The mystery of the lost Southport Edwardian medal

 

I recently stumbled upon a worn yet mysterious medal while looking inside a dusty old tin full of my metal detecting finds, from many years ago. 

I vaguely recall that it was unearthed somewhere in the Halsall to Scarisbrick area and probably back in the 1970s. 

I shall let the images within this article and the data below explain this curious matter in more detail...

Sir Charles Scarisbrick was a significant figure in Southport's development; known for extensive land ownership and philanthropy He briefly served as Mayor of Southport from 1901-1902.

He acquired significant tracts of land, including areas where Southport grew, from the Bold and Hesketh families.

Charles also donated £7,000 for the Southport Infirmary (opened 1895), with his German wife Bertha's name on the children's ward.

He was seen as a fairly secluded man from an old Catholic family. He habitually avoided public life despite his wealth and influence.

 The medal that I discovered displays the wording 'Charles Scarisbrick Mayor' and 'Borough of Southport 26 June 1902'. On the other side of the medal, we can see the image of King Edward V11 and Queen Alexanda.

The key to the secret behind this old medal opens up a page in Southport's bygone past...

Back in 1902, like many towns across the UK, Southport was preparing for the scheduled coronation of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra. However, the nation's jubilant disposition changed when just two days prior, on June 24, 1902, it was announced that King Edward VII had been diagnosed with appendicitis and required an emergency, life-saving operation.

While major events were hastily cancelled, many smaller celebrations went ahead in some areas, simply because arrangements were too far advanced to cancel, which naturally resulted in a gloomier atmosphere. Moreover, because of the last-minute change, many souvenirs, medals, and programs were produced with the incorrect date of June 26, 1902. Southport was at that time in the midst of the Edwardian era.

It’s amazing that this find from the 1970s produced such a fascinating snapshot in time of the town's history. Nonetheless, how this medal ended up buried in a rural Lancashire area outside of Southport is still an enduring mystery.

My instinct tells me that it may have been dropped by a coronation party goer visiting one of the local Scarisbrick pubs, like the Heatons Bridge or the Saracen’s Head in Halsall.  

Reports also indicated that many celebration parties happened in Lancashire, with at least one in Scarisbrick. This was apparently in the grounds of Scarisbrick Hall, allegedly 2000 people attended, courtesy of the owner Marquis de Casteja.

If you know any more please let me know!