Fire of August 1926 – Summer Past Pavilion

As a holiday destination, Selsey traditionally experiences a peak in visitor numbers in July and August. Over the years the Pavilion has staged a variety of events over those two months. In this edition “Past Pavilion” looks back at a few of the events staged during July which reflect the eclectic mix that the Pavilion was able to provide for residents and visitors alike. Some of these events would be frowned upon today!

We also reflect upon a less auspicious event that occurred in August 1926 when a fire caused significant damage to the Pavilion. The building was saved and was able to re-open several months later. There are still traces of fire damage visible today. The article is accompanied by some digitally colourised photos of the event.

A BATCH OF BONNY BABIES. A baby show, organised by the Selsey Women's Institute, was held recently in the Pavilion. Under more favourable conditions it would have been held in the garden at Netherton, the residence of Mrs. Bunting. However, the bad weather did not deter a large number of babies from turning up, and 51 names were sent in. There were two classes, one for infants under one year and for those over one year and under two. Dr. Bostock and Nurse Hillman, both of Chichester, were the judges. The competition was close. In the end the mothers were awarded the prizes, which Lady March kindly presented. This the first occasion that a baby show has been held in Selsey and if Mr. Phipps, the proprietor of the Pavilion, wants to provide a chorus for any of his future shows, he now knows how to get one.

West Sussex Gazette 20/7/1922

A CREDITABLE EXHIBITION. The annual show of the Selsey Horticultural Society was held in the Pavilion, Selsey. on Wednesday last. In common with other shows that have been held the district, the exhibits were not quite up to the standard of last year. This is due, of course, to the fact that things are very backward this season. Despite this, however, it was very creditable show. The stage of the Pavilion was again decorated by blooms from Mrs. Norman Holden’s gardens and called forth many expressions of admiration.

Chichester Observer 27/7/1932

SELSEY PREFERS BRUNETTE CARNIVAL QUEEN ELECTION. The election of Selsey's Queen for the forthcoming British Legion carnival, on August 24th. took place the Pavilion on Wednesday. The house was crowded out for this occasion, many being turned away. Voting for the Queen and for the maids of honour was done by ballot among the audience. The parade of contestants and introductions were carried out on the stage by Col. W. G. Moore, assisted by Mr. F. Owens. Results were announced after the pictures, when it was found that Miss Doris Henstridge had been elected. Miss Henstridge's popularity was unquestionable, and she made a very pretty Queen indeed. She is dark and looked at her best in a white silky dress, with a simple red ribbon waistband, tied at the back in a bow. Jetsam, of “Flotsam and Jetsam” did not want much encouragement to perform the crowning ceremony, nor to give the Queen a kiss. Though the weather was most unsatisfactory, the results of the elections were highly satisfactory to all. Some 300 people recorded their vote.

Chichester Observer 30/7/1938

The fire in the Pavilion started on 20th August 1926. A concert party called “Delight” had performed earlier in the evening. The floor was cleared and Selsey Golf Club staged a dance from 10-30pm until 3am. Late night dances were far from rare in those days and preceded modern day night clubs, for post midnight revels, by several decades!

Two local newspapers take up the story:

The Pavilion, Selsey has certainly come into the limelight (or should we say "firelight’’) lately. I refer to the Pavilion fire. It is particularly unfortunate that it should have happened in the season, for the visitors will be bereft of their chief source of amusement. Their loss, however, pales into insignificance before that of Mr. Phipps, who will lose the best month of the season, and I sure that his many friends will join in condoling with him over this unfortunate occurrence. From Selsey’s point of view, however, there is one "silver lining" to the cloud, inasmuch that it gained a good deal of advertisement, for several of the big newspapers made a special display of it on their contents bills, while all, I think, gave a fairly detailed description. Although the cause of the fire is, of course, not known definitely, it appears to have started in the balcony, which, on the occasion of a dance is used as a gentleman's cloakroom. It is supposed that a gentleman while changing his shoes or coat, put the lighted end of his cigarette on the edge of one the plush scats. Additional strength is lent to this supposition owing to the fact that three seats in the balcony are completely burnt out.

Chichester Observer 25th August 1926

SELSEY PAVILION FIRE. LIGHTED CIGARETTE LEFT ON A CHAIR.
About 4.30 on Saturday Mr. Hobden, of High Street. Selsey, discovered that the local music hall, the Pavilion. was on fire. He immediately informed Mr. F. W. Phipps. the owner, who with the assistance of Mesrs. C. E. Smith and L. Maidment, and his sons obtained the parish council fire appliances and endeavoured to arrest the outbreak pending the arrival of the Chichester Brigade. In this they were successful, although the fire had a good hold and on the arrival of the brigade the fire was extinguished. The fire appears to have been caused by a cigarette being placed on an upholstered chair in the balcony, which, having caught alight, ignited the wooden staircase, the balcony and the roof. Dancing was in progress at the hall until three o'clock that morning. During the fire a gas meter exploded, and Mr. Phipps received severe injuries to his head and hands through being struck by falling slates. The roof and balcony were practically burned out, as was a portion of Mr. Phipps's estate office close at hand.

Hampshire Telegraph 27th August 1926

“Past Pavilion” has been a permanent feature in our email newsletters. Our readers may be interested to know how we have managed to glean so much valuable information. The British Newspaper Archive has been an invaluable resource. It contains a vast number of newspaper articles up to and including 1959. It can also be a source of frustration as various topics have to be entered into the search engine to obtain a complete picture. The fact that the Pavilion has been known as Selsey Hall, Selsey Hippodrome, and Selsey Cinema further complicates matters. Over 2,000 articles were trawled through. There were many duplications as Bognor Observer and Chichester Observer ran the same articles for much of their content!

In addition, the BNA site offers auto text to transfer the newsprint into a document. A mixed blessing as it often came up with a new gobbledegook language of its own, which meant that the article had to be laboriously transcribed. The other shortcoming is that the collection of each newspaper is often incomplete, which leaves frustrating gaps in our knowledge.

However, we have a database containing over 900 articles to provide an excellent foundation. We are always seeking more information. Any recollections written, pictured or spoken are always most welcome.