V.A.D. Hospital—Gifts have been received as follows: Books, Miss Baseley (Yelden), Mr T Browning; celery, Rev C Howes Smith (Yelden); cress, Miss Simpson; marmalade, Mrs Frank Felce; papers daily, Mr Saxby, Mr Woolley, Mr C E Groome, Mr F Checksfield; plant, Mr H Johnson; flowers and fruit, Miss May Pasilow; vegetables, Mrs Brazier, Mrs Tailby; sweets and books, Mrs Twissell; eggs and cake, Mrs Kemshead; fruit and cake, Mrs Brittin (Chelveston); cake, Mrs Sharp (Rushden), Rushden friends; cigarettes, Mr Fenton (Yelden), Miss Draper, Mrs Burt, Mrs E Parker, Mr Lay (Chelveston); chocolate, Mrs Fry’s class; pickles, a friend; flowers and chocolates, Miss Townsend; salmon paste, Mrs E Parker; fruit, Miss Goosey, Mrs Thouking and Miss Gregory, Miss Streeton, Miss G Cox, Miss M Pack, Miss Flintham, Misses E Townsend, Coles and Pack, Miss Linford, Miss Smith, Mrs Hartwell, Mrs Smart, Mrs Coulson; butter and eggs, Miss Robinson; eggs, Mrs Hartwell, Miss Baseley (Yelden), Mrs Fletton.

V.A.D. HOSPITAL—On Monday the matron (Mrs T. Patenall) kindly entertained the wounded soldiers and staff from the V.A.D. Hospital at Hinwick. The soldier guests, who journeyed to Higham in conveyances, were accompanied by Mrs Rouse Orlebar, Miss Orlebar, and the sister in charge. Tea was served in the ward, and afterwards the men visited the church and other places of interest in the borough. During the evening a capital entertainment was provided for the visitors, the programme being given by Sergt. Nowell, Corpl, Malin, Corpl. Campbell, Pte. Boyce, Sister Greenwood, Miss K. Brazier, and Mr F. Brazier. Miss Maud Brazier and Bomb. D. Patenall (R.F.A.) accompanied at the piano. Refreshments were handed round. The thanks of guests to the matron were suitably expressed by Mrs Orlebar, Mrs Patenall responding.

V.A.D.—Mr J W Randall and friends gave a greatly-appreciated programme on Wednesday. On Thursday the Men’s Institute entertained the wounded soldiers to whist and billiards.

A Capital Programme of music arranged by Mrs W Beeby and Mrs Warren, of Irthlingborough, was given at the Auxiliary Hospital on Saturday.

V.A.D.Auxiliary Hospital—Miss Newman and Miss Tinston, as the result of a concert and dance held on January 23rd, have handed in the sum of £4 to the hospital. By selling photographs of Mr F W Dix of Raunds, the amateur champion skater, a profit of 5/8 was made, and, at Mr Dix’s request, Mr Geo Hunt expended that amount in cigarettes for the wounded soldiers and handed them in on Wednesday night.

Higham Ferrers V A D Hospital
Presentation of a Billiard Table – For the Wounded Soldiers

An interesting ceremony took place at Higham Ferrers Auxiliary Hospital on Monday evening, when a handsome new billiard table was presented to the matron (Mrs T Patenall) for the use of the soldiers, and the first game on the board was played between Alderman Owen Parker, J.P., (deputy Mayor) and Sapper Straw. Congratulations are due to Councillor F T Twissell on the success of his efforts to raise funds for the purpose. With the kind assistance of Mrs Bates, Miss Newman, Miss Simpson, Mr T Hector’s Concert Party, and other friends, Mr Twissell has managed to raise over £20. The cost of the table was £14 10s.

On behalf of Mr Twissell and about 50 subscribers, Alderman T Patenall (the Mayor of the Borough) formally presented the table to the hospital. His Worship said that Mr Twissell had met with a generous response, and the work had been a great pleasure to him. The feeling of the town was that they not only wanted to keep the men well in body, but in spirit also, and give them every facility for recreation. He hoped the soldiers would make good use of the table, and would recognise that it was a token of appreciation from the townsfolk.

Mrs Patenall (the matron) returned thanks on behalf of the inmates, and said they felt very grateful to the promoters and the subscribers. The nurses and herself were delighted to do what they could for the soldiers, and she had been much encouraged by some charming letters she had received from the mothers of the men who had been in the hospital.

