Preston Guardian
Saturday 25 October 1851
Towneley Rent Day
The half-yearly audit of the tenants holding lands and farms in the neighbourhod of Burnley has been held during this week. On Tuesday, the tenants residing in Hapton and Huncote, to the number of 67, dined together at the Hall Inn; on Wednesday, those from Cliviger and Marsden, 97 in number; and on Thursday, 110 from the Forest of Rossendale and other places. It would be superfluous to add that the tables were supplied with "the good things of this life," or that the proud yeomanry, "their country's pride," the substantial farmer, and the humble cottar, who had cheerfully paid his due, and thereby added somewhat to his "lord's rent-roll," enjoyed themselves to their heart's content, and made the Old Hall ring again with their songs and shouts of joy. The health of Charles Towneley, Esq., and other members of his family was drunk in many a flowing bowl; and we understand that on no former occasion have the rents been more cheerfully paid than at this audit. Mr. and Mrs. Brooks deserved and obtained the utmost credit for the excellent dinners they provided on the three audit dinners, and for the arrangements they made to secure the comfort of their guests; indeed, the Hall Inn has become proverbial for excelling in matters of this sort.
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