Thursday 31 July 2014

The Diary of Montague Hardwick Knott, 1957 (9)

Wednesday 31.7.57

Had letters from Canon Gallop & Rev Hartley this am. The former is now recovering from the indisposition wh prevented his coming to the Institution & the letter enclosed a copy of the Paslow Common Electoral Roll. Will make a card index of church members for the whole Parish. Have prepared a specimen card with room for family & other details.

Yesterday I learned that proofs of my new stationery had been sent to Blackmore. H & I went there this pm. Met the Architect & discussed kitchen cupboards. Ceiling boards are up all over the house & the bay is being finished. They have plastered the ceilings upstairs & hope to start on the walls tomorrow.

Called on some parishioners with H & enjoyed meeting them. They reckon we are in for a hard time. They must learn that as far as we are concerned we are concerned with serving our Master. If the going is hard it will be hard for Him but the Scripture asks “is anything too hard for the Lord?” We think not & expect His love and grace to triumph.


Were not home till nearly 8pm. Did nothing much in the evening & came up at 10pm.  Our cat Lucia (Lulu) decided to stay out this fine night. It has been a very fine day. 

Wednesday 30 July 2014

The Diary of Montague Hardwick Knott, 1957 (8)

Tuesday 30.7.57

Felt a tremor in my heart whilst lying in bed last night. […] It may be that an unrealised emotional stress has been going on with my Institution at Blackmore & the frustration of its Vicarage. Not that I am consciously burdened. Hope I don’t have to give up my half-hour of exercise in the morning. They keep me limbered up & free from rheumatic aches & pains.

The post brt a cheque for £62.0.2 being the balance of the Sequestration Fund up to the time of Canon Gallop taking over the Parish of B’m as Priest in Charge. This was welcome, especially as we shall be involved in additional expense thro’ living out of the Parish.

Phoned the removal contractors & arranged for them to move us out on Wednesday 14th August & to store our furniture until we can get into the Vicarage. We will store our antiques and objects of art at Minnie’s. Phoned Fowler this morning to tell him of the arrangements. He plans to move the same day.


[…]

Tuesday 29 July 2014

The Diary of Montague Hardwick Knott, 1957 (7)

Monday 29.7.57

Woke soon after 5o’c & arose at 6am. Went thro’ usual routine. After b’fast H went to washing clothes etc I to call on Rev Stevens at Lambourne Rectory & then on to B’m. Nobody was working on the house. Most disheartening. Visit Miss Loker, Church Sec & Treasurer. A worthy soul who told me much of the Parish and its affairs.

Called on the Hartleys. Mrs H a little better. Mr was his usual sweet, courteous, slow & diffident self. Made me late home for lunch.

Took H to Leyton & went on to Mother’s myself.  Vera & Christine arrived as I was about to leave. H had a moving farewell from the Leyton Hall Woman’s Mtg. They gave her a framed photo of the women.

Rang Mr Dale the architect. He knew of the halt in work at B’m.  Says he will meet us on site on Wed pm. Said also he’d written Contractor to say he’d find another builder if he did not find work resumed by Wednesday. Apparently he can do this under the terms of the contract.

[…]


As we must move within a fortnight & store our furniture Mins has agreed to let us live w her. Miss G is quite amenable too. This is comforting. 

Monday 28 July 2014

The Diary of Montague Hardwick Knott, 1957 (6)

Sunday 28.7.57

We were away to B’m after b’fast by 8.30am. A young student asked for a lift.  He was on his way to a motor trials near Thetford & had already come from Southend.  Seemed a nice boy. Gave him a booklet of Scriptures when I put him down at Epping.

Felt free in taking the Holy Communion Service this am. There were 24 of us to remember the Lord. Didn’t like using wafers so will change to bread next wk. I read the 39 Arts of Religion at the close of the service. Didn’t take so long as I thought. The Simmons did not stop but felt the Newson’s are giving us their loyal support. Must wait to see what the Simmon’s reaction is.

H & I came back to Wdfd for lunch & tea & out to B’m for Ev Pr. The congr numbered about 45. I learn that they have been used to 10 or a dozen so I suppose curiosity brt a number. Hope what they heard will bring them again.

We were asked to supper by a Mrs Greenwood. Her husband runs a local farm. We met the nis-in-law but the husband was away. There is a baby boy, four months old. It was a pleasant time & we were glad to improve the acquaintance. Miss G came with us & enjoyed it all.

