REFORM.

An Ox Roasting in Driffield

FESTIVITIES AT POCKLINGTON.

The inhabitants af this town and neighbourhood have foremost in their demonstrations of joy on the occasion of the passing of the reform bill. As soon as it was known that Earl Grey had been restored to the ministry, and that the bill must shortly become the law of the land, preparations immediately set on foot for celebrating the victory by a series of public rejoicings, in which it was determined that the poor as well as the rich should have ample opportunity of joining. A committee was formed for the purpose of carrying into effect the necessary arrangements.

Subscriptions were entered into by the affluent of the town, at the head of whom Mrs. Dewsberry, whose liberality on the occasion has been unbounded. A fat ox, to be distributed among the poor was her first gift, and to this she added various others. Mr. Burnell, Mr. Clark. Mr. Collison, and Mr. Johnson with several other inhabiants, supplied a proportionate quantity of bread and ale. Accordingly Tuesday last was fixed upon as the general day of rejoicing.

Early in the morning of that day, the people began to assemble in the market-place, where the ox, which had been roasting all night, was to be seen upon the spit. The sight was certainly a novel one, but the arrangemens which had been made for the preservation of order reflected the greatest credit upon the gentleman of the committee. A space about thirty yards square was railed around, and in the midst was erected two large ranges, in which were contained blazing fire, at a distance of about three yards from each other. The ox was placed upon a huge spit in the centre, fastened by iron hoops, and which was turned by two men.

Below was a large lead bowl for receiving the fat. About nine o'clock a band of music with several banners set out from the Waterloo Herel and paraded the town. The bells of the parish church struck up a merry peal, and on the top of the church was a large orange flag floating in the breeze. The people from the surrounding villages now began to flock into the town, and the market-place by eleven o’clock presented one dense mass of people. Some of the principle shops were closed, and from the windows were displayed flags and banners with various devices. All seemed determined to participate to the utmost in the day’s rejoicings, except indeed a solitary anti-reformer or two, who were seen now and then making their way through the crowd with extended visages, and one in particular looking exceedingly cross. About 12 o’clock, the ox was raised, amidst the shouts of the multitude, to a platform erected in the middle of the market-place. Several of the gentleman of the committee now lent their assistance in the carving department. The bread of which 600 loaves had been provided, was brought up in large baskets, and with the beef was distributed amongst the people below.
The band was stationed at a short distance during this time, playing “Oh, the roast beef of Old England.” Mrs. Dewsberry, the liberal donor, was sitting at the window of Mr. Graves, in the market-place, and was warmly cheered by the people. After having disposed of the beef and bread, the committee then proceeded to a short distance, where they had provided nearly 200 gallons of ale. This was also distributed amongst the people assembled. A cessation of the day’s proceedings then took place until 3 o’clock in the afternoon, when

THE PROCESSION
formed at the Waterloo Hotel, and paraded the town in the following order :-
BANNER
Earl Grey the Pilot that weathered the Storm.
THE BAND
Playing, “See the conquering Hero comes.”
BANNER, - Broughham and Reform.
The Gentlemen of the Committee and their friends, in rows of four each.
BANNERS AND FLAGS.
The Bill, the entire, the unmutilated Bill of Reform is ours.
Our numbers are thousands, our hearts but one
Lord Ebrington and the glorious bill
Britain’s emancipation secure
Grey, Brougham, Russell, Althorp.
Victory achieved by the people.
Union is strength.
(To this Banner was attached a bundle of sticks fast bound.)
The legitimate source of all power, the people.

