V.A.D.—Mr J W Randall and friends gave a greatly-appreciated programme on Wednesday. On Thursday the Men’s Institute entertained the wounded soldiers to whist and billiards.

A Capital Programme of music arranged by Mrs W Beeby and Mrs Warren, of Irthlingborough, was given at the Auxiliary Hospital on Saturday.

V.A.D.Auxiliary Hospital—Miss Newman and Miss Tinston, as the result of a concert and dance held on January 23rd, have handed in the sum of £4 to the hospital. By selling photographs of Mr F W Dix of Raunds, the amateur champion skater, a profit of 5/8 was made, and, at Mr Dix’s request, Mr Geo Hunt expended that amount in cigarettes for the wounded soldiers and handed them in on Wednesday night.

Higham Ferrers V A D Hospital – Presentation of a Billiard Table – For the Wounded Soldiers
An interesting ceremony took place at Higham Ferrers Auxiliary Hospital on Monday evening, when a handsome new billiard table was presented to the matron (Mrs T Patenall) for the use of the soldiers, and the first game on the board was played between Alderman Owen Parker, J.P., (deputy Mayor) and Sapper Straw. Congratulations are due to Councillor F T Twissell on the success of his efforts to raise funds for the purpose. With the kind assistance of Mrs Bates, Miss Newman, Miss Simpson, Mr T Hector’s Concert Party, and other friends, Mr Twissell has managed to raise over £20. The cost of the table was £14 10s.

On behalf of Mr Twissell and about 50 subscribers, Alderman T Patenall (the Mayor of the Borough) formally presented the table to the hospital. His Worship said that Mr Twissell had met with a generous response, and the work had been a great pleasure to him. The feeling of the town was that they not only wanted to keep the men well in body, but in spirit also, and give them every facility for recreation. He hoped the soldiers would make good use of the table, and would recognise that it was a token of appreciation from the townsfolk.

Mrs Patenall (the matron) returned thanks on behalf of the inmates, and said they felt very grateful to the promoters and the subscribers. The nurses and herself were delighted to do what they could for the soldiers, and she had been much encouraged by some charming letters she had received from the mothers of the men who had been in the hospital.

Mr Twissell said that it had greatly pleased him to do anything for the wounded soldiers. Whilst there were soldiers in Higham Ferrers to be cared for, they who were left behind would see that they wanted for nothing.

Ald. Owen Parker added a few words, saying they had formed happy friendships which would never be broken.

Several songs were contributed during the evening.

A Concert and Dance, arranged by Nurse Pack and her daughter (Miss Elsie Pack), on behalf of the Auxiliary Hospital, was given in the Band Club hall yesterday week, the patients of the hospital being present by special invitation. Songs were given by the Brother Coles and Miss Louie Smith, of Raunds, Miss Elsie Pack accompanying. A sketch entitled “Wanted, a mother’s help” was also given by the party. The effort realised £4/5/0.

Stanwick - Red Cross—On Saturday, two concerts were held for the Red Cross effort. Tea was provided, and produce was sold after the concert. The wounded soldiers from the V.A.D. hospitals at Higham Ferrers and Hinwick were entertained at the afternoon concert and to tea. The artists were Mrs Humphrey (Thrapston), Miss Louie Smith (Raunds), The Rectory party, and Corpl. C. Foskett. Competitions and a Jumble Sale helped the funds. The amount realized was £15 2s. 6.

Higham Ferrers V.A.D. Hospital
Honour for the Matron – Valuable Services in Connection with the War
The name of Mrs Patenall (wife of Alderman Thomas Patenall, Mayor of Higham Ferrers), the Commandant at the Auxiliary V.A.D. Hospital at Higham Ferrers, has been brought to the notice of the Secretary of State for War for valuable services rendered in connection with the war.

No distinction has been more thoroughly deserved than this honour to Mrs Patenall, who has during the last three years given the most devoted and enthusiastic service to the care of the wounded soldiers at the hospital.

In addition to the strenuous work at the hospital she has ably carried out the duties falling to the Mayoress of the borough for the time being.

Probably no family in the kingdom has been more patriotic and more self-sacrificing during the war than the Mayor’s family. Alderman and Mrs Patenall’s two sons have been doing good service ever since the outbreak of the war—Mr H R Patenall as an ambulance officer and Mr Donald Patenall as a soldier. Alderman Patenall, besides managing important businesses, has ably filled the office of Mayor and has been chairman of the various war charity and other committees, while his Sundays have been occupied as a lay preacher, and he has also served as one of the circuit stewards of the Higham Ferrers Wesleyan circuit.

The Rushden Co-operative Orchestral Band visited the V.A.D. Hospital on Tuesday, and gave an interesting programme.