South Yorkshire Times February 26, 2055
The Parish Year
Conisbrough Vicars Review
Conisbrough Parish Church annual parochial meeting was held on Monday.
Election of official resulted: Vicars warden, Mr A Nixon; people’s warden, Mr J.P.Greathead; secretary Mr H Haigh.
The vicar, the Rev G.F.Braithwaite said, “On the grounds of one or two outstanding features, it is easy to say that locally we have had a successful year. The spiritual successor or failure, cannot so easily be measured and in this brief report on the years working I do not pretend to measure it.
I can merely say that the impression I’ve gathered, and would wish to convey to you, is a favourable one.
There has been among those the spirit of cheerfulness and good-humoured endeavour, as represented by a reasonably good attendance at church. The thriving activity of parochial organisation and the resounding success of numerous social and financial ventures, notably the Parish Gift day and its phenomenal result of £384 easily a record for this annual event. In regard to this I wish to thank and congratulate all the men you took part as givers, organisers and workers.
“For more than 11 months of the year we were without the services of an assistant curate – a grave situation for a growing parish of this size. But I’m glad to welcome in this capacity Rev A.S.Grant, who joined as in December, and to say that his help is, and will be, most valuable in carrying out the pastoral work that the church is called upon to do.”
Mr Braithwaite said in 1954, 3100 communions were made. This was a small decrease but they should try to turn it into a definite increase the present year.
The Memorial Scheme
“Two heating boilers had ‘resigned’ and had to be replaced with costs of over £250 – money which would have been useful in completing the Memorial Scheme. The scheme must be completed this year.
“That is why I am asking each organisation make a special effort in the near future before we embark on our next gift Day activities. I am writing to Mr Pace, the diocesan architect, to inform him of this; and I hope that within a short time, signs of activity will be evident, and that our chapel will become a reality instead of a dream.”
Our Mission Church at Clifton has kept up its head in spite of the inability of the clergy to devote a big proportion of time to the small community, and is dealt capably with its problems – including a major repair to heating system – and as laid the foundation of a phone redecorating the church.
“St Andrews too has taken a worthy share of parochial responsibility.
“I wish to congratulate all the organisations on what they have done and thank them for their part in the smooth working of the parish throughout a difficult time. Not least I am profoundly grateful to the churchwardens for their help, and to all church officers, councillors, sideman, teachers and helpers for support and cooperation.”