Edward Yates

“... application be made to the next Consistory Court for a Faculty to enable a Memorial Tablet to be placed on the North Wall of the North Transept to the late Edward Yates”.

“... fitting reference to the fact that the vicars three sons had all joined His Majesty’s Forces for the term of the War and expressed a desire for their safe return ...”.
(5th May 1916)

Parish Clerk

“Before the business of the vestry ... a presentation was made to Mr James Warrington who had completed 25 years service as Parish Clerk ... the gift took the form of a clock ...”.
(23rd April 1917)

“Sale Vicars Sudden Death”

Vicar died 29 April, “... suddenly while seated in his chair in his study on Sunday afternoon ... having painlessly died from a haemorrhage in the brain. He was in his sixty-first year ...”.

Minute Book - 1910 to 1919

The following extracts are taken from the St Anne's Church, Sale, 'Minute Book' - and give details of the Vestry Meetings (and others) between 1910 and 1919.

18th April 1910

Vicar’s Warden: Mr Crosby.
Renters’ Warden: Mr Willson.
Lay Representatives: Mr Coppock and Mr Taylor.

“... all the Teachers be hearty thanks for their many services during the year”.

“... a report showing a deficiency of about £51 was read... concerning the Assistant Clergy Fund ... it was hoped an increased list of subscribers be found ...”.

5th May 1911

Vicar’s Warden: Mr Crosby.
Renters’ Warden: Mr Willson.

“... a general discussion took place concerning electing four more sidesmen ...”. Appointed.

Lay Representatives: Mr Coppock and Mr Marriot.

Thanks to the choir, “... particularly Mr Waters for his many services for presiding at the organ”.

“... a credit balance for the Assistant Clergy Fund of £33-18-0 -Thanks are specially given to Mrs Crosby for her most indefatigable efforts in so placing this Fund in such a satisfactory state, by her visits to so many of the congregation collecting £49 ...”.

“... it was reported that the balance of debt on the vicarage had been cleared by voluntary efforts during 1910 and the Deeds are in charge of [... Chester ...].

19th April 1912

[Note: Mr Crosby retired as Vicar’s Warden.]

Vicar’s Warden: Mr Willson.
Renters’ Warden: Mr FS Churchill.
Lay Representatives: Mr Coppock and Mr Crosby.

On a motion of Mr Willson seconded by Mr HE Langdale:

“A special resolution was passed though Messrs Crosby, Benson and Taylor dissented that "The Parishioners of St Anne’s Sale in Easter Vestry assembled strongly protest against the proposal to Dismember the Church by cutting off [from]* the Province of Canterbury and to despoil it by confiscating to secular uses endowments consecrated to the Service of God: and this Vestry further urges upon all Christian People irrespective of political party to unite in uncompromising resistance to any Bill embodying such proposals. Copies of the above will forward to the Right Hon HH Askwith KCM [Prime Minister], Rt. Hon R McKenna MP, Rt. Hon Bonar Law MP and to R K__ Fletcher MP for the Altrincham Division and also the local press and to the Central Church Committee, Church House, Westminster SW”.

[* Note: Added in pencil.]

A Newspaper Cutting from the Sale Guardian, 26 April 1912, indicates that this refers to a Protest against Welsh Disestablishment. The dissenters felt this was not a matter for a church vestry meeting. The Chairman (Vicar) said he took no part in politics but as a Churchman he intended to enter his protest from the pulpit against the proposal to Disestablish the Church in Wales, for that Church and the Church of England were the same Church.

Transcript:

ST. ANNE’S.

The meeting was held on Friday night in the schools, the Rev. J. P. Cort (vicar), presiding.

THE ACCOUNTS.

The accounts, presented by Mr. J. Harcourt Willson (renters’ warden) showed that the total income for the year was £642 14s. 5d. and that beginning with a credit balance of £4 13s. 10d. there was left a balance in hand of £34 8s. 6d. It was, he said, exceedingly gratifying to note the generous response which was made to the freewill offering movement, a new idea which had been most useful in assisting in liquidation of various objects. The amount obtained was £132 17s. 8d.

