Minute Book - 1930 to 1939
The following extracts are taken from the St Anne's Church, Sale, 'Minute Book' - and give details of the Parochial Church Council (PCC) between 1930 and 1939.
7th August 1931
Vicar’s Warden: Mr J Harcourt Willson.
Accounts y/e 31 Dec. 1931
Church Expenses Account Receipts, £952-7-8 and Bank Balance, £13-16-6
Accounts included sequestration.
Trade Accounts:
WH Brooks (General Repairs), £25-16-3
Alfred Cordingley (Tower), £25-0-0
8th April 1932
Vicar’s Warden: Dr H Heathcote.
Renters’ Warden: Mr CE Wright.
Accounts y/e 31 December 1932
Church Expenses Account Expenses, £1035-12-3
and Bank Balance Overdrawn £22-6-9
Organist, £70 and Choir £37-10-6
Verger, J Warrington £40; Church Cleaner, Mrs Snape £33-6-0; Bellringer, etc. £26; Making fires for Council Meetings, £0-13-0
Sister Jarman, £93-17-6.
3rd March 1933 PCC
[Note: Vicar ill.]
“... all proceeds of sale of the Billiards Table [£10] should be allocated in the manner the Church Council thought best”.
[Note: £3 for delivery of Table in 1928 to Church Fund and £7 to Christian Brotherhood to upkeep of present Table.]
Dr Heathcote and Vicar had interviewed the manager of Lloyds Bank concerning the bank charges made for the last year. These were considered high (approx. ¼ %). The Manager confirmed the charges and intimated no reduction could be made. He was unable to take into account against an overdraft on one account, the balance at credit on another account. The Treasurer [Mr Wright] said Martins Bank had offered to take the Church accounts on the normal basis of 1/8th % for charges. There was a branch at Sale Moor as well as Sale.
“It was then resolved unanimously that banking accounts be opened with Martins Bank Limited and that the bank be and is hereby empowered to honor cheques drawn on the said accounts by H Heathcote and CE Wright jointly ... It was further resolved unanimously that the five accounts of the St Anne’s Parish Church, Sale, at Martins Bank Limited be overdrawn from time to time to such an extent as the Church may require and the parties may think fit to allow, and that parties authorised to sign cheques from time to time be and are hereby authorised to overdraw for and on behalf of the Church the said account accordingly”.
Bank Balances
General Account, £40-15-7
Clothing Club a/c, £14-17-7
Assistant Clergy Fund, £20-8-3
Dilapidations a/c, £20-0-9
Endowment Fund, £64-14-4
Total: £160-16-6
Parochial Tea and Concert: 28 Feb. ’33 (Tues.)
19th May 1933 PCC (at 8 pm)
Secretary:
Miss Qualthrough the late secretary had not been re-elected to the PCC. Mr Hampson appointed.
Correspondence:
Letter, “from Messrs Gill, offering to inspect the Church spire whilst in the district. No action was deemed necessary”.
Church Budget:
“Estimated receipts and payments prepared by Mr Wright, from which it appeared expenditure would exceed income by £93, to which deficit there was to be added the overdraft bought in from 1932 of £22, making £15 ...”.
Heating of the Church :
“... existing heating arrangements ... steps which had been taken to obtain estimates with a view to rectifying the general complaints of inefficient heating in the winter time ...”
One estimate for elaborate scheme, £140, or installation of two radiators as an addition to the existing system, £20. Vote on latter defeated and matter left for a month.
Bands in the Park:
Concerts in Sale Park 7.30 pm (7.45 pm during lighter days). Mr Willson had protested at meetings of the Sale Council many times.
Resolved, “that the Secretary be requested to convey the protest of this meeting to each of the three Councillors representing the Central Ward.”
Hymn Books:
“There had been mentioned the adoption of the Ancient and Modern edition in place of or complimentary with the present Church Hymnal now in use....”
Resolved, “that the present Church hymnal be adhered to and that additions should be of that book.”
30th June 1933 PCC (at 8 pm)
Heating:
“Finally ... resolved that two radiators, one on either side of the transept be installed in accordance with Messrs Mathews estimate.”
Choirmaster: Mr Stratton.
Scouts:
“... scoutmaster had wished the council to consider a proposal for the scouts to occupy the spare land in Trinity Road with a hut which they hoped to be able to purchase by their efforts ...” Resolved that land was not available.
