"DUCK FLAT CAP SOCIETY" APPLIES FOR "ROYAL" STATUS

"DUCK FLAT CAP SOCIETY" APPLIES FOR "ROYAL" STATUS

Recently discovered reports detailed in archived copies of the Harrow Times, reveal that the rivalry between "The Duck in the Pond" and "The Red Lion", the former name of "The Wealdstone Inn", goes back centuries. These records have been uncovered by researchers for the Royal Commissioners who were researching the recent request by "the Duck Flat Cap Society" to obtain Royal patronage, and append "Royal " to its name.

The article uncovered by archive researchers indicates that the Red Lion was the home of a society of local farmers, artisans and labourers known as the “Red Lion Bowler Hat and Flat Cap Society”. The records indicate that this society was at constant loggerheads with an early forerunner of the current “Duck Flat Cap Society”, known as the “Duck in the Pond Corn Threshers & Hay cutters Flat Cap Society” .

This aggression was at its most flamboyant during the annual tug of War contest which took place each May day. In 1875, the festivities surrounding the the annual event exploded in violence when it was discovered that the Red Lion were employing a local Blacksmith as anchor.The rules of the event expressly denied either team including a Blacksmith,Cordwinder or Cooper as anchor or first man, as the size and bulk of these tradesmen ensured that their employment would ensure victory.

The fight that ensued ended with several members of each team being unable to continue their employment the following day, and the laying off of numerous gardeners, labourers, gardeners and agricultural workers by their disgusted employers.

It is further described in the archived reports that the local Landed Gentry,Clergy and in particular the owners of the local mansion known as "Wealdstone House" together with those of Wealdstone Farm and "The Kiln" banned each and every contestant from their premises after instantly dismissing them from their posts of employment.

It was not long after this eventful "May Day" that the “Duck in the Pond Corn Threshers & Hay cutters Flat Cap Society” changed its name to the current format, and the "Red Lion" adopted the Bowler Hat as its standard headgear.

Further May Days were less eventful due to the banning of the Tug Of War event, but it soon became usual for the regulars of the Red Lion to march the 500 yards from its own premises to that of the Duck where the proud members of the Duck Flat Cap Society and the Red Lion Bowler Hat Brigade would engage in a fierce bought of fisticuffs around the banks of the pond. It goes without saying the the Marquis Of Queenbury was not present, and his rules of etiquette were not engaged.

Due to these earlier eruptions, the Duck In the Pond Flat Cap Societies recent attempt to gain Royal Patronage, and append the name "Royal" to its name have been stymied, although attempts to change the Royal Commissions mind will continue.

The archive papers continue too be researched, and further reports will keep you up to date.