Mexborough & Swinton Times – Friday 14 June 1895
Mr. Andrew Montagu and His Tenants – Celebration of His 80th Birthday
On Wednesday evening, to commemorate the 80th birthday of Mr. Andrew Montagu, the lord of the manor of Mexborough, a dinner was given to the whole of his tenants at Mexborough, Conisborough, High Melton, Barnborough, and Harlington, and a large number of other landowners, by invitation to be present on the happy and auspicious occasion. The dinner was served at the Montagu Arms Hotel.
Mr. A. Thorpe, on calling upon themselves to provide an enjoyable repast, and everything, including cooking and attendance, was perfect. The menu was as follows:—Fish; salmon and parsley sauce; turbot and lobster sauce; joints; roast beef, roast mutton, boiled mutton and caper sauce, roast veal, ham and tongue; roast lamb; entrées; pigeon pies; sweets; plum puddings, gooseberry tart and custard tartlets, cheesecakes, jelly, blanc-mange, cheese, etc.
Mr. Joseph Dykes occupied the chair, and the guests present were Mr. Spedding Whitworth, J.P., County Councillor Watson, the Rev. W. B. F. Beeman (Vicar of Mexborough), Mr. J. Parkin (Melton Brickyard), Mr. J. White (Mexborough), Mr. J. Crossley (Barnborough Grange), Mr. J. E. Drabble, Mr. Geo. White, Mr. Thos. Barron, Mr. J. Parkes, Mr. T. R. Booth, Mr. J. Gillott, Mr. Kitchen, Mr. Ridgill, Mr. Thomas, Mr. M. Smith, Mr. Barraclough, Mr. Hampshire, Mr. Trelove, Mr. Radley, Mr. Hargreaves, Mr. Walter Watson, Mr. Geo. Bennett, Mr. J. Ward, Mr. V. Lockwood, Mr. J. Satton, Mr. G. T. Nicholson, Mr. W. Nicholson, Mr. Helliwell, Mr. S. Bosworth, Mr. T. Awrey, Mr. B. Dagger, Mr. Turnbull, Mr. Geo. Swallow, Mr. W. Watts, Mr. Lawrence, Mr. Lockwood (Harlington), Mr. Simpson (Conisborough), Mr. Houldsworth, Mr. W. Turner (Mexborough and Swinton Times), Mr. T. Lewis, Mr. Trout (Arksey), Mr. Askim, Mr. Crossley (Harlington), Mr. B. J. Clarkson, Mr. J. Hattersley, Mr. Frith, Mr. T. Huntington, Mr. Wm. Stables, Mr. Wood (Harlington), Mr. Robt. Trelove, Mr. Sargent, Mr. Joe Stables, Mr. S. Kent, Mr. Bewlay, senr., Mr. Bewlay, junr., Mr. Chip, Mr. Fisher, Mr. J. Beevers, Mr. A. Thompson, Mr. F. T. Evans, and Mr. H. Dellow.
The Chairman then gave the toast of the evening, and said that the present occasion was one which there was no doubt would linger long in the memories of those who were fortunate enough to be present. (Hear, hear.) It was the usual and exceedingly happy event which they were met there to celebrate, the 80th birthday of their worthy and esteemed squire. (Applause.) It was at his invitation that they had met, and they had come there for the hearty goodwill which had prompted him to call his tenants together to enjoy themselves in this manner.
It was more than probable that it was not the only gathering which was honouring their worthy landlord, but he felt assured that no other brother would choose a better feeling than they had exhibited. (Hear, hear.) Their esteemed lord of the manor (Mr. Montagu) had already exceeded man’s allotted time on earth by ten years, and they all of them hoped that he might live for a good many years longer. (Applause.) He had known Mr. Montagu both as a master and as a landlord, and he could say he had never served a better master, nor wished to better landlord. (Applause.)
After alluding to the fact that the fairer sex was unable to remain at the meeting on account of an engagement, he expressed regret for being called away on the Vicar’s behalf, and then called upon the company to drink Mr. Montagu’s health. The toast was drunk with the greatest enthusiasm, the company rising and cheering. “For he is a jolly good fellow,” twice over.
