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1881-1935 of Summer parties for the children of Sun Lane
Sunday School.
A year ago, when
we met to plan this year of celebration, the suggestion
was put forward that we should recall the fifty years
during which SSLS visited Catton Park for its’ Summer
party by having a picnic there. That day has arrived,
and following this service, I hope that most of us will
be setting off for the Park with our picnics. We
certainly won’t be travelling in the same way- there
will be no band, no banner, & no coal carts for the
little ones, but I hope we will have as enjoyable a time
as they did.
The first time
SSLS went to CP, was in 1866. After that they visited
other landowners’ parks, but then in 1881 began the long
stretch of fifty years of visits. There is a short
report in the SS records for 1881, but the report for
the following year is much more interesting and
informative. This is what it says:-
Wednesday July
26th 1882
The scholars’
annual outing was held today. Through the kindness of S.
Gurney Buxton Esq. Catton Park was thrown open for the
occasion. The school met at half past one o-clock in
their schoolrooms and started at once, headed by the
Sprowston Band, for the Park. The scholars each wore a
small bouquet of flowers and many of them carried flags
which were supplied by Messrs Dixon & Holborn. On
arrival at the Park the whole of the scholars were
marched through the beautiful gardens and afterwards
amused themselves with the usual games until it was time
for tea which was served in a large marquee. After the
younger portion of the scholars had had their tea the
senior scholars with the teachers and friends partook of
tea in the same marquee- the number of the party not
allowing all to sit down at the same time- there being
upward of 900 present. After tea, racing for prizes,
scrambling for nuts and sweets, and merry games occupied
the time until the setting sun warned the party that it
was time to return home. The entire party then assembled
before the hall, which was lighted by coloured fires
under the superintendence of Mr W Smith, one of the
senior scholars, and sang two of their well-known hymns.
After which hearty thanks and cheers were given to S.G.
Buxton Esq. and his family for their great kindness
throughout the afternoon. Mr Gurney Buxton in responding
said he had been exceedingly pleased with the behaviour
of the scholars and hoped he should have the pleasure of
meeting them again next year. The large party again
headed by the band then marched for home. Coloured fires
being burned the whole of the way. The effect of the
coloured lights on the children and flags was very
pleasing. The line of route from the Park gate to the
schoolrooms was thickly lined with parents and other
inhabitants of the district. Thus closed one of the
brightest days many of the children ever enjoyed.
The Catton Park
Summer Parties then became something of an institution,
broken only for a couple of years during the First World
War. Eventually people began to suggest a change, and
the last Summer Party was held there in 1935.
My Dad used to
talk with much affection of the Catton Park events. He
died 20 yrs ago, but we do have at least two people in
our congregation who can remember those days!
Ursula
Franklin.
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