Festivities at the Poor Law Institution
Through the untiring efforts of the Master and Matron (Mr and Mrs F.W. Butler), who neglect nothing that will prevent the inmates from spending a merry Christmas, and to the generosity of many kindly donors, all the inmates spent a happy time in the Institution one of the happiest in the real sense of the adjective.
On the 16th inst. Miss E.N. Davies sent sponge sandwiches for tea.
On the 18th inst. Miss Lushington provided cake for tea and distributed sweets and tobacco, for which, one leaving, she was loudly cheered.
On the same day Miss Baker took her pupils to the sick wards, where they sang carols, and these were greatly appreciated by the sick inmates.
On the 21st inst. the Rev. and Miss Shepherd, of Great Hormead, visited the wards, and left parcels for the inmates from that parish.
The wards and dining hall had been tastefully decorated by the staff with evergreens and paper chains, which gave a festive appearance. Breakfast on Christmas Day consisted of ham, and each inmate received a new shilling as a gift from Mr Claud Fraser, a member of the Board of Guardians. Parcels and other gifts were handed round, the kindly donors of which are below mentioned.
For dinner there was a liberal supply of roast beef, roast pork, chicken, parsnips and potatoes, plum pudding, ale and minerals, and after Grace had been said by Rev. A. Howard, Hon. Chaplain to the Institution, the inmates did full justice to these viands, and ate and drank to their hearts' content. The Master was assisted with the carving by Mr B. Thody (Relieving Officer), Mr H.H. Macklin, Mr W. Bonness and Mr F.J. Butler. Mr H.C. Marshall, another Guardian, provided nuts and fruit for dessert.
During the meal the Misses Olive and Marion Macklin rendered pianoforte selections, and visitors to the wards included Mrs A. Dixon, Dr., Mrs and Miss Fell and Master S. Howard. Capt. and Mrs H.H. Williams provided iced and fruit cake for tea, and also distributed sweets. Cheers by the inmates followed, and in replying Mrs Williams wished all a happy time. She also referred to the King's health, and afterwards all sang the National Anthem.
In the evening an entertainment was held, the inmates being chief performers. The Matron and Master R. Butler were at the piano.
It is impossible to single out any performer, as all showed fine talent for the music hall. Sweets, nuts, cake and tobacco were again handed round, also coffee and ale, and all went well until 10 p.m., when the merry day was brought to a close.
The Master called for cheers for the Guardians and other kind donors of gifts, and cheers were also given, with musical honours, for the Master, Matron and staff. The National Anthem followed.
The following are gifts, together with the kindly donors, besides those already mentioned:
Mr F.B. Cannon (Vice-Chairman of the Guardians), 10s;
Hertford Board of Guardians - per Dimsdale Fund - 3/- each Hertford inmate;
Mrs and Mr E.C. Clarke (Clerk to the Guardians), sweets and tobacco;
Miss Lushington, Christmas cards;
Mrs A. Dixon, parcels for women, tobacco for men;
Mrs Goode, parcels for Cottered women;
Mrs Fell, sweets for sick women;
Mrs F.R. Williams (Standon), biscuits for sick women;
Miss E.N. Davies, sweets for inmates and casuals;
Messrs. Moss & Sons - per Mr Daniels - bon-bons;
Mr and Mrs A.G. Day, bon-bons;
Mrs Joobins (Reigate), Xmas greetings;
Mrs H. Clarke (Newtown), books;
Mrs Wheeler (Ware), books;
Captain Salvation Army, books;
National Institute for Blind - per Mrs Scarborough Taylor - parcel of groceries, sweets, &c.