4th February 1927 - Benson Hall

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Benson Hall

Ninety-four sat down to whist at the Benson Hall last Wednesday, and over a hundred took part in the dancing.

Ten prizes were advertised for the drive, and eleven were awarded - the extra one being a dozen eggs for the "Lucky Chair," which was occupied by Mr H. Clark.

The other prizes were won by the following:

Top score (large iced cake), Mr T.H. Holden.

Ladies' prizes: 1st (set of tea knives), Mrs Case; 2nd (cushion cover) Miss Margery Cornwell; 3rd (silk tea cosy) Miss Mabel Cornwell; lowest score (chocolate babies) Mrs Leslie.

Men's prizes: 1st (hair brushes in case) Mr E. Ward; 2nd (woolly scarf) Mr E. Bruce; 3rd (fifty cigarettes) Mr J. Moule; lowest score (chocolate wireless set) Mr J. Wornham.

Lucky ticket (5/-) Mr H. Hatchett.

The prizes were presented by Mrs Gabbitas, Mrs Leslie, Miss Marriage, Miss Morgan, Mrs Philpott, and others.

Refreshments were given by Mrs Bennett, Mrs Blakiston, Mrs Coates, Mrs Gabbitas, Mrs Game, Mrs Leslie, Miss Lushington, Miss Morgan, Mrs Plumb, and Miss D. Spencer, most of whom worked indefatigately in serving the same.

The M.C.'s were Mr Clarke for the whist and Mr Blakiston for the dancing. It was largely due to the tactful methods of the former that the drive was finished in time for two hours' dancing.

Miss Blakiston was in the pay box; and Messrs. Blakiston, jun., Castle and Rowley acted as Stewards. The Hall was prepared and clearned by Messrs. Blakiston, jun., and Castle.

Music for the dancing was supplied by the "Standon Orchestra," and a highly successful and enjoyable evening terminated at midnight.

It is hoped that Miss Lushington's Whist Drive and Dance for the Nursing Fund on the 16th will also be well patronised.

3rd June 1927 - Annual Bazaar at the Benson Hall

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Annual Bazaar at the Benson Hall

The annual two days' bazaar, in aid of the Catholic Church funds, was held in the Benson Hall on Saturday and Monday last.

The usual throng of bargain hunters filled the Hall on both days, and the enormous stock, which had been received from far and wide, was almost sold out.

There were seven stalls replete with articles, a large jumble stall being a special attraction. There was no opening ceremony, but business commenced punctually at the advertised time.

Among the sellers and helpers were Father Morgan, Miss Morgan, Mrs Leslie, Mrs Dowdney, Mrs Gabbitas, Mrs P. Castle, Miss Mulvany, Miss Macgennis, Mrs Wignall, Mrs Boniface, Miss Hatchett, Mrs Bennett, Miss Buchanan, Mrs B.E. Thody, Mrs and Miss Blakiston, Miss Marriage, Mrs Fox, Miss Spencer, Mr H.M. Blakiston and Mr E.J. Sparkes, Girlie Leslie, Stella Reid, Ivy Graves and Gertie Fox.

There were a few side-shows, these being as follows: 1, silver mine, in which prizes went to Miss M. Harritt and Miss C. Anderson; guessing weight of coal, correctly guessed by Mrs Boniface and Mrs A.G. Day; 3, cake, won by Miss M. North and Miss Mulvany. A 2d. dip was cleared out on both days.

Mrs Philpott did a brisk sale of refreshments.

At the conclusion of the bazaar Father Morgan thanked all the helpers, whose hard work had ensured success.

11th June 1926 - The Bazaar

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The Bazaar

The Bazaar in the Benson Hall on June 5th and 7th was a great success. The exact amoung of the takings is not yet known, but will be about £120. Large numbers filled the Hall on both days, and hearty appreciation was expressed at the price of the goods offered. The enormous stock was almost sold out.

There were eight stalls - fancy goods, coats and skirts, jumpers and blouses, underclothing, men's clothes, boots and shoes, refreshments, and a "Woolworths" stall at which every article was 6d. or less.

Among the sellers were the Rev. Mother and Sisters from the Convent, Mesdames Bennett, Castle, Dowding, Gabbitas sen., Gabbitas jun., Game, Leslie, Plumb, Watson; Misses Blakiston, Day, Graves, Knight, Leslie, Marriage, McCarthy, Morgan, Spencer, Wilkerson; Messrs. Castle, Charles Gabbitas, Fred Gabbitas, Rowley.

Among the side-shows were - 1, silver mine, in which the prizes went to Miss D. Spencer and Mr P. Castle; 2, guessing weight of lump of coal (113 and a half lbs.), correctly guessed by Mr M. Blakiston; 3, cake, won by Miss Marriott; 4, basket of eggs, won by Mrs Knight; 5, dinner (chicken, vegetables, sweets), won by Mr Balls; 6, table-centre, won by Mrs Leslie.

Father Owen, the former parish priest, gave great pleasure to his old friends, by motoring down from town with his brother and mother on the Monday afternoon.

At the conclusion of the Bazaar, Father Morgan thanked all the helpers, whose hard work had ensured this great success.

Bazaar Items

Parcels for the Bazaar came from all over England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.

The promoters intended to keep a record of the number of parcels and boxes, but lost count after two hundred.

It took hundreds of hours to mark the goods.

One stall was marked "Here we are - Woolworths," every article being 6d. or less.

Buyers were five deep round some of the stalls. 

A big trade was done in hot tea and ices. No, the ices were not hot.

The weight of a lump of coal could be guessed for 1d. It was 113 and a half lbs.

Competitors were allowed to pick it up, but did not.

One of the guessers asked "Would it be a ton?" The frivolous custodian replied "It would be if it could, but it can't."

The coal was won (of course) by a man who uses no coal in his house.

A silver mine contained silver coins, the position of which could be guessed for 1d.

There was no strike of miners.

Guessing was popular. The weight of a cake could be guess for 6d, and the number of eggs in a closed basket for 3d.

Brigands in pretty dresses and bobbed tresses recorded the guesses.

Father Morgan guessed 19 lbs. for the cake. This was considered uncomplimentary.

Nobody said a cross word all through the Bazaar, and everybody seemed pleased with everything. There were many wonderful bargains.