The Magazine for the Rural Deaneries of Ellesmere and Bangor-Iscoyd 1886
Hanmer-cum-Tallarn
January 1886
Hanmer Parochial School (Flint)
Boys’ School. – “The boys are in very good order, and are taught with very decided success. In my opinion they deserve the merit mark of excellent. The reading, however, should be more distinct and expressive, and the answering of geography more general throughout the class. The singing is very sweet and pleasing.”
Girls’ School. – “The discipline and instruction are excellent. The needlework is hardly excelled in my district.”
Infants’ Class. – “The infants are well taught and disciplined. Their singing needs improvement.”
The amount of grant for the sixteen months last past is £119; £5 11s. 5d. being lost to the managers owing to bad attendance [by pupils].
The Rev. George Belchamber, late curate of Whitchurch Canonicorum, Co. Dorset, has been appointed to the curacy of Tallarn.
On the 16th [December 1885] the Hanmer and Penly Committee met at Hanmer to audit the accounts connected with Lord Kenyon’s fete day, on July 8th. It was decided to give the balance of £9 odd to the Whitchurch Cottage Hospital. Thanks of the committee were also expressed to Major Lee for the services of the Band of the Whitchurch Volunteers on that day.
Papers have been issued to the householders in the townships of Hanmer, Halghton, and part of Willington, asking them to say “yes” or “no” to the question whether they wish the seats in Hanmer Church to be free and open to all parishioners. So far there have been 3 “noes” to 134 “yes.” It is said that a bill is to be brought before Parliament next session by the Bishop of Peterborough to throw all Parish churches open. We shall, therefore, it is to be hoped, avoid Parliamentary interference by doing the work ourselves.
February 1886
On January 9th, Mrs and Miss Lonsdale gave Christmas presents for good attendance to the Hanmer school children. This is the eighth year that the Christmas tree has borne such acceptable fruit. The attendance at school is still not so good as could be wished, and the managers lost £5 (which they should have received from Government) from this cause alone. Many of the children walk a long way, and have rough weather to encounter; but what may be done is shown by the fact that one girl, who lived about a mile off, had not missed once in eight years, and others had not missed in four or five years. Mrs and Miss Lonsdale were heartily thanked for the kind interest they have taken in the schools, and for the encouragement they have given to the children by their useful presents.
A Church Temperence Meeting was held on Thursday, the 14th of January, and addressed with much earnestness by Mr. S. J. Tomkins, secretary for the Wolverhampton Branch, who writes to this effect: – “Now I know all your plans, your singers, and audience, and the hearty, kindly, homely way in which you conduct your meetings (just precisely what commends itself to me), I should be only too pleased to sing or help in any way another time.” He also remarks that “he should be glad to know if any had joined the society since he left, as he had never yet given an address without some result.”
Forty three of the Band of Hope children had tea in the school-room on Saturday afternoon, January 16th, and enjoyed playing at various games for some time after.
It is proposed to have a concert early this month in order to raise funds for purchasing cassocks for the choir, which is already provided with surplices.
March 1886
On Epiphany vi. The Rev. Joseph Pattison, of Peddie, South Africa, gave interesting accounts of his work among the Kaffirs, preaching and speaking twice at Hanmer and Tallarn. He noticed more than once the similarity between his present position and that of British or Saxon Missions in Maelor, centuries ago – a mixed community, some Christians, some Heathen; using the weapons, and similar mode of warfare that the Kaffirs do now; innumerable camps or strong positions which they used to best advantage; names and sites and traces of churches, showing how frequently they were destroyed and rebuilt in the ceaseless wars. At Hanmer School, £1 9s. 5d., and at Tallarn, 8s., were collected and given to him for his own mission.
Tallarn
On Monday, February 1st., a very instructive and interesting lecture was delivered in the School-room on “The Planting of Christianity in Britain,” by the Rev. W. L. Martin, Vicar of Bettisfield. The lecturer gave a sketch of the general state of society in Britain at the time of our blessed Lord’s life upon earth. He then stated what is known of the manner in which Christianity was brought to this country, and gave many very interesting accounts of events in the history of the Ancient British Church.
On Sunday, Feb. 14th, sermons were preached on behalf of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts; the evening preacher being the Rev. J. Pattinson, of Graham’s Town, South Africa; and on Tuesday evening a Missionary Meeting was held in the School-room, when the same Missionary gave an interesting account of his work and travels in South Africa.
April 1886
On Monday, March 8th (being Hanmer Wakes, which feast is kept up in memory of our patron saint, St. Chad), a Temperance Tea Meeting was held in the School. There were about 36 persons present, chiefly members. After tea, a very pleasant evening was spent with games and other amusements.
A beautiful monument has been erected to the memory of Sidney Walter Billeson, aged 10 years, who met with such a sad death by drowning in the Mere on January 25th. A wreath and cross of white everlastings were given by the master and mistress of Hanmer school, and remains upon his grave.
May 1886
On Tuesday, April 20th, after a stay of nearly 9 years at Gredington, Mr. and Mrs. Heywood-Lonsdale and family left the parish. The school children were waiting to bid them good-bye as they drove through the village. Mr. Lonsdale has been Church Warden for eight years, and has, with Mrs. and Miss Lonsdale, taken a warm interest in all parish matters. Their loss is sensibly felt, but they carry with them the good wishes and sincere regard of their neighbours. The withdrawal of their large household and following makes also a great change. Many of them have been here all these nine years, and have given valuable help in the choir, and the various parish arrangements. Our best thanks are due to all, and we hope that all good may attend in their future course of life.
June 1886
On Wednesday, April 28th, the long expected Concert came off, and was on the whole very successful, though the weather was not by any means all that could be desired, as one of heaviest snow storms of the season came on towards the close of the entertainment.
