Western Daily Press - 03 September 1869

Paulton Harvest Festival

Yesterday the villagers of Paulton held their thirteenth annual celebration in commemoration of the ingathering of the harvest, and with the festival was associated the usual cottagers' show. The community who form the population of the village of Paulton are model people in their way — a happier family we rarely hear of. The Paulton Horticultural Society, unlike the majority of such societies, conduct their business in a novel style. The president, vice-presidents, committee, and the like, are the people. They require no patrons or leaders, but put their shoulders to the wheel and enter heart and soul into the work, and when a body of persons pull thus together, it is no wonder that success follows. Success invariably attends this annual holiday at Paulton, and yesterday's festivities formed no exception to the rule. The gentleman who has practically the guidance of affairs is the Rev. Prebendary Milward, the vicar of the parish, but with him are linked the clerical representatives of the Dissenting interest, and the inhabitants of all classes and conditions do their part as best they can without any formal programme, and somehow or other there are never petty jealousies or bickerings such as not unfrequently mar the harmony which should prevail on occasions like this. A fund was subscribed for decorating the village streets. The contributions ranged from sixpence to five shillings, and between five and six pounds were collected before the subscription list was closed. With this money labour and materials were purchased for triumphal arches with which the streets were spanned here and there wherever opportunity presented itself. Arches like those we inspected at Paulton yesterday we have rarely seen equalled. They were, without exception, elegant in design, tastefully decorated, and the materials were put together with great skill. They were composed of evergreens, flowers, vegetables, flags, reaphooks, wheat-sheaves, and other symbols of harvest time, and were in the evening illuminated by means of variegated lamps and Chinese lanterns. Perhaps the handsomest of the triumphal arches was the one which was erected opposite the church. It was designed in three spans, and composed principally of evergreens and flowers. On one side was the motto, "Success to the industrious cottagers," and on the other, "Success to our undertaking." On either side were two medallions, also with mottoes as follows :—" Hitherto have we been successful," "Where there is will there is a way," "A happy greeting to you all," and "Many hands make light work." The general decorations were as have already been described. Over the entrance to the national schoolroom, in which the exhibition was held, was the motto "Welcome to our harvest home," which was surmounted and supported by a very neat arrangement of wheat sheaves, evergreens, flags, and vegetables. A number of flags floated over the tower of the church, and the entrance to the vicarage was tastefully decorated. Over the church and gate was the motto "The harvest is ended," together with a festoon of evergreens, supported by sheaves of wheat. The street arches were erected near the residence, of the persons whose names are hereafter mentioned. Mr Wiggett (Newtown), Messrs C. and J. Adams and W. Lovell (near the church), Mr Flook, Mr Simon Carter (Plummer's Hill), Mr James Vowles (the Pithay), Mr W. Ings, and Mr C. Smith (Winterfield.) Mr Powell's Red Lion Hotel, the Paulton Inn, the premises of Mr Cross, shopkeeper, and other private houses were profusely decorated, and even the cottagers of the very lowest class vied with each other in adding their quota to decorative display.

In the afternoon divine service was held in the parish church, which had been tastefully decorated by the Misses Milward, the Misses Hill, and Miss Robinson. The reredos was ornamented with floral crosses and wreaths of evergreens, and the more prominent architectural lines of the chancel throughout were trimmed with evergreens. The pulpit, reading desk, font, organ screen, window sills, and gas standards were also adorned with flowers, evergreens, and wheat ears. The first lesson (Isaiah, 28th chap. to 23rd verse) was read by the Rev. J. Haines, rector of Stowey; and the second (Luke 8, 4th to 16th verse) by the Rev. G. Ommanney, curate of Whitchurch. A sermon appropriate to the occasion was preached by the Rev. Prebendary Homer, rector of Mells, from Joel, 2nd chap., 24th and following verses. After the service a collection, which amounted to over £8, was taken, in aid of the Bath United Hospital.

The show was opened immediately after the close divine service. The exhibition, though not very extensive, for entries are confined to residents of Paulton, was an exceedingly good one, the growth of the various products being very fine, especially after the dry season we have just experienced. The potatoes are worthy of special notice. About £11 was offered in prizes. The competition was divided into two classes, the first class comprising persons whose houses are rated at over £5 per annum, and the second cottagers who are rated at 1ess than £5. Prizes were offered for flowers, fruit, and vegetables in each class. There were not many flowers exhibited nor could anything like a cottagers' show of flowers be expected after the weather of the past few weeks, but as we have stated, the show of vegetables was excellent, and of fruit not less so. Besides specimens sent for competition, there were numerous contributions, chiefly of flowers, not for competition. The ladies and gentlemen who came forward thus kindly with specimens from their greenhouses for decorative purposes were Mr J. G. Mogg, of Farrington; Mr H. B. Smith, of Timsbury; Mr J. Hill, and Miss Hill, of Paulton; Mr J. Hill, jun., of Paulton; Mr Hatherill, of Temple Cloud; Mr Selby, of Radstock (fruit); and Mr Brimble, nurseryman, of Midsomer Norton, who sent choice collection of gladioli, dianthi, French asters, and fuchsias. In the lobby near the entrance to tho school-room were arranged the potatoes, and also some very fine Swedes, mangold, and turnips, which had been sent (not for competition) by the Rev. Prebendary Milward, Mr Joseph Hill, Mr Harrison (Hallatrow), and Mr John Hill. At the top of the schooltoom was a monster loaf made of new wheat, and exhibited as a novelty by Mr George Bray, of Paulton, and some fine cheeses by Mr Kilien of Farrington. A very noticeable feature of the show was the great number of entries in the wild flower and wild herb departments. Children only were eligible to compete for prizes for wild flowers, and busy, indeed, must many of them have been for a day or two preceding the show, for there were no less than 26 little lads and lasses competing for the six prizes offered for the best collection of wild flowers. In the wild herb class there were 18 entries. The judges were — Fruits, flowers, and herbs: W. Sambourne, of Timsbury House; Mr Findlater Craing, of Timsbury; and Mrs Mogg, of Farrington Manor. Vegetables: Mr Brimble, nurseryman, of Welton, Midsomer Norton; Mr H. Keel, of Timsbury; and Mr James Skinner, of Camerton Court. We are unable to give the prize list, as it was mislaid yesterday, and there was no second to be procured.

Not less than two thousand persons visited the show during the afternoon. In the evening there was dancing and other innocent amusements on the vicarage lawn. Tbe juvenile inmates of the Clutton Union Workhouse, who were large contributors of vegetables, which were remarkably well grown, were admitted free to the exhibition, and subsequently partook of a bountiful supply of refreshments, which were provided at tbe expense of the genial and kind-hearted vicar and Mr J. G. Mogg, of Farriugton. The Camerton Rifle band and the Midsomer Norton fife and drum band were in attendance, and played near the schoolroom in the afternoon, and on the lawn in evening. The refreshment department was, as usual, entrusted to Mr G. Bray, whose catering, it is needless to say, gave the utmost satisfaction to the many hungry and thirsty souls who patronised him in the course of the evening. The illuminations went off most successfully.