Sir George Tapps-Gervis-Meyrick, 3rd Baronet
Encyclopedia
Sir George Eliott Meyrick Tapps-Gervis-Meyrick, 3rd Baronet (1 September 1827 – 7 March 1896) was a land owner and developer, and served as High Sheriff of Anglesey
in 1878.
Sir George was born in Dover
whilst his father was Member of Parliament
for New Romney
. He inherited his father's estate at age 15 and was later educated at Christ Church, Oxford
from 1846 to 1849.
The third baronet adopted the name Meyrick in 1876 in compliance with the will of Owen Fuller Meyrick, a relative of his mother, from whom he inherited the 17000 acres (68.8 km²) estate of Bodorgan
, Anglesey
.
Sir George played an important role in the growth of Bournemouth
: He was one of the sponsors of the Bournemouth Improvement Act 1856, which established an improvement commission, the town's first local government authority. As lord of the manor
he had a permanent place on the board of commissioners, though he rarely attended.
Sir George was closely associated with the building of Bournemouth's pier in 1861. He was initially opposed to the building the railway to Bournemouth, as the direct line would intrude through his holdings at Hinton Admiral
. However, he was persuaded to change his mind by Sir Merton Russell Cotes, who acted as a go-between for those at Hinton Admiral and the local tradesmen of Bournemouth, in view of the benefits to the resort from the drastic cut in travelling time to London.
Under the terms of the Christchurch Inclosures Act 1802
, certain areas of Bournemouth had been set aside as commons under the trusteeship of the lord of the manor. The transformation of these commons into local authority parks was a contentious local issue that soured relations between Sir George and the townsfolk. Bournemouth's incorporation as a borough in 1890 settled the matter in the townsfolk's favour. After which Sir George co-operated fully, and the first of the new parks, opened in 1894, was named Meyrick Park in his honour.
High Sheriff of Anglesey
This is a list of High Sheriffs of Anglesey. Following the conquest of Wales by Edward I Anglesey was created a county of Wales under the terms of the Statute of Rhuddlan of 1284...
in 1878.
Sir George was born in Dover
Dover
Dover is a town and major ferry port in the home county of Kent, in South East England. It faces France across the narrowest part of the English Channel, and lies south-east of Canterbury; east of Kent's administrative capital Maidstone; and north-east along the coastline from Dungeness and Hastings...
whilst his father was Member of Parliament
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
for New Romney
New Romney
New Romney is a small town in Kent, England, on the edge of Romney Marsh, an area of flat, rich agricultural land reclaimed from the sea after the harbour began to be silted up. New Romney was once a sea port, with the harbour adjacent to the church, but is now more than a mile from the sea...
. He inherited his father's estate at age 15 and was later educated at Christ Church, Oxford
Christ Church, Oxford
Christ Church or house of Christ, and thus sometimes known as The House), is one of the largest constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England...
from 1846 to 1849.
The third baronet adopted the name Meyrick in 1876 in compliance with the will of Owen Fuller Meyrick, a relative of his mother, from whom he inherited the 17000 acres (68.8 km²) estate of Bodorgan
Bodorgan
Bodorgan is a hamlet and a surrounding community area on the Isle of Anglesey, Wales, United Kingdom.According to the United Kingdom Census 2001, there are 1,503 residents in the electoral ward, 72.7% of them being able to speak Welsh: the local government community of Bodorgan, including the...
, Anglesey
Anglesey
Anglesey , also known by its Welsh name Ynys Môn , is an island and, as Isle of Anglesey, a county off the north west coast of Wales...
.
Sir George played an important role in the growth of Bournemouth
Bournemouth
Bournemouth is a large coastal resort town in the ceremonial county of Dorset, England. According to the 2001 Census the town has a population of 163,444, making it the largest settlement in Dorset. It is also the largest settlement between Southampton and Plymouth...
: He was one of the sponsors of the Bournemouth Improvement Act 1856, which established an improvement commission, the town's first local government authority. As lord of the manor
Lord of the Manor
The Lordship of a Manor is recognised today in England and Wales as a form of property and one of three elements of a manor that may exist separately or be combined and may be held in moieties...
he had a permanent place on the board of commissioners, though he rarely attended.
Sir George was closely associated with the building of Bournemouth's pier in 1861. He was initially opposed to the building the railway to Bournemouth, as the direct line would intrude through his holdings at Hinton Admiral
Hinton Admiral
Hinton Admiral is the estate and ancestral home of the Tapps-Gervis-Meyrick family. It is located in the settlement of Hinton, near Bransgore, Hampshire. The gardens are open to the public by arrangement....
. However, he was persuaded to change his mind by Sir Merton Russell Cotes, who acted as a go-between for those at Hinton Admiral and the local tradesmen of Bournemouth, in view of the benefits to the resort from the drastic cut in travelling time to London.
Under the terms of the Christchurch Inclosures Act 1802
Christchurch Inclosures Act 1802
The Christchurch Inclosures Act 1802 was a United Kingdom local and personal Act of Parliament for the dividing, allotting, and inclosing, certain commonable lands, and waste grounds within the parish or chapelry of Holdenhurst, in the county of Southampton.Bournemouth, in the late 18th century...
, certain areas of Bournemouth had been set aside as commons under the trusteeship of the lord of the manor. The transformation of these commons into local authority parks was a contentious local issue that soured relations between Sir George and the townsfolk. Bournemouth's incorporation as a borough in 1890 settled the matter in the townsfolk's favour. After which Sir George co-operated fully, and the first of the new parks, opened in 1894, was named Meyrick Park in his honour.