Description:Five year old Paul Thomas is pictured presenting a box of chocolates to the Countess of Shrewsbury at the end of the prize distribution to children of Salt and Hopton Sunday Schools, at the annual party held in the village Hall on Saturday 22 January. Standing on the left is the Vicar, the Rev. W L Warrington.
In addition to children from Salt and Hopton schools, parents were also invited and more than 60 guests assembled for the party on behalf of the parishioners. Lady Shrewsbury received a warm welcome and the Vicar the Rev. W L Warrington expressed the pleasure of everyone present at her kindness in coming to distribute the prizes. Lady Shrewsbury, no stranger to Salt, said that the Ingestre Sunday School party would be held some time in the Summer at Ingestre, and she hoped Salt and Hopton children would attend. She went on to say that one of Lord Shrewsbury’s forefathers had built Salt Church and both she and his lordship had considerable interest in the village. Although Lord Shrewsbury no longer owned land and property in Salt, both he and Lady Shrewsbury hoped that they would still be considered part of the local community and would be invited to come to Salt on future occasions.
At the end of the prize distribution Paul Thomas presented Lady Shrewsbury with a box of chocolates and two other gifts of appreciation were presented to Mrs W J Cartwright (Salt Sunday School) and Mrs J Challinor (Hopton Sunday School) by Ann Challinor and Jennifer Davis. The Vicar thanked Lady Shrewsbury for presenting the prizes and also the ladies who were responsible for the lovely tea, arranged and served by Mrs W J Cartwright, Mrs A Holford, Mrs J Martin, Mrs W Martin, Mrs G Pointon and Miss Ursula Stubbs. He also thanked Mrs W J Cartwright and Mrs J Challinor for their efforts in raising a substantial part of the necessary funds by organising a jumble sale. Mr F J Challinor thanked the Vicar for his part in the arrangements. The tables were removed after tea, and the children were entertained by a film show, given by Mr R Tew.
Prizes were presented by Lady Shrewsbury to the following children:-
Salt:
Yvonne Challinor, Vivienne Hitchenor, Audrey Bassett, June Holloway, Ann Challinor, Barbara Johnson, Christine Swift, Marjorie Dean, Basil Holloway, John Challinor, Keith Challinor, Peter Large, Barry Thomas, Trevor Yates, John Goodfellow, Denver Corcoran, Rosemary Challinor, Wendy Wright, Ian Challinor, Ann Stubbs, Ann Shaw, Rachel Tomlinson, Valene Pinson, Kathleen Devine, Yolanda Challinor, Patricia Martin, Pamela Tinkler, Graham Challinor, Marilyn Swift, Carol Fradley, Terence Hitchenor, Carol Wilkes, Anthea Pearce, Patrick Johnson, Gerald Pearce, Veronica Warrington, Rosemary Warrington, Paul Thomas, Jean Sturgess, Robert Goodfellow, Stewart Challinor.
Hopton:
Jean Hickson, Barbara Lea, Richard Martin, Thomasina Martin, David Deavall, Raymond Bassett, Richard Lea, Kenneth Butler, Jennifer Davis, David Cammack, Jacqueline Martin, Jean Deavall, Janet Butler, Jean Clements, Velma Bassett, Paul Myers.
Gifts “of encouragement” were given to three very small children, Angela Bassett, John Davis and Rosemary Davis.
This article was published in the Stone Guardian on Saturday 29 January 1955.