Taunton Courier 03 Jan 1894 North Curry Sunday School Prize Giving includes Ada RUCKLEY Charlotte RUCKLEY and Lily RUCKLEY

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Taunton Courier. Bristol and Exeter Journal, and Western Advertiser Wednesday 03 Jan 1894

Page 5 Column 2


NORTH CURRY.

NEW YEAR EVE AND DAY. - The parish bells were rung at intervals during New Year's Eve, and the old year was tolled out and the new year ushered in. A few minutes before 12 a muffled peal was rung out for the dying year; while the hour of midnight was being rung out on the big bell the muffling was removed from the bells, and as the last stroke of the tolling died away the peals chimed out merrily in honour of 1894.

SUNDAY SCHOOL PRIZE-GIVING. - The annual Christmas tea and prize-giving in connection with the Sunday schools of the parish church of St. Peter and St. Paul was held on Innocents day. The meeting in the school-room was preceded by a special children's service, at which there was a large congregation. Service was conducted by the Rev. Preb. BULLER. On the text, “Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound,” the vicar preached a sermon essentially suited to his young bearers. He reminded them of how music and the ringing of bells were always associated with joy and festivity, and how apt all were on joyful occasions to listen for and expect these sounds. From this preface he led their thoughts to sounds that spoke not only to the outward ear but made music also to the heart of those who were trying to follow the footsteps of their blessed Guide. Hymns No. 69 and 331 were sung during the service. From church the pupils, accompanied by their teachers, marched in class order to the National schoolroom, where a capital tea had been prepared; to this full justice was done by the 136 children assembled. All arrangements for the the tea had been entrusted to Mrs. EDWARDS, of the Angel Inn, and the abundant supply of good things provided reflected great credit on her management. While the young people were enjoying themselves the teachers present were kept busy handing round huge dishes of cakes, buns. &c. Amongst those thus assisting were the Rev. Preb. BULLER, Miss BULLER, Mrs. WARRY, and Misses PLOWMAN, LOCK, WHITTLE, WESCOMBE, WARREN, STONE, PARSONS, WARRY, POUNSBERY, BRADBEER, FAY (superintendent of Sunday schools), and Messrs. WARRY and REID. After the children had finished, games were indulged in for a short time while the teachers, by Rev. BULLER's invitation, adjourned to the class-room, where a tea table had been spread for them. At 4.30 Major and Mrs. BARRETT arrived, and the children having been marshalled to their places, Mrs. BARRETT proceeded to distribute the prizes to those who had earned them during the past year. The vicar addressing the children reminded them that by the system of marking carried out through the whole school it was possible for each child by regular, punctual attendance, good behaviour in class and through preparation of home lessons to earn 618 marks during the year. All who succeeded in obtaining 500 marks or over were entitled to a prize, and would be presented with one that evening. Continuing, the vicar reminded them that at the beginning of the year Miss PLOWMAN had generously offered two medals for competition, one to be awarded to the best girl and one to the best boy. Ada RUCKLEY had earned the medal offered to the girls, and had earned also the greatest distinction it was possible for any boy or girl to earn in that school. It was impossible for any child to obtain more than 618 marks, and Ada RUCKLEY had gained every one of these (loud applause). Not one single mark had been cut her by her teacher for any lesson though-out the twelve months, and her regularity and conduct had been perfect. Among the boys Christopher ANDREWS had earned the largest total of marks, 575. The medals were in the shape of a Maltese cross, and bore the inscription, “North Curry Sunday schools,” and in the centre of each was cut the name of the proud and happy recipient. The class prizes were won by Ada RUCKLEY, Florence SPEARING, Beatrice BOWEY, Charlotte RUCKLEY, Alice WOOLLEN, Clara PERRY, Minnie MASTERS, Mabel POUNDSBERRY, Caroline VERRIER, Elizabeth BRIDGE, Hilda WARRY, Hilda MASTERS, Florence POUNSBERRY, Emily BOWEY, Prudence WARRY, Beatrice MASTERS, Lillian WARRY, Lily RUCKLEY, Christopher ANDREWS, Charles SPEARING, Alfred VENN, Henry VERRIER, William VENN, John DARE, Sidney VENN, Robert PARSONS, Clara MILLS, Alice GOVEY, Alice MILLS, Albert SLOCOMBE, Robert MILLS, Albert DINHAM, Fred MILLS, Albert MILLS. Special prizes were offered by Miss M. S. BULLER for the choir boys only, and were won by Christopher ANDREWS and William WYATT. Miss PLOWMAN also offered a special prize to the girls in her class for the best filled in almanac of scripture texts. This prize was secured by Florence SPEARING. After the prizes had been presented a most amusing and entertaining conjuring exhibition was given by Professor HERWINN, of Bristol. Cards, eggs, rings, bottles, handkerchiefs seemed bewitched under his dexterous manipulation, and while their magical appearance and disappearance mystified the audience, the comical explanations given by Mr. HERWINN amused both the young and old. The ever-popular production of a wheelbarrow load of miscellaneous property from a borrowed hat brought a good entertainment to a close. Major BARRETT, C.C., D.L., spoke a few words to the children before they were dismissed. He impressed upon them the debt of gratitude they owed to their vicar whose thoughtfulness and kindness to them had provided the whole of the treat they had so thoroughly enjoyed that evening (loud cheering). Mr. HERWINN, too, he though they ought to thank. Personally speaking he (Major BARRETT) had been as completely puzzled and amused as he was sure they had been (applause). After singing the Doxology the children were dismissed. By Rev. Preb. BULLER's kind invitations many of the parents and relatives of the scholars were present at the entertainment of natural magic. The pupils attending the branch school at Wrantage were conveyed from and to their homes in Mr. LANGFORD's break; the long ride being a matter of still further enjoyment to the little ones.


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<NOTES: Ada RUCKLEY, Charlotte RUCKLEY and Lily ROOKLEY or RUCKLEY are daughters of John ROOKLEY or RUCKLEY and Amelia FARNELL>