Christmas Events in Carnarvon 1893

From the Carnarvon & Denbigh Herald: December 29th. 1893.

CHRISTMAS EVENTS

CHORAL SERVICES

At the evening service held at Christ Church on Sunday a portion of Handel's oratorio, "The Messiah," was rendered by the choir, under the able leadership of Mr. John Williams, the organist. Mr. T. H. Rawson gave the recit "Comfort ye," while the choir followed with the chorus "And the glory of the Lord," in fine style. The recit, by Mr. Edward Lloyd, "Behold! a Virgin shall conceive and bear a son," and the air "O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion," were well executed, the choir taking up the chorus, which followed with spirit. The fine bass voice of the Rev. F. Lampitt, B. A., was heard to the best advantage in the recit "For, behold, darkness shall cover the earth," and the air "The people that walked in darkness." The rendering of the chorus "For unto us a child is born," by the choir, was all that could be desired. A pastoral symphony on the organ followed. several recits were given by Master J. H. Evans, namely, "There were shepherds," And lo! the Angel of the Lord," And the Angel said unto them, fear not;" and "And suddenly there was with the Angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God." The chorus, "Glory to God in the highest," was then effectually rendered by the choir. The offertory hymn having been sung, the service was brought to a close by the rendering of the "Hallelujah" chorus in a manner that thoroughly justified the appreciation of the audience. The same evening, and at the same hour, a musical service was conducted at St. Mary's Church by a powerful choir under the leadership of Mr. Pughe Griffith and a well chosen instrumental band. Dr. W. G. Owen presiding at the organ. In addition to a number of carols and hymn tunes which were sung by Mrs. Flynn and Mr. Tom Harris, the following choruses were rendered by the choir: "A gogoniant yr Arglwydd" (Handel); "Oherwydd ganwyd i ni had" (Handel); "Mawl i Dduw" (Mozart); and Hallelujah Chorus.

A PREACHING MEETING

The annual preaching meeting of Pendref Chapel was held on Sunday and Monday. The Revs. O. L. Roberts, Pwllheli; D. S. Davies, Carmarthen; and D. Rees, Capel Mawr, preached to crowded congregations.

THE WORKHOUSE

The inmates of the workhouse were again this year entertained to a splendid Christmas dinner, consisting of roast beef, mutton, plum pudding, fruit, oranges, delicacies, &c., prepared for them by the master and matron (Mr. and Mrs. Jones). The following gifts were received:- Misses Owen, Ty Coch, a hamper of oranges and Christmas cards; Rev. R. P. Hughes, Waterloo Port, oranges; Misses Preece, illustrated papers; Messrs. Bell and Parnham, do.; Mr. Lewis Rees Thomas, currant bread, nuts; Dr. Taylor Morgan, 5s.; Mr. Francis, apples; Captain Jones, 5s.; Miss Sampson, Christmas cards; Mr. George Owen, 4s. 6d.; Rev. J. W. Wynne Jones, Christmas cards and scrap books; Messrs. Henry Williams, 4s. 6d.; John Jones, apples; John Griffiths, old books and toffee; Captain and Mrs. Wynn Griffiths, Llanfair Hall, tobacco, tea, toys, mufflers, bonbons, crackers, &c. The inmates spent a most enjoyable time, and seemed to thoroughly appreciate the preparations made for the occasion. At a meeting of the guardians, on Tuesday, a hearty vote of thanks was passed to the kind donors of the above gifts.

