After having suffered a Typhoid epidemic during the previous year, 1896 ended in sadness as sickness hit Enderby families again. The vicar's letter dated December 26th 1896 mentions the sickness;

"As I write there is much sickness in the village, chiefly amongst the children, and many little ones have, during the last few weeks, been called back to Him who gave them. I trust that, if God will, this may soon pass away, and that (though in this case we cannot blame the water) before this New Year closes, Enderby may possess - what she sorely needs - a good water supply!"

As noted in the review for 1894, the Rev. Aylward intended to stand for the first parish council in Enderby. After over a years silence, the vicar writes about it again;

"One word on a very different subject. The Annual Parish Meeting for the appointment of Parish Councilors will be held in the schools, on Monday, March 9th. My earnest hope is that we may be able, at that meeting, to elect nine suitable members to represent us on the parish council, and so save the Parish the trouble and expense of a contested election."

Next month's letter ended with a strong indication that the Rev. Aylward had been elected to the Parish Council;

"Before I close I wish to say two words of thanks; first, for much sympathy and many kind enquiries during my late sharp illness; and secondly, for the kindly feeling displayed by the large vote given to me at the late Parish Council Election. I hope my parishioners will believe that I value these marks of their goodwill very highly."

Whether this was a delayed start to the council elections mentioned in 1894 or that the vicar has put himself forward in a second set of elections is not clear from the magazine.

Each year the magazine asked Enderby's parishioners to use the 'solemn' period of Lent to reflect and change. In February, the vicar wrote along these lines again;

"In a few weeks we enter upon the solemn season of Lent, a season set apart by our Church for special self-denial and self-examination, with the view to stirring up within us all a more earnest repentance for past sins, and a more sincere desire and resolve for future amendment of life. I hope many of us are determining to make this coming season a reality, whatever it may have been in years gone by. I am arranging for special preachers at the Wednesday evening services, whose names will shortly be published."

The magazine letters often contain brief paragraphs that highlight other organisations in Enderby. One case is the following quote from September's magazine;

"The mention of the Park reminds me that I must not pass over without notice of the first exhibition of the Enderby Horticultural Society, held on Thursday, August 27th. Though I was unable to be present myself, I was delighted to hear that the show was in every way a success. I trust that it will now become an annual affair, though it may probably be well to hold it rather earlier in the season another year.

Enderby was still coping with the aftermath of the typhoid outbreak in 1895. The Rev. Aylward used the January letter to reflect on the sadness caused;

"This year (1895) that has passed has been sadly memorable in Enderby from the serious outbreak of typhoid fever. We had hoped, a week or two since, that the outbreak was at an end, but unfortunately there has been a slight recrudescence of the disease during the last fortnight. The fever has brought deep anxiety and distress to many homes, and alas! sore bereavement to a few. May God comfort those who mourn, and ere long dispel this dark cloud of sickness which has been hanging over us for so long."

June's letter came in the form of an advert for the forthcoming bazaar and rummage sale, together with dramatic performances (the later being arranged by Captain and Mrs. Drummond). It gave the reasons for the effort;

1 - Owing chiefly to the expenditure of over £50 during the last year in structural alterations and improvements, there is a debt of £40 on the 'church expenses' account.

2 - There is also a deficiency of about £12 on the 'Sunday School' account, which provides the teachers' lesson books, and the prizes and treats for the children.

3 - There is, lastly, a balance of about £100 owing to the bank of the £620 spent in 1892, in the necessary enlargement of the national schools.

The Church people of Enderby are preparing to make an effort to pay off these debts as announced above, and they venture to appeal to all friends of Enderby for assistance. Offerings in money, useful or fancy articles, old clothes, books,e.t.c., may be sent to any member of the following committee of ladies, by whom they will be most gratefully received." (There then followed a long list of names).

In October's letter the vicar happily looked back on a success;

"I closed my last letter with the words, written of the Bazaar which was then about to be held 'May the result be worthy of the object.' The wish has been completely realised. We asked for £150, - and my most sanguine expectations did not go beyond that sum ,- we actually took over £220!

This splendid result is due chiefly to the zeal and energy with which the members of the ladies' committee worked, ably assisted by Mr. Battersby, Mr. H. Cliff and other members of the "Men's Committee;" secondly, to the attraction of the dramatic performances given by Captain Drummond's party, with music specially arranged and conducted by Mr. Sparrow and admirably played by the String Band : and lastly, to the kindness of those who came, some from a considerable distance, to purchase from the varied assortment of articles which were on sale at the different stalls.

