The Wolverton Express 20 July 1928

SUCCESSFUL FETE

BY HANSLOPE AND CASTLETHORPE

NURSING ASSOCIATION

The Hanslope and Castlethorpe Nursing Association is one of the oldest village organizations of its kind. With each succeeding year its usefulness increases and its work assumes larger proportion. It has become one of the most important organizations in village lie and the residents have every reason for their feelings of real dependency on a friend in time of sickness and trouble. The Hanslope and Castlethorpe Nursing Association has been permitted to perform noble work for the residents of the neighbouring villages it serves, and high appreciation expressed by the inhabitants to the great work carried out by the nurse in cases of sickness and ill-health are a glowing testimony to the worth of the Association. It has now been in existence for over 14 years and has been very active during those years.

Although receiving grants from the County Council, the main portion of the funds have to be sought locally. Unfortunately the receipts have not been sufficiently large so as to make it unnecessary for special efforts of money raising to be adopted to bring the income more in keeping with the expenditure and to relieve the voluntary officials, who manage the Association, of financial anxiety. It has been found necessary to supplement the subscriptions of members by the holding of a garden fete each year.

The Association provides a nurse fully qualified in maternity work, and in a country district such as Hanslope and Castlethorpe area the existence of such an Association with its nurse is a real necessity. Realizing its value, it is not surprising to find the many ready and willing workers at these fete efforts, nor the generous support which is usually forthcoming from the general public. Although times are somewhat hard in the locality, the residents have been found generous to such a degree as their position will allow. The fete on Saturday last was staged for the first time in the gardens at the residence at Hanslope of Dr. and Mrs. R. A. Cooper, who showed generous hospitality.

For the opening ceremony, the Rev. E. J. Fenn presided, supported by Mrs. Cooper, Mrs. J. E. Whiting (vice-president of the Association), Mr. J. E. Whiting, Mrs. W. Hidderley (hon. secretary), Mrs. R. Mayes, Mrs. F. Tompkins, Mrs. Johnson, Mrs. Branson, and Mrs. Willingham. Mrs. Cooper, in declaring the fete opened, pointed out that the Association needed all the support that was possible as funds were rather low.

Following the opening, a fancy dress parade was well entered by children, about 40 of whom were attired in fancy costumes, some showing considerable skill and initiative. The work of judging was well carried out by Mrs. R. A. Cooper, Miss Sawbridge, and the Rev. Fenn, who were presented with a difficult task. Their awards were as follows, gave general satisfaction : - Boy and girl: 1. Edie Bull and Albert Ball (bride and groom), Girls: 2. Eva Salmonds (crackers), 3. Gwennie Rainbow (flower girl), 4. Joan Brooks (Twink), 5. Cissie Nichols (Janapese girl), 6. Elsie Homer (rainbow), Boys: 1. Arthur Green (Grecian boy), 2. Charlie Webb (Arab Chief), 3. Charlie Ball (Elf), 4. Aubrey Atkins (The Pirate).

Other characters represented were: Boy Blue, Windmill man, Pierrot, St. George, Chinaman, Early Victorian, Dick Whittington, Billiards, Robin Hood, Spring clean, Little Miss Muffett, Dutch girl, Nippy, Cupid, Mimosa, Order of the Bath, Pierrette, Jack and Jill, Tangerine, Moon Daisy, Fairy Dyes, Knight of the Bath, Box of paints, Gipsy dancer, Bottle of medicine, Nurse, Cowboy, Milkman, Union Jack, Irish Colleen, Baker, Pixie, Turk, Felix, and Painter.

An excellent display of folk dancing was given on the lawn by school children, under the charge of Miss Neale (Schoolmistress), Mrs. Harrison, and Miss Westley, Wolverton. Music was provided by gramophone records.

A delightful display of classical dancing followed under the direction of Miss. G. Sawbridge. The programme comprised; “The Fairies Fun” (Jean and Ann Duncan, Ann and Patricia Whiting, Elsie Prisley, Avery Cooper, Joan Tompkins, and Freda Hudson); “Tambourine” (Bebe Sawbridge); “The Life of a Butterfly” (Freda Hudson); “The French Milliner” (Ann Whiting); “Tired of Daisies” (Avery Cooper); “Cherry Ripe” (Joan Tompkins); “The Elf and Fairy” (Ann and Pat Whiting); “Cymbal Dance” (Stella Whiting); “Dejected Pero” (Myra Hudson, Stella Tompkins, Bebe Sawbridge, Joan Willison); “Pipers of Pan” (Jean Duncan, piper; Ann Duncan, Ann Whiting, Pat Whiting, Elsie Prisley, Avery Cooper, Joan Tompkins, Stella Tompkins, and Freda Hudson fairies). Mr. H. Ward’s orchestra provided the dance music. The dancing was repeated in the evening. An open air whist drive was also held.

There were various stall and amusements staged in the paddock adjoining the gardens and these provided interest for the visitors. Superintending were the following able workers: Mrs. P. Tompkins and Mrs. Vaughan (pound and produce stall), Mrs. L. Branson and Miss Branson (ices) Mrs. W. Willingham and Mrs. L. Rainbow (jumble stall), Mrs. Hidderley and Mrs. H. Beesley (sweets), Mrs. J. E. Whiting and Mrs. B. S. Whiting (fancy stall), Miss. J. Sawbridge, Miss Webb and Mrs. E. C. Whitfield (treasure hunt for farthings), Miss S. Tompkins and Miss K. Johnson (bran tub), Mrs. H. M. Hurst, of Deanshanger, assisted by Misses C. Robinson and E. Cook (fortunes), Mr. H. Willingham (skittles), Mr. Willingham sen., and Mr. F. Westley (coconuts), Mr. W. J. Willingham and Mr. W. Kingston (large skittles for a prize of ten shillings). Teas were provided in the garden by Mrs. W. L. Johnson, assisted by Mesdames, R. Mayes, Wilkes, Homer, Walton, Kingston, Woodward, and Nurse Thompson. Mr. G. Tebbey and Mr. A. Smith superintended the field gate. Mrs. Hidderley carried out the responsible duties of hon. secretary.

Donations to the funds were generously given by Lady Hillingdon, Mrs. Watts (Hanslope Park), and most of the local farmers.

The Committee was grateful to Dr. and Mrs. Cooper for the use of their gardens and also to the many willing helpers, for their assistance.