The Countess Carrington was the central figure at a bazaar, held at the Holmstead Gardens, Castlethorpe, on Thursday. With the proceeds of the effort is hoped to purchase a reredos and altar frontal for Castlethorpe Parish Church, and for weeks past the parishioners have been hard at work with the necessary preparations which a function of this kind always involves. The prettily situated grounds at Holmstead, which Mr. and Mrs. W. Lea Wynn were good enough to place at the disposal of the Committee, are admirably suited for an open-air sale of work, and the stalls arranged round the lawn and the luxuriant masses of greenery, looked most inviting. Appended is a list of the stall-holders: Working party stall: Mrs Chandler and Mrs. Baugh. Fancy stall: Mrs. Masterman and Miss Gregory. Refreshment stall: Mrs. Borrett. Flower stall: Mrs. and Miss Holt. Jam and Pickle stall. Mrs. Amos. Plain work stall: Mrs Middleton, Mrs J. Nichols, and Mrs. Holman. General stores: Mrs. C. Whiting. Fancy needlework and china, Mrs. Harkness and Mrs W. Lea Wynn. Sweet stall: Mrs. Rawlinson and Mrs. Powell. Photograph stall: Mr. A. Blake. Basket and parcel stall: Mrs. Cook, Mrs. Fitch and Miss Clark. Jumble stall: Miss Compton.

Unfortunately the opening proceedings were somewhat marred by a heavy downpour of rain, which came on just before Lady Carrington’s arrival. The Countess was accompanied by her daughter, Lady Alexandra Carrington, and Mr. H. Jonas, Lord Carrington’s agent. The Vicar and Mrs. W. J. Harkness, Mr. and Mrs. C. Borrett, the Rev. F. Davis (Curate), and Mr. and Mrs. Whiting also witnessed the opening ceremony. The Vicar, who presided, hoped everybody would keep up their spirits in spite of the weather. Although the rain had come, Lady Carrington had come too – (applause)- and he thought the fact that she was among them augured well for the success of the bazaar. He hoped that those who were kept away by the weather would not fail to send cheques for the purchase of articles from the bazaar. Having mentioned the object of the bazaar, he asked the Countess to perform the opening ceremony.

The Countess Carrington who was sheltering from the rain by a canopy of umbrellas said it gave her very much pleasure to be there that day, at the invitation of Mrs. Whiting. She was delighted with the appearance of the stalls, the whole arrangement being charming. She regretted that her husband was unable to be present, but he was detained by an important motion in the House of Lords. They hoped, however to be at Castlethorpe shortly with their son, who would be glad to renew his acquaintance with his old friends. She wished the bazaar the greatest success, and declared it open. Her Ladyship was then presented with a bouquet by Miss Betty Borrett, a tiny child of three, who was rewarded with a kiss.

The Countess and Lady Alexandra having patronised the various stalls, visited the refreshment tent and partook of tea. In a short time the rain cleared off, and in the evening the attendance increased considerably. During the evening the Hanslope Amateur Dramatic and Musical Society gave open air representations of Oscar Browning’s cc medietta, “The Wrong Box,” the Rev. F. Davis, Mr. H. Butcher, the Misses Neale, Mr. Sidney Platten, Mr. J. Smith, Miss Ethel Caves, and Mr. D. Whitbread sustaining the characters. Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Lansberry had charge of a bran pie; the Rev. F. Davies, cocoa-nut shies and Aunt Sally; and Mr. Holt a weighing machine, all of which proved very popular with the youngsters. Croquet was also indulged in, and a tennis tournament was arranged by Mr. Wynne. Selections of music were discoursed by the Yardley Gobion Prize Band. It is hoped to raise £70 as the result of the effort.