6th October 1933 PCC
Radiators fitted and working.
Hymn books repaired.
“... with regard to the Scout Troop the Vicar had ascertained that it was a “controlled” one i.e. subject to a jurisdiction of the Vicar. This altered the aspect of the Scouts' proposed use of the Church's spare land for a hut, but as another matter bearing on this land was to be mentioned later, the subject was deferred ...”
Spare Land in Trinity Road:
Tennis Club: “… asking whether the church could offer any financial assistance in the conversion of a grass court into a shale court or in the provision of a larger Pavilion or building on the spare land”. Unable to afford assistance.
“... write to them [scouts] to the effect that if and when they raise sufficient money with which to erect a hut, the council will give its sympathetic consideration to the proposal to place it on the spare land”.
Church War Memorial:
“... repaint the names in black and to dress the base with marble chippings ...”. £6-10-0.
Envelope Scheme:
Had been in existence for 12 months
1st October 1932 to 1st October 1933, £352 (87% of that promised)
Total collections:
Year to Sept. 1932, £540
Year to Sept. 1933, £711, i.e. plus £171
Two or three ladies had visited the whole parish from house to house in connection with the scheme.
Discussion re. Parish Magazine ... Also, meeting decided only to Minute ‘bottom line’ of collections for month and not the precise details …
3rd November 1933 PCC
Organ:
“In connection with a complaint of draughts in the church ... enq. why the glass had been removed from the front of the organ pipes ... the glass tended to muffle the tone of the organ ... profitable to sell it ...”.
Floodlighting of the Church:
Estimate of £38-10-0 from AA Gardner: No.
War Memorial:
“... asked the Brotherhood ... to give plants to decorate the Memorial corner ... (or) ... as an alternative the construction of a rock garden....”. Latter carried.
Harmoniums:
Unsightly parts lying in porch: Both were now in order, the one referred to having been repaired.
Public Notice of the Church:
Floodlighting, “had for its object the attraction of people to the Church ... suggested a lighted box sign or similar contrivance directing the way to the Church from Northenden Road ... improvement of the existing lighting on the gates of the Church ... wooden sign at the corner of the Vicarage garden ...”. To be investigated.
5th January 1934 PCC
“... write the Sale Urban Council re better lighting of Church Road or erection of a box-sign therein”.
Curate:
Vicar had spoken to Bishop. Emoluments paid to Deacons and Priests vary £200 to £220 and £230 upwards respectively. Grant of £15 received last year towards Sister Jarman.
“Mr Willson reviewed the splendid work which Sister Jarman had done, which it was desirable to preserve and the effect thereon of the substitution of a curate for the Sister should merit consideration. on the other hand he felt that a Curate would be a decided help”.
“It was ... Proposed ... that the Vicar be asked to secure a priest. At the request of the Vicar for a maximum figure for emoluments ... that the maximum be £240 pa ... both proposals carried ...”.
British Legion Cross:
“The Vicar announced that one of the few remaining wooden crosses to unknown soldiers which were being replaced by stone ones by the war graves Commission, had been offered to the Church. It was resolved that the same be accepted and fixed within the Church at some point to be later decided upon.”
Magazine Committee:
Need for reorganisation: a small ladies’ committee be formed.
2nd February 1934 PCC at “Brookfield” (Dr Heathcote)
The whole of the street lighting in Sale was under consideration for improvement generally.
Curate:
“The Vicar ... had interviewed several candidates but they were not satisfactory. He was at present in negotiation with another. A letter was read from a reliable member of the congregation voicing protest at the anticipated dispensation of Sister Jarman’s services ...”.
Trinity Road Land:
“A Mr Clarke Greengrocer Sale Moor had offered to rent half of the land and had been asked to state his offer in writing, but had not done so”.
Loan to Schools:
“... a bill for £57-10-0 for decorating of the schools was due ... temporary loan of the amount to be made to the School Funds”.
Gas Boiler for School:
“It was reported that the Mothers had purchased out of their Funds a portable one shilling slot gas boiler for use in the schools and had undertaken to bear the cost of connecting up (about £3)”.
2nd March 1934 PCC
Curate:
“... he had interviewed two candidates - between which it was difficult to choose ... Resolved ... to offer up to £260 pa ...”.
