Extracts from the Minutes of Hargrave Parish Council
from 1894 to 1969
Hargrave Parish Council was formed in 1894 and held its first meeting on
4th December. It is good to note that almost from the start the meetings
were open to all electors of the village. Nowadays not only does the
Council welcome residents to its meetings but it also puts aside a short
period for an Open Forum during which any subject can be raised by those
present.
The first part of this booklet includes entries on all sorts of subjects that
together give an idea of how the Parish Council operated and the variety of
issues it dealt with. Unfortunately on occasion, problems are raised but
there is no record of the outcomes. And it is interesting to note that some
problems are still with us, for instance the call in 1940 for the Police to deal
with traffic speeding through the village and the continuing search for land
for a playing field.
Later chapters cover the provision of a water supply for the village and the
administration of a charity, the proceeds of which continue to benefit the
residents of Hargrave. Finally you can re-live the Jubilee of H.M. Queen
Victoria in 1887 as Hargrave’s arrangements for this celebration, together
with a newspaper cutting of the time, were in the Minute Book prior to its
being taken over by the Parish Council.
The Vestry and, later, Parish Council Minute Books from 1876 to 1981 can
be viewed at the Northamptonshire Record Office. The extracts have been
copied as written, except that proposers and seconders have not been
included. Where italics are used I have either explained an entry or
shortened various entries to give an over-view of the subject.
Ros Sheppard
Clerk to Hargrave Parish Council
May 2007
4th December 1894
.. a parish meeting convened by the Overseers duly as directed by the Local
Government Act of 1894.
4th October 1895
It was moved that the meetings of the Council be open to the parochial
electors.
31st October 1895
The Clerk stated that he had applied to the Rector for the Award (Act of
Enclosure Award 1802) and the Rector stated he was willing if the Award was
the property of the Council to deliver it up.
It was moved that this meeting demand that the award be handed to the
Clerk on or before Nov 5th.
11th November 1895
It was moved that a strong Deed box be purchased to keep Parish books
and Documents in.
6th December 1895
It was moved that the Parish Council meet the Rector at his residence on
Saturday evening Dec 7th 1895 at 6 o’clock to arrange about the Award.
7th February 1896
It was moved that the Rectors having been the custodians of the Parish
Award since the year 1801 unto the passing of the Parish Councils act in the
year 1894 by which act the said custody was transferred to the Parish
Council. The Parish Council do therefore request the Rector, Rev.
R.S.Baker, to hand over to their chairman the custody of the Parish Award
on Feb 8th 1896.
28th February 1896
The Chairman said the Award had been handed over.
2
19th February 1915
A letter was read from the Clerk to the School Managers stating that Mr H.
W. Nicholson had tendered his resignation as a manager owing to his
enlistment in the 4th Northants Regiment. It was decided that no action be
taken for the present to give Mr Nicholson an opportunity of again taking
up the duty should he return after the termination of hostilities.
22nd February 1916
Mr W. Dixon was elected a member of the Council in place of the late Mr
H. Nicholson who died from pneumonia in the Dardanelles.
The question was raised as to Mr C. K. Murchison having taken in the late
Parish Pound as part of the garden of the cottage which had recently had reconstructed. It was resolved that the Clerk communicate with Mr
Murchison and ask if he has any explanation to offer.
6th November 1916
Mr John Adams (County Councillor) of Raunds attended the meeting to
explain the War Savings Associations with a view to one being formed in
Hargrave. After some consideration it was decided to try and arrange to
form one in the village and to hold a public meeting on Monday Nov 13th in
the school room with that object in view.
22nd April 1919
It was decided to suggest to the Parish Council that they take into
consideration the question of the provision of a Parish room.
23rd June 1919
A letter was read from the District Council stating that they had adopted the
Rats Order 1918 and that a reward of 2d per rat destroyed would be paid.
The letter further stated that the District Council would be glad if the Parish
Council could arrange for a collector in the parish to keep a record and to
whom a fee of 6d per dozen would be paid.
27th September 1921
A letter was read from the Thrapston Committee for the Relief of the
distress caused by unemployment asking the Council to make arrangements
to relieve local distress by a voluntary scheme. It was resolved to take no
action on the matter.
3
27th September 1921 (cont)
A letter was read from the Kimbolton branch of the Union of Post Office
Workers asking for permission of the Council to suspend the day-mail
delivery and evening collection on Saturdays in order to give the employees
a weekly half holiday. This was agreed to on the condition that the half day
closing of the Hargrave Post Office and the weekly half holiday suggested
was arranged to be held on the same day.
