The Bucks Standard August 22nd 1925

HANSLOPE AND CASTLETHORPE
NURSING ASSOCIATION

GARDEN FETE AT HANSLOPE
LODGE

In the beautiful grounds of Hanslope Lodge, the Buckinghamshire home of that distinguished soldier and Member of Parliament for the borough of Northampton, General Sir Arthur Holland, K.G.B., K.C.M.G., D.S.O., the annual effort to bring financial help to the Nursing Association which does such a valuable work in the villages of Hanslope and Castlethorpe was held with a considerable measure of success on Saturday afternoon last. The weather was gloriously fine and in charming rural surroundings and with many attractions a large company was privileged to spend a happy and enjoyable time. The work of a nursing association appeals to no one more than to the people whom it benefits, and this was clearly demonstrated at Saturday’s fete when residents of the two villages concerned rallied splendidly to the support of the organisation which operates at their very doors and whose beneficent work is not restricted to one section of the community alone but is available for all classes – rich and poor, the sick and infirm and the young children in any case of emergency. The charges for the service of the district nurse are so very small that the funds received in this way are inadequate to meet the financial needs of the Association, and thus other means have to be derived to raise money to keep the organisation on a business-like and sound footing. And no better way of achieving this object could be imagined than the summer fetes, which are always well organised and are very popular. Sir Arthur Holland, M.P., and Lady Holland, since they took up their residence in Hanslope, have shown a deep concern in the welfare of their neighbours. They have been true friends to the Nursing Association, and their kindness in opening their charming grounds year after year for its special benefit and for the enjoyment of the public is a concession which the committee place at its true value and for which they are most grateful. Everyone sincerely regretted that continued illness did not allow of Lady Holland taking any part in Saturday’s proceedings. She is in a nursing home in Hampstead making as all will hope, a rapid recovery from an illness which was brought about by the weeks of real hard work which she put in at the late general election for her distinguished husband. Everyone will be delighted to hear that Lady Holland’s progress, though slow, is quite satisfactory. In herm ladyship’s unavoidable absence visitors to the fete were welcomed by Sir Arthur Holland and his daughter, whilst Mrs. Horne (mother of Lady Holland) performed the opening ceremony. In a capital little speech she referred to the value of nursing a association to any community and hoped they had come prepared to spend their money and make the fete the success which the committee hoped for.

On the wide expanse of lawn which fronts the Lodge heavily ladened stalls were invitingly arranged and in pretty wooded retreats the public found many things to interest and amuse. The gardens were thrown open for inspection, and in the glories of the long avenues of roses the choicest varieties came in for general admiration. The Hanslope Band were in attendance, and they played a first-class programme of music during the afternoon, whilst their dance programme in the evening gave immense pleasure to a large company of young people. Professor Stanley, of Northampton, gave his popular Punch and Judy entertainment during the afternoon, and at a later period favoured with a clever and amusing ventriloquial performance. Miss Tompkins raised quite a good sum of money in going round with a collecting box whilst these entertainments were in progress.

In the afternoon and again in the evening Miss Dorothy Coker’s pupils gave an artistic and graceful display of dancing. The rose garden, with the tints of the beautiful flowers and a background of green shrubs, made an exquisite setting for performances of this character. Everything was very pleasing and extremely enjoyable. Miss Coker, who comes from Wolverton, is certainly to be heartily congratulated on the polished and noteworthy performance which her pupils gave. Miss Stella Tompkins, Miss Vera Dewick, and Miss Ann Whiting (the latter quite a tiny tot) all contributed to the programme. The outstanding feature, however, was the Grecian dances by Miss Coker herself. These were very beautiful and were rapturously applauded. Miss Adnitt played the pianoforte accompaniment. At the evening concert variety was introduced by Mr. Baines, of Sheffield, who was on holiday at Hanslope. As a humorist he was splendid. He sang songs about the housing problem, about life “In our little garden suburb,” and tried to fathom an arithmetical problem. The audience would have liked more from this versatile comedian. Mr. Kenneth Roberts (Deanshanger) officiated as box office and concert steward.

Among the workers for a good cause and the ladies presiding at the various stalls were the following: Produce stall. Mrs. F. Tompkins and Mrs. Branson; bran tub and ice creams Nurse Selines and Miss Bavington; crockery and glass, Miss Burchall; sweets, etc., Mrs. H. Beasley; hidden treasure, Miss Brownsell; rummage stall Mrs. Willingham and Miss Crick; flower girls, Miss F. Sawbridge and Miss C. Branson; bowling at fixed jack for a pig kindly given by Mr. J. E. Whiting (Castlethorpe), Mr. E. Branson and Mr. W. Piper; houp-la, Mr. Reg Kingston and Mr. H. Gregory; flying skittles, Mr. J. Short; skittles Mr. J. Evans and Mr. F. Mills; cocoanuts, Mr. W. Willingham.

Teas and refreshments were served under the direction of Mrs. J. E. Whiting and Mrs. W. L. Johnson, assisted by Mrs. Mayes, Mrs. Lansbury, Mrs. Howe, Mrs. Evans and Miss Weston.

There were many competitions all of which provided profitable. Mrs. W. L. Johnson was responsible for one in which the competitors had to guess the correct name of a dressed doll; Miss Lottie Hawkes sold many tickets for an iced cake; and Mrs. F. Tompkins did a big business in raffling a goose and gander given by Mr. Lambert. The birds were won by Miss Harding of Hanslope.

As gatekeepers Mr. Geo. Tebby and Mr. Stanley W. Platten rendered the committee a distinct service.