arrow Penrith Herald arrow Jan 3 1874 arrow Jan 3 1874 Christmas & New Year's Festivals
Jan 3 1874 Christmas & New Year's Festivals Print E-mail
CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR'S FESTIVALS.

RAVENSTONEDALE. - On Monday evening last, the annual Christmas tea party was
held in the Independent Chapel, Ravenstonedale.  There was a large
attendance.  At the public meeting, the pastor of the church, the Rev. W.
NICHOLLS, took the chair, who, after making a few introductory remarks
called upon the REV. J. CHARTER, of Brough, who delivered a most interesting
address on the Island of Ceylon.  The REV. P. REID, of Kirkby Stephen,
followed with an address on the lessons suggested by the passing seasons.
The Choir sung, at intervals, appropriate pieces.  After various votes of
thanks had been passed by acclamation, the meeting was brought to a close by
the singing of the doxology, and by the chairman pronouncing the
benediction.

WARCOP. - The anniversary of the Methodist Free Church was celebrated in the
Temperance Hall, on Christmas Day, on which occasion the Sunday school
children received their annual treat of tea and spice loaf.  After which
there was a public tea party and supper, when a large and respectable
company partook of the good things provided, served up in a first-rate style
by the ladies, viz., Mrs. FAWCETT,  the Misses SLINGER,  Miss BRAITHWAITE,
Miss BLAND,   Miss DOBINSON,  Miss ALLEN,  and  Miss FAWCETT.  In the
evening, a public meeting was held, presided over by Mr. J. CROSBY, Breeks,
Hall;  and subsequently addresses on "Christian Union," by the REV. J.
CHARTER, of Brough, and Mr. JOHN SLINGER, Warcop.  Several select pieces of
music and anthems were efficiently rendered by the choir, and Mr. BLAND
presided at the harmonium.  The proceedings were of an interesting
character, and considered the best that the society has had.

KIRKBYTHORE. -  The annual Christmas festival of the Bethel Sunday School,
took place in the Bethel Chapel, on Christmas Day.  In the afternoon, the
children recited various pieces and dialogues, and with the assistance of
the choir, performed a choice selection of Sunday school hymns.  Tea was
provided at half-past three o'clock, when a goodly number partook of the
refreshing beverage, the children, upwards of eighty in number, being
regaled free.  A temperance meeting was held in the evening, presided over
by Mr. WM. HORN.  Several temperance pieces and dialogues were recited by
members of the Band of Hope, and the choir performed a selection of
temperance songs.  After which Mr. CHARLES THOMPSON, Manchester, delivered a
telling address in favour of the Permissive Bill, and the United Kingdom
Alliance.  He was followed by short addresses from Mr. JOHN CROSBY, of Powis
House, and Mr. JOS. LAVERICK, of Kirkbythore.  A collection having been
made, and votes of thanks accorded to the chairman and Mr. THOMPSON, the
meeting terminated.

GAMBLESBY. - The members and friends of the Wesleyan society of this place
held their annual tea meeting on Christmas Day.  In the afternoon, a little
before two o'clock, the Sunday scholars mustered on the village green, and
preceded by banners, &c., marched through the village, singing several
well-known Sunday school hymns.  Service was held at two o'clock, in the
chapel, where was gathered a good congregation.  Mr. THOMAS BELL, of
Newcastle-on-Tyne, delivered an earnest and able discourse founded on Acts
xviii, 25.  At four o'clock tea was served in the school-room, where well
nigh 200 persons did ample justice to the good cheer prepared.  The room was
tastefully adorned with evergreens and appropriate Christmas texts.  The
following ladies presided at the tables: - Mrs. GILL,  Miss FALDER,  Miss
SOWERBY,  Miss BIRD,  Miss HARDY,  Miss ARMSTRONG,  Miss ALLISON,  Miss
BARDGETT,  Miss HAYES,   and  Miss MOORE.  In the evening, a public meeting
was held in the chapel, which was crowded.  Mr. JOHN PARKER, of Carlisle,
occupied the chair.  Addresses were delivered by the REV. THOS. RAE, of
Kirkoswald and Mr. THOMAS BELL, of Newcastle.  The choir, under the guidance
of Mr. JOSEPH PARKER, added greatly to the interest of the meeing by a
selection of pieces, which were well sung.

