A Soldiers' and Sailors' Comforts Fund

From the Huddersfield Daily Examiner, July 15th 1918. 

COMFORTS FOR SOLDIERS AND SAILORS.

PROCESSION AND GALA AT BIRCHENCLIFFE.

A procession and gala, the proceeds of which are to go to the Birchencliffe Soldiers' and Sailors' Comforts Fund, was held at Birchencliffe on Saturday.  Fortunately, the inclement weather which prevailed on Friday cleared altogether away for Saturday, and a large number of people patronised the effort.  Birchencliffe was profusely decorated with flags and bunting.

Marshalled by Councillor Barnes, a procession, in which fancy dress wearers, a waggon decorated as a car on which rode Britannia and her attendants, and the Lindley Jiggerum-Juggerum Band took leading parts, went through the village to a field adjoining Lower Yew Tree Road, lent by Mr. E. Calverley, where the gala was held  Judging by Mr. A. Collins, ventriloquial items by Professor Land, a maypole dance by Birchencliffe children (trained by Miss Jagger), and children's races formed the bulk of the afternoon attractions.  In the evening the Delights Concert Party gave items, and Professor Land's Punch and Judy attracted the usual large audiences.  Selections were played by the Elland Silver Band, and dancing proceeded until dusk.  Games, houpla, etc., were included in the side shows.  A pillow fight proved an exciting spectacle.