Mexborough & Swinton Times – Friday 06 June 1902

Hospital Sunday at Wath.

At one period of Sunday morning it seemed almost certain that the demonstration and open-air service in support of the hospital movement, which was arranged to be held at Wath would be absolutely spoiled.

The very heavy showers of rain seemed to make the prospect of a fine afternoon altogether hopeless. But about noon a welcome change was experienced, and though no succeeding part of the day was very bright, the rain kept off, and the demonstration was successfully carried out.

Four processions were formed, consisting of members of friendly societies, branches at the Yorkshire Miners Association, and others.

The first started from the Cottage of Content, West Melton, and was headed by the Wombwell Subscription Band ; the second from Nash Row, headed by the Mexboro’ Plant Band; the third from Chapel headed by the Wath Brass Band; and the fourth from the Volunteer Depot, headed by the Drum and Fife Baud.

All contingents subsequently met at the bottom of Victoria road and proceeded to the Town Hall grounds, which had been kindly placed at the disposal of the Wath, West Melton, and Newhall Hospital Committee by the Urban District Council.

The principal officials of the committee are Mr. Hophni Lockwood, president; Mr. Henry Winstanley, Codman street, Wath, tremor-or; and Mr. G. H. Ellis, Market terrace, Wath, secretary. The patrons include many well-known local gentlemen, the chief on the list being Sir Frederick Thorpe Mappin, Bart., M.P., Mr. G. Beckett, Col. Johnson, J.P.. Major T. W. H. Mitchell, Mr. Whitworth, C.C., and Dr. F. J. Burman.

At the Town Hall grounds an open-air service was held, special hymns being rendered by a full band and chorus under the able conductorship of Mr. A. Boyland, Mr. E. Hoyland being the organist.

Mr. H. Whitworth, C.C., presided, and he was supported by the Rev. H. Weale, the Rev. W. Franks. Mr. W. Hallatt, Mr. C. Brumpton (secretary of the Mexboro’ Montagu Cottage Hospital), Mr. W. G. Robson, Mr. Hy. Winstanley, Mr. G. H Ellis, and Mr. J. Redgate.

When the service began the attendance was not so large, but before the close it had considerably increased. The proceeds for the day untainted to the sum of £53 12s 4d., which compares very favourably with the efforts of previous years.

The proceedings opened with the singing of the hymn, “Sweet is the work, my God, my King,” after which the Rev. W. Foulke offered prayer. The Chairman was introduced by Mr. W. G. Robson.

In his opening remarks Mr. Whitworth, who had a very cordial reception, said he was sorry the weather was not more favourable, and it had no doubt prevented a great number being present. However, he hoped that those who had attended would do what they could by giving as their circumstances would allow, for the benefit of that excellent cause. They all knew that the hospitals of the country were one of the greatest blessing, we had ever had, or ever would have. (Applause.)

He had received a letter from Dr. Burman who was somewhere in North Wales, apologising for not being present, but Dr. Burman went on to say: “I shall not forget to give Mr. Ellis my subscription when I return.” (Applause.)

He (Mr. Whitworth) had no doubt there were friends who would not be present, owing to the inclemency of the weather and be hoped those who did attend would get them to say as Dr. Burman had to him in his letter. (Applause.)

Mr. G. H. Ellis’ the secretary of the committee read a report, which showed that during last year the subscriptions, gate money, and sale of programmes, amounted to £52 10s. 4d., and there was a balance of £11 2s. 3d, making the total income £63 12. 7d. The expenditure included the following items:

Printing. £4 7s. 6d.; bands, £2; grant to Mexboro’ Hospital. £21; to Askern Baths. £2 ;to Southport Convalescent Home. £1 13s; to Bridlington. £3 3s; and other institutions, £6 6s; a total expenditure of £41 6s leaving a balance in the treasurer’s hands of £11 3s. 8d.

The accounts were audited up to April, but since then the treasurer had paid out for Askern baths £2 25., to Mexboro’ Hospital new building fund. £5 5s; to Bridlington £1 1s. ; and to another institution £2 2s. This left in his hands the sum of 13s. 8d., which, with the £11 2s. 3d in the bank, did not leave them much to work upon.

Proceeding, Mr. Ellis referred to the difficulty there was in meeting all the applications for recommends owing to the shortness of money. He was sorry and hurt when he could not comply with a request of that kind. In this matter he had been helped by Mr. Whitworth who had allowed him to use recommends, for which he had paid out of his own pocket. (Hear, hear and applause.)

There were other ladies and gentlemen in the district who had told him that when he required recommends they would help in that direction. It would be seen, therefore, that people who subscribed out of their private purse, tried to help on the movement, and the committee were thankful for their help. As the population increased there was a greater need for recommends sad it was therefore necessary that the subscription and gate money should be larger than they had been in part years. They were very thankful for the years and for the proven, of the movement, and he trusted that nothing that had been said or done would stop continual progress. (Hear. hear.)

