Item believed to be from Empire Day celebrations held in Surrey Hills. The Empire Day movement was instituted in England in 1904 and a meeting of Surrey Hills residents on 24th May 1906, pledged to do all in their power to make the day a success. Founding members included Arthur 'Empire' Brooks, James 'Rule Britannia' Sneddon and Harry 'Mafeking' Garrett, whose nicknames stemmed from their activities. Empire Day celebrations from 1906-11 attracted tremendous enthusiasm as reported at the time with 40,000 people attending the procession. The procession included horse drawn floats from local businesses, a torchlight parade headed by mounted troopers and local school bands. Rows of lamps and paper Chinese lanterns strung across the streets and lit at night by candles, while every dwelling had it's own decorations. The Progress Association revived the celebrations between 1933 and 1938 and while the route of the procession varied between these years, it would end with a 'monster bonfire' at Beckett Park.Handkerchief from Empire Day, made from silk or thin cotton. Navy blue with red then white edging. Crowns on each corner and numerous circles on handkerchief with red, blue and crowns. Colour faded in one corner.empire day, empire day celebrations, surrey hills progress association, mr james sneddon, mr arthur brooks, mr harry garrett, beckett park, canterbury road, union road, surrey gardens, handkerchief, festivals and celebrations

This research project is on The Shrine in the Surrey Hills Gardens. It contains a list of those who had enlisted during World War 1, and how it came about to be the first monument of World War 1. Details of the man who carved the wood panels are included.This research project is on The Shrine in the Surrey Hills Gardens. It contains a list of those who had enlisted during World War 1, and how it came about to be the first monument of World War 1. Details of the man who carved the wood panels are included.monuments and memorials, (mr) john kendrick blogg, (mr) john gawler, community gardens, awards, armed forces, centenary methodist church, st.stephen's presbyterian church, "balmoral", house names, (mr) harry 'mafeking' garrett, (mr) arthur (empire) brooks, (mr) james ('rule britannia') sneddon, surrey hills, empire day, church furniture, t f crabb, (mr) walter drummond, surrey hills progress association, (mr) j f woodhead, (mrs) - steele, (mrs) robyn doble