EARBY WESLEYAN DIAMOND JUBILEE

[Stanley]

EARBY WESLEYAN DIAMOND JUBILEE
SUNDAY SCHOOL STALWARTS
TEACHING, SECULAR AND RELIGIOUS
This weekend the diamond jubilee of the Earby Wesleyan Church Sunday School will be fittingly celebrated by a summer fete on Saturday and special services on Sunday. The Wesleyan cause in Earby dates back to the earliest days of the 19th century. according to the records at Albert Road Chapel, Colne, there was a well established society with twenty members in 1805. The first preaching place was a room at the bottom of Stoneybank Road, and in 1821 a chapel was built higher up the road at a spot called Stoopes Hill.

The necessity for a Sunday School was urgently realised, for very few of the village children received any education at that time, and like most Sunday Schools at the time of their inception, the Methodist Sunday School was not only utilised for religious instruction, but for the teaching of reading and writing. In later years an evening school was promoted for the purposes of affording elementary education. According to evidence supplied to me several years ago by Thomas Wilkinson (who was always called "Tommy o't Vargis," and who spent the latter part of his life at Gisburn), the first superintendents were Parker Greenwood and Benjamin Emmott, and the first teachers included William Turner, Richard Wilkinson, George Wilkinson and Mary Wilkinson, the latter person being familiarly called "Mary o' Gabriel's." The female teachers were usually attired in check aprons during school hours.
In later years, Parker Greenwood's son, Robert, had a long term as superintendent, and Robert's son, Parker Greenwood, so well known throughout Craven, was the school secretary. The Pickles family were devoted workers at the Sunday School, and John Pickles was a superintendent highly revered by all who knew him. A valuable supporter of the Sunday School was Mr. John Wilson, a very highly esteemed retired gentleman at Thornton-in-Craven, who was also the chapel steward at Earby and circuit steward of the Circuit.

After the new chapel was erected in 1861, the old chapel was used for Sunday School purposes until 1872, when the passing of the Education Act of 1870 caused the erection of a new school. The stone laying ceremony took place on July 10th, 1871, being Earby Feast Monday, and the memorial stone was laid by Mrs. Christopher Bracewell. A record of the ceremony states "that the stone was surrounded by a most select and happy-looking company, including gentry from Colne, Thornton, and elsewhere, and included ministers of various denominations." The event aroused much interest, and the day marked the entry upon a new era for the children of Earby.

AN ENCOURAGING REPORT.
The school was opened in 1872, and the first schoolmaster was Mr. Samuel Leach, Mrs. Leach being the schoolmistress and Ann Brunskill infant mistress. In 1874 and 40 night-school scholars. The Government inspector's report was very praiseworthy : "The condition of this new school is very creditable (he said) ; the infants are well cared for, and the elementary subjects are well taught throughout the school. The singing is very spirited, and the needlework satisfactory."

Mr. Leach is remembered not only as a master possessing scholarly attainments, who was very neat and methodical in his habits, but as one who had a keen interest in children, and was very kindly disposed to them. He was a stern disciplinarian but also of a tender heart. Mrs. Leach was a most gracious lady and a talented musician, and is remembered with grateful affection by all who came under her influence. On Mr. Leach's retirement in 1885, Mr. and Mrs. Leach, with their two daughters, Louisa and Bessie, settled at Ingleton.

Other teachers who were associated with Mr. Leach were Miss Wright and Miss Petty, of Skipton; Mr. W. Teale, of Skipton; Mr. Henry Wilkinson, who as a young man became a Government inspector, and has had a fine career; the brothers James, Ebenezer and Albert Brown; Mr. Willie Taylor; Mr. Charles Watson Bailey, Mr. Levi Turner; and Miss Maggie Greenwood. Miss Tomlinson, as infant mistress, was a lady of fine character, charming disposition, and had a soprano voice of exceptional merit. Mr. James Lindley accepted the appointment of headmaster in 1885, and he came at a time when the village was under a dark cloud. Industrial depression had set in, the Brace-well regime had come to an end, and everything was in "low water." Mr. Lindley, who was a native of Headingley, and trained at Westminster College, brought new life into the school and the village. He had personality, enthusiasm, and an unbounded affection for children, which, combined with his scholastic qualifications, made him an ideal master.

Shortly after his appointment to the Earby School, Mr. Lindley was married to Miss Sutherby, of Huddersfield, a lady, the perfect embodiment of sweetness and grace. For a time she assisted Mr. Lindley in teaching special subjects, such as sewing and needlework, and she endeared herself to the children who came under her care.

NEW HYMNS.
Singing continued to be a special feature of the school, under Mr. Lindley's direction, and he introduced several modern hymns and tunes into the devotional exercises, such as "'Brightly beams our banner," "All things bright and beautiful" and "Hushed was the evening hymn," which afforded much pleasure to the children. But what a surprise Mr. Lindley had when Christmas time drew near, end Christmas hymns and carols became the order of the day—when for the first time he heard 200 Earby children lustily and tune-fully singing "While shepherds" to the tune of "Old Glory." When anything pleased him in the conduct of the scholars he literally beamed with joy. On the other hand, as most of the children knew, he could administer correction according to the recognised custom of the times. "Spare the rod and spoil the child," was a proverb which afforded a timely warning to teachers and parents in those days, and they did not forget it.

