January 1876
Testimonial to Rev. F. Slater
On the evening of the 20th of November [1875], at the little school-room in Tallarn Green, the Rev. Francis Slater was presented, by the congregation, and a few other parishioners, with a handsome marble Timepiece, and a pretty pair of Vases. A short address was read by Mr. James Wright on behalf of himself and the other subscribers, in which he spoke of the faithful labours of Mr. Slater during the time he had been amongst them, the esteem in which he was held, and the sorrow that was felt at his approaching departure. A kind allusion was also made to the much regretted absence of Mrs. Slater. Mr. Slater, in a few earnest and heartfelt words, thanked his kind friends, and expressed the great pleasure he had in accepting the handsome gifts, adding that he should value them most highly, not only on account of their beauty, but also on account of the kind and generous spirit which had prompted the givers. At the same time he felt how unworthy he was of receiving any testimonial from those amongst whom it had been his great pleasure to work. – It is expected that Tallarn Green Church will be consecrated by the Bishop on January 11th.
On Christmas-day, a small alabaster font, for private baptisms, was presented to the Rev. Slater, by the Hon. Misses Kenyon and the Rev. and Mrs. M. H. Lee, as a parting remembrance of the two years spent by him in Hanmer Parish.
February 1876
Consecration of Tallarn Church
Tallarn Church and Churchyard were consecrated by the Bishop of St. Asaph, on Tuesday, the 11th of January. The petition for consecration having been presented by the Hon. George Kenyon, a procession was formed, consisting of the Bishop and Archdeacon, the Clergy and Choir, and many of the Congregation, who walked round the churchyard singing the 24th Psalm. On re-entering the church the appointed prayers were said by the Bishop, and the sentence of consecration was read by the Archdeacon. Morning prayer followed, which was said by the Rev. M. H. Lee, the lessons being read by the Rectors of Malpas. The Ante-Communion office was read by the Bishop (the Archdeacon being Epistoler, and the Rev. George M. Osborn, Gospeller) who also preached from Jeremiah viii. 22. The offertory amounted to £3 17s. 9½d. The Hon. Charlotte Kenyon presided at the organ. The Rev. J. Barry Roberts, of Bronington, and the Rev. H. Tower, of Worthenbury, were in the chancel; and among the congregation, which was a large one, were the Hons. Georgina and Henrietta Kenyon, Lord Kenyon, and the Hon. Mr. and Mrs. George Kenyon, Miss Grace Lee and Miss Helen Lee. Afterwards a tea was given to the children of the Sunday School, and to many of the older villagers.
During the past year, £1,000 had been given by Lord Hanmer and £500 by the Hon. Misses Kenyon towards and endowment fund, and on the consecration day £100 was given by the Hon. Edward Kenyon, of Maesfen, to build a suitable vestry to the church.
Presentations to the Hon. Charlotte Kenyon
On Wednesday, the 12th, a number of those who had subscribed, assembled at Gredington, at 2 p.m., to present a silver kettle to the Hon. C. Kenyon. And the following address was read by Mr F. Jones, of Willington Old Hall.
“To the Hon. Charlotte Jane Kenyon.
Dear Madam, – We wish respectfully to offer our congratulations upon your approaching marriage, and to ask your acceptance of the accompanying silver kettle as a small proof of the regard and affection that we all have for you, while we cannot express a regret that you are leaving this neighbourhood.
Following the example of your noble parents you have, with your sisters, really lived for others; and for many a year to come the name of the Miss Kenyons will call up sweet memories of kind acts, and kind words, and ready help to the distressed, and visits of mercy to the sick.
It is to you that our thanks are specially due for training the Choir and undertaking the office of Organist in Hanmer Church, and it is with feelings of wonder at your unwearied exertions in this cause that we now desire thankfully to acknowledge the debt of gratitude which this parish owes to you.
The beautiful church at Tallarn will still remain to us, when you are gone, as a monument of your devotion and self-sacrifice, and we are sure that the comfort which its services afford to many will be in your opinion a return for the unselfish motives that led to its erection.
