Well, years ago we always looked forward to the 'kiyor' suppers. There were ringers, singers and church wardens and also the Sunday school leaders. It was a marvellous time - we used to have a lovely do as much as one could wish for; and the Rector used to give it.   Mrs Fred Chester (Sun, Moon and Stars) had the order for one year and Thomas Tee (Royal Oak) the other and I think they worked hard to see we had the very best supper.

The boys had to go at nine o'clock and the men were supposed to go at ten o'clock but as the years went on the suppers became like the times - a little bit out of hand. After we had done supper the tables were cleared and we used to have whisky - not the boys! - then it was a sing-song. They would call on the choir members with [school headmaster] Arthur Green on the piano. And he used to play well, with his little glass to drink from when he stopped playing.  But when he came back his glass was empty every time. He found out who it was because after he had had his drink he made to refill the glass completely. Sure enough, it would be empty again. Later on in the evening, Arthur then started a good old song at the piano and got everyone to sing well and stand up. It were Joe ***** who was falling about trying not to show anything - found him out he did. Joe always wore a gert belt with a big brass buckle, by the way. No sooner did he start to sing he said - "I've forgot it". "Well, you better sit down and have another go" but he soon got up again and had another little drop of whisky.  He was soon falling about again and the Rector said to me "Whitlock, the best thing you can do is to get him home"  I got him outside and he said "Oh, I do feel ill - I do feel ill - I shall die"  "Come on let's get you home"  Oh dear, oh dear - after a minute he went Br...br..br and he said "that's buggered it" - he messed his trousers.  He was going to fight me for going the wrong way but I took him home and lent him against the door "I shall be alright".  He opened the door and went head first in.  The chairs and tables started flying everywhere - well, I left him.

When I got back to the school room I told the Rector I had took him home - to my great relief.

The suppers were hot, a leg of mutton, a lump of beef and baked puddings and they were cooked in the bakehouse nearby [Sturgess' late of Westley's].  Mrs. Chester had the best suppers - she also provided a jugged hare for those who wanted it, some had all the dishes!!  Those who didn't like jugged hare had rabbit pie.

The old man [Reverend] Barry went at ten o'clock.  When Master Barry took over it used to be until eleven o'clock before they finished the booze - but when he was gone we got going again until twelve or one.

We all had a church-warden [pipe and tobacco] - even though they didn't all smoke, but it were free.  Later, we finished off the evening by going round with handbells.  We collected the cash to buy them - they didn't come out of church expenses.