Newport Mayor and Mayoress and Helpers With Plum Puddings For Children's Christmas Treat January 1913
Photo reference number: 2128
The Mayor and Mayoress seated centre of picture are Mr Charles Perry Simmonds and Mrs Marianne Simmonds. For information about Charles Simmonds see link below.
Here is a newspaper report of the event from 1913:
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PLUM-PUDDING PARADE
NEWPORT MAYOR AND MAYORESS AT CHILDREN'S ENTERTAINMENT
A party of 2400 children in three relays of 800 were entertained to a splendid dinner of roast beef, vegetables, and plum pudding at Newport on Thursday (January 2nd) as a New Year's treat. This was the twenty-third annual function of its kind. The ages were limited to between seven and fourteen years.
The mayor (Councillor C. P. Simmonds) was president, and was supported by Mrs Simmonds. The Rev. Harry Abraham, general hon. secretary, was supported by a large body of helpers.... The helpers' refreshment-room was presided over by Miss Dauncy, and she and her stewards wore black bands out of repect for the late Mrs Storm (nee Basset), who for may years had carefully attended to the wants of the helpers.
A feature of the function which sent the children into wild delight was the plum-pudding parade, headed by the mayor and mayoress, wearing their chains of office. Before dinner the children were entertained by Mr Danter, an amusement caterer. In the evening cinematograph and variety entertainments were given.
Today 500 families will be given soup.
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List of Newport's Mayors