One hundred year ago: January 1912

Post date: Jan 08, 2012 10:51:55 AM

The Notes and Notices section of the Wateringbury Parish Magazine from January 1912 gives an insight into life in Wateringbury 100 years ago.

THE PARISH MAGAZINE, 1912.—The cover of this the January number will, by the kindness of the District Visitors, be distributed gratis to every house in the Parish which does not regularly subscribe to the Magazine. This is done partly by way of a New Year's Greeting, partly for the purpose of advertising the Magazine in the hope of getting fresh subscribers. To cottagers, the Magazine is supplied under cost price in return for a regular payment of 1d. a month, or a subscription of 1/- a year. To tradesmen, the subscription price is 2/-. Other householders are expected to pay 3/- or more, though when the returns come in at the end of the year it is found in some cases to be less.

At the same time, again by the kindness of the District Visitors, and at their convenience, the Vicar distributes (as a little personal gift of his own) to every house a copy of the Parochial Almanac.

A series of ten meetings, organized by the Central Church Committee, to protest against the proposals to Disestablish and Disendow the Church in Wales will be held in the Mailing Rural Deanery towards the end of the month. The last of the series will be held in the Wateringbury Church Rooms on the evening of Thursday the 25th inst. The principal speaker will be W.T.Watson, a Welshman, Perpetual Curate of St. mark's swamsea, strongly recommended by the Bishop of St. David's, who will doubtless give us the facts concerning the immense progress of the Church in Wales as compared with other religious bodies during the last 30 years, and tell us the truth about the feeling that prevails in wales with regard to the Billby which it it is proposed to hamper the work which the Church is doing. We feel sure the Rooms will be filled. Time, 7.30 p.m.

WATERINGBURY MINIATURE RIFLE CLUB.—A great boon has been conferred upon our village by the generosity of Mr. R. H. Fremlin, who has fitted up and presented to this Club a Rifle Range, which, in the opinion of the Committee, may justly be regarded as probably second to none in Kent. The Committee earnestly hope that the young men and boys (those who are old enough in the district) will avail themselves extensively of this valuable acquisition and so prove their appreciation of Mr. Fremlin's genuine interest in their welfare.[Communicated by the President W.M.R. Club.]

Mrs. Hole, writing to the Vicar, has enclosed for publication in the Magazine the following letter, written from The Fir Trees, Hawkhurst, under date, New Year's Day, 1912:—

'' My dear Friends and Neighbours,

I found on my return home after spending Christmas with my son the very handsome and beautiful present which you have sent to me. I cannot express how very much I appreciate the kind feeling which prompted such a gift; it gave me a complete surprise, and will always keep me in mind of the kind people, and dear village, where I found a home in my great sorrow. Wishing you a very Happy New Year.

I am, Yours with affectionate gratitude,

CAROLINE HOLE."

G.F.S.—The Wateringbury Branch of the Girls' Friendly Society hope to give a Missionary Entertainment in the Church Rooms on the afternoon and evening of Tuesday, the 30th inst.

"Talks on Palestine."—The Vicar hopes to continue his talks on the 18th and 31st inst., and the 14th prox.

Ash Wednesday this year falls on Feb. 21st, and Easter Day on April 7th.

The Diocesan Conference is provisionally fixed for June 4th and 5th.

The Vicar's appeal for a good Church Collection on Christmas Day for the Sick and Poor Fund met with a great response: the collection amounted to £22 0s. 7d. We hope to publish Parochial Accounts in the February number of the Magazine.

The Rifle Club and Wateringbury branch of the Girls Friendly Society were both long-established clubs in the village.

Caroline Hole, who lived at The Beck, was the widow of Dean Hole of Rochester and had moved to the village following the death of her husband in 1904. It is known that in March 1907 she organised a meeting in the drawing room at The Beck in aid of the Canadian North West Territory (Saskatchewan) Missions. Her husband Samuel Reynolds Hole became Dean of Rochester in 1887.Noted for his expertise with roses and an inaugural recipient of the Royal Horticultural Society’s Victoria Medal of Honour.There is a memorial to Hole at Rochester Cathedral.