Sheffield Daily Telegraph – Tuesday 22 May 1877

Annual School Sing

The annual gathering of the various schools connected with the Mexborough and District Sunday School Union, took place yesterday.

At one o’clock the Mexborough schools, together with those from Denaby Main and Clay-lane, walked in procession through the principal streets of the town.

On arriving in Station-street they were joined by the Swinton schools. At 2.15 all the children, numbering nearly 2,000, were arrayed on a large gallery erected in the open space in front of the Montagu Arms. Here they sang in the most creditable manner the hymns selected for the occasion, under the conductorship of Mr. W. P. Holmes. The weather being tolerably favourable the number of spectators was immense.

The singing being concluded, hearty cheers were given to Andrew Montagu, Esq. for the loan of the ground, Mr. Stenton, Mr. Holmes (the conductor), Mr. Lockwood, and for the Union.

All the children were then conducted to their various schools, where they were regaled with plum cake and tea. After tea the children and teachers of the Mexborough school repaired to the grounds of Mr. H. Stenton, Castle-hill, where the evening was spent in various games, etc.