Mansfield 1879

William Sargent was born in Winterbourne, Gloucestershire in 1818. He came to live in Mansfield, and was a local tailor and stationer. He wrote many poems including this one of Mansfield in 1879;                                                                                                                   ‘Mansfield’

There’s a bright  little town,

That is very well known,

It stands very close to the Maun;

Should you find it your duty,

To look at it’s beauty,

You should rise at the early dawn.

 

Go up Berry Hill,

When ’tis calm and still,

And look down in the vale below;

‘Tis a glorious sight,

As soon as it’s light,

And will set your cheeks in a glow.

 

There’s the best of stone,

And for this alone,

Mansfield will not be forgotten;

And there’s plenty of lace,

In this sweet little place,

As well as very good cotton.

 

And there are charity schools,

With some excellent rules,

To keep the scholars in order;

And Thompson’s name,

As well as his fame,

Will be sung beyond the border.

 

There are railway stations,

To suit your relations,

Whenever they come to take lunch;

And if you’ve a mind,

And feel so inclined,

You can treat them to a glass of punch.

 

There is plenty of coals,

That is dug out of holes,

From many large pits close by;

And a great deal of corn,

That is stored in the barn,

As well as some excellent rye.

 

We have a Town Hall,

But rather too small,

To accomodate all new comers;

When it was erected,

‘Twas hardly expected,

We should want more builders & plumbers.

 

A monument rise,

Pointing to the skies,

It stands in the Market’s centre;

This splendid design,

Was done by friend Hine,

‘Tis seen when the market you enter.

 

And now for a word,

If you have not heard

Of the famous Mansfield bells;

Their sound is so clear,

When heard by the ear,

Over hills, and meadows and dells.

 

And what do you think,

Of the skating rink,

‘Tis a place of resort well know,

Where the belles and beaus,

Glide well on their toes,

They seldom fall to the ground.

 

And in addition,

There’s a commision,

Comprised of men that’s well known,

Who will try to suit ye,

By doing their duty,

And gain the respect of the town.

 

Success to this town,

A place of renown,

May prosperitystill be thine;

May the people act right,

And be always polite,

And forever in history shine.

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