Extracts from the Bunbury Section of the Malpas Deanery Magazine of May 1899

1
Easter: "Our Fine old Church looked very beautiful and dignified this Easter. Let us remember that Easter, not the Harvest Festival, is the greatest of the Feast Days of the Church. We are glad that so many came to the holy Communion and hope that year by year and Sunday by Sunday, the number may be increased. We thank all who helped to decorate the Church and take this opportunity of acknowledging with gratitude the gift of a very beautiful cross from Mr. Byrd, as well as two vases from Mrs. Gordon, for the Ridley Chapel."

(Similar thanks are expressed for the 1999 team led by Mrs. Sandra Dykes. It is a curious coincidence that Mr. Byrd, a Churchwarden in 1899 should present a cross, as Dennis Burrows paralleled the gift in 1999 Thanks are also given to the staff and pupils of the Aldersey School for the loan of the splendid banners depicting the life of our Lord. Earlier these banners had been processed at the Aldersey School's end-of-term service, and they have evoked much favourable comment since.)

2 The Easter Vestry: "The Easter Vestry was held on Thursday, the 6th (April) at 5 p.m. Mr Byrd read the Church accounts for the last year, which were satisfactory, and unanimously passed. Mr. Bromley Davenport nominated Mr. Byrd as Warden for the coming year, and the people nominated Mr. Brocklebank. A discussion took place about the lighting of the Church. It was thought advisable to still postpone any active move as during recent years several very improved methods of lighting have been invented, but have not yet reached that point of perfection which they are capable of. The Wardens have the matter in hand and we can safely leave it to them to do what is best. We are very fortunate to have again received the services of the same Wardens and tender to them our heartiest thanks for their services in the past." (in 1898 lighting was by oil which remained in use until electric lighting was installed in the early 1930's.)

3 The Easter Offertory: "The Vicar (Revd. W. R. Gardner) begs to thank the congregation very much for their kind gift of the Easter Offertory, also for their many kind enquiries during his absence. Illness always entails heavy expenses and this gift will be most acceptable to him." (The Easter present to the Vicar was an accepted custom. In the late 20th century, however, the Inland Revenue and the Ministry Support Fund have made this gift not worthwhile.)

4 The Band of Hope: The members have regularly practised week by week the Service of Song, called 'Jessica's First Prayer.' They hope to render this on Wednesday Evening, May 10th, in the Public Hall It will be illustrated by Magic Lantern views. Admission will be by tickets. Reserved seats 2/-, 1/-, and 6d. The proceeds, after paying expenses, will be given to the Girls' School Building Fund. We hope we shall have a large attendance and so give encouragement to this new effort."

5 A Rummage Sale: "At present we have a debt on the Girls' School Building Fund of £29, also £9 on the Lighting Fund, and £2 6s on the magazine. A meeting of those interested was held in the Public Hall on Monday, the 17th, when a resolution was unanimously passed that a Rummage Sale be held, to raise funds to liquidate, if possible, all three debts. A Committee of ladies will be formed to carry this out and we hope that £40 will easily be raised. Many people will no doubt be glad to have this opportunity of turning their cast off clothing and other articles to a profitable use. With a united effort of this kind, we can easily accomplish our purpose. The Parish will be divided into districts, so every one will have the opportunity of helping."

6 Church Progress: "The publication of the Church Year Book supplies us with some very pleasing and interesting information. It shows what great progress and headway the Church is making in spite of the suspected and much dreaded advance of Ritualism. Seven and a half millions sterling is the sum of the general offerings of Church people throughout the country last year, over half a million more than that contributed the year before ... But there is a sad feature which every year stares us in the face, it is the fact that while the Figures, seven and a half millions seem to be very large and hopeful, yet what an appalling contrast to the large drink bill, 152 millions, which produces more crime and poverty and wretchedness than any other great national evil."

7 Ascension Day: "Ascension Day is regarded by the Prayer Book as equal to Christmas Day. The Day on which our Lord came to this world to accomplish His Work and the Day on which he ascended, after he completed his work, are both celebrated by the Church with very similar services. Let not Church people then neglect this day, but make it a time for worship. We hope to have a special preacher in the evening and donate the offertory to the Church Missionary Centenary Fund."

8 The Church Missionary Centenary: "This month will probably be best remembered for the celebration of the 100th anniversary of our largest Missionary Society, the Church Missionary Society. The first subscription was published in 1801, and amounted to £912, after 50 years £140,000 and after 99 years £322,000. It has sent out more than 2,000 missionaries to work among the heathen, and employs at present 777 living agents. We do not measure Missionary Work by any visible result - duties are ours, results are God's - but we are thankful that our Church has shewn her vitality and faith by this tangible proof of her gifts of men and money."

9 Nurse's Report: March 9th, to April 9th, 1899. Cases on books 19; maternity 3; deaths 1; convalescent 3; cases still on books 15; visits paid during month 213."

