Sarah
Hawkins Genealogy Site
Newspaper
Articles
The Langport and Somerton Herald 21 Jun 1930
SHEPTON BEAUCHAMP FRIENDLY SOCIETY.
The annual festival of the Shepton Beauchamp Friendly Societies was held on Thursday of last week, and the whole village was on fete for the occasion. The church bells rang merrily from six o'clock in the morning. At 10 o'clock Club members met in the centre of the village and marched through the parish, headed by the Barrington Brass Band. The procession was entertained at the houses visited by Messrs. T. COPP, F. ROWSWELL, A. VAUX, W. VOISEY, J. H. ENGLAND, J. H. ROWSWELL, C. VAUX, and Captain V. LEAN.
The service in church at mid-day was conducted by the Rev. Prebendary LETHBRIDGE (rector of the parish), who delivered an appropriate address based on the text, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." After the service a halt was made at the War Memorial, where the hymn, "O God, our help in ages past," was sung, and the "Last Post" was sounded by Mr. T. CORNELIUS.
THE DINNER.
Prebendary LETHBRIDGE presided at the dinner in a tent in the Rectory Field. A large number sat down, those present including Captains V. LEAN and C. P. L. FIRTH, Captain RUXTON, R.N., Messrs. J. H. ENGLAND, W. VOISEY, A. VAUX, N. GRAY, J. MALE, W. HAZELWOOD, and J. EDWARDS.- Apologies for absence were received among others, from Major DAVIES, M.P. and Mr. HAMILTON FYFE.
After dinner the Rector proposed the loyal toast, which was accorded musical honours.
Proposing "The Bishops and Clergy of all Denominations," Captain LEAN said how delighted they all were to have the Rector back looking so well after his operation. He hoped to see Prebendary LETHBRIDGE in the chair for many years to come.
In response, Prebendary LETHBRIDGE said he was very thankful to be at their Club feast, and could not say too much in appreciation of the kindness of the staff at the Yeovil Nursing Home and everybody at Shepton. It was his 59th Club feast. He asks asked them to remember Canon COLES, who had died since their last festival, and whose body was laid to rest on that very day last year. The whole parish owed much to him.
"The Employers of Labour" was proposed by the Rectory, who referred to the bad prospects of farming in most counties. He was glad that the gloving industry seemed to continue to prosper. He also paid a tribute to the late Mrs. W. HAWKINS, who had died only the day before. As one of the gloving mistresses in the village, she had done much to bring work into the village. He wished to express the sympathy of them all with her relatives.
Responding on behalf of the employers, Mr. J. H. ENGLAND spoke in happy vein of the friendly relations that existed between masters and men in the village. Shepton men, he said, were as good a lot of workers as anyone would wish to have.
"The Visitors" was proposed by the Rector, and responded to by Captain C. P. L. FIRTH.
Mr. COTTRELL (Exeter secretary of the N.D.F.S.) responded to the final toast "Prosperity to all Friendly Societies," and quoted interesting figures to prove the great advance made by this Society in the West. He was glad that was a united Friendly Society gathering, for only by working together could the Societies hope to continue their existence.
A vote of thanks to the Chairman for presiding and for the loan of his field was proposed by Mr. G. Gifford ENGLAND and heartily carried. The dinner was served by Messrs. J. W. ROWSWELL & Sons, Shepton Beauchamp.
Tea for the children was served by Mrs. C. E. HAWKINS, and during the evening there was dancing. the music being provided by the Barrington Brass Band. There was also a skittling competition for various prizes.
The Committee responsible for the arrangements included Mr. J. G. Gifford ENGLAND (chairman), Messrs. H. BRIDGE, C. CORNELIUS, F. CORNELIUS, T. CORNELIUS , H. CORNELIUS, E. ENGLAND, J. GUMMER, F. POND, G. W. ROWSWELL, J. WELCH and J. MALE (secretary).