Flanders Cross :
“The Dedication was arranged for the 25th March at 3 pm at the East Wall over the Vestry Door”.
4th May 1934 PCC
Curate: Revd SB and Mrs Warburton.
Secretary: Mr WH Russell appointed.
St Anne’s Cricket Club:
“The Vicar informed the meeting that the farmer who let the land to the club had not been paid his rent and that ostensibly the Church Council was responsible ...” (£4-19-9)
Children’s Corner in Church:
“... ladies had expressed a desire that a Children’s Corner should be arranged in the church and had undertaken to bear the cost ...”. Agreed.
6th July 1934 PCC
Electoral Roll Officer: Mr B Ingleby.
Children’s Corner:
“... be made near the font ...”.
Repairs to the Church:
“… approaching the Trustees of the Fabric Fund with regard to financial assistance for the repairs to the church ...”.
Solicitor to the Trustees: Mr Needham, Atlantic Buildings, Brazenhose St, Manchester.
Title Deeds of Bowling and Tennis Clubs:
“... produced ... a copy of the Deeds ... the original was kept by the Diocesan Board of Finance at Chester and that the copy produced would be kept at the Bank”.
Cricket Club:
“... the large hut should be offered to the farmer for £3 and that the small hut should be taken over by the Bowling Club ...”.
14th September 1934 PCC
Choir:
"Mr Bird had intended raising certain matters with regard to the choir but in his absence Mr Stratton, who had been invited to attend the meeting, drew attention to the state of certain music copies and said he was not quite certain as to the nature of the matters which Mr Bird wished to raise ...".
7th November 1934 PCC
Mission Room:
“The vicar reported ... had made enquiries about a suitable room but, so far, had been unsuccessful”
Tennis Club:
“... Mr Battersby (junior) had inspected the land and said that he did not think 5 yds would spoil the land for building as only one house could go on the land and he did not think we should get much for it ... Proposed ... we offer a 5 yd strip at £2-10-0 per annum on the same terms as present ground ... an amendment was proposed and carried that we offer to leases to the Tennis Club a 5 yd strip at £2-10-0 per annum for 10 years with the option of renewal of lease if the Council does not require the land for its own use ...”
Needy Gathering:
“... early in 1934 the Sale unemployed (including several members of the congregation) were given a good meal and concert in the schools ... similar gathering should be held ...”.
Magazine:
Mr Willson resigned. Formation of a magazine committee to consider the financial, distribution and editorial aspects of the magazine with a view to making it pay (500 per month printed, 470 required).
Parish Room:
“… vicar spoke of the need of a room and the inadequacy of the present school premises”
Car Garage:
“The Misses Lowe have kindly offered a double garage to the church and the Council expressed their thanks for … the gift … It was decided to leave it to the Vicar, Wardens, Mr Hodges and Mr Warburton to decide what to do with the garage ...”.
Day School Report:
“... Mr Hampson then asked the Council for a temporary loan of £50 ...”. Agreed.
25th January 1935 PCC
“... nothing further had been done with regard to the obtaining of a mission room ...”.
Hassocks:
“... a lady, who wished to remain anonymous, had generously offered to provide 350 hassocks for use in the church as she had noticed that many children had to kneel on the hard floor ...”. Garage:
“... had been sold for £14-10-0 and that they had expressed a wish that the money should be used to form the nucleus of a Parish Room Fund”.
Parish Room:
“The vicar spoke on the need for a room for use in connection with the Sunday Schools and other parochial organisations and questions were asked as to the kind of room required and the probable cost”.
British Legion:
“It was agreed that a service for the British Legion should be held on Palm Sunday afternoon”.
10th May 1935 PCC
Additional Curates Society:
“... a grant of £40 had been made ...”
Correspondence:
“a letter from Dr Hankey with regard to hymn tunes and said he had invited Dr Hankey to attend later .... Mr Stratton (Organist) would also be present”
“... Mr Waddington (Auditor) would attend ... to speak on the accounts, with special reference to the choir”
“... Secretary read a letter which he had received from Mr Bird drawing attention to the fact that the choir was not represented on the Council and also suggested … that “at Matins and Evensong we may have the General Exhortation more frequently” …”
“... acknowledged … letter verbally and suggested to Mr Bird that as no member of the choir was present at the Annual Meeting the choir could hardly complain if they were not represented on the PCC”
Secretary:
“… had offered to resign ...”. Re-elected.
