AT THE SHOWGROUNDS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 59, 11 March 1914, Page 6

AT THE SHOWGROUNDS.

TO-MORROW’S DOINGS. *“The weather that made Stratford famous” lias prevailed now for live or six days in succession, and there is every indication that it will continue over to-morrow. People who do not know Strtford say that it is a severe struggle for the weather to keep fine for one consecutive day, but the last few days have'completely refuted such an allegation. It is sincerely to be hoped that Mr Bates’ lunch agrees with him to-day and that he will be generous to Stratford and decide to let us have a good day to-morrow for the Fire Brigade Carnival and Garden Fete, which is to be held on the Showgrounds The Fete will be opened with a procession which is to start from Mr Newton King’s corner , at 11 o’clock. On reaching the ground an immediate start will be made with the lengthy (programme which has been drawn up. The programme includes novel events of all descriptions which, should prove acceptable alike to the competitor and the spectator. All classes of the community have been catered for, and the rising generation is being called on to help in making the Fete a success. The school children have been well trained by Miss Papps and Mesdames Moon and Sharp, and can be relied on to perform creditably in the Maypole dance. The smaller fry will also contribute to the day’s enjoyment, there being a class for babies from ono to twelve months old. The secretary gives an assurance that none of the babies will cry during the time of exhibition.

On Monday the executive of the Retailers’ Association held a meeting and decided that the premises of mem. hors should be closed at noon tomorrow. When this decision was made known, a petition was circula-' ted asking shopkeepers to close at 11 a.m., and to this thirty-eight .signatures were appended; but the Retailers’ Association declined to alter its decision. In another part of this issue the secretary of the. Brigade appeals to those who signed the petition to close their premises at 11 a.m. ,/ The Stratford Municipal Band will head the procession to the ground, and will be in attendance throughout the day. There should be good competition in the Tradesmen’s Handicap, for which the secretary supplies the following list of entries: —A. J. Davey, Alt' Boon, S. Calo, Chas. E. James, L. Wann, T. Marshall, J. Mullen, W. Lander, G. Smart, F. Cuff, Tom Beckett, Paddy Phelan, Joe Hignett, T. Grubb, H. Harris, Jack Bowen, Bill Robinson, Fred Edwards, Stan Sharp, On Kee, Arch, Rawles, Money, Donald, Brocklebank, Nat King, Bill Diamond.

The charge for admission to the ground has been fixed at a shilling for adults and sixpence for children. A grand concert and dance will bo held in the Town Hall in the evening to finish the day, at which the drawing fof "'the art union will take place and prizes won during the day will be presented. An excellent programme of music has been prepared, and Mr King will also screen a few pictures.