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.

20th Jan 1928 - Benson Hall

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Benson Hall

In spite of the heavy rain which fell last Wednesday evening, the dance in the Benson Hall was well attended; in fact, nearly as many were present as could fit comfortably on the spacious floor, which is known as the best dancing floor for miles around.

Mr Blakiston, who filled the post of M.C. in his usual accomplished manner, announced that prizes would be given for a spot dance and for the best "fancy dress." No prizes had been promised for either event, but the Management felt that some recognition was due to the large number who had braved the elements, among whom were visitors from Cottered, Therfield, Puckeridge, Aspenden and Hare Street.

The Standon Orchestra kindly undertook the difficult task of judging the entries in the "Fancy Dress Parade" - "difficult" because of the clever portrayal of the varied characters selected. The prizes went to Miss Kelly, The Limes, Therfield, who came as the "Blue Moon"; and to Mr Kelly, of the same address, who was a "French Cavalier," with wig, uniform, cocked hat, and sword complete.

The gentlemen, however, had already agreed that as the "fancy dress" ladies exceeded the gentlemen in number, the men's prize should go to the second lady, and this award was to Miss May Mulvany (of Aspenden), who represented a "Spinning Top."

The spot dance prizes were won by Mr Mead and Miss Norris; and the "lucky ticket" prize of 7/6 by Mr W. Game of Buntingford.

Novelties were distributed after the interval. Masks, hats, crowns, spectacles, false noses, whistles, puff-outs and similar features added to the general merriment; and red electrics enhanced the colour scheme adopted by the energetic Decorating Committee, who had suspeded festoons and streamers across the Hall, producing an effect well worth seeing.

The refreshments, to which justice was done, were provided by the Committee and friends. The total receipts came to £7 11s. 1d.

Father Morgan wishes to thank all who helped to make the event such a success, both the capable workers and those who patronised the dance in spite of the inclement weather.

An invitation "Leap Year" dance is announced for February 29th, with the new Buntingford Dance Orchestra in attendance.