A  Concert

“A concert was given in the Schoolroom, on Friday, November 26th, [1893], the management of which Mr. Careless very kindly undertook, himself singing two comic songs in character, which were vociferously encored. The room was very crowded. The proceeds amounted to £2 2s. We owe the success to Mr. Careless, who not only undertook the trouble of getting performers, but very kindly distributed the bills and programmes in all directions, even sending them as far as Flexford.”

Lantern  Slide  Shows

Mr. and Mrs. Careless of Inholms Farm were well known for their lantern slide shows before 1900. School children enjoyed tea there as well. The shows were such a success that subsequent owners of Inholms continued the practice. In the 1920s they were held in a barn in the field behind the house. This small building became known as Ye Olde Wooden Room and a piano was used for musical entertainment.

Inholm’s Farmhouse in 1887.  The home of Charles Careless, who did much to influence the development of village life.  The early history of the house is a mystery.

Coronation  Festivities  1911

The Parish Council Minute Book records that Mr. Careless told Councillors that “the Wood Street residents wished to have the festivities for those persons living in that district at Wood Street on Coronation Day”. The Parish Council decided otherwise, even though Mrs. Careless offered to entertain Wood Street children at her own expense if the adults did not attend the Worplesdon entertainment.  A grand celebration at Merrist Wood (Worplesdon had no Memorial Hall or other suitable gathering place) was planned for all Worplesdon Parish residents. The Worplesdon Band (which seems to be called the Wood Street Band in personal memoirs) was booked to entertain them. Every child was to be given a Coronation mug.

The area was decorated with flags and there were sports with prizes; caterers were employed to provide food, beer and minerals, and the evening ended with a bonfire and fireworks. The accounts showed that seven hundred and fifty-six adults partook of the cold dinner at one shilling and nine pence per head. One hundred and fifty-four gallons of beer was drunk!