Great Western Fete 1870

Faringdon Advertiser

Sat 9 July, 1870

 

Shrivenham

 

Great Western Fete.  The annual fete, now become the monster picnic through which the Great Western line runs, which is held with a view to augment the funds of a very benevolent society, affording aid to the widows and orphans of the employees upon that railway, came off on Tuesday last, in the beautiful park of Lord Barrington, situate a mile from Shrivenham Station. This is the third occasion on which Beckett Park has been placed at the disposal of the promoters of the fete, and the circumstance is creditable alike to his Lordship’s generosity, as well as to the visitors at these fetes, who are, for the most part, careful not to abuse the kindness shown by noblemen towards the institution. The park, though not so extensive, is exceedingly pretty and varied. Its winding walks, charming drives, numerous avenues, and ornamental waters are kept up with care and taste rarely met with. The mansion, which occupies a commanding position, is a comparatively modern structure, surrounded with tastefully laid out lawns and prettily arranged flower beds. The benevolent object of the fete, and the high character it has gained for its amusements, attracted over 12,000 persons, brought by excursion trains from London, Newbury, Hungerford, Reading, Basingstoke, Oxford, Swindon, Bristol, Cheltenham, Gloucester, etc. The number of visitors was below that of last year, which may be accounted for by the dampness of the morning, the recent visit of Royalty to Reading, Pangbourne Regatta on the same day, the park not being situate so near a large population such as Oxford was, and a variety of other causes. The result, under the circumstances, may be considered highly satisfactory, and had the number been less, it could not have been a matter for surprise. The amusements were, for the most part, the same as on former years. The stage performances, the bands, and the cricket match afforded amusement for those who had a desire to be passive, whilst others, whose enjoyment took an active form, found among the dancing, Aunt Sally, Archery, and Kiss-in-the-Ring, something to suit their inclination. The magic post office had its mysteries for the curious, some working models for the ingenious, and a bazaar for the investment of and money in purchases of presents for the ‘little ones at home.’ The pleasing task of nourishing the system seemed, above all others, to be of universal adoption, ample preparations having been made for individual wants in the capacious hampers and stone jars with which paterfamilias or the head of a party was loaded, and for the general needs by the ample provision of the caterer. The trains were despatched with a punctuality creditable to the officials with limited station accommodation, and such and immense mass of people. No casualty, as we heard of, occurred in any way to detract from the enjoyments of the day, and the arrangements appeared to be never better.