As you stand looking at the Timeline, take a peek at the cabinet to your left. New this year, it contains a selection of memorabilia relating to a notorious Deal resident, Samuel Olds, which was kindly donated by family members in Australia.
A well known Carriage and Cab Proprietor, he was a prominent local figure. Never more so when he offered his services to the Conservative candidate, Charles Crompton Roberts, in the 1880 by-election.
Liberal MPs had held the seat for years and when one was made a peer, Roberts arrived, with a big bag of gold, determined to win.
Olds was a willing accomplice. He wasted no time in paying 88 Publicans £5 a-piece to hire a ‘Committee Room’ with the intention of securing their vote, knowing they would also influence their customers’ votes.
£5 is the equivalent of nearly £500 today!
It did not end well! You can read about it in the display stand under the Timeline.
And if you happen to have had family living in Deal, Walmer and Sandwich in 1880, there’s a good chance they were involved!
You can search for their names using the adjacent Tablet. Press the Menu (the three horizontal bars top right of the screen) and choose Search. Or visit https://afof.uk when you go home.