1st November 1921
It was decided to send a letter of complaint to the Rural District Council
calling their attention to the fact that the pail closets for the new Council
Houses were within the houses themselves which the Council considered to
be most unsatisfactory.
13th March 1922
A letter was read from the District Council stating that the closet
arrangements at the new houses were such as made by the Ministry of
Health.
28th September 1927
The Clerk was directed to write to the District Surveyor with respect to
trimming of Mr R. V. Whurr’s hedges on the Raunds Road between the two
bridges and to the District Council with respect to there being now no
Roadman in the parish of Hargrave, and also asking that a signpost might be
erected near the Nags Head Inn indicating the way to Raunds and
Thrapston as there were so many cases in which motorists ran up the Nags
Head Lane past the Council Houses only to find that they were at a dead
end.
15th April 1931
A letter was read from the Rural District Council asking whether in the
opinion of the Parish Council it was necessary to provide for the collection
of house refuse in the parish. The Clerk was instructed to reply that in the
opinion of the Parish Council it was not necessary for this to be undertaken.
4
27th September 1935
It was decided to forward for the observation of the United Counties Bus
Company the following suggested alterations in the times of the service to
and fro the village:Saturday leaving Hargrave 4.50 be between 5.30 and 6 pm
Saturday arriving Hargrave 10 be between 10.30 and 11
Sunday arriving Hargrave 6.20 be between 5.30 and 6
2nd March 1936
At the Annual Meeting of the Parish the question of better telephone
facilities for the village was raised and after considerable discussion it was
resolved to ask the Parish Council to take all possible steps to secure a
public kiosk in the village.
2nd March 1938
It was decided to send a further letter to the Rural Council asking for the
periodical collection of house refuse.
The hours of opening of the Post Office was raised and also for use of
telephone in the village and it was decided to make strong representations to
the Postal Authorities for some alteration and provision of a public kiosk.
28th June 1938
The meeting had been specially called for the Wellingborough Postmaster to
put forward the proposals for transfer of the parish to his district from
Huntingdon. After the proposals had been heard and a number of
questions asked it was decided to agree to the alteration, the change over to
take place from 27th August.
20th March 1940
It was proposed that the Divisional Surveyor be requested to have white
lines put down on the Church corner and also the kerb to be painted.
22nd April 1940
A petition from the Women’s Institute was considered and after a good deal
of discussion it was decided to call the attention of the Police to traffic
speeding through the village and to communicate with the Bus Company
with a view to obtaining better services.
5
11th August 1941
The meeting had been specially called to consider a letter from the Rural
District Council with respect to fire watching corn crops. It was decided to
make 36 brushwood beaters at once and for 3 couples to patrol the 3 ends
of the parish on receipt of warning, which the Clerk promised to arrange to
be given from Raunds to Mr Boatman.
11th March 1946
It was proposed that Mr L. G. H. Lee (County Councillor) be asked to use his
influence to obtain a supply of electricity for the village.
13th March 1951
The Parish safe could not be opened and it was proposed that the Clerk
find someone to open it if only in the presence of one Councillor but the
contents be left intact until a meeting of the Council.
2nd August 1951
Correspondence was read from the County Education Committee with
regard to the piano left in the school and after considerable discussion it
was agreed to accept the piano. It was proposed that a charge of 2/6d be
fixed for use of the piano.
4th January 1952
A letter was read from the Church Council regarding the piano in the school
and it was decided that the Parish Council agree to the Church Council
having the control and maintenance of the instrument but it to remain the
property of the Parish Council.
16th March 1954
It was decided to ask the RDC if the ‘old’ council houses were likely to be
sewered and baths installed, if the watercourse was to be cleaned out and
the Diocesan Registrar if a part of Rectory Field could be made available for
a children’s playing place.
6
5th October 1954
The question of emptying lavatory buckets was discussed and it was decided
to represent to the RDC the need of collection by night soil cart.
16th March 1955
The inconvenience of the call-box and the Post Office being on the same
number, i.e. Raunds 72, was raised and the Clerk was requested to write to
the Telephone Manager asking if this could be altered.
20th September 1955
The question of a halt sign at the bottom of Nags Head Lane and a 30
m.p.h. speed limit through the village was raised it being left with the Clerk
to ascertain the position with regard to both these items.
29th October 1956
It was agreed to enquire from the County Surveyor if any improvement
scheme was contemplated at Turnpike corner and also when the diversion
of the watercourse in Brook Street was likely.
