Archived Extracts

Advertisements for insertion in the "Free Press " may be handed to Mr. J. Ensor, 47, Lime Avenue.-Advt.

The Huthwaite Homing Society held the first of a series of four weekly shows at the Workpeoples' Inn on Boxing Day. The judge, Mr. A. Parrimore, of Pinxton gave the awards the best old cocks as follows:- 1 and 2, Kirk and Blythe, Stanton Hill; 3, Elliott and Fisher, Huthwaite; Hidden Number, Dunn Bros., Stanton Hill.

A bright and seasonable service was held in the Parish Church on Sunday evening, the following carols being by the choir, ... The Rev. W. L. Boulton conducted the service, and the organist was Mr. E. Lowe, who also played selections from the "Messiah."

Mr. C. Smith (the Huthwaite secretary of the League of Nations Union) does not let the grass grow under his feet in the discharging of his duties. At a public tea this week, he secured 36 signatures to a petition in favour of a reduction in armaments. These signatures are forwarded to headquarters, and will help to carry weight at the forthcoming conference on the subject.

A special meeting of the Huthwaite Urban District Council was held last week for the purpose of appointing a new caretaker for the Free Library. The applications for the post approached 50 in number, and ultimately Mr. G. E. Smith, of Common Road, received the appointment at a salary of £2 2s. per week, with the usual allowances for extra duties. Mr. Smith is an unemployed miner who has been compelled to leave the mine on account of ill-health.

On Monday evening the members of the Primitive Methodist Church held a miscellaneous entertainment on behalf of the Trust funds. The programme was of a diversified but meritorious order, consisting of songs, recitations, duets, quartettes and humorous sketches. There was a good attendance, and Mr. I. Ball, an old friend from Stanton Hill, was the chairman. The contributers to the programme by song or story were Messrs. J. Mann, D. Burton, Hardy, Marshall Colley, Spencer and M. Burton, Mrs. Hursthouse, Misses L. Mitchell, S. Mitchell, I. Ball, A. Pembleton, E. Pembleton, M. Dykes, E. Iball, E. Allsop and E. Quick.

Services in the Parish Church on Christmas Day were conducted by the Rev. W.L. Boulton. The windows, font and altar had been suitably decorated with holly, ivy and yellow and white chrysanthemums. The evergreens were the gift of Mrs. C. H. Coupe, who with Miss Pritchett, carried out the decorative scheme. ... The offertories were given to the sick and needy.

The annual Christmas social evening organised by Miss Lineker, and the members of the Girls' Friendly Society with the Parish Church Catechism Class, was held in the Common Road Schools on Saturday evening. The rooms had been decorated by the members of the class, and there was a gathering of about 80. The diversions included games, dancing, solos, Christmas carols and community singing, the pianist being Mrs. W. Robinson. The refreshments had been given, and were served by the G.F.S. members, and the M.C.'s for the evening were Messrs. W. Lucas and G. Cox. The prizes in a spot waltz competition were given by Miss Lineker and Mr. J. Vardy, and the profits of the event were devoted to the Parish Church Bazaar Fund.

The Gospel Mission members provided an instance of practical sympathy with the needy during the festive season. On Saturday night 45 juveniles were provided with a hot meal of mutton and vegetables in the Mission. They sat down at eight o'clock, but some of the guests were on the spot at six rather than be late. There was no second course, but a good many of the children had no room left for one, so that was not much of a drawback. The supper was cooked and served by Mr. and Mrs. Hardy, Miss Vera Hardy, and Mr. G. Goodwin, and was followed by a social and games. The little guests had a thoroughly good time in every respect. The preacher at the Mission on Christmas Day was Mr. Burne, of Sutton, and on Sunday Mr. Thomas, of Langwith.

On Sunday afternoon the cantata, "Garlands of Glory," was given in the Parish Church by a choir of about 40 Sunday School children on behalf of the Sunday School. There was a good congregation, and the Vicar made the necessary announcements. The children occupied the chancel and gave a capital rendering of the music. They had been trained and were conducted by Mr. S. Smith (Sunday School superintendent), on whom the performance reflected great credit. The organ accompaniments were played by Mr. Ernest Hill, and at the close the Vicar thanked all who were responsible for the cantata. The offertory amounted to £1 13s. 3d., which was very satisfactory. The principal singing parts were taken by the following :- Masters A. Fox, E. Blount, J. Fox, L. Pitt, F. West, A. Knowles and J. Knowles and Misses M. Smith, N. Hatton, L. Holland, W. Wright and I. Ball. The Sunday School teachers assisted in the singing of the choruses, and Mr. J. Shaw, a regular member of the choir, also took part.

Special carol services were held at the United Methodist Church on Sunday. Mr. E. Adkin presided in the afternoon, and a children's choir rendered a number of carols. ... Mr. N. Evans directed the choir and Miss Hawley was at the organ. In the evening the carols were for the choir and congregation together. Mr. R. Purseglove presided, and Mr. Arthur Hawley gave a suitable address. ... A successful tea and concert were held on Monday. The former was provided by the Women's Own and over 80 healthy appetites were satisfied. The entertainment took place in the schoolroom, which had been effectively decorated. Mr. S. Paling made an ideal chairman, and a good programme was provided by Mr. T. Barton; Miss A. Booth and Mr. T. Godber. Items were given by Mr. C.A. Cooper's brass quartette, and selections by the choir. ...