Greetings From The UK
Midi file...Each Other
Pearly Kings and Queens
Henry worked hard in the market and soon made many friends. He was particularly drawn to the Coster Mongers who were a tough breed of market traders. The Coster Mongers wore 'Flash Boy Outfits' to distinguish themselves from the other market traders. This involved decorating their trousers and waistcoats with a row of pearl buttons down the seams.
The Costers looked after one another and often, if another coster was in need, they would have a 'whip round' (collection) for him Henry was fascinated by this way of life and decided he would like to help the unfortunate and also the children back at the orphanage.
He knew that in order to collect a lot of money he needed to draw attention to himself. So, he decided to go one step further with the Coster Monger's 'flash boy outfits' and totally cover a suit with pearl buttons. He spent many long nights preparing his suit but eventually emerged, at a local carnival, wearing a suit covered in tiny pearly buttons.
He became an instant attraction and was approached by many hospitals and churches to help raise money for the poor, deaf, dumb and blind. Henry worked very hard for these charities but he wanted to raise more money, so he asked his friends, and the Coster Mongers, for help.
Eventually there was Pearly Family for every London Borough and thus the Pearly monarchy began. It is estimated that when he died in 1930 (aged 68), he had collected over £5000. The equivalent in today's values would be £200,000.
His funeral was so spectacular it was filmed by Pathe News. All of the Pearlies attended (roughly 400) and they followed the coffin to Finchley Cemetery where Henry was buried. A statue was erected over the grave by the many charities he helped, showing Henry wearing his famous buttoned suit.
Pearlies are dedicated charity workers who are continually assisting with fund raising activities for a multitude of different organisations. The Pearly motto is "One Never Knows". The Pearly tradition has survived for over 120 years and will in fact be celebrating 127 years in the Year 2002. There are still approximately 40 active families working today, collecting for many different charities.
A few of these families can be traced back to the original generation of Pearlies. Henry Croft's family still carries on the tradition with his great-granddaughter wearing the title of` 'Somers Town'. Sadly during the two world wars many of the original families were lost and the Pearlies had to recruit new members.
This was achieved by enlisting people who had helped the Pearlies over the years with their charity work. The main succession today of a Pearly is by inheritance. In 1975 the Original Pearly Kings and Queens Association was reformed and now meets every month in the crypt in St. Martins in the Field, Trafalgar Square.
The Pearlies are dedicated to helping the Church of St. Martins and all attend the Harvest Festival Service held on the first Sunday in October. They also hold a Memorial Service for past pearlies on the third Sunday in May. (They choose this date as it is the nearest to Henrys Croft's birthday, May 24th)
Both of these services are spectacular events as all Pearlies are requested to attend and there are often 40 or more Pearlies dressed in their distinguished buttoned suits. This is also a chance to see Pearly children, know as Pearly Princes and Princesses.
Pearlies still work hard raising money for charities and can often be seen around London participating in Parades and Fetes.
Don and Dorothy
Pearly King and Queen of Black Heath
Circa 2000
The London tradition of the Pearly Kings and Queens began in 1875, by a small lad named Henry Croft. Henry was born in 1862 and raised in an orphanage in Somers Town, London NW1. At the age of 13 he left the orphanage to become a Municipal Road Sweeper and Rat Catcher in the market of Somers Town.
Henry worked hard in the market and soon made many friends. He was particularly drawn to the Coster Mongers who were a tough breed of market traders. The Coster Mongers wore 'Flash Boy Outfits' to distinguish themselves from the other market traders. This involved decorating their trousers and waistcoats with a row of pearl buttons down the seams.
The Costers looked after one another and often, if another coster was in need, they would have a 'whip round' (collection) for him Henry was fascinated by this way of life and decided he would like to help the unfortunate and also the children back at the orphanage.
He knew that in order to collect a lot of money he needed to draw attention to himself. So, he decided to go one step further with the Coster Monger's 'flash boy outfits' and totally cover a suit with pearl buttons. He spent many long nights preparing his suit but eventually emerged, at a local carnival, wearing a suit covered in tiny pearly buttons.
He became an instant attraction and was approached by many hospitals and churches to help raise money for the poor, deaf, dumb and blind. Henry worked very hard for these charities but he wanted to raise more money, so he asked his friends, and the Coster Mongers, for help.
Eventually there was Pearly Family for every London Borough and thus the Pearly monarchy began. It is estimated that when he died in 1930 (aged 68), he had collected over £5000. The equivalent in today's values would be £200,000.
His funeral was so spectacular it was filmed by Pathe News. All of the Pearlies attended (roughly 400) and they followed the coffin to Finchley Cemetery where Henry was buried. A statue was erected over the grave by the many charities he helped, showing Henry wearing his famous buttoned suit.
Pearlies are dedicated charity workers who are continually assisting with fund raising activities for a multitude of different organisations. The Pearly motto is "One Never Knows". The Pearly tradition has survived for over 120 years and will in fact be celebrating 127 years in the Year 2002. There are still approximately 40 active families working today, collecting for many different charities.
A few of these families can be traced back to the original generation of Pearlies. Henry Croft's family still carries on the tradition with his great-granddaughter wearing the title of` 'Somers Town'. Sadly during the two world wars many of the original families were lost and the Pearlies had to recruit new members.
This was achieved by enlisting people who had helped the Pearlies over the years with their charity work. The main succession today of a Pearly is by inheritance. In 1975 the Original Pearly Kings and Queens Association was reformed and now meets every month in the crypt in St. Martins in the Field, Trafalgar Square.
The Pearlies are dedicated to helping the Church of St. Martins and all attend the Harvest Festival Service held on the first Sunday in October. They also hold a Memorial Service for past pearlies on the third Sunday in May. (They choose this date as it is the nearest to Henrys Croft's birthday, May 24th)
Both of these services are spectacular events as all Pearlies are requested to attend and there are often 40 or more Pearlies dressed in their distinguished buttoned suits. This is also a chance to see Pearly children, know as Pearly Princes and Princesses.
Pearlies still work hard raising money for charities and can often be seen around London participating in Parades and Fetes.
Don and Dorothy
Pearly King and Queen of Black Heath
Circa 2000
Simply Steve
