Parish Magazine 1895 - Cliffe History
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Cliffe Parish Magazine - 1895
A collection of excerpts taken from the Parish Magazine from 1895 which were faithfully reproduced and recorded once again in the Parish Magazine.
Excerpts taken from the March,
1895, edition:-
Entertainments
We can only barely mention these as they have come rather
thick upon one another. The members and associates of the G.F.S. repeated their
capital performance of the “Lost Pocket Book” on the 22nd January,
the play having been preceded by a concert. The object was to obtain funds to
replace our old curtains, which were decidedly the worse for wear, with new
ones and to purchase some of the stage fittings, kindly lent by Mr. Hughes on
this and the previous occasion.
On the 12th February a concert was given for the
benefit of the Ringers’ Fund, at which several of the soldiers from the fort
gave their services. There was a large audience and we understand that
something like £5 was realized. Part of the audience was rather noisy in their
demonstrations and, indeed, somewhat interfered with the enjoyment of their
neighbours. We would ask them to remember that such conduct would put an end to
entertainments altogether as the quieter folk would cease to come to them.
The
Band Committee had a very successful long evening and dance on Saturday, 16th
February, for the benefit of the Soup and Pudding Kitchen. The whole of the
proceeds, without any deduction of expenses, amounting to £2 12s, were handed
over to the treasurer of the fund.
Soup and Pudding Kitchen
The severe weather and the distress caused by it in Cliffe,
as in many other places, moved those who were able to establish a distribution
of pudding and soup for the families of those out of work and for needy widows
and aged persons. The distribution commenced on Monday, 11th
February, and has been continued, pudding and soup on alternate days, to the
present time. It was evident that the help was much needed and the sight of the
poor children enjoying their pudding in the Schools was a very moving one. Mr.
George Smith, Mr. Woodbine, Mr. Hawes, Mr. Beasley, Mr. Bowles and others
joined with the Rector in managing the affairs of the kitchen and Mrs. Grove,
Mrs. G. Smith, Mrs Bowles, Mrs Beasley, Mrs Hawes, Mrs Lowdell and many other
ladies undertook the making and distribution of the soup and pudding.
Cliffe Parish Council
Steps are being taken to try and get a water supply from
Higham Waterworks to the village; also to secure allotments for the people.
All
reports concerning sanitary matters are to be submitted to the Council in
writing only.
Baptisms
Jan. 27 - Jessie Maud, daughter of Edward Maxted and Ellen
Mary Higgens
27 - Richard William Henry, son of William and Ellen Talbot
27 - George Henry, son of William Thomas and Maria Barnard
27 - Rhoda, daughter of John and Elizabeth Murms
27 - William, son of Job and Fanny Geer
27 - Elizabeth Harriet, daughter of John and Agnes Frances
Burvill
27 - Thomas Stephen, son of Thomas and Sarah Theobald
27 - Edith Eleanor Mary, daughter of William John and Edith
Hooker
27
- Lily Mary, daughter of John and Ellen Adsley
*29 - Constance Agnes, daughter of Samuel and Louisa Alice
Offord
(*Private Baptism)
Marriage
Feb.
4 - George Mills and Amy Thirza Nightingale
Burial
Jan. 24 - William
Munn, 76 years
Excerpts
taken from the April, 1895, edition:-
Cliffe
Friendly Cycling Club
A
Smoking Concert was given by the members, assisted by friends, on Saturday,
March 2nd. Dr. Creswell kindly officiated in the chair.
The
military talent was first-rate. The songs of Gunner Milligan were much
appreciated and tended to make the Concert the success it proved. The room was
appropriately and tastefully decorated, mainly due to the exertions of
Lance-Corporal Gosheron.
Dr.
Creswell gave some interesting advice on Cycling from a medical point of view,
which was very acceptable to the members and, in a few appropriate words,
presented, on behalf of the Club, an umbrella to Mr. A. E. Grubb, Secretary,
and a cigar-holder to Mr. W. Smith, the Treasurer, as an acknowledgement of
their services.
A
very enjoyable evening closed with a hearty vote of thanks to the Chairman and
the gentlemen who honoured us with their presence, and the singing of “God save
the Queen”.
