The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1867-07-16 00:00:00

FORESTERS' FETE AT WIRER_ ABBAS.

The seventh anniveesary of "Court fit. Austin."
which was • "Impel habitation and a same" in Corn.
Abbas, took plasm cm Tuesday last. under the happiest
implore, and with the most complete soccess, notwith-
standing that there Wlllll a Foresters' demonstration at
Chieksrell on the same day, which, of courts, prevented
some from attending who otherwise would have done
so. The Impoliey of two courts so close together
holding festivals on the same day must be aperet to
everyone. We don't know who is responsible for this
emorrelemps, but to pereons unacquainted with the secrets
of the Order like ourselves it rather looks as though
there was a hitch somewhere in the fulfilment of the
legened of the Order, "Maas, betteraleatia,et eorteardta."
The arrangements for the Ceres fete were under the
direction of Mr. Morley, and esperiense of his manage.
meat aforetime led no to predicate • suwewaul
issue, and this was amply borne out. All Corns held
high festival on the day, and visitors from the
neighbonrhood round flocked thither to take part in
the holiday. The whole town was embowered with tress
and branches, so that the streets, according to promise,
were "shady groves, suggestive of the witches'
prophesy in Macbeth, that Blrnam's wood shall some to
Dunsinane." And this shads wee very 'veleta!, for the
gen mailed ow the proceedings with snob Intensity and
warmth that coop de *dell seemed • very possible
eventuality to not • few. But the committee of
managements and the townsfolk did not leave the
"shady groves" in their sombre glory. Bunting was
displayed to an extent quite surprising at a town
so much out of the world as Cern., but if
the Cerneites are go secluded, they generally coo-
tries to find amongst themselves just the men they need
In every strait, and the "missing link" found on this
°cession in order to give eclat to th• event was Mr. J.
Hellyar, who obtained for the use of the Court a grand I
display of flags and bunting from Rochester. No less
than eight arches spanned the streets, nicely wreathed
with evergreens and adorned with bunting and devices.
Entering the town trom Blorcheeter "refound thy first of
them in Acreman-street which we are told the people
of the neighbourhood joined in making, thus showing!
the interest they take in Forestry, and in maintain-
ing the credit of the old town. At Mr. Henry
Norman's there was • neat crab, from the cross-
beam of which sprang a device in pyramidal form,
supported at the sides by flags and forming
a pleasing change in the ordinary streakers of
festival arches. The next was at Mr. Hurley's, and
the arch was surmounted by a neatly outlined floral
crown, sepported by flags, while the seerstaiy's house
had the glorious motto "Excelsior" and several floral
devises. The mottoes on the arch were " Leiter
84114101011i0, et Coneat.iia "and Pro Boma Ptebt co."
The third arch was at the New ins. The fourth at
Mr. Banger's end bore the motto "Every man for
every man himself included." This was nicely adorned
with laurel leaves, he. The fifth was at Mr. W. H.
Clarke's. The sixth at Mr. Ifidlyar's, profusely
decorated with flap. The seventh at ir. Aliesworth's,
and the last it the Court House, bearing the invitatkm
" Sons of the greenwood come." The trans-
formation of the town was complete, Foresters
In the quaint costume of the Ancient
Order walked the streets or rode on
forest ponies, while the followers of the "bold Robin
Hood" indicated their attachment to the band by green
sashes and other insignia, and country cousins wreathed
with smiles and towmfolks gay and frolicsome looked on
approvingly. At eleven o'eloek the rendssvons was •
field, lent by Dr. Downs, overlooked by the Cerne giant,
but his mightiness didn't appear to eels good form. and
we commend him to the attention of the good folks of
Cerne against another festival. Here a procession was
formed In the following order :-
1 Robin Ilso,l, Little John, and other " merrie men" mounted.
i The Trotters and other Honorary Members on horseback.
1 The Bedicel Officer in carriage.
Chief Rimier, Past Chief Ranger, and other Orlicen, mounted.
, Banner of "Court Progress." Dorcheetsr, haring • green
' geld elth crimson border, with on one side ths Dorchester
arms, surrounded by Om motto of the Order, " Mims.
• Bennotentia, et Comordia,- supported by Foreseers, shove
which is some scroll work and a label inscribed. Deity Is

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slangth" :t. roam bearing the royal arms, with the legend
•• Host • I rol mai y Paw," and a label above " Court
Program, Nu. Sag, A.0.F."
Hand of the Srd Dona Rita Volunteers, under Yr. Henry