We hope that sometimes we may have the great pleasure of seeing you here again; and we shall always pray that every blessing which is a kind Providence has to bestow may be yours, and that the light and joy which you have given to many may be largely returned to yourself.
Committee:
F. Jones J. Carr J. Hollowood. J. Allen
J. Griffith J. Lee, jun. J. Large J. Shone
J. Adams W. Garner T. Bateman, jun. J. Huntbach.
M. H. Lee, Chairman J. D. Bolton, Hon. Sec.
January 12th, 1876”
The Rev. George Osborn having replied on behalf of the Hon. Charlotte Kenyon, and on his own behalf, the choir boys of Hanmer and Tallarn presented a small silver salver, with the following address, which was read by Edwin Watson: –
“To the Hon. Charlotte Kenyon.
Dear Madam, – This little salver is a gift which we beg you to accept from the Choirs, and from the people of Hanmer. It is a great pleasure to us to offer it, and we hope you will like to use it in remembrance of us. We wish to thank you for the great trouble you have taken in training the Hanmer and Tallarn Choirs, and for the many kindnesses that you have shown to us, and also to others – not here today – who must think that they owe a great part of their well-doing in life to you. As long as Hanmer Parish lasts, the name of Charlotte Kenyon will be remembered with feelings of love and gratitude. We hope that you will be very happy in your new home, and that we shall often see you here amongst us again.”
Smith Salt, of Tallarn Choir, having presented the salver, the Rev. G. Osborn again returned thanks, and some hearty cheers were given for him and the Hon. C. Kenyon, the Hon. George Kenyon giving the time.
Marriage of the Hon. Charlotte Kenyon.
Thursday, January 18th, was the marriage day of the Hon. Charlotte Kenyon, to the Rev. George Montagu Osborn, Rector of Campton, Bedfordshire. The Rev. the Hon. W. Trevor Kenyon, Rector of Malpas, and Rev. M. H. Lee, conducted the service. Mr Harris, of Wrexham, had charge of the musical department, in which he displayed his usual ability. Two hymns were sung; one, that had been written for the occasion, as the bridal party entered the church; the other before the sermon. The marriage ceremony took place in the body of the church, at a fauld stool that had been presented a few days before. The advantage of following the plain directions of the Rubric in this respect might now be noticed by every one, for every member of the large congregation present was able to see the sacred rite performed, and to join in the service. After the first blessing, the clergy, with the bridal party, proceeded to the alter rails, whilst Psalm cxxviii. Was sung by the choir. When the service was ended, the procession, including the six bridesmaids – the Hon. Henrietta Kenyon, the Misses Osborn, and Miss Emma Kenyon, with the Rev. Arthur Osborn, best man – returned to the vestry to sign the books.
Special decorations for the occasion had been placed in the chancel; and, on leaving the church porch, a beautiful wreath of white flowers was held aloft by two of the Messrs. Bateman. The bells soon made it generally known that the service had ended, and good wishes or regrets were to be heard from all. Lord Hanmer afterwards happily alluded to our mixed feelings on the occasion; and, on all sides, the pleasure that a good and honourable man had won the hand of our friend and sunshine, while it recalled the fact that she was now lost to us, yet drew forth the often repeated wish, “May God bless Miss Charlotte.”
March 1876
Temperance Meeting
A meeting was held in the School-room at Hanmer on Tuesday, Feb. 8th, at 7 p.m., in order to establish a Parish Association in connection with the Church of England Temperance Association, of which the Queen is patron, and which is supported by most, if not all of the Bishops. The Revs. M. H. Lee and R. W. Foulger, and Mr. W. Burrows, of Tallarn Green, addressed the meeting, which was well attended. The difference between this society and others of a similar kind consist (1) in moderate men being welcomed as members of it as well as those who abstain entirely from the use of alcoholic liquors; and (2) in the arrangements of the society being distinctly in connection with religion. Every meeting begins with prayer, and all intending members have to pass a probationary month before they are enrolled. Two names were put down as total abstainers that evening, and four or five have since been added as temperance members.
