Gaily bedecked stalls and sideshows arranged in the shade of apple and cherry trees laden with fruit made a picturesque setting at the White Fathers garden fete in the church grounds on Saturday.
The opening ceremony was performed by Lord Howard of Penrith, G.C.B., G.C.M.G., C.v.O. (late Ambassador at Madrid and Washington.), who was supported by Father Superior (Father B.Brown, D.D.), and the parish priest (Father Owen McCoy).
Welcoming Lord Howard, Father Brown said, that among their many distinguished visitors they had never before numbered a member of His Majesty's Privy Council, and to have him was an honour not only to the White Fathers, but to Heston. He had rendered incalculable service to the country in the British Diplomatic Service for many years having been a member of the British Delegation to Paris Peace Conference, five years Ambassador at Madrid, and six years Ambassador to the United States in Washington. They might wonder why such a Statesman should come to open a small Fete such as theirs. Possibly it was because he saw in that little parish of some 400 souls, a small unit of a great whole extending throughout England and Europe.
Lord Howard said, that one of the first things a diplomat, like a small child was taught was to be seen, but never heard. He was now beginning to be heard because he, had left the diplomatic service, but since he had never learnt to speak they must not expect too much of him. What they had come for was not to listen to him, but to spend their money.
That parish, which had only been established a short while, was badly in need of any help it could get to enable it to expand and develop. He had been had been particularly pleased to meet the White Fathers, because in all his journeys he had never come across one of their churches.
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Father Brown had been right, when he said, they were a small unit of a very large whole - the Catholic Church all over the world. The Catholic Church was a United, International body, really an emblem of International unity, that was wanted in the world today.
Everyone was talking about peace, and he would be very much mistaken if peace did not come ultimately through the Catholic Church.
Father Brown proposed a hearty vote of thanks to Lord Howard - Father McCoy in seconding thanked all, who had helped with the stalls and worked for the Fete.
The stall and stall holders were: Fruits and Flowers, Mesdames Cutler, Meyer, and Hobby; Rummage, Mesdames T. and P. Connolly; Pound, Mrs Brown: Cakes, Mrs. Rumbold; Drinks and Ices, Misses J. and B. Rumbold; Sweets and Cigarettes, Miss Lavarette and Mr Deedy ; White Elephant, misses W. and D. Tighe; Needlework, Mesdames K. and J. Felton, and Butler; Pottery, Healy family; Teas were served in the Hall by Mrs Hoskins assisted by members of the congregation, and there was a variety of amusements such as Coconut-shie, houp-Ia, ringing the coin, billiards, lino luck, electric speedway, treasure hunt, card race, crown and anchor, and lucky dip, run by Mr Titcomb, Mr J. Hoskins, Mr Tighe, Mr M. Gleason, Mr Murray, and Mr Gregory, Masters Birch and Beeley and others. The White Sisters were in charge of a figure known as the money- eating Negro, which caused amusement as well as collecting money.
Among the attractions was an exhibition game of push ball by the Boy's Club, at 8.30 there was a social evening in the Hall.
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