In the mid-nineteenth century there was a substantial population of Irish families living in and around Thorney Toll, 3 miles west of Guyhirn. They worked long hours on the large arable farms in Wisbech Fen. Most families remained very loyal to their Catholic upbringing, and appreciated visits from the priest and the occasional event that brought the community together. By the end of the 1890s the Irish population had built their own Roman Catholic church at Thorney Toll, which was under the care of a priest from Wisbech.

This letter, addressed to the Editor, and printed in the "Wisbech Telegraph" on Saturday July 2^nd 1864, is reproduced here exactly as it was written...with more than a hint of an Irish accent!

Thorney Toul, 30 June 1864.

Sir,

Will ye resave two or three lines about our Tea Party at Thorney Toul last Monday, which his Riverence, and the ladies and gintlemen around, so kindly got up for us. Niver did I think, when I left the ould counthry, that I should find such great and noble hearts as the ladies and gintlemen in the Fens possess. Indeed, Sir, there is not a gintleman in the whole county Tipperary that can be compared to Mr Whitfield, Mr Turnell, Mr Crane, Mr Huddlestone, Mr Bourt and other gintlemen in Wisbech and Thorney Fens. And, sure, if the gintlemen were so kind to us, the ladies of course were still kinder. They did not mind my gray frieze coat, nor Pat Molloy in his shirt sleeves, as some of the fine ladies do in yer large towns. They are too noble hearted to be too particular. Ah, niver shall I forget Mistress Turnell, Miss Ashley and my old Master’s young ladies Misses Huddlestones, and all the ladies how kind they were to come and make tea for us. How patiently did they wait for nearly three long hours to pour out cup after cup. And, faith, it is not only at tea parties these ladies are good to us, but when any of our families are poor and sick in the could winther, they come like angels into our humble homes, are gentle and kind towards us, and bring us wine and other good things. And their visits are more gladdening to us, because we respect our old Faith.

Well, yer Honour, to go on with the party, we had a very fine evening for it. About 200 persons including 60 children sat down to a very good tea. Mr Preston and Mr and Mrs Twomey, etc., provided for the party. Mr Whitfield’s barn which he so kindly lent was very nicely decorated for the occasion.

After we had dhrunk our tea and listened to the fine music, we had a great game of football. Mr Turnell presided over the races and all the sports. The ladies and gintlemen enjoyed themselves with the music and dancing. It was, indeed, all beautiful and quite heavenly.

About 9 o’clock we asked his Riverence whether we should give three cheers for Mr Whitfield for his kindness. The Priest came amongst us and immediately proposed them. Three wild cheers burst through the air for the worthy gintlemen, and three for Mr Turnell, and three for the ladies and gintlemen who had honoured them with their presence, and the last three, with hats thrown up, were for our Priest. "God save the Queen" was played and the field immediately cleared. The Priest tould us before he left for Wisbech that we should always feel indebted to Mr Whitfield and Mr Turnell and all the ladies and gintlemen of Wisbech and Thorney Fens, who contributed so much of their means, and so much more by their presence to the Catholic Tea Party at Thorney Toul.

I am,. Sir, you obadient sarvant,

Owen Garvey.