WELSHMAN'S GULLY.
The picnic on St. David's Day was, as reported in your last issue, a complete success. The weather was all that could he wished, and the attendance, between two and three hundred, including visitors from all parts of the district, Naseby being worthily represented by Mr. Busch, the Mayor, and a few of the fair sex, one of whom —an Ancient Briton—with admirable forethought, brought over a large bundle of leeks, with which, on her arrival, she proceeded to invest her compatriots. The gathering took place on the banks of an artificial lake-with an unpronouncable name situate on a high terrace immediately above the township, and commanding a magnificent view of the surrounding country. The principle object of the meeting was to raise funds for paying off a small debt on the school building, and it is gratifying to know that the object was ac- ■ complished. The proceedings commenced • shortly after 12 o'clock, when the school . children, accompanied by Mr. Paterson, the . teacher, and some members of the school Committee marched in procession to the ground, when they were speedily joined by ? the adult portion of the company. Kefresh- ; ments of all kinds had been provided in *• abundance, and the arrangements for the • comfort of the visitors were all that could be desired. Mr. W. Williams, Messrs. W. and i J. Thurlqw. Mr. Paterson, - Mr. Kobt. ■ Brown, and Mr. E. Morgan are entitled to r great praise for their efforts to make things l pleasant, and for their attention to I and comfort of their guests, although it was , remarked that the last named gentleman devoted hirnself exclusively to the service of, , the ladies. After partaking of the good things provided by the Committee, the bu--5 siness of the day commenced with a dance • on the green, to the strains of the violin, I played by our local Paginini, Mr. John b Melvin, after which the athletic sports comC menoed. Mr. J-JoberL. Brown acted as i starter, and Mr. Morgan and Mr. Brown as haudicappers. ± The first event was a Handicap Foot Race, „ 100 yards, for which there were seven competitors.—First priz-", 2 ; .i3., "William Smith; second prize, 10s., J. Macpherson. Sack tlace, for 20s.—For this event there II were six entries—all novices in the art of lo- '■ comotion in bags. The race created an im- • mense amount of fun, nearly the whole of ■- the competitors coming to the ground a few if yards from the starting post, their efforts to if regain thei? legs, resulting in frequent
tumbles was a most ludicrous sight. The race was won by Williain Pyle, junr. "The stake was returned to the Committee.
Boys' Race, 10 years old and upwards, 100 yards. Handicap. Seven entries."—First prize, 55., Alfred Dongee; second prize, 35., Wm. Hanger; third prize, 25., E. Wheeler. Boys' .Race, 10 years and tinder, ■■; all running to get Is. Handicap. Nine entries.—First prize, 45., Edward 'Morgan; second prize, 35., Ormond Hughes; third prize, 25., Hugh Hughes. Girls' Race, .10 years and over—-all running to get Is. Five entries.—First prize, 55., Miunie King; second prize, 3s. Oct., Aitkenside.
-Girls' Kace, under 10 years—all running to get Is. Ten entries.—First prize, 3s. Cd., Louisa Thurlow; second prize, 2s. 6d., Mary Morgan.
Ail the ehildrens' races were well contestedj and appeared to excite much interest.
"Walking Match, for 20s. Distance —. —For this event there were six entries. Winner—James Halley.
The next event created much interest, being a Committee Race, open only to members of Welshman's Gully and St. Bathans School Committees. Handicap. Distance, 150 yards. Prize, a belltopper.—Mr. Richard Wheeler, St. Bathans Committee, scratch; Mr. John Murdoch, Welshman's Committee, 5 yards; Mr. Thog. Hughes, 5 yards; Mr. John Thurlow, Welshman's, 8 yards; Mr. William Williams, Secretary Welshman's, 10 yards. This was an exciting race, and was won by Mr. Murdoch after a hard struggle with Mr. Wheeler, who was beaten by only six inches. Another race by members of the School Committees for a belltopper followed, which was also won by Mr. Murdoch Mr. Wheeler declining to start. Wheelbarrow. Race, blindfold, three entries.—First prize, 205., Ellis Williams; second prize, 10s., John Thurlow. It was expected that the competitors would have got into the lake with their barrows, and some' glorious fun was anticipated. This benevolent scheme did not, however, come off. The race, nevertheless, was very amusing. A tub race across the lake was included in the programme, but no entries could be got. One adventurous individual, in experimenting on the carrying qualities of his tub, got a capsize in the lake, and this probably damped the ardor of those who might' otherwise have risked a ducking. The day's sports wound up with a Handicap Foot Race, distance, 150 yards, for which there were twelve entries, Mr. Murdoch, winner of the Committees Race, being among the number. The race was a good one.—First prize, 255., Wm. Pyle, junr.; second prize, 155., Alfred Dongee; third prize, 10s., E. Wheeler. Thus concluded a most enjoyable day's amusement, and the visitors began to disperse—some returning to their homes, /the. great majority, however, on pleasure bent, wended their way to Welshman's to prepare for the ball in the evening. At nine o'clock the new schoolroom was thrown open for the first time, and the company began to assemble. In a short time the building, which had been carefully decorated for the occasion, was well tilled. Before dancing commenced, the following ode, written by Mr. Owen J ones, Avas sung by the Welsh portion of the audience with great spirit:— CAN Alt AGORIAD YR- YSGOLDY NKWYDD. . Wei dyina adeilad ardderchog; I roddi dysgeidiaeth i'r plant, Fel byddo ryw'goffa amy flwyddun: Un fil saith deg tri ac wyth gant . Yr athraw a'r dysgybl fo'n rhedeg £'w gilydd mewn cariad a pharch, Fel byddont yn fyw ar y ddaaer; Er huns mewn amdo ac arch. Bu Athen yn famaeth dysgeidiaeth, Am oesau yn nghyfrif y byd; Boed Welshmans y llanerch bach yma, Yn Famaeth i Athen ei hun: Trwy godi ryw gawri mawr cedyrn, Fo'n synu dysgawdwyr y byd: Wrth weied eu gallu'n dwyn allan, Ddirgelion trwy'r oesau oedd gudd. Bendithion y nefoedd fo armynt; I'w nerthu a'u harwain yn mlaen, Rhag drysu yn nhaith yr anialwch; Fel fiawer a ddrysodd o'u blaen, Yr Arghoydd a'u gwnelo hwy'n filwyr; Ymdrechgar a gwrol bob un, Ar faes y rilwriaeth ysbrydol: Dros'r Hun sydd yn Dduw ac yn ddyn. A wish is expressed for the welfare of school children and master—the desire of the composer that Welshman's Gully may become an Athens in learning, and that from among the scholars there shall arise giants in knowledge—and also that they may become soldiers, truly brave and honest, to fight in the spiritual battle for Him who is both God and man.
Dancing was then commenced, and kept up with .unflagging" spirit till midnight, when some songs were given, and Mr. Jones' poem sung with great effect. Dance and song alternately was then indulged in until dawn, when the company dispersed highly pleased with each other and with the entertainment, and with the wish loudly expressed that St. David's Day may be as /duly honored at Welshman's Gully for msny years to come.
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Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 262, 14 March 1874, Page 3
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1,198WELSHMAN'S GULLY. Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 262, 14 March 1874, Page 3
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