OLD ENGLISH FAIRE

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 33, 2 November 1933, Page 4

OLD ENGLISH FAIRE

St. Peter’s Parish Effort

St Peter’s Schoolroom, Ghuznee Street, had been cleverly decorated with paper streamers and ribbons o£ every gay colour for the Old English Faire which was opened there yesterday by her Excellency Lady Blcdisloe. It is being held in aid of the parish funds.

The ceiling is screened, with a network design, and. long floating ribbons hang from the chandeliers. Round the room the stalls have been erected, and again coloured crinkled paper has been lavishly used with most charming effect. All the stall-holders wore fancy dresses, some of flowered print, with large poke bonnets or mob caps, and white muslin fichus, while others were in the costume of English gipsies. Her Excellency was met at the gate by the Rev. W. and Mrs. Bullock, Mr. and Mrs. Didsbury, Mrs. Sprott, Archdeacon and Mrs. Johnston, and the Rev. N. E. Winhall. She was wearing an ensemble of hedge-sparrow’s-egg blue, with beige fox collar, and small becoming hat to match the suit. Miss Caughey, one of the principal parish workers, presented her with a lovely bouquet of red, yellow and pink roses. Her Excellency was accompanied by Miss Diana Harris, whose brown tweed coat, with mink collar, was worn with a currant-red felt hat.

Lady Bledisloe was introduced to the parishioners by the Rev. Mr. Bullock. It was a good many years, he said, since a bazaar of any size had been held in aid of St. Peter’s but the present state of their finances compelled them to repeat a similar effort of GO years ago, which had taken place in the same hall. He was delighted to see such a large number present and especially so many of the older parishioners, one of whom had been baptised by Bishop Selwyn in St. Peter’s. He was very grateful to her Excellency for sparing the time to be present and for. opening the proceedings. Lady Bledisloe, in replying, assured those present of the very real pleasure it afforded her to be there. She had a deep sympathy for the wonderful work their vicar was doing. She congratulated them on their beautifully decorated stalls, and hoped the bazaar would be a Very great success.

Her Excellency then made a tour of inspection, showing a friendly and understanding interest in the work of the stall-holders, and then had tea, with those who received her, at a table on the stage. During the serving of tea maypole dances and country dances were performed by school children in cosEumes of the Kate Greenaway type. The children provided an attractive entertainment and also enjoyed themselves immensely. There were stalls for cakes, sweets, produce, flowers,” handkerchiefs, fancywork, books and “handyman’s” work, as well as a display of old photographs, a Punch and Judy show, a maypole, a fishing and bran tub and a museum.

Those in charge were Mesdames Smyth, Bethune, W. J, Millen, Mushet, Thornton, Gibbs, Stowers, G. Didsbury, R W. Atkinson, H. Spurdie, B. Quinton, Misses Agar, F. Ballinger, N. Hewitt, Brewer, the Rev. N. E. Winhall, and Mr. D. Dyer. •\ The bazaar will be open to-day and this evening.