The CHAIRMAN, in moving the adoption of the financial statement for printing and circulation, said it was highly satisfactory. He thought the most gratifying thing was they were working more economically, and at the same time satisfactorily. About £35 had been saved in the expenses during the year, and in that direction he thought they had reached the limit so far as regarded ordinary expenses. As regarded the free will offering, the congregation certainly responded nobly to the occasion. Extraordinary expenditure for the coming year would be the acquisition of a new and larger boiler for the heating of the church.

Mr. BENSON seconded, and the resolution was carried.

THE OFFICERS.

The CHAIRMAN said he much regretted, as they all would, that Mr. John Crosby desired to retire from the office of vicar's warden, which he had filled so admirably for the last four years. They had always worked together most harmoniously and he begged to tender to Mr. Crosby his sincere thanks for his services. He had pleasure in nominating as his warden Mr. J. Harcourt Willson and as his sidesman Mr. H. Benson.

Mr. HARCOURT WILLSON in replying said he also should like to testify his appreciation of the excellent work that had been done by Mr. Crosby.

The CHAIRMAN said they were specially indebted to Mr. Crosby, from the fact that he had had the church vestry decorated at his own expense.

Mr. CROSBY said that what was gratifying to him was to know that since he had been warden, important schemes connected with the church had been fulfilled, and that he had had his share in that fulfilment. An interesting fact also was that the Chairman attained his twenty-fifth year as Vicar during that time.

Other appointments were: Mr. F. S. Churchill, renters’ warden; Mr. James Taylor, renters’ sidesman; Messrs. R. A. Wright, J. Battersby, and H. Marriott, additional sidesmen; J. Crosby; and W. S. Coppock, lay representatives; and Messrs. W. Stelfox and W. S. Coppock, auditors.

It was agreed to levy 1s. on some seats and 6d. on others.

The usual general votes of thanks were passed.

THE LATE MR. MILLS.

The vestry decided to place on the minutes an expression of its appreciation of the services to the church of the late Mr. Mills, who was warden at the time the present vicar was appointed, and to send to Mrs. Mills a letter of condolence.

The CHAIRMAN said that in the late Mr. Mills he lost a very dear friend.

PROTEST AGAINST DISESTABLISHMENT.

On the motion of Mr. WILLSON, seconded by Mr. H. E. LANSDALE, a resolution of protest against Welsh disestablishment was passed, copies to be sent to the Prime Minister, Mr. McKenna, Mr. Bonar Law, and the member for the Altrincham Division.

Messrs. Crosby, Taylor and Benson, considered that a resolution of this kind was not a matter for a church vestry meeting.

The CHAIRMAN said he took no part in politics but as a Churchman he intended to enter his protest from the pulpit against the proposal to disestablish the Church in Wales for that Church and the Church in England were the same Church.

14th April 1913

Total income £1020-0-2 and a balance in hand of £6-6-10.

Vicar’s Warden: Mr Harcourt Willson.
Renters’ Warden: Mr FJ Churchill.

[Note: 7 No additional Sidesmen, in addition to usual 2 No].

Lay Representatives: Mr WS Coppock and Mr John Crosby.

“It was suggested that the congregation be asked to remain seated during the singing of anthems as at present some stand and others remain seated, and uniformity of action would appear more seemly”.

“Reference was made to the usefulness of the Church Council composed of the Wardens, Sidesmen and Lay Representatives and it was suggested that the Council should meet several times a year to review the work of the Parish”.

24th April 1914

Income £1070-14-9 (including Freewill Offering A/c and Assistant Clergy Fund) and debit balance of £1-8-6.

Vicar’s Warden: Mr FS Churchill.
Renters’ Warden: Mr H Benson.

[Note: 7 No additional Sidesmen to usual 2 No]

Lay Representatives: Mr WS Coppock and Mr J Crosby.

“The Vicar informed the Vestry that the present year was the Diamond Jubilee of the Church which was opened for Divine Service on July 17 1854. It was resolved that the event should be celebrated by special services and the re-opening of organ after extensive repairs and improvements. The services to be Friday July 17 and the following Sunday, and that the Bishop of Chester be invited to preach at the Sunday morning service”.

