Storeys of Old.

"For a while back Mrs. Storey had not enjoyed good health. After the marriage of her son on the 15th November, 1910, she went into a nursing home in London. Just before Christmas she removed to Broughall Cottage, Whitchurch, and it was here she passed away."

The Journal of the Royal Lancashire Agricultural Society, 1911, contained the following respectful tribute to the memory of Mrs. Herbert L. Storey, by " E. B.":-

"It is the third evening - a Saturday - of one of the Royal Lancashire Shows (little matter which of the last half-dozen ones in particular). There are gathered together as the guests of the Society, in one of its large pavilions, some four hundred herdsmen and grooms in charge of exhibits at the Show, who, after a substantial supper, are enjoying a pipe and entertainment. Half-way through the programme comes an item of a different but none the less appreciated kind, the presentation of the 'Mrs. Storey' Prizes to the 28 attendants adjudged by the Show Stewards to have displayed the greatest amount of care for the comfort of their charges as well as for their own neat and punctual appearance in the parade ring. One after another, amidst the enthusiastic plaudits of their comrades, they go up in answer to their names to the top table, where the prizes await them. For each there is a signed diploma, three shining brand new half-crowns, and (what is of even greater esteem in these men's eyes) - a gracious smile, a charmingly spoken word of the lady donor of the prizes, who has come in person, probably making a special journey across the county for the purpose to undertake the presentation. Vociferously the men respond to the Chairman's proposal that their appreciation should be shown in the true Lancashire fashion; cheer after cheer rings out with a heartiness expressive of a great deal. And then silence follows as it is seen that Mrs. Storey is standing in their midst waiting to acknowledge, each man eager not to lose one word of the wise and kindly remarks she addresses to them; congratulations to those who have gained the prizes; encouragement to those whose efforts have not yet resulted so fortunately; and to one and all an exhortation, in gentlest, and yet most earnest manner, to bear ever in mind the objects the prizes are meant to inculcate, to take a pride in their animals, to study their comfort, and (as regards themselves) to realise the great value of punctuality and smartness. The unaffected interest in the men's welfare, the generous appreciation of the great confidence reposed in them by their masters, goes direct to their hearts; and to young and old these few words are something to be remembered throughout a lifetime.

"Alas, that such memories must now be treasured amongst the things of the past; that the gracious voice and presence will be sadly missed at future Royal Lancashire Herdsmen's Suppers! On the 7th of February last, the news that Mrs. Storey had passed away on the previous evening, came with a painful shock to those who, though aware that her health was far from good, never anticipated so great a calamity. The pathos is the greater, too, from the fact that only a few days previously Mrs. Storey had been eagerly discussing the preliminary arrangements for the Herdsmen's prizes at Bury (including the offer of a special Coronation prize for long service), and had sent a message that if her medical attendant would permit, she fully intended to be present at the supper and take her usual part in the little function.

"Such gracious endeavours, both by word and deed, to foster humane feelings and love of orderliness amongst those in humbler walks of life, cannot cease from their effects even with the passing away of her who put them forth. They will be an abiding influence for good to the hundreds of men who on one occasion or another have attended the supper. And amongst the treasured records of service ungrudingly rendered in furtherance of the Society's objects a place of honour will always be retained by the unique work which Mrs. Storey made her own."