Subscriptions
will be thankfully received by the Committee towards this healthy and pleasant
pastime and we trust that many of the young men of Cliffe will now come forward
and join the Club. The subscriptions are 1/- entrance fee and 2d per week.
Temperance
A
Branch of the Church of England temperance Society has been formed in the
Parish and many members have joined the society. The Meetings, with an
Entertainment and short Address, take place once a fortnight and are well
attended.
Workman’s
Club
On Saturday, Feb. 23rd, the Cliffe Workman’s Club
had a social gathering and dance in the Infant School. The music was kindly
provided by the Cliffe Brass Band, under the conductorship of Mr. Coveny, Mr.
Stevens being an excellent M.C. There were about 129 present. The floor, having
been waxed, was in splendid condition. Mrs. Bowles dispensed light refreshment
at moderate rates to the thirsty and hungry dancers. Dancing began at 7p.m;
interspersed with songs by Miss King, Miss Woodbine, Miss G. Bowles and the
Rev. E. and Mrs. Geard and a most enjoyable evening terminated at 11.15p.m. The
visitors were well looked after by the stewards, Mesrrs. T. Brenchley,
Creswell, H. Lane, Parnell, Radford, J. Scott and the Rev. E. Geard. The
proceeds of the evening, amounting to £2 11s, went to the funds of the Club.
Baptisms
Feb. 24 - Dorothy, daughter of Edward and Ellen Smith
24
- Lillian Ada, daughter of Henry and Ada Jane Shulver
24- George
Charles, son of George Harry and Ellen Diana Simmons
Mar.2 - *'Winifred Sarah, daughter of Henry and Sarah Ann
Pearson
*Privately baptized
Marriage
Mar.
16 - Arthur Ernest Crisp and Emily Alice Alderton
Burials
Feb. 18 - Alfred Richards, aged 66 years (Northfleet)
25
- Annie Bennett, aged 37 years
27 -
Enenezer Scott, aged 75 years
Excerpts
taken from the May, 1895, edition:-
Church
In
Holy Week fair congregations took part in Special Evening Services with
Addresses at 8 o’clock - the evenings of Monday to Thursday. The address on
Wednesday evening was given by the Rev H. W. Gresswell, formerly Assistant
Curate of the parish, whose visit gave great satisfaction to many old friends.
His address was followed by a performance by the Choir of Dr. Stainer’s
Oratorio, “The Crucifixion”, a beautiful work, the rendering of which did great
credit to the Choir and Choirmaster. We are very fortunate in possessing in Mr.
Denton a skilled and enthusiastic musician who spared no pains in teaching the
Choir and we are equally fortunate in having a Choir who respond heartily to
his efforts and who, at considerable self-sacrifice, give up a large share of
their leisure time to attend the frequent practices necessary for such a great
and difficult work. The Oratorio was repeated after the sermon on Good Friday
evening and was enjoyed on both occasions by very fair congregations. The solos
were sung by Messrs. Gibbon, F. and W. Moon, Payne, the Rector and the Revs. E,
Geard and E. D. Briscoe. The offerings on Palm Sunday, Wednesday in Holy Week
and on Good Friday were for the Choir and Organ Fund and amounted to £2 10s
11½d. There was a celebration of the Holy Communion on Thursday in Holy Week,
commonly called Maundy Thursday — Maundy being the English form of the Latin
word Mandati, meaning “of the command” i.e. the command given on that day on
which He instituted the Holy Sacrament to all his people to celebrate and
receive it as a memorial of Himself and His Sacrifice.
Easter Day, the great Festival of the Christian Church, came
in with bright, though cold, weather. The Church was tastefully decorated by
the loving care of Mrs Geard and a band of workers. The daffodils were still
abundant and they, with primroses, arums. Narcissi and other white flowers,
made the Church as beautiful as we have seen it. Contributions of flowers and
other materials for decorations were kindly sent by Mesdames Bowles, Geard,
Grove, Home and Topley and the Misses Beesley, Curtis, Fitch, Hucks, Johnson,
M. Monk, M. Salnow, A. Smith,
Soper,
Veazey, Waghome, Wakelin, Hawes, J. Woodbine and Mr. E. Hawes.