[Note: Mention of ‘Visitors’.]
Mr Waddington spoke on the balance sheet ... envelope scheme, ... “… also on the question of 'brighter services’ …” and also, he, “... thought that the choir expenses were high”.
Dr Hankey, “… spoke on the question of hymn tunes with special reference to the use of tunes which were generally associated with a particular season of the Church’s year e.g. Christmas, being used for hymns at other seasons …”.
Mr Stratton, “… replied and there was an interesting discussion”.
Collars for Choir Boys:
“... the choir boys be provided with ‘Eton’ collars”. Carried.
Missionary Committee:
Elected.
Industrial Christian Fellowship:
Organising Secretary invited to address the PCC or parishioners on the, “Church Assembly Commission on the Church and Social and Industrial Problems”.
British Legion:
“... letter of thanks ... from Major Bird .... in which he asked that the Legion service might be held annually at St Anne’s”.
Tennis Club:
“... two wardens were appointed as representatives of the Council on the Club Committee”.
Young People's Committee:
“... ladies [4 No] ... constitute a Committee to represent the interests of the young peoples organisations on the Council ...”.
Sale and Stretford Guardian – 19th May 1935
Modest Celebrations in Sale District
United Thanksgiving at St. Anne’s Church
The celebrations of the King and Queen’s Silver Jubilee in the Sale district were on a modest scale …
A united service all thanksgiving was held in St. Anne’s Church on Monday morning, when Anglican, Methodist and Congregational clergy took part …
Four thousand five hundred mugs were purchased by Sale Urban Council … The Chairman of the Council (Mr J. Harcourt Willson) made a tour of all the local schools on Thursday and Friday of last week - believed to be the first official visit by the chairman of a local authority. At each school Mr. Willson received a cordial welcome from the scholars and staff, and spoke to the children on the purpose of the celebrations … Choir: “... discussion took place ... [on choir expenses] ... but it was decided to take no action at present”. Parish Room: “Mr Russell opposed the building of a Parish Room as he considered that sufficient information was not available to the Council as to the accommodation type and probable cost of the building required. He also considered that the money would be better spent on improving the day schools and in making the church free from the pew rent system ... appoint a committee to go into the matter and report to the council ...”. The Choir: “Mr Bird said that at a meeting of the choir he was asked to bring one or two matters ... music repaired and to obtain some new music especially for the communion service ... probable cost at about 30/-”. Agreed. Parish Room: “... met to consider an alternative to building a new room ... addition of a room to the school would be impracticable ... convert the gallery in church into a class room if this would be permitted ...”. “... alteration to the gallery was opposed by one or two members and it was mentioned that a type of hut, which might meet our need, had been built in Northenden at a cost of about £150”. “... view the hut ... and report ...”. Parish Room: “... The room at Northenden, which is 60 ft x 25 ft x 9 ft high to the eves, was inspected ... cost was approx. £300 exclusive of foundations, heating and lighting. His estimate for a similar building, at present day prices, was £420 to £430 exclusive of furnishing”. “... considered that ... the type of building would not meet with requirements”. “... with regard to the church institute at Hope ... agreed that it was an excellent building but the cost would put a similar one for S .Anne's out of the question”. “Mr Warburton said that on further consideration he had mis-givings as to the advisability of proceeding with a Parish Room at the present time”. “... suggestion that it might be possible to build a small shed at the end of the bowling club room,, to house the chairs for the infant Sunday School, was found to be impracticable ... insufficient room”. New Housing Estate: “... being built at the Sale Moor end of Marsland Road ... 2000 houses and two schools, one senior and one junior, were to be built to provide for 1000 additional children”. “... spoke strongly on the responsibility of meeting the spiritual requirements of the new occupants ...”