The Barrow Herald and Furness Advertiser. — 1881-12-17 (Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, England)

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, DALTON. FANCY FAIR.  Yesterday afternoon hate 't-vt:o-pe-ned in the Schoolroom adjoining this church, by the Rev. A. Hall, the pastor, a fancy fair, the proceeds of which are to pay for beautifying church and school and fitting up Mission-room at Gleastou. On the stalls in the room —which was tastefully decorated and adorned with seasonable mottoes—was a bewildering assortment of articles—useful and fancy—the former, however, preponderating. In the centre of the room was a large Christmas tree laden with the usual "fruit." There was also a galvanic battery, to shake those who had escaped the shocks the Salvation Army have been giving, and the "all prizes and no blanks" diving tubs. Considerable homeliness was given to the gathering by the cheerful strains of two canaries. The curiosity shop was a curiosity, and till you had explored its stores, a sell. Mr. J. Myers had charge of it, and on leaping that he was the furnisher of its articles, we felt sure that something decent would be provided. Going through the catalogue with "the ministry" was a treat. With a view to a subject for next Sunday possibly, one rev, gentleman asked to be shown the article described "A wholesale murderer." and:was pointed to a comb of small dimensions! Another inquired for "& sharp little customer," and was handed a needle! Mr. Myer's "dressed goose" was an iron hearted affair—a tailor's goose in holly! Further description will be unfair to the friends of the church; so our readers for further knowledge must "enquire within." There was a fair attendance at the opening. The Rev. A. Hall (the pastor), was supported on the platform by the Revs. T. Rogers, , (Wesleyan), J. Barton Bell, (Ulverston), and J. McMillan, (Barrow), and Mr. R. Blake. After the , singing of a hymn the Rev. T. Barton Bell offered prayer. The Rev. A. Hall explained the purposes for which the effort was made and congratulated the friends on the harmony with which they had got the articles together. He was sure they would realise their object.—The Rev. T. Rogers was pleased to be present to show his good will, and in all sincerity he trusted that their efforts would prove a perfect and absolute suceess.—The Rev. J. McMillan was warmly received. He was in very truth a sympathiser with those having to get up a Fancy Fair as he had come from one at Barrow. He was glad to observe that the friends at Dalton had provided a good supply of useful articles; they went off the best. He was in a shop in Barrow the other day and heard a lady asking for a contribution to a bazaar at Dalton. and the shopkeeper replied "Why all the money's at Dalt,car. Nearly all my customers come from Dalton." He (Mr. McMillan) wished them a successful outcome. The Rev. A. Hall urged his friends to keep the money in Dalton. (Laughter.) The tradesmen should look after this business. He then declared the bazaar open and urged the ladies to get hold of the parsons. The ladies and gentlemen having charge of the stalls, &c., were—Mesdames Martin, Lawn, Rabey, Hosking ; Misses Andrew, Hoskiug, and Johnson; and Messrs. J. Johnson, J. Myers, G. Martin, T. Crellin, F. and I. Turner, J. Leach, and H. G. Young. The room during the evening was crowded, and a good business was done. The fair remains open to-day from 3to 10 p.m. Miss Lawn and others contribute solos, &c., and the Rev. W. Troughton's dioramic exhibition will be shewu.