BADSEY – CONCERTS
Two very successful concerts organised by Mrs A Sears and Miss E Sladden were held in the Old Schools, Badsey, on February 29 and March 1. In taking the chair on the first evening Mr J Sladden said the proceeds were in aid of the local Belgian Fund and Parcels Fund, and he was glad to see such a full house, and he was sure most of them knew what pains must have been taken by those who had trained the children, Miss Byrd and Miss Hartwell. He was sorry to say that Miss Byrd could not be present that evening on account of illnes; but he thought the children had done her credit by their performance. Thanks were due to Miss Mustoe, who had done all she could in the absence of their teacher (Miss Byrd), who had given up her leisure time from school work in preparing the children, and had not neglected her own school work in doing so. Mr W Mustoe took the chair on the second night, when the house was again packed. He said how very much surprised and pleased he was with what he had seen, especially the dancing. When he thought what the teachers and also the scholars had had to contend with – very bad weather for the practices and also the outbreak of chicken=pox, which meant so many children falling out at the last moment and others to be trained to take their places – he considered they had done remarkable well. He said he should like to express a vote of sympathy with Miss Byrd, who had developed diphtheria, but he was glad it was only slightly. Both chairmen on each evening said that they thought great credit was due to the mothers who had taken such pains to dress the children so suitably for the occasion. The promoters would like to thank those who had helped to dress the children for the stage – viz, Mrs E Johns, Mrs J Pethard, Mrs N Haines, Mrs W Hardiman, Miss E Barnard, Miss C Johns, Miss L Crisp and Miss Brewer; also Mr J Barnard for all stage and lighting arrangements and Mr W Mustoe, who sent flowers and ferns for the decoration of the stage; Mrs Cull for kindly lending piano on both evenings; the doorkeepers, Mr W Standford, Mr Emms, and Mr P Brailsford; and Mr E Mustoe, who removed chairs, etc, the following day. The singing was accompanied by Mr E Warner (violin), Mrs A Sears and Miss T Sears (piano). The net profit amounted to £9 10s.
Programme: Duet, “God bless the Prince of Wales”, Lucy Wheatley and Clinton Sears; “Farmyard son” and recitations, Infants; “Rocking-horse song”, Infants; “Flag songs” and recitations, Infants; violin and pianoforte duet, “Hopskotch” (schottische), Miss I Sears (pianoforte) and Mr Warner (violin); song, “Mr Gollywog, goodnight”, Standards 2 and 3 (girls); game, “Three little pigs”, Babies; “See-saw song”, Infants; dance, “Sir Roger”.
Part 2: Pianoforte due, “Alerte”, Frances Jones and Phyllis Butler; games, Infants; “Daffodil song”, Infants; a fairy play, “Golden silence”, characters – Quenn (H Barnard), Prince (I Sears), Jessie (D Brewer), Ella (T Sears), Isabel (G Brewer), Milly (B Dore), nine fairies, L Mustoe, N Addis, V Crane, J Knight, D Haines, L Mustoe, L Johns, M Haines and K Cole; violin and pianoforte duet, “Tyrollene”, Miss T Sears (piano) and Mr Warner (violin); duet, “Do play with me”, N Crane and L Keen; “Fairyland song”, Standards 2 and 3; pianoforte duet, “Marche des Troubadours”, I Sears and T Sears; songs, “Red, white and blue”, “Keep the home fires burning”.
Chorus: “God Save the King”.