John Elsworth - Churchwarden in 1999

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1	Easter: "Our Fine old Church looked very beautiful and dignified this Easter. Let us remember that Easter, not the Harvest Festival, is the greatest of the Feast Days of the Church. We are glad that so many came to the holy Communion and hope that year by year and Sunday by Sunday, the number may be increased. We thank all who helped to decorate the Church and take this opportunity of acknowledging with gratitude the gift of a very beautiful cross from Mr. Byrd, as well as two vases from Mrs. Gordon, for the Ridley Chapel." (Similar thanks are expressed for the 1999 team led by Mrs. Sandra Dykes. It is a curious coincidence that Mr. Byrd, a Churchwarden in 1899 should present a cross, as Dennis Burrows paralleled the gift in 1999 Thanks are also given to the staff and pupils of the Aldersey School for the loan of the splendid banners depicting the life of our Lord. Earlier these banners had been processed at the Aldersey School's end-of-term service, and they have evoked much favourable comment since.)
2	The Easter Vestry: "The Easter Vestry was held on Thursday, the 6th (April) at 5 p.m. Mr Byrd read the Church accounts for the last year, which were satisfactory, and unanimously passed. Mr. Bromley Davenport nominated Mr. Byrd as Warden for the coming year, and the people nominated Mr. Brocklebank. A discussion took place about the lighting of the Church. It was thought advisable to still postpone any active move as during recent years several very improved methods of lighting have been invented, but have not yet reached that point of perfection which they are capable of. The Wardens have the matter in hand and we can safely leave it to them to do what is best. We are very fortunate to have again received the services of the same Wardens and tender to them our heartiest thanks for their services in the past." (in 1898 lighting was by oil which remained in use until electric lighting was installed in the early 1930's.)
3	The Easter Offertory: "The Vicar (Revd. W. R. Gardner) begs to thank the congregation very much for their kind gift of the Easter Offertory, also for their many kind enquiries during his absence. Illness always entails heavy expenses and this gift will be most acceptable to him." (The Easter present to the Vicar was an accepted custom. In the late 20th century, however, the Inland Revenue and the Ministry Support Fund have made this gift not worthwhile.)
4	The Band of Hope: The members have regularly practised week by week the Service of Song, called 'Jessica's First Prayer.' They hope to render this on Wednesday Evening, May 10th, in the Public Hall It will be illustrated by Magic Lantern views. Admission will be by tickets. Reserved seats 2/-, 1/-, and 6d. The proceeds, after paying expenses, will be given to the Girls' School Building Fund. We hope we shall have a large attendance and so give encouragement to this new effort."
5	A Rummage Sale: "At present we have a debt on the Girls' School Building Fund of £29, also £9 on the Lighting Fund, and £2 6s on the magazine. A meeting of those interested was held in the Public Hall on Monday, the 17th, when a resolution was unanimously passed that a Rummage Sale be held, to raise funds to liquidate, if possible, all three debts. A Committee of ladies will be formed to carry this out and we hope that £40 will easily be raised. Many people will no doubt be glad to have this opportunity of turning their cast off clothing and other articles to a profitable use. With a united effort of this kind, we can easily accomplish our purpose. The Parish will be divided into districts, so every one will have the opportunity of helping."
6	Church Progress: "The publication of the Church Year Book supplies us with some very pleasing and interesting information. It shows what great progress and headway the Church is making in spite of the suspected and much dreaded advance of Ritualism. Seven and a half millions sterling is the sum of the general offerings of Church people throughout the country last year, over half a million more than that contributed the year before ... But there is a sad feature which every year stares us in the face, it is the fact that while the Figures, seven and a half millions seem to be very large and hopeful, yet what an appalling contrast to the large drink bill, 152 millions, which produces more crime and poverty and wretchedness than any other great national evil."
7	Ascension Day: "Ascension Day is regarded by the Prayer Book as equal to Christmas Day. The Day on which our Lord came to this world to accomplish His Work and the Day on which he ascended, after he completed his work, are both celebrated by the Church with very similar services. Let not Church people then neglect this day, but make it a time for worship. We hope to have a special preacher in the evening and donate the offertory to the Church Missionary Centenary Fund."
8	The Church Missionary Centenary: "This month will probably be best remembered for the celebration of the 100th anniversary of our largest Missionary Society, the Church Missionary Society. The first subscription was published in 1801, and amounted to £912, after 50 years £140,000 and after 99 years £322,000. It has sent out more than 2,000 missionaries to work among the heathen, and employs at present 777 living agents. We do not measure Missionary Work by any visible result - duties are ours, results are God's - but we are thankful that our Church has shewn her vitality and faith by this tangible proof of her gifts of men and money."
9	Nurse's Report: March 9th, to April 9th, 1899. Cases on books 19; maternity 3; deaths 1; convalescent 3; cases still on books 15; visits paid during month 213."