At
the celebrations of Holy Communion at 8 o’clock and at midday there were 67
Communicants, as compared with 40, 60,45, 53 and 46 in 1890, 1891, 1892, 1893
and 1894, a considerable increase for which we are thankful and we look forward
to even larger numbers in succeeding years, when our communicants’ Guild is
thoroughly established. The offerings throughout the day were for our Parochial
Schools and amounted to £2 10s 10d.
Cassocks and Surplices
Seven
Working Parties were held at the Red House during the last month in Lent to
make new Cassocks and Surplices for the Choir, which were badly needed. 8 men’s
and 11 boys’ Cassocks and 6 boys’ Surplices were made, altogether 165 yards of
material were cut out. Mr. Briscoe has very generously defrayed the cost of
them, amounting to £5 6s 5½d. The following ladies kindly and generously gave
their time and help, for which we thank them very much. No doubt they felt
repaid for their trouble when they saw how nice the Choir looked on Easter Day
Mesdames Ayres, Bowles, Chappell, Frayling, Geard, Grove, Hawes, Home, H. Lane,
Radford and W. Smith, Misses Curtis, Gourd, E. Hawes, A. Smith, Soper, Straw
and Wakelin.
As
the men’s Cassocks get damp, it would be nice if some match- boarding could be
put at the back. Mr. Hughes has kindly offered to help put it up. Will the Choir
men help also? If each one will bring a piece of board, it will soon be done
and cost no more than 6d each.
Baptisms
Mar. 31 -
Lucy Lilian Alfreda, daughter of Henry George Kennight and Sarah Ann Mancooh
31 - Minnie Louisa Charlotte, daughter
of William and Harriet Darling
Apr. 15 -
*Harold, son of William and Lavinia Crabb
15 - * Alfred, son of William and
Lavinia Crabb
17 - *Thomas Frederick, son of John
and Olive Amy Barlow
*Privately
baptized
Excerpts
taken from the June, 1895, edition:-
Sunday Schools
The first and, as we hope, the annual outing for those who
have been in regular attendance at these schools will, according to
arrangement, take place on Wednesday, July 17th. The Zoological
Gardens in Regent’s Park, London, is to be the destination.
Arrangements
will be made for parents and others to accompany the children at reduced
railway fares.
Band of Hope
Our Band of Hope is still flourishing and numerically in
good condition. Lately, to encourage the children to read their Bibles more, we
have had one or two Bible competitions, for which we offered prizes to the boy
and girl who had looked out the greatest number of texts on the
subject they had chosen. The competition was not so successful as we should
have liked, only two or three of the members going in for them. We trust that
the parents (for it is for the children’s benefit) will help us in this and
when we have the next competition see that their children look out texts on the
subject, whatever it may be, that they themselves choose. It would be a great
help to us and also to the children.
On May 7th the children of the Band of Hope had a
play night from 6 to 830pm and all thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Thanks are
due to the helpers, Mrs. Geard, Mrs. Hiscocks, the Misses Besley, Curtis, A.
Soper, J. Woodbine and to Messrs. Hiscocks and D.C. Veazey for amusing them.
Our
Band of Hope outing is fixed for 26th June when we hope to go to Sheemess. We
want to make it an excursion in which the parents can also join and we hope we may
have a large number. The price of the tickets for adults, including a good tea,
will be 2s; and for children other than Band of Hope, to have tea with the
latter, Is, tea with parents 3d. extra to be paid at the time. Service in the
Church at 7.30. March to the station; train leaves at 8.30. Return at 8.30.
Tennis Club
A Tennis Club has now been formed in the parish. The Rev. E.
Geard will be glad to receive the names of any who wish to join.
At a meeting held in the Red House on Friday, May 10th,
the following rules were passed:-
1.
That this Club be called Cliffe Tennis Club
2.
That each member pay 2/6 for the whole Season. N.B. Every
member will be supplied with a ticket which is non-transferable. The ticket
will be filled in with the name of each member. Anyone not having such a ticket
will not be counted a member of the Club and will come under “Rule 3”.
3.
All visitors (i.e. those not having the Club ticket) will be
charged 3d a day for the use of the Courts.
4.
New
Members Anyone wishing to join the Club shall notify the Secretary
at least a week beforehand of his or her desire.
A
Committee was formed consisting of Mrs. Geard, the Misses Straw, King, Hawes
and Rev. E. Geard (Hon. Sec.). There are two Courts and the ground is at the
back of West Street Farm, kindly lent for the purpose by Lord Darnley.
