Presentation to Mr and Mrs. Pierce
The Working Men's Club was packed to capacity on Saturday, the occasion being, a farewell gathering before Mr and Mrs Pierce left the parish for Wellow.
When it was first learnt that Mr. Pierce had been appointed Head Master at Wellow School, a gloom was cast over the whole village, where he had been a friend to both rich and poor; for the last 26 years.
On Saturday evening the proceedings commenced with a short whist drive, the prizes being won by Mrs C. Best, Mrs. S. E. Palmer, Mr. G. G. Pierce, and Mr. D. Livingstone, Mr. C. R. Anstey, before asking Mrs. W. P Standish to make the presentation, spoke at some length regarding the very high esteem in which Mr. and Mrs. Pierce were held by everyone in the parish, and, it was quite needless to say, how very much they 'would both be missed in the village.
Mrs. Standish, in making the presentation, which took the form of a solid silver tea-set, and a set of W, H. Hudson's 'Nature volumes', expressed her great pleasure, in coming to make the presentation, and wished Mr. and Mrs. Pierce, every happiness (loud applause).
Mr. Pierce, who was warmly applauded in rising, to acknowledge the gifts, said words could not express his very deep gratitude for all that had been said about Mrs. Pierce and himself, but he felt that Owslebury had taught much which had helped to make the school famous, both for its singing and for its Nature achievements.
Although he was leaving the village, he should often return to have a further look at the flowers and trees around the village, for he had still much to learn from them (applause).
The success of the school, Mr. Pierce went on to say, was largely due to the hearty cooperation he had always received from the rest of the staff.
Miss Gurman had been with him the whole of the 26 years he had been Head Master.
Since Mrs. Pierce retired from the school' a few years ago, Mrs. Best had been a most loyal helper, and now in Miss Matthews he had one who was carrying on the good work of the school (applause.)
He owed much to the mothers for they never came to him with complaints of any description, and, if only for that reason, he was very sorry that he was leaving the Village (laughter and applause).
The gifts he had just received, Mrs. Pierce and himself would cherish and almost look upon them as heirlooms, for he felt convinced that, in years to come, their own children would value them as much as they themselves. (Applause)
The rest of the evening was taken up with songs and dancing; and at the close all joined in singing "Auld Lang Syne."
The Committee responsible for organising the subscriptions for the presentations - were Mrs. Plowman; Mrs. Gamblin; Miss Cordery (as representing the Women's Institute); Mr. F. Harfleld; Mr. D. Livingstone, and Mr. E Harfleld; (representing the Working Men's Club).
Hampshire Chrionicle - Saturday, May 2, 1931 – Owslebury. |