Sarah
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Trewman's Exeter Flying Post: Devon, Cornwall, Somerset, Dorset, Wilts and Gloucester Advertiser. Wednesday 20 Jan 1864
Page 8 Column 3 and 4
TORRINGTON – The Hon. Mark ROLLE, with Lady Gertrude ROLLE, left Stevenstone on Monday for Blagdon (late Mr. MARSHALL's) with his crack pack of foxhounds to hunt that district this week.
BLACK TORRINGTON. - [From a correspondent.]
This little place – not unfrequently, and that to its credit – appears in the public papers. It is one of those little, merry, sociable places where the minds of people have not been distracted by the rush and buzz of steam locomotive action – have not been led to so extend their view over the earths' wide surface as to disregard the charms of the parochial and village home. The earth may be broad and it may be grand, and the stream carrier may promise glorious things to result from transit; yet, as regards the good people of this place they have not learnt to think lightly of the charms of the “home circle,” and so sociability reigns among them in no ordinary way, yielding pleasure on every hand, leading all classes to mingle with affection; respectability of character only being the test of worthiness to form(?) one at the happy gatherings. There was an interesting gathering at this village on Thursday last. The occasion, ordinarily speaking, was the annual parochial tr---(?) to the church choir, but the gathering became extraordinary from the fact of friends and neighbours having, by the clergyman of the parish, been led to notice that the leader(?) of the choir – one of the largest farmers of the parish – had, of his own free will and pleasure, applied his powers during the last forty-eight years as choir leader at Blacktorrington; and during the whole of that long period, and without the slightest(?) remuneration(?) had been unfailing in his endeavours to render the choral part of the service of the church just as it(?) should be. The meeting was held at the Packhorse(?) Inn(?), and the good hostess, Mrs. HOCKING, as usual, provided a capital dinner for the many who attended to partake there of, and to show their good will in the cause of church music, and their especial regard for Mr. George Smale RISDON, the choir-leader. Dinner being over, and the loyal feeling having found utterance in many appropriate toasts, the rector, the Rev. J. PENLEAZE, rose to propose the health of Mr. RISDON. He dwelt at length on the many excellent traits of character which so truly entitled Mr. RISDON to their warmest esteem, and especially dwelt on his having so freely and so nobly acted for forty-eight years as choir-leader in the church of the parish. The rev. gentleman stated that he had for a considerable time felt that a something expressive of public appreciation of faithful and valuable services ought to be presented to Mr. RISDON, which should be worthy of his and his children's looking upon with honest pride. He had, therefore, laid the matter before many friends, and in every case, without requesting co-operation, had most freely received it. The result was sufficient offerings for a handsome silver goblet. The goblet was then placed upon the table and presented to Mr. RISDON, accompanied with a paper containing subscribers names and the amounts of their subscription, with such particulars connected with the movement as tended to afford pleasure to Mr. RISDON and his family. The formal presentation having been made, Mr. RISDON returned thanks in brief and suitable terms expressive of the gratification which their kindness has afforded him and his family. Among other interesting matters he referred to the numbers of public persons, ministers, churchwardens, and others, with whom he had, during the performance of his choir duties, been connected with, and who had by the strokes of death been called hence. One only remained of his first choir, Mr. Robert DOWN, whom he had the gratification of then seeing present. Several toasts followed, amongst which were the healths of J. M. KINGDON, Esq., and Mr. F. T. HONEY, who responded in a manner testifying to the gratification the occasion afforded them. The Rector then proposed the healths of his worthy churchwardens, one of whom was Mr. George BRAUND, of Braundsworthy, the vice-chairman, whom he eulogised for uprightness of conduct and strictness of principle, as he so well deserved. The toasts having been concluded the room was soon cleared for the various amusements which seem so natural to the people of Blacktorrington, and which always render the gathering there of the most agreeable character. The goblet bears the following inscription: “Presented to Mr. George Smale RISDON by several of his fellow parishioners of Blacktorrington, and other persons, as a token of thankful acknowledgment of his long-continued and gratuitous services as leader of the parish choir. Christmas, 1863.”
<NOTES: George Smale RISDON son of Joseph RISDON and Sarah TANTON, married Susanna BRAUND>