16th April 1915

Vicar’s Warden: Mr FS Churchill.
Renters’ Warden: Mr H Benson.
Seat on Church Council: Mr Alex Simcock and Mr HH Brown.

“... now comprising the following gentlemen in addition to the duly elected officers: Messrs EW Barton, J Battersby, WHR Hobday, H Howarth, Jas Taylor, CH Jessop, H Marriott, RA Wright, JH Willson, A Simcock, HH Brown”.

Lay Representatives: Mr WS Coppock and Mr John Crosby.

Thanks to Organist, Choir, Organist at Men’s Service (GA Waters), Sunday School Teachers, District Visitors and all voluntary workers.

“The vicar gave interesting details as to the work of the Penny Bank by way of calling attention to the very valuable services, voluntarily given, of the actuaries Messrs Lingard and Heywood and also to Mr CA Jessop for his untiring efforts in auditing the a/cs and ...”.

“Moved ... that Mr HH Brown be thanked for his services to the Church in eliminating Dry Rot from the Fabric and for suggestions relating to the heating and ventilation of the Church”.

5th May 1916

Vicar’s Warden: Mr H Benson.
Renters’ Warden: Mr James Taylor.
Seat on Church Council: Messrs Dorman, Whiteway and Goodall.
Lay Representatives: Mr Coppock and Mr Crosby.

“... application be made to the next Consistory Court for a Faculty to enable a Memorial Tablet to be placed on the North Wall of the North Transept to the late Edward Yates”.

“... fitting reference to the fact that the vicars three sons had all joined His Majesty’s Forces for the term of the War and expressed a desire for their safe return ...”.

23rd April 1917

[Note: 3rd year of The Great War.]

“Before the business of the vestry ... a presentation was made to Mr James Warrington who had completed 25 years service as Parish Clerk ... the gift took the form of a clock ...”.

Vicar’s Warden: Mr H Benson.
Renters’ Warden: Mr James Taylor.
Church Council: As last year, plus Mr Claude Jones.
Lay Representatives: Mr Coppock (who was not well) and Mr Crosby.

“Sale Vicars Sudden Death”

[Note: From “The Guardian” 4 May 1917]

Vicar died 29 April, “... suddenly while seated in his chair in his study on Sunday afternoon ... having painlessly died from a haemorrhage in the brain. He was in his sixty-first year ...”.

Born at Sale in 1856 only son of the late Rev JJ Cort.

“Educated at Owens College and St Johns College, Cambridge, graduating BA at Cambridge in 1879 an MA in 1883. He subsequently became an associate of Owens College, and had the honorary degree of BA, of Victoria University, Manchester. He was ordained deacon by the Archbishop of York in 1879, and priest in the following year, and from 1879 to 1881 was Senior Curate of St Philip’s, Sheffield, a large parish of over 20,000. He came to Sale as Curate to his Father in 1881 ...”.

Prominent in the public mind:

 Surrogate for the Diocese of Chester
 Hon Secretary of the Diocesan Branch of the C of E Temperance Society
 Diocesan Rep on the Central Comm. which meets in London
 Hon Sec. of the Bowdon Rural Deanery Sunday School Association
 Sec (later Chairman) of the Altrincham, Sale, Knutsford and Lymm Police Court Mission

He, “... was a specialist in Poor Law Administration and his advice was often in request from London and frequently attended conferences in London and the Provincial Cities and Towns. He was elected one of the representatives of Sale on the Altrincham (now Bucklow) Union in 1883 and about fourteen years ago was made Chairman of the Board, the highest position that can be conferred upon a guardian. Since then he has been annually been re-elected, the last appointment was made only last week. Equal with his interest in Poor Law administration was his interest his education. He was elected a member of the late School Board for Sale, and was vice-chairman, and when the Administrative Sub-committee supplanted the School Board he became a member of the new body. He was chairman of the Sale School Attendance Committee and a member of the Northenden School Attendance Committee. In 1903 he was made member of the Diocesan Voluntary Schools Association, as one of one the representatives of the Rural Deanery of Bowdon, and he was chairman of his own and manager of other schools. He was one of the Trustees of the Sale Educational Foundation. From its inception he had been chairman of the Sale and Ashton-on-Mersey Civic Guild of Help. He was an active supporter and staunch friend of the Sale Girls' Industrial School.

