The following is  a description of  Long Bennington in 1905, recorded much later,  by Mrs. Lillian Bowes who arrived in that year  as an eighteen year old, newly married lady. 

“Long Bennington was in 1905 practically a self—contained community. Mrs. Grote—Joyce lived in the Manor House.

There were the churches “All Saints” and St. James. Mrs. Grote Joyce had had St. James built in her own grounds in the centre of’ the village. Services were held in each every Sunday, and on Friday evenings, and every morning at 10 o’clock the bell was tolled for morning prayers. The Vicar’s name was Mr. Rees, the curate was Mr. Langworthy, and the verger and sexton was Mr. Dickson Kirton. He was also the Parish clerk. Services were held in the Wesleyan and Primitive Methodist Chapels twice every Sunday, and there was also a sect called the Plymouth Brethren, who held their services in what is now Mr. Witcomb’s garage (now Trimcliffe).

The tradesmen in the village were Mr. Walker (tinsmith), Mr. Boyers (saddler), Mr. Bowes (tailor), Mr. Chalk (paper—hanger and decorator), Mr. J. Foster (painter and decorator), Mr. W. Johnson, Mr. G.H. Kirton, and Mr. W. Foster (builders), Mr. Bell and Mr. Swan (butchers), Mr. Baker and two Mr. Drings (blacksmiths), Mr. Harby and Mr. Ellwood (joiners & wheelwrights), Mr. Ackland, Mr. Seymour and Mr. Willows (shoemakers and cobblers), Mr. Allen, Mr. C. Ablewhite and Mr. Harston (bakers & grocers), Mrs. Ackland and Mr. Crabtree (grocers), Mrs. Ablewhite (grocer and draper, and she also sold medicines, where it was possible to buy drugs, like laudanum, etc. by the pennyworth), Mrs. Johnson (dressmaker), Mrs. Arnold (postmistress), Mr. Rick (glazier and plumber — he was also the Rate Collector and Overseer of the poor). “The Newark Milk Dairy Co.” was also established here. The four inns were: The Wheatsheaf, The White Swan, The Royal Oak and the Reindeer. The schoolmaster’s name was Mr. Wadsworth, and there was also the retired schoolmaster who gave private tuition to gentlemen’s sons.

At that time the farmers’ wives took their butter and eggs and farm produce to market in the carriers’ carts. There were two in Long Bennington, one went to town from Foston, calling here on the way. These carriers went to town on Mondays,. Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and anyone wishing to do any shopping travelled with them. Bennington Feast is the first Sunday after the 10th July. The schoolchildren had a whole week’s holiday from school. A fair was held in the Royal Oak paddock, and there were roundabouts, swing boats, coconut shies, etc. On Feast Thursday, the church bazaar and garden fete was held on the vicarage lawn. A brass band came from Barrowby to supply the music — they always marched up and down the street before going up to the vicarage. There was dancing in the evenings. The chapels had their anniversaries in the summer and all the village joined in. The children went round in decorated wagons, singing on their way. After a good tea on their return to the Sunday school, they went to play in a field and have sports. Every year the school master arranged a concert, which was always well received and attended.

There were three charities in Bennington which were distributed at Christmas time: The Lipton charity dates from 1904 and it is left to the trustees to decide to whom it is given. The Grote charity of Eight crowns which are for widows, and they had to go to church, where after a short service they received the crowns. They would put on their clean white aprons and. print bonnets, and on their way to church would pay calls on anyone who would put a little of something in their baskets which they always carried. This was called “mumping”. The third charity — origin not known — was distributed on St. Thomas’ Day — December 21st.

At New Year, the Parochial tea was held in the school room, which was then one large room with a stove in the middle (the partition being added much later). This tea was much looked forward to, all who were able turned up. After tea the room was cleared and there was dancing to the music of the piano and a violin, interspersed with a song or two, and perhaps a recitation. There were refresh ments to be had all through the evening.”

Nearly every cottager kept a cow, and in the summer these would be turned into the lanes to eat the grass on the road side — they were in the care of a man who was called a cow tenter. There were three village ponds on the road side from which the cows could drink. All of these ponds are now filled in. There was a cottage hospital and a resident nurse. A windmill was owned by Mr. Rowbotham, and a watermill by Mr. Bullen. The village has always had its own policeman. The last. town crier was Mr. Robert Foster. The Doctor’s name was Dr. Burrows.

Editor's note: All Saints Church has now reverted to its old name of St. Swithuns and St. James's is now the village hall, which was given by “Deed of Gift” to the village by Mrs. Grote Joyce.