Index of Items and Subscribers

Church Choir trip to London in 1901 - courtesy of Mrs. A. Howell

Mothers Meeting goes to Skegness in 1898 - courtesy of Mrs A. Howell

Opening of Cottage Hospital in 1903 - courtesy of Mrs. A. Howell

Tea by the Men in 1903 - courtesy of Mrs. A. Howell

Mothers Meeting goes to Grimsby in 1904 - courtesy of Mrs. A. Howell

The Casulties of the Great War - compiled by Philip and Janet Fryer

The Building of the War Memorial - compiled by Philip and Janet Fryer

Fishing trips - 1920s and 1950s -courtesy of Mrs. Bowes, via Mrs. Howell

Best Baby Competition 1939 - courtesy of Mr. G. Lane

The Casulties of the 2nd World War - compiled by Philip and Janet Fryer [additonal information by Grace Hamilton]

Church choir trip to Hunstanton and Sandringham in 1950/51 - courtesy of Mrs. J. Bowes

Drilling for Water in the early 1950s - courtesy of Mr. J. Abbott

Official Programme for village Coronation Celebrations in 1953 - courtesy of Mrs. A. Howell

WI fashion show in the old village hall in about 1955 - courtesy of Mrs. J. Bowes

Flooding at Priory Farm - courtesy of Mrs. G. Baggaley, via Mr. J. Abbott

BBC Radio Gardening Club visits Long Bennington - courtesy of Mrs. G. Baggaley, via Mr. J. Abbott

 

The following is an extract from the Parish Magazine of August 1901 and shows that the parish could organise quite ambitious, and no doubt relatively expensive, excursions on special occasions.

"CHOIR TRIP - It will be long before the Choir Trip of Monday 8th July 1901 will be forgotten.   Those who took part in it will be able to look back upon it with the deepest pleasure as the best trip they have ever had, and they are never likely to have a better. Thanks to the energy of Mr. Wilgress and Mr. Way, and the generosity of the parishioners, the ambitious scheme of visiting London was carried out in the best and most enjoyable manner. Leaving Bennington and Foston about 6am the choir reached London at l0 am. Then began a day of whirl and wonder such as few had experienced before. The exclamation of one of the oldest members of our choir — “I never thought that I should have lived to see all this,” expresses all that we need say. St. Pauls, the Tower, the River, Westminster, the Parks, the Palaces, the South Kensington Museum and Earl’s Court with its numerous attractions were all visited, admired and enjoyed. The female portion of the party were very kindly entertained by Mrs. Grote-Joyce at Chenniston Gardens, and the rest which her entertainment offered was most refreshing., We thank all who helped in any way to bring about this happy choir trip, but most especially Mr. Way, Mr. Wilgress, and Mr. & Mrs. Joyce for so kindly making the necessary arrangements. Home was reached at 4am on Tuesday morning."

 

 

 

 

 

The following is an extract from the Parish Magazine of July 1898 and is written in a familiar "tongue in cheek" style to describe an outing to Skegness by the Church sponsored Mothers Meeting.

