Enderby's mothers more than disappoint the vicar's wife

The vicar's wife wrote the monthly report on the activities of the Mothers' Union and in July she expressed her frustration with the members in no uncertain terms after the attendance at a service in the nearby village of Cosby was so low;

"The vicar and myself were more than disappointed that only 13 out of the membership of nearly 150 could find the time or inclination to come to their Corporate Communion on June 24th. Really I do think it most distressing that so few turn up. There were 3 celebrations, 6, 7.15 and 9.30, and to have only 4 members at two of the celebrations and 5 at the other is disgraceful. It not only worries me dreadfully, but is so very bad for the branch as a whole and makes me wonder if it is worth while. I try my utmost to have meetings, services and outings arranged to suit all, and to meet with so very little response is very disheartening, both to the vicar and myself. Will you try to be real active members in this branch of the Mothers' Union in Enderby and turn up better at the services and meetings?"

The annual 'Sale of Work'

Each year, during the first 2 months, there was a 'sale of work' for the Christian Missionary Society (C.M.S.). In 1930, it was held in the Church school and was opened by Mrs. German of Ashby-de-la-Zouch;

"It is hoped that all interested in the Church's missionary work will come and support this sale. On Sunday, February 16th, the collections at 8, 11 and 6.30 will be devoted to the Society, and the preacher both morning and evening will be the Rev. Llewellyn Lloyd, of the Fukien Mission in China." The item went on to say that he had "translated the Book of Common prayer into the Foochow colloquial language and also many books of the Bible."

An important year for Enderby

In January, Rev. Hibbert eludes to the approach of harder times, not least in the church; "The year 1930 will be an important one for the church, and for the social and industrial life of the people of this country. There are many serious problems confronting the church at this period in history, and her children should pray earnestly for the guidance and inspiration of God, the Holy Spirit that whatever line of action is decided and acted upon it may be truly in accord with the mind of our Lord and Saviour. And such urgent matters as unemployment, slum clearance and the promotion of world peace need all the energies of those in authority to bring about a satisfactory state of affairs."

Choir boys don't want to be petrified

One of various annual outings arranged during 1930 was the choir boy's outing to Derbyshire "A visit to the petrifying wells made us decide not to stay for 12 months to be petrified along with other articles placed there, for we thought it was much nicer to remain beings of flesh and blood than to be used as statues of stone."

The fate of Enderby Church garden fete

The weather was not kind to the fete. July's magazine noted that "Saturday morning, June 21st, filled us with a certain amount of misgiving as to the weather conditions for the holding of our fete in the afternoon. Fortunately the rain held off in the afternoon and evening but king Sol hid himself behind the clouds for the most time... The possibility of a shower or two no doubt kept away several who would have come to the fete, but there were not not so many present as usually come to support us. The comic cricket match attracted a good number of people although when the balance sheet is published it is feared that the balance profit will not be very large. Of course, we were not out to make a very big thing of our fete this year, no definite object being mentioned. Perhaps, general church funds with a repair fund does not sound very attractive! We have done well in the past at our fetes that this year's effort did seem rather flat."

The vicar in the following edition wrote "The profit balance is smallest we have had (£37 10s), but I will refer you to information and remarks thereon. At any rate one object of the fete has achieved, and that was to wipe off the small deficit on last years church fund"

Enderby Church School renovation fund

A balance sheet was issued in September showing that a magnificent £1,105 15s 6d had been raised and used to renovate the schools, with the Diocesan Board of Education contributing £224, the County Council putting in £370 and Enderby & Stoney Stanton Granite Co. contributing £100 to the cause. The garden fete provided £91, Betton's charity gave £20, women's and men's socials added just short of £56 to the cause, whilst the rest came from an envelope collection and the generosity of many individuals.

The vicar noted that "This month (September) I am publishing the full balance sheet for the Church School Renovation. You will see therefrom how satisfactory the response has been to our appeal which was issued only a little more than 12 months ago".