Nor must we forget the great kindness of Lady Adeliza Manners who opened the Bazaar for us, with a short but interesting speech, on the first day. To mention individually all who helped to make the Bazaar a success would be impossible, where everybody did what they could; but I must mention that Messrs. Murby and Cliff, who did the whole of the carpentering work, most generously gave us the amount of their bill as a subscription to the Funds of the Bazaar. The following statement gives the financial result of the Bazaar:-
..............................................£. s. d.
Receipts , ........................222 12 8
Expenses ............................ 12 5 4
.........................................£210 7 4
The money has been allotted as follows:-
........................................ ....£. s. d.
Sunday School Fund ...... 22 0 0
National Schools ........... 124 3 8
Church Expenses ............. 64 3 8
........................................£210 7 4.

I cannot leave the subject without once more congratulating and thanking all who helped
towards this splendid result. It only shows how much may be done by harmonious and
united effort in a good cause."

Huncote is a village within a couple of miles of Enderby and the vicar wanted to offer help to those who wanted to build a church there; "Last year, I asked my people kindly to assist a neighbouring parish, which had special claims on us, in the restoration of their Church. This month, I am going to ask them to give an offertory to assist the Church people of Huncote, who are making strenuous efforts to provide a Church for their village. My friend, the Rev. C.L. Robinson, Curate in Charge - who is labouring indefatigably, spite of many difficulties and discouragements, towards this end, - will preach here on Sunday Evening, July 26th, on behalf of the Huncote Church Fund. We are so blessed ourselves in the matter of a Church, and there is so much in common between the two quarry villages of Enderby and Huncote, that I feel sure that Churchmen of Enderby will readily hold out a helping to the Churchmen of Huncote; and that Mr. Robinson will be cheered and encouraged by the response that is made to his appeal.

In the 1890s measles was a life threatening illness, especially to children, and its arrival in Enderby caused concern. In August the letter stated;

"Owing to the outbreak of measles in the village, the managers have been recommended by the medical officer to close the national schools. For the same reason we have been obliged to postpone our Sunday school treat; I hope, however, it will be possible to hold it early in September, or perhaps on the last day of August. I also hope the epidemic of measles will have sufficiently abated, to permit the re-opening of the national schools, on Tuesday, August 4th."

Occasionally, the vicar's letter did not only come with the national magazine. Sometimes a portrait of an important churchman was also provided. One time it was the vicar (see picture in 1892 review) and in January it was a friend of the vicar;

"Your magazine brings you, this month, what I know many of you will very highly value, a portrait of a dear and respected friend of many years standing, the Right Reverend James Thomas Hayes, D.D., lord Bishop of Trinidad. The Bishop is returning to his diocese on the 13th of this month, and I know that many hearts in Enderby will join in the prayer that he may have a safe voyage to his home in the West Indies, and that God may bless and prosper him richly in the work of his high and holy office."

The Bishop was appreciated enough for the parishioners to commemorate him with a plaque, which is still situated behind the pulpit of the Church.

Enderby was a rural parish with a "Lord of the Manor" who held the patronage of the Church and a position in village society. In the 1890s the Drummond family held this position, so any Drummond family event was a village matter. Such was the case during a wedding anniversary that the Rev. Aylward wrote about in October;

"I turn to a matter of more local interest. On October 26th, Captain and Mrs. Drummond celebrated the twenty-fifth anniversary of their wedding day. It was generally felt in the parish that here was an opportunity for giving expression to the feelings of respect and congratulation entertained by the inhabitants on the occasion; and a large committee, representative of all classes and sections of the parishioners, was appointed to carry out this object. In the end, a handsome silver bowl was presented to Captain and Mrs. Drummond, at the Hall, on the evening of their 'Silver Wedding Day', accompanied by an illuminated address, giving expression to the good wishes and congratulations of those who had subscribed for the purpose."

Over 1895 and during the following spring, five separate "entertainments" and a dance had raised all but £8 14s 8d towards the cost of £72 for porch for one of the schools. In May the magazine showed the figures raised and the vicar noted;

"First, I must notice the excellent work which "Messrs. Battersby and Sparrow's Entertainment Company" have done for the National Schools. Mr. Battersby, at the onset, determined to build the boy's porch and make the necessary internal alterations connected with it without ant costs to the regular school funds."

November's letter from Enderby vicarage noted a new feature in the Church "A very beautiful window has been erected in our Church by Captain and Mrs. Drummond, as a memorial to their beloved son (see more details below), whose death, at the very opening of a career of great promise, we all so deeply deplore;

The vicar continued "The window, which was in its place by All Saints' Day, represents the saviour as 'the good shepherd' and 'the light of the world'. May it bring comfort to all who mourn the loss of loved ones, as they look at it and are reminded that, though no other friend be near His servants as they pass away, the best of all Friends is at hand to support them in His arms and with the shepherd's 'rod and staff to comfort them' and that 'the lamp of his love is their guide through the gloom'."

The article in the central column sheds more light on the beloved son, so beautifully commemorated.

