Harvest Homes in 1862

Reading Mercury

Sat 14 Oct, 1862

 

Shrivenham

 

On Wednesday, the 27th ult., this harvest-home was celebrated in the park of Viscount Barrington – another instance of that characteristic kindness which his Lordship invariably manifests towards the good people of Shrivenham. The weather fortunately was propitious. All the necessary arrangements were ably carried out under the superintendence of Messrs Wilson, Pritchard, Allaway and Giles. The whole of the farm labourers, headed by their respective masters, assembled at the Vicarage at 11 o’clock, when they proceeded in a body to the Parish Church, where a heart-stirring sermon was preached by the Rev the Vicar, from the appropriate text; ‘Thrust in the sickle and reap; for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.’ (Rev. xiv, 15). After the service was concluded a collection was made on behalf of the new National Schools to be erected in the village, when the amount gathered was £8.1s.10d. All then repaired to the park, where, under a spacious tent, about 350 labourers sat down to a most excellent dinner provided by Mr Canfield, of the ‘Barrington Arms.’ Amongst the visitors, who also dined, were Lord Barrington, Lady Barrington, and the Hon Augusta Barrington, Lord and Lady Somerton, T. Price, Esq., etc. The games soon commenced, and were in great abundance, prizes being liberally bestowed for various sports. At six o’clock tea was ready, and many more sat down than at the dinner. The arrangements of Mr Canfield were excellent. Various toasts were proposed and acknowledged, and this pleasant harvest home was brought to a conclusion by evening service at the church, when the Rev J.H. Warneford preached an excellent sermon.

 

Harvest Home at Bourton. H. Tucker, Esq., of Bourton House, lately gave a seasonable treat to the labourers and others on his estate, on the occasion of the ingathering of the fruits of the earth. A large tent was erected, under which the labourers and others, to the number of 150, assembled to partake of the feast, so generously provided. The best roast beef and mutton were served out in abundance; there was an absence of all intoxicating liquors, the place of which was wisely supplied by excellent tea and coffee. Mr & Mrs Tucker, and the visitors at Bourton House, waited on the guests. A most agreeable evening was spent, and the whole of the company expressed themselves extremely grateful for the kind and liberal entertainment afforded them. To read more information on the Tucker's of Bourton please go to SHS Listing No N147