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Kilnhurst Feast

August 1871

Sheffield Independent – Tuesday 01 August 1871

Kilnhurst Feast

The populous village of Kilnhurst yesterday presented a gay and festive aspect, on the occasion of the celebration of the annual feast. What particular event this festival is intended to commemorate, no one seems either to know or to care, but certain it is that all classes of the inhabitants join most heartily in the proceedings of the day. For weeks before the feast day arrives, preparations are in progress for the due celebration of this holiday, and it is astonishing to think of the notions entertained by the villagers as to what is appropriate or requisite for the occasion.

In the first place, landlords feel themselves bound to allow their tenants certain sums in order that the houses may receive a coating of whitewash and paint, and so present a neat and clean appearance, and it is a well known fact that if any aggrieved householder complains at any period daring this year of dilapidation in the premises he occupies, the answers generally received is that all shall be pat square before next feast.

Colliery proprietors well know that their pits will be set down on that day, and the proprietors of ironworks, brickworks, and works of every description in the neighbourhood regard “feast day” as an occasion on which machinery shall stand idle, and the whole of the hands take a general holiday. Purveyors of intoxicating liquors replenish their stocks, knowing well the extra demand that will exist at the feast, and also take measures to secure a performer on the violin or some instrument of the kind, for experience has taught them that an enlightened public expect on this occasion something more for their money than at other times. This year, the feast has passed off quite as successfully as of yore, and the various attractions held forth have received a fair share of patronage.

The authorities of the Wesleyan Sunday School in the village seem to entertain the opinion that the children are better away from the village at feast time, and accordingly yesterday morning a great number of juveniles started off for Roche Abbey in wagons and carts, where a very enjoyable day was spent. The Primitive Methodists, not to be behind their brethren, have secured the use of a commodious and brightly painted barge on the canal, and today a number of their scholars start off on a voyage to Sprotborongh. The piece de resistance at the village was a gala and athletic sports in a field beautifully situated a short distance from Kilnhurst. The proceedings of the day commenced with a cricket match between the Kilnhurst Cricket Club and the Conisbro’ Cricket Club, and it was late in the afternoon before the contest was concluded. A brass band was in attendance, and during the progress of the match a number of stirring tunes were played. As will be seen from the score, the Conisbro’ team scoured an easy victory in one innings, with 15 runs to spare.

The bowling of the Conisbro’ players proved very destructive to the Kilnhurst wickets, Messrs. Wood and Beard tie j sending the timbers dying in all directions. The batting of C Bisby for Kilnhurst was very good, and Messrs. C. Wood, T. Oxley, and C. Wilson, for Conisbro’, found the fielders plenty of work. The latter individual especially, who rejoices in the cognomen of “old man,” of which he feels particularly proud, made a good drive for three, and several two’s.

At the conclusion of the cricket match a juvenile race for boys, under 14 years of age, 100 yards, was decided. Fourteen toed the marks, and were got off to a good start. Smart was 1st, W. Saxon 2nd, and B. Morrill 3rd. Next came a flat race, 220 yards, for members of the Kilnhurst Cricket Club, ‘In which five took part. G. Bartholomew came in an easy winner by about four yards, G. Cookson being 2nd, and G. Merrill 3rd. Several other minor events followed, amongst which were climbing a greasy pole for a leg of mutton, and a blindfolded wheelbarrow race. The remainder of the evening was devoted to dancing, in which a great number took part, the company on the ground being both numerous and respectable. An enterprising boat proprietor from Rotherham had provided a number of boats and skill’s for those of the inhabitants whose tastes inclined to aquatics, but he was not very well patronised. In the centre of the village were a number of shows, etc., and they seemed to be doing a thriving trade. As the evening wore on the potent liquor supplied at several hostelries began to manifest itself in many places; but, on the whole, things passed off quietly. Subjoined is the score of the cricket match:—

Kilnhurst : G. Lacey, b Beardsley, 1— not out, 1 ; G. Bartholomew, b Wood, 1— b Beardsley, 0; W. Saxon, c Wilson, b Wood, 3— c and b Wood, 3 ; H. King, b Beardsley, 1— run ont, 1 ; W. Dearden, b Beardsley, 3— c Beardsley, b Wood, 1 ; J. Oliver, b Wood, 0— b Wood, 2; A. Hartley, b Beardsley, 6— b Beardsley, 4 ; C. Bisby, c Jackson, b Wood, 11— b Beardsley, 4 ; D. Twigg, not out, 3— b Wood, 2 ; J. Cookson, b Wood, 0— run out, 0 ; J. Bentham, b Beardsley, 2—lbw, b Wood, 5 ; extras, 11—9 ; totals, 42—32.

Conisbro’ : — Jackson, run out, 0 ; C. Lang, b Bartholomew, 9 , W. Oxley, c Twigg, b Saxon, 5 ; C. Wood, c Saxon, b Twigg, 17 ; W. Curtis, hit wicket, 9 ; W. Smith, c King, b Bartholomew, 0 ; T. Oxley, b Saxon, 16 ; C. Wilson, b Cookson, 18 ; J. James, 1bw, 6 ; C. Beardsley, b Saxon, 0 ; A. Laughton, not out, 1, extras, 8 Total, 89