PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 5 November 1930, Page 2

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

SUNDAY SCHOOL ANNIVERSARY SERVICES AND CONCERT The anniversary service of the Presbyterian Sunday School were held in the Church last Sunday when the children’s choir under the baton of Mr E. R. Pirie provided the music. The church was filled to capacity both morning and' evening. On Monday evening the Hall was packed with an audience who were treated to a first class concert ' programme given by the children. The items consisted of recitations, songs and dialogues, interspersed with anniversary hymns. Maud Gardiner opened the programme with a humorous recitation which was given in good style.' Three tiny tots (Hazel Campen, Margot Lowe, and Jean Black) peeped out from a man’s umbrella to recite "The Old Umbrella.” Emily Gardiner and Alex Wilkie appeared in costume to sing “Silver Threads Among the Gold.”. The following took part in "Mothers of Salem” which was sung with ac-> tions: Mothers—Nita McCosh, Colinette Lowe, Heather. Blair, Jessie Black, Shurley Vercoe, Joan Howat, Helen. Ross, Helen Hunter, and Heather Black; Disciples—Alex Wilkie, Jack Williams, Haddin Blair, and Billy Veysey. “At the ticket office” was the title of a dialogue depicting Sandy, in from the country with his wife, waiting in a queue to get tickets for the theatre when an amusing scene takes place. The following children took part: Ivan Blair, Marjorie Cumming, Thora Spence, Emily Gardiner, Jack Williams, John Parr, Ken Spencer, Gordon Cummings, Maud Gardiner, and Alex Collins. A duet “Uncle Ned” by Jim Burrows and Haddin Blair was well receiv- i ed by the audience. “Darky” .sketches seem to have an appeal of their own. Joan and Jack Williams were splendid in a dialogue called “A rat or a mouse.”

Probably the best item of the evening was “The Doll’s Wedding.” The paper dresses worn by the children were shown up to advantage by coloured'lights. When the wedding procession had made its way through the hall after the “ceremony” the audience demanded an encore. The following took part: Chorus —Bonny Gardiner, Dare Gardiner, Emily Gardiner, Jessie Black, Margaret Ross, Enid Eban, Chrissie Hunter, lowa Nelson, Marjorv Cummings?} and Kathleen Qrawley; Minister, JacltLWilliams ; bride, Helen. Hunter; bridegroom, Billie Veysey; bridesmaids, Jean Black and Eula Johnston; best man,- ! Ken Spencer; groomsman. Arnold Spencer; bride’s parents, Heather Ingram and Roy Blair ;• “Buster Brown,” - Billie Hunter; “Red Riding Hood,” Heather Black; “Jumping Jack,” Jack Morcom. A duet “The Tin Gee-gee” by Alex V 7 ilkie and Alex Collins was based on the fact that as in the toyshop -the doll preferred the “tin soldier” marked 2s 3d to that priced Is 9d, so in real life it is often the man with the higher salary who gains the attentions of the ladies.

For the next item the stage was converted into a blacksmith’s shop, where to the accompaniment of the ringing of the anvil, a chorus of boys sang ‘The Blacksmith’s Chorus.” The audience were greatly amused when a “horse was brought in and shod amid much bucking and plunging. The following took part: Alex Wilkie, Haddin Blair, lan King, Alex Collins, Eric Johnston, Billy Veysey, John Parr, S. A. Oldershaw, and N. J. Rowe. . . “Mother’s Burdens” depicting the many duties of the housekeeper was well performed by the following: Helen Ross, Chrissie Hunter, Kathleen Crawley Margot Lowe, Heather Blair, Shurley’ Vercoe, Enid Eban, Doris Thomas, Margaret Ross, and Allen Black, Baivy Veysey and Billy Veysey. > A dialogue “Uncle * Hiram s Cold told of Uncle Hiram .who had a severe cold which he was trying to cure by soaking each foot in a bucket of water. His wife administers Cherry Malt and during the proceedings he has several friends call, all bringing or suggesting fresh remedies. The part of Uncle Hiram was taken by Alex Wilkie and that of his wife by J°an Others taking part were Billy Diddle, Maud Gardiner, Haddin Blair, Benny Gardiner and Emilv Gardiner. The final item was a tableau Burdens of the Cross” which was well presented by lola and Ulva Nelson, Helen Hunter and Heather Ingram. Great credit is due to the superintendent, Mr C. Robertson, and the teachers who were responsible for the various items as well as to the children who all did their parts admirably. Too much praise cannot be (riven to Mr Pirie who has put in much time and effort to train the children in their singing, and to Miss Frances Bensemann and Mr J. R, Smith who have acted, as accompanists. Much of the success of the evening was due to the lighting elfccts supplied by Mr W. Anderson Smith and to the stage decorations, etc., arranged by Mr J. Wills.