Norland Peace Day Celebrations

"Norland Peace Celebration

A Peace Celebration arranged by the Norland War Memorial Committee was, to the general disappointment, interfered with on Saturday (28th July 1923) by the weather. A procession to the war memorial, led by Norland Brass Band, took place. Here the Sowerby Bridge Madrigal Society contributed one or two items, but for the service the party repaired to the church, where Bishop Frodsham, Vicar of Halifax and Rural Dean, delivered a much appreciated and sympathetic address. He was assisted in the service by Rev A Vickers, superintendant minister of the PM circuit, and Rev M C Elphinstone, Vicar of Sowerby Bridge-with-Norland. A garden party and fete had been arranged in the grounds of Mr F E Longbottom, Pickwood House, but the procedings had to be transferred to the school. After tea members of the Madrigal Society, the Norland Dramatic Society, Norland Band, and the Sowerby Bridge and Ripponden Corps of the St John's Ambulance Brigade entertained the gathering."  (HXEC 30/7/1923)

 "Norland Peace Gala - Popular Event

Residents in Norland and the surrounding district took part on Saturday in a big function organised in connection with the anniversary of the local peace celebrations.The procedings opened with a procession from West Bottom to the centre of the village. Taking part were the chairman (Cllr F E Longbottom) and members of the parish council, along with representatives of various organisations, and the public. A short but very impressive service was held in front of the Village War Memorial. Cllr K Broadley, B.Sc., presided and assisting were the Vicar, Rev M C Elphinstone, M.A., Rev C G Weetman and Mr H Ayres, the address being given by Mr Weetman. Norland Band led the singing of appropriate hymns. A village fete followed in a field adjoining the memorial ground, close upon 2,000 people being present. Norland Band played a selection of music and there were numerous attractions. The St John Ambulance Brigade gave a display, and other features included a bowling tournament, sports, horse and cattle show, walking competition and displays of wild flowers, plants, also egg, cake and bread competitions. These attracted a large entry and the exhibits received much attention." (HXEC 20/7/1925) 

"The anniversary of the peace festivities at Norland is celebrated year after year with undiminished enthusiasm, and last Saturday's event (17th July 1926) , taking the form of a procession, memorial service, and a village fete, was a notable one in every respect. Glorious weather contributed largely to the success of the function. Practically the whole of the inhabitants turned out for the fete, whilst many outsiders also joined in the festivities. For hours and hours, the centre of the township presented a gay scene, with banners and bunting floating in the breeze, the band playing, and a continuous round of attractions. The procedings commenced in the early afternoon, when a procession was formed at West Bottom. At the head was Norland Band, followed by representatives of the four Sunday schools in the parish, the members of the RAOB (1), Ambulance Brigade, and members and officials of the Parish Council. From West Bottom the company proceeded to the memorial site near the church..... Constable Johnstone and members of the committee assisted in marshalling the procession, the chief gala officials being:  Chairman, Counc. K(elsall) Broadley; vice-chairman, Counc. F(rancis) E Longbottom; treasurer, Mr J Helliwell; secretary, Mr N Binns.

A big crowd assembled around the memorial for a short service. A most inspiring address was given by the Rev. A Vickers and also assisting in the service were the Rev M C Elphinstone, MA. and the Rev. C G Weetman.....

The gala was held in a field behind the memorial garden, placed at the disposal of the committee by Counc. H Hall. The band played selections of music, and also for dancing. Sports, tug-of-war, a bowling event and other attractions made up a full programme, together with a horse and cattle show."   

The article continues with a list of prize winners, which may be of interest to those of you who had family living in Norland at that time. (HXEC 19/07/1926)

(1) The Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes - a  non-political, non-religious fraternal movement founded in 1822. Was there a lodge in Norland?

More below!

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"The wide open space of Norland Moor and the many pleasant walks in the area attract numerous visitors all the year round, but at least once in the twelve months there is a big crowd in the parish, that being on the occasion of the annual show and gala. In the past the promoters have been remarkably lucky as regards weather. On Saturday (28th July 1934) they were unfortunate but, even so, the programme was carried through without a hitch. The most serious obstacle was a high wind. No doubt many of the visitors would be impressed by the high velocity which can be developed on that exposed hill top. At times it was so strong that even the horses appeared to be checked when cantering round the field. During the peace service in the Parish Church the wind howled and shrieked around the gables as though it meant to tear off the roof. The theme of Mr M S McCorquodale's address was "Peace", but curiously enough, there seemed to be no peace so far as the elements were concerned. Possibly the natives thought nothing about it, but to the visitors the gale was very impressive." (HXEC 30/7/1934)

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"...Given decent conditions, this village event is a very popular attraction. About £150 will be awarded in prize money tomorrow, and there is a record number of exhibits. There are to be numerous classes for horses and cattle, with jumping competitions and novelty features; also this time a new attraction - a sheep dog trial. The exhibits of poultry, pigeons, rabbits, mice and eggs will be staged in a big marquee, and there the record number of entries in the gift classes will be sold. Under the direction of the Halifax Canine Association, there will again be a Dog Show. Special entertainers have been engaged and Norland Show officials have a reputation for being good caterers.  (HXEC 24/07/1936)

"It was a great relief to the officials of Norland Agricultural Show and the Peace Festivities Committee this morning when the weather conditions turned out bright and promising for their annual event. They had committed themselves to a bigger outlay than ever in the matter of prize money, and they had organised a particularly fine programme of features.

The field adjoining the Memorial Park had been arranged for the show, and there was a short Peace Service as usual."   (HXEC 25/07/1936)

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"Norland Peace Gala

A considerable number of people made their way to Norland on Saturday afternoon (27th July 1939) to join the local residents in their annual village festival. For 20 years this function has been held on the Saturday nearest the date on which the Peace Treaty was signed after the Great War. Although the main purpose is to keep alive the peace celebrations, the Norland Fete is also widely known because of the many other attractions associated with it, namely a small-scale agricultural show, a flower show and, this year, a show of budgerigars and an arts and crafts exhibition.

Everything had got nicely into swing when heavy rain swept the gala field and seriously interfered with the success of the function. The programme was carried through in its entirety and a fair percentage of folk remianed until the final item. The rain, however, took the gilt off the day's enjoyment. That was distinctly unfortunate for the committee and officials, who had worked hard to organise a really popular event and had shown enterprise in introducing new features. Owing to the prevalence of foot-and-mouth disease in the county and the restrictions which had been in operation until recently, the cattle sections and sheep dog trials were cancelled some time ago".

(HXC  29/7/1939)

"School Fire at Norland: There was an unexpected ending to the gala and peace festivities at Norland on Saturday night. A few minutes after 10 o'clock, when the visitors had left the district, and the local people had gone from the field where the fete had been held, a fire was discovered in the kitchen attached to St Luke's School. The premises had been used during the afternoon and evening for teas in connection with the fete. The staff was still busy cleaning the room when smoke was noticed coming from the kitchen floor. The floor under the set pan, which had been used for boiling water, had apparently got on fire. It was nothing serious but, as a safety measure, the Brigade was called up from Sowerby Bridge. Supt T Waterhouse, who, less than an hour previously had been in charge of auxiliary firemen in an adjoining field putting out a demonstration "fire", returned to the village. Local people, however, had practically put out the blaze with buckets of water, and the use of a hand pump by the firemen soon completed the task. The damage was slight."  (HXEC 24/07/1939)

Just over 5 weeks later there was no longer any peace to celebrate as Britain was once again plunged into a World War.