. “... wished this matter to be put on record as he did not want any successor of his to think that the matter had been neglected by the church ... being visited as they became occupied ... and a number of people had expressed the intention of coming to S. Anne’s ... going to mention the matter to the Bishop when he came for the Visitation”. Pew Rents: “... felt that the system was definitely anti-christian and was a big factor in keeping people away from the church. It was little use inviting people to attend ... if they were to be driven away by the pew rent system”. “Mr Willson counselled caution ... there was the question of trust deed involved”. “... proposed ... vicar should speak to the Bishop on the matter and find out the effect of abolishing pew rents in other parishes ...”. Pew Rents: “... with regard to the suggestion made at the last council meeting that pew holders should be approached individually, it had been found impracticable. He had ... spoken to the Bishop who said he was definitely opposed to the pew rent system and suggested that no further seats be let. The Bishop said that before pew rents could be abolished it was necessary to obtain the consent of the Bishop and Ecclesiastical Commissioners. The latter would want to know how the money was to be raised to balance the loss in pew rents”. New Housing Estate: “... before any site could be definitely settled upon it would be necessary for the Archdeacon to see and approve it. Financial assistance would be given by the Bishop and Ecclesiastical Commissioners and an additional curate provided”. Notice Board: “… a new notice board be provided (similar to the one by the church gate) and fixed inside the Vicarage garden and the corner of Northenden Rd ...”. Bishop’s Visitation: [Note: At S. George’s, Altrincham?] Summary of address - quite interesting! Programme: “... of subjects of interest in our church life, such subjects to be brought up for our instruction and discussion”. Pew Rents: “... proposed by The Rev SB Warburton ... that no more seats should be rented than at present and that as seats at present rented became vacant that they should not be re-let. All seats at present not rented to be marked ‘free’ ”. Carried. “... approach the Bishop with a view to finding out under what conditions and to what extent the commissioners would help in abolishing pew rents all together”. New Housing Estate: “... the Archdeacon had made his visit and would report in due course”. Matins: “... would be said daily at 9 am”. Athanasian Creed: “... To be used at the appointed times”. Litany: “... Vicar said he proposed using [the Revised Version] at Matins on the 5th Sunday in each month ...” Evening Communion: “... should be held on alternate months instead of every month ...”. Carried. Diocesan Conference: “... duty of parishes to pay this Diocesan Quota to enable the work of the diocese to be carried out effectively ...”. Pew Rents: “... letter received from the Bishop which can be used in putting the matter before the parishioners ...”. “... the Commissioners would not make a grant in addition to doubling the amount raised towards the Endowment Fund”. Youth Guild: “... proposal that the YG should undertake work in connection with visiting the homes of parishioners ...”. Endowment: “... raised over £30 for the Endowment Fund ...”. Marriage Report: “... vicar spoke ... discussion”. Annual Procession and Sunday School Outing: “... procession, with band should be held as usual and also the outing”. Carried. Cricket Club: “... clearing up any outstanding debt”. Cricket Club: “... the debt in connection with this should be cleared by means of a whip round the Council” (!) Dilapidations: “... continue to pay the sum of £15-6-55 which is the annual amount at which the Vicarage is assessed for Dilapidations”. Ruri-decanal Conference: Due to numbers entitled to an extra representative: Mr Ingleby. Rural Dean’s Expenses: “... pay 10/- or £1 per year ... for meeting the out-of-pocket expenses”. Mr R Jarmain: “... letter was received ... intimating that he felt he must resign from the Choir of which he had been a member since 1897 ...”. Presentation to Mr Jarmain: “... on 25 September at 8.30 pm in the school” Budget Com. Report: “... urged the extension of the envelope scheme ... parishioners should, so far as possible, provide and use their own Prayer Book ... save expense ...” Alexandra Rd Paving A/C: “... only one more payment ... to clear this debt” Cancer Research Fund: “... collection on Empire Day ...”. No. Endowment Fund: “... urged necessity for building up this fund ...”. Site for New Mission Church: “... announced that a meeting would be held with regard to this matter on Monday 14th Sept. 1936 ...”. Team of Witness: “... from S. Margaret’s Walley Range ... visit parish ... and speak ...”. Dr Heathcote in the Chair. The Late Vicar: “... death, on Nov. 7th 1936 ...”. Vacancy of Benefice: “... under the Benefices (Exercise of Rights of Presentation) Measure 1931 the Council could, for the first time take one of three courses (a) (b) or (c) as set out in the Bishops Notification (BERP2)”. “... course (b) should be taken by which the Council should make representations to the Trustees and a copy of such also sent to the Bishop”. “... draft of such representations was submitted ... for consideration ...”