MILBURN WESLEYAN SABBATH SCHOOL. - On Christmas Day the anniversary of the
above school was celebrated under most favourable circumstances.  The
weather was exceedingly fine and brought an unusually large number of people
on the ground.  At two o'clock in the afternoon the ceremonies commenced,
when Mr. W. ROBINSON, of Longmarton,  subjected the scholars to a testing
oral examination on the history of Joseph, and the prompt and accurate
answers given by the children showed the efficiency of the teaching given in
the school.
    The children were then treated with their usual Christmas cheer, and, if
their sparkling eyes were any index to their feelings, they heartily enjoyed
the bountiful provisions.  As soon as the youngsters were satisfied, a
goodly number of friends, partook of the enlivening cup, served in the usual
superior style of the Milburn ladies.
    At half-past 6 o'clock a public meeting was commenced, when Mr. ROBINSON
was called to the chair, and after singing and prayer, delivered a very
appropriate opening address, and called upon Mr. J. M. THOMPSON of Penrith;
Mr. J. ATKINSON, of Ousby;  and  Mr. MITCHELL, of Howgill Castle, all of
whom spoke with great liberty, cheerfulness, and impressiveness.  The
scholars, assisted by a few of the chapel choir, sung several choice hymns
in precise musical style.
    We were glad to see special prominence given to the children in this
department, and to observe the thrilling effect produced by their beautiful
singing.  Mr. R. S. BEETHAM, of Stavely, accompanied at the harmoninum with
much tact and expression.  The usual votes of thanks being passed, a
collection was taken in aid of school funds, the crowded assembly dispersed,
and thus ended one of the most successful school anniversaries ever held at
Milburn.

KIRKBY STEPHEN. -  The anniversary services in connection with the
Congregational Sabbath School in this town, were held on Thursday and
Friday, the 25th and 26th December last.  On Christmas Day, a public tea was
held in the schoolroom, which was elaborately decorated for the occasion,
and a large number partook of the good things provided.
    The following ladies presided at the trays: -  Mrs. REID,   Mrs. BEWLEY,
Miss SLEDDALL,   Mrs. ARMSTRONG,  Miss BROWN,   Miss BELL, and  Miss
BRUNSKILL.  A public meeting was held in the chapel in the evening, the
chair was occupied by the REV. P. REID, the pastor of the congregation, who
delivered an able address on the necessity and importance of "Sabbath
Schools" as a nursery to the church.  Miss BELL, who has for some time back
ably presided at the organ, was in the course of the evening, presented with
a handsome edition of "Kitto's Pictorial Bible" in four volumes, as a token
of the esteem and regard in which she was held by the members of the church
and subscribers.
    A number of Sabbath school scholars were also publicly presented with
valuable books, as prizes for repeating portions of Scripture.  Several
anthems and Christmas pieces were sung by the choir during the service, and
great praise is due to Miss BELL, the organist, and to Mr. JAMES BELL, who
led the choir.
    The attendance was good on both occasions, and the collection taken up
at the public meeting was a liberal one.  Votes of thanks were passed to the
ladies who presided at the trays, to the gentlemen who decorated the school
room for the occasion, and the choir.
    On Friday, the 26th, the children received their annual treat, after
which valuable prizes were awarded to each scholar in attendance, from a
large Christmas tree, which was laden with articles suitable for boys and
girls;  and special prizes were afterwards distributed from a second
Christmas tree - designated "The Fun Tree" - which caused much merriment
amongst the youngsters.  As the scholars were dismissed they each received
an orange, and all repaired home in great glee.

SOULBY CHURCH CHOIR.

On Friday evening, the 26th ult., the members composing this choir were
entertained by their respected Incumbent, the REV. J. BOWSTEAD, M.A., and
Mrs. BOWSTEAD, at their residence, Crosby Garrett, to a hot supper,
consisting of such viands as usually grace the festive board at this happy
season.  When the good things provided had been partaken of, the remainder
of the evening was spent in a most agreeable manner by the choir singing a
few of their choice hymns, accompanied on the harmonium by Miss BOWSTEAD.
As the party separated, they expressed themselves highly gratified by the
genuine and unostentatious kindness of their worthy host and hostess.  The
REV. GEORGE RIDLEY, rector of Crosby Garrett, and Mrs. RIDLEY, were also
present, and kindly assisted in the proceedings of the evening.

CHRISTMAS ENTERTAINMENT AT ORTON. - The REV. J. S. SISSON, vicar of the
parish, gave his annual treat to the singers, Sunday School teachers, and
other friends, on Christmas eve, after the conclusion of the services in the
Parish Church, where an appropriate sermon was preached from the words, "And
shall call his name Immanuel."  The company, shortly after 5 o'clock,
assembled at the vicarage and partook of an excellent tea.  The tables were
laden with a profusion of tempting edibles of the most "recharche"
description, on some of which was the work "Christmas" ingeniously made of
pastry.  The room in which the tea was served had been neatly decorated.
Above the mantel-piece was the motto, "Wishing a hapy Christmas to all."  As
there was a good muster of vocalists a great many hymns and anthems were
vigorously sung,  Mr. HUGHES  and  Miss MOFFAT alternately presiding at the
organ.  After supper the vicar appropriately addressed the company, and a
vote of thanks having, on the motion of DR. MUTCH, been accorded to the rev.
gentleman, the company separated highly gratified.

