Conisborough Notes – Dancing and the Funeral

February 1896

Mexborough & Swinton Times, February 7, 1896.

Conisborough Notes

Dancing seems quite to have ‘caught on’ in our town. The Cricket Club had a successful ball, and the proceeds were very handsome. A ball was held last Friday which was a success and promoted mainly through the efforts of Mr. George Laughton. On Shrove Tuesday there is to be another dance, and there is the same talk of a fancy dress ball on Easter Monday.

As dancing seems to be most enjoyed amongst our young people, I would like to suggest to some persons that we have a good brass band which is in need of funds, and if the proper persons would take the matter up I am sure that they would receive the support of the inhabitants.
A singular funeral took place on Sunday afternoon in which both man and wife were buried together. The funeral started from Well Gate, and the two coffins were carried by the deceased man’s fellow workmen.

The sight was a sad one, nevertheless, there were many to witness it. By a wish expressed of the glassblowers, the funeral was choral.

The Vicar, accompanied by the Rev. J. Crawford and the choir, met the funeral at the churchyard gates. The Vicar recited the opening sentences of the beautiful service for the Burial of the Dead, and then the choir sang the hymn, ‘Brief life in here our portion.’ The Psalm was most impressively sang, and the reading of the appointed lesson by the Vicar was a sermon in itself. The Rev. J. Crawford took the funeral at the Cemetery.