(Transcription) Western Morning News • 09 Nov 1916, page 7

RED CROSS EFFORT.
COUNTESS OF ST. GERMANS' SALE OF WORK AT PORT ELIOT.
Yesterday the Countess of St. Germans, with generous hospitality, threw open the mansion of Port Eliot for a sale of work and entertainment on behalf of War Hospital Supply, under the auspices of the Red Cross. For a long period the countess has received at the house twice weekly a working party, of which she has organised all arrangements, sending large supplies chiefly to Lady Grosvenor's depot in Park-lane, also to the Plymouth hospitals; and the proceedings yesterday, also entirely engineered by the countess, were to supply money for materials for future work. The success of the event was assured by the very thorough and complete arrangements made. The rooms were thronged throughout the afternoon and early evening, and as the expenses were very small indeed, it may be anticipated that the proceeds will be gratifying to the countess, whose labours and kindly hospitality knew no limit. The whole of the ground floor was thrown open, and workers and performers were made welcome in a specially kind way.

Visitors came in large numbers from the village and from a wide district to the historic house, glad of the opportunity of visiting the park-like grounds, wherein the battlemented, ivy-covered stone mansion stands in the dignity of its age and traditions on the site of the ancient priory. Objects of interest also were the beautiful reception-rooms, on the walls of which hang famous pictures by famous old masters, including many portraits of the Eliot family by Sir Joshua Reynolds. The dining-room, which was originally the monastic refectory, was devoted to the refreshment of visitors, and herein a Cornish tea was served by Mesdames G.H. Brenton, W.H. Brenton, W.G. Broad, G.W. Carpenter, J. Osborne, and H. Polgreen, in aprons and badge. The waitresses, in uniform of white frocks, badged, aprons and mobcaps decorated with the red ribbon, were the Misses Amy Brenton, Gwen Brenton, Frances Polgreen, Marjorie Polgreen, Norah Pine, Dorothy Goard, Florence Broad, and Kathleen Broad. Very charming was the appearance of this room, with many tables snowily spread and decorated with delicate hothouse blooms, and illuminated with the gentle light of many candles; and while the visitors were refreshed they were interested in the fine old pictures with which the walls were covered, many of the finest in the house being hung here.

AN IDEAL SALE ROOM.
The sale was arranged in the library, a charming circular room with a dome roof, an ideal apartment for the occasion. The stalls were draped with white and decorated with the characteristic Red Cross, and, erected in a circle round the room, they displayed to the best advantage the varied and large assortment of fancy and useful articles, toys, and sweets with which they were laden. These stalls were five in number. At one, Lady St. Germans, who indeed was ubiquitous, and carried her inspiring influence everywhere, was assisted by her sister, Lady Ellis, and Lady Mary Ponsonby. Near by the Hon. Mrs. Allix and Mrs. C.R. Gott were busy; Mrs. Boger and Mrs. M.C. Eliot were associated at another; Mrs. G.R. Harman and Miss Gill were in charge of another, and at the door Mrs. Gill sold badges. A stall which attracted great attention and patronage was the Dairy Produce Store, which had a live stock department, where geese, pigs, poultry, and other animals were heard to protest against restriction of their liberty. This stall was organised and provided by the tenant-farmers on the estate, represented by Mesdames H. Maynard, Lyne, Richards, Penwill, and Matthews, and the Misses Maynard and Tucker. Two bran pies [tubs] were in charge of Pamela and Diana Allix, Nicholas and Elizabeth Eliot, Elizabeth Harman, and Josepha Smith. Gentlemen who acted as stewards and doorkeepers were Rev. C.R. Gott and Messrs. W.J. Prior and W.G. Broad. The household staff entered throughly in the spirit of the effort, and whole-heartedly worked for its success, and tribute must be specially paid to Mr. R. Palmby, butler; Mrs. Osborne, housekeeper; and Mrs. Wilson, maid to the countess.

The sale was lively, and when towards the close of the proceedings the remaining stock was put up at auction, excitement and laughter resounded through the house. The amateur auctioneers were Messrs. M.C. Eliot, Broad, and Palmby.

CONCERTS IN THE BALLROOM.
The pillared ballroom was twice crowded with audiences eager to hear the excellent concerts arranged by Lieut.-Col. W.P. Drury, R.M.L.I. The very respectable sum of £8 2s. 3d. was realised by the sale of tickets and programmes, and the visitors declared they would willingly have paid more for the pleasure afforded by the performances. Uniformed members of the Royal Marine Girls' Ambulance Corps, who sold programmes, were Bessie Miller, Renee Carter, Christine Holmes, and Bessie Burton.

Lady Maud Warrender gave high tone to the concert by her choice of songs, which included "Since first I saw your face," "The three fishers" (Hullah), "Thy love, Signor," and "The King's Way" (Elgar). Mrs. Norman Kennedy gave pleasure by singing "Oh no! John," "The rose," and "On the banks of Allan Water," and the audience much enjoyed Miss Carrie Martin's rendering of "Villanelle," the waltz song from "Tom Jones," "Love's alley" (Dorothy Forster), and "A garden of roses" (Haydn Wood). Surg. J.B. Ronaldson, R.N.V.R., gave "Harry Lauder" songs in good style, and Lieut.-Col. Drury told stories. The instrumental side of the programme was particularly good. Miss Hilda Smart accompanied throughout, and played pianoforte solos; Miss Isabel Wallington provided an unusual artistic treat by her musicianly playing of harp solos by Hasselmann and Godsfroid, and harp and violin duets were given (including the "Barcarolle" of Offenback) by her and Sergt. F.A. Wellington, R.M.L.I. The latter played violin music by Bohm, Saint-Saens, and Dvorak.

The weather was too stormy for much outdoor enjoyment, though the gardens were opened, and many of the visitors made short excursions to some of the many points of vantage where fine views of the country may be obtained. Among those who visited the sale and concerts were Lady Houston Stewart, Lady Maud Warrender, Mrs. Hickman, and Mrs. Kennedy. Mr. Evelyn Rashleigh, Capt. Caulfield, Flag-Lieut. Wilson, and Rev. Ernest Glencross.

— "Western Morning News" 10 Nov 1916, page 8:
RED CROSS SALE AT PORT ELIOT.
The following sums were taken at the Red Cross sale at Port Eliot on Wednesday: — Stalls — Countess of St. Germans, £53 18 s. 7d.; Mrs. C.R. Gott, £20 15s. 51d.; Mrs. M.C. Eliot, £25 12s. 11d.; Mrs. G.R. Harmon, £15 4s. 8d.; dairy and live stock, £33 17 s. 8d.; donations £68 10s. 6d.; gate money, £9 6s. 9d.; teas, £12; concerts £ 12s. 4d.; bran tub, £1 15s. 8d.; total, £247 14s. 6d.