The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1876-06-13 00:00:00

EVIINSHOT.

EvenswoT Cm:B.—Whit-Tuesday the Evershot Friendly
Society held its annual festivaL The bells rang merry
peals and the village was tastefully decorated for the
occasion with flowers, flags, and evergreens. Assembling
at the clubroom at noon, over 50 marched in procession
to the church, where prayers were said by the Rector, and
a sermon was preached by the Curate from I. Timothy vi.
M. The anthem 'Bear ye one Another's Burdens "
(Pearson) was nicely rendered. After service the mem-
bers re-formed in procession, and accompanied by the
band paraded the streets, returning to the Acorn. where
an excellent dinner was served by Mr. Wigget Mr.
Arthur Martin presided, and was supported by the Rev.
E. Austin, Mr. J. Codrington, and Mr. Clapcott. The
usual loyal and complimentary toasts were proposed and
acknowledged. The secretary, Mr. G. Rawkine, read the
financial statement, from which we gather the club is
founded on the ten years' principle, and has been
established 44 years. The day passed off very pleasantly.

BROADWEY.
DEMONSTRATION yORFSTERS.

Court "Star of Broadwey" held a demonstration on
Whit-Monday, audited by brethren of Dorchester and
Weymouth Courts. The weather was tolerably favour-
able, for, nature looked fresh and balmy, after the few
showers with which we had been favoured. They mustered
in a field close to the railway station, Upwey, and thence
proceeded to Broadway Church, where an appropriate
sertnon was preached by the Rev. W. llolden, from the
words "God so loved the world, that he gave His only-
begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on Him should
not perish, but have everlasting life." After service the
procession was re-formed in the following order :
Marshals with wands.
Weedwards with axes.
Blue silk ensign.
. . .

Dispensation of Court Star of ZWadwcy, bum by two
members.

Dorchester Town Brass Band, under Bandmaster Stevens,
. . .

_
',laying lively airs, their usual excellent style.
Red silk flag, late im,lierty of the Unwcy Club.
Juvenile Foresters, Inireliester &od Upwey, in a waggon.
Juvenile Forester,. on foot, aisiot 40 from Dorchester, Court
o progress," and munlYering about GO altogether.
Union Jack',.

The large banner of Court •• Progress," No. 3,038, Mating the
Vomiters' Antis
Members from Chicken:l (Court " Alcsandra,”) Dorchester
(court •• Progrme") and Weymouth (Courts • I•lume of
Feathers" and "Sailors lope.")
Red silk flag.
Court " Star et Broadwe3" about he
The procession =welled down the Weymouth-road, and
turned aside to the residence of Mr. Rudd, who kindly
gave laf, to the fund, and his lady kindly invited the
procession to halt on the lawn. Another march under
shady trees, and they turned down the road to the pleasant
village of Nottington, and halted at the mill, where the
band played several times. and Mr. Swatridge kindly pro-
vided refreshments, and gave a half-sovereign to the funds.
The brethern next returned to Broadwey, and after a short
halt at the Swan Inn, marched to the lovely village of Up-
wey, by way of Mr. Imckhiun's and Watery Lane. Passing
the lovely chestnut trees of Westbrook, and skirting the
banks of that pretty stream the Wey, they marched by
flower-crowded gardens to the line of houses which lies
just under the shelter of Ridgway Hill, and from Elwell
at Ridgway corner they turned southwward again
until they reached the field. This was Mr. Emery's
and most convemiently situated, close by
the Railway station. Here we learn that the court
is prosperous, numbering ST members, but has had
the same experience as so many of the other courts, in a
large amount of sickness. Its Demonstration Committee
consisted of Bros. S. Tewkesbury, RUIL J. R. L Rogers,
P.C.R., W. Keynes, C. Gale. P.C.IL, C. Rogers. sen., P.T.,
W. R. Symonds, P.C.R., W. Robens, P.S.C.R., T. Otter,
P.C.R., C. Hawker, J. Skitter, P.S.W., J. Davis, RT.,
H. R. Higgs, P.C.11.., A. Hounsell, and Bro. G. B.
Symonds, secretary. The field was gay with pleasure and
refreshment booths, Sergeant Freeman and two constables
keeping order on the ground. Bro. J. Woodland, of the
Ranelagh Hotel, Weymouth, ably provided refreshments
in a fine roomy marquee, but there was some of the usual
dreary speelies and beery toast-drinking, which so ofien
keep the brethen from enjoying themselves with their
friends outside. The weather was favourable to merry-
making, for there WM no blazing sun, the sky being
overcast, and in fact a dense mist overhung the hills.
The procession returned to the field about three o'clock,
and after that the amusements went on with spirit,
consisting of flat races, climbing the greasy pole, hurdle
and sack races, ac., dancing, Aunt Sally, and skittles.
The trains brought considerable numbers of people from
both Dorchester and Weymouth, and very properly the
three o'clock train was stopped at the Upwey station, as,
indeed, it is a wonder it does not always. In spite of the
mist, no rain fell, and everything promised a merry time.
Unfortunatelt the rain came on about half-past three,
and somewhat interfered with the 1111CCOM of the sports
FLAT RACE. about 100 yards. Six entered, but only five
started.—The field was rather rough, but the down hill
course was got over at a pretty good pace. The race home
was rather heavy, partly owing to the crowd closing in
upon the runners, and a stout artilleryman pushed his
wax through and won easily. Padger, Ist prize, ;
Wright, 2nd, lid,; (lollop, 3rd. Ford and Thacker not
placed.
Ring-kissing, swing-boats, dancing, clic., helped out the
amusements. A very large number of people witnessed
the sports from the railway station, and from outside the
field. The band played in the field at various times. The
rain, fortunately, occasionally held up, and between roo
and MO people had visited the field dunng the afternoon;
the village was all alive with crowds of people, and there
is every probability of this being a moderately successful
fete : the committee finding, early in the afternoon, that
their expenses had been met. It would greatly depend
on the weather, as to any considerable profit/ being
made.

—The crowds in the field increased as the weather cleared,
and it was thought there were 1200 or 1500 visitors. Some
of the races did not come off; but the public managed to
get a good deal of fun of one sort and another but the
influence of intoxicating drink was, as usual, Yen' bad.
The police were reinforced by Supt. Batty and P.C. Haines,
and had anything but • pleasant time. A special train,
leaving Dorchester at lt3o, was announced to stop at
Upwey, but it was very late. The fête, was, however, a
decided financial success.