Mexborough & Swinton Times 3rd April 1885
Interesting presentation at Conisbrough
The numerous friends of Mr T Shutt, of Red Lion Inn, Conisbrough being desirous of paying him some mark of respect, attended at his home on Friday evening and presented him with a handsome silver tea and coffee service. Among those present were Messr G.T. Nicholson, E.M. Nicholson, E. Greaves (Wath), J.G. Need ham, Henry Wilson, J. Morley, J. Downing G. Hill Henry Marshland, W Bird, W Cusworth, A. Cusworth, A. Wilson, E.T. Smith (Mexborough). S. Taylor, William Hague (Mexborough) and J.M. Hague.
Mr Morley was voted to the chair and Mr H Wilson the vice-chair. After the toast of “the Queen and the Royal family” had been drunk, the chairman called upon Mr G.T. Nicholson to make the presentation. In doing so Mr Nicholson said that he was exceedingly pleased to have such a duty to perform. No one was more respected in Conisbrough than Mr Shutt and on the occasion of the attainment of its 61st birthday it was decided by his friends to present him with an acknowledgement of the kind regard in which he was held, and he (the speaker) thought the presentation well timed. He was quite aware that Mr Shutt was not an ostentatious man, but on the contrary he was a man of few words and adverse to flattery. He was a good citizen, a good friend, a good neighbour, and at all times held out the hand of good fellowship to all with whom he came in contact. After paying a high compliment to Mrs Shutt, whom he said was equally respected by all Mr Shutt friends he then made the presentation hoping that the recipient would long be spared to use the service, which, he could assure him, was contributed to with the truest motives.
The service, the cost of which amounted to £10 was supplied by Mr E.L. Thompson and Co., manufacturing silversmiths at St Mary’s works, Mary Street, Sheffield. The service is of Indian pattern, and it is stated that it is the only one of that description in this country. The following inscription is engraved in neat characters on the service: “This service was presented to Mr and Mrs Shutt by a few friends as a token of high esteem and for commemoration of the 61st birthday of Mr Shutt of Conisbrough.
Mr Shutt feelingly acknowledged the gift, for which he heartily thanked his friends and also for their kind expressions of respect and goodwill. He also conveyed to them the thanks of Mrs Shutt who, he said, was unable to fully express her feelings under such circumstances. The formal business of the evening being completed, the company proceeded to enjoy themselves, the following toasts being drunk with enthusiast: “the Army and Navy” proposed by Mr Cusworth and responded to by Mr Needham; “The town and trade of Conisbrough by Mr Bird to which Mr Hill responded. Mr Wilson in proposing a vote of thanks to the chairman and Mr Nicholson for their services, took occasion to refer to the firm of Messrs Nicholson Bros, which he said was a credit to the town of being always to the front in any good movement. To the poor, he said, they were exceedingly kind, and at all times gave help to objects worthy of support. Mr Nicholson in responding said he was only too pleased to have been of any service, but in his opinion the thanks would you were due from M for the honour they had conferred upon him.
Songs, duets etc were contributed by Messrs Morley, Downing and Phil. Before the proceedings terminated Mr Shutt intimated that a further sum of money, amounted to £2.10.0 (£2.50) had been placed in his hand which he should have pleasure in handing over to Mr Nicholson for the funds of the Doncaster infirmary.