. 1) The Parish has a population of approximately 14,000 and is rapidly growing as has a C of E School. 2) The type of Churchmanship is of a moderate character, neither in favour of extreme ceremonial nor of narrow evangelicalism. 3) It is desired that the future incumbent should be a man who, whether he be at present an incumbent or assistant curate, has had a successful ministry in his present position. The Council wish to express their appreciation of the wisdom shown by the Patrons in their last Choice and hope that their next will be equally beneficial to the parish”. Memorial: “... take the form of a Children's Corner and ... the ashes ... should be placed therein. Mr Warburton submitted a sketch ... estimate about £150 ...”. Carried. Cricket Club: “... balance should be paid out of Church Funds ...”. £4-1-0. Mission Church: “... question of a site for the proposed new Mission Church was in the hands of the Solicitors ...”. “Mr Russell ... objected to the collections from the whole of the services for Easter Sunday being devoted to one purpose especially the alms at communion which were previously intended for the poor and sick ...”. Memorial to late Vicar: “total amount received was £35 ... discussion as to the position and extent of the proposed Children’s Corner ... prepare a scheme ... explain the purpose of it from the Pulpit”. Vacancy of Benefice: “... letter from Mr Needham (for the Trustees) in reply to the Councils request for information in which he stated that the Trustees had requested Mr Marriott to confer with the Churchwardens pursuant to Section 33 of the Benefices Measure 1931”. Alexandra Rd Paving A/C: Final payment had now been made. Mr Bird: “... applying for an increase in remuneration which is at present £15 per annum ... hold the matter in abeyance until the appointment of a new incumbent”. “... Rev SB Warburton spoke with regard to the proposed Memorial ... prepared a rough sketch of a Children's Corner near the font ... obtain drawings and prices from Messrs Whipple’s ...”. Tennis Club: “... requesting financial assistance in connection with the provision of a new shale tennis court .... of £40 over 5 yrs repayable at the rate of 5% ...”. “... welcomed Mr Warburton as the new Vicar”. Honorary Secretary: Mr Russell. Memorial: “... it was doubtful whether it was advisable to continue with the idea of a Children’s Corner ... reconsider ...”. Vicarage Dilapidations: “... a sum of £40 had been voted at a meeting which had not been properly convened ... opinion that internal decorations of the vicarage could not be rightly made a charge on church funds. The Church Council had already agreed to pay the assessment for Dilapidations under the Dilapidations Measures which specifically excluded, among other things, internal decorations ... matter be left in the hands of the wardens ...”. Assistant Curates: “... trying to obtain an Assistant Curate and had three replies without result ... Commissioners would give £120 pa and the Bishop £100 pa, for 3 years, to provide a second assistant curate if the parish would find a Senior Assistant ... grants totalling £80 were available, the council to find the remainder towards the senior curate's stipend ... offer £250 to £260 ...”. Vicarage Dilapidations: “... church funds could be voted towards the internal decorations of the vicarage”. Memorial: “... proposed ... 75gs be put to the Endowment Fund ... and that this should be included in the inscription on the tablet to be placed on the wall of the church above the ashes of the late Vicar ... purchase a processional cross up to a value of 25gs ... promised to date ... £43-10-0”. Altar Plinth: “... plinth was too narrow and the altar too high for the celebrant ... offer to widen and raise the plinth in oak free of cost ... ... alteration to the Reredos and Frontal Panels was also mentioned ... thought ... the appearance of the altar would be improved if the gilding and colouring were removed but this could not be done without obtaining the sanction of the donors”. Organ: “… organ motor inspected ... advisable to have it attended to ...”. Mr Bird: “... no increase ...”. Heating Grids: “... loose grids in the nave ...”. Memorial: “... bronze plate to be placed on the wall above the resting placer of the late Vicar’s ashes....”. “In Memorium Position of Ashes: “... ashes ... to be placed under the floor near the font” … “... a brass tablet be also placed on the flagstone covering the ashes”. Position of Processional Cross: “... east end of the Choir stalls on the south side ... inscription ...”