From: The Wiltshire Times

14 April 1945

Sutton Benger ‘Welcome Home’ Scheme

A public meeting was held in the Hall on Wednesday evening of last week to consider the possibility of starting a ‘Welcome Home’ Fund for the men and women of Sutton Benger and Draycot Cerne who are in the Forces. Mr Joe Gregory was voted to the chair, and after discussion it was unanimously decided to start the fund.

A committee was formed, and met on Monday evening in the Hall to elect officials. Mr Hughes proposed that Mr Gregory should be elected chairman. Miss Perry seconded, and it was carried unanimously. Mr Burchill proposed, and Mr Hughes seconded that Mrs Green be appointed secretary. Mr Hughes proposed, and Mrs Hawkins seconded, that Mrs Juggins be treasurer, and these appointments were also made.

The name of the fund is to be ‘The Sutton Benger and Draycot Cerne Welcome Home Fund’, and among the many activities suggested were: that Mrs Juggins organize a series of dances, with a band, until the end of May. That Messrs Burchill and Hughes would organize a horse and pony ‘speedkhana’ in Draycot Cerne in June, for which they were already promised valuable support, including two silver cups as prizes. The Entertainments Committee will organize a concert, Mrs Wheeler, children’s sports (maypole dancing, etc), and Mr Burchill expressed his willingness to organize a day’s sport.

It was decided that the Committee should meet for further discussions on the first Monday evening in every month.

Is there any particular story from Sutton Benger’s past that you want to know more about? Do you want to know the runners, riders and winners in the 'Speedkhana'? - it was held in Draycot Park in June 1945. Please get in touch:

by phone: 01249 721731
by email: hello@bengertrails.co.uk