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New Vicar's Letter "l take this opportunity of
writing a few lines in the February number of the Magazine to say how much I
thank you for the kind way in which you have received me as your new Vicar. I
earnestly pray that my work amongst you will be indeed blessed by God, that
our church life may be deepened and strengthened, that all the means of grace
may be used in the highest and truest spiritual service, and that at the
coming Confirmation many of our younger members may offer themselves for this
very important and holy rite, so that the laying on of hands may be followed
by an outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
I hope my appeal for additional help in the Sunday School will not be in
vain. There is great need of several extra teachers, so that the classes may
be made smaller for each scholar to receive more individual attention. I
thank most heartily those kind ladies who have continued their labours in the
school during the past months, and also Mr. W.E. Neat for his untiring
efforts in looking after the circulation of the Magazine.
I hope and trust that as many as can will avail themselves of the Thursday
Evening Service which is held in the Ridley Chapel at 7.30. There is a
Children's Service every Sunday afternoon at 3.00 in Church, and all the
children of the parish are earnestly invited to attend for public catechising.
If any parishioner hears of a case of sickness, I shall be grateful if he or
she will communicate with me so that the sick may receive pastoral attention.
Many thanks are due to those ladies who have been unremitting in their
attention in supplying the altar vases with flowers.
I hope towards the end of the month I may be settled with my wife in the
Vicarage.
In conclusion, I would ask your prayers that our work may be abundantly
blessed by God, remembering the words of St. Paul in I Corinthians, Chapter
III, verse 7: 'So then neither is he
!ha! planteth anything, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the
increase.'
I remain, Your affectionate Vicar, Sydney Powell Townend."
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Christmas Tree. "On the last Saturday of 1899, the
small children of Bunbury and the immediate neighbourhood were invited by
Mrs. J.M. Gordon, The Oaklands, to a Christmas Tree in the Public Hall. About
one hundred and twenty infants attended.
After tea the children were amused
with a magic lantern series of humorous pictures giving the life history of a
particularly irritating cat. The lantern sheet having been taken away, a
magnificent grotto of several small firs was disclosed. In the midst of the
grotto was a huge snowball containing presents for all who were sharing in
the evening's enjoyment. This snowball was rolled in by a real Santa Claus. The toys and presents were distributed by Miss Daglish and Miss Gordon.
The
Christmas Trees, for there were several, were decorated with large flags and
bright ornaments and wreathed in snow and lit up with many coloured lights.
The background and stage were draped in bright red, and the floor of the
stage was deep with pure white snow.
Mrs. J. M. Gordon was assisted by Mrs.
Archer, Mrs. Gordon, Mrs. Daglish and Mr. Grocott, of Tarporley, who was
mainly responsible for the stage decorations. Mr. G. Daglish managed the lantern,
and Dr. Archer mounted guard over Santa Claus and kept the old gentleman in
his place until the wants of all were satisfied.
A most happy evening was
brought to a close by the children giving three cheers for Captain and Mrs.
Gordon."
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Sunday School: "On Thursday, January 11th the scholars
of the Sunday School were, through the kindness of Mrs. Aspinall, the Misses
Cawley, Mr. Naylor and Mr. Blain, entertained to a sumptuous tea at 4.30 in
the Public Hall."
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The War[ This was, of course, the Boer War.]
”Miss Wager and the members and candidates of the Girls' Friendly Society
are, under the guidance of Mrs. Threlfall, Tilstone Lodge, engaged in making
Tam o' Shanter caps for the use of our men in South Africa.”
”Police Constable Cantam, of Bunbury, has been called upon to rejoin the 9th
Battery of Field Artillery, now mobilising at Athlone.”
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School reports: Beeston School and Tilstone School are both
commended for effective teaching and "good order."
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