. “In Memory of HA Wahltuch Vicar of this parish 1931-1936” Draining and Paving: “... path in front of the main gate should be drained and paved with asphalt of flagstones ...”. Memorial Tablet: “... wording ... be left to the Vicar ... rescind the [previous] motion ...”. Morning Service: “... Matins with Litany but without a sermon ... said at 10 am followed at 10.45 am by communion with sermon ...” on first Sunday in the month. Finance: Lavatories at school condemned (£145) “... illegal to refuse to rent pew unless the endowment is sufficient to bring in an equivalent income”. “... £4095 required ...”. Assistant Curate: Rev CAC Stoneman Pew Rents: “... church could not legally refuse to accept rents for pews from anyone who wishes to reserve a seat ... unless ... there was a secured income ...”. Services: “... shortened Matins with 5 minute address at 10 am and Communion at 10.45 am, with sermon, on the first Sunday in the month”. Finance: “... raising £5000 ... committee ... question of ways and means”. New Lino in the Nave and ’Phone at the Vicarage: Provided. Magazine: “… proposed to change the cover … white instead of green and the photograph was to be an old one showing the church in a corn field … 700 extra copies … free distribution … sales … had increased by about 150 in the last 15 months …”. 100,000 shilling scheme: “... contributions to the Endowment Fund would be doubled by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners ... appeal should be made in the Vicar’s name ...” Processional Cross: “... inscription ...” “In Memory of HA Wahltuch, Vicar - 1931-1936” Tablet: “... inscription ...” “In Memory of Altar Plinth: Proposed, “that the extension to the plinth be carried out in a suitable white cement”. All the above to be included in one faculty. Memorial: “... Mr Bethell had arranged for the building of the chamber for the late Vicar’s ashes, the alteration to the altar plinth and the concreting of the path ..., without charge to the church ...”. Propose to dedicate cross and table on 22 May in evening; by Rural Dean (Canon Smyth) acting for the Bishop. Rev CAC Stoneman: Illness. 100,000/- Fund: £516-6-4 raised/promised. Reference to Dramatic Society. 100,000/-: Fund £770 collected/promised. Lightning Conductor: “... inspection by Messrs Bacon’s (Forest Gate) ... defective ... not been tested for about 10 years ... estimate of £16-10-0 for putting the conductor and earth in good condition ... £3-10-0 for re-gilding the weather cock ...”. Choir: “... death of Mr Wittaker ...”. Senior Assistant Curate: Rev Stoneman. Lightning Conductor: “... Messrs Faulkners were carrying out the work ...”. Conveyance of Site for Mission Church: “... conveyance ... received ... for consideration by the Council .... a plan of the site ... obtain further particulars of the covenant and reservation referred to ... visit the proposed site in the mean time ...”. “... decide ... about the site for the proposed Mission Church in Norris Rd as it had been found that the price for the land was £600 being borne by the Diocese did not include a sum of £200 for road charges which, it would appear, would have to be found by the Parish”. “... That the present site be secured by the Diocese provided that the Diocese will undertake any road charges”. Mission Church Site: “... road charges ... would be borne by the Diocese”. Pointing of Steeple: “... condition of the steeple was not dangerous and nothing need be done at present”. Mr Bird: “... vote of thanks ... for acting as choirmaster and organist in the absence of Mr Stratton through illness”. 100,000/- Fund: Apportioned Endowment Fund £300, Day School Sanitation £100, Bishops Fund £50, Total £450. Scout Hut: “... request ... to build a hut (cost approx. £45) on the land adjoining the bowling green and also for a loan of £20 ...”. Carried. “With regard to the site ... suggested that the occupants of the adjoining house might object to the scouts having it so near and that they should be approached ...”. Mission Church: “... written to the Archdeacon … PCC was against the erection of a Mission Church at present … site … had not yet been secured”. Special Collection: “... China Relief Fund ... a gesture of sympathy”. Marking of Seats: “... proposed ... that the red labels should be removed”. Mission Church Site: “... Bishop came and saw the site ... Diocese would purchase it and hold it for the time being. The conveyance had to be signed, on behalf of the Council, ... The conveyance was duly signed”. Church Fabric: “... dry rot had got into the church ... expense ... approx. £75. Also that the church spire would require attention sooner or later as the top was lifting due to rusting of the pins ... approx. £175 …”. “... spire should be attended to without delay ...”