Friends of Woodthorpe Grange Park 2023
Parochial Church Council Meeting 28 February, 1940
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The Chairman, Rev. E. Lysons, stated that the last years working was successful to a point and efforts have been made to extend and consolidate the works of the parish until the outbreak of the War in September had curtailed activities considerably.
Many of the younger members of the congregation were now serving in the King’s Forces and blackout restrictions which necessitated an afternoon Evensong during the winter months had affected the congregation adversely whilst the experiment of holding an additional Evensong at 6.30pm was not successful.
The work of the Sunday School and Catechism had been carried on under great difficulty owing to the evacuation of scholars at the outbreak of War, and the temporary loss of the use of Seely Schools on account of the lack of adequate shelter.
The Choir had also been handicapped on account of the evacuation of boys and the military service undertaken by the young men.
Financial problems were great and provision was also needed to look after the youth of this generation who were facing a conflict of ideals. The ideals of freedom and democracy rested on the Church’s teaching.
The greatest need of today is the Faith of the Church and efforts must be made to bring the message to the people as we had to learn a lesson before the War could be brought to a satisfactory conclusion.
As the youngest Church in Nottingham, we could go on hopefully encouraged by past blessings and faith to guide us in the future.
The services of a Parish Nurse were also required, but as Woodthorpe subscribed to the County Nursing Association and Carrington also collected in the district there would be likely to be difficulty in obtaining the necessary support. This matter might be given further attention at an organised Parochial meeting.
As a Wartime economy the collection of waste paper and newspaper was being organised and the possibility of collecting the commodities in the parish might be discussed. In conclusion, the Vicar thanked all officials of the Church for their loyal cooperation and the worshippers for their support, and he hoped that the cloud of War might soon be removed, that those serving in the Forces would safely return and that full parochial work might be resumed.
New Parsonage: The Chairman referred to the urgent necessity of a parsonage which would be more convenient in regard to accommodation and situation than the present house which is unsuitable and somewhat inaccessible.
The Chairman mentioned that an offer of a house on Trevose Gardens had been made furnished at £4 per week or unfurnished at £2. 10s (£2.50p) plus rates. “Ashleigh” Mansfield Road was also shortly to become vacant at a rental of £100 per annum plus a rateable value of £56.
On learning of the possibility of its use as a parsonage the owner, Mr. Adams had generously offered to reduce the rental by £20 per annum, having thus shown his continued interest in the work of the parish.
The building of a new Vicarage was impossible during the war, and the grants formerly given by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, which had now been suspended might not be resumed immediately afterwards. It was stated that all appreciated the continued inconvenience to which the Vicar had been subjected during his tenure of 23 Joyce Avenue since 1926 and felt that the offer of Ashleigh should be accepted as such a favourable proposition might not again be forthcoming, and some provision would have to be made in the near future.
It was also appreciated that the Vicars energetic work in the parish, which would be alleviated to some extent by the lease of a parsonage in closer proximity to the Church.
It was proposed and seconded and unanimously carried forward that the Vicar be asked to negotiate for the lease of “Ashleigh” Mansfield Road for the shortest possible period, in accordance with the terms offered.