In January 1925 the Rev. H.V. Hibbert started a parish magazine as a 'venture', copies of which were bound and are available today. They give a fascinating glimpse into the life of Enderby and it's church all those years ago.

The first 'Letter from the vicar' section started "My dear friends, First, let me greet you all through the medium of our Parish Magazine. The Magazine is a 'venture', for I am told that former Magazines have not 'paid their way'. However, let us hope that this time it will not only prove successful from a financial point of view, but be of special interest and benefit to its readers."

Subscribers would also receive a copy of 'The Sign' with edifying stories and news, as well as the diocese of Peterborough leaflet. Some stories had some wonderfully dramatic illustrations as shown here.

By the end of 1925 the success of the magazine was apparent and the vicar talked of it in his letter for December; "With this December number of the Parish magazine we have reached the end of our first year's "venture", and volume No.2 will begin with January, 1926. I do most sincerely hope that the magazine has been well worth the effort expended on it, for I have endeavored to make it as interesting, attractive and informative as possible. I think a magazine invaluable because it helps to bring the parish priest into closer relationship with his parishioners. The vicar's letter, whatever it may contain and however worded, is a personal letter to all who read it. Will you think of it as such?

We have at the present time about 440 subscribers, which for the first year is really very good. I hope we may be able to get a few more, as I am aiming at a circulation of 500 copies of the magazine per month.

I cannot say just now how it has fared from a financial point of view, but I think we shall have paid our way. I have not tried to make a big profit out of it as I wanted you all to have full value for your money. One parishioner said the other day that he thought the magazine was "a good twopennyworth", and that speaks for itself."

It appears that Enderby was only just being electrified. The church decided that year to use any money from the garden fete to pay to be connected. In July the vicar wrote "that the fete would bring 'ample sufficiency' for our requirements in connection with the installation of electric lighting in the church. A start has been made in the village and there is abundant hope to its being installed before the end of the year".

Some objected to this use of the money; "There are a few, again we hope only a small minority, who are not anxious to support our endeavour and who criticised the object for which we had our fete. If these good people come to Sunday Evensong, I wonder if they are entirely satisfied with present system of lighting! Many complaints were made last winter that the lighting was so poor that some of the congregation could hardly use their prayer and hymn books. One knows that there are many other requirements needed for the Church, but surely an adequate and up to date lighting system is essential, apart from the further consideration of cleanliness". The last point probably referring the use of gas lighting at the time.

In October he was able to write that "it is a real treat to have electric light in the church. Almost everyone has remarked upon the altered appearance, and the side aisles have now a good system of lighting as well as the nave and the chancel". Also in January 1926 he wrote "It must be admitted that the new system of lighting, and the removal of the hideous gas-fittings, have greatly improved the appearance of the Church"

In September the vicar wrote "Heartiest congratulations to Jack Hobbs for the wonderful achievement of attaining 126 centuries as Dr W G Grace did... In our various capacities we can score 'hundreds' of good deeds if only we 'play the game'".

It appears that before Easter some people rented the pews they sat in, but the church council decided to be 'revolutionary'. In February 'HAJ' wrote "Commencing at Easter, all seats in our church will be free and unappropriated. To some this may appear revolutionary. As long as people think, you cannot prevent revolution. Silent revolutions are constantly taking place. They are part of the nations progress".

Those who paid the pew rents in the past were thanked, "... I wish it clearly to be understood that we are very grateful indeed to the generous people who, for so many years, have paid pew rents. In years gone by we should have been very hard pressed without the money thus brought to our exchequer. I know full well you like to sit in the same seat each time you attend Church, and I do not believe that anyone would knowingly occupy your seat. If you feel that pew rent weighing heavily in your pocket, why not transfer its weight to the F.W.O. box?
Now, forget yourself for a moment, and think of others. Think of your less fortunate brethren who cannot afford to pay pew rent! What are their feelings? How would you like to be in their position? You are so magnanimous that you would not like it at all. Remember, too, that the system of "reserved seats" keeps many people away from Church. They feel that the system is inconsistent with Christianity. The fruits of it are envy, hatred, malice and uncharitableness, from which things we pray to be delivered.
Consider again. Is not equality the very essence of Christianity? Class distinction is one of the root causes of present day troubles. If there is class distinction in the House of God, how can you expect those outside to live in peace and goodwill? How can you expect them to enter Church? How can you expect anything except painful bickerings? Let us, who drink of One Cup, be really one in true brotherhood !
Do not fear that the Church will suffer financially.
I know of no single case where this has happened. It has been the reverse. The Church has flourished. There is more freedom in Christianity than in any other religion the world has known. Let us not deny its freedom to any!"