The treasurer H Gordon James had good and bad news; "I am sure you will be very sorry to hear that the accounts during 1929 finished with a deficit of £33 16s 2d, although this is not as much as I expected considering the amount of money raised towards the renovation of the Church schools".

Expenditure on bell ringers and hymn books were reasons mentioned, as was the fact that collections were not quite so good. He lamented "If only the collections were to increase, then we should not have to concentrate quite so much on whist drives and dances as a means of raising money for our expenses."

"I am delighted to think that such a great response has been given towards the heavy expenses of the Church Schools, and I sincerely hope that we shall be able to arrange another garden fete to clear off the balance. May I ask for all to agree that should there be any surplus money after clearing the school accounts, that such be placed to the Church expenses account?". In the later case, as the section about the fete shows, he would not receive much from the fete.

"It had been my whole hearted wish since I took over my duties to have the accounts on a sound basis, and had it not been for the church schools this year... we should have had a balance on the right side."

Sunday School children see the sea for the first time

The "Senior Scholars" (with their parents & teachers) were taken to Skegness in June and August's magazine reflected on the day: "At 11 O'clock we made a start for Leicester by 'bus, the train leaving the L&NER station at midday. About 2.30pm we arrived at Skegness, the train journey being quite enjoyable for those who travel mostly by 'bus wherever they go. Some members of the party had never seen the sea before. Mr. Jackson, who had kindly made the arrangements which were successfully carried out, got us together for tea at one of the cafés, and although we had a bit of a wait we settled down to a good tea when it came. Afterward there was ample time for a good look around and to patronise some of the very inviting side shows on the sands before returning to the station for home. A comfortable journey brought us to Leicester soon after a quarter to eleven, and 'buses were ready for the last stage of the journey. All agreed that they spent a splendid time, and Mr. Jackson is to be congratulated on arranging such a delightful treat; also the teachers for looking after their scholars so well no one had been left behind when the 'roll call' was taken."

In August the magazine could announce "We are pleased to announce that a branch of the National Federation of Women's Institutes has been formed in the village and promises to be very successful. There are already 54 members enrolled.....

Women's Institutes exist all over the country and are affiliated to the National Federation. They are nonparty political, nonsectarian and democratic. All officers and committee are elected by secret ballot and every step is taken to preserve equality among members, thus the annual subscription of 2/- is paid by all members.

Through winter lectures and demonstrations on all kinds of subjects will be held. The meetings will be of an educational and social character. One meeting will be held on the first Wednesday in each month, at 7.45pm, in the council schools, commencing September. We sincerely hope that many more women will come along. All girls over 14 years of age are accepted as members.

The foundation of every Women's Institute is friendliness and goodwill, which lead to fellowship and cooperation. To know each other better means to understand and like each other, and to find common interests and common aims. Through the Institute women learn to give and take, and to work together for the betterment of the home, the village and the country".

Easter attendance required in the rules and was worth while

Each year the vicar makes the same point. "May I remind communicants of the Church rule as to the Easter Communion! The prayer book rubric states that 'Every parishioner shall communicate at least 3 times a year, of which Easter to be one' and adds 'Owing to the fact that there is a deficit in the church's accounts I have economised this year by not sending out to communicants a list of Holy Week and Easter services and an Easter Communion Card".

A lot went into the Easter celebrations as we read in the vicar's letter from May; "The Easter services were, as usual, bright and festive, and good congregations attended during the day... the Church looked very beautiful with Spring flowers, thanks to the ladies who sent flowers or attended to the decorating".

"I was glad to see so many at the Three Hours Service on Good Friday, especially at the first hour. This service seems to be appreciated more and more each year, and I must say that it is encouraging to me for, having no assistance during Holy Week and Easter, it means that I have a good deal to think about and arrange, and receiving a certain amount of encouragement it does make the effort worth while. Stainer's 'Crucifixion' was rendered beautifully by the choir in the evening of Good Friday, and Mr. Wright and members of the the choir, including several friends to whom we are very grateful, and to be congratulated on the reverent rendering of this Passion Music".

