The Bucks Standard July 8th 1922

CASTLETHORPE NURSING ASSOCIATION

CHARMING GARDEN PARTY AT HANSLOPE LODGE

LADY HOLLAND ON THE VALUE

OF VILLAGE NURSING.

In the pretty grounds of Hanslope Lodge (kindly lent by Lieut.-general Sir Arthur Holland, K.C.B., K.C.M.G., and Lady Holland) a garden party and fete of a highly successful character took place on Saturday afternoon, July 1, in aid of the funds of the Hanslope and Castlethorpe Nursing Association, an institution which has been of untold good in the two villages. There was a large attendance, and with a varied programme of amusements visitors were privileged to spend a very happy time. The committee of the association with Miss Stevenson as the painstaking and assiduous secretary, had the active co-operation and help of Sir Arthur and Lady Holland in the preparation of the fete, the arrangements for which were complete even to the smallest detail.
Lady Holland made an interesting speech in opening the fete. She first expressed the pleasure it gave General Sir Arthur Holland and herself to welcome them to Hanslope Lodge and was delighted that they had turned up in such large numbers to support them in their effort to assist the funds of the Nursing Association. Further she was extremely grateful and appreciated most highly the kind welcome her husband and herself had received on coming to reside amongst them. She went on to say that they were aware they had met that day to assist in maintaining the good work the nurse was doing in the two villages. She would like to tell them what perhaps they did not know, that since the Nursing Association had been established the nurse had visited at the rate of almost 1,000 families per annum. In addition they expert medical aid. In every case the nurse had shown great sympathy and her help in the homes had been extremely valuable. The value of nursing had been brought much to her mind in the last fortnight. There had been several sad cases, and one of local interest was the unfortunate and regrettable accident to their friend and neighbour Colonel Seton, who was now lying in Northampton Hospital and whose recovery would be due not only to his splendid constitution and good life but in a greater degree to the first-rate nursing which he would receive in that most useful institution. Lady Holland asked them to remember that the service of the nurse could be had for nothing, but money was required to maintain the work and she felt that money should not only be raised by fetes of that description and by entertainments but also by a steady flow of subscriptions which might not be high but were none the less necessary to keep the Association on a sound foundation. Her ladyship referred to the great interest Mrs. Watts had always taken in the Association, and that lady, whilst regretting inability to be present that afternoon, had forwarded a donation of one pound to the nursing funds and wished that afternoon’s efforts every success. Lady Holland felt sure they would all agree with her in voting that a message of thanks should be sent to Mrs. Watts for her kind and welcome gift. (Applause).
During the afternoon General Sir Arthur Holland and Lady Holland and their charming daughter Miss Mary Holland were the most enthusiastic and keen workers for the success of the fete. They organised many amusements and were the most generous patrons of the various stalls and side shows. Miss Mary Holland was overwhelmed with customers for her dainty Parisian toys and her stock was quickly sold out. Lady Holland had an attractive stall where fancy and useful articles were temptingly displayed. She had the valuable assistance of Miss Tarry, of Wolverton. Other helpers at this well-organised nursing effort were: Provision stall Miss Markham; sweets, Mrs. H. Beasley and Miss Wallis; ice cream and flowers, Mrs. F. Tompkins and Mrs. Vaughan; jumble stall, Nurse Rogers and Mrs. W. Willingham sen., hidden treasure Miss Jessie Brownsell and Mr. Frank Brownsell; mineral waters, Mr. H. Maltby and Miss Maltby; houp-la, Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Whiting; clock golf, Mr. J. Marsh; weighing machine, Mr. W. Willingham sen.; skittles, Messrs. J. Evans and Frank Mills; fortune telling, Miss Marsh; bowling for a pig given by Mr. J. E. Whiting jun.; Aunt Sally, Mr. F. Jeffs.
Teas and refreshment were served under the shade of the trees on the lawn by Mrs. S. Beasley, Mrs. J. E. Whiting, Mrs. Marsh, Mrs Rawlinson, Mrs. Clarke, Mrs. Lansbury, Mrs. Allen, Mrs. Branson, Mrs. Evans, Mrs. Mills, and Mr. Holt maintained a constant supply of boiling water.
During the afternoon a concert was given in the rose garden. This was organised by Mrs. J. E. Whiting. Songs were rendered by Mrs. H. Clayton Jones (Newport Pagnell), Mr. A. Bullard (Newport Pagnell), Mr. D. Gardner (Sherington), and Miss Gardner (Wolverton), charming dances by Misses Miriam and Stella Tompkins and Miss Dorothy Coker, and a violin solo by Mr. H. Clayton Jones. The pianoforte accompaniments were played by Mr. H. H. Middleton who was also responsible for a whist drive.
In the early evening there were sports on the lawn with events for both young and old. General Sir Arthur Holland and Mr. A. Masterman were the officials, and the prizes were given and presented to the successful competitors by Lady Holland.
The Hanslope Band played capital music during the afternoon, and in the evening there was dancing.
The pleasure of the fete were marred in the early evening by rain, but notwithstanding this everyone spent a delightful time in picturesque surroundings, and a deserving and most useful village institution was materially aided by the efforts. The total takings amounted to £65 9s. 9d., practically all of which is profit and will be made over to the Hanslope and Castlethorpe Nursing Association. Considering the bad weather this result was most satisfactory, and is a fitting reward for the hard work put in by Sir Arthur and Lady Holland and the committee. The generosity of residents of the two villages in giving articles and produce for the stalls was valued and appreciated by the promoters, as also was the willing assistance given by Messrs. G. Tebbey, S. W. Platten, and Alfred Smith as gatekeepers.