“My Dear
Friends,
I am very glad to say that in answer to my appeal for a fresh set of Altar
Linen two ladies (members of the congregation) have very kindly given a White
Festival Burse for use at the Holy Communion. The balance of the money which
was collected during Lent in the Offertory box, viz. £1 8s 2d, is being spent
on Markers for Whitsuntide, when I hope they will be used for the first time.
The order to make them specially was given to Messrs. Jones and Willis, of
Birmingham.
By the time this
Magazine reaches you, the Choral Festival of the Malpas Deanery will be over,
and I trust we shall all remember it, not merely as a Musical treat, but that
the Service will have been one of true Worship, and that we shall have thought
of what God has wrought in putting it into the mind of one who gave to the
glorious old Church such a grand organ, which proves such a help to our
Services.
I am glad to say that the young men’s class at the Vicarage on Monday evenings
is steadily growing, as well as that for young women on Tuesdays. These classes
are open to all, and any who desire to join will receive a hearty welcome.
May I in conclusion ask all the readers of the Magazine to pray for our Parish,
and all that is being done for the spreading of Christ’s Kingdom on Earth.
May God’s richest blessing rest on us all, is the daily prayer of
Your affectionate Friend and Vicar,
Sydney Powell Townend.
P.S. Through the generosity of the
members of the young women’s class, I handed 5/- to Mr. W. Neal towards
reducing the debt on the Magazine for last year. Miss Wood has collected 8/-,
so the debt is now extinguished.”
[Things were clearly better organised 100 years ago!]
“The above Club
played the opening match of the season on the Bunbury Cricket Club ground, on
Saturday, May 5th, against the Tattenhall Home for Waifs and Strays; the result
was a victory for the visiting team. At the conclusion of the match, tea was
provided by the Misses Cawley, in Mrs. Leaville’s field.”
The item concluded with a list of kind friends who had subscribed, to date, a
total of £1 19s 6d.
“The relief of Mafeking was celebrated in Bunbury amid every
manifestation of patriotism and loyalty. Flags were hoisted almost everywhere,
the church bells rang out joyous peals, everyone seemed to throw off the
feelings of suspense and to enter fully into the joy of the moment. At the instigation
of Mrs. Gordon (The Oaklands) the Brass Band turned out, a procession of
children was organised, and the whole paraded the village. A halt was made at
each of the big houses and a collection was taken in aid of the ‘Heroes of
Mafeking’. Through the kindness of Mrs. Gordon, all who took part in the
procession were entertained to Tea at The Oaklands. The exact amount collected
was £11 10s 3d. As a memento of the
‘Relief of Mafeking’ Mrs. Gordon presented a sixpence to each child attending
the Bunbury Infants’ School.
[Mrs. Gordon’s enthusiasm was doubtlessly kindled by the fact that her husband,
Major John Maxwell Gordon, was serving in South Africa. His memorial window (he
died in 1909, aged 46) is in the south aisle and was one of only two to survive
the bomb blast in 1940. A grey granite cross, to the south of the church, marks
the grave of both Major and Mrs. Gordon.]
A fixture list for 1900 was given.
“April 9th to
May 9th, 1900. Cases on books, 18; removed to hospital, 1; convalescent, 4;
cases still on books, 13; visits paid during the month, 168.”
John Elsworth
Churchwarden in 2000
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