With other appropriate devices. Several hundred persons, arranged in rows of four deep, brought up the rear. The procession, on leaving the Waterloo Hotel, proceeded towards the house of Mrs Dewsberry, where the people halted, and gave three times three hearty cheers, the band at the same time striking up “Here’s a health to all good lasses.” Mrs. Dewsberry, who was at the window with a party of ladies, seemed highly gratified at this token of esteem. The procession, then moved to Teresa Cottage tge residence of John Blundell. Esq. a staunch reformer, where the cheers were repeated; thence down Chapman Gate, Great George-street, New Pavement, back to the market place and into Regent Street, cheering in their way at the houses of Mr. Clark, Ms. Harrison, the Rev. Thomas Brown, Mr. Lofthouse, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Collinson, Mr. Thomas Scaife, Mr. Henry Powell, solicitor, Miss Wright’s boarding-school, Mr. Bell, surgeon, Mr. Powell, linen-draper, and lastly, Mr. Pilburn’s, in the windows of whose house were a great number of fashionably dressed ladies, who served ?? more to enliven the scene by their display of orange handkerchiefs, ribbons, medals, &c. Throughout the whole line of road, there could not have been less than 5,000 people present. The procession then returned to the Waterloo Hotel, in the front of which the band played several appropriate airs, and in a short time the people gradually dispersed, some to enjoy the jocund hour and the merry song, in various parties which were formed at the different public houses in the town and others to repair to their native villages.

THE DINNER

At half-past four o’clock, upwards of 70 gentlemen sat down to a sumptuous dinner, provided for them at the Waterloo Hotel. The tables seemed to groan under the weight of the smoking viands, which, with the wines, were excellent, and reflect much credit upon Mr. Bowes, the landlord. The band was stationed in an adjoining room. John Burnell. Esq., of Allerthorpe Hall, acted as Vice-president. Several excellent toasts were drank in the course of the evening, and speeches made, which our limits will not allow us to give in detail.
On the following day the festivities were renewed at

POCKLINGTON CANAL HEAD

When Mr. Thomas Johnson, of Pocklington, gave to his tenantry a fat sheep, and a proportionate quantity of bread and ale; the women at that place were regaled with spice cake and tea. Several of those who had joined in the proceedings of Tuesday repaired to the Canal Head with music and banners. The vessels in the river had orange flags hoisted and rounds of cannon were fired at intervals. Mr Michael Gray was extremely kind and attentive to the numerous visitors, and the day was one continued scene of hilarity and joy.

If at Pocklington, on the proceeding day, the Tories endeavoured to hide their diminished heads, here they seemed to be totally extinct, with the exception of a worthy representative in the person of a sick exciseman, who has for some time past gauged Pocklington Canal Head by deputy, but who on this occasion thought fit to appear in person, to denounce reform rejoicings as a contraband affair. The rejoicings, however, went on without his permit, and he was not allowed to make a scene even if it a single slice of mutton. It is supposed he had been engaged with some spirits before his interference, and that having found his stomach capacious, he had not suited his potion to the capabilities of his head, and this was the reason of him being so very violent in his display of undebauched and now out-of-fashion loyalty.

In conclusion we cannot too greatly admire the arrangements of the Committee for carrying into effect these festivities. Everything passed off in the most orderly manner and there was not the slightest disposition evinced on the part of the people to create tumult or disorder. - We trust that the same feeling will manifest itself through the country

The Heifer's Claw

The claw was donated to the Pocklington & District Local History Group in April 2023 by Leslie Fox.

His grandmother (Mrs Eva Gray nee Buttle) lived at Baden House, Chapmangate for most of her long life. He inherited from her an inscribed snuff box (?) made from one of the claws of the heifer that was roasted in Pocklington market place in celebration of the passing of The Reform Act. The event is reported in the York Herald for 16th June 1832. (See below). The claw snuff box is inscribed 'Michl Gray' which confirms likely ownership of the claw, and who is mentioned in the newspaper article. The claw came from the heifer (donated by a Mrs. Dewsbury) that was roasted in Pocklington Market Place on 12th June 1832. again the date fits with Michael Gray's life. Michael Gray is the Great, Great, Great, Grandfather (1775 - 1843) of Leslie Fox.

Leslie Fox told me “I have just read the scan of the article in the York Herald on your website. Mrs. Dewsbury was sitting in the window of a Mr. Graves watching the events of 16 June. It may be a coincidence but my grandmother's family of origin were the Graves. That's no doubt why Michael Gray came to be given one of the heifer's claws.”