Preece Family Tree

PRESENTATION TO MR. E. F. SKYRME.

On Saturday evening there was a large gathering at the Grand Stand Hotel, where a presentation was made to Mr. E. F. Skyrme, in anticipation of his marriage, which takes place in Birmingham to-morrow. Colonel Maybury was in the chair, and amongst those present were Councillors C. W. Palmer (Chamberlain), John Gray, and Frank Williams, Messrs. B. Cock, A. J. Radford, H. Pollard, E. C. Corbett, H. Davey, E. C. Harrison, J. H. Pinkett, J. H. White, E. A. Hancock, W. J. Pearce, R. G. Perkins, W. Wheeler, R. Wheeler, H. Hatton, L. Hatton, C. Beaumont, E. Tyler, T. Morton, F. Pratt, W. A. Telfer, W. Pacy, F. Pacy, W. Jones, W. M. Hartin, W. Harris, F. Harrison, W. Stewart, W. P. Cross, W. Lunn, Watson, etc.

Messages of congratulation and good wishes were sent by Mr. A. A. Maund, Mr. Dyke, and others who were unable to attend.

Colonel Maybury said he had been called upon as the oldest friend of the family. Having known Mr. Skyrme from his earliest years, he was able, in a very genial way, to sketch his career, and in hearty and well-applauded terms he spoke of what Mr. Skyrme had done for various forms of sport, and of his excellent social qualities. Mr. Skyrme's numerous friends had joined in a subscription for the purpose of making him a marriage present, and they asked him to accept a tea and coffee service with their best wishes for a happy and prosperous future. A little book accompanied the gift, and in it appeared the names of the subscribers and this inscription: "To Mr. E. F. Skyrme. On the occasion of your marriage, we whose names follow have great pleasure in offering for your acceptance a token of friendship and of much interest in the happy event. We tender most hearty congratulations and wish both you and Mrs. Skyrme long life, health, and felicity. Worcester, March 4, 1902."

Mr. Palmer, who said that in Mr. Skyrme the Corporation had a worthy tenant; Mr. Frank Williams, Mr. Radford, Mr. White, one of the Nil Desperandum crew, who remembered the kindness of Mr. Skyrme's mother and had also known Mr. Skyrme himself as a rowing man; and Mr. Hatton, who represented an old rowing interest, all expressed their warm regard for Mr. Skyrme and cordial wishes for his happiness.

Mr. Davey referred to the late Mrs. Skyrme as one who was ever sympathetic, kindly and helpful, and said that the good qualities of the mother lived again in the daughter. The friendship for Mr. Skyrme extended to Miss Skyrme, who was asked to accept a dressing bag from those who warmly appreciated all that she had done for the comfort, pleasure, and real homeliness of that house.

The health of Mr. and Miss Skyrme was drunk with much enthusiasm.

Mr. Skyrme, with deep feeling, expressed his sense of the kindness which had been shown to him and to his sister, and said how gratified he was to know that he had so many friends who had combined to make him so handsome a present and had come together that evening to testify their good feeling towards him.

There was very hearty acknowledgment of the service rendered by Mr. Frank Pacy in promoting and arranging the presentation; the health of the Chairman was drunk with all the honours, and with a little musical entertainment the rest of the evening was most pleasantly passed.