Feel that our Heavenly Father has dealt graciously with us today in giving such encouragement. We long to show our gratitude in Spirit-filled lives about which I prchd tonight from Acts 6.


A young man came up after the service to ask about marriage in church. He is a divorcee & the guilty party. Said I wd refer the matter to the Bp. 

Sunday 27 July 2014

The Diary of Montague Hardwick Knott, 1957 (5)

Saturday 27.7.57

This has been a day at home but quite a busy one. Did some shopping for H after b’fast. Then went to the study until the Fowler’s came just after 11o’c.  It appeared that they had difficulties over the vacation of their flat & must have possession of the house they are purchasing from us by August 14.  We agree we must leave & suppose we shall have to store & go into lodgings. […]


Have prepared for tomorrow’s services w some care. Spoke on the phone to KD who wants to hear on Monday am how we get on at B’m tomorrow. 

Saturday 26 July 2014

The Diary of Montague Hardwick Knott, 1957 (4)

Friday 26.7.57

Wednesday proved a rather trying day in the home but we got through.  I met the Architect Crook the contractor & Smith the Sub-contractor at Blackmore at noon.  The best promise I could get was for completion in eight weeks. Called to tell the Fowler’s at Epping on way back but there was nobody at home. Left a message that I wd phone at 7.45am on Thursday. I was touched by the devotion of some at B’m where I spent pt of the p.m.  A number brt flowers & decorated the Ch & Village Hall. Mrs Newson I learn has been wkg in the Ch fr 5.30am during this wk & fitting in her other wk. There are signs of real interest in the Village.

We had a quiet evening save for phone calls fr well-wishers. […]

Yesterday was a day to be remembered w humble gratitude to God. Our morning prayer together was full of a sense of the Lord’s nearness & care. I phoned the purchaser of our house, Mr Fowler, who was taken aback by my news. He wanted time to think things over.

Had a busy a.m. in the study dealing w corresp. After lunch we rested & my Secretary at C.T.C.A. came at 3pm. We were away to B’m by 4.30pm taking crockery borrowed fr St M E.D. & provisions for refreshments. Found everything well in hand at the Village Hall & in Ch.

Was gratified to see some real progress at the Vicarage.

The Service of Institution & Induction was impressive & the Bp of Barking prchd a good word (2 Cor 3.6) “Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament”. He touched on the Cure’s functions as priest, prophet & pastor. And the term “minister”. Emphasising in turn the incumbent’s responsibilities & those of the laity.

The Ch was packed to capacity & everything went as planned.  Some 125 came from Walthamstow. I guess 50-75 fr the Village & other friends made up a total of about 250.  Mr Newson, the People’s Warden, seemed very impressed w the collection of £17.11.0.

The Village Hall was packed afterwds & the refreshments went well. There were many loving expressions of regret at our departure fr Walthamstow coupled w good wishes for the future. There were two of the costers from W’stow High St & a widow whose husband I buried a wk ago. With him was a another woman whom I married to an elderly man a year ago. These do not attend St Marys but I trust the link will lead to their joining now. Stan Phillips & his wife came by bus, train & taxi fr Leyton. Stan & I were in the B.B. together in the late teens and early twenties of the Century. We took them home as far as Woodford after.

We enjoyed mtg the villagers and some of the more well-to-do of our Parish. The Marriage’s & Russell’s & another whose name escapes me. All were most kind & gave us a welcome that rang true.

We arrived home at 11o’c tired but very grateful. Had a little food & after prayer together, retired to rest. H said Miss C had proved most helpful.

[…]

We, Miss C & I dealt with some C.T.C.A. matters & then drove to the City. Left St M’s china on the way. Dropped Miss C in Aldersgate Street & went on to Tom Anker’s office re business affairs.  Tom said he & his mother had enjoyed the Institution last evening.


[…] This evening went out to B’m for the choir practice. Enjoyed it. […]

Lest Willingale Forget: Sunday 3 August & Monday 4 August 2014

Friends of St. Andrews
& All Saints Church
  

Lest Willingale Forget.

It is important not to forget the debt we owe those who gave their lives for us in the World Wars. As an act of commemoration and remembrance of the outbreak of the Great War the Friends of St Andrews and Willingale Community Archive ask you to come along to St Andrews and spend some time in reflection.