Baptisms
April 28 - Winifred Gladys, daughter of
John Henry and Emma Moon
27- Emily Amelia, daughter of James and Rhoda Ann
Bassett
27
- Albert, son of Albert and Matilda Harriet Richards
May 12 -
Fanny Eliza, daughter of Charles Nicolas and Elizabeth Frances Agar (Private)
Reception
April
28 - Winifred Sarah Pearson, baptized March 2nd
Marriage
May
2 - John Paul Potter and Annie Comford
Burials
April 22 - George Thorndike aged 33 years
May 14 - Emily Smith, aged 9 months
Excerpts
taken from the July, 1895, edition:-
Mission Service
A Mission Service was held on Sunday evening, June 9th
at 7p.m. and will be continued (D.V.) every fortnight. The service is held in
Mrs. Andrew’s house, close to the Merry Boys, which she has kindly lent for the
purpose. The room was quite full on this, our first occasion, and we hope it
will continue so.
Mothers' Meeting
The annual Outing in connection with Mrs, Groves’ Mothers’
Meeting was held at the Rectory on Wednesday afternoon and evening, June 12th.
Tea was served indoors, when Mrs. Grove presided; afterwards an adjournment was
made to the grounds where various games were indulged in. A good sprinkling of
mothers attended and Mrs. Stone made a welcome reappearance amongst us all.
The National School
Mr. and Mrs. Hubbard, who have been appointed respectively
to the Headmastership and Headmistress-ship of the Boys’ and Infants'
Departments of the above Schools, took over their respective commands on June
24th. At the same time, Miss Straw, who for several years has done
“excellent” work in the Infant Department, has relinquished that post and
become Head Mistress of the Girls’ Department. Mr. Angell, late of Cheltenham
College, has been selected out of the competing candidates for the post of
Assistant-Master in the Boys’ School. He will begin his career here in the
course of the beginning of this month.
Mrs.
Grubb who, to the sorrow of all, is leaving our midst after many years of
faithful service, has been appointed Head Mistress of Boxford School, Essex.
The Drawing Examination
The Science and Art Department have issued the Report of the
Examination, which took place in the Boys’ School towards the end of April.
They report that it is “good”; though not quite up to the mark of the previous
year, it is far from discouraging. Fred Elford was awarded by the Department
with a Certificate for Conspicuous Merit.
Mrs Denton
An
Entertainment, arranged principally by Mr Parnall, was held in the Infant
Schoolroom, by permission of the Managers, as a farewell to Mr. Denton who,
having resigned his posts of Organist, Choir Master and assistant School
Master, is shortly leaving Cliffe. In the course of the evening a presentation
was made to him, consisting of music composed by some of the greatest European
masters. The Rev. E. D. Briscoe, on whom devolved the duty of making the
presentation, referred to the manner in which Mr. Denton had acted, both in
School and to his friends outside, and made especial reference to the untiring
and successful efforts which he had made in bringing the Choir to its present
state of efficiency. Mr. Denton replied and thanked his admirers and those who
had remembered him. The proceedings ended, after songs and other amusements had
been indulged in, with the singing of the National Anthem.
It
will interest our readers to know that the Choir was, on Friday evening, June
14th, examined and inspected by the Rev, A. L. Coates, Vicar of
Shorne, and formerly Minor Canon of Rochester Cathedral. He congratulated the
Choir on their efficiency and Mr. Denton for training, and pronounced the
singing “excellent”.
