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Higham Ferrers Borough Council by kind permission of the Town Clerk,
From the archive of Moyra Simmons
Transcribed and presented by Greville Watson 2012
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Souvenir of the 700th Anniversary of the
First Borough Charter
and of the Festival of Britain 1951
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Programme
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Saturday, June 2nd, 1951
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| 1 p.m. |
CIVIC LUNCH in the Parish Rooms.
His Worship the Mayor (Alderman J. W. Barker, J.P.), will preside, and will be supported by Miss Joan Wake, F.S.A., F.R.Hist.S., the Most Hon. the Marquis of Exeter, K.G., C.M.G., T.D. (Lord Lieutenant of the County), Viscount Alexander, C.H. (Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster) and Lady Alexander, C.B.E., Earl Ferrers, Professor Ernest Jacob (Chichele Professor of Modern History at All Souls’ College, Oxford), the Members of the Corporation, and other Ladies and Gentlemen.
It is very much regretted that Mr. B. H. Sumner, Warden of All Souls’ College, Oxford, who was always a welcome visitor to Higham Ferrers, and who had accepted an invitation to be present at the Festival on June 2nd, passed away on April 24th, 1951.
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| 2.30 p.m. |
The Ceremony of the PRESENTATION OF THE FREEDOM OF THE BOROUGH
to Ald H. R. PATENALL, C.C., Ald. J. W. Barker, and JOHN WHITE, Esq.
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| 3.15 p.m. |
OPENING OF THE FESTIVAL AND EXHIBITION OF CIVIC CHARTERS, REGALIA and other Antiques by MISS JOAN WAKE.
HANDING OVER THE DEEDS OF THE CASTLE FIELD.
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5 p.m.
(approx.) |
The new TENNIS COURTS in the Recreation Ground will be officially opened.
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6 p.m.
(approx.) |
THE BUNGALOWS OF THE “JOHN WHITE WAR MEMORIAL TRUST” will be officially opened.
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The "John White Memorial Trust" Houses
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The Wollaston Town Band will play during the afternoon and evening.
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Sunday, June 3rd
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3 p.m. BOROUGH SERVICE in the Parish Church.
Preacher: The Lord Bishop of Peterborough (Rt. Rev. Spencer Leeson).
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A United Service for the Borough will be held to commemorate the granting of the Borough Charter in 1251. Four good and popular hymns will be included in the service, the Te Deum will be sung to a well-known chant, and the Methodist and Church Choirs will unite in singing Mozart’s anthem “Glorious is Thy Name, O Lord.” The Vicar (Rev. H. S. Hoar, B.A.), will conduct the service, and the Methodist Superintendent (Rev. J. Wainwright Utley), will read a lesson.
A collection will be made for the maintenance of the fabric of our ancient church.
The Mayor and Corporation will attend, public bodies are invited, and everybody will be welcome.
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Friday, June 8th
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EXHIBITION OF SCHOOL WORK
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To be held in the County School (Infants’ and Junior Departments), Wharf Road.
Grand opening on Friday, June 8th, at 6.30 p.m., by Ald. H. R. Patenall, C.C., Chairman of the Managers.
Songs by the School Choir will include a selection from the following:
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| "Jerusalem" |
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Parry |
| "Fairest Isle" |
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Purcell |
| "As I Walked Through the Meadows" |
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Traditional |
| "Traffic Guard's Song" |
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Phillips |
| "Dashing White Sergeant" |
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Roberton |
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Exhibits will include work in Art, Handwork, Needlework and, in addition, various models and teaching aids will be on display.
Prizes will be awarded in the above three classes, and a special prize, given by Mr. and Mrs. F. G. Felce, will be awarded for the best Festival Essay.
Prizes will be distributed on Friday evening by Mrs. H. R. Patenall.
The Exhibition will also be open during the afternoon of Saturday, June 9th.
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| Thursday, June 14th |
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OLD FOLK'S TEA
in the Parish Rooms at 5.30 p.m.
followed by an Entertainment by the
Higham Ferrers Townswomen's Guild Choir
Mr. Joe Keller (Blind Accordionist)
and the Rev. C. Ayton Williams.
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| Thursday, June 14th |
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YOUTH DISPLAY
in the Recreation Ground.
Mr. Dennis Webb, of Northampton (Vice-President of Northampton Battalion B.B.) will take the Salute.
Parade to Assemble on the Market Square
at 7 p.m., move off at 7.15 p.m.
Parade Marshal: Mr. White
March Past at 7.30 p.m.
Display Marshal: Mr. M. Pack.
Order of Items:–
Country Dancing, Gymnastics, Bridge Building, Band Tattoo, Retreat.
Representatives:–
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Mr. White
Miss Knight
Mr. Blackwell
Mrs. Biggs
Mrs. Moisey
Mr. King
Miss Rowlett |
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Scouts and Cubs
G.L.B.
B.B.
Nursing Cadets
G.G.
Life Boys
G.L.B. Cadets |
Items:–
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Life Boys
Cubs
G.L.B. Cadets
G.G.
B.B.
Boy Scouts |
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G.L.B.
Band Tattoo
Nursing Cadets
March On
Inspecting Officer's Remarks
Retreat |
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| Wednesday, June 27th |
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FOLK SONG FESTIVAL
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A Festival of popular English and Folk Songs will be held in the Bede House, Higham Ferrers.
Folk Songs were the spontaneous musical outbursts of our ancestors, and passed on by word of mouth from generation to generation down the ages. Not until the beginning of this century were many of these delightful melodies preserved for us, edited and arranged by such men as Cecil Sharp, Vaughan Williams and others.
Those participating in the Festival are the Choirs of St. Mary’s Church, the Chichele Townswomen’s Guild and the Methodist Church, supported by local tenor and bass vocalists.
To add colour to the traditional airs there will be also be Country Dances by a party of Children from the Higham Ferrers County School.
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Admission by programme 1/6
Further details will be announced later.
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| Thursday, June 28th |
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COUNTY SCHOOL SPORTS
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Children’s sports starting at 6 p.m. on the Recreation Ground.
Sports jointly organised by staff of the County School and the Management of Co-operative Society.
Prizes given by Co-operative Society will be distributed at close of the Sports by the Mayoress (Mrs. J. W. Barker).
Events will include: Flat Racing, Skipping, Potato, Three-Legged, Obstacle and Slow Cycle Races. A Pillow Fight will be an added attraction.
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