The hall will be decorated to represent a magnificent Indo-Oriental Bazaar for which the scenery has been specially designed and executed by Mr G M Bridges, Scenic Artist to His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, and will be used for the first time on this occasion.
A varied and interesting Programme of Music and other Entertainments will be provided on each day. The services of a high-class String Band, under the Conductorship of Mr J H Amers, have been secured, and other Music, Vocal and Instrumental, will be provided by Ladies and Gentlemen, Professional and Amateur, who have kindly volunteered their assistance.
Signor Voir will at intervals give his inimitable representation of “Punch and Judy,” and perform marvellous feats of Conjuring and Legerdemain. And Mr G M Bridges will provide a series of instructive and diverting Popular Entertainments.
… opening address by Earl Percy … in aid of funds required for the repair and presentation of the noble and venerable Abbey Church … idea of having a bazaar was … a year ago and energetic sub-committee formed [described decoration] … for purpose of raising funds to carry out much needed and extensive repairs to the roof of the Abbey and to meet the cost already partly incurred of repairing the tower and peal of bells, and repairing and improving the clock and chimes. The repairs to the roof are estimated to cost between £700 & £800, the repairs to the clock and chimes £150; three of the bells that were cracked were re-cast and the entire peel of eight bells rehung at a cost of £200, £50 of which is still unpaid. The east window has been re-glassed at a cost of £40 and there are other matters of repair which will bring up the total to about £1,200. [listed stalls and stallholders n.r.] … The Revd Canon Barker said that it was unnecessary to say anything by way of introduction of Earl Percy because that nobleman was well known … Earl Percy said “… the object…was maintenance in a proper state of their Abbey Church. The Abbey Church was one of the most beautiful in the north of England. It was one which had suffered many vicissitudes. It was one of the earliest stone churches erected in days gone by when Christianity had a hard fight to establish itself in this rude northern clime, and it had suffered both in ancient and modern times both from its loss and from its would-be friends” [not recorded all speech] …. First day takings about £700 and entertainments listed [n.r.]. [Hexham Courant, 28 August 1886; ‘n.r.’ = ‘not recorded’]
Closed by Canon Barker … bazaar opened with a formal and imposing ceremony and he thought it fitting that it should not be closed without a similar formality and he had thought it right to arrange that meeting in order that he could publicly express his appreciation of the success which had been achieved by the combined efforts of everyone connected with the bazaar. The results had exceeded his expectations and although the bazaar had been opened with great hope, and he may say with great anxiety … their hopes had been realized and these anxieties dispelled … expressed his thanks to committee, stallholders … proceeds approximately £1,303 less £200 to cover expenses … net proceeds £1,106. [Hexham Courant, 4 September 1886, p5]