Sunday 3rd August between 2 and 5 pm
or Monday 4th August between 10 and 3 pm

Please come to St Andrews,
 light a candle
and lay a flower as a mark of respect.

Rosemary represents remembrance, whilst white lilies represent purity and sweetness  or you could choose a flower from your garden.

There will also be an interesting display on those Willingale men who lost their lives. Over the last year Brian Rew has been researching the names and history of these gallant men and if you know of any relatives or have any other information please contact us.



Wednesday 23 July 2014

The Diary of Montague Hardwick Knott, 1957 (3)

Tuesday 23.7.57

[…]

Went to see Ken Druitt & go over the service of institution & induction. Phoned Architect from St Mary’s Vicarage. Hope to see him & the builder tomorrow. Said he did not like my letter of yesterday. I meant it to bite.  We finished up alright.

[…]

Had two hours sleep this p.m. & felt much better for it. Since the slight stoke I suffered last August the Doctor recommended an after lunch rest but often I cannot fit it in.


Went to Blackmore to rehearse the institution with the Ch wardens. The Rural Dean turned up & helped. Everything seems to be going according to plan. Got home at 9 p.m. H was out so guessed she had gone with Min to Gwen’s somewhere I found them. Stayed an hour & chatted. Kenneth is getting along in the R.A.F. & hopes to be home for the August bank holiday. 

Tuesday 22 July 2014

The Diary of Montague Hardwick Knott, 1957 (2)

Monday 22.7.57

The day has left me with a sense of disappointment. The Architect of our new Vicarage at Blackmore failed to keep an appointment at 5 this p.m. & no work has been done for more than a week.

We have had compensations however. Hilda’s day has gone well in the home & at the Leyton Hall Women’s Mtg this p.m. This eve she & Mrs Bancroft went to Bancroft School for a concert.  It proved satisfactory.

I visited two parishioners in the London Hosp this a.m. & then met Eric Barker by arrangement at Liverpool St Stn. Took him to Ford’s Hse & on to C.T.C.A. luncheon.  Good time.  Tom Anker & Ernest Bugden there. W. J. Tate spoke.


Percy Shorey is progressing again after the set-back following his operation. Called next door but P had gone to bed. Chatted a while with Rhoda and Marjorie. 

Monday 21 July 2014

The Diary of Montague Hardwick Knott, 1957 (1)

Diary of Montague Hardwick Knott 1957

Sunday 21.7.57

In rather a sporadic manner I have kept diaries in the past.  Today marks a change in my affairs & it seemed a fit occasion to commence further records.

Today I have concluded my duties as a curate at the Parish Church of St Mary, Walthamstow.  My friend the Vicar, Kenneth Druitt, graciously invited me to preach both morning & evening. I felt great liberty & judge that God prospered the word spoken.

It has been a moving experience for my Beloved and I. The friends at Church have been so kind in their expressions of good-will.

The Misses Brown came home for coffee & cakes, and also Mrs Cuttlar who was also with us for tea. The Misses B gave us a pretty cushion as a parting gift.

We have had heavy rain with lightning & thunder during the day.  It became brighter this evening.  Quite a lot of private traffic on the roads. The provincial bus strike which commenced yesterday has disrupted things a good deal according to the radio news.

Mr Simmons telephoned me tonight regarding my Institution to Blackmore on Thursday next. Walter Jameson rang from Chelmsford to let me speak to Eric Barker.  He will come to the C.T.C.A. Luncheon tomorrow.


God has given me a good day. We are both grateful for his many mercies.

Friday 18 July 2014

Blackmore: St Laurence

St Laurence


St Laurence (Laurentius), martyr, died A.D. 258.  One of the deacons of Rome under Sixtus I. During the persecution of the Church by the Emperor Valerian, Laurence was called upon the surrender the church treasures.  Instead he produced the poor and sick under his charge, declaring that these “were his treasures”.  He suffered martyrdom by burning. His day is August 10th

