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A plastic screw top pot hidden by Poynton Pool. So named after two big celebrations held at Poynton Park in 1850 and 1909. The first was to celebrate the 'coming of age' of Augustus Henry Vernon, the eldest son of Lord and Lady Vernon. Extracts from Illustrated London News, 9 Feb 1850 p85-86. "The rejoicings on Friday were of the most enthusiastic character. Early on Friday morning, salutes of cannon were fired, and the tenantry and dependents of the Vernon family assembled near the Poynton Colliery offices. They were about 2500 in number, and proceeding in the following order to Barlowfold:- A party of tenant-farmers on horseback, preceded by a banner inscribed with "Speed the Plough". A band of music from Stockport. Blacksmiths, walking three abreast. A second banner, bearing the motto, "Huzza for Old Ned" (the soubriquet given to all colliery engines). A party of millwrights and engineers. Old colliers, two and two. Miners and others employed in Lord Vernon's collieries, six abreast. A second band of music, composed of eighteen performers on brass instruments - all of them colliers employed on the estate. Macclesfield pitmen, in long white frocks and green caps, bearing an immense flag, inscribed on one side with "Long live the Honourable Augustus Vernon", and upon the other the Warren-Vernon arms, with the mott, "Vernon semper viret." A third band of music, from Macclesfield. Salesmen and masons. Railway men, tipplers, and banksmen. Agricultural labourers and colliery carters. Women and schoolchildren. Flags and banners were liberally displayed throughout the procession; and as it filed past the hall, the effect was very striking. A temporary hustings, formed of a waggon gaily decorated with flags, was here drawn up outside Mr. Ashworth's garden, at Barlowfold; and when the procession arrived, Mr Vernon, with his brother, accompanied by Mr Christy, M.P, and seveal other gentlemen and some ladies, came out of the house, and presented themselves to the crowd, by whom they were respectfully greeted, the various parties raising their hats as they passed the young heir.....Then the colliers, men and boys, proceeded towards the schools, where arrangements had been completed for the dining of 1300 persons at one sitting, 750 of this number being accommodated in a temporary wooden building, and the remainder in the girls' and boys' school-room. Both the school-rooms and the temporary buildings were decorated with flags and festoons of evergreens, interspersed with mottoes, and brilliantly illuminated with gas. Each guest was supplied with three-quarters of a pound of fine beef, a pound of bread, and a quart of strong ale. The beef was the produce of two very fine oxen (Sampson and Goliath), fed by Mr Ashworth, the dead weight of each was 2600lb. The meat was served on a handsome iron-stone china plate, maufactured expressly for the occasion by Messrs. Minton, and bearing the family arms in colours, and surrounded with the title, motto, and names of the estates of the Vernon family. The cups and suacers were similarly ornamented, and, as well as the plates, were given to the guests at the close of the feast. They were feasted in two batches, and next came the wives and children of the villagers. Meanwhile at Stockport, the church bells rang merrily, salutes of cannon were fired, and flags and banners were displayed; and at about four o'clock, the guests invited to the banquet to be given by Lord Vernon to the Corporation, began to assemble at the Warren Bulkeley Arms Hotel, where the bad of the 90th Regiment played a variety of popular airs. The dinner was well served. The bill of fare included fourteen tureens of turtle, and every other delicacy the season could produce. After the dessert had been placed on the table, and the customary loyal toasts duly honoured...."The health of Lord Vernon, the founder of the feast" was then drunk with all honours.... The Hon. Mr Vernon, with his brother and several of the party, went over to Poynton, and gladdened the hearts of the villagers by joining in their rustic ball at the school-rooms, where the festivities were prolonged until daybreak". The 1909 celebration at the park was known as 'The Stir' and was held to celebrate the Coming of age of George Francis Augustus, the 8th Baron Vernon. The whole village was invited to the event, and assembled at Poynton Green, before gathering further attendees on the procession down Park Lane. Villagers walked past the cricket ground before reaching huge marquees set up in the park, by the pool. Poynton feasted over 3 days in several sittings. The men received a presentation box containing 2 cigars 2 cigarettes and a box of matches. Children were given a larger presentation box filled with sweets. Food was served on special plates decorated with the Vernon Crest and an inscription. It is rumoured that plates were skimmed across the lake at the end of the festivities. See further info (newspaper articles) in photos.
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(Decrypt)
Frr cvpgher pyhr naq ghea 180