18th March 1958
The Clerk reported that the diversion of the watercourse and improvement
to the highway was expected to be started any day and the improvement to
Turnpike corner would hope to be carried out by the ensuing financial year.
11th November 1958
A letter was read from the County Surveyor regarding the closure of the
footpath from opposite “The Gables” to Brook Street now no longer
necessary as the watercourse had been diverted. It was agreed that a reply
be sent agreeing and also appreciating the work that has been carried out to
prevent flooding.
28th October 1963
After considerable discussion it was unanimously agreed to make the
strongest possible representation to the RDC that accommodation should
be made available in the village for any occupiers of property condemned
and any suggestion to re-house them in other parishes was resented.
7
19th December 1966
A letter from the Parochial Church Council was read asking permission to
replace the old piano in the School Room. This was agreed.
5th December 1967
The Clerk reported that arrangements had been made again, similar to those
of previous years, for dealing with local emergencies caused by snow
blocking roads. Under these arrangements the Chairman, Councillor
Merrikin, had agreed to accept responsibility from the County Surveyor for
organising local snow clearing parties should the necessity for such action
arise.
Reference was made to the desirability of having name plates fixed in the
roads and streets in the village and the Clerk was instructed to make an
application to the County Council as Highway Authority for these to be
provided.
27th May 1968
Reference was made to the impending retirement of Mrs Mabel Coles who
had been village Postmistress for 50 years and the Council decided to
sponsor a village collection on her behalf.
16th June 1969
The Chairman opened the meeting and said that representations had been
made to the Parish Council from time to time about the need for a playing
field in the village.
It was agreed that the most suitable area for a playing field would be on Church Road
and landowners would be approached to see if they would be willing to make part of their
land available. At the next meeting the Council was told that no land was available.
8
Provision of a Water Supply
7th January 1896
It was moved that the Parish Council apply to the District Council to cooperate with them to provide a water supply for the Parish. A discussion
then followed as to what scheme should be proposed and it was then
suggested that Mr Thomas Cobley’s pond in the field near the Rectory be
made into a well for the top end of the Parish & that another well be sunk
in Mr William Measurers’ field called Blacksmiths Close for the bottom end
of the Parish, but it was thought on further consideration that on account of
the hardness of the underground water that two good sized ponds in the
above mentioned places would be better.
28th February 1896
The water question was then further considered and Henry Briggs moved
and G. Wiggins seconded that a well be made in Mr T. Cobley’s pond in the
field called Gutchels near the Rectory for the top end of the Parish and that
another well be sunk on the waste ground opposite J. York’s for the bottom
end of the Parish.
16th April 1914
A letter was read from the District Council enclosing copy of a letter which
had been sent to the L.S. Board by Mr C.K. Murchison with respect to a
water supply for the village and asking for the observations of the Council
thereon. After some discussion it was proposed that the District Council be
informed that in the opinion of the Parish Council the two public wells dug
a few years ago provide a sufficient water supply to meet the needs of the
village and that it be further pointed out that the parish of Hargrave has
been entirely free from any epidemic for many years and that the health of
the population is generally very good. Also that it be pointed out that the
analysis of the water complained of was taken five years ago since which
time it is believed that the quality of the water has improved. And further
that Mr Murchison is the only one in the village who is dissatisfied. It was
also decided to point out that the proposed cost (£700) would be a very
serious thing for a village with as small a rateable value as Hargrave.
9
23rd June 1914
A letter was read from the District Council with respect to water supply and
enclosing copies of the analysis taken of the water in the two public wells,
which was very unsatisfactory. After some discussion it was resolved to
inform the District Council that the Council proposed to have the wells
cleaned out and suggested that the water should then again be analysed and
in the meantime notices would be posted advising that the water should be
boiled before being used. It was also decided to point out that there were a
large number of private wells in the parish.
2nd October 1914
A letter was read from the District Council stating that they would expect to
be furnished with a further analysis of the Hargrave water by Nov 4th. The
Chairman explained that subsequent to the letter being written the District
Council had granted another month’s extension of time and appointed their
Vice-Chairman to come over and inspect the water supply of the village. In
view of this visit the Chairman was authorised to clean out the wells as soon
as a convenient opportunity offered and to find out at once the quantity of
water in the well. Further action was held over until after the visit of the
District Council’s deputation.
27th October 1914
The question of the village water supply was again considered. It was
explained that the public wells have been cleaned out and the bottoms
concreted and that at the present time both were quite empty and that the
water supply at present was being driven from the private wells and running
streams. It was decided to report this to the District Council and to state
that the water should be analysed from the wells when again filled.