Baptisms
May 26 -
Edith Mercy, daughter of the late William Francis and Sarah Jane Hayter
26 —
Beatrice Lilian, daughter of Abraham and Caroline Smith
26 — Annie
Maria, daughter of Edward and Emma Green 26
- Leonard, son of George and Emma Rebecca Elford
26 -
Stanley John, son of William Bishop and Fanny Eliza Smith (Shome)
24
- Henry James, son of George William and Clara Stanley
June 17 - *Lily, daughter
of William and Sarah Hester Munn
*Privately baptized
Received into Church
May 26 - Thomas Frederick, son of John and Olive Amy Barlow;
baptized April 17th, 1895
Burials
May 30 - James Knight aged 17 months
June 15 — Ada Lowdell, aged 10 months
June 18 - Jane Humphreys, aged 72 years
Excerpts
taken from the August, 1895, edition:-
Sunday Schools
The
Excursion to the Zoological Gardens, which had been arranged to take place on
July 17th, so long ago as January last, for those who regularly
attend the Sunday schools, was duly brought off on that date. The sun was
shining brightly when at 7 a.m. the children assembled at the grand old Church
for a short Service ere the pleasures of the day commenced, and it continued
shining all day. After the Service the children, marching two and two, girls in
the van, boys in the rear, made their way to the station and caught the 7.57
a.m. train. Changes on the up journey had to be made at Gravesend and Cannon
Street but the children were in no way disconcerted by them. From Charing Cross
the party proceeded by the Underground Railway to Portland Road, thence
marching to the Zoological Gardens in Regent’s Park. Once there, the children
and others amused themselves by inspecting the birds and animals of all shapes,
sizes and descriptions but found most pleasure of all in riding camels and
elephants, a pleasure, it can be safely said, they cannot partake of when at
Cliffe. At 3.30 p.m. a capital tea, provided in Messrs. Spiers and Ponds’
Refreshment Hall, was done full justice to by the 110 who sat down to it; the
arrangements made by the manager being excellent.
National Schools
The following is a summary of H.M. Inspectors’ Report, which
relates to the above Schools.
The Report is not quite so good as we had hoped for at the
beginning of the year, the disappointment being caused almost entirely by the
crisis through which the Schools had to pass almost on the eve of the
examination.
Boys’ School
— The examination was held in the absence, under somewhat distressing
circumstances, of the Head Master, so that it may well be said that the
School’s attainments have suffered in consequence. The elementary work is still
of good quality on the whole, and accuracy in Arithmetic is high in all
Standards except the Sixth. Handwriting is not so skilful. As for class
subjects, they are fairly good in the Lower Standards, but in the Upper
Standards a little more accuracy might be expected; readiness to answer and
attention might have been better. It must be borne in mind, however, that the
bearing of the children when under oral examination is some of the best
evidence of the tone of the School. Singing by note, presented for the first
time this year, is rewarded with the highest grant.
Girls’
School
- As usual here, the girls are very quiet and orderly, taking pains, and
showing interest in their work. Spelling is successfully taught in all classes,
and Arithmetic, excepting in the Sixth Standard, is very good. Needlework, as
hitherto, is very satisfactory, and is again awarded the highest grant. Many of
the girls answer accurately and intelligently in Grammar. Singing by note
(presented for the first time) is scarcely up to the Standard attained in the
Boys’ School, modulator practice being slightly weak.
Infants' School - this Department on the
whole maintains its very good level. Singing by note, however, is moderate. The
highest grant is again recommended.
Now
that the crisis is safely tided over and we have in the persons of Mr. And Mrs.
Hubbard and Miss Straw, together with their assistants very efficient masters
and mistresses working in the Schools, it is with no slight confidence that we
look forward to the fixture with hopes, happily well grounded, that the reports
for next year will be the fitting and just rewards of energy, accuracy and
perseverance.
Mr.
Angell, to whose advent amongst us allusion was made last month, began his
duties as the Assistant Master on July 8th and presided at the Organ
in Church for the first time on July 14th.
Baptisms
June 30 - Ethel Louisa, daughter of George and Elizabeth
Mercy Richardson
30 — Herbert George, son of Michael and Harriet Ann Munn
30 - Edward Thomas. Son of Edward Alfred and Caroline Earl
30 —' Henry William Paul, son of Henry Thomas and Mary Eliza
Potter
30 - Rose, daughter of Martin and Louisa Monkhouse
(Frindsbury)
30 – Arthur Edward, son of George Henry and Elizabeth Sophia
Johnson
Received into Church
June 30 – Constance Agnes Offord; baptized Jan. 29th,
1895
Marriage
July 11 – John Foster and Annie Wordley
Burials
June 25 – Beatrice Lilian Smith, aged 3 months
June 25 – Mary Kempton, aged 89 years
Excerpts
taken from the September, 1895, edition:-
Church Parade of Clubs,
etc.