NEW WESLEYAN CHAPEL, WARCOP. -  On New Year's Day, Mr. G. FAIRER, of Fern
Mount, Arthur Street, Penrith, presented the trustees of the above new
chapel with a handsome silver communion service, for the use of the
congregation worshipping there.  The trustees unanimously thanked Mr. FAIRER
for so valuable a gift, and spoke in high terms of the sincere and
warm-hearted friendship he had expressed towards them, and of the great
interest he had shown for the welfare of Wesleyan Methodism in Warcop.  Mr.
FAIRER, in responding, said that having been born in Warcop, and spent his
earliest years there, he always felt deeply interested in the welfare of the
place.  As a Wesleyan Methodist, he was glad to see such a neat and
beautiful new Wesleyan Chapel erected in his native village.  He was sure
that it was an ornament to the place;  and he hoped that it would prove a
boon, and a blessing to its inhabitants.  We may state that Mr. FAIRER laid
one of the foundation stones of the new chapel in July, 1872, when the
trustees presented him with a silver trowel, in memory of the events.

DUFTON. - A concert came off on New Year's eve, under the management of Mr.
DEIGHTON, for the benefit of the village school.  The place was well filled
with a respectable audience, who seemed to highly appreciate the
proceedings.  The following programme was gone through:

Quick Step - Let the hills resound - Band;
Glee - Smiles of Youth - Glee class;
Song - Kiss me Mother - Mr. ATKINSON;
Round - Now we've met - Glee class;
Anthem - Glory to the new-born King - Band;
Song - Put me in my little bed - Misses DALTON
 and HARRISON;
Glee - Lordly gallants - Glee class;
Song - Speak kindly to thy brother - Misses CHAMBERS
and SHAW;
Selection from Donnizetti - Band;

Part 2
Glee - Friars of Orders Gray - Glee class;
Song - Belle Mahone - Mr. ATKINSON;
Ode - Vital Spark - Band;
Glee - Canadian Boat Song - Glee class;
Song - Washing Day - Mr. DEIGHTON;
Glee - Bright are the Glories - Glee class;
Selection - Fill the Shining Goblet - Band;
Glee - Parting year - Glee class;
Part Song - Home sweet home - Misses MALLINSON
& CURRAH;
Finale - God Save the Queen - Band and Company.

After the above programme was completed, a number of magnesium lights were
shown.  The school room during the evening was beautifully lighted with
Chinese lanterns, chandeliers, &c.  The whole passed off very successfully,
and the school funds were considerably augmented from the proceeds.  The New
Year was heralded in by the Brass Band playing some of their best pieces.

TEMPERANCE FESTIVAL AT LOW DYKE. - The annual temperance festival was held
at Low Dyke, in a barn kindly lent by Mr. HOWSON for the event, on Saturday
last, and in a district so thinly populated, with only a dwelling here and
there in sight, it was surprising to see how the people kept pouring in.
The large barn was cleared and decorated for the occasion, and tea was
served in excellent style by Misses HEWITSON,  M. HOLLIDAY,  E. SCOTT,
WAITLING,  and  BEATY.  A Public meeting took place in the evening and the
barn was crowded to excess, the REV. T. PHILLIPS, vicar of Ivegill,
president.  The choir after having sung an opening ode, and prayer having
been offered up, the Chairman and the REV. J. JEPSON addressed the meeting,
and after a temperance song by Mr. WALTON,  Mr. GEO. CHARLTON, Mayor of
Gateshead, addressed the meeting at some length.  After alluding to the
snares which the publicans set to catch the poor drunkards, he said "one of
the hardest things I have to do is to sit upon the bench and punish these
poor fellows who are, to a great extent, the victims of circumstances."  He
further said he would not like to be engaged in a trade against which all
the Christian men and women of the land were praying and pleading.
    A drama entitled "Council of War" was then given by seven young men and
elicited rounds of laughter and applause.  During the evening the choir sang
several pieces.  Votes of thanks were given to Mr. CHARLTON,  the Chairman,
the REV. J. JOPSON,  the ladies who made tea, and the decorators.  Mr.
CHARLTON proposed a vote of thanks to the household at Low Dyke, and said.
"The house has been like an open hotel all the afternoon;  yet the ladies of
the establishment have gone about their work without a frown or a grumble,
and have cheerfully laboured on in the midst of the confusion with incessant
toil.  So hearty and so agreeable an instance of disinterested kindness and
good-will has perhaps been unequalled in all my travels."
    The vote was carried with repeated rounds of applause.  The collection
amounted to £1  12s.  6d.  One hundred and eighty persons took tea, and
eight signed the pledge.
 
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