27th September 1921
The question of the water supply in the parish was considered and
ultimately it was decided to ask the Raunds Urban District Council if they
would be willing, as a temporary expedient, to permit the Hargrave Council
to have a supply from their reservoir for domestic purposes and if so upon
what conditions.
10
27th September 1921 (cont)
It was decided to ask Mr L. H. Billington if he would let the Council his
water-cart on hire for the purpose of fetching the water into the parish, if
the reply of the Raunds Urban District Council was satisfactory. With
respect to carting the water, Mr J. Gates offered to do this work unless any
other arrangement could be made.
The question of defraying the cost was raised and after some consideration
it was proposed that a charge be made upon each house supplied at the rate
of 6d per week when the residents did not number more than two and 1/per week when the persons resident in the house exceeded that number.
13th March 1922
A letter was read from the District Council stating that the Inspector of
Nuisances reported that the lack of water in the parish last year was owing
to the extraordinary drought and that there was now an abundance of water
available for the parish.
23rd August 1927
The Parish pump in Nags Head Lane was reported as being out of order
and some discussion arose as to the liability to repair the same, with more
particular reference as to whether the pump was now part of the property
belonging to the Council houses or remained as originally the property of
the parish.
It was ultimately resolved that the Clerk take up the matter with the Clerk to
the Rural District Council and ascertain what is the present position with
respect to the same.
The Clerk was requested to get an estimate from Hugh Sykes with a view to
his immediately carrying out the necessary work to put the pump in order
and by replacement of a new one if considered necessary.
11
13th September 1929
The question of the scarcity of water in the parish was considered and the
statement reported that the Raunds Urban Council were prepared to supply
the Hargrave Parish Council with water from the standpipe on the Station
Road at a charge of 6d per load of approximately 200 gallons. This offer
was accepted. It was further agreed that a 230 gallon circular galvanised
tank, complete with cover and brass tap, be purchased at the price of £5.2.0.
It was further resolved that the Chairman should interview Mr Sam York
and make arrangements for the cartage and distribution of the water.
4th March 1930
The question of what should be done with the galvanised iron tank
purchased for the purpose of supplying the parish with water during the
drought season of 1929 was considered. It was decided to ask the
Chairman to keep the same in his custody until it was required for further
use.
27th March 1934
It was decided to communicate with the Rural District Council and inform
them that in view of the recent rains it was considered that the carting of
water from Raunds into the Hargrave wells might be discontinued for the
time being.
27th September 1935
The water supply question for the village was raised and it was agreed that
the attention of the District Council be called to the fact that the upper part
of the village had to go a long way for water while the well held a good
supply owing to the pump being out of order.
2nd March 1936
At the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council was urged to approach the
appropriate authority asking that the firm laying the water supply clear away
surplus excavations left about the village.
12
15th December 1952
It was agreed that the attention of the Rural District Council be called to the
dangerous condition of the disused well in Nags Head Lane and
recommend it to be filled in.
5th December 1967
The Clerk was instructed to complain to the Nene and Ouse Water Board
about repeated failures in the water supply which were attributed to the
poor condition of the water mains.
12th February 1968
The Clerk read a letter from Mr Edmund Smith of Arosa Farm, Hargrave,
informing the Council that he had bought the bungalow on plot 13 on the
Elms Development Estate and that two thirds of the village pond lies within
the boundaries of his back garden. In view of the fact that the pond is 14
feet deep and the water smells in hot weather Mr Smith asked if the Parish
Council would raise any objection to his filling in about half of his part of
the pond.
The Council considered the request and decided to delay a response until an investigation
had been carried out into the common rights which the village may have in the pond and
the effect the filling in of the pond would have on natural drainage.
4th March 1968
Reference was made to the proposed filling in of the pond on the Elms
Development. The Clerk reported that his enquiries, and an examination of
the Hargrave Parish Award map, had failed to produce any evidence of
public rights in the pond. It was stated that the Title Deeds of land owned
by Mr Billington showed the pond and gave him the right to use the whole
of it and that it would not be possible for the pond to be filled in without at
any rate Mr Billington’s consent. The Council hoped that the question
would soon be resolved and that the pond would be fenced off to remove
the danger to children which the Council felt existed.
13
Herdsman’s Charity and Street Lighting
The Herdsman’s Charity investment provides about £100 every year to be
put towards street lighting in Hargrave. Recently this money has helped to
purchase two new street lights, as recommended by the Crime Prevention
Officer of Northamptonshire Police.