The vicar tries to start an Enderby boy scouts troop but fails

In August Rev. Hibbert wrote " I am trying to revive the Boy Scout Movement in Enderby. Some years ago I understand that an excellent troop flourished in the village. It certainly is a splendid organisation for boys and keeps them interested in Summer and Winter. I daresay I may have something to write about it next month after Dr Poole, of South Wigston, has been over and got the troop started on its way. Perhaps this will make the girls envious, and no doubt I or someone else will be asked to organise a Girl Guide Company".

However, the next month's magazine brought bad news; "I have not been able, as I had hoped, to start a Boy Scout troop here in Enderby for the sole reason that I have not been fortunate enough to find someone who would be willing to take on the duties of scout master. I am sorry for I feel sure that there is a need for such an organisation in the village".

The End of the Women and Girls Club

April's magazine announced the end of the Women and Girl's Club; "We held our General Meeting on March 17th, and as president of the Club I feel that I must not let this opportunity pass without a word of thanks to Mrs. Bollard for the excellent work she has put in as secretary, and also Mr. Bollard who must have spent many hours writing out the notices. It is with regret that I have to announce that the Women and Girl's Club will not be continued another year, for the last two years it has not been very successful, and it is disappointing for those who are in charge. Mrs. Bollard has worked hard to keep it together, but she and all the members at the General Meeting felt that it was no use carrying on for another year. The club in the past did usual work for the church, and we have had many delightful evenings, and so for many there will be happy memories to look back upon." It does make one wonder if this demise in April helped in the creation Women Institute in August.

Sunday mornings need a boost

June 1931 saw some concern about the Sunday morning service; "Our Sunday morning congregation seems to be getting very small of late, a few of the the former regular worshipers have left or died and there does not seem to be many new ones who are keen to fill up the vacant places. The morning service, Mattins on 3 Sundays, and the Sunday Eucharist on the fourth, does not last more than an hour as a rule, but people seem to have got out of the habit of attending the Church on Sunday mornings, if ever they were in the habit of doing so. May I appeal to those who could come (and it does not require all the members of the family to cook the Sunday's dinner or take the children for a walk) to see if they can make a start and then, perhaps, they will become regular worshipers in the morning. The evening congregation keeps up well to the average, and although the weather has been most uncertain all through the Winter and Spring, we have had on the whole good congregations. The amount of collections would bear this out"

Dutch market and bazaar

In 1931, the church decided not to run a garden fete but went for a 'Dutch market and bazaar' in Autumn and put this advert in the magazine, with side shows named 'harpooning the whale', 'pin pricks' and 'Hans and Gretel's pail of water';

The December magazine reported "The bazaar was well patronised and for that we have to thank all kinds of friends for their generous support. Of course it all entailed a great amount of labour and effort but it seemed to be a real labour of love, for all the workers put in their whole energies into the effort both during the Bazaar and in the preparations beforehand. Again, thanks are due to Mrs. Moore for kindly allowing some of the children in the council school to make some very pretty paper flowers for the Dutch decorations. In fact if it were possible to mention all the kind help we received it would almost take up the whole pages of a magazine....".

A grave matter

In November the vicar was asked by the Churchyard Committee to make a statement "It has been noticed that there are several graves which have not been attended to by relatives and friends for a very long time, and they are in a very untidy state. It would help to improve the appearance of the churchyard generally if they could be made tidy. It should be possible for such relatives and friends to make their own arrangements for the work to be done, or if they would like the committee would attend to the matter for a nominal sum. This arrangement would also apply to recent graves".

Annual meeting produces little enthousiasm

Administration meetings often meet with little interest and the 1931 Annual Meeting proved to be no different according to the vicar; "The Annual Parochial Church Meeting did not arouse much enthousiasm, very few more than the usual number who turn up at these annual meetings. But all the same , some important business was transacted... I thanked all church workers, from the Church Wardens to the Brass Cleaners, and I hope that those not present at the meeting will realise that their work is appreciated."