Postcard of the Month: September 2023

Littlehampton Sunday School

I couldn't resist including this card, if only for the hats alone! Dated 10th July 1912, it shows a Sunday School group in Arundel Park.

A handwritten message on the back, from S.C. Barrett, identifies the date and place, and that this is Littlehampton Sunday School at a congregational gathering in Arundel Park which seems to have been a popular venue for group gatherings. Perhaps they travelled by river but it’s more likely that they went by train, as the group would have been quite large and the railway was a cheaper option.

The photograph is by F.W. Spry, who is perhaps better remembered for his ship photographs. However, this one is a reminder that he was much more versatile.. Large group pictures would have generated a useful income, with sales guaranteed, although it would have involved travel from his base in Surrey Street. The number 3 on the card shows that this is part of a series taken on that day.