Mexborough & Swinton Times – Friday 26 April 1929

Medieval Fayre.

Picturesque Wes!eyan Enterprise at Wath.

The Wesleyan Hall, Wath-on-Dearne, presented a charming appearance on Wednesday, where a “Mediaeval Fayre” was opened.

The stalls, in addition to floral decorations, bore the heraldic shield of some medieval family. The platform, complete with canopy, resembled a tournament dais, the red and white canopy adorned with coats of arms standing out a marked contrast to the green foliage at the foot. Mr Robson presided at the opening ceremony, and was supported by the Rev. Dennis Kemp, Pastor W. Lord (Mexborough) Messrs. A .B. Cooper and A. Ledger. The chairman was introduced by the Rev. D. Kemp.

Mr. Robson, who was formerly manager of the With branch of the Midland Bank, expressed great pleasure at being present. Although he had been residing at Sutton-on- Sea since his retirement he was at present residing in With, and he was delighted to renew acquaintance with the Wesleyan Church.

Declaring the “fayre” open, Conn. Marcus Swift, the newly elected chairman of the Council, referred in a racy speech to his connection with the Wesleyan Clurch. He was associated with the church some fifty years ago, and among his earliest recollections was the missing of a Sunday school treat. On this occasion, being very young, he was overcome during the morning procession and fainted. On awaking, he found, much to its disappointment, that he was too late for the treat. Passing through the Sunday school he became Sunday school assistant secretary, but was never appointed secretary. This occasion reminded him very forcibly of many bazaars of the past when, as a young fellow, along with Mr. F. Palframan and Mr. J. W. Coates, he assisted in the organisation of side shows, concerts etc.

Mrs. Swift, one of the oldest members of the church, and mother of the chief citizen of the town, presented button-holes to Coun. M. R. Swift and Mr. J. W. Robson. The object of the fayre is to raise which is needed for urgent repairs, particularly the re-roofing of the Sunday school. The stalls, which exhibited many useful  goods, were well patronised during the afternoon and evening and on the following day.

The stalls included: Congregational (bearing the Fleming shield): Mesdames Kemp, Egerton. J. Swift, Goudge, Glasby, W. H. Farthing, Lander, Reid, J. Smalley, Ledger, and Misses Wright and Howarth.

Sewing Meeting (Wentworth arms): Mesdames Butterfield. E. G. Flavell, R. Waddington, and A. B. Cooper.

Sisterhood (Saville arms): Mesdames G. Hindley, T. Norburn. Hy. Redfern, C. Rill S. Roberts, Hewitt, H. Beaumont, Wroe, Jackson and Joel’.

Young People’s (Thornhill arms): Misses Jackson. Rodgers. D. Umpleby, C. Hunter, A. L. Smith. M. Sanderson, C. Lascelles, G. Shaw, M. Reid, and Mesdames J. Farthing, and Waddington,

Hardware (Charlesworth arms): Messrs. C. Swift. A. Shaw. B. Palframan, L. Hindley. A. Cook. and Miss H. I. Shaw.

Refreshments: Mesdames F. Palframan, G. Cook. H. Asher. W. Waddington. F. Waddington. J. Burton, J. Swift. Coult, H. B. Cummins, C. Hill, and Miss A. Rodgers.

Fruit and Flowers: Mesdames P. Sanderson and D. Sanderson.

Sweets: Mrs. F. A. Coakes, Misses M. Reid and B. Slaughter.

Ice Cream: Mr. A. Cook.

Bran Tub: Miss I. Goudge.