Mexborough and Swinton Times July 14, 1917
Wombwell Baby Show Huge Success
The Wombwell Urban District Council Infant Welfare Committees procession and baby show, held last Thursday, was a huge success, large crowds lined the route and a packed house attended the show in the Wesleyan schoolroom..
The procession formed up in a field behind the Wombwell Empire, where they were Marshall by Mr George H Haynes, who had charge of the arrangements.
When the procession moved off about 2 o’clock it was led by a banner with inscription written thereon: “Save the Babies.” The centrepiece, a sketch of Britannia with an infant in its arms; was a work of an invalid nephew of superintendent nurse Manners.
Next in order came a represented body of our councillors, included in which were the chairman (Mr A.E.Allott), councillors J Nunn, J J Neville, and J Dyer, followed immediately behind them being the ladies of the Clinic Committee.
The first tableau was the work of Mr Griffiths, of John Street school, and was very prettily arranged, representing Britannia with a young child in its arms, saving it from the grim spectre of Death, which looked over her shoulder. It was symbolical of the Clinic’s emblem.
The dray supporting this tableau was tastefully decorated with a large canopy, and a charm effect was produced with a scheme of decoration consisting of large daisies on art muslin.
Kings Road schools effort, the work of Miss Yarwood and Mr E Bird, was a good one. This tableau was “Save the Babies,” divided into two parts. He represented the careless mother’s home and a careful and hygienic one. Some of the mottos displayed on this tableau showed very apt and careful thought, for, as everyone said, they just spoke the truth.
The next and last tableau, from Park Street schools, represented a clinic, with small chairs and tables, young children and attendant nurses, and everything appertaining to the good work of infant welfare, it was a huge success. This dray was tastefully decorated and garnish with real roses, and places great credit to the end Mrs and Mr J Shillito, who had the work in hand.
Following this were superintendent Nurse W Manners and Nurse Saw heading the clinic mothers and babies. This part of the procession was composed of some 60 mothers with their babies in prams,” and was quite an asset to the procession. The rear was brought up by a host of young girls from the various schools representing mothers of the future, with tiny “prams” and dolly’s in them. They made a charming picture all along the route, which was Summer Lane, Blythe Street, Main Street, Barnsley Road, high Street and Park Street. Great admiration were shown for this interesting venture, and everyone voted it a tremendous success.
At the baby shower Councillor JJ Neville’s cup for the best baby attending the clinic under one year was run by Adela Vaughan of 11 Main Street. The judge in this class was Dr Bullough of Wakefield.
Phyllis Martha Hague, of Skiers Farm Hemingfield (below), won the cup presented by Mrs A.E.Alan for the best baby in the Urban Council district under one year not attending the clinic. Dr Wiggins of Hoyland judged in this class.
A cup, given by Mrs Atkinson the best baby in the Urban Council district over one and under two years was one by Verdun Ogden (below) of Wath Road; the judge being Dr Burman of Wath.
Fred Ellis, one of the twins, aged six months old, whose mother died at Christmas time, and was adopted by Mrs Ellis, won the cup presented by Mr Mitchell for the best bottle-fed baby in the district open to all babies under two years of age. This class was judged by Mrs Purdie and Dr Bullock. Great praise was due to superintendent Nurse Winifred Manners and her able lieutenant Nurse Saw, who carry everything through to a successful issue with excellent foresight and promptitude. The ladies had left nothing to chance, and naturally everything went off with clock like precision.
A collection taken on route by Nurses Hodgson, George Gibbon, Harkes, Shaw, Corporal England, Private Umpleby , and Capt Jackson of the V.T.C. realised the sum of £10 1s 4d.
After a short speech of thanks all concerned the show closed on a day successful from all points of view.