Arborfield
Local History Society

 Memories - CMS Day at Arborfield Grange

From the 'Reading Mercury', 24 Jul 1920

CMS Sonning Deanery

Gathering at Arborfield

The summer gathering of the Church Missionary Society for the Sonning Deanery was held in the beautiful grounds of Arborfield Grange on Wednesday July 14, by kind permission of Colonel Church. In the course of the afternoon and evening about 300 people attended, including parties from several parishes in the deanery and from neighbouring parishes. [There followed a list of several of those present]. A concert arranged by Miss Church was much appreciated, as was also the music contributed during the afternoon by an orchestra arranged by Miss Weldon, of Earley.

Both in the afternoon and evening a missionary Cantata entitled "Sisters" was given by some 50 performers, who in native dress depicted scenes in the life of women in India and China. The recitations were very clearly enunciated, the hymns sung by the choir of Arborfield Church were effectively rendered, and the cantata, taken as a whole, made a very impressive appeal for active participation in missionary work. A festival service was held at the Parish Church at 6.30, which was largely attended, and an impressive sermon was preached by the Rev. C.E. Cutler, missioner of the C.M.S.

There were 5 stalls for sale of work, of literature and country produce, for which the following were responsible: Mrs. Prescott (Arborfield) and the Misses Simonds (Newlands), Miss Monckton and Miss Middlemist (Crowthorne), Miss Ellison and Mrs. Scott (Wokingham), and Miss Seaton (Wargrave). Mrs. Anderson, Mrs. Bentley and Mrs. Seymour were in charge of arrangements for tea.

It is anticipated that the net proceeds of the gathering will amount to rather more than £50.

Back to Memories Page