From the Parish Magazine dated August 1880.
" The works at the Parish Church have made good progress
during the past month. The new pillars, arcades, and clerestory walls have
been
completed,
so that
the building is again weather-tight; and the ceiling of the aisles nearly
finished. Altogether there seems a good prospect of the Church being re-opened
at Michaelmas, and it is hoped that every exertion will be used to raise
funds to defray the expenses incurred before the re-opening takes place.
It will be remembered that on the completion of St. Saviour’s Church
and of Newtown School-Chapel the respective committees found themselves not
only free from debt but with money in hand; and it is much wished that the
Parish Church Committee may be in so good a case: but to ensure this it will
be necessary to raise a sum of between £400 and £500 within the
next two months. Since the list published in June further subscriptions have
been received, together with a contribution of £100, the proceeds of
the Sale of Work, Offertory, and Tea at St Saviour’s Dedication Festival
on July 4. Making a total amount subscribed to the present date £2,290
3s 0d.”
From the Parish Magazine dated August 1882.
“
The General meeting of the shareholders of the Hungerford Public Coffee House
Company was held on the premises on Tuesday July 4. The working account for
the past year shewed a balance to the Credit of the Company of £17
19s 9d, but the Directors did not recommend a dividend, as they considered
that a reserve fund should be formed to meet future liabilities, repairs,
etc. The report shewed that the business of the Company had been considerable,
and the work carried on by it to be of much benefit to the town of Hungerford
and its neighbourhood. The Directors hope that as the existence of the Coffee
House becomes more known its business will be extended and developed without
corresponding increase in outlay, so that although large dividends are not
desired or expected, the promoters of the undertaking may have the satisfaction
of co-operating towards a good work without pecuniary loss. The Directors
desire to bring under the notice of the public the conveniences for lodging
which are afforded at the Company’s premises. Three of the Directors
Messrs. Alexander, Cherry, and Fidler retired in due course but were re-elected.
Mr Henry Gibbons accepted the office of Managing Director for the ensuing
year in place of Mr Fidler.”
(This follows on from the article in the June magazine which announced the
opening of the Coffee House in June 1881. We are still trying to establish
where this may have been located in the High Street, and if anyone has any
ideas I would be pleased to hear from them. FB.)
From the Parish Magazine dated August 1892.
“
The great event of last month was the munificent entertainment at Chilton
Lodge, to which Sir William Pearce invited all of the inhabitants of Hungerford
and Chilton. An excellent and abundant dinner was served on an enormous tent
and the guests were numbered by thousands. The weather was delightful and
a most enjoyable afternoon was spent in the park, where amusements of every
kind including two admirable bands were provided for the recreation of the
crowds who had assembled to partake of Sir W. Pearce’s generous hospitality.” More
from the past in the next issue.
Fred Bailey.