Garden Party

Deep appreciation of the efforts of Denaby, Conisborough and Mexborough Catholics for St Alban’s church, was expressed by father J. Holohan, parish priest, presiding at the annual St Alban’s Church garden party in the presbytery and convent grounds on Monday.

Father Holohan said it had been his custom at their garden parties to say something about the capital debt on the parish. That day he could state that in the past 12 months, in addition to meeting the ordinary expenses of the parish and the common interest, they had paid £500 of the capital debt.

“In the last five years,” father Holohan said, “since I came here, there has been paid off the capital debt of the sum of £2500. That has been done during a time of unparalleled depression in South Yorkshire, and I would like to express my appreciation of the generosity and the magnificent help of all the workers of the parish in helping to achieve this work.”

A priest could not work without his people, but if he had his people with him there was nothing that he could not do. The future with regard to their schools was more difficult because last week and that of Parliament was passed by which, from September 1, 1939, every child would be compelled to attend school until the age of 15. That meant so far as their own schools were concerned, that very large additions would be required. That would require a great deal of money, but he was sure that in the future he could rely on the parish on meeting the demands. “Our schools are providing Catholic education for 500 children in this parish,” remarked Father Holohan. “They are doing a very good work for god and the parish in this, and I am sure that whatever developments are required in the next three years that you will be with the priest of the parish in the work which has to be done.”

In explaining the object of the garden party, Father Holohan said that that year had a special expenditure in connection with repairs and renovations to the schools, which the bill to the parish would be at least £120, and the garden party was the first effort to raise that money. He would like to appeal to people to support the effort; he knew that times were bad but for many times were better than they were 12 months ago.

The party was opened by Dr J. M. O’Donnell (Wandsworth), who said it gave him great pleasure to be present. Father Holohan had told them that there was a very big debt on the schools, and it was therefore their duty to spend freely.

A vote of thanks to Dr O’Donnell was proposed by father C. Lehane (curate) and seconded by Mr G. Bradley (headmaster of St Albans School). In a baby competition prizes were won by the babies of Mrs Hanley, Mrs Fallon and Mrs Clark. Miss M. Quinn won a best figure competition, Mr M. O’Neill the Lobby Ludd (Mr P. Redington) prize, and another competition winners included Miss Harrop, Miss E. Rogers and Mr Harris hey. The C. Y. M. S. Band played in the grounds, and refreshments were served in the convent grounds. The Mexborough concertina band played in the club, and the C. Y. M. S. Concert party gave a clever entertainment. The proceedings concluded with a dance. In the early evening Dr O’Donnell was judged for a flitch trial, in which the contestants were Mr and Mrs J. Hanley and Mr and Mrs B. Kelly. Messrs. J. Bradley and R. Dunn were counsel.