Christmas Fare

Our tradesman's shops begin to put on the show for Christmas. Among the butchers, Mr Thomas Jenner has a splendid show of beef, having killed several first-rate beasts, among which was a steer (Sussex) fatted by Mr. Verrail, Southover, Lewes, a famous animal, well-fitted and very prime, estimated at 170 stone, which for a three year old is a heavy weight.

He has also some capital mutton, fatted by R. Taylor, Esq., at his farm, Heaselands, Keymer. Mr. Edmund Jenner killed an excellent Sussex bred heffer of 140 stone, fatted by WW Burrell, Esq, at Beatley farm, and bred by Mr. Bedford, his predecessor. She was the larger of two Sussex heifers Mr Burrell showed at the stock show at Hurst on Thursday, both of which gained prizes, the other, set at 130 stone, was sent to Brighton. They were both very handsome beasts with fat very evenly laid on all over, and not deficient in a single point. They are a credit to Mr Denby, his farm bailiff, and we are glad that Mr. Burrell has been so successful in the first year of his farming essay in stock here.

Mr Morley also presents a very good show in his window of his new shop at the comer of the road to the station, which sets off that part of the town admirably. Mr. Bunting, the confectioner, his an immense display of Christmas and twelfth-night cakes that set the mouths of the young ones a-watering, and Mr Sayers has made up a good window both at his town shop and at Whiteman’s Green.

Mr Reynolds’ stationery shop also show abundance of games and amusements for the time of year, and the other tradesmen came out exceedingly well. The shops will be closed and a general holiday kept on Monday and Tuesday, 26th and 27th inst, throughout the town.

The Rifle Range in the park is to be abandoned, and a new one established in the Goarse Meadow close to the town and over a part of the Laines farm.

Sussex Advertiser, Tuesday 20 December 1864

Contributed by Malcolm Davison.