Mr Twissell said that it had greatly pleased him to do anything for the wounded soldiers. Whilst there were soldiers in Higham Ferrers to be cared for, they who were left behind would see that they wanted for nothing.

Ald. Owen Parker added a few words, saying they had formed happy friendships which would never be broken.

Several songs were contributed during the evening.

A Concert and Dance, arranged by Nurse Pack and her daughter (Miss Elsie Pack), on behalf of the Auxiliary Hospital, was given in the Band Club hall yesterday week, the patients of the hospital being present by special invitation. Songs were given by the Brother Coles and Miss Louie Smith, of Raunds, Miss Elsie Pack accompanying. A sketch entitled “Wanted, a mother’s help” was also given by the party. The effort realised £4/5/0.

The Higham Ferrers V.A.D. staff and the wounded soldiers had a pleasant picnic yesterday at Swineshead. Mr. Draper supplied a brake, and horses and vehicles were kindly lent by Mr. Chamberlain, Mr. E. H. Horrell, Mr. K. Flintham, Mr. Saxby and Mr. Brown. The drive to Swineshead was extremely pleasant. Tea was partaken of in a field on the farm of Mrs. Ladds, who kindly provided hot water, milk, and crockery, the party having taken their own provisions. After tea a few games were played, and the Swineshead friends generously contributed the sum of 8s. for cigarettes, etc., for the soldiers.

Stanwick - Red Cross—On Saturday, two concerts were held for the Red Cross effort. Tea was provided, and produce was sold after the concert. The wounded soldiers from the V.A.D. hospitals at Higham Ferrers and Hinwick were entertained at the afternoon concert and to tea. The artists were Mrs Humphrey (Thrapston), Miss Louie Smith (Raunds), The Rectory party, and Corpl. C. Foskett. Competitions and a Jumble Sale helped the funds. The amount realized was £15 2s. 6.

Higham Ferrers V.A.D. Hospital
Honour for the Matron – Valuable Services in Connection with the War

The name of Mrs Patenall (wife of Alderman Thomas Patenall, Mayor of Higham Ferrers), the Commandant at the Auxiliary V.A.D. Hospital at Higham Ferrers, has been brought to the notice of the Secretary of State for War for valuable services rendered in connection with the war.

No distinction has been more thoroughly deserved than this honour to Mrs Patenall, who has during the last three years given the most devoted and enthusiastic service to the care of the wounded soldiers at the hospital.

In addition to the strenuous work at the hospital she has ably carried out the duties falling to the Mayoress of the borough for the time being.

Probably no family in the kingdom has been more patriotic and more self-sacrificing during the war than the Mayor’s family. Alderman and Mrs Patenall’s two sons have been doing good service ever since the outbreak of the war—Mr H R Patenall as an ambulance officer and Mr Donald Patenall as a soldier. Alderman Patenall, besides managing important businesses, has ably filled the office of Mayor and has been chairman of the various war charity and other committees, while his Sundays have been occupied as a lay preacher, and he has also served as one of the circuit stewards of the Higham Ferrers Wesleyan circuit.

The Rushden Co-operative Orchestral Band visited the V.A.D. Hospital on Tuesday, and gave an interesting programme.

Rushden Children’s Self Denial—Mrs. Patenall, the matron of the Auxiliary Hospital at Higham Ferrers, has received a letter from Mrs. E. Newman, teacher at Newton-road School, Rushden, as follows: “Enclosed please find P.O. to the value of 25s. 3d. as representing the pocket money of the children of Standard V., their savings during Lent. We would be extremely grateful if you would accept the same for cigarettes or other little comforts for the soldier.” The Matron has sent a letter acknowledging the gift.

The Staff and Pupils of Campbell House School entertained the wounded soldiers at the V.A.D. Hospital on Wednesday, the programme being practically the same as that given at Rushden on Tuesday. Misses Lotinga were encored for the dance, and Miss Battersby for her recitation. Sergt. Baker expressed hearty thanks to Miss Payne, the teachers, and the pupils for their excellent entertainment, and the soldiers gave them three hearty cheers. The pupils of the school kindly supplied smokes for the wounded Tommies, and their gifts were greatly appreciated by the recipients.