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Feasts, treats and picnics
The annual Sunday School treat was an event we looked forward to each summer during my childhood in the 1930s because it meant cakes and sandwiches and endless cups of tea, a welcome addition to the diet of those who came from working class families where money and therefore food was often short. Treats were an enticement
to regular attendance at Sunday School during the year and usually
consisted of tea and often entertainment and sometimes both, but whatever
the reason for them being held, children always looked forward to them as
events of immense enjoyment because they were not only getting an extra
meal, but they were also the centre of attention. Friday 12th June 1857: The National and Infant schoolchildren had their annual treat and in the afternoon, about 137 boys and 136 girls assembled at the National School and, accompanied by the Vicar [the Rev Joseph Dodsworth] and the Bourne band, walked in procession to the Abbey. The children were regaled with cake and tea and various outdoor sports were engaged in upon the Abbey Lawn which, with the garden, were kindly thrown open for the occasion; and each scholar was presented with a bun on leaving the grounds. After the schoolchildren had dispersed, several persons who had assisted in carrying out the arrangements, and others, joined in a dance. Thursday 8th July 1857: The National and Infant schoolchildren had their annual treat and in the afternoon, about 269 assembled at the National School and, accompanied by the Vicar [the Rev Joseph Dodsworth] and others, and the Bourne band, walked in procession to the Abbey gardens. The children were regaled with cake and tea and were amused by various outdoor sports on the Abbey Lawn and garden which were kindly thrown open for the occasion. In the evening, a great number of persons were present and many evidently added to their own happiness by their efforts to increase the enjoyment of the children. At the close of the amusements, the vicar briefly addressed the little people and each scholar was presented with a bun on leaving the ground. Afterwards several people who assisted in carrying out the arrangements, and others, joined in a dance in the Abbey. Thursday 30th June 1859: At 2 o'clock, the children, to the number of about 270, assembled at the National School and, accompanied by the Vicar [the Rev Joseph Dodsworth] and others, and preceded by a band from Stamford under the leadership of Mr Wells, walked in procession with flags &c. to the Abbey gardens. The children were regaled with cake and tea and were amused with various outdoor sports in the Abbey Lawn and garden. In the evening, the grounds were thrown open to the inhabitants, many of whom were present, and some evidently added to their own happiness by their efforts to increase the enjoyment of the children. At the close of the amusements, the Vicar briefly addressed the scholars, and each was presented with a bun on leaving the ground. Tuesday 14th July 1863: On Tuesday last, this feast took place on the Abbey Lawn which was as usual kindly lent for the day by the vicar. The weather was highly favourable and, notwithstanding counter attractions in several neighbouring places, the attendance was very numerous, and towards the close of the afternoon the scene was very animated. At half past two the children (400 in number) belonging to the various schools in connection with the church, were arranged four abreast and carrying flags, at the school house in North Street, each child wearing a pink rosette as a distinguishing mark, upon the left shoulder. They then proceeded to the Abbey grounds headed by the drum and fife band of the Stamford Rifle Volunteers. At four o'clock, tea was liberally dispensed to the children on tables placed in front of the Abbey and at five, the parents and others were provided with the same beverage in a marquee erected on the grass, the heavy duties of tea makers being well fulfilled by the ladies of the parish. An extensive selection of dance and other music was performed by the band during which dancing and various sports were indulged in by elders and juveniles alike. Buns having been distributed among the children, and "God Save the Queen" sung, the business of the day was brought to a close by a very splendid display of fireworks, the various pieces of which were duly appreciated and applauded by what was at this time a vast assemblage. At ten o'clock all departed in the most orderly manner. Great credit is due to the committee of gentlemen, upon whom devolved the arrangements, for the admirable manner in which they were carried out. Tuesday 23rd July 1867: The town was enlivened by the ringing of the church bells and the display of several flags upon high trees in the Abbey grounds and upon the church. At three o'clock, the children (about 350 in number), with flags and accompanied by the vicar and other gentlemen and ladies, headed by the Rifle Corps band, went in procession from the National School to the Abbey. The weather up to nearly three o'clock was wet and unfavourable but about that time, the sun again began to shine and afforded hope to the "many dear children" who look forward to this occasion as a great holiday. At four o'clock, the children were regaled with cakes and tea, the tables being placed in front of the Abbey. A variety of outdoor sports were provided in the vicar's large field adjoining the lawn and each scholar on leaving was presented with a bun. Upon the lawn, in the shades of the evening, "children of a larger growth" danced to the strains of the Bourne brass band. About nine o'clock, a good display of fireworks, under the direction of Mr John Evans, took place and was witnessed by a very large number of persons. The previous Christmas, in December 1866, there had been an
additional treat but this time it was for all children living in the
parish of Bourne between the ages of four and 12 and was partly financed
with the income from penny readings that had been held at the Assembly
Rooms in the Angel Hotel, a form of entertainment that necessitated a one
penny admission fee to hear readings from popular novels and other
literary works of the time. These readings, before the age of television
and the cinema, were the only forms of mass entertainment at that time and
attracted large audiences and, as in this case, the profits were often
used for charitable purposes. The income however was insufficient to pay
the bill for such a large party and so a public subscription was opened to
augment the cost, headed by William Parker of Hanthorpe Hall, then a
justice of the peace sitting on the Bourne bench of magistrates, with a
donation of two guineas. Tuesday 20th January 1885: Through the liberality of Mr R M Mills, the children attending the church Sunday schools, together with their parents, were given a splendid treat in the Corn Exchange. In the afternoon, a substantial tea was provided, at which nearly 500 were present. After tea, the contents of a Christmas tree (provided by the kindness of several lady members of the church congregation) were distributed among the children, a number of whom also received prizes for regular attendance and good conduct. During the evening, vocal and instrumental music was given by several friends. Friday 19th July 1889: The annual treat was held when the scholars of the Eastgate and North Street Sunday schools assembled at the North Street schoolroom and marched in procession, headed by the Bourne Brass Band, to the Abbey Lawn where tea was provided. About 250 sat down, including the parents of some of the children, all of whom had been invited. After tea, the children went into the Abbey field for amusements, the teachers being indefatigable in organising races and superintending swings. The music infused additional liveliness into the proceedings and at about 8 o'clock, the younger children having been dismissed with a bun, dancing commenced and was carried on with spirit until 10.30 when the grounds were cleared. The weather was fine throughout and the treat was a thorough success.
Picnics were a particularly enjoyable occasion, a pleasurable pursuit in past times and a summer outing in Bourne more than 100 years ago reported by the Stamford Mercury on Friday 17th August 1888 and sounds a delightful way of spending the afternoon in pleasurable company in a manner that may have passed us by: The members of the Bourne Mutual Improvement Society and their friends, about 60 people in all, held a picnic in Bourne Wood on Friday. Permission having been obtained from the owner, the site selected was a pretty opening in the Blind Well riding near Cawthorpe. The weather was delightful. About five o’clock, the company partook of tea al fresco. Various amusements were indulged in until eight o’clock when refreshments were again served, and a hearty vote of thanks to the ladies and gentlemen who had so successfully carried out the arrangements was proposed by the Rev John Woollerton [minister at the Methodist Church in Abbey Road], president, and carried unanimously. The picnic was the outcome of a general desire among the Bourne Mutual to have a friendly gathering before their able and genial president leaves the neighbourhood. Heartfelt hopes were expressed for his new appointment at Market Rasen.
See also The Congregational Sunday School treat of 1912 Sunday Schools Penny Readings J J Davies 
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