South Yorkshire Times – Saturday 11 April 1942
Conisbrough’s New Vicar
The Rev. George Needham, Vicar of St. Philip’s and St. Anne’s, Sheffield, has accepted the living of Conisbrough, vacant by the death of Canon H. Trevor Eddershaw.
A Sheffield man, Mr. Needham was appointed curate at St. George’s. Doncaster, in 1927, and in 1932 was instituted as Rector of 13raithwell-with-Bramley. He went to Sheffield as Vicar of St. Philip’s in November, 1936. In August, 1940, St. Philip’s Church was closed and the following May he was instituted Vicar of the joint parishes of St. Anne’s and St. Philip’s.
He had not been at St. Anne’s a week before a bomb struck the roof of the church, and in that and subsequent raids the church and parish suffered severely. Mr. Needham organised one of the first unofficial “relief” stations, where victims of raids could find rest, food and clothing.
Mr. Needham is a member of the Diocesan Board of Finance, of the Maintenance Committee and other diocesan committees. In addition to proving himself an ardent, progressive clergyman with a flair for leadership, Mr. Needham has been noted for his trenchant comments on Church administration and secular questions.
It is not expected that he will be leaving Sheffield just yet.