The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1885-09-26 00:00:00

ANIBLECOTE.

IfIVEST FFSTIVAL SERVICES, - On Tuesday
evening Harvest Festival services weep bold in
Holy Trinity Church, Amblecobe—The church has
been decorated with exquisite taste, and et r;aihly
does great credit to those who carried out the werle
of decoration. The principal attraction wcs the
altar which presented a most handatene appear-
ance, it being decorated with flowers, and in the
centre stood a small shear of corn and a bunch of
grapes. On the re-tablo steed a splendid croszs
studded
.with precious stones, whilst on the cre-
dence table also stood a small sheaf of corn and a
bunch of grapes. The font was also very prettily
decorated with flowers and evergreens, and had a I
pleasing effect. Every gas standard was decorated
with evergreens and barley, and the wird .we were
also profusely adorned with flowers, fruit, and ferns.
Under the pulpit lay a quantity of vce-etables, fruit,
. a small branch of plums, and a large loaf of bread.
The reading desk presmted a very tasteful and
ornate:sae-trance and was the object of much ad-
miration.. It was decorated with flowers and grapes.
Over the pulpit and reading desk were two inscrip-
tions, surmounted with crosses made with corn and
barley and a bunch of grapes. Along the front
of the. gallery were placed evergreens and a
quantity of grapes and apples. The vocal part of '
service was rendered effectively by the choir, who
were assisted by two trumpets. The sermon was
preached by the Rev. F. A. Ebsworth, vicar of East
Retford, and there were also present the Rev. J. S.
Botiero, vicar, Rev. B. W. Allen, curate," Rev. A.
B. Timbrell, curate of Oldswinford, and the Rev.
Crofton, curate of Pensnett. We may state that
during the past fortnight great alterations have
been made to the chancel of this church. The choir,
which before was in body of the church, is now
placed in the chancel, and the old communion rails
have been taken away and elegant brass rails been
substituted. The old reading desk has also been re-
moved and a new one replaces it. We may safely
say that the service was one of the best that has
ever been held. The service was continued on
Thursday, when the sermon was preached by the
Rev. J, S. Pollock, vicar of St. Alban's, Birming-
ham. The following are the ladies and gentlemen
who carried out the work of the decorations in sueh
an artistic manne :—Alises Webb, Misses Bolder),
Miss K. Kny, Miss Skelding, Miss Steele, Mrs.
Ridley, and the Rev. B. W. Allen, and Mr. C,
Andrews. The services will be continued to morrow
(Sunday).

WORCESTERSHIRE UNION OF CLUBS AND
INSTITUTES.

The annual meeting of the above was hell on
Monday afternoon at the Workmen's Club, Kidder•
minster. Lord Lyttelton presided, an I there were
Also present Sir Harry F.ley Vernon, the Revs. T.
L. Ciaughton, S. B. Bathe, E, H. W. Ingram, G.
A. K. Shnpson, F. It. Lawsun (bon. see.) ; Messrs.
G. W. Grosvenor, A. Baldwin. M. Tomkinson, J.
Coambers, H. Howard, W. C. Awdry, A. Worthing-
ton, :V. Fawko, C. E. Newmarch, B. Beach, B.
Grove, &c. _

Toe Rev. F. R. Lawson (hon. sec) read the tenth
annual report. which stated that at the else of
year fifty-six institutions were affiliated. The total
number at the pzesent time was fifty-eight. There
was a deficL in the accounts of .E6O, the catie being
failure of income. In addition to this there had been
a loss upon the annual excursi,m, which w)is Llan-
.ludno, which brought up the deficit t ) £ll4. The
opocatiims of the Council were somewhat con-
tracted by that debt. but whilst the number of in-
ztitutions in union showed a never failing inereas,
and wirle the Look boxes continued to meet the
,raving for healthy literature, which was so marked
4. result of the increaieu eAucation of thr; present
;lay, the work of such a society must not be allowed
to cease.

L6rd Lyttelton, in moving the adoption of th,
report, witir, remarking upoit the good wm k such
,nstitulions as workmen's clubs were doing in the
country, said there were not as many of such clubs
in the country as there ought to be. There were
about 250 paris!tes in Worcestershire, and there
ouAt to be many more than 58 clubs, The number
.)f those clubs would go on increasing because edu-
cation was increasing. The recent extension of the
franchise to two million persons would also have a
tendency in that direction, because thA netily.en-
franial)ed would E oon begin to find out their ignor.
ance and wished that it should be diminished, lie
referred to the library of 1,400 volumes and to the
circulating library of boxes of books, which ware
such useful features of their work.

Mr. R, Grove seconded seconded the proposition.
Mr. A. Baldwin suggested that the deficit might
be wiped off if they could get twenty-five gentlemen
in the county to give each for that purpose. He
was willing to commence it with .£5.

In the di'smesion Which took place as to the ex-
cursion, it was said by Sir Harry Foley Vernon
that people in c..untry places were in favour of go-
ing to such places as Plymouth or London rather
than to purely sca-side resorts like Llandudno.
The report was adopted.
Mr. M. Tomlinson proposed that the best thanks
of those present be given to Lord Lytt,lton for his
iervic:2s as president of the union, c')upled with a
request that he be respectfully requested to con-
tinue in office.

Mr. Towkinscn seconded the inoti)n, and slid ho
would give £5 towards clearing off the deficit.
The reeouition was carried.

Lord Lytelton replied, and intimated that he
would continue in the office of president, and also
contribute hi i X 5 towards clearing off the deficit.
Last year's vice•presidents were re-elected, and
Mr. F. A Godson's name WaS added to them,
Thanks were also accorded to th,-.3 Rev. F. B.
Law,on and Mr. Smith for their services as hop.
secs.

The members of the Coanoil were elected, Mr.
Iloward and Mr. Gedge imornised eacq, cud -Mr.
A.. W. Worthhigton 2g,. towards cltaricg off the
deficit.

Tue nport was a(lopted.
Mr. R. Grove read a paper giving a sketch as to
ti e working of the Kideierniinster clubs, and off,r-
lug suggestions as to the registration of clubs.
Lora Lyttelton moved a vote of. thanks to Mr.
Grove, which was carried by acclamation.

The Rev F. R. Lawson also moved a vote t:f
thanks to the Committee of the Kidderminster Club
for the kind hospitality they hal &iown to the dule-
gates. _ - _

- Ibis was seconded and:ciaried.
vole of thanks to Lord Lyttelton for presidinj
t. the me hug eb)sed the pr,:ceeding,,..
The delegates afterwards sat down to a dinner in
the Coru Exchange, which had been provi led for
inem by the committee of the Kidderminster In-
stitute.