Huddersfield Chronicle (14/Sep/1895) - Lockwood Brewery Centenary: A Trip to Scarborough
THE LOCKWOOD BREWERY CENTENARY.
A TRIP TO SCARBOROUGH.
This is essentially an age of excursions. Has the reader ever noticed that if he or she has never visited some seaside resort which one’s friends have visited and know well, those same friends appear to be continually asking you whether you have ever been to that place? It was thus with us at least, and the cause of the trouble was that we had never been to Scarborough. “You ought to go then,” our friends would add, after the usual preliminary question had been asked and answered. And on Saturday we did go. What is more, the visit was paid under the pleasantest of conditions. From our experience of the sumptuous banquet given in the Armoury on Thursday night we already knew that Messrs. Bentley and Shaw (Limited), of the Lockwood Brewery, had determined that the centenary of this well-known firm should be celebrated in such a manner that it should be long remembered by all those who took part in the celebration. Hence it was that — despite an aversion to day “trips” in general — we readily accepted an invitation to accompany the whole of the officials and workmen of the firm to Scarborough. The same liberality which had evidently been exercised when the instructions were given to the caterers for the banquet characterised Saturday’s continuation of the centenary celebration. Not only were two railway tickets given to each employee, one of course being for himself and the other for his wife or sweetheart, or failing either, his lady friend, but with each ticket was also presented a sum of money sufficient to pay for a good dinner and tea. Further still, an intimation was conveyed to the work-people that the day’s wages would be paid as usual. To enable all to join in the outing the works and offices were closed for the day. The arrangements were entrusted to a committee consisting of the following gentlemen :— Mr. Nathan Jagger, managing director, Mr. J. J. Smith, Mr. A. F. Bateman, Mr. H. W. Jagger, Mr. R. Duxbury, Mr. A. Lee, and Mr. George Lawton. What we at any rate regarded as a sensible time — 20 minutes to seven — had been fixed for the start in the morning. For some little while before this, however, Lock-wood Station presented a very animated appearance, and when the special train which had been requisitioned was drawn up to the platform it was rapidly filled. Not quite filled, though, for with a few others we had been informed that we might join the party at Huddersfield, and did so. From the officials, a number of whom were to be found in the saloon carriage attached to the train, we learnt that the party altogether numbered 300. The early morning was not bright, but there were hopeful signs. The first and only station at which a stoppage was made was Normanton, to which a quick run was made. After leaving Normanton the engine gave an even better account of herself, and the “Queen of watering places” was reached at five minutes to 10. During the latter half of the journey the meteorological conditions had greatly improved, and with every prospect of a fine day all were in the very best of spirits and bent on thoroughly enjoying themselves. To attempt to enumerate the different ways in which that enjoyment was sought and found would be a task as difficult as it is unnecessary, for who is not acquainted with the thousand and one ways in which the inhabitants of a popular and fashionable seaside resort seek to entertain their visitors? It is safe to say that one and all made their way to the sands without loss of time. Some, preferring to take matters quietly at first, strolled in the charming Spa Grounds, and had their whiffs of the sea and other whiffs to the accompaniment of the music rendered by the occupants of the band stand. Many others laid down and simply revelled in “doing nothing” and watching what those around them were doing. At noon the officials of the firm and their friends, to the number of about 30, partook of luncheon together at the Grand Hotel, a magnificent building that is itself one of the sights of Scarborough. It was then that we found the advantage of being considered for the day one of the officials. Mr. N. Jagger presided at the repast, at the conclusion of which the toast of “The Firm” was heartily drunk, on the proposition of Mr. Lee, and Mr. Jagger suitably responded. In the afternoon, with the tide coming in and the sun shining, the water looked very inviting for a sail. Apparently more than one group of Lockwooders thought so, for in the coarse of a couple of hours’ delightful sail in a bonnie little craft we were more than once hailed with “ship ahoy” across the water from friends in other boats. Of course we were nothing if not nautical, though judging by the way our captain smiled we doubt if some of the nautical terms were quite correct or appropriate. But we live inland and do not all read Clark Russell. It is away from the shore that one of the best views of the picturesque bay is obtained. Coming ashore again, we saw little of any other members of the party until all met for the return journey at the station. There we learnt that the time had down all too quickly, what with taking dips in the briny, visiting Castle Hill and the North Shore, driving in the neighbourhood, and other ways. The Grand Hotel Restaurant was patronised by many for tea, and not a few spent the latter portion of the time in inspecting the attractive-looking shops in the town and making sundry purchases. The return journey was commenced just before seven o’clock, and again Normanton was the only station at which a stoppage was made. Huddersfield was reached shortly after 10 o’clock, and Lockwood a few minutes later. On all sides the opinion was expressed that the trip had been a complete success, and as enjoyable as a day excursion possibly could be. Not a little of this success was due to the efficient manner in which the committee carried out the whole of the arrangements.