Hundred Years of Church Service Between Them

Many people may be interested to know that at Denaby Parish Church, a sister and brother have over 100 years between them in service to the church.

We refer to Mrs C Wathey, of 45 Tickhill Street, and Mr T Holcroft of 20 Wheatley Street. Mrs Rossi was for many years a Sunday schoolteacher when the Sunday school was held in the “Large Hall,” Rossington Street Schools.

She has been a member of the parochial Council since its inception and for over 30 years she has been secretary of the Mother’s Union and has assisted in the organisation of many efforts for the church and charities. For over 16 years she has organised the popular Saturday evening dances in the church hall and these have been the means of raising much money for the church extension fund and other efforts for the church. In this latter work she has been accompanied by her friend (Mr Roberts) who has also been connected with the church for over 50 years. She still very keen on a church work in spite of advancing years and their many friends in the church and district will be pleased to learn that she is now making satisfactory progress after an accident in which she was involved on Boxing Day.

Began as a Choirboy

Her brother (Mr Holcroft) has about 54 years continuous service with the church. He commenced as a choirboy at the age of 10 and from the quietly took up Sunday school teaching work, which he carried on for 36 years, and during that time was secretary, treasurer and superintendent of the school (the latter for 15 years). He also serves on the Parochial Council (of which for many years he was secretary), is collector of the church National Savings groups and for the last 24 years has been honorary Lay reader to the church. In addition to this work he also serves on the Doncaster Hospital Management Committee and was until the end of last year a Special Constable.

Mr and Mrs Holcroft were responsible for many years for the annual pantomime arranged for church funds when the “Large Hall” stage provided ample scope for the production and the scenery was often kindly loaned by the Prince of Wales Theatre, Mexborough.