Excursion of St. Mark’s Church Choir to Doncaster and Conisboro’

The annual pleasure excursion took place on Saturday last. Proceeding by Great Northern Railway to Doncaster, a good breakfast awaited the party at the establishment of Mr. Oliver, French Gate, and afterwards they proceeded to the Parish Church, to morning prayers, which were rendered chorally by St. Mark’s Choir. The vicar afterwards conducted them over the noble edifice (one of the finest examples of church architecture in the north, erected at a cost of over £64,000), and described fully the various interesting stained-glass windows, the carved work, the belfry, and the magnificent organ. This instrument has the peculiarity not often met with in modern organs of any magnitude, the necessary wind being supplied by a number of bellows, worked by four men, each man having the care of at least two, which he keeps charged by a kind of treadmill contrivance.

After leaving the church, the fine corn exchange, covered market, and other places of note in the town were visited until eleven a.m., when two large brakes conveyed them to the village of Conisbro’, where a capital dinner was found ready at the Red Lion Hotel. After dinner, the fine old castle for which the village of Conisbro’ is far-famed was thoroughly inspected. This was the “Caer Conum,” or “place of strength” of the ancient Britons, and by the Saxons “Conumburg.” Conisbro’ was a fortress, and the scene of some memorable events as early as the Fifth Century, before the Saxons obtained a foothold in Britain. The fine keep, which is the only part in a decent state of preservation, was fully explored to its summit, where a grand view of the surrounding country is obtained.

A number of glees were sung, to the evident pleasure of the other visitors. The choir boys were then matched in foot races in the spacious castle yard by the hon. organist, T. L. Chadwick, Esq., M.A., after which a move was made for a ramble in the neighbourhood. Assembling at the Red Lion, a good knife and fork tea was done ample justice to, great praise being accorded “mine host” Shute for his excellent catering.

Returning in the waggonettes to Doncaster a few pleasant hours were again spent, the party arriving in Dewsbury at 10.10, after a most enjoyable and healthful day spent in the pure country air, and amid scenes of beauty and interest. The complete and satisfactory arrangements were very creditable to the hon. sec., Mr. S. H. Calley, who, as in years past, conducted the excursion with great judgment. A large number of part songs, glees, etc., enlivened the day’s proceedings, Mr. T. Taylor officiating as conductor.