The Bucks Standard, September 26th 1896

HARVEST THANKSGIVING. The annual harvest thanksgiving services were held at Castlethorpe on Friday, the 18th inst., and the following Sunday. The pleasingly situated parish church is well adapted for festival decorations, and presented a very bright and cheerful aspect. Beautiful floral designs were in view in every part of the sacred edifice, and we congratulate the decorators on the success of the undertakings, in which they so readily engaged. The font was wreathed with white dahlias and leaves of the richest autumn tints; a cross formed from white dahlias, ferns and laurel rising from the midst of a bright array of flowers. The whole effect was very pleasing. The font decorations were the work of Mrs. Whiting and Mrs. Jones. A star design made from leaves and yellow dahlias was a conspicuous object of the church door, and received much admiration. Mrs. Jones showed much skill in this design. In the east window a floral cross and crown (combined) received much notice, this device being very gracefully worked by Miss Compton. Vases of white dahlias and chrysanthemums, arranged by Miss Sergeaunt, rested on the ledge at the rear of the altar, and baskets of rich fruits were placed close to the latter. The chancel screen tastefully wreathed with dahlias and asparagus sprays, the beautiful berries of which were very effective. The wreathing of the screen was attended to by Mrs. Pain. The pulpit was ornamented with dahlias, chrysanthemums and Kent hops, and presented a very attractive appearance. The Misses Gregory undertook this part of the decorating work. In every available spot within the church received its tribute of a floral wreath or some other pleasing device. The stove was completely covered with dahlias and other flowers, ornamental grasses and leaves. Several baskets of bright fruits also rested outside the rich array of flowers. We congratulate Mrs. Powell upon her decorations. The window sills on the north side and south sides of the church showed a pleasing arrangement of miniature corn sheaves, dahlias and asparagus sprays, this part of the decoration being well attended to by Miss Tyrell. A huge vegetable marrow weighing 32lbs. and with a circumference of 3 feet 4 inches was an object of much interest. It was grown upon the land of Mr. Whiting, of Castlethorpe. On Friday evening, the sermon was preached by the Rev. E. L. Tuson, M.A., Vicar of Kingsthorpe, Northampton. An earnest address was given from S. Mark iv. 28. We sincerely trust that it will be profitably remembered. The services of thanksgiving, which were continued on Sunday, were bright and hearty. The anthem “Ye shall dwell in the land” was most pleasing and well rendered. The solo was taken by Mr. J. Cowley. We were glad to notice the efficiency of the choir, and congratulate Miss Gregory and Mr. Manning. On Sunday morning the Rev. A. H. Gray preached from Psalm ciii. 2. The evening preacher was the Rev. W.J. Harkness, M.A., vicar of Hanslope and Castlethorpe. The offertories at both services were for the Northampton Infirmary.