Friday 11 July 2014

Blackmore: Deposition of Rebecca Burrell, 1796

Deposition

Rebecca Burrell Wife of
James Burrell of Blackmore in the County of Essex
Victualler - Mary Fitch wife of William Fitch
of High Ongar in the said County of Essex Farmer –
Thomas Walker of Chipping Ongar in the said
County of Essex Surgeon & Stephen Vitou of Blackmore
aforesaid Gentleman and Ann – his Wife
severally make Oath and say
And first the Deponent the said
Rebecca Burrell for herself saith, That on or about
The twenty eighth day of May One Thousand seven
hundred and ninety six she was delivered of a
Male Child which was in or about the Month
of August then next following Baptized by the
Name of Thomas at the Parish Church of Blackmore
aforesaid by the Reverend Mr Farrell (now deceased)
who officiated on that Occasion for the Reverend
Doctor Stubbs the then Vicar or Perpetual Curate of
Blackmore – And this Deponent further saith
that the said Child is now living and that upon
search being made into the Registry of Baptisms
at Blackmore it does not appear that any Entry of
such Baptism was made therein at the time or
since.
And the other Deponent the said
Thomas Walker for himself saith – That he attended
the said Rebecca Burrell in her lying in at or about
to this Deponent’s Books and delivered the said Rebecca
Burrell of a Male Child which this Deponent hath
since heard and believes was afterwards Christened by
the Name of Thomas and who is now living.

And the other Deponent the said Mary Fitch
for herself saith that in the Year One Thousand seven
hundred and ninety six She nursed and suckled a
Child of the said Mrs Burrell from the Mouth and
attended with the said Child at the Church of Blackmore
for his Baptism – that it was Christened by the Name
of Thomas by the Reverend My Farrell who officiated
for the Reverend Doctor Stubbs – That one Michael
Wood and Stephen Vitou and Ann Vitou his Wife
were the Sponsors for such Child and which is now living.

And both the other Deponents the said Stephen
Vitou and Ann – his Wife from themselves
severally sat That they both attended the Christening
of the said Child at the Parish Church of Blackmore
aforesaid and that he was Christened by the Name
of Thomas by the Reverend Mr Farrell (now deceased)
and that both these Deponents were Sponsors for such
Child and who is now living.

Sworn at Chipping Ongar
the county of Essex the seventh day
of August 1813 – Before me
[signature cut off of foot of copy]

[Signed]
Rebeckh Burrell
Thos Walker
mary fitch

Stephen Vitou

Monday 7 July 2014

Tour de France in Essex Today

Edward Henry Lisle Reeve
(future Rector of Stondon Massey)
with Penny Farthing bicycle c.1880

Saturday 5 July 2014

Friday 4 July 2014

Blackmore: Change of Ecclesiastical Boundary 1955

Ecclesiastical Boundary of Blackmore redrawn

THIS ORDER IN COUNCIL WAS PUBLISHED
IN THE LONDON GAZETTE ON 8 JUL 1955

AT THE COURT AT HOLYROODHOUSE
The 30th day of June, 1955
Present,
THE QUEEN'S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY IN COUNCIL

Whereas the Church Commissioners have duly prepared and laid before Her Majesty in Council a Scheme bearing date the 20th day of May, 1955, in the words and figures following, that is to say : "We, the Church Commissioners, acting in pursuance of the Pastoral Reorganisation Measure, 1949, and the Union of Benefices Measures, 1923 to 1952, now humbly lay before Your Majesty in Council the following Scheme which we have prepared with the consent of the Right Reverend Falkner, Bishop of Chelmsford (in witness whereof he has signed this Scheme) for effecting (1) the union of the benefice of High Ongar with the benefice of Norton Mandeville (now part of the united benefice of Blackmore with Norton Mandeville) and (2) an alteration of the boundaries of the parishes of High Ongar and Blackmore, all of which benefices and parishes are in the diocese of Chelmsford.

"SCHEME

"1. Union of Benefices "
“(i) The benefice of High Ongar and the benefice of Norton Mandeville (now part of the united benefice of Blackmore with Norton Mandeville) shall be permanently united together and form one benefice with cure of souls under the style of 'The United Benefice of High Ongar with Norton Mandeville' (hereinafter called 'the united benefice ') but the parishes of the said benefices shall continue in all respects distinct.
"(ii) The remaining part of the united benefice of Blackmore with Norton Mandeville shall be known as 'The Benefice of Blackmore ' and the incumbent thereof shall have the cure of souls within the limits of the parish of Blackmore.

"2. Taking effect of union
"The union shall take effect upon the day when any Order of Your Majesty affirming this Scheme is published in the London Gazette and the Reverend Bernard Hartley, if he is then incumbent of the said benefice of High Ongar shall, with his consent (testified by his signature hereto), be the first incumbent of the united benefice.

"3. Parsonage house
"Upon the union taking effect the parsonage house at present belonging to the benefice of High Ongar shall be the house of residence of the incumbent of the united benefice.

