PROPOSED MEMORIAL TO THE REV. T. H. HUNT.

(See also March and November)

The Vicar has received the following letter from Mr. Sladden:—

My dear Vicar,

"In October next we shall reach, the 25th anniversary of the re-opening of our Parish Church after restoration and enlargement. It seems to me a fitting period to erect some permanent memorial to the then Vicar, the Rev. T. H. Hunt, for the conspicuous part he took in that great work. I think the re-erection of our Churchyard Cross would be a fitting monument and if you concur, as I believe you do, would you take an early opportunity of calling a meeting of all those interested in the matter to discuss what can be done ?

Yours very truly,

JULIUS SLADDEN.

"Badsey, Jan. 24, 1910."

The Vicar is in hearty agreement with Mr. Sladden's suggestion, and has promised a meeting to discuss his proposal, in the Parish Room, on Monday, Feb. 14th, at 8 p m. It is hoped there may be a good muster, not only of Mr. Hunt's old friends, but also of others who are to-day reaping the benefit of Mr. Hunt's zeal and liberality.

PROPOSED MEMORIAL TO THE REV. T. H. HUNT.

(See also February and November)

At a meeting held in the Parish Room on Monday, February 14th, it was unanimously resolved "That this meeting cordially endorses the proposal to restore the ancient Churchyard Cross in memory of the Rev. T. H. Hunt," and a committee was appointed, consisting of Miss M. Byrd, Miss E. Sladden, and Messrs. E. Crisp, A. Dore, A. E. Jones, J. W. Mason and W. Mustoe, to act with the Vicar and Churchwardens with a view to giving effect to such proposal. Miss E. Sladden was appointed secretary and the Vicar was asked to act as treasurer.

Subscriptions amounting to nearly £10 were promised, and Mr. A. E. Jones said he hoped the sum collected would provide not only for the restoration of the old cross but also for the erection of a memorial tablet in the church. This will mean the expenditure of between £40 and £50 at least, contributions towards which may be sent either to the treasurer or the secretary.

Mr. T. Graham Jackson, R.A., has undertaken to prepare a suitable design.

CHOIR OUTING—PORTSMOUTH.

By Charles A. Binyon

One drawback to living in the Midland Counties is the great distance of the sea, but once you make up your mind to get to the coast you have a wonderful choice of seaside places to visit. And so we found, and the rival claims of Llandudno, Blackpool, Weymouth, Weston, and Cardiff required careful consideration before Portsmouth was finally decided on. A convenient trip was billed for Saturday, August 20, and the Stationmaster at Littleton and Badsey kindly stopped the train for us and reserved three compartments. My first impressions on the eventful morning were far from pleasant. "Bang! Bang! It's half-past three!" What had I done to be thus disturbed from my innocent slumbers at such an unearthly hour? There was no grass to cut—nor was any comet due. Suddenly I remembered it was "the Trip." So lighting a candle, and hastily donning my clothes, I hurried out. Feet were scurrying up and down the lane in the dark, voices were hailing one another, and one could detect the suppressed excitement in the familiar tones, even of such hardened travellers as the Twins. By a quarter past four the party to which I was attached was paraded, numbered and started off to the station, marching down to the dulcet strains of the tin whistle. Behind us at a safe distance came the ladies, escorted by Mr G. E. Jones and Mr. W. Sparrow. The train was rather late, so we beguiled the time by counting our pocket money and comparing notes thereon. The train when it did come was evidently anxious to get to its destination, for the part reserved for the Badsey Choir went whizzing past the end of the platform, and had to back reluctantly. We all made a rush for our carriage, and in a few seconds were safely stowed in and on our way. The journey proved a time of hopes and fears, for at Moreton it began to rain hard. Later on it cleared, and near Reading the sun shone brilliantly, but in the run through Hampshire it clouded over again and scuds of rain fell In our compartment we found interest in tracing the course of the Evenlode, from its first appearance as a tiny brook until we lost it as a good sized river, just before it joined the Thames. We passed two Cathedral cities—Oxford and Winchester—but could see little of either. Portsmouth was reached about half-past nine. Roll call on the platform, and then quick march to an eating house, where we had a most reviving cup of tea. We had already lost all traces of the others, and saw nothing more of them until night. There was a great crowd at the Dockyard gate, for was not the great battleship Orion to be launched that morning ? We thought it best not to go in, but hired a boat instead, in which half of the party ventured, leaving the rest on shore amusing themselves by watching the, busy scene. The party in the boat proceeded up the harbour, and after leaving the friendly shelter of the jetty some of us had a new experience. The sea was choppy, and the boat became lively, decidedly lively. "Just like a switchback," one boy said. But we all enjoyed it greatly, The green waves, the stately blue warships, and the dancing small craft, with the fresh bracing wind—to us from the Midlands it all seemed to give new life, and was better than any tonic. Our boatman pointed out the position of the Orion, and almost immediately shouted "Here she comes," and we saw the great hull speeding down, amid the hooting of the steamers. She took the water "like a swan." It was marvellous to see how quickly the tugs brought her round. On our way back we came close by a big first-class battleship, The Prince of Wales. We could see her 12 in. guns, her 6 in. quick-firers, her torpedo nets and booms, and we felt like naval experts, capable of deciding the question of "mixed calibre" ships on the spot. Next her was a fine cruiser raking funnels and masts, and we met a wicked-looking torpedo-boat destroyer with its low black hull and funnels.

