.Mexborough and Swinton Times, May 21, 1926

‘Council Sunday’ At Conisbrough
Thin Attendance Of Councillors

At the invitation of the new chairman of the Conisbrough Urban District Council, Mr. W. B. Wells, members of the Council, officials, and representatives of public bodies attended divine service at the Conisbrough Parish Church on Sunday morning, this being the first civic ceremony of its kind in Conisbrough.

There was, unfortunately, an unsatisfactory attendance of councillors. There were present, Mr. Wells, Mr. J. Drabble, Mr. J. Macclesfield, Mr. J. Brocklesby and Mr. I. Webster.

A procession formed at the Council Offices, headed by the bugle band of the Conisbrough Scouts, and included the police, Girl Guides, fire brigade, Freemasons, and members of the R.A.O.B.

The sermon was preached by the Rev. W. A. Strawbridge, vicar of Conisbrough, from the text

‘Behold’, the Kingdom of God is within you.’

The Vicar spoke of the general sense of thankfulness for relief from the worry, discomfort and strain imposed upon the nation by the recent general strike. They all hoped after their recent sad experience that the way would now be found for a firm and abiding compact between Capital and Labour, for the common prosperity of the commonwealth. He hoped that those who were present as representatives of the public authority of that district would feel that it was good for them to be there, and good for the community. They were privileged to govern the district of great historical interest, which had through the ages known various forms of government. The old Moot Hall which stood on the site now occupied by the Church School, and the old Moot Hall at Clifton, which could be traced on the map down to 1840, were monuments of a former type of civil administration in this district. Both Clifton and Conisbrough were mentioned in the Domesday Book, and the original overlord of Conisbrough was King Harold, the last of the Saxton kings. There had been at least 38 vicars of Conisbrough, and their names were being inscribed on a tablet shortly to be erected in the church.

The Vicar alluded to the progress of the district in modern times, and referred with approval to the recent union of Denaby and Conisbrough in a single area for local government purposes. He congratulated the local authority upon the vigour and diligence, they had shown in dealing with pressing sanitary and housing problems. Conisbrough had an exceptionally healthy situation, and it was the duty fullest advantage of natural conditions, and to improve those which were unfavourable to health and vigour and happiness. The traditions of Conisbrough were worth living up to, and they all looked to the Council to lead and inspire them in that direction.