Many thanks are due to the kind people who helped in various ways, and particularly to the Whitchurch Amateur Christy Minstrels, who did much to delight and amuse the audience. The surplices and cassocks are now obtained, and were worn for the first time at the Rural Deanery Choral Festival [at the Parish Church of Bangor, on Wednesday the 12th May, at 3 30 p.m.], but they are not entirely paid for, so a subscription will be opened to clear off the debt.
The Church Services at Tallarn
The Services in this pretty little Church on Easter Day were very bright and hearty throughout. The building was very tastefully decorated. The services commenced by a celebration of Holy Communion at 8 30 a.m., at which 17 persons communicated, Mattins was sung at 11 a.m., followed by a choral celebration of Holy Communion, at which 20 persons communicated, making a total of 37, which was a slight increase on previous years. Even-song was sung at 7 p.m. The Choir were vested in cassocks and surplices for the first time, and there were processions both before and after the services.
The Church of England Temperance Society
It has been decided to hold the Annual Festival for the above Society for the Hanmer, Penley, and Tallarn branches on Wednesday, June 23rd. The Hon. Misses Kenyon of the Gelli, have kindly offered the use of their grounds for the occasion. The Festival will commence by a Service at Tallarn Church at 2 p.m., at which the Preacher will be Rev. T. M. Bulkeley Owen. Tea on the grounds will be ready at 4 15. Further information will be given in the usual way. We hope as many from neighbouring parishes as can will come.
July 1886
The Annual Sale of Work for Missions was held this year on June 6th. The day was beautiful and made a great difference in the attendance, which was larger than usual. Everyone did their best to help in such a good cause, the children working as hard as the grown up people. The Tea was kindly given by different parishioners, and so ws sold at a considerable profit.
Mary Simcock’s Lucky Bag, which is always a great pleasure to the children, was, as usual successful, and the Band of Hope Stall made more than last year. Dancing began at 7 and was carried on till 11.
The Sale is chiefly the result of Sewing Meetings held fortnightly through the winter.
[£15 was sent to St. James’s Mission, Pedde, South Africa].
September 1886
The children attending the Sunday School of S. Mary Magdalene’s, Tallarn, enjoyed a very pleasant afternoon at the Gelli, on Tuesday, the 17th August, through the kindness and liberality of the Hon. Misses Kenyon. A procession was formed at the School at 2 30, under the superintendence of Mr. Williams, of Dymock’s Mill, and upon arriving at the Gelli the children found a plentiful tea prepared for them. Tea being over, the children entered with spirit into the various games and trials of skill for which prizes were afterwards given. At about 8 the prizes for Attendance and Good Conduct were presented, and all returned home in high spirits, well satisfied with the day’s entertainment.
The Sunday School Treat this year was kindly given by Lord Kenyon. It took place on Wednesday, July 28th, which happened, fortunately for the children’s enjoyment, to be the only fine day in a very wet week. The Hanmer children, together with Horsema’s Green Sunday School, numbered about 120.
After an excellent tea the usual games were carried on with much spirit until 7 30, when, after singing several songs and the National Anthem, both teachers and scholars united in hearty cheers for Lord Kenyon, Lady Harlech, and the Hon. Mrs. Bulkeley-Owen, who had all taken so much trouble to amuse and entertain them that afternoon.
October 1886
Hanmer Choir Treat
Monday, September 6th, was the day chosen this year for the annual choir treat, and Liverpool was the place fixed upon. Making an early start, we arrived at Lime Street in good time, and having been fortunate enough to fall in with a kind friend who understood the ins and outs of the great city, we were safely conducted to St. George’s Hall, the Museum, the Market, and finally the Docks. Some longing looks were cast at the “Great Eastern,” but most of the company decided that “Discretion is the better part of valour,” and that it was wiser to be proceeding along to the Exhibition (especially as the dinner hour was fast approaching). Mounted on an omnibus, the boys enjoyed the view, and we arrived just in time for dinner at the Cherry Tree Eating House.
After dinner we roamed about at will, listened to the band, and met once more for tea, which was eaten in great haste, as the toboggan slide had just been discovered. There was only time for a few hurried slides before we had to rush off to Edge Hill to catch our train. Having secured a carriage at Bettisfield which was reserved for us, we had not the difficulty in returning home which so often spoils the whole enjoyment of an excursion. Kind friends came to meet us at Bettisfield, and the choir return their best thanks to all who kindly helped to give them such an excellent treat.
More men are wanted. Will not any volunteer to help in so good a cause?
November 1886
Tallarn
The Harvest Thanksgiving Services at this church commenced with Evensong at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, October 12th. There was a good congregation in spite of the rain. The Rev. H. Moody, Rector of Welshampton, preached an eloquent and interesting sermon, Canon Lee sang the prayers, and the Rev. G. Belchamber read the lessons. At the conclusion of the service the “Te Deum” was sung, as a special act of thanksgiving to Almighty God for the abundant harvest. The church was tastefully decorated with corn, fruit, and flowers. The offertory, which on Tuesday amounted to 19s. 7½d., and at the Holy Communion on Wednesday £1 12s., making £2 11s. 7½d., was devoted to the Sick Nurse Fund.
A Working-Men’s Club has started on Thursday, October 21, in a room presented by A. P. Lonsdale, Esq., and painted, furnished, &c., at the expense of the Hon. Misses Kenyon. The room is supplied with daily and other papers, magazines, and games, and we hope that now it is fairly started the men of this neighbourhood will make it a success by using it as a centre of pleasant social intercourse and recreation. Members subscriptions are 6d. a month, 1s. a quarter, to be paid in advance.
Source: The Magazine for the Rural Deaneries of Ellesmere and Bangor-Iscoyd 1886 Hanmer-cum-Tallarn.