No records have been found explaining the origin of this charity but the
following extracts from the Minutes shed some light on its administration
during the twentieth century.
The house/cottage mentioned refer to the small brick-built cottage which
used to stand between The Nags Head and the Old Bakehouse. It is
believed that the allotments referred to a field on the B645 just before the
turning to New England Farm.
The entry from 1940 shows that there were some benefits from war time
restrictions!
14th November 1898
The Clerk was then directed to apply for an order from the Charity
Commissioners to have the Herdsman’s Allotment apportioned from the
Ecclesiastical Charity and to ask if the house and fences can be kept in
repair out of the rent arising therefrom.
6th February 1899
Mr T. Newton proposed that the Herdsman’s Allotments be stumped out
and managed by the Trustees to be appointed by the Parish Council.
18th March 1902
A letter was read from the Charity Commissioners enclosing order
authorizing the Council to appoint two trustees of the parochial charity.
16th April 1902
Messrs W. Measures and G. Wiggins were appointed trustees of the
Parochial Charity.
14
12th May 1908
Mr W. Measures one of the Trustees of the Herdsman’s Non-ecclesiastical
charity attended the meeting and submitted the accounts relating to the
Charity from the time of his appointment. These showed a present balance
in hand of £31.19.9 and a bank book was submitted showing that the same
had been placed in the Stamford & Boston Bank, Thrapston branch in the
names of William Measures and Fred Briggs, the joint trustees of the
charity. This was considered to be satisfactory and it was left with the Clerk
when convenient to go through and audit the accounts.
23rd September 1925
The meeting had been specially convened to consider a recommendation
from the Parish Council and the Trustees of the Herdsman’s Charity that
the property belong to the Charity should be sold and the proceeds invested
and the income derived therefrom devoted to the object of lighting the
village.
After considerable discussion it was proposed that the recommendation of
the Parish Council and Trustees be adopted and that the whole of the assets
of the charity be realized and invested with the official trustees of charitable
funds.
An amendment was moved that the Herdsman’s Cottage is not included in
the sale. The amendment was defeated by two votes to nine, and the
original proposition carried by nine votes to two, there being two persons
present remaining neutral.
It was decided to ask the Charity Commissioners to agree to the income of
the charity being devoted to the purpose of lighting the village. This was
carried, seven voting in favour, two against and four remaining neutral.
23rd August 1927
The Clerk reported that the Trustees of the Herdsman’s Non-Ecclesiastical
Charity had a balance in hand on the current account of £28.10.7 which
amount the Charity Commissioners agreed could be used to meet the capital
charges for making arrangements for lighting the parish. He further 23rd
reported that the assets of the charity had been realized and that the sale of
15
23rd August 1927 (cont)
the Herdsman’s Cottage and the land at Rowley Fields together with the
War Saving Certificates had been sold producing the sum of £280.6.8 which
sum had been invested in 4% Funding Stock amounting to £322.13.7 and
producing by way of interest about £12.18.0 per annum. It was resolved to
take into consideration in view of the money available, the lighting of the
parish and it was left with the Clerk to get particulars as to the approximate
cost and the best method of lighting available at the present time.
28th September 1927
The Clerk reported that he had been in communication with the Raunds
Gas Company and that an Acetylene Lamp was recommended for lighting
the streets in parishes where neither gas nor electricity was available. The
provision of lamp column, lamp head and the acetylene lamp inside the
same would cost, it was estimated, not less than £6 per lamp for erection. It
was decided to ask the Gas Company to give a quotation for the erection
complete of four lamps and the Chairman to be authorized to accept the
same if the cost did not exceed the amount the Trustees had in hand
available for that purpose. It was resolved to erect the four lamps in the
following places, the exact spot to be decided upon by the Council when
they were ready to be erected:1.
2.
3.
4.
near the Nags Head Inn
between the Rectory Gates and Post Office
at the crossroads near Mr R. Green’s
In Brook Street near where the highway is periodically flooded.
12th March 1928
At the Annual Meeting of the Parish it was decided to recommend the
Parish Council to consider the erection of three more lamps in the parish.
2nd March 1936
It was agreed that the Trustees of the Charity be asked to sanction the
moving of the lamp in Brook Street to a more advantageous position.