A movement which at once elicited the approval of Mr Cort was that which began the Church Lads’ Brigade, of which the Sale St Anne’s Company was the senior company in the north of England. The reverend gentleman acted as chaplain to the 3rd Battalion Chester Regiment. Many years ago he was instrumental, along with the late Mrs Worthington and others, in forming a district nursing association for Sale, and he had filled the positions of hon. treasurer and hon. Secretary”.

Three sons and a daughter.
Short private service at the Vicarage conducted by the Revd Lowry Hamilton of Northenden.
Public Service at St Anne’s.
Mourners included the Sale and Ashton-on-Mersey Joint Fire Brigade under Superintendent J Royle.
Service conducted by the Reverend P Holland Lester (St Martins A-o-M), Rev T Eaton McCormick (St Mary’s A-o-M) - lesson, Rev Cyril Bethell-Jones (St John’s Brooklands).
Hymns, “I heard the voice of Jesus say”, “Nearer, my God, to Thee” and “Now the labourers task is o’er”.
Mr JH Stratton (Organist) concluded with Chopin’s “Marche Funebre”.
Opening prayers at the graveside were said by the Revd Joseph Chapman (St Paul’s Sale) and committal portion and Blessing by Rev Canon Wainwright.
List of mourners extensive ...

Sale’s New Vicar

[Note: Taken from a Newspaper cutting.]

The Revd Norman Veitch Scorer MA, Vicar of Kirk Germain, Peel I-o-M (37). Born in Lincoln, son of Mr Charles Scorer (Clerk to the Lindsey County Council). Mrs Roger Oldham, formerly of Sale and Timperley, is his Sister. Educated at Lincoln Grammar School, Repton and Pembroke College Cambridge graduating with theological honours in 1902, MA 1914. He was ordained in 1903 and became priest in 1904 (York). He was curate of St Johns Park Sheffield for two and a half years, was five years in Yezd and Kerman Central Persia with the CMS and for three years has been vicar at Peel, where he also acted as chaplain to the Church of England troops stationed at the large alien internment camp at Knockaloe. He married in 1908 Martha E Seton Adamson, youngest daughter of the late Rev William Adamson vicar of Old Ford E, and of the Hon Mrs Seton Adamson. They have five children.

A separate paragraph (included at the end of the above), notes:

“There is a feeling in Sale and neighbouring districts that the question of a memorial to the gallant men whose lives have been lost while on active service should now be seriously considered. In many other places the matter has already been solved, and there surely is no need to wait until after the war before making a decision as to the form a memorial should take. It at least could be sketched well in advance and would be a tangible object to be aimed at when a return is made to peace conditions”.

17/9/17 Instituted to the Benefice of St Anne’s, Sale.
22/9/17 Inducted to the living of ditto.
23/9/17 First text II Corinthians 12 Ch 14V pm (in the morning, read the 39 Articles).

[Note: Dates added by Herbert Benson, Vicar’s Warden].

12th April 1918

[Note: The list of those present for the first time included Ladies (4 No Mrs and 2 No Miss).]

Vicar’s Warden: Mr H Benson.
Renters’ Warden: Mr James Taylor.
Additional Sidesmen: 13 No.
Lay Representatives: Mr WS Coppock and Mr John Crosby.

Thanks ... including to Ladies Guild.

“Moved ... The Vicar and Wardens have the authority of the Vestry to apply for faculties for erecting in the church memorials to the late vicar, men from the Parish who have fallen in the war and the late Mr SJ Tennant”.

“A discussion arising from the minutes of the previous vestry meeting with regard to a proposed Hymn book for the church, took place. The following books were suggested
New Church Hymns
Hymns Ancient and Modern
Hymnal Companion
Church Hymnal for the Christian Year
Divergent views were expressed and, ultimately, it was resolved, on the proposal ... to refer the matter to Church