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Exeter Flying Post 01 January 1846 Rev Benjamon Clay A Kind Man Xmas Dinner

Exeter Flying Post, 7 January 1847, p3

East and West Worlington. – (From a Correspondent.)

 – The annual good hospitality was displayed at this place, on Christmas-day, to a great number of poor people, who were bountifully regaled with old English fare, roast beef, plum pudding, strong beer, and tea, by that worthy gentleman the Rev. B. Clay, to whom much praise is due. Although above eighty chilly winters have passed over him his faculties are unimpaired; and it is hoped a kind Providence will grant him a long life for the benefit of the poor, for his liberal hand has been always extended to those in distress. And also E.C. Clay, Esq., and Miss Clay have shown forth their liberality.

In the morning before Divine Service the choir, sixteen in number, attended on the worthy host and hostess, Mr. and Mrs. Cruwys, of the Stuckley Arms Inn, and were liberally served with breakfast of beef, bread, and tea; and much praise is due to the choir in showing forth their scientific skill.

The instrumental music was conducted as follows:- Mr. Wm. Hosegood presided at the bass, Mr. R. Luke the tenor, Mr. John Hosegood and Mr. John Gardener the counter, and Mr. John Boundy the treble. Many beautiful and appropriate anthems, by those eminent composers Chapple, Holmes, &c., were sung. It is remarkable to state that the progenitors of the above musicians have been members of this choir upwards of a century past.

After morning service the choir repaired to the Castle of Afton, where they made the mansion of the old worthies resound with heavenly music, after which an excellent dinner was provided by that respected Yeoman James Troake, Gent.

In the evening, after Divine Service the choir attended at the Parsonage House, where they gave much satisfaction to those ladies and gentlemen present, after which the choristers were conducted to a room decorated with evergreens and partook of an excellent supper, consisting of roast beef and plum pudding, strong beer, &c.

The churchwarden was also present and gave the following toasts, “Health of the Rev. B. Clay,” and also “Prosperity to the Church and Choir.” After much enjoyment the parties departed for their homes in such order as becomes the character of good churchmen. Much praise is due to that worthy lady Mrs. Clay, widow of the late Castal Clay Esq., who has supplied a great number of poor families, in the two sister parishes, with a quantity of meat, clothing, and sums of money to a large amount. She will surely finally receive a blissful reward.