BRITISH CONSERVATISM AND THE PRIMROSE LEAGUE ... - ideals

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The social advantages conferred upon joining a local Habitation
were many, consisting of a frequent round of "teas," concerts, dances,
balls, and outings, as well as grand summer fetes.
In some cases
bicycling and children's activities were also sponsored through
affiliated Cycling and Juvenile branches.
Of all the activities, the
fetes were the most elaborate.
They were often sponsored by several
Habitations and were, where possible, held on the grounds of one of the
more prominent landowners in the region.
Events were sponsored
throughout the day, seasoned by a sprinkling of political speeches.
The subculture extended beyond the parade of entertainments to
include wedding rites and commemorations for departed members,
biographical sketches, and even Dame reflections on subjects perceived
to be of popular interest.52
One particularly festive occasion was the
marriage of Miss Winifred Maitland to Thomas Berry Cusack-Smith in the
spring of 1886.
England gave the event extended coverage, billing it,
appropriately enough, as "A Primrose Marriage."
Cusack-Smith, by training a barrister, served as Political
Secretary for the Central Office.
The second daughter of Rev. Maitland
of Loughton Hall, Essex, Miss Maitland participated as a Dame in the
League.
The bride and groom were married in the parish church of the
bride's father.
Memorabilia of the Primrose League were generously
52 England, 1 May 1886, p. 6; The Primrose (Bournemouth), 5
March 1887, pp. 7-8; The Primrose League Gazette, 1 March 1899, p. 6; 2
October 1899, p. 1. See Chapter Four, page 177, footnotes 95 and 96 for
the prominence of obituaries, particularly in the late 1890's. The
Primrose (Bournemouth), 1 January 1887, p. 1; 5 March 1887, p. 3; 1
July 1896, p. 6; 1 April 1899, p. 7; 1 June 1901, p. 10. The Primrose
(Bournemouth), 1 January 1887, p.2; The Primrose League Gazette, 1
October 1898, p. 7; 1 August 1899, p. 9.