The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1871-08-19 00:00:00

FORESTERS FETE AND GALA AT THE

LEA SOIVES, HAL ESOW EN,

Early on Itlonday morning Cradley Heath was all astir
and hundreds if persons could be seen wending their
way towards the Five Ways to witness the procession of
Foresters, which was announced to take place that day.
The weather being tine thousands of persons were pre-
sent to witness the procession through the various
streets. Ten o'clock was the appointed time for starting,
but it was nearly half-past eleven before they got away,
owing to their having to wait for some of the Courts
from a distance.

_
The various Courts assembled at the Five Ways, and
then formed themselves into order of procession. The
following Courts were represented : No. :1066, Hope and
Anchor. qUeVII.N Head, Corngreaves.streat, Cradle)
Heath ; No. 3595, Cable an Anchor, Bird-in-Halni.
Cradley Heath ; 1127, tiood Samaritan, the Beduin,
Corngreavewroad, Cradley Heath; 4196, Forestirs'
Home, Vine and Railway Hotel, Cradley Heath; 42:;3,
Loyal Shenatone ; 4340 Loyal Marlborough, Cook.e) s
Hotel, Old Hill; 4398, Moss Rose, Royal Oak Inn. New
Town; 4546, Rabin Hood's Merry Rangers. the Crown
Inn, Five Ways; 4970, Lye Reformed, Windmill Inn,
the Lye. Although the district of Cradley Heath mid
Ilalesowen comprises 36 Courts, only nine tools port in
getting up the Fete.

Theuprrocession started from the Five Ways, headed
by the Cradley Heath Brass Band. The Pensnett Vic-
toria Brass and Reed Band and the Halesowen Drum and
Fife Band also taok part in the procession. Each band
played lively quick steps passing through Lowey Town,
Five Ways, Four Ways. Reddal Hill, Old Hill, said Haden
Hill, Co route for Halcsowen, passing through the prin-
cipal greets, and then to the Lessorres. The proi ession
was three-quarters of a mile in length, and was accom-
panied with three magnificent banners hearing suitable
mottoes of the Order, and a large number of flags, the
members wearing the VaTIOIIIS badges of the Order, and
accompanied by Robin Hood, Little John, Will ticarlett,
Friar Tuck, Shepherds, A: e.,
. . . . . . .

. _
tin arriving at the beautiful and classic grounde, famed
as having been the seat of the poet Shenstone, the pro-
cession passed round the house of it. Gibbons,
who bad kindly placed the whole of the grounds at the
disposal of the Conno.ittee.

on arriving at the F. te ground a short rest was in-
dulged in, and the programme wan commenced by tho
Craitley Heath Band pis 3Mg a selection of music, %Melt
was followed by the l'ensuett Baud, and the Fife and
Brum Band, playing alternately. The Excelsior Christy
Minstrels sang some cuvllent nigger melodies and can.
Crises, and were repeatedly er,cured ; also Joe Collins was
very amusing in his comic singing and dancing. The
programme was very attractive, and seemed to give gene-
ral satisfaction.

There was a number of shooting galleries, Aunt
Sanyo, and ether things to amuse all classes. During
the day a number of balloon ascents took place, under
the management of Brother ',swirly, of titourbridge,
P.C.R., and P.P. of the A. 0.5., assisted by Mr. slones,,,f
Stourbridge. Everything passed oft well with the excep-
tion of one drawback—that of Samuel Westwood, of
quarry Bank, who unfortunately broke his leg, and was
at once conveyed borne in a plot-tom and hod the limb
set.
It is estimated that between six and seven thousand
persons were present, upwards of 1:100 being taken at
the gates, and it is expected there will be a good surplus
in aid of the funds of the Order and General Hospital.
We must not close without a word of praise to the
Committee, who were indefatigable in carrying out the
arrangements according to the programme. The refresh-
ments were provided by Mrs. S. Cartwright, of Cracila
Heath, and tes and confectionery by Mr. J. Corns, 4i
Wolverhampton.