"4. Patronage
"With the consent (testified as aforesaid) of the Right Reverend Falkner, Bishop of Chelmsford, being the patron of the united benefice of Blackmore with Norton Mandeville and with the consent (in testimony whereof they have executed this Scheme) of the Church Society Trust, being the patrons of the benefice of High Ongar, the interest of the said Bishop in the patronage of the said benefice of Norton Mandeville shall be surrendered in favour …
(D.C. 270) 1, 1,45
… of the said Church Society Trust and the patronage of the united benefice of High Ongar with Norton Mandeville shall belong wholly to the said Church Society Trust.

"5. Endowments
" (i) Upon the union taking effect the whole of the endowments and property now belonging to the united benefice of Blackmore with Norton Mandeville shall be annexed to the benefice of Blackmore.
"(ii) Upon the union taking effect a part of the endowments of the benefice of High Ongar, namely a capital sum sufficient to produce a permanent annual income of £200 being part of a larger capital sum held by us on behalf of the said benefice, shall be severed from that benefice and from the united benefice and shall be appropriated and held by us for the augmentation of the benefice of Blackmore.

"6. Alteration of boundaries
"Upon the union taking effect and with the consent (testified as aforesaid) of the said Reverend Bernard Hartley as the incumbent of the benefice of High Ongar, there shall be transferred and annexed to the parish of Blackmore all that part of the parish of High Ongar (coloured pink on the map annexed hereto) which is bounded upon the west and south-west by the parish of Stondon Massey, upon the east and south-east by the parish of Blackmore, upon part of the north by the parish of Norton Mandeville and upon the remaining part of the north and north-west by an imaginary line commencing at a point on the boundary which divides the parish of Norton Mandeville from the parish of High Ongar in the middle of the road which leads from Chelmsford to High Ongar where it is crossed by the last mentioned boundary and continuing thence south-westwards along the middle of the last mentioned road to a point opposite the northern end of the western boundary of close numbered 276 and continuing thence southwards to and thence generally south-eastwards along the last mentioned boundary to the point where it meets the north-eastern end of the wall or fence which divides the close numbered 318 from the close -numbered 319 on the map and continuing thence south-westwards along the last mentioned wall or fence to its junction with King Street and in the same straight line in continuation thereof to the middle of the last mentioned street and continuing thence north-westwards along the middle of King Street for a distance of approximately 4½ chains to a point opposite the northern end of the wall or fence which forms the north-western boundary of close numbered 320 and continuing thence south-westwards to and along the last mentioned wall or fence to its end and continuing thence north-westwards along the wall or fence which forms the north-eastern boundary of close numbered 346 and continuing thence generally southwards along the western boundary of the last mentioned close to the point where it meets the wall or fence which forms the south-eastern boundary of close numbered 345 on the map and continuing thence south-westwards along the last mentioned boundary and in continuation thereof along the wall or fence forming the south-eastern boundary of close numbered 344 on the map to a point where the last mentioned boundary meets an un-named stream and continuing thence generally south-westwards to and along the middle of the last mentioned stream (thereby crossing the bridle road which forms close numbered 408 on the map) to the boundary which divides the parish of High Ongar from the parish of Stondon Massey."
And Whereas the provisions of the Union of Benefices Measures, 1923 to 1952, the Union of Benefices Rules, 1926 and 1930, and the Pastoral Reorganisation Measure. 1949, relating to the preparation and submission of this Scheme have been duly complied with :
2
And Whereas the said Scheme has been approved by Her Majesty in Council : Now, therefore, Her Majesty, by and with the advice of Her said Council, is pleased hereby to affirm the said Scheme and to order that it shall be and become effectual in law immediately upon the publication of this Order in the London Gazette.
W. G. Agnew.
Printed by Hut MAJESTY'S STATIONERY OFFICE PRESS,

Drury Lane, W.C.2.

Thursday 3 July 2014

Writtle: Highest Temperature

The Met. Office says that the highest temperature of the year so far was recorded at Writtle in Essex today (Thursday 3 July 2014) at 28 deg. Celsius. It was certainly very warm in the back garden at Blackmore.

Wednesday 2 July 2014

High Country History Group: Journal No. 52 (June 2014)

High Country History Group: Journal No. 52 (June 2014): Members of the High Country History Group received their copies of the latest Journal at the meeting last week.  Items in this edition i...