16
20th March 1940
No expenses having been incurred owing to lighting restrictions the balance
in hand remained at £36.0.7
22nd August 1949
The question of street lighting was considered and the Clerk explained that
cost of same would be met by income from Herdsman’s Charity. It was
decided that 10 lamps be fixed at a cost of £45.10.0 with a maintenance
charge of £2.5.8 per season at the following points:near The Grange
Telephone kiosk
opposite Post Office
opposite Top Farm
the Bungalow
between School and Mrs Cox’s
between council houses
Green’s Corner
John York’s
Smith’s buildings
17
Hargrave’s celebrations for the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria in
1887
from the minutes of the Vestry Meetings which preceded Parish Council
Expenses:
£
s
d
60 pounds of beef
43 pounds of beef
40 roast beef
75 Ham
74 bread
134 cake
18 butter
5 tea
1 coffee
(NB the milk required was given)
28 sugar
1 ¾ mustard
36 gallons of beer
10 dozen spruce
prizes of money
for sports
banners, flags, badges, forms of prayer
toys, sweets, nuts, prizes for children’s sports
bonfire
fireworks
musicians for dance in school
labour to erect tent
1
1
1
2
17
6
10
13
15
2
16
12
1
10
10
0
1½
10
10 ½
6
6
6
5
1
14
15
6½
9
0
0
1
15
0
5
6
5
16
6
10
1
0
3
0
0
2
1
2
1
1
Newspaper cutting:HARGRAVE. The Jubilee was celebrated in this village on Tuesday, June
21st, with much enthusiasm. The festivities commenced by the ringing of
the church bells at midnight, and at 10 am a thanksgiving service was held in
the parish church, which was largely attended. At eleven a cricket match
between the Married and Single was played in a grass field kindly lent for
the day by Mr Baxter, ending in a victory for the Single men. At three
o’clock tea was given to all the children in the parish under 14 years of age,
in a large tent erected in the school yard; and after tea the children walked
in procession, carrying flags and singing “God Save the Queen,” through
18
the village to Mr Baxter’s field. At 4.15 all the inhabitants of the place over
14 years of age to the number of about 190, sat down in the school and tent
to an excellent meat tea, at the conclusion three cheers being given for her
Majesty. Every one then adjourned to the field, where a capital programme
of sports was carried out as follows:Stone-picking Race, 1 Joseph Wiggins, 2 James Gates.
Hurdle Race, 120 yards, 1 James Gates, 2 Arthur Brown.
High Jump (under 14) 1 Jonathan Wiggins 2 John Barnett.
100 Yards Race (under 16), 1 John Barnett 2 John Gore
100 Yards (open), 1 Charles Jellis 2 John Gates jun.
High Jump (open) Joseph Wiggins and James Gates equal.
Wheelbarrow Race (blindfold) 1 Thomas Garratt 2 Fred Nicholson.
Three-legged Race (under 16) Jonathan Wiggins and Gore,
Three-legged Race (open), Charles Jellis and Bateman.
Egg and Spoon Race (under 14), 1 John Barnett 2 Jonathan Wiggins
Ditto (under 13), 1 Walter Pashier 2 Fred. Parrott,
Dressing Race, 120 yards (open) 1 George Watford 2 Charles Jellis.
Mile Race (open), 1 Thomas Garratt 2 John Gates jun.
The children were amused throughout the evening with swings, races,
games, etc. About 9.30 all returned to the school, where supper was
provided, with beer for the men. After this a general move was made to the
Top Road, where a bonfire, upwards of 20 feet high, had been built.
Fireworks were let off at the same time, and added greatly to the effect.
This was followed by two hours’ dancing in the school, and so ended a most
enjoyable holiday, long to be remembered with pleasure by all who took
part in it. The whole of the arrangements were most successfully carried
out by a committee, viz. Rev R S Baker, chairman; Messrs John L. Baker,
Joseph Baxter, Thos N. Cox, Wm Pettit, Wm Fisher, Joseph Pashler, Hugh
M Baker, D Gray, Mrs John L Baker, Mrs Baxter, Mrs Newton, Misses S
Baxter and Beatrice M Baker. They were ably assisted on the day by the
following stewards:- Messrs John Hewitt, John Briggs, Joseph Pettit, Joseph
Wiggins, Charles Jellis, Fred Ward, jun, Mrs Thomas Cox, Misses Ella
Baxter, L H Blackader and Emma Cox. The sports were managed by a
special sub-committee; Messrs Hugh M Baker and D Gray (judges), Thos N
Cox (starter), and William Hewitt. The sum collected by the General
Committee for the entertainment amounted to £21 2s 6d.
19