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Summer Fete 2008 Here are some pictures of St.Mary's Church Summer Fete 2008
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PISTOLS AT DAWN, VICAR? - SURELY NOT! From: 'The Story of Prittlewell
Church’ by Ellis N Gowing , Vicar (1917-1960). For many years Prittlewell was noted for its ringing. There is an entry (in the Parish Records) in 1788 of the days sanctioned for this purpose which were 29th of May, 4th of June, 5th of November, and 25th of December, upon each of which days the ringers received 10 to 12 shillings (50 to 60 p). They rang likewise on New Year's day, Fair, and Coronation days, &c., but upon any great victory obtained by sea or land, the parishioners likewise allowed extras, such as wine. &c., besides refreshment at the public houses.
The cost of the bell ropes was enormous, and this constant ringing at length produced pain as well as pleasure, and led to some unpleasant and unseemly brawls between some of the parishioners and the Vicar, Dr Nolan. The original rules sanctioned by him, were, that the ringing should commence at 5 a.m., which he subsequently wished to change to 8 a.m. This was opposed by the parishioners, and the ringing continued at the former hour, although the nuisance to the Vicar was intolerable, as his house joined the Churchyard.
During this squabble, upon Sunday morning, June 14th, 1840, between 9 and 10 o'clock, the Vicar during the ringing, entered the belfry in an excited state, with a carving knife, flourishing it over their heads, and trying to cut the ropes, in order to deter them. This fracas led to summonses and cross-summonses being issued for the parties to appear before the Justices.
Soon after the police were employed by the Vicar, to prevent access to the Church, and in retaliation, his windows were broken night after night with brickbats, the Doctor replying by discharging pistols, with which weapons his wife was likewise armed. In spite of bolts, bars, and Chubb's locks, when other manoeuvres failed, the men obtained access by mounting the roof and passing through a door thereon which communicated with the belfry.
Shots were fired from the Vicarage, responded to by groans and shouts of murder. At length five of the ringers were cited to appear in the ecclesiastical court at the complaint of Dr Nolan. Heavy fees to the Surrogate became due, their proctor failed to attend one sitting, whereby they were adjudged to be guilty of contempt. In the meantime on the 5th of November the Doctor was burnt in effigy at Prittlewell, dressed in surplice and book in hand.
Law proceedings continuing, the Sheriff apprehended one of the offenders by warrant, and he was incarcerated in the debtor's prison at Moulsham for 13 weeks, when the Surrogate's fees being paid by subscription, he was released after taking an oath (which had been exacted from the others) that he would not again molest the Vicar or say anything against him. Apart from minor changes for clarity, the original language of the report has been retained.
The fete was opened by the Chief Executive of H.A.R.P (Southend Homeless Action Resource Project) Thank you
to all those adults and children who came to make this year's fete a
great success. __________________________ |
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