The
Clubs, Benefit Societies and Kindred Institutions represented in Cliffe,
including the A.O.F; I.O.O.F and the R.A.O.B; held their annual Church Parade
on Sunday, 11th August, in the finest weather. After a march through some of
the main streets, headed by the Brass Band, and making a gallant show with
banners and the insignia of the various orders, the members proceeded at 3.30
to the Parish Church, which was on this occasion packed as we should like
always like to see it, to take part in Evensong. More hearty or better
congregational singing could hardly be heard and the sermon, preached by the
Rector, was listened to with attention throughout. In fact, the interest in the
Service and enjoyment of it, judging by outward appearance, seemed to be so
marked that we could not help wondering why the number of habitual worshippers
from the body of those present is not greater. The offerings, which were for S.
Bartholomew’s Hospital, Chatham, amounted to £2 17s.
The
fortnightly Mission Services on Sunday evenings have been continued through the
month in Mrs. Andrews’ cottage, near the “Merry Boys”, by her kind permission.
It is much to be desired that these Services could be put on a permanent basis
by the erection of an iron, or some other suitable, building for the purpose.
Perhaps the Rector might see his way to the erecting of such a building if the
people of the neighbourhood could find the means, about which there ought not
to be much difficulty, to furnish it.
Bellringers
The
band of Ringers had their outing on Saturday, 17th August. Accompanied by the
Rev. H. M. E. D. Briscoe, they visited the charming village of Nutfield in
Surrey and, after a touch on the bells at Nutfield and Blechingley Churches and
hearing performances by the ringers of those parishes, they sat down to a
substantial repast in the village inn of Nutfield.
The
School Treat was arranged to take place in the Manor Farm meadow, by kind
permission of Lord Darnley, on Friday 23rd August, on which date the Schools
are to break up for the Summer holidays. The date of the re-opening will be
duly announced.
Baptisms
July 28 - Hilda Grace, daughter of William Henry and Mary
Ann Morrard
28 - Rowline Clorane, daughter of William and Elizabeth
Veness 28 - Daisy Beatrice, daughter of Joseph and Eliza Smith.
Marriage
Aug 4 - Percy Mason Ward to Elsie Elizabeth Pritchard, of
Folkestone.
Burial
July 25 - A male person, name and residence unknown, found
drowned.
Excerpts
taken from the October, 1895, edition:-
Harvest Festival
Our
Harvest Thanksgiving Service was held at a rather earlier date than usual this
year, viz; on Sunday, the 25th August. The brilliant sunny weather gave us a
specially plentiful supply of flowers and the decorations were as rich and
beautiful as we have seen them. We have to thank Mrs. Pickersgill-Cunliffe,
Mrs. Isaac Winch, The Rectory, Mr. Filmer, Mr. Home, Mr. Hiscoek, Mr. Lane, Mr.
Moon, Mr. Metson and other friends for contributions of corn, flowers, fruit
and vegetables, and Mr. Home sent us some imposing loaves. The work of
decoration was carried out with a good deal of freshness by Mrs. Home, Mrs.
Grove, Mr. and Mrs. Hubbard, the Misses Straw, Hawes, Kybett and others. There
were good congregations and bright and appropriate music, the Choir giving “O
Lord how manifold” as the Anthem in the morning and Dr. Garrett’s Harvest
Cantata in the evening. The offerings were for the Church Restoration Fund and
realized £3 13s 11½d; to which 8s 7d. was added by a sale of fruit,
vegetables, etc; from the decorations, making altogether a sum of £4 2s 6½d.
School Treat
The
children of our day Schools had their Annual treat, through the liberality of
friends in and out of the parish, on Friday the 23rd August. By kind permission
of Lord Darnley, it was held in his beautiful meadow at the back of the Manor
Farm House. (We take this opportunity of recording our very special thanks to
Mr. And Mrs. Beslee who have patiently borne with much inconvenience, and
rendered much valuable assistance, at the various parish festivities which, by
His Lordship’s kindness, have been held this year in the meadow of Manor Farm.)
The arrangements were made by a Committee consisting of Mrs. Grove, Mrs.
Beslee, Mrs. Bowles, Mrs, W. Elford, Mrs. Hawes, Mrs G. Smith and Mrs. Monk.