April 1876
On Tuesday, March 7th, a Meeting of the Church of England Temperance Association was held at 7 p.m., and the names of the Honourables Georgiana and Henrietta Kenyon, Rev. M. H. Lee, Mr. and Mrs. F. Jones, of Willington Old Hall, and Mrs Griffith of the Lower House, were put down as Temperance members. Two other names were given in, on probation, as Temperance, and six more as Abstinence members. The entrance fee is 1s. The next meeting is fixed for Tuesday, April 4th, at 7 p.m., and the Rev. J. Dunne has kindly undertaken to give an address.
A band of Hope Association has been formed, and the names of several children have been received.
May 1876
Temperance Meeting
A successful Temperance Meeting was held in the school room, on April 4th, and some fresh names enrolled. The Rev. Isaac Dunne spoke at some length, and interested his audience by his description of the customs of foreigners, especially of Italians and French, with whom he was best acquainted. Mr. Ambrose Crewe expressed a strong opinion in favour of entire abstinence, backed by a 12 years’ experience. After some songs had been sung, the meeting was concluded with a few remarks from the Vicar.
June 1876
Bettisfield Old Chapel
The materials of the wooden chapel, that was for so many years used for services at Bettifield, have been removed to Tallarn Green, and re-erected in the form of a shed to accommodate the clergy and others who attend the Church there. Thanks are especially due to the farmers who lent their teams for this purpose, and for drawing sand, bricks, and wood that were required. The Honourable George Kenyon kindly provided some fresh posts; Rev. Philip H. Lee, of Stoke Bruern, gave £10; Mrs John Lee, of Whitchurch, £1, and the Vicar the remainder.
July 1876
New Curate
The Rev. H. P. Parmenter, B.A. of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, entered the parish as curate for the Tallarn district on the 12th inst. [June?], having been ordained Deacon at St. Asaph on Trinity Sunday.
Tallarn Church
A collection has been made to supplement the offertory towards the expenses of Tallarn Church, and £2 8s. 6d. has been collected.
August 1876
The Report of H. M. Inspector of Schools.
Hanmer Boys’ School. – The boys are in good order, and have passed a successful examination.
Hanmer Girls’ School. – The Girls are very clean, neat, and orderly. The examination has been creditably successful. The sewing and needlework are very good.
A grant of £57 1s. 11d. is allowed.
The Report of the Sunday School from the Diocesan Inspector
Boys’ School. – There is quiet tone in this school, and the children are well-behaved and the singing is good. The repetition of the Catechism was very good throughout the school, but there were a few children in the lower classes who did not acquit themselves well in the repetition of texts and hymns. The method of instruction is such as is likely to draw out the intelligence of the children. The children gave thoughtful answers to the questions put to them. The school in regard to religious instruction as a whole is good. Certificates for religious knowledge have been given in Group IV. to Daniel Bartlem; in Group III. to George Downward, John Skitt, Charles Crewe, John Marshall, George Haywood; in Group II. to Jospeh Vicars, John Wilson, William Jones, William Smith; in Group I., to John Heatley, Richard Higgins, Smith Salt, Herbert Nevett, Robert Heatley; and Thomas Williams is recommended to the managers for a prize.
Girls’ School. – The school is well taught throughout the classes. The knowledge that Group I. had of the Prayer Book was strikingly good. The repetition of texts, hymns, and catechism was very good in every class. A good work is being done in Hanmer Schools. Certificates for religious knowledge have been given in Group IV., to Etty Mary Jones, Mary Ann Watson, Edith Williams; in Group III., to Hannah Bartlem, Charlotte Allen, Emily Chesters, Mary Simcock, Ann Price; in Group II., to Ellen Elizabeth Smith, Ann Downward, Sarah Ann Smith; in Group I., to Lizzie Price, Selina Cartwright; and Mary Emma Griffith is recommended to the managers for a prize.
A Drink for Harvest Time
“Take Scotch oatmeal from two to three tablespoonsful, to which add a pint of good hot water, and when cold a pint of cold water; then flavour with sufficient vinegar to make it palatable; and lastly, add a little treacle to sweeten according to taste.”
Source: Wrexham History;
