We are grateful to the Revd Terry Colling, for making these magazines available to the Group
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A glimpse at life in Wolvey at the end of the 19th century
through the

Wolvey Parish Magazine

AUGUST, 1898.

The Bazaar and Gymkhana

Although the above events are now things of the past, yet it will be long ere they fade from the memory of those who were fortunate enough to be present at Wolvey Abbey, on Saturday, July 16th last. Consultations had been held, schemes had been devised, and preparations made during the previous twelve months, and it was felt that it only needed fine weather to assure success.

Most fortunately, the weather was just perfect, the consequence being that the visitors turned up in their hundreds, it being estimated that between six hundred and seven hundred people were present.

Just before 3 o'clock p.m. , General Loyd arrived with the Vicar and after the latter had described the condition of the fabric of the Church, and its great and pressing need of help, called upon General Loyd to open the Bazaar.

In doing so, General Loyd spoke of the deep interest he took in Wolvey, and its Church. He said it had given him very great pleasure to come down that day to open the Bazaar, and hoped it would be a success.

On the proposition of Mr. Till, seconded by Mr. Tibbits, a vote of thanks was passed with musical honours, to General Loyd for his kindness.

In reply, General Loyd thanked the Committee for asking him, and said how sorry his wife, Lady Mary Loyd, was at not being present.

Speechifying being over, business commenced in real earnest, and those in charge of the different stalls, were at once besieged with buyers, indeed, so busy were they, that they hardly were allowed a moment's leisure. We hear, however, that some of them did manage to run down the field to see the donkey-race, To the stall-holders and their assistants, Mesdames Beale, Bleiben, Till, Rippin, Southernwood, Seaton, Guest, and the Misses Birchall, Bill, Lewis, and Insley, we are deeply indebted, to the former for the splendid collection of goods they had got together, and to all, for the splendid way in which they worked on the day of the Bazaar.

It was no light task to be at the stalls from 2-30 p.m. to 8-30 p.m.

We are very sensible of their self denying labour, and offer them our sincerest thanks.

Then we must not forget to acknowledge the very great help rendered by Messrs. Till, Wilcox, Seaton, John Birchall, A Holt, Tom Rose, W. Price, Alfred Moore, Jos. York, and John Wright, junr., in taking tickets and money at the entrance, patrolling the ground and managing the races

We should like to mention here, our appreciation of the part Mr. and Mrs. Seaton took. They gave up the first week of their holidays, so that they might help in any possible way they could, and most useful they were.

In rolling and marking out the ground for the races Mr. Rippin. Mr. Southernwood, and Mr. Seaton were most energetic. The Committee of the Caledonian Works deserve thanks for kindly lending their pegs and ropes, and Mr. Dewhurst for lending stakes.

The Band, of whose appearance and playing we felt very proud, most generously offered their services, and, although the Bazaar Committee will no doubt make the members some acknowledgment, yet we are none the less grateful to the members for their generous offer.

We have not as yet mentioned one name, the owner of which proved himself a very giant. Mr. W. Graham McCausland.   To him was due the idea, of the Gymkhana, and Pony Races, which undoubtedly proved the attraction that drew the large concourse of people together. To him also was chiefly due the credit for the successful carrying of them out.

No one knows the amount of anxiety and work which he took upon himself, and we feel sure that all will join us in giving him our warmest and sincerest thanks, for if there had been no races, there would not have been such a great number of people, and if there had not been so many people present, there would not have been anything like the amount of money either taken at the gate, or spent at the stalls.

At the close of the day, the prizes were distributed to the successful competitors by Major-General McCausland, whom we must congratulate on the very happy manner in which he did so.

The total proceeds amounted to £94, roughly speaking, and the nett result to £75. We hope to publish the balance sheet in our next issue.

We cannot close this record without offering up our humble and hearty thanks to the Almighty for His goodness and loving-kindness, for the glorious weather, the harmonious gathering, freedom from accidents, and magnificent results. All praise and honour is due to Him "Who givest all.''

On Monday, July 25th. the Mothers' Meeting held their first Annual Outing. The party, numbering upwards of 30, left Wolvey in two brakes soon after eight o'clock in the morning, for Kenilworth and Warwick .

They arrived at the former place about 10-30, and, after lunch, wandered about the picturesque buildings of the Castle, exploring into the depths, mounting up to the heights, until every portion of the venerable and historical ruins had been visited, and every member of the party tired, but highly delighted.

At 12-30 a move was made to Warwick , where, after the Church, Castle, and town had been inspected, a meat tea was done ample justice to.

It was after ten o'clock at night when the tired but happy party returned to Wolvey, having spent, so they said, one of the most enjoyable days is their lives.

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