Mr. Ellis then briefly referred to the trouble that had arisen in connection with the late treasurer, and said that out of the £15 owing £10 10s. had already been paid in eleven months in instalments. (Hear, bear.) Although the late treasurer had gone wrong, all honour was due to him for the manly way in which he was paying the money. (Hear, hear.)

ln the course of his remarks, Mr. C. Brumpton expressed his pleasure in seeing Mr. Whitworth in the chair. Mr. Whitworth had come down from London especially to preside and the meeting was under a great obligation to him for doing that. (Hear, hear.) They were not only under an obligation for the services rendered in connection with the demonstration, but it was known to everyone that the name of Whitworth was a household word for munificent gifts, made in the interests of the working classes, more especially in the district. He was sure he would be speaking their sentiments when he said they had that day the right man in the right place. (Hear, hear.) In regard to the Montagu Cottage Hospital, so far as the finances were concerned, they had had the best year on record. The largest amount of money from all sources had been received since the hospital was established in 1899.

The income on the general account was £704 18s 8d, and on the special building fund account £627 19s. 6d., makings total for the year of £1332 18s. 2d. Towards that splendid amount the Wath district had done its share. The committee had sent £21 and a further sum of £5 5s. for the new building fund. It was not forgotten last year that at the successful bazaar the Wath ladies, headed by the indefatigable Mrs. Burman, with their stall, realised nearly £9O. (Applause.) That was extremely creditable to all the ladies’ concerned.

Another pleasing feature was that the school children of the Wath district were also taking a lively interest in the institution. Of the 55 schools that contributed, the second on the list was the Brampton school, the third was the Victoria school, and the sixth the National Mixed school. He might also point out that one of their townsmen, the late Mr. E. Lineham, who was an intelligent observer of the work done in the hospital, showed his appreciation bequeathing the sum of £5O, free from duty. The committee desired to express their heartfelt thanks for this munificent gift, and hoped that it might prove an incentive to others. It was extremely gratifying to know that the hospital was en splendidly supported by all classes in the district, and especially by the working people, by whom no less than 75 per cent of the total was contributed.

After quoting figures showing the number of patients treated in the hospital. Mr. Brumpton made a reference to the important adjourned annual meeting, an extended report of which was in another portion of the paper. In two years, it would be necessary to raise about £4,000 if the new hospital was to be opened free from debt. He was quite one when they appealed to all the people of Wath and district they would not appeal in rain. The people of that district had always supported the institution handsomely and be was quite sure they would continue to do so.

Mr. W. Hallatt also expressed pleasure at seeing Mr. Whitworth present as chairman. He complimented the committee of working men on the success that had been attained in the movement. An expression of the hope that before the sun rose again peace would be declared met with ready acceptance by the audience. Practical sympathy was required in the hospital movement; they wanted all who had paid two pence to come into the grounds to pay two shillings to go out. (Hear, hear, and laughter.) That would be more help to the movement than if they were to stand there talking for two hours. The Mexborough Montagu Cottage Hospital had been a great boon to the district; it had alleviated more suffering and anguish than would ever be known in their world. The hospital was as big as ever it was, as well equipped and there was just as good nursing. The district and the population had grown, and a larger hospital was needed. He was Wath would not be behind-hand in doing its share in that work.

Continuing, Mr Hallatt alluded to the work done by the committee of the Poor Estate of Wath, who some years ago purchased a water bed, which had done a great to alleviate suffering from time to time. Two or three years ago he promised from the platform of that demonstration that the committee of the Poor Estate would build a Nurses Home. They had fulfilled that promise, and the Home would soon be open for occupation. His opinion was that the trustees of the Poor Rotate ought to delegate the management to a committee elected by the public on unsectarian lines. Sufficient had been provided by the Trust to finish the building and funds had been invested to bring in about £2 a week for the maintenance of the nurse. Again referring to the new hospital at Mexboro’ he said he hoped they would do their share towards it, as Wath ought to do.

The Rev. H. Weale, who was the next speaker, had a very hearty reception. He said he felt that those who were in sympathy with the hospital movement, and who helped it, were practically following in the footsteps of Him whom be trusted they all professed to serve. It was a platform upon which all could meet. He was glad to know that in the twentieth century there was a wonderful display of beneficence, and that the cancer of selfishness, which took hold of some people and dried out their life was losing its hold upset the masses of the people. If there was one thing in the report that gladdened his heart, it was that the working men were recognising the movement as their own, and were liberally supporting it.

In conclusion, Mr. Weale asked everyone present to make and keep three resolutions, namely —We will all give something, we will all give cheerfully, and we will all give as much as we can.

Mr. Henry Winstanley proposed a vote of thanks to the chairman, the speakers, the singers and the bands, which was seconded by Mr. J. Redgate and heartily adopted.

During the service the choir sang. “My God, my Father,while I stray,” “Jessie, grant the weary.” ‘Rock of Ages.’ and the Old Hundredth. Each of the bands played a selection. The proceeds concluded with prayer by the Rev. W. Franks.