The central feature of the treat was the tea which was, as usual, made to
disappear with surprising rapidity. Yet many of the children seemed to find at
least as much pleasure in the other amusements provided and even in roaming
about the pretty meadow. Among the sports were races, scrambles, wrestling and
swings and the pleasant strains of the band formed an agreeable accompaniment
to all that was going on. All was kept up with an unflagging spirit by the
Committee, assisted by the Rectory family and visitors, Mrs. Home, Mr. W. Home,
Mrs. Batchelor, Mrs. Ayres, Mrs. Lane, Mrs. Sharp, Mrs. Lowdell and the Misses
S. Webb, A. Soper, E. Curtis, J. Woodbine and J. Smith. The children were
dismissed with a parting gift of cake at about 7.30, having, to all appearance,
thoroughly enjoyed themselves. They must have numbered at least 500.
Baptisms
*Aug 22 - Daisy, daughter
of James and Mary Goodger
25 - Charles Henry, son of
Henry and Lydia Mary Files
25 - Edward Henry, son of
Edward Henry and Maria Jane Martin
25 - Emily Anne, daughter
of Thomas Watts and Sarah Lewing
Marriage
Aug 29 - Henry George
Robinson and Alice Jane Goulding
Burial
Aug 31 - Herbert George
Munn, aged 5 months Sept. 2 - Edith Alice Whibley, aged 9 years
9 - Winifred Gladys Moon,
aged 9 months 9 - Thomas Frederick Barlow, aged 6 months 11 - Henry William
Paul Potter, aged 3 months 18 - George Keilley Thorndike, aged 2 years
Excerpts
taken from the November, 1895, edition:-
C.E.T.S.
(Church of England Temperance Society)
The
Autumn Session of the St Helen’s, Cliffe, Branch of the C.E.T.S. commenced on
Tuesday, Oct. 1st, in the Infant School and was very much appreciated by those
who came. There was a good attendance and the Rev. J. W. Horsley, vicar of St
Peter’s, Walworth, came and gave us a lecture on Switzerland, illustrated by
magic lantern slides. A very pleasant evening was spent in this way and at the
close of the meeting we were very glad to see one or two of our friends stay
behind and become members of our Society by signing the pledge and we most
earnestly hope that during the course of these meetings many more will join us
and help to strengthen our Branch of the C.E.T.S We want our Society to do some
good and be of some use in our midst. All are most heartily welcome and we feel
sure that those who join us will never regret the step they have taken because
of the benefit they will derive, both in health and pocket, by doing so.
Vanishing Cliffe
Within
the past few weeks some of those ancient timber houses to the east of the
Church have been pulled down so as to make room for others of a more modem
type. Formerly they were the dwellings of the priests of the Chantries within
the Church. They were taken from the Church about the time of the Reformation
and, after having been for a long time used as “Poor Houses”, were sold to a
private owner. One of the windows which looked out upon Church Street was of
interest and should be preserved in some suitable place. During the excavations
an earthenware jar, a piece of stone (very similar to that belonging to the
sedilia) and some coins (these, however, not of an early date) were discovered.
Cliffe Cricket Club
This
Club has to all appearances fallen on to very disappointing times. Many of the
matches which had been arranged fell through: some through no fault of this
Club, others through a team from Cliffe not being forthcoming.
The
card this year contained Clubs whose abilities were far greater than of those
of previous years and we had hoped at the commencement of the season that every
effort would be made by our men to avoid any of that (alas!) too frequent
scratching as far as we were concerned. This hope has been disappointed.
What
success the Club has achieved is undoubtedly due to the splendid efforts of one
man and that one man is Steven Brown, of whom we hope to hear more about in the
not very distant future. A glance at his average is enough to see what good and
sterling work he has done. The unfortunate contretemps which occurred during
the season has done the Club no good but we hope that it will not alienate the
support of those who subscribe to the Club. H. Hawes, J. Crabbe and S. Woodbine
(when he played) also met with a fair amount of success with the ball.
