A postcard of the interior of the Albion Hotel Restaurant,
which was run by Albert Edward Graves and his wife Isabel
for many years[1].
When he died at the end of 1931 Albert Graves was described
as one of the leading caterers of the town and a generous
supporter of local charitable institutions. He had first
visited Matlock Bath in 1890 and was a member of a band that
played during the season in the old Pavilion and Gardens[2].
He was one of the leading flute piccolo players in the Midlands
and had been approached by several of the Midlands first-class
bands[3]. After
the band he was in left the district Mr Graves returned,
married, and commenced business as a caterer at the Sheffield
House Restaurant, later moving to the Albion. It was at a
time when Matlock Bath was enjoying great prosperity[2].
When Mr. Graves married Isabel Evans at Holy Trinity Church
in 1893 he was described as a chemist[4].
His wife was the daughter of Mark Evans and sister of John.
In 1901 John's daughter Belle Evans was living with her aunt
and uncle[5].
Belle went on to marry Harold Charles Crowder in 1919.
In 1900 Francis Hoyland of the County and Station Hotel
applied for an occasional licence at the Albion Restaurant
so he could sell alcohol on the premises at the band supper,
to be held on 1st February between 7 and 11 p.m. This was
granted[6]. Three
years later, after the Royal Italian Band had performed in
Matlock Bath throughout the season and then extended
their stay for a further two or three weeks longer than normal
before heading for South Africa, they were given a complimentary
dinner at the Albion Restaurant. Mr. J. F. Donegani presided
over the evening as he was the Chairman of the Music Committee[7].
1903 advertisement.
Mr. Graves was clearly keen to attract the increasing number of cyclists visiting Matlock Bath into
the restaurant, as they visited at all times of the year. It is also interesting to note that he
described the restaurant as "Opposite the Band Kiosk", on both Heywood's Guide advertisement
above and on the printed menu card below, to ensure they found it easily. He also charged
1d[8] for visitors to use the restaurant's lavatory
(wash room), i.e. to "spend a penny".
Front. |
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Back. |
The menu card, above, reflects what was then considered to be wholesome fare served in the restaurants in
the town, catering for people who would undoubtedly have done a good deal of walking. And not a
piece of battered cod included. Tuppence (2d) for a cup of tea, coffee or cocoa sounds quite
a bargain compared with today's prices[8].
At the end of the First World War, on 19th July 1919, Mr.
and Mrs. Graves catered for all the returned soldiers, sailors,
airmen and their respective wives of Matlock Bath and Scarthin
with a "Welcome Home Luncheon" at their restaurant[9].
Local residents had given and paid for this celebration to
honour those who came back[9].
Albert Graves died on New Year's Eve 1931, having
been unwell for a while; his wife had pre-deceased him[11].
An obituary noticed stated that he would be much missed,
especially by the poorer classes, whom he frequently assisted[3].
Albert and Isabel Graves, John Evans and his wife and Belle
Crowder were all buried at Holy Trinity[12].
From the mid 1930s until the 1950s Mrs. Austin and Mrs. Julia Smith ran
the Albion[13].
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