The ‘elaborate arrangements’ for the visit of the Prime Minister, Stanley Baldwin, to Bradfield, near Uffculme, on July 1st 1925, were outlined in the Gazette. Bradfield, at that time, is described as ‘the residence of the Hon. Mrs Adams. It was anticipated that this would be the largest political ‘gathering’ in the West for over 30 years. Special trains were being organised from all over the region along with GWR’s own fleet of 50 ‘motor omnibuses’ for the final leg to Bradfield. A programme of sports was being arranged to include a tug o’war knock-out, a tennis tournament and ‘aquatic sports’ on the lake. Four local bands were booked and the whole day was to be rounded off with fireworks some time after 9.30pm.
The report of the event was published in the Gazette the following week. It was thought that 35,000 people attended.
Stanley Baldwin leaving Bradfield
Bradfield was the seat of the Walrond family from the 13th century. The ‘Hon Mrs Adams’ referred to in the newspaper article, was born Charlotte Margaret Lothian Coats. She married Lionel Walrond in 1904. Lionel succeeded his father William as MP for Tiverton in 1906 and held the seat until his death, while serving in the Army, in 1915. Charlotte, known as Lottie, ran Bradfield as a convalescence home for soldiers during World War 1. She married William Allen Adams in 1920. Just a month before the prime minister’s visit to Bradfield, William Walrond, Lionel’s father had died in London. His title of Lord Waleran would be inherited by his grandson, Lottie and Lionel’s son, William George Hood Waldron.
The Museum has a large number of photos and postcards of Bradfield, not only of the building itself but of various fetes and events held at the house.
Lottie Walrond
The 2 children are almost certainly, William born in 1905 who inherited the family title and his brother John, born in 1908.
The Spanish Room at Bradfield
This is the first page of a 20 page programme of events for the big day at Bradfield. The booklet includes portraits of the Prime Minister and his wife as well as the newly created 2nd Lord Waleran. Details of all the many events taking place during the day are listed.
Also in our archive is a large, beautifully produced book, The Walrond Papers, compiled by Lottie in 1913. It is a comprehensive history of the family with beautiful illustrations.
Written by Museum Volunteer, Sue B
References
Devon Gardens Trust https://devongardenstrust.org.uk/gardens/bradfieldtps://devongardenstrust.org.uk/gardens/bradfield accessed 16 May 2025
Heritage Gateway https://www.heritagegateway.org.uk/gateway/ accessed 16 May 2025
Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/bradfield_house#descent_of_the_manortps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/bradfield_house#descent_of_the_manor accessed 16 may 2025
History of Parliament https://historyofparliament.com/ accessed 16 May 2025
Ancestry.co.uk https://www.ancestry.co.uk/ accessed 16 May 2025