My Account
Throughout Warkworth’s early days the residents developed a wide range of entertainments for themselves. These included soirees, dances, musicals, galas, flower shows, movie pictures, bazaars, sports, choral singing, bands and activities for children.
After the 1876 Mahurangi Agricultural Show, a dance was held at the Public Hall and The Daily Southern Cross newspaper wrote, ‘The Public Hall was the scene of Terpsichorean festivities and the gathering place of the youth and beauty of Warkworth.’
A soiree was held at the Mahurangi Hall on 10 July 1876 in aid of the Presbyterian building fund. The Observer newspaper often reported on social events in Warkworth without identifying the people reported on as can be seen in the following from 28 May 1887, ‘Why can’t H.M.W. stick to one girl? Because the poor fellow can’t get one to stick to him … Look out Miss K. he is leading you on a string it will soon break, why didn’t he have the first dance at the Oddfellow’s, cut out eh?’
Dances and balls were a common occurrence such as the one put on by the Warkworth ladies on 15 August 1889 in which 300 invitations were sent out. For those who did not wish to dance, card tables were provided. The last waltz finished at 5am. The Masonic Ball in October 1901 was held at the Masonic Hall with Reed’s band from Auckland providing the music. Dancing finished at daylight. In May 1882, the Rodney Bachelor’s Ball was held at which there was, as The Observer stated, ‘a perfect galaxy of beauty’. A noticeable dress was worn by Mis Warrin and consisted of ‘pale pink sateen, trimmed with cream lace and pale pink flowers’.
The Black Diamond Minstrels, which formed in Warkworth in early 1911 by the conductor of the Warkworth Town Band, Mr Brunette, performed in July 1911. After the performances a dance was held.
At times, entertainers came to Warkworth to perform such as a group of Te Kao Native school boys who performed at the Town Hall on 1 January 1914. The programme consisted of glees, recitations, life-saving drills, humorous sketches, poi dances, haka and war dances. The price of admission was 1s 6d for adults and 6d for children. Another group to perform in May 1925 was the world famous Fisk Jubilee Singers, with the Rodney and Otamatea Times stating that ‘a treat is in store for lovers of clean, honest entertainment’. In 1928, the Warkworth bowling and croquet clubs arranged a night of entertainment which included a series of games run in heats of 10 with the winner taking half the entry money as a prize.
Sports have played a big part in community life over the years with many teams coming to Warkworth to compete against the locals. On 15 December 1888, a cricket match was played on Mr McMurdo’s paddock between teams from Warkworth and Albertland. However, the Warkworth team only scored 20 runs in the first innings and 30 in the second so were easily defeated by 37 runs. After the match, the teams retired to Mr Harrison’s Temperance Hotel for dinner.
Children have been catered for over the years with school picnics and concerts. At the end of the school year in December 1904, the Warkworth school pupils gave a concert at the Masonic Hall which consisted of songs, maze drills and musical bells. A school concert held in December 1915 at the Warkworth Town Hall raised £15 7s for the benefit of sick and wounded soldiers. A children’s sports and tea party was held at the Sandspit Motor Camp in January , which included sports and a tea party. Highlights for the children were the lolly scramble and the free ration of ice cream. Children were also entertained when the Sole Bros, Circus and Zoo, came to Warkworth in 1938.
It was not surprising that events were organised during World War II. A Patriotic Comforts Committee was set up with the aim to provide rest, entertainment and refreshments for the troops on leave from the various camps around Warkworth. The Oddfellows Hall was set up as a cafeteria and on the opening night in June 1942, 200 cups of tea were served. A major event was the Victory Celebrations to mark the end of the war. A concert was held on 16 October 1945, which included ballet, sketches, singing, mirth and melody for over two hours.
