Bazaar at Denaby

April 1905

Mexborough and Swinton Times April 29, 1905

Bazaar at Denaby

A two days bazaar in aid of the Church Building Fund, Denaby, upon which there remains a debt of about £200 was opened on Monday afternoon, in the large Hall, by the Rev W.H.F.Bateman, M.A., Vicar of Mexborough and Rural Dean of Wath.

The hall had been tastefully decorated, the decorations being enhanced by the special scenery erected over the stalls finishing over the refreshment stall with a well painted portraiture of Britannia. The stalls, which numbered eight, were well laden with stocks of useful and ornamental articles, the useful predominating.

The following ladies presided:

Plain stall; Mrs Brooks, Mrs Moffat and Mrs Littlewood
Fancy stall; Mrs Rigg and Mrs White
Flower stall; Miss Cawton and Miss Wraithwell
Japanese stall; Mrs Dabbs and Mrs Wilkinson
Toy stall; Miss Lillywhite and Miss Bessie Bolton
Book stall; Mr and Mrs Hutchinson
Miscellaneous stall; Mrs Well and Mrs Wathey
Refreshment stall; Mrs Cocking and Mrs Bellamy and Mrs Dabbs

The cafe, which was tastefully decorated was in charge of Messrs Watson and Kirby. The scenery and decoration are all arranged and directed by Messrs Robinson Bros, while Mr a S Morris carried out the secretarial duties in a highly satisfactory manner.

Other attractions included a children’s concert, dramatic sketches, washing competitions and each evening concluded with dancing.

The Rev J Brooke presided at the opening ceremony, and was supported by the Rev Mr Rigg, Messes Edwards, Hutchinson, E Robinson, GL Robinson, Williamson and others.

Rev J Brooke in introducing the Vicar of Mexborough, said that he was by no means a stranger to them; in fact, he was at one time related to them, Mexborough church being the mother Church of Denaby, though now they were in two different deaneries.

T

he Rev WHF Bateman said as the mother of their church he was very pleased to come over to the assistance of the daughter. He thought, however, it was a case in which the daughter come to the assistance of the parent, seeing that the debt of the Denaby Church was only £200, while the debt hanging over Mexborough Church was something like £800. He had never organised a bazaar in Mexborough, but had helped sales of work – a very near relation. He congratulated them on the fire hall they had, and referred to the want of such a place at Mexborough. They were indeed well off at Denaby; they had a new church, new schools, new vicar and new vicarage.

A hearty vote of thanks was given the reverent gentleman on the proposition Mr Edwards, seconded by Mr Hutchinson.

The children’s concerts under the direction of the organist Mr Taylor. Children, would attend the Sunday schools, one of the greatest attractions, and each of the concerts the hall was well filled by enthusiastic audiences.

The programme was opened with the chorus, “Here a joyous band are we,” followed by a song and chorus, “What a relief it is,” by Master H Milner.

This young gentleman is possessed of a good voice, and short signs of careful training.

“The Echo,” a two-part chorus, was well rendered, the children’s voices blending nicely.

“The pigtail and the fan” was pleasantly rendered.

One of the best features of the concert was the chorus, “Merrily glides our boat,” the children well earning the applause they received.

The program concluded with an action song, by five girls, “The little washerwomen,” he vowed having a bucket and peggy, and going through the process of clothes washing.

A sketch, “N – – – – – s, or Lucy’s lovers,” was given each evening by members of the church under the stage management of Mr E Robinson, the latter gentleman took the part of “Hold Fergus,” a widower, and give a very good representation of the American Negro; he made the most of the part.

“Lucy Fergus” (his daughter) was capably played by Mr G.F.Beale, who was in love with “Pickles” (Mr B Mills), who our did not find favour with the fair ladies parent. “Percy jiggers,” nephew of Fergus, and the old man’s favourite suitor for his daughter’s hand, was well played by Mr B Hadfield.

The washing competition was organised by Messrs Joseph Watson and co-Ltd, Leeds of “matchless cleanser” sought fame, which was used in the competition. The competitors numbered over 40, and the judges add a difficult task set them to select the winners whose names follow:

Monday, first Miss E Anthony; second Miss Kelsall third Mr T Brough
Tuesday, first Mr Corey, second Miss wealthy, third Mr Moffatt
who each received a handsome needle case, presented by the above firm