Church Groups , Blisworth, Northamptonshire, UK.

All pictures are presented at relatively low resolution.  There will be hundreds of pictures on this site - there is an economic limit to the webspace available.  The point of this presentation is that you can see for yourself the extent of the collection and return later as the collection expands - as it surely will.  Any interest in copies of a picture at a higher resolution (ie. clarity) should be directed through contacts given in the Blisworth "Round and About" parish council publication or using the comment form on the home page.  In some cases the pictures are not available due to copyright restrictions.  However, permission has been obtained, where possible, to include them here.  Printed below each image is the photographer's name, if known.

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42-01  Feast Week Procession, 1952

The banner, entitled the Lamb of God, dates back to the 19th century.  The picture of it was included in the scrapbook.  It was hung in the chancel as a rule.

circa 1955, choir procession around the beginnings of Connegar Leys.  In the background is the space to be later occupied by the top of Buttmead.

The choir is led by Peter Newcombe, photo by James Payler.

 

42-02   Service conducted by the Rev. Challen at the Old Cross in Blisworth Churchyard on Rogation Sunday.  This is an uncommon practice in recent years.  

Rogation Sunday falls five weeks after Easter and
is a time for asking God to forgive sins and to
bless the land for the coming growing season. During
a traditional ceremony, parishioners would walk
around the parish, bearing a cross and banners, asking
for the saints to intercede with God on behalf of the
crops, livestock, and fishing. As a sign of sincerity
they would give out alms to the poor and needy.
Afterwards they assembled at the church for
mass and communion.

There is documentary evidence from 1718 that a procession was held on the following Monday - Cross Monday.

 

 

 

 

 

42-03  An afternoon stop off at a pub garden in 1955:  William Whitlock (Sexton), Eddie Bennett (Farmworker and Postman) and Sid Newcombe (Churchwarden).

 

 

 

 

 
42-04   The choir on an outing to Hunstanton, 1952
42-05   The choir preparing for an outing to the Black Mountains, Wales in 1960.
42-06   1958 Church Fete "personalities" (all male!) and a group of key people that one suspects did most of the work ie. "helpers" - all women!

The original caption used the words in quotes and listed the names of only the men - typical of the times.
20-07   Church Choir in 1950-1.  Back row first, left to right:

Alf Collins, Syd Newcombe, George Dickens, Eddy Bennett, Eddy Ayres, Jack Digby, Ron Freeston, Bill Sturgess.

Mrs Abbott, Roger Sturgess, Mrs Mason, Edwin Freeston, Marion Sturgess, Mary Burton, Joyce Hankins, Derek Abbott, Joan Thompson, David Busby, Mrs Dickens, Mrs Harris.

Tony Newcombe, Rev Hopkinson, Mr Williams (ch. wdn), Mr Pauley (organist), Michael Freeston, Jim Payler.
Church Choir in 1953.  Back row, left to right; Bill Sturgess, Roger Sturgess, Tony Newcombe, Ronny Freeston, Jim Payler, Mr. Smith, George Dickens, Sydney Newcombe, Brian Warren, Eddie Ayres.

Middle row; Patsy Abbott, Mrs. Abbott, Marian Sturgess, Eric Warner, Joyce Hankins, Joan Thompson, Mrs. Mason.

Front row; Peter Newcombe, Paul Challen, Raymond Painter, Rev. Challen, Mr. Pauley (Organist), Richard Edwards, Michael Freeston, Peter battams
20-08  Mother's Union in the 1950's

 

Left to right:  Mrs Williams, Mrs Warren and Mrs Newcombe.

 
20-09   A choir gathering at the south door. Date unknown.
20-09a   Another choir bus trip.  Names as follows: from the left, Richard Edwards, Syd Newcombe, Peter Newcombe with Marion Clarke behind, Gerald Clarke, William Whitlock (hat) with David McDonald in front, Eddie Ayres and Rev Challen.  Towards the right, the lady with buttoned up coat in front is Doris Newcombe with Roger Sturgess behind.  The boy with windswept tie is Michael Pellet with Mrs Gibbard in hat behind.  Mr and Mrs Sturgess, both bespectacled, to far right. 
20-10a   Rev Henry Thomas Barry was the incumbent until 1904.  The 2nd generation in a sequence of three of Barry rectors.  It is said that he and his family used the priest door to the chancel and a private family pew in the chancel until c. 1889 when the organ was installed against the north wall of the chancel.
20-10   WW Colley and his wife, circa 1914.
42-07  The Rev Colley much later in life, leading the Feast Day procession.  A good picture of the Oddfellows banner can be found in the Sun, Moon & Stars section.
20-11   Rev. Harry Bunker at the wedding of his son, Nicholas.
20-12   Rev. Bunker, Churchwarden Martin Holiday, Bishop Alan Rogers (visiting, retired from the Diocese of Peterborough) and Churchwarden Dr Derek Bull.
20-13   It is hoped someone will report in with the mason's name!  East window of Blisworth Church, date unknown, Eddie Ayres in attendance.
20-14   Left to right, front row to back.

 Michael Pellet,Mr Sid Newcombe,  Eddie Ayres, Rev Challen, W Whitlock, W Strugess, George Dickens, Mr. Smith

Doris Newcombe, Mrs Sturgess, ?, Mrs Smith(PO), Julie Smith, Margaret Digby, Dorothy Gibard, Joan Tompson, Marion Sturgess.

Tony Newcombe, John Venner, ?, Paul Challen, Peter Newcombe, Martin Digby, Roger Sturgess, Gerald Clark, ?

 

 

 

 

The Rev. Edwin Puckle, curate at Blisworth Church from 1859 to 1868.  One of Richard Dunkley's daughters, Elizabeth, married Rev. Puckle, who later became rector of Alby church in Norfolk.