The Edwardian tranquillity of a Worth Valley Sunday, together with the immaculate turnout of its churchgoing young men, is evoked in this view of Marsh Wesleyan Chapel, from an imaginative ‘art nouveau’ postcard produced by some enterprising local photographer or stationer.
Despite appearances here, a lively social life revolved around Marsh Wesleyan Chapel and Sunday School.
Annual highlights included a tea and entertainment on Christmas Day, a prize-giving and, above all, an anniversary, which in fine weather used to be held in an adjoining field and attracted large gatherings.
Sunday Schools minute-books offer revealing insights. At their Whit treat in 1894, scholars consumed 260 cakes, 120 oranges, 28lb of nuts and 28lb of ‘spice’. From 1901, boys appointed as organ-blowers were paid ten shillings a year.
A teachers’ meeting comes vividly to life: “Moved by Joe Wadsworth seconded by John Feather that there be a teachers tea on the second Saturday in October.
“Moved John Pighills seconded by John Murgatroyd that the above tea be a plain one.
“As an amendment, William Preston moved and Joe Wadsworth seconded that the above be a ham tea. The amendment was carried.”
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