. “… dry rot was of long standing …”. Hon. Sec.: Mr Russell. “... further dry rot in the church ... roof and guttering should be overhauled very carefully and especially the ease gutters should be thoroughly inspected and cleaned out; slates re-fastened, spouting flushed ...”. Stipend: £400 pa. Church Activities: Tennis Club; Dramatic Society; Bowling Club; Brotherhood; Missions; Sunday School; MU; Day School; Scouts; Elocution; Parish Magazine; Mission Church . Football: “... team for the Young Peoples Bible Class and question of a pitch was raised ...”. Football Pitch: “... pitch on the Recreation Ground ... request had been granted”. Church Roof: “... so far as was possible he had examined the roof and guttering and had found nothing seriously wrong”. Finance: “... up to the present, damage by dry rot had cost approx. £100 and there were still the repairs to the roof and spire to be attended to ...”. Finances not good. “That the Wardens be empowered, at their discretion, to borrow up to a maximum of £100 from the Appeal Fund to meet current expenses. Any sum so borrowed to be repaid into the Fund by 31 Dec. 1939”. Carried. Dilapidations: “Wood panelling should not be replaced around the pillar affected by dry rot and that the pillar should be plastered to the floor”. Carried. “Power be obtained to alter the pews in the south side aisle, at the earliest opportunity, so the aisle would extend into the south transept”. Spire: “... proposed that, instead of repairing the spire, it should be removed - leaving only the tower. It was estimated that difference between repairing and removing would mean a saving of about £90 ... careful consideration should be given to such a proposal before committing ourselves”. Carried. Church Repairs: “... reported that dry rot had been found in the clergy vestry and was receiving attention. With regard to the pillar in the pews ... the pillar should be finished with plaster down to the floor and that no wood panelling should be replaced. The ends of the pews adjacent to finished off clear of the pillar”. Carried. Evening Service: Evensong 3 pm from October 3rd - this was necessary owing to the lighting regulations. Ruri-decanal Conference: “Missions and the Layman” discussion - Laity: “Enthusiasts; Tolerate; Indifferent and Apathetic; Definitely Opposed”. Church Attendance: Reduced, affecting collections; black out and weather conditions; improved method for heating would be a good thing? Brotherhood: “... financially sound ... attendances ... much reduced since the outbreak of war”. Sunday School: 1937: 116 (Boys), 146 (Girls) (Day School: 140 and 145, respectively) Alma Club: For devotional and educational purposes - to meet the need of those who had been confirmed and had left the Sunday School. “... new organisation ...”. Scouts: “... progressed very satisfactorily”. Elocution: “... since outbreak of war the Elocution Class had not met”. Tennis Club: “... good progress”. Dramatic Society: “... produce their play in April”. Church Decorations, Alterations, etc.: “... enquiries regarding schemes for decorating etc. ... no Diocesan Architect but the person responsible was the Diocesan Surveyor ...” Altar: “... the question of the brass cross instead of the wooden one at present above the altar was under consideration”. 31st May 1935 PCC
19th July 1935 PCC
6th September 1935 PCC
18th October 1935 PCC
1st November 1935 PCC
[Note: Bishop against this "Catholic custom"!]. 6th December 1935 PCC
3rd January 1936 PCC
20th March 1936 PCC
25th May 1936 PCC
11th September 1936 PCC
17th November 1936 PCC
“Representations
It, therefore, requires an incumbent who is physically fit for arduous parochial duties. Suggested age limit - 50 years. 9th February 1937 PCC
2nd March 1937 PCC
30th April 1937 PCC
28th May 1937 PCC
28th June 1937 PCC
Henry Alexander Wahltuch
Vicar of this Parish from 1931-1936
Whose ashes rest below this tablet.
He loved children” 3rd September 1937 PCC
New Boiler and Central Heating in School (£90) - 50% Education Department
Decorations to School (£20) - 25% Education Department
Lavatory outside choir vestry £40 - 50 1st October 1937 PCC
16th December 1937 PCC
11th January 1938 PCC
4th February 1938 PCC
Henry Alexander Wahltuch
Whose ashes lie under the stone below,
Beloved husband of Mary Wahltuch and
Vicar of this Parish 1931-1936
“A loyal servant, a loving husband, a faithful shepherd” ” 31st March 1938 PCC
20th May 1938 PCC
1st July 1938 PCC
New Assistant Curate: Rev Niblock. 21st July 1938 Special Meeting of PCC
23rd September 1938 PCC
4th November 1938 PCC
31st March 1939 PCC
28th April 1939 PCC
9th June 1939 PCC
15th September 1939 PCC
8th December 1939 PCC
1938: 132, 158
1939: 137, 186