Parish Magazine Extracts

from The Barwicker No.47
Sept.1997

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The extracts from the parish magazines of the first decade of the century, which are reproduced below, are not signed but are clearly the work of the rector; Rev. F S Colman, who did so much to record the history of the parish. They show us something of the richness and variety of life in Barwick at that time, much of it centred around the church and the rectory. The wealth of material contained in the small number of copies we have makes us long for a chance to examine the missing editions to add to our picture of the parish at the time. If any of our readers have parish magazines of past decades we should be glad to copy them or preserve them for the use of all.

December 1900 Christmas

Christmas Day was very happy. The number of communicant members of the church who were at the celebration of Holy Communion was even greater than last year, which was the largest number then recorded. It was a sight full of promise to see so very many present in the early morning, and to know how far some had come, and the trouble they had taken to get there; that sort of thing means a great deal, and deepens the blessing.

The church had been made to look very pretty, in the "old-fashioned style" that so becomes our church. Mrs Colman was aided by Mrs Dockray (who had likewise sent some beautiful lilies), Miss Dockray, Miss H Fawcett, Miss Davis, Mr F Lumb, and Mr D Howcroft, who worked most zealously and cleverly. Lady Peel decorated the font very beautifully, and Mrs Hick sent some very nice flowers. The abundance of berries improved the holly immensely, and brightened it all up; whether it was that or the skill, no wreathing ever looked better than that which the church contained this Christmas. Carols were sung very admirably by the choir, both on Christmas Day and the Sunday after.

February 1904 Opening of the New Institute

The new premises for our Reading Room, now to be dignified by the name of the Institute, were opened on January 30th. The building, as everyone knows, was for many years a Wesleyan Chapel, which was vacated when the new chapel was opened nearly four years ago. The old place was bought by Mr Tankard and he has now adapted it to the requirements of an Institute and let it to the members at an annual rent. A new floor has been laid half way up on which is the Billiard Room containing the old table and a new full-sized table. The premises are extremely bright and comfortable, and in every way suitable for the purpose. The rent will be a new expense to be provided, but there is every reason to hope there will be little difficulty about that, and if we get the increase in ordinary and honorary members, for which we hope, there will be no difficulty at all. There are now 70 ordinary members, and all the new furniture, including the billiard table, is paid for. There is no debt, and the premises were opened with a small balance in hand.

It may interest our readers to know that the first Reading Room for Barwick was started in 1871, at a cottage in Back Lane, by the Rev G E Aspinall and Mr George Perkin. After some time it was moved into the village street until it was for a few years closed and the furniture stored away. About the year 1880 Canon Hope gave the use of an out-building attached to the Rectory, which was adapted for the purpose; it was enlarged about 12 years ago and used until now. The Rector was only too willing to continue to give the room freely, but it had become too small for the members using it, and it was impossible to effect any substantial improvement. Hence the present move to larger premises, a move that should, and doubtless will, lead to developments of greater usefulness.

For the opening ceremony we had the presence and support of Sir Theo. and Lady Peel, Colonel and Mrs Richard Gascoigne, Mrs Darcy Wilson, Mr Prater, and Dr and Miss Abbott. A large number of members and friends assembled in the lower room, and it was good to see so many gathered together on what was a very wet afternoon. The Rector, after giving a short history of the Reading Room and of the present prospects of the Institute, called upon Colonel Gascoigne, who, with a kind and encouraging speech, declared the building open for its new purpose. Sir Theo. Peel proposed, and Mr Booth seconded, a vote of thanks to Colonel Gascoigne, and this part of the proceedings terminated. Subsequently a short game of billiards was played by two distinguished(?) amateurs to inaugurate the new table.

September 1904 The Flower Show

Fine weather fortunately favoured our Third Flower Show, and it was in point of merit as successful as its two predecessors. There was again an admirable display of flowers and vegetables, and there is no doubt that the Show fully realises the object with which it was founded, the encouragement of horticultural skill and care. The show of fruit was not as good as in other classes, but this is not a good fruit growing country. We had the kind assistance of Mr Redington, of the Yorkshire College, and Mr Turton, of Stockeld Park Gardens, to judge in all the horticultural classes, while Miss Shaw, of the Yorkshire College, was so good as to judge in the industrial classes. Needless to say their awards gave every satisfaction.

