The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1870-06-11 00:00:00

THE SUMMER GARDEN SOCIETY.

The inauguration of t,:e pleasure grounds of this
society, eituated within about a qu.rter of a mile of the
Willesden Junction Station on the North London
Railway, was celebrated on Sunday, when a large
company assembled, princip slly com posed of the higher
class of artisans and their families, for whose recrea-
tion the grounds were mainly intended,
These gardens have been eatablished by • body of
working men under the title of the Summer Garden
Society, and will be conducted on a principle so popu-
hr on the Continent, under the management of Mr.
Balloter. The admission is by season ticket only, at
the price of is., and admitting until September next, the
children of members under 12 years of age being ad-
mitted free with their parents, it being the object of
the society that the gardens should become a summer
resort for families. The season tickets are for the pre-
sent obtainable of the manager of the gardens. the
scheme has received the sanction of Mr. T. Hughes,
M.P., Mr. Beals; the Rev. Henry Solly, and other
gentlemen who take an interest in working-class ques-
tions. On weekdays, among the other amusements
provided, are cricket, bowls, quoits, athletic sports,
and dancing on a large platform. with special amuse-
ments far children. On Sundays the gardens a, ill be
opened in the afternoon for promenade, with an excel-
lent instrumental band, which will play from four
until eight in the Evening. No persons but those
holding season tickets will be admitted intothe grounds.
The manager, Mr. Bolleter, has had considerable ex-
perience in the corductirg of Continental gardens,
and, judging from the proceedings on Sauclay, seems
fully equal to the occasion.
The gardens were opened at two o'clock in the after-
noon, and the North London, Metropolitan, and other
lines brought down a large number of working men
and their families who have become holders of season
tickets. At four o'clock the band of the lot London
Artillery commenced playing, and performed • choice
eel ction of sacred and secular innate. At five o'clock
the Rev. Henry Sully delivered the inaugural address
to a large and attentive audience. He said the Almighty
never intended that the seventh day should be one of
gloom and SALlefl3, and notch Sabbath desecration was
caused by the endeavour to enforce what were called
Sabbatarian principles. He could see no harm in
a man, when be had taken his religions rest on
the Sabbath morning and worshipped his Maker in the
manner his conscience taught him was right, walking
out into the country to inhale the pure fresh air, and
by this rest recruiting his energies for the work of the
ensuing week. He believed the gardens in which they
were then assembled would supply a great public want
in this country by enabling working men and others to
enjoy on the Sunday the fresh air ot the colliery, with
the enlivening addition of music and such innocent
amusement as did not run counter to the religious feel-
ing of the country.

Mr. Solly concluded Ids address by apologizing for
the alience of Mr. Hughes, M.P., who had intended
to be present.
Mr. Bolleter abo addressed the company in explana-
tion of the way in which he intended to emduct the
gardens. .

'-ii;e—remaimler of the evening was passed in promen-
ading the gardens and listening to the music.