Queen's Diamond Jubilee 3-the school.

Post date: Dec 15, 2011 2:38:4 PM

Wateringbury Parish Magazine, July 1897 reported as follows in respect of the festivities held in connection with the Queen's Diamond Jubilee:

JUBILEE DAY:—The annual school-treat was held on the 22nd of June with the view of catering for the amusement of the people of the parish on the general holiday. "The children never had such a treat in Wateringbury’’ was the natural verdict of one of the masters. A Diamond Jubilee does not occur more than once a life-time, and Mr. R. H. Fremlin, the giver of the treat, with his usual generosity kindly extended it in various directions. The sports, held in the Glebe, included certain events open to residents in the parish. A tug-of-war between the two breweries was won by a team of Messrs Jude Hanbury & Co.'s men. A second tug, in which the various farms and a team of gardeners competed, was won by Hermitage Farm, the Gardeners and Upper Mill Farm dividing the honour of second place. There were also three flat races, one for men under 20, one for men over 20, and the third for men over 40 won by E. Cogger, W. Latter, and G. Osborne, respectively. The prizes for these events were silver jubilee medals. The teachers' potato race was won by Miss Lownds, Miss Ethel Wells being second. The children competed in about 30 races, the sack races affording excellent fun. Before the sports the children met at Mr. Fremlin's, and, after each one had been adorned with a jubilee medal, sat down on the lawn for tea. After the sports in the Glebe the company adjourned once more to Mr. Fremlin’s where prizes were distributed, and a patriotic song was sung by the boys under the direction of Mr. Smith, the head master; and, before they dispersed, refreshments on a liberal scale were served out to the children.

The parents of the school-children were entertained at a supper in the oast-houses at Upper Mill Farm and lighted with electric light, while a small string-band and cornet discoursed sweet music. In proposing Mr. Fremlin's health, which was drunk with musical honours, the Vicar explained how the school-treat was originally fixed for the Jubilee Day, and how the kind host had proposed to extend it on this occasion so as to include the ' oldsters' as well as the ' youngsters'. He also took occasion to touch upon the proposed permanent memorial of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee and to commend it to the parishioners generally. Other toasts, including of course -" the Queen", were given, various guests contributed songs, and the pleasant evening closed with a repetition of the National Anthem.

For other snippets about Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee please see Queen's Diamond Jubilee and Queen's Diamond Jubilee 2-the church.