Having found the rest of the party, we trudged on to Southsea through narrow streets and past innocent-looking fortifications, with the guns almost invisible. Now and again we found ourselves on the water's edge, and at one halting place some of us were so interested in the success which was crowning the efforts of two little crab-catchers that soon there were several more lines baited. But, alas, we didn't know the right word to say, for the best efforts of even the Parish Clerk were absolutely without result, and we went on without our crabs to Southsea beach. Here we were surrounded by vendors of bananas, sweets, shell boxes, etc., and repelled their advances with but poor success. A scamper across the common brought us, to Smith's Restaurant, where a meal was laid out for us in a long room. We all did justice to the ample fare provided. After dinner, we went back to the beach, and walked on until we came to a more sandy spot, where most of us indulged in a delightful paddle for about half-an-hour. Then we were forced to find shelter from the driving rain. Fortunately, we were close to the South Parade Pier, where roller skating was in full swing. Here, too, were most wonderful penny-in-the-slot machines, which, with the skating, engaged our attention until 5.30. As it was still raining, we boarded a tram which took us back to the Restaurant for tea. Here we kept the staff busy for some time, and afterwards indulged in a few songs, accompanied by "Lopop" on the mouth-organ. Mr. Moisey, in the course of a speech, thanked those who had so kindly subscribed towards the expenses of the outing, and went on to express the great regret the choir felt at the absence of the Vicar this year, it being the first time they had gone without him. By this time it had cleared up, and we next had a trip on the floating bridge to Gosport and back. From the upper deck we had a splendid, view of the warships in the harbour, and of four submarines nestling by the side of their parent ship. The remaining hour and a half we devoted to shopping and walking the streets, and at length succeeded in getting to the station without loss, as the roll-call showed. It was fine to see the way one of our party bundled the folks out of one of our reserved compartments. It was in vain they expostulated—out they had to come. The journey home was accomplished without adventure. Many of us were indeed more or less asleep, but we all turned out safely at Littleton and Badsey, after having had a thoroughly enjoyable day.

PRICE’S GRAVE

The appearance of the grave of the late Vicar has been much improved by the cleaning and re-lettering of the monument and the addition of neat kerbing. The cost has been defrayed out of the offerings of communicants on the last few anniversaries of Mr. Price’s death, augmented by a donation from Mrs. Bowden.

THE HUNT MEMORIAL.

(See also February and March)

October 15th, 1910, will long be remembered as a red-letter day in Badsey.

In the afternoon the graceful Churchyard Cross, erected to the memory of the late Rev. T. H. Hunt, was dedicated by the Archdeacon of Warwick with simple but impressive ceremonial. The dedication was preceded by evensong, with special lessons (Numbers 21, 1-10 and St. John 3, 11-17) and special psalms (84, 112, 149.) The antiphon before the psalms was "They will go from strength to strength," which was repeated after the psalms with the additional words "and unto the God of gods appeareth every one of them in Zion." Captains Cecil and Charles Hunt were both in the choir, the former reading the first lesson and the Rural Dean the second. Goss's anthem, "O Saviour of the world," was sung by the choir without accompaniment. The anthem ended, the choir and clergy led the way to the cross singing the hymn, "We sing the praise of Him Who died." The service in the churchyard was conducted by the Archdeacon, and after the dedication the hymn " When I survey" was sung as all stood round the cross. On returning to the church the Archdeacon preached an appropriate sermon, and the service concluded with the singing of "Abide with me" and the blessing.

In the evening there was a Social Gathering in the Old School, at which Capts. Cecil and Chas. Hunt and Mrs. Chas. Hunt were accorded a most hearty reception. The big room was packed and everybody seemed in the best of good humour with everybody else. The Vicar, in welcoming the principal guests, said how deeply he appreciated all that Mr. Hunt had done for the and people of Badsey, and he was glad that the gratitude of Badsey had at length taken a practical turn. He hoped there might soon be a tablet in the parish church setting forth in detail the grounds of Badsey's obligations to Mr. Hunt. Capts. Cecil and Chas. Hunt both made speeches which vividly recalled the past to the mind's eye of many of their hearers, and which were, needless to say, freely punctuated by applause. Mr. Sladden also spoke, dwelling on Mr. Hunt's devotion to Badsey and the very deep affection with which he was universally regarded in the parish.

A musical programme kept the company entertained to a late hour and, but for the fact that Sunday was so near, it would probably have been a case of an "all-night sitting." The following items were contributed: "King Haakon's Cradle Song," "The Flower Girl," "Proud Maisie," "Curly-headed Babby," by Mrs. Chas. Hunt; "Once I loved a maiden fair," "A Persian Song," by Capt. Cecil Hunt; "To Anthea," "Mrs. Brady," "Dumbledum dreary," by Capt. Chas. Hunt; "The Drum Major," " Dumb, Dumb, Dumb," by the Vicar; "Thora," by Mrs. Taylor; "An Evening Song," by Miss F. Pethard; "The Battle Eve," by the Vicar and Capt. Chas. Hunt; "The Arab's Farewell," by Mr. A. Dore; "The Lord Mayor's Treat," by Mr. E. Crisp, and "John Peel," by Mr. J. F. Agg.

MRS MALIN

"Grannie" – By the death of Mrs Malin Badsey has lost its oldest inhabitant and is only centenarian. It is true the Register of Baptisms at Offenham, of which parish Mrs Malin was a native, does not afford conclusive evidence of her age being so great, but her baptism may have been deferred, and there are some who remember her when she was comparativley young who are convinced she was at least 100 on her last birthday. "Grannie" – as she was affectionately known to many outside her own family – will be much missed, for, although she had for some years been bed-ridden, there were not a few who enjoyed a visit and chat, and she always had a cheery welcome for all – except members of the medical profession, her natural antipathy to whom she never quite conquered.