Another feature of Mr. Lindley's conduct of the school was his addresses from the desk. Interspersed with wise counsel, his remarks were interwoven with charming stories, and what a raconteur he was! No one who was privileged to listen could ever forget the thrills they experienced as they "sat at his feet,” on those occasions.

Associated with Mr. Lindley in the latter days of the school were Miss Gott, Miss Teasdale, Miss Smith, Miss Carradus (as infant mistresses), and other teachers included Miss Alice Whitehead, Miss Alice Cutler, Mr. Chorlton, Mr. Reed, Miss Lille and Miss Calverley.

The "Day School" was transferred to the West Riding County Council in 1904, and a few years later the scholars were transferred to the new school on Alder Hill. The school was also used as an infants school after the Old Grammar School was closed, and it was in charge of Miss Waddington, Miss Spencer and Miss Hartley.

The Sunday School in the new premises continued to exert a beneficial influence upon the children of the village. The School was always well supplied with superintendents, teachers and officers, and this contributed in a marked degree to its success. Mr. John Taylor, the mill blacksmith, was an ideal superintendent; he had a fine personal appearance, massive brow, flowing beard, and a benign countenance. His addresses from the desk were always marked by shrewd counsel and tender sympathy. His life was cut short "in midst of the years," but he left behind him a fragrant memory.

TERROR FOR HIS SIZE.
Mr. James Brown had a long association with the School as superintendent, and for more than fifty years he served the School in that capacity, with few intervals of rest. He was short and spare in appearance, but "he was a terror for his size," as Kipling would say. When announcing the hymns, his voice sometimes rang out in startling tones, and he imparted a sense of dramatic reality as he proceeded to read or speak, or pray. He was the essence of fervent devotion, and his frequent talks to the scholars were characterised by the most original ideas and illustrations, and always concluded in a torrent of the most thrilling natural eloquence. From being a poor, despised, ignorant lad, he became one of the most distinguished townsmen Earby has possessed. He was the first village postmaster and newsagent, and no one was better known or respected. In his advanced age, he delighted to speak an encouraging word to any aspiring Earby lad.

There are many others who served as superintendents well deserving of honourable mention—Henry Brown, a great lover of children; George P. Hartley, an ardent lover of the Chapel and School, and always to be relied upon; James Moorhouse and James Lindley, and who as teachers of the Adult Bible Class for many years were a tower of strength to the School; Tom Brown, who came from Tebay, and who was second to none in his devotion to the School; John W. Wilson, who came from Silsden; and Harry Lumb, his brother-in-law, who hailed from Denholme, both of whom had a passionate interest in the welfare of the School ; Joseph W. Knight, who migrated from Gargrave, and who, after a long spell of service, has resumed his place as one of the leaders of the School, proudly "holding the fort" ; and William Pawson, who as teacher, harmonium player and superintendent lived for the School, if ever any man did—how he loved to teach the children new hymns and tunes, and prepare them for the anniversary and school entertainments!

IN THE RANKS.
From the ranks of the teachers may be recalled the names of Margaret Broughton, Elizabeth Green, Eliza and Emma Lund, Isabella and Mary Jane Taylor, Elisabeth and Carrie Bracewell, Martha Ellen Duxbury, Mary Alice and Elizabeth Higson, May Fletcher, Ann Howarth, Nancy Waddington, Lily Haworth, Nellie Brown; and of the men, John Duxbury, Benjamin Parker, Alfred Varley, William Moorhouse, William Brown, John Bradshaw, James Dodgson and his sons Jonathan and John, John and Ralph Pawson, Alfred Astin, Alpha Mounsell, James Haworth, James Lofthouse, J. W Brown, and many others.

The secretaries of the school have been noted for loyalty and efficiency, and include Edmund Lund, Parker Greenwood, Charles Green, Joseph Kay, Chas. G. Hartley, Horace Pawson, Clarence Thompson, Hartley Gibb.

A special feature of the School in later years has been the Primary Department, which was inaugurated by Miss Calverley, and has been continued (as leaders) by Matilda Waite, Eva Wilkinson, the present leaders being Margaret Firth and Annie Payne.

For about ten years there has been troop of Boy Scouts, the present leader being Herbert Lumb, and the Cubs' leader, Gordon Wright. Other leaders have been Lewis Wright and Herbert Waddington. A Girl Guide troop was also formed a few years ago, with Eva Wilkinson as leader. She was succeeded by Lily Shuttleworth, and Annie Kay. This troop is now merged in the Earby Rangers.

The superintendents of the School at present are J, W. Knight, John Hartley and J. A. Brown; adult school president, Alfred Astin, junior, and Allen Benjamin is the secretary.
J.H.
The Craven Herald – Friday, August 12, 1932
Transcribed from the Craven Herald, written by John Hartley.
From a collection of newspaper cuttings made by J. Hartley kindly loaned by Mrs. E. Wilkinson.
April 17, 2005
1885
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