At the end of 1924, the church's council decided to promise £100 towards the creation of the diocese of Leicester (splitting from the Peterborough diocese) and throughout 1925 the need to collect the money is mentioned.

In January church members were told "The envelope scheme was adopted, and intending subscribers are kindly asked to put the amount they promise..... on a form to be found in each copy of the months magazine"

By June the vicar was becoming concerned. "I am anxious about the division of the diocese fund in Enderby. We decided that we would send a sum of at least £100, and in promises and gifts already received they have not quite reached half the amount..... Well! promises are meant to be kept and I know we shall keep ours."

Each month, throughout the life of the magazine, the magazine noted baptisms, weddings and funerals. In a number of cases the same name was mentioned in the baptism and burial lists with dates which differed by only 2 to 4 days. It also illustrates that many died earlier then than is the case now;

For example, the August magazine listed 6 burials of people aged 36 years, 25 years, 22 years, 16 years, 7 years old and in the last case 4 hours old.

In January it was realised that " the Peterborough diocesan leaflet was rather an expensive addition to our magazine" but "The Sign" was retained and as in 1925 the readers were to be reminded in each month's magazine of 1926 of delicious Mazawattee Tea.

In September, the vicar was delighted to confirm that the church had got together the £100 they promised to give to help the creation of the diocese of Leicester. "I am very glad that we have redeemed our promise.... And we have done this by means of personal subscriptions".

A former vicar of Enderby was asked back for a day and the incumbent vicar was impressed by what he had to say; "Parishioners were glad to welcome Mr. Aylward at the Sunday evening service, and many said how well he was looking. Before he commenced his sermon he referred in affectionate terms to those who had departed from our midst since his last visit, and especially he mentioned Mr. Whiteley, our late parish clerk, and a former sidesman. In the appropriate sermon that he preached there were many points concerning which we should do well to remember. I will suggest two only.

1st that we come to Church for purposes of worship. There are other reasons but worship is the primary one, for "God is a Spirit, and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth." We must not imagine that listening to a service " over the wireless " as we sit in a comfortable chair in front of a fire (whether there is little or much coal in the grate) is the offering to God of the best worship that we can give. Readers of this magazine know my views concerning " wireless," as I have referred repeatedly to the wonderful and God-given gift of broadcast services, especially for the sick and infirm, bringing as they do comfort and peace into many a home. But when all is " said and done" they cannot possibly take the place of public worship in the House of God.

2nd with regard to sermons, Mr. Aylward said that we must not speak always about enjoying a sermon. The best sermon is not necessarily the one which we enjoy, it may be the one which makes us feel somewhat uncomfortable. I wonder if you have ever given this a thought! Our lives are often humdrum and we do feel that we need a little cheering up when we come to Church on Sundays. All the same I am quite certain that sermons are useless if they do not inspire us to further effort in our struggle after holiness. There is need for different types of sermons I know well, but I am sure there is abundant need of sermons which will make us think, and think seriously sometimes, of the things that really matter."

In January the vicar wrote "It has been suggested that with the coming of wireless many people stay at home on Sunday evenings, instead of attending Church, and put their 'phones' on, or tune in for the loud speaker, when the religious broadcast is broadcast after 8 O'clock. Last summer I had an argument with nearly a dozen other clergy as to whether services broadcast by wireless were harmful in that they kept people away from Church.... I took up the cudgels on behalf of those who feel that such services meet a well-felt need. I said that any harm which might result would be more than compensated by the good that they do week by week. There are the hospitals and infirmaries where patients who are well enough to listen in can find some spiritual comfort: and workhouses and such like institutions also benefit. Blaby union now possesses 'wireless' and for those who cannot attend the chapel service on Sundays, there is opened out for them a boon and a blessing. I feel sure that broadcasting has a wonderful future, and glorious possibilities previously undreamt of by man." It is probably true that he could not foresee what broadcasting is now, boon or not.