Baptisms
Sept 29 - Edith Alma, daughter of John
and Harriet Clarke
29 - George Henry Charles,
son of William Henry and Zillah Amelia Randall
29 -
Lewis Moore, son of George and Elizabeth Jane Richards 29 — Alfred Challis, son
of Benjamin and Mary Ann Emma Johnson Oct 4 - William Ernest, son of Ebenezer
and Mary Anne Scott 4 - Alice, daughter of “ “
4 - Edmund William, son of “ “
4 - James Ebenezer, son of “ “
4 - Jessie, daughter of “ “
4 — Hilda Dora, daughter of “ “
21 - *Daisy, daughter of Alfred and
Elizabeth Barlow
*Privately baptized
Received into Church
Sept 29 - Ellen, daughter of John and
Harriet Clarke, baptized Jan. 3rd, 1888
Marriages
Sept 1 — William John Jarrett and
Caroline Ellen Nobbs 21 - Walter Richards and Harriet Fanny Venner Oct 12 -
David Vyze and Jemima Pankhurst Oct 20 - George Richard Oakley and Elizabeth
Emma Shelshear
Burial
Sept. 21 - Edith Mary Hayter, aged 5
months
Excerpts
taken from the December, 1895, edition:-
Church Restoration etc.
For
years we have been talking about the Restoration of the Parish Church, one of
the grandest in Kent. Anyone who walks round it, especially the outside, will
see the need for it in crumbling buttresses, in the window tracery, roughly
patched with cement or mortar, in the ugly brickwork replacing stone
battlements, etc; etc. The time has come for action and we hope to begin actual
work in the spring. Before we can do so a “Faculty” must be obtained from the
Bishop and this will only be granted after a resolution by the Vestry of the
Parish. Such a resolution will be proposed at a Vestry Meeting to be held at
the Schools on Monday evening, the 2nd December, 1895. There will be
subsequently a meeting of the Restoration Committee at which the question of
tenders and contracts for the work will be considered.
During
the course of the month a “Church Restoration Almanack”, illustrated by two
engravings of the interior of the Church, will be issued. A copy will be
delivered gratis to the head of every family in the parish and it is hoped
every recipient will endeavour to raise half a crown towards the Restoration
Fund, of which Dr. A. H. Creswell is Treasurer.
The
Magazine next year (1896) will be the “Dawn of Day” and the price will be one
penny only. It will be a great convenience if all who wish to take it will
subscribe Is for the whole year. It will, however, be supplied, as before, to
those who wish to take it monthly. All who intend to take it should send in
their names to the Clergy as early as possible.
Band of Hope
Since
last month our Band of Hope has had some very successful meetings. The
attendances have been good, though sometimes thinned by the rain. Our numbers
are slowly, but steadily, increasing. On Tuesday, Oct. 22nd, our fourth meeting
took place, when some of the children themselves helped towards the
entertainment with songs and recitations. At the next meeting on Tuesday, Oct.
29th, the attendance was exceedingly good and the children thoroughly enjoyed
the entertainment, given by some friends who came for the Temperance Meeting.
The Rev. E. Geard reminded the children of the blessings to be obtained by
belonging to a Band of Hope and how such membership might help them to be total
abstainers in their lives. “Guy Fawkes” reduced the numbers on Nov. 5th. Those
who came began to learn some new songs with which they hope to entertain their
parents and friends at their annual tea and prize-giving, to take place in the
New Year. Our largest attendance was at our last meeting on Nov. 12th when the
greater number of our members came to see and enjoy the Tableaux, given by the
same performers who afterwards entertained the adults at the Temperance
Meeting.
Cliffe Football Club
The
Cliffe Football Club has, with their first team, carried on the season with
success. Since the last Magazine report the team have played two friendly
matches, one Kent Junior Cup Tie and one League match with results as follows
Oct. 19 - Cliffe 9 goals, Hoo Institute 1 goal, away.
26
- Cliffe 2 goals, Higham United 2 goals, away.
Nov
2 - Open.
9
- Cliffe 0 goal, Alma Road Athletic 4 goals; Cup Tie, at home
16
- Cliffe 0 goal, 8th Company R. E. 2 goals (drawn through darkness); away.
The
second team have not done so well as the first, having lost each game they have
played since the last Magazine was issued H. Wilden, Hon. Sec.
Baptism
Oct 27 - Ernest John,
son of Walter Robert and Beatrice Helen Kearsey
Marriage
Nov 16 - Arthur
Ernest Blaber and Selena Anne Mathew
Burials
Oct 28 - Sarah Gardener, aged 70 years
Nov 7 - Mabel Ashby, aged 5 weeks
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