23rd July 1887 SS

GIRLS’ FRIENDLY SOCIETY FESTIVAL—The Stoke branch of the Girls’ Friendly Society held its annual festival on Saturday. The associates and members to the number of 235, with about twenty friends, mustered at the railway station at 2.30, and proceeded by special train to Sandon. Arrived there they betook themselves to the parish church, which they completely filled. Prayers were said by the Ven. Sir L.T. Stamer; the special lesson was read by the Rev. W.E. Caldwell, vicar of Sandon, and an excellent and suitable sermon was preached by the Rev. A.F.W. Ingram, chaplain to the Bishop of Lichfield, from the words, “Let they garment be always white,” Ecclesiastes ix, 8. A collection on behalf of the Home of Rest fund realised £2 5s. 6d. Service over tea followed, tables being laid under a large open tent in a field adjoining the village inn. Ample provision had been made by the proprietors Mr. and Mrs. Hay, and the whole party enjoyed themselves throughout at the conclusion. The Archdeacon congratulated them on the fineness of the day, which was in marked contrast to their experience to many former years. He welcomed back into union with the Stoke branch the Hartshill and Penkhull members; referred to the opening of the clubroom; spoke of the success of the library, and the need of more books and gave to Mary J. Edwards a premium for service, to Fannie Ball and bonus on savings, and to Mrs. Taylor a marriage card. The Vicar of Sandon told what he had witnessed at the laying of the stone of the Prince Consort Memorial by the Queen in Windsor Park, to which a small part of the Women’s Jubilee Offering is to be applied. Then after singing a verse of “God Save the Queen,” a run was made to the park, under the leadership of the Rev. W.E. Coldwell, one of the curates of Stokes; and on to the hall and gardens, to which admission was granted through the kindness of Lord Harrowby. By eight o’clock the station was once more reached, and the return journey quickly made to Stoke. All the arrangements were under the direction of Miss Stamer, the indefatigable branch secretary, to whom the thanks of the association and members for their happily-spent festival were mainly due.

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