May's letter from Enderby Vicarage ended in almost rapturous prose; "I must mention another matter. Those of us who love music have cause for great gratitude to Mr. Herbert Sims Reeves for the pleasure, and may I not say instruction, which he has afforded us. To my mind, the beauty of his singing is best displayed in sacred music - in which he was assisted with so much taste and ability by Mr. Sparrow - will soon forget the fervour and devotion with which he interpreted some of the choicest compositions of the great masters. For my part, I do not think I shall ever forget the pathos he threw into the yearning cry of the poor prodigal, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee!' or the hopeless wail of blinded Samson, 'Total eclipse, no sun, no moon; all dark amid the blaze of noon!'. While I am on the subject of music, I must acknowledge the very great credit due to our own choir, choirmaster, and organist - and especially to Mr. F. Spence who, at very short notice, took Mr. Reeve's place - for two admirable renderings of Sir John Stainer's Cantata, 'The daughter of Jairus'."

Each January the Rev. Aylward would provide some figures about the previous year for his readers. In January 1897 the vicar looked back to 1896 to see where the Churches 'offertories and collections' had gone. He first gave the giving for the last 3 years - 1894 £86 6s 7d, 1895 £91 13s 6d, and 1896 £99 5s 01/2d.

Then he gave some of the items that the money went towards in 1896; Sick & Needy £19 15s 10 1/2d, Church Expenses £24 19s 10d, Home Missions £17 3s 0d, Foreign Missions £3 3s 7 1/2d, Leicester Infirmary £10 6s 0d, and National Schools £10 0s 0d. He then noted that "I am sure it will at once strike anyone who reads these figures how sadly inadequate is the amount for foreign missions"

He also provided the number of communions, baptisms, marriages and burials for each of the last 3 years;

Communions - 1894, 713; 1895, 924; 1896, 989.

The vicar noted "I am grateful for the improvement, though the numbers are still far short of what they ought to be. How many, for instance, considering themselves, I suppose, staunch Church people, turned their backs on their master's table on Christmas Day!"

• Baptisms - 1894, 55; 1895, 42; 1896 49.
• Marriages - 1894, 14; 1895, 7; 1896, 4.
• Burials - 1894, 25; 1895, 36; 1896, 41.

March had a sad note in it; "Classes for confirmation candidates are now being held, but it is not yet too late to send in further names. Alas! out of this great parish and our large congregation I have, so far, only received the name of one male candidate. This is a deep disappointment, and even humiliation, to me."

The vicar had mentioned in February's letter that he had appealed to the young people of the parish to come forward in a lengthy speech on a Sunday evening

As owners and residents of Enderby Hall, the Drummond family, were at the pinnacle of Enderby village society in the 1890s and were the patrons of Enderby Parish Church. The loss of a beloved son in 1897 was therefore a major event in the village, and the vicar dedicated his August letter to the son's memory;

"I take up my pen to write your magazine letter this month with a heavy heart. It has pleased God, in His inscrutable wisdom, and infinite love, to bring to a close at its very outset, a career, rich in promise for this world, and a life, that even in early years, had given proof of the possession of many of the best characteristics of the nature Christian character. Cecil Rowland Brook Drummond, "Entered into Rest" at the Naval Hospital at Hong-Kong, after a brief illness of six days, on Wednesday, July 21st, and was buried on the evening of July 22nd at 5 p.m. Those who loved him in this place - and they must have been many, for to know him was to love him - will be glad to have a brief record of his brief bright life.

He was born at Enderby, as many of you will remember, January 28th, 1882, and baptized March 11th of the same year. I have before me, as I write, a copy of that month's magazine, containing an account of the rejoicings in the village, on the occasion of his baptism. His education, so far as school is concerned, was commenced in January 1891, at Mortimer, near Reading, under Rev. C. Lovett Camaron, with whom he remained for over four years. How clear an insight his first tutor had into the many excellencies of his character, is proved by a touching letter from him, on the occasion of his death, which I have been privileged to read. He joined the H.M.S "Britannia" at Dartmouth, the training ship for officers in the Royal Navy, in August 1895. Here he was confirmed by the Bishop of Exeter, on November 22nd, 1896. He received his commission and appointment to H.M.S. "Centurion", the flag ship on the China station, on June 1st of this year and he sailed to join her on May 29th on the P. and O. steamship "Java," which arrived at Hong Kong on July 8th. Alas! he was never to reach his ship; for after being transferred to H.M.S. "Tamar" he was taken ill with dysentery, and in six days the end came. And so, after a brief service of Queen and Country, he was called to the more perfect service of the great Captain above: after but a short voyage 'over the waves of this troublesome world', God's love has brought him 'into the Haven where he would be'. Let us not think that such a life is prematurely closed, or thrown away; it has but passed on to higher service elsewhere, and it still lives on among us, to be an example to all of us, of those Christ-like graces of purity, and unselfishness, and courage, and devotion to duty, and consideration to others, which were so manifest in him.

