PRESTON DEANERY PARISH MAGAZINE

June 1928

[After various notes, a report is provided from each of the eleven parishes in the Deanery.
That from Blisworth is reproduced below]

BLISWORTH.

The first meeting of the new Church Council was held on May 21st, there being present the Rector W. W. Colley, Messrs. H. Perkins, A. Harris, W. Collins, E. Griffith, T. Sturgess, E. Ayres, E. R. Freeston, Mrs. Sturgess, Mrs. J. Griffith, Mrs. E. T Freeston, Mrs. W. Harris, Mrs. G. Perkins, Mrs. H. Perkins, Mrs. O. Young, Mrs. A. Robinson. Miss Sharpe, Miss Ayres, and Mrs. Meers.  Apologies from Dr. and Mrs. Jeaffreson and Mrs. Colley. Dr. Jeaffreson was re-elected vice-chairman, and Mr. E, E. Griffith hon. secretary. The Parochial apportionment of the Diocesan Fund amounting, as last year, to £22 13s. 10d. was accepted, and a brief budget for the present year was put forward. The Prayer Book Measure of 1928 was discussed after a brief explanation from the Chairman, and it was decided to send a resolution to the local Member of Parliament, asking him to support the Measure. The Chairman mentioned that the new Prayer Book, if passed, need only be used by those parishes who wished to do so.
The wonderful improvement in the appearance of the churchyard and the cemetery, thanks to the zealous efforts of a number of volunteers, came up for the thanks and praise of the whole meeting. Mrs. J. Griffith has managed to inspire everyone with her own enthusiasm for the work, which is, after all, one of the duties assigned to all Church Councils. We may well be proud of the work done. The Chairman appealed for more subscribers to the Freewill Offerings. The Churchwardens largely depended on these, to balance their annual accounts. Mrs. Meers was appointed hon. secretary. Dr. Jeaffreson being treasurer, and other members of the committee are: Mrs. Arthur Green, Mr. C R. Shakeshaft, Mrs. W. Harris.
A set of new hymn books for the church and choir have been obtained as a gift to the church with the help of a grant from the publishers and a sum of 10s. handed in for Jumbles by Mrs. J. Lepper.  In the recent Church of England Temperance Society examination, eight members of the Guild of St. John were entered. They were: George Perkins, Percy Kendall, John Marriott, Bernard Burbidge, Paul Fitzhugh, Arthur Warren, Fred Digby and Gladys Goode.  George Perkins won a first-class certificate, Percy Kendall and Bernard Burbidge second class certificates. The Rural Dean's prize for the best paper among the juniors in the Deanery was won by Bernard Burbidge.  Blisworth was second for the junior banner.
The Girl Guides are to be congratulated on the success of their Social and Fancy Dress Competition on May 1st in aid of their Outing and Camp Funds. It is rumoured that some of them will be going to Skegness in Whitsun Week.
At a meeting of the Blisworth Nursing Association, held at Grafton House on May 18th, the annual balance sheet was presented, showing a balance in hand of £37 19s. 6d. Receipts included. Annual subscriptions, £20 6s. 3d.; quarterly subscriptions, £17 18s. 11d.; Whit. Mondav Fete, £55; Parish Church Collection, £1 18s. 4d; Baptist Church, £1 2s. 4d.; Maternity fees, £12 4s. The parish apportionment of £71 1s. had been sent to the Joint Committee Treasurer. Mr. T. Sturgess, as representing the Guardians, and Miss Young, in place of Mrs. Amos, whose death is very deeply regretted, were elected on the committee.
On Feast Sunday our Dedication Festival, June 24th, there will be the usual Hospital Church Parade, and collections during the day will be for the Northampton Hospital. On the following Tuesday the Sunday School Treat will be held at the Rectory, and on the following Thursday we shall be welcoming the Deanery branches of the Mothers' Union here for their Annual Summer Festival.   The Mothers' Union and Working Party are looking forward to a happy day at Bedford on Tuesday, June 12th. A motor coach will leave at 9.30, returning at about 9pm.  Tickets should be applied for on Tuesday, June 5th, at 2.30.
Empire Day was celebrated at the Council School with a programme of patriotic songs, saluting the flag, and short addresses from several of the Managers. We congratulate Frank Allen on winning for the school the junior cup at the Towcester Sports Competition.  The next meeting of the Flower Show Committee will be on Wednesday, June 13th at 8 p.m.