The Blandford Express June 7 1873
Spetisbury
Temperance festival
This annual event took place last Wednesday in the usual manner and came off very successfully. The Band of Hope and adult members assembled at the Independent School-room at half-past 12 o’clock and there formed in marching order, headed by a prettily designed garland and the Stickland Temperance Band. They started on their perambulations about one o’clock paying their first visit at Mr. Mackerell’s, thence to the Misses Shirley’s, thence to the Convent, where they were not only welcomed but had into the large School-room and addressed very forcibly on the value of total abstinence by the Rev.J.Sabbé, who at the close of his address congratulated Mr.Durant and others on their success in the village, offering (subject to the consent of the Lady Abbess), the use of the room in which they were then assembled at any time for temperance proceedings. The rev. gentleman also gave a donation of 10/- on behalf of the Society’s funds. The next call was at Mr. John Keynes, where we regret to state the usual courtesy was withheld on the ground that some of the labourers in the Temperance cause were members of the Labourers’ Union. Outside of the guarded gate, however, the band played a tune or two before leaving. The next call was at Mr.Gillingham’s, where they were well received – being regaled with milk-and-water, and presented with a donation, as was also the case at the Misses Shirley’s, Mr.Stevens and Mr.Meatyard’s. On returning down the village they met a drunken representative of the accursed liquor traffic, carrying a sort of garland, and indulging in a frantic dance, whilst the publican, who (in all probability) had swyped him for the occasion, …..