Marks of deep and true sympathy have flowed in from all quarters of the parish, upon the bereaved family who are mourning his loss, and I am desired by his parents to convey the following message to the parishioners, especially to the organist and choir, and singers, to all who attended the Memorial Service on Saturday last, and to all who have sent letters of sympathy and condolence, - "Captain and Mrs. Cecil Drummond and family, wish to express their grateful thanks for all the heartfelt sympathy, shown to them on all sides, in their sad bereavement. It has been a great consolation and comfort to them, to find how their son, although so young, was respected, and appreciated by all who knew him."

The new technology of film was just starting and the Church arranged to give the children a chance to see what must have been an astounding new invention; "Our 'annual parish tea' will be held, as announced, on Monday, November 8th..... We are also giving the children of our Sunday Schools a tea on the following day, and in the evening an exhibition of the wonderful Cinematograph"

The June magazine anticipated a major event; "My letter this month must commence with the expression of sentiment, which is at this time warming millions of British hearts, and will soon find enthusiastic utterance on millions of British lips, -

"GOD SAVE THE QUEEN."

This month will be absolutely unique in the history of our country. On the 20th inst., our Queen completes the 60th year of her Reign, the longest - as it has been the wisest and most prosperous - in the annals of our land.

It is fitting, surely, that this epoch in our country's history should be observed in two ways, (1) as a cause of Thanksgiving to the "King of Kings," who "ordereth all things here upon earth," and (2) as an occasion for National festivity and rejoicing. In both ways will it be observed in Enderby.

Sunday, June, 20th, - the actual anniversary of 'the Accession,' - has been appointed as a day of National Thanksgiving. I trust that the services at the Parish Church on that day will give worthy expression to our feelings of gratitude to our Father in Heaven. For the first time, a new flag-given by a few of my own personal friends - will float from our tower; and a new brass tablet, - subscribed for by certain members of the congregation, commemorative of the great event of the day, will be unveiled. The sermon at night will be preached by the Lord Bishop of Trinidad, who arrived safely in England last week, and who will meet with a hearty welcome in Enderby.

The Jubilee Festivities will take place on Tuesday, June 22nd. A large committee has been appointed to carry them out, and, with the exception of a very few, - who shall be nameless, - almost all the parishioners have subscribed for the purpose. Detailed notices will be circulated in the village, and I need only say here that the children will be " tea'd" by the Committee, and presented with a medal apiece by Captain Drummond. All over 60 years of age will be given a meat tea; many others, we hope, will purchase tea tickets at Ninepence each, and have tea together. There will be illuminations and fireworks in the Park (by kind permission of Mr. Turner), a band, and finally a torch-light procession, and a bonfire on the top of the Quarry Hill, to be lighted punctually at 10 p.m."

The following month the vicar reflected on what had happened;

"This week that has been so anxiously looked forward to by the whole nation has passed and gone, and Enderby has given unmistakable, and almost unanimous expression to its loyal Love for our Queen and its gratitude to God for the many mercies and blessings we have enjoyed under her record rule of 60 years. Sunday, June 20th, was observed as a day of National Thanksgiving. We were privileged to have among us the Lord Bishop of Trinidad, and he preached to a crowded congregation in the evening a magnificent sermon, in which he took a survey of the marvelous improvement in the prospects and conditions of the people during Her Majesty's reign. The offertories for the day, which were on behalf of the "Victoria Clergy Sustentation Fund," amounted to £9. 10s. 0d.

On Tuesday, June 22nd, we kept our day of Jubilee rejoicing. Favoured with Queen's weather, everything went off splendidly, from the little service in the Church in the morning at 10.30, to the lighting of the fine bonfire on the Quarry Hill, at 10 o'clock at night. It is unnecessary for me to describe the events of the day, which must be still fresh in the memory of all of us; but I will say that the inhabitants owe a great debt of gratitude to the committee and others who worked so hard to make the day a success. Owing chiefly to their efforts, Enderby has been not a whit behind any other place of the size in Leicestershire, in its manifestation of loyalty to the Queen, and I trust that the day may be long remembered especially by the children of the village."

The Church had considered in May's 'Meeting of the Congregation' to set up a more lasting commemoration of this historic event; "The second subject for consideration was what should be done by the congregation to commemorate the 60th year of our Queen's reign. After considerable discussion it was decided (1) that a subscription should be made for the purpose of erecting a second brass tablet with a suitable inscription, under the present 'Jubilee Window'; (2) that the offertories of June 20th (should be for) a 'Clergy sustenation fund' for the purpose of increasing the incomes of poorer clergy to a sum, if possible, of £300 a year.