Mr. George White responded on behalf of Mr. Montagu. He said on behalf of the worthy and highly respected squire he had to thank them for the heartiness with which they had received him. Many happy returns of the day. (Hear, hear.) Few men can claim as Mr. Montagu could, that in the increase of years he had increased the number of his friends, but in his case at four score years he was yet adding to the respect and esteem with which he was held.
He was very pleased to say that at present their squire was in fairly good health. (Applause.) He could only wish that he might live to see many more birthdays.
Mr. Huntington proposed the “Trade of the district,” which he remarked was showing signs of steady improvement. He believed the glass bottle industry was looking up, and at any rate the building trade was brisk. (Applause.)
Mr. Thomas Barron responded, and stated that it was with greater pleasure than he had felt in responding to this toast for some time past, for trade was improving and was better than it had been for the last two years. At present his own firm was brisker than it had been since it was Thomas Barron, Ltd., and they had not to seek outside hands. Other trades such as the building trade were improving, the latter being very brisk indeed in Mexborough.
Mr. J. Gillott proposed “Success to the Parish and District Councils of the neighbourhood.” He thought that the Conisborough chief Parish Council would soon be able to give Mexborough a start. A few years ago the Board at Rawmarsh took the cake, and then Mexborough got itself a reputation for noisy meetings, but at a recent meeting at Conisborough some of the members of the Parish Council got to calling one another liars, and he was afraid they had not copied the example of Mexborough and Rawmarsh to any advantage.
He would like to see that sort of thing dropped at District and Parish Council meetings. Instead of there being disputes and personalities they all ought to pull together for the good of the parish. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. Spedding Whitworth, J.P., responded. He mentioned that he had been connected for at least thirty years with the local authority at Wath. (Hear, hear.) He was sorry to hear that at Conisborough they had got to calling one another liars. They once nearly got to that at Wath, but they had learnt better manners since and carried on their business peaceably.
There were a good many men aspiring to the honour of being a District Councillor, but he did not think the position should be sought merely for the honour of the thing, but in order to benefit the parish. (Hear, hear.) He was very pleased to say that at Wath they had contrived to keep their local affairs clear of politics. (Applause.) Inside the Council their aim was to do the best for the parish, and it should be the aim of every man seeking local office not to advance the interests of any particular party, but to consider the interests of the people whom he was elected to serve. (Hear, hear, and applause.)
Mr. Parkin proposed “The health of the Steward and Sub-agent.” He remarked that although they had lost Mr. (undeciphered), his sons gave promise that they understood their duties. The next best thing to a good landlord was a good steward, and they were fortunate to possess both. (Applause.) In Mr. White they had a sub-agent upon whom they could rely, and who always contrived to satisfy all parties when they went to him. (Hear, hear.) The toast was given with musical honours.
Mr. White responded, remarking that although a sub-agent’s position was not always a bed of roses he thought that he had fewer difficulties between stewards and tenants than was the case elsewhere. That was due to having good tenants on the one hand and good stewards on the other. (Applause.)
Mr. Spedding Whitworth then proposed the health of “The Visitors,” remarking upon the pleasure which it gave him, as a tenant of Mr. Montagu, to be happy once or twice a week. (Laughter.)
Mr. J. E. H. Drabble responded, saying that he felt it an honour to take part in the commemoration of the 80th birthday of Mr. Montagu. He had thoroughly enjoyed himself, and on behalf of the visitors he desired to return thanks for the entertainment Mr. Montagu had provided them, and they joined in the good wishes towards the worthy squire which had been uttered by other gentlemen who had spoken. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. Whitworth then proposed the health of “The Chairman,” and Mr. Dykes responded, the toast being given with musical honours. The toast of “The host and hostess,” which was accorded with great enthusiasm and musical honours, Mr. Thompson responding in happily chosen words, remarking that the best thanks he and his wife desired for their efforts were provided when they found they had satisfied everybody. (Applause.)
During the evening songs were sung by Mr. Lewis (“My love, she wears a bonnet”), Mr. Firth, Mr. Hollowell, Mr. Dollow, Mr. Stables, Mr. T. R. Booth, while Mr. Simpson and Mr. Firth each gave a step dance, the former gentleman dancing a hornpipe and a reel with marvellous agility.
At the instigation of the Vicar and Churchwardens the bells of the Mexborough Parish Church rang out a merry peal on Wednesday morning in celebration of Mr. Montagu’s birthday.