Indeed he notes "I would just point out, however, that listening to a beautiful service broadcast on any Sunday does not do away with the obligation of public prayer and worship for those who are fit and able to attend their parish church, and it is worth remembering that the sacraments cannot be administered by wireless."

In January the vicar mentions the need for a 'freewill offering scheme' and in June 'parochial fund leaflets' were given out as 'splendid' Sunday collection were not covering the costs of the church. "One knows that money is none too plentiful, but if we wait until it is plentiful, we may have to wait a long time."

Things did not start off brilliantly. In October, the vicar wrote "Our 61 subscribers out of a population of just under 3,000 is not too generous!" and the Financial Committee published a special appeal for a better response stating "very heavy accounts have had to made this year and unless funds are forthcoming we shall, at the end of December, be heavily in debt. Surely it is not too much to ask, that out of what has been given to us we should at least return something to God and his Church".

During harvest festival each year the parishioners gave gifts intended for Leicester Infirmary. Harry Johnson, the Infirmaries house governor sent a reply quoted in November's magazine;

"It is with sincere pleasure and gratitude that I acknowledge the generous gifts of fruit, vegetables, bread, plants, sweets and 180 eggs which have arrived from members of Enderby Parish Church. These will make very acceptable additions to our stores, and help us considerably in providing for the daily needs of nearly 600 people"

In October the vicar wanted to 'let off steam' about an idea. "I am hoping to start a league of prayer very soon, and before doing so I thought I would just tell you something about it. The need of real prayer is great, never more than now, and why should we not use the house of prayer for the purpose?.... The only obligation is that each member shall spend at least 10 minutes a week in intercession, in church apart from service times."

"I feel sure that. It will bring down a blessing upon the parish, and the Church's work whether at home and abroad, as well as upon ourselves, our own needs and those of others. And at the same time it will teach us to pray.... The chief attraction will be its simplicity. Lists of special intercessions will be given to members each month..."

"We do need, in the midst of this busy, hurrying world, with all its distractions, to wait upon God, to offer up our intercessions, and wait in silence for God's voice speaking to us. 'Speak, Lord, for thy servant heareth'. 'Be still and know that I am God'".

A fulsome appreciation of George Tunnicliffe, who had died after 60 years service as parish clerk, proves interesting reading.

"When only 14 1/2 years old, he was asked by the then vicar of Enderby, Mr. Newby, if he would assist Mr. Bramley (who was getting to be an old man) in his work as parish clerk, he readily consented to do so.... He continued to give help to Mr. Bramley until the later resigned his office, and then in the year 1865, when Mr. Tunnicliffe was about 15 1/2 years old, he was temporarily appointed to the position."

"When he commenced his duties, it was in the old church where old boxed pews with doors were used, and the church was lighted with candles, and often one of the duties of the clerk was to go round at intervals to snuff them. We have moved forward since then to gas, and later to electric light. He had this important office for just over 60 years and during that time he served under 6 vicars, and if they were here to speak about him, they would, I am sure, say a devotion to duty was a strong trait in his character...."

"Many changes have taken place during his term of office, but he was always the same, and as far as possible he tried to treat everybody with respect. '"He put his hand to the plough and turned not back "; with patient determination he carried on the routine of his duties, however irksome it might be. He bore the disappointments and the nasty things he time to time had said to him, with fortitude and hope. He has literally lived for the church, and no one can approximately estimate what he has sacrificed for it. He was endowed with an equable temperament, with a kindly disposition, with an integrity of purpose, and a true nobility as a Christian man. He was faithful, loyal, pious and worthily upheld the dignity of his office, always having the same purpose mind, viz. : to serve his God and his fellow men...."

"Mr. Tunnicliffe was a man who had very little education, he had to commence work when he was about nine years of age, and although his lack of education was a great disability, he made himself fully acquainted with the true doctrines of the Anglican. Church, and if at any time one wanted to know anything about the prayer book, or the law governing the church, he was quite able to give them the necessary information. He also made a study of his bible, and being a well balanced man he was not drawn away with any wind of doctrine...."

"How we shall miss him ! Oh, that in this apathetic age many may be moved to catch his spirit and emulate his example."

The vicar added in his letter "Every 'stick and stone' of the church was loved by him and cared for as if it were a precious thing to be treasured.... I feel I have lost a friend, a fellow worker and one who really and truly 'believed in the Lord'".