Mr Charles Garrett was again the chief prize winner, and is to be warmly congratulated on his success; Mr R Bows of Laverack, was the other principal prize winner in the cottagers' classes; and Mr William Weatherall, of Scholes, gained the largest number of awards in the amateur classes. The eggs and poultry shown were very good, and the bread is said to be excellent. The Micklefield Brass Band played during the afternoon, and for dancing in the evening. The attendance at the Show was not quite so good as in former years, and the question of course comes to be raised whether there is sufficient attraction to draw people. The answer to that depends on the view taken of the purpose of the Show. If it is to be a Village Fete, to provide amusement for the countryside, and if its success is to be measured by the size of the attendance, then doubtless anything that would tend to draw people would be acceptable, however foreign it might be to the advancement of horticulture. But that has not been the view taken by the Committee of our Show. The idea has been to encourage horticulture by strictly fair competition between neighbours, and as long as our subscriptions enable us to offer prizes, and growers are willing to compete, it does not very much matter whether the Show draws a large attendance or not.

It is, of course, true that the better the attendance the better the funds of the Show, and the greater the evidence of interest. But for all that it must not be considered that numbers are the real objects of the Show. Indeed, side shows and the sports will be seen to prove the greater attraction, while the Show tent is almost empty. The more successful our Show can be, on genuine lines, the better we shall be pleased, and the real enthusiasts must do all they can to prove its value on those good lines. In concluding this notice, acknowledgement must be made of the good work of the Committee, and especially the zealous labours of Mr Birch, who has done so much for the Show, and without whom it would fare badly.

November 1904 Harvest Thanksgiving

Had it been known, when the Harvest Thanksgiving had been arranged, that we were to have such splendid weather in September an earlier date might have been fixed. After the experience of last year we were afraid to have an earlier date. However, we lost nothing in the delay, as the frosts were not sharp enough to destroy the flowers, and there was nothing wanting in our festivity. All had been "safely gathered in", and well gathered in; we had an abundance of flowers to adorn the Church, most skilfully used, beautiful services, splendid congregations, and a sermon on Thursday night that we shall not easily forget. The Rev T L Palmer, Vicar of Roundhay, preached on Thursday and the Rector on Sunday. The singing of the whole service reflecting great credit on Mr Booth and the members of the choir.

At the Children's Service on Sunday afternoon a number of very useful offerings, many being somewhat unusual, were made for the benefit of the little sufferers at the Women and Children's Hospital and we think our children are to be congratulated on their original ideas. This is the list:- 7 baskets and 4 bags of apples, pears and tomatoes; 2 boxes and 3 bags of eggs; 8 flowers and ferns in pots; 1 bag of grapes; 36 bunches of flowers; 2 toy engines; 1 doll; a quantity of toy soldiers; 2 picture books; and several numbers of Horner's Weekly Magazine. The offertory on Thursday was Ł3.10s.7d, and on Sunday Ł3.10s.4d.

The Harvest Thanksgiving at Scholes was on the previous Sunday, and was as fully gratifying as at Barwick. All the senior and some of the junior members of the Barwick Choir went down to assist, the little Church was decorated very prettily with flowers and fruit, and, best of all, with a full congregation. Here Ł1.2s.1d. was collected, and we were able thus to send altogether Ł8.3s.0d. to the Hospital at Leeds.

September 1905 The Sickness in the Village

In consequence of the illness in the village the Sunday School has been closed for two Sundays; it is hoped to reopen very shortly but it cannot be said exactly when. The same cause unfortunately compelled the postponement of the trip to Monk Fryston that had been arranged for August 16th.

While speaking of this one must refer to the very great carelessness shown in one or two cases by parents allowing children who were in an infectious state to run about the streets, and to go into shops. There is not the slightest doubt that the epidemic, which might have been confined to few houses, has by this means been alarmingly spread. At the moment of writing we cannot, thankfully, say that any death has been caused by this carelessness, but we do know that a great deal of loss, a great deal of anxiety and of suffering has been caused, and it is impossible to tell what permanent weakness may be left in the children who have been infected.

It is well to say here that not only is such carelessness very cruel, it is also criminal. The Rector was asked by the authorities to name the offenders in order that they might be prosecuted. He thought, however, that it was possible sufficient clear warning had not been given, and that he refrained from giving the information but now that the danger and the wrong have been made quite clear he will not hesitate to take steps to prosecute if the occasion arises.

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