- Details
- Transcribed by unknown author unknown author
- Edition: Sat 28th Dec 1895 Sat 28th Dec 1895
The twenty fourth annual gathering of the old folk. of Keswick and neighbourhood was held In the oddfellows hall on Thursday, and with unabated success. A most excellent dinner was provided for the party by Mr. J. W. Gill, and everyone was delighted as much with the viands(sic) as with the assiduous attention which was bestowed upon the venerable guests .
The carvers were Major Crosthwaite (who has been chairman since the inauguration of the movement), Dr. Douglas (vice-chairman), Canon Rawnsley, Mssrs; T W.Gatey, W. Wilson (Keswick Hotel) C. Christopherson, Joe Hall, T Brown, J Gillespie J. Kerly, G Brooker , I. Lowthian, R. Musgrave, T. Bowness, W. Mayson, and H Tickell.
So far as could be ascertained the waiters were as follows'
Mssrs. J.S . Aitchison, J. Aitchison, W. Atkinson, H. Swlnburn (High Hill), .T. Telford, J. B. Wivell, 'W. W. Hinde, Robert Mayson, W. H. Briggs, Jos. Mayson, D. Melvin, J. Shaw, T. ·Walker ,J. H. Brodie, T. Strong· J. Peasgood, H. Scott, J. Bawden, T. Tickell, J. T. Birkett, W.Kneale, J. H. Wilson, H. T. Pape, - Parker, J. Swlnburn, E. Cockbain, A. Hilton, T. Gash, J. Bonefield.
Mssrs. Fisher, Banks and T. B. Fleming had charge of the beer.
The ladies' who subsequently presided at the tea table. were :-Mrs. Crosthwaite, Mrs. Stedman, Mrs. Gillespie, Mrs. Bownass. Mrs. Tickell, Mrs. Brown, Mrs. Gibson, and Miss Postlethwaite.
While the dinner was being served the Volunteer Band played a selection of music.
The following is a list of the old folk. who have passed away during the year :~'
John Coward 68 Robert Little 62
Hannah Lancaster 89 Margaret Richardson 81
Mary Ann Swindle 73 Sarah Bowe 85
John Wilson 83 Sarah Scott 63
Ann Higgins 76 Mary Campbell 6
Margaret Greenip 84 Christopher Alcock 75
Sarah Kirkby 76 Charlotte Burns 64
Martha Temple 68 Christopher Smith .67
Joseph blackburn 84 Jane Lancaster 60
John Rigg 95 George Telford 76
Thomas Usher 60 Mary Temple 76
Caleb Bowe 84 George Dixon 66
Mark Sanderson 67 John Norman 62
Reuben Dobson 70 Mary Taylor 69
Jonas P. blakey 70 Catherine Brandon 68
Sarah Graves 72 John Latimer 77
Elizabeth Little 62
George Nixon 67
Death's 34; average age, 72 years 2 months.
The deaths are seven more in number than those recorded at the last meeting, and the average age is 11 months less. Although one cannot read the names without feeling that another milestone has been passed on life's journey, and that the goal is so much the nearer, yet sadness is not permitted to 'linger. The old folks rejoice that they are thought of, and will he thought of when their names' come to be written amongst the absent ones. The spirit in which the gathering is made is the greatest of its charms, for at the table the guests are known only as friends and neighbours who have attained the age of 60 years and upwards.
Age is made a social leveller , and for a few hours at any rate , we learn somthing of the brotherhood of man