Mexborough & Swinton Times – Friday 10 June 1892

Whitsuntide at Wombwell

On Monday, the annual gathering of children attending the Sunday Schools in Wombwell was held, the day being all that could be desired. The children proceeded front their various schools to the Market-place at 1.30, when an open-air concert was given. Between two and three thousand people were present. The proceedings were presided over by the Rev. George Hadfield, and opened by singing the first hymn, commencing, “How blest are those in early youth,” accompanied by the Barnsley Model Band. Mr. Thos. Thornsby, sen., was the conductor.

Mr. Hadfield, in a brief address, spoke of the pleasure it gave him to be present, especially on such a beautiful day. He was pleased to recognise the Biblical education the children got in the Board Schools, as well as in the Sunday School, and urged upon the parents to send their children regularly and punctually to Sunday School.

The third hymn, “We gather, we gather, dear Jesus, to bring,” was then sung after which Mr. H. Wheale gave an address. The hymns, “Hail the children’s festal day,” and “Oh, for the will to keep,” having been sung, the proceedings were brought to a close by the singing of “Through the New Jerusalem.”

They then processioned the principal streets of the town, headed by the band, in the following order:

Wombwell Reform, 38 teachers, 250 scholars ; Primitives, 24 teachers, 200 scholars ; Wesleyan, 50 teachers, 420 scholars; Congregational, 26 teachers, 200 scholars; Free Church, 35 teachers, 350 scholars.

After this they were taken to the various schools and supplied with tea, etc. and a very enjoyable evening was spent in a field kindly lent by Mr. Brooke.