New Romney

Parish Church is holding a Festival of Flowers, illustrating the Fruits of the Spirit on September 2nd, 3rd and 4th.

Sunday School

Is closed and will recommence on 10th September.

J.H.G-W.G.

SCHOOL-LEAVERS' SERVICE AND PRIZE-GIVING

The annual Leavers' Service was held on the evening of 25th July. The eight young people who are going on to their secondary stages in their school lives were presented with their Mary Gibbon bibles by our Vicar. The service was well attended by parents and friends who heard the Rev. John Meacham direct his address towards the younger generation. The hymns were chosen by the leavers and the collection of £4 10s. goes to the Organ Fund, particularly honouring Mr. G. R. Bone, who rehearsed the choir and accompanied us for our service.

Prize-giving for the infants occurred earlier in the day while the juniors had their turn after the service. The Vicar performed the honours for the infants and Mr. Meacham did so in the evening. Parents and friends again supported us extremely well, being present in large numbers. Highlight of the evening was the expression of our appreciation for Miss S. C. Swan, who, after nearly six years of devoted Service to the school, is leaving for a new post in the East End of London; managers, staff, parents and children combined to present her with a travelling iron and travelling clock.

C.G.F.

LOCAL COMMENT

  1. Hartlip parishioner in conversation with the Vicar, informing him of his imminent departure to the North of England, reported that one house agent had sent him four addresses, three with the title "St. Andrew's Churchyard" and the other "St. Andrew's Square". He had written to the latter and had a note back saying - "owner recently deceased". As he said - "He's obviously joined the others in the churchyard".
  2. "I help Daddy to do his, work and we overtake the buses (Nigel Sharrocks, aged 5)
  3. "There was a Queen and she had three Kings". (Francesca Stafford, aged 6).

A LOCAL HISTORIAN LOOKS AT HARTLIP - No. 12

The accounts show the variety of tasks which fell upon parish officials. In order to keep vermin down payments were made to parishioners on production of the head of the so called vermin. It was very much like the rat and sparrow clubs which exist today. For a fox or badger 1/- was paid, and for a hedgehog or polecat 4d. The frequency of polecats appearing in parish records in the 18th century entries shows how this animal has since been wiped out from almost every part of England.

The parish officials made a regular going "ye bounds of ye parish" for which the expenses were paid, usually a liquid one. This was a very necessary undertaking in the days when there were no maps. While streets could not be shifted a neighbouring parish or landowner might encroach on parish land by moving parish fences or stones which, marked .... (cont.)