Mexborough Times, June 19, 1920
Conisboro´ Fete
War Memorial Effort
Glorious weather favoured a fete held in the Conisbrough Castle grounds yesterday (Thursday) in aid of the local War Memorial Fund, and the fair attendance at the opening ceremony was considerably augmented later in the day, so that the fund should benefit to a substantial extent. Admirable arrangements have been made by the committee, which Mr Jesse Hill was the secretary, and there was plenty to interest and amuse.
Mr W.A.Jones presided over the introductory proceedings, and he was supported by the Vicar (reverent W.A.Strawbridge) and Messrs J.Humble (Crookhill Hall), J Brocklesby, JP, F.Ogley, JP, CC and Jesse Hill.
Mr John said he felt sure that the inhabitants of Conisboro´ intended that the war memorial should be one worthy of the ancient village. They would have noticed that “Ivanhoe,” writing in the “Mexborough and Swinton Times,”had suggested that the committee had launched out a little too far and undertaken too big a scheme, but the contractor, after seeing that paragraph in the paper, had called upon him (the speaker), and pointed out that a neighbouring village, for exactly the same kind of memorial, were having to pay £700 instead of the £490 that it was estimated that the Conisbrough scheme would cost.
He thought that they could congratulate themselves on the speculation they have made, and he felt sure that when the work was finished they would have sufficient money with which to meet the bill. At present they had about £230, which had been gathered in small sums, and they had yet to approach the big firms or the “big – monied” people. He had no doubt that the fete would result in increasing their funds to £300.
Mr W.A.Appleyard said that in addition to the scheme outlined by Mr Jones it was intended to make a presentation to all the men who had gained honours in the war, so that the ultimate sum they would need would be the neighbourhood of £600. It was up to thosewho hadplayed no part in the war to do their utmost to make the memorial a credit to the town. They had been 15 months in collecting the £230, and during the last few months they have made very little headway. He hoped, however, that the effort will be completed during the summer.
“Poorest Man in the Parish.”
Mr Humble, in declaring the fete open, made a breezy speech, in the course of which he said he had plenty to do, but he felt it his duty to come there that afternoon to help them in their effort to raise a memorial to those were died in the war. He or they would all make an effort for the fund, not only that afternoon, but always until their object and be realised. “I am not a rich man,” he continued, “I am the poorest man in the parish. I have 20 mouths to feed, and I don´t know whether I shall be able to continue to feed them if your rates keep going up.”
Mr Brocklesby, proposing a vote of thanks, reminded the company that it was only because of the bravery of those who fought in the war that they were able to assemble their that afternoon. The sum they were asked to raise was larger than he had expected, but they were told that it was very reasonable, and he had no doubt that Conisboro´ people, who he had, always found to be large hearted, would give generously and speedily.
The reverent W.A.Strawbridge also associated himself with a vote of thanks, and remarked that the associations of Conisboro´ with Crookhill Hall had been long and pleasant, and he gave Mr Humble a warm welcome into their midst.
Mr Ogley expressed the hope that they would make a real success of the Memorial to the lads who had died that others might live.
Responding, Mr Humble said that, so long as he lived in Conisboro´ he will treat everybody – rich and poor – like, and he hoped they would treat him the same.
“I have faith in God,” he continued, “and I shall please myself what place of worship I go to, and whether I go to a cricket match or not, always remembering that I have faith in God, and that I am as religious as anybody else in the Conisboro´ parish.” (Laughter and applause)