GENUINE FUN

One of the most comical and humorous of entertainments ever put on the boards at this town took place at the Guild Hall, on boxing Night, when four of the local and favourite comedians, namely Messrs. S. W. Parnham, Owen Edwards, J. A. Ball, and C. J. Kenney - assisted by Mr. Walter Roselle, the renowned vetriloquist and conjuror, who had benne specially engaged for the occasion - kept an uncomfortably crowded house for over two hours in roars of laughter and the happiest of moods. The opening chorus, Strolling in the Moonlight, by Messrs. Parnham, Ball and Edwards, was a good beginning. Mr. Parnham, instead of rendering After the Ball, as announced in the programme, believing it to be too much of a sentimental song and out of touch with the feelings of people during the festive season, followed up in his merry style with Oh! Mr. Porter, the audience heartily joining in the chorus. The Waiter, by Mr. Ball, and The Silent Maiden (in character), by Mr. Edwards, were well received and the soloists highly applauded. Mr. Walter Rosselle entertained the audience to a rich treat with his ventriloquial efforts, in which he introduced a Family of Five Funny Folks. This was Mr. Rosselle's first appearance in Carnarvon, and we have no hesitation in stating that the able manner in which he executed his part of the programme gained for him the approval and the approbation of the public here. Mr. J. C. Kenney rendered two Tyrolean solos, namely, Over the Hills, and Close Your Eyes, Lena. The ability of this promising amateur captivated the audience, and he was loudly encored. A humorous interlude by Mr. Rosselle brought the first part of the programme to a close. The second part was opened by the rendering of Juh Jah by Mr. Parnham (in character). The soloist posed to be a friend of the public, having discovered a certain root in the woods of the Wild West of America, which would cure all kinds of ailments. His manner of advocating the claims of the "medicine," his funny sayings and new jokes quite pleased the audience. Mr. Ball gave a capital descriptive rendering of a serio-comic song entitled Half-past Nine, as did Mr. Owen Edwards (in character) of They All Take After Me. Mr. Rosselle's conjuring tricks were the admiration of all, especially the very amusing manner in which he introduced a number of magical marvels. A most enjoyable Boxing Night entertainment was brought to a close by a screaming negro farce entitled "removing the Obstacles," Messrs. Ball, Parnham, Kenney, and Edwards acquitting themselves worthy of the occasion. Mr. Wilbur acted as accompanist.

THE BAPTISTS

On Christmas Day the Baptists of this town held their annual meetings, this year, in the from of a tea meeting, in the school-room, of Caersalem Chapel, in the afternoon, and a grand concert at the Victoria Drill Hall in the evening. There were eight tables arranged in the nicely decorated school-room, which were filled with the usual dainties supplied at this old established tea meeting (this being its 25th anniversary), each table being presided over by the following ladies and a host of young ladies and gentlemen helpers:- Mrs. Jones, Victoria-street; Mrs. Captain Roberts, Segontium-terrace; Mrs. J. D. Jones, Post Office; Mrs. Tom Litherland, Mrs. J. Williams, Newborough-street; Misses Davies, Cefnfaes; Mrs. J. Griffith Williams, Gelert-street; Mrs. Davies, Nant Farm. This meeting was a great success, about 500 people having sat down for tea, the excellent quality and management of which was highly praised. The evening concert proved successful in every way, the spacious Drill Hall being crowded with a most enthusiastic audience. The following were the artistes:- Misses Lizzie Dew, Polly Williams, Sydney Williams, Dottie Pritchard (violin), J. and M. K. Davies (pianoforte); Messrs. T. Rogers Jones, Henry J. Roberts, David Jones, Richard Prichard (accompanist), and a splendid choir under the conductorship of Mr. Williams Jones, High-street, all of whom acquitted themselves to the great satisfaction of the audience, who showed their appreciation by demanding several encores. The Chairman was Mr. Norman Davies, Ty Fry, who was well received upon his opening address and proved himself most efficient, and undoubtedly after this meeting we shall hear more of him in a public capacity. We quite agree with him that he has been too much of a "stay at home" man. Upon the motion of the Rev. O. Davies, in a stirring and pithy address, which was seconded by Mr. E. Evans, county surveyor, a cordial vote of thanks was passed to the chairman, bringing this, the jubilee meeting of our Baptist friends to a happy and successful termination. The secretary this year again was Mr. David Jones, chemist.

ANNUAL FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT

The fourteenth annual football tournament was held as the Oval, Marcus-street, on Boxing Day, when prizes to the value of 25 guineas were offered to the best teams. The weather was chilly, damp, and unpleasant for football playing; but some hundreds assembled to witness the games. These annual matches are organised by an energetic committee, having Mr. Edward Griffiths as its secretary. This year 10 teams entered the respective classes, namely, the Holyhead Football Club, Penygroes Wanderers, Carnarvon Ironopolis, and the Llanrwst Town in the senior competition, while the Portmadoc Glaslyn Rovers, Carnarvon High-street Swifts, Pwllheli Heli Rangers, Penygroes Rangers, Carnarvon Junior Swifts, and the Carnarvon Rangers entered in the junior class, in which the players were to be under 20 years of age. The play was good throughout, and sometimes exciting. The final tie in the senior class was played by the Carnarvon Ironopolis and the Penygroes Wanderers, and resulted in a win for the former by seven goals to none. The members of the winning team were awarded 11 silver watches. In the junior class, the Carnarvon Rangers beat the Penygroes Rangers by five goals to none in the final tie, and thus earned eleven silver medals.