avenue Gym.
St Mary's Hall.
or any other hall in the UK!

none of them immediately fit the bill in my opinion.

[Nelson]

It looks to me as if the gipsy in the middle about to belt the girl next to her with her tambourine looks very much like a younger Cynthia Clark. Alan did say that the family was in Shoreham circa 1910 to 1920 when photos of the Clark girls show them as being a bit older. We also know that the family were in Durham before that so maybe the building is a Durham school?

[Cynthia]

Hello Alan:

I have been trying to post a reply to let you know that William Clark is my Greatgrandfather also. My Grandmother is Cynthia. I thought I was seeing things when I saw the pictures that were posted because I have most of them here at home. Great Granny loved acting so I think acting came natural to the girls. Great granfather William was a painter, some of his work still hangs in our home. Cynthia (my grandmother) had 5 daughters the oldest being Rosabelle and the youngest is my mom.. Her name is Dorrice.. she is the only one still living.. Well I hope you get this message.. Thank you to Paul who could apparently see that I was trying to get this posted but having some issues getting it done.

Cynthia

[AlanK]

Hello Cynthia and other folks,
Cynthia, I'm very pleased to hear from you! I hope you have my email by now, and I would love to get in touch.

Regarding the puzzling gypsy dancers photo, it seems that I may have unwittingly launched a red herring into the history forum with this one. Nelson's comment yesterday got me thinking that the photo may have derived from the pre-Shoreham period, and maybe it had been taken in Houghton-le-Spring where the Clark family lived in 1911. I contacted local historian Paul Lanagan (http://www.houghtonlespring.org.uk) and he is quite certain that the building behind the dancers is in fact the Houghton-le-Spring Council School, also known as the Newbottle Road School, which opened in 1908 and operated until 1993. A small photo of the school building is on his website.

Rest easy history buffs, it seems that Shoreham may not have a mysterious, unknown school hall lurking out there after all.
Regards,
Alan

[annlivas]

Hi Alan - My name is Ann Elizabeth Livas. Adah Catherine was my grandmother. I have some photos and postcards of the Swiss Cottage Inn, and some other photos of the family. It is exciting to see this website. My dear cousin Susan told me about it, and I believe she has also contacted you. Hopefully, I will be able to scan and get the photos to you sometime soon. I have a few of the photos that you have already posted. As far as history from the Swiss Cottage Inn.... I do not have any? Some from when they moved to Beverly Massachusettes. Mostly about my grandmother, and her marriage to Frank J. Livas. Amazing to be in touch with family! I will write again soon. I hope you are well and happy. I look forward to learning more and sharing. Ann

[Nelson]

annlivas, on 28 August 2011 - 20:11 PM, said:

........ I have some photos and postcards of the Swiss Cottage Inn, and some other photos of the family.......

Do please post these on the forum Ann we'd love to see them and it would help to complete the visual record of the Clarks in Shoreham.