West Mersea Church Gazette page 6.
Church and City Notes

Our Annual Summer Treat for the Children attending the Church Sunday School was fixed for Tuesday, August 21st. Late on the previous evening, however, a telegram was received from Messrs. Barker & Sons, the proprietors of the Galloping Horses, then at Clacton, stating that they could not arrive until late on the Tuesday night. It was a great disappointment, as all the necessary arrangements had been made and the event extensively advertised. However there was no help for it but to postpone the Treat until the next day Wednesday, no effort being spared to make the fact of the postponement as widely known as possible by means of telegrams despatched to Colchester and elsewhere. Wednesday opened threateningly with several showers and things looked by no means promising, but the weather brightened considerably at midday and happily continued beautifully fine, though not inconveniently hot. Proceedings commenced with a short Service in the Parish Church at 2 o'clock, after which, the children to the number of 110, marched, with, flags flying, accompanied by their teachers, to the Glebe Field. Arrived here the roundabout was extensively patronised and the time till tea spent in various amusements, the principal of which seemed to be the spending of ready money ! Tea was at five, ably dispensed by Mrs. Pierrepont Edwards and the teachers, kindly assisted by a number of visitors and other friends. After Tea, Cheers were called for and heartily given for the Queen, the Teachers and "everybody else." A most successful and brilliant Firework Display by Mr. Paul Aggio of Colchester, followed at 9 o'clock.

During the Afternoon and Evening a Sale of Work in aid of the Building Fund of the Church Hall was carried on at a Stall presided over by Mrs Pierrepont Edwards, ably assisted by Mesdames Cross, Eagle, W. Green and Miss R. Hempstead. The work, which had been made and given by the friends of the Church, both in the parish and elsewhere, consisted of useful and fancy articles in the making of which much time and taste had been displayed, was almost entirely sold out, the handsome sum of £11 7s. 1½d., being thus realised. A Bran Pie was efficiently taken charge of by Miss and Miss G. Hempstead, by which £1 5s. 3d. was obtained. Mrs A.O. Depree had charge of the Refreshment Stall being assisted by Mrs. S.B. Depree, the quantity and quality of the viands left nothing to be desired and called forth many favourable comments. At this Stall £2 16s. 1d. was taken. The gate was efficiently looked after by Messrs. S.B. Depree, junr., A. Goldschmidt, and A. Hempstead, the sum paid for admission amounting to £5 13s. 4d. The grand total added to the Church Hall Building Fund was £21 Is. 9½d. Altogether a very happy time was spent and the result amply repaid the labour which its realisation had entailed.

Before we leave the subject we would express our heartfelt thanks to all who helped to make the day financially and otherwise so brilliant a success. It has relieved us of much anxiety with regard to the Church Hall and we are proportionately thankful.

Date: September 1900