Rushden Echo, 25th July 1919, transcribed by Kay Collins
Peace Celebrations
Peace Day at Bozeat was kept in a real old fashioned way and everything worked without a hitch until rain came and the sports had to be postponed until Monday evening.
At 10.30am the school children paraded and gave an excellent concert and entertainment in the sports filed under the conductorship of the schoolmaster Mr. A.H. Lack, assisted by the school staff; Mrs. Bennell, the infant mistress and her staff looked after the little ones. The programme commenced with the singing of “O God our help in ages past” very nicely given followed by the chorus “There’s a land” and other patriotic songs, interspersed with old country dances and Maypole dances by the infants. A large company heartily appreciated the performance.
At 12.30 a dinner was given to all discharged and demobilised soldiers and sailors and to all men still with the colours who were home on leave. Between 70 and 80 were present and did ample justice to the capital and varied menu. Words of welcome were spoken by the Vicar, the Rev. C.R. Jennings M.A. and Pte F. Hewlett and Sergt. March expressed the thanks of the forces for the excellent dinner provided.
At 1.30 there was a fancy dress parade with over 50 entries. The competitors assembled in the school yard for judging; after which a procession made a tour of the village first coming infants in wagons; then school children, service men under Sergt. March; “Jazz Band” which provided heaps of fun, the conductor being Mr. F. Partridge. During the after part of the day this band was also much in evidence and a source of huge fun. The rear of the procession was made up by the competitors for the fancy dress prizes which were awarded as follows, the judging being carefully done by Mrs. C. Knight and Mr. F.C. Drage
Class 1 children under 8 1st. Vera Wilmott “Bo-peep” 2nd Marjorie Drage “Britannia” 3rd Edna Underwood “Britannia” 4th Rose Dunmore “Roses”. Extra Queenie Dobbs “Cinderella” Betty Mooring “Angel of Peace”
Class 2 children 8 to 14 girls. 1st Winnie Partridge “Stars and Stripes” 2nd Dorothy Willett “Swiss Peasant” 3rd Doris Bradshaw “Japanese”
Class 3 boys 8 -14. 1sr Tom Bryant “Cowboy” 2nd Dick Squires “King Cole” 3rd Jack Drage “Jack Tar.”
Class 4 children’s groups. 1st Red cross nurse and wounded soldiers. 2nd Windmill men
Class 5 adults singles 1st Mabel S. Hayes “Street singer” 2nd Miss Z. Drage “French peasant” 3rd Miss A. Drage “Window cleaner”. Extras Miss M. Caxton “Spanish dancer” miss Ivy Beech “Potatoes.
Class 6 Adult groups 1st Zingari 2nd H.M.S. Victory 3rd Coster and wife.
At 3.30pm tea was provided in the Council School for all persons over 65, also soldier’s wives and widows. At 3.30 also all children under 14 were entertained to tea in the Wesleyan School Room. The youngest were well looked after by the Council school staff and many willing helpers.
The public tea at 4.30 in the Council school was a huge success, the table being quickly filled and a large number had to be accommodated in the Wesleyan School Room.
Frequent showers throughout the evening made it impossible to hold the sports. Mr. A. H. Lack was the general secretary and Mr. Coles treasurer. In the evening a dance was arranged in the Army Hut by kind permission of Messrs. J. Drage and Son. The proceeds amounting to £6 were for the National Children’s Home.
The sports which had to be postponed from Saturday were held on Monday evening in a field kindly lent by Mr. Warner. There were numerous races for the youngsters; Flat, disrobing, egg and spoon, a mile race for the older boys, tug of war for boys and girls; also men and women. The blindfold driving races caused heaps of fun.
At the close of the racing there was dancing; Mr. H. Smith providing the music at the piano. |