Mothers’ Meeting. - On Monday June 26th, anyone passing through our village might have noticed an unusual number of women congregating about 8am not inside, but outside the Iron Church. They were joined by the Vicar and Mr. Way who helped to pack them into three conveyances, and by 8.3Oam Mrs. Grote and the members of her Mothers’ Meeting were on their way to Bottesford Station. A saloon carriage had been reserved for them on the excursion train to Skegness, and.a comfortable railway journey was assured. The morning drive had sharpened appetites, and before long the many baskets of provisions were considerably lightened while all partook of an early lunch. We fear that one member’s dress must have suffered considerably owing to the explosion of a bottle of ginger ale; but alas for human sympathy, even this disaster only added to the amusement of the rest. The two hours by rail passed quickly and merrily, and in spite of the gloomy outlook, all hoped for a fine day. Skegness was reached in due course but no sooner had the party left the train than the rain came down in torrents, and a rush had to be made back to the empty compartments. Fortunately the storm did not last long and all were soon able to proceed. The rest of the day, though cold, was dry. The shore was, of course, the first attraction and most of the mothers took to the water like “ducks”, paddling to their hearts content. Their appearance is better imagined than described, and so we are silent on the point. After the paddling came a ride on the Switchback Railway, then an hour on the pier, and last but not least a meat and shrimp tea. Judging by the empty dishes, this was a part of the programme that was much appreciated. The last hour was spent in shopping for those at home. The return journey was, if possible, more lively than the outgoing. Perhaps we had better not describe the amusements which caused so much laughter; the sea air had certainly not damped the spirits of the mothers whatever else it had damped, and the best of good humour prevailed. Before reaching Bottesford. three most hearty cheers were given for Mrs. Grote, and then all united in showing their gratitude for a happy day and safe journey by singing the Doxology. Soon after nine o’clock, thanks to Mr. Harston, the party of 30 was landed safely at Long Bennington.

 

The following is an extract from the the Long Bennington and Foston  Parish Magazine of Sept 1904 describing another outing by the intrepid ladies of the Mothers Meeting

MOTHERS' MEETING - The members of the Mothers’ Meeting, who had been saving up for a considerable time, had a long and pleasant day at Cleethorpes, on Monday, August 15th They were accompanied by Mrs. Rees and the Vicar. On their arrival at Grimsby they first paid a visit to the Docks and Fish Pontoon, and certainly, if their exclamations were any indication of their thoughts, they were amazed at what they saw. The busy bustling life and wonderful quantity of fish, the slime and the smell made most of them think that the quiet of their own village life, with its sweet balmy air, were not, after all,  such bad things, although perhaps a little monotonous. From Grimsby and its work they made their way to Cleethorpes and its pleasures. And most assuredly they entered into these with all the delight of their most youthful days. We don’t know the ages of our mothers, it would be rude to ask, but we do know that at Cleethorpes they seemed very young indeed. How the husbands would have stared had they seen their I wives riding in a donkey race, and Mrs. Seymour coming in an easy winner But we must not tell tales. They gave their best thanks to Mrs. Rees

 

 

 

 

 

The following extract from the Parish Magazine of May 1903 is written in suitably reverential tone, when describing to provision of a village cottage hospital by the Lady of the Manor, Mrs. Grote-Joyce.

The Cottage Hospital - In the Cottage Hospital, which was opened on Tuesday April 21st, we have another instance of the great interest which Mrs. Grote-Joyce takes in the welfare of the Parish. To have a resident nurse and hospital is a blessing which not many villages possess, and we may be justly proud of, as well as deeply grateful for this kind and generous gift. A short dedicatory service was held in the afternoon, to which a small gathering of people had been invited. At its conclusion they visited the different rooms and were entertained to tea. A list of regulations with regard to the use of the Cottage Hospital is being drawn up, and there will be a communication about them in due course. Mrs. Grote-Joyce has secured the services of an able and experienced nurse in the person of Nurse Brown, and we offer her a hearty welcome amongst us. We feel sure the assistance she will be able to give in many a home where there may be illness will be greatly valued, and the debt of gratitude due to Mrs. Grote-Joyce will deepen more and more as time goes on and shows how great a boon has been brought to the Parish by her latest act of kindness

 

 

 

 

 

The following extract from the Long Bennington and Foston Parish Magazine for April 1903 gives an interesting early example of role reversal.

Easter Monday Tea:- on Easter Monday we are promised a great treat - unique, we believe, in the history of the parish, nothing less than a “Sandwich Tea” to be provided by the men. The male sex is proverbial for its ability to look after number one, and we are sure that when they are persuaded to cater for other people they will maintain their reputation. The help of the ladies is rejected as unnecessary, but we hope that they will come to the Tea in great numbers. They will then see what the men can do, and perhaps their experience will lead to a re-distribution of the household duties.