Northampton Mercury Saturday January 4^th 1890, transcribed by Susan Manton                   

Social Tea and Entertainment—Another tea and entertainment were held in Mr. Amos Wright’s factory on Saturday evening. About 70 partook of tea, after which Mr. A. Ashby gave very clever exhibition of his skill in his sleight of hand tricks. This was followed by a programme of vocal and instrumental music and games. This makes the third tea last week in Mr. Wright’s factory, all of them being given by friends of the Independent Wesleyan Sunday School. The proceeds of all of them are given to the building fund of that institution.

WORKMEN'S HOLIDAY—On Monday evening the workmen employed by Messrs. W. Colson and Co., and their friends, to the number of about 120, were provided with tea in the New Hall, after which there was an entertainment, of which the following was the programme:—Piano solo, Master J. Colson; song, "The Goose Club," Mr. C. Stringer; recitation, "the Wreck of the Hesperous," Miss P. Denton; song, "Is there room for Mary there," Miss R. Ashby; song, "No one to love," Miss E. Barker; song, "Mill May," Master H. C. Packwood; duet, "very suspicious," Miss E. Colson, and Mr. C. Stringer. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded Messrs. Colson and Co. for their liberality in providing the treat, to which Mr. Packwood responded. He said it afforded them great pleasure meet their employees as they had done that evening, and he was of opinion if they had more such meetings it would be better, and he believed the firm would be prepared to do as much or more on some future occasion. During the evening there was a plentiful supply of refreshments, and games of various kinds were played. The party broke up at a late hour, after thoroughly enjoying themselves.

The employees of Mr. W. W. Smith, farmer, Rushden, were entertained to supper in the granary, Griffith Street, on Friday evening. Mr. W. W. Smith was in the chair, and there were also present Mr. T. R. Tusting (manager). Mr. Hales (farm foreman) and thirty others. Complimentary toasts were given and songs were sung, the gathering being a very pleasant one.