APRIL,
1915
RECREATION
FOR THE TROOPS – The
question of providing facilities for recreation for the troops billeted in
Brandon was considered at a meeting of the committee appointed for that
purpose held in the Paget Hall on Thursday week.
The Rector (the Rev J.L. Wyatt) presided.
As a result
a very satisfactory scheme is now in operation financed by the Soldiers
Welfare Committee, of which the Mayor of Cambridge is the Chairman, and
Messrs Alex. Wood and A.D. McNair the joint secretaries.
The arrangements are, however, supervised and carried out by the
voluntary services of local ladies and gentlemen.
The Wesleyan Schools, the Paget Hall, and Church Institute, have all been
thrown open as recreation rooms, while the Church Institute and Wesleyan
School rooms are also transformed into restaurants where the soldiers may
obtain refreshments at cost price. All
the buildings are open every day of the week including Sunday from 4pm to
9pm, refreshments being served between 6.30pm and 8.30pm.
Games, books, writing materials, etc., are all provided, and the facilities
are much appreciated by the men. The
Wesleyans are looking after their own section, and members of the Baptist
and Primitive Methodists are assisting in the refreshment department at the
Church Institute.
WELSH
SINGERS AT CHURCH – The
presence of the Welsh Fusiliers at Brandon is affording the townspeople many
opportunities of enjoying demonstrations of the Welshman’s noted musical
abilities, and it was not surprising that the Parish Church was overcrowded
on Sunday evening, when several members of the regiment contributed to a
programme of high class vocal music. All their efforts were very commendable, and immensely
appreciated.
“The Martyrs Of The Arena” – Male voice choir;
“Watchman, what of the night?” – L-Cpl S.F. Williams (tenor) and Sgt
M.R. Herbert (bass)
“Lead, Kindly Light” – Private G. Wilym Williams (tenor)
MAY,
1915
A
SUPPER FOR THE SOLDIERS – After
evening service on Sunday the ladies of the Wesleyan Church provided a
supper for the soldiers billeted in the town, about 60 of whom attended.
Soldiers
depart – The Welsh
Fusiliers, who have been billeted at Brandon for about five months, left for
“somewhere in England”. The townspeople turned out in large numbers to see them off
by train at about 8.30pm.
JULY,
1915
Concert
– Last Thursday week,
at the Church Institute, a concert was given by some troops billeted in the
town. The Institute and Bowling
Green have been placed at the disposal of troops in the town and so the
troops showed their thanks by giving the concert.
Proceeds of the concert equated to £2 17s 6d.
AUGUST,
1915
MILITARY
SPORTS – Removal to a
new training ground necessitated an alteration in the date of the sports
arranged by the 2/1st E.A. (Essex) R.G.A. Heavy Battery (Major
S.E. Wood commanding), and they were held on Saturday, instead of Monday, in
a meadow kindly lent by Mr Towler. The
programme consisted of flat races (100 yards, 440 yards, and one mile),
equestrian displays, including wrestling on horseback, V.C. race, and
driving competition; also tugs-of-war and swimming races in the river
adjoining the field. The
concert arranged to take place in the evening had to be abandoned; and the
prizes were distributed at the end of the races by Mrs S.E. Wood.
BAND
PERFORMANCE –
An excellent programme of music was rendered by the band of the
Hertfordshire Yeomanry on the Market Place on Saturday evening.
There was a large gathering and the music was much appreciated.
