Sarah
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The Western Chronicle Friday 25 May 1900
Page 6 Column 6
STOKE-SUB-HAMDON
The welcome news of the relief of Mafeking was received here with the liveliest satisfaction, and it was felt by several on Monday morning that some public notice should be taken of such an historic event. A few enthusiastic spirits were hastily summoned, and in a few moments a programme was drawn up and a subscription list opened. It was decided to canvass for subscriptions and to devote any money left after the day's celebrations to entertaining the children of the village when peace is proclaimed. By way of a commencement the children attending the Board Schools were given a half-day's holiday, and at 12 o'clock assembled at the Cross and sang the National Anthem. At 3 o'clock the Stoke Band played from the centre of the village to a to a <sic> field in Cole Lane, kindly lent by Mr. W. G. TERRELL, where the school children were entertained to sports, the the <sic> prizes being provided by the various tradesmen. Dancing was indulged in by the seniors until 5 o'clock. At 5.30 a procession started from Mr. MORRIS's field at West Street and paraded the principal streets. Considering the short time allowed for preparation the procession was a very creditable one and was composed as follows:- The Band, Stoke Contingent of the Volunteers, under the command of Sergeant MALE, with Private W. MALE, of the Coldstream Guards, invalided home from Bloemfontein, in khaki uniform, and Private W. GAYLARD, an old soldier who has re-joined the ranks; next came the members of the Boys' Brigade, with their neat uniforms, and under the command of Captain SOUTHCOMBE and Lieutenants RAYMOND, WATERMAN, and PALMER. Following the boys, marched the Girls' Guild, with their effective costumes and tambourines, and being under the supervision of Mrs. RAYMOND. Representatives of the Parish Council and School Board followed, and the rear was brought up by 70 members of the Hearts of Oak and Foresters' Friendly Societies, marshalled by Messrs. W. BROOKS and H. W. SOUTHCOMBE, and each member wearing his sash. The procession reached the Brocks Mount grounds, kindly lent by Mrs. SOUTHCOMBE, at 6.30, and dancing on the lawn was vigourously indulged in until 8 o'clock, when a halt was called to witness an inspection of the Boy's Brigade by Col. BLAKE. After this another spell of the “light fantastic,” and the proceedings concluded with a torchlight procession through the village, and the singing of the National Anthem on the Cross. The stone quarries, factories, and other business places were closed at 1 o'clock, and many hundreds of the villagers united in the demonstration, which, though hurriedly organised, was voted by all a complete success. The sum of £8 was raised, in addition to £1 7s 8d collected on the grounds and which will be forwarded to Lady CURZON's Mafeking Relief Fund. During the evening's proceedings a great deal of enthusiasm was created by the reading by Mr. RAYMOND of a telegram stating that the news of the relief had been officially confirmed, and that BADEN-POWELL had been made a General. Cheers were given for ROBERTS, BADEN-POWELL, and BULLER.