THE TRIP TO WESTON-SUPER-MARE
One of the most enjoyable outings of the year is that connected with Messrs. Hitchman and Co., and the trip on Saturday last proved as enjoyable and successful as any in previous years. In addition to the employes and staff connected with the firm of Messrs Hitchman and Co., the employes of Messrs Rowell and Son also took advantage of the trip through the generosity of Mr. W. N. Rowell. and were accommodated in a special saloon, so that altogether about 150 left Chipping Norton at 4.55, and a few minutes later the trippers were afforded an opportunity of inspecting the glories of Sarsden siding, where the train drew up in order that the gates at the crossing might be preserved. Upon arrival at the Junction, the Nortonians found the special train waiting, and the Brewery contingent was supplemented by the detachment from the company’s offices at Worcester, from which place the excursion started. At Charlbury, Messrs. Fowne’s employes and their friends, to the number of about 100, boarded the train, and the next stop was at Oxford, and from this point to Bristol the train ran on without a stop. The weather was delightfully fine and clear, and the excursionists had a good opportunity of seeing the picturesque country of the west. The railway journey was a comfortable one, and the train steamed into the excursion station at Weston at the scheduled time of 8.55. Breakfast was the first item with the majority of the trippers, but the staff of Messrs. Hitchman and Co. had been fortunate in this respect. having arranged for breakfast to be served in their saloon on route. As is usual on such occasions, the holiday-makers lost no time in getting down to the sea. It being high tide, they were spared the sight of the vast expanse of mud which is characteristic of this watering-place, and which many of them had been led to expect. A large number of Nortonians made the journey to Cardiff in the morning, but though this trip is short, the water is generally uncomfortably rough, and so it proved to several of the passengers. About an hour was available at Cardiff. and as much cannot be seen in this space of time, a section of the party contented themselves with an inspection of the famous castle of the Marquis of Bute, and, incidentally, the palace-like interior of the Angel Hotel. A ride on the electric train through the busy streets afforded an opportunity for a general survey of the town, and Weston was reached at about half past one. After dinner the time was spent in a diversified way. Some took advantage of the picturesque drives, others were entertained by the several groups of versatile negroes scattered about the sands, while others took the opportunity of inspecting the new pier, which is not yet complete. It is a fine piece of work and should do much towards popularising Weston. The pavilion, in which a concert was in progress, is gorgeously decorated, and the comfort of patrons has been in every way considered. One of the features of the day was the donkey racing on the sands, which afforded considerable amusement to the large number of spectators, who enjoyed the fun of seeing certain well-developed gentlemen affectionately embracing the necks of diminutive donkeys, who would persist in running so close together as to seriously bruise the legs of their jockeys. In the evening the sands again attracted attention, while a general survey of the town was made by many and an inspection of the ill-fated restaurant in High-street which was recently burnt out. The train was not so punctual in leaving Weston as in its arrival, and it was nearly nine o’clock when it steamed out. The return journey was, however, a quick one. and the trippers were conveyed into the local station precisely at one o’clock on Sunday morning, having spent such a day as will be remembered by all who made the journey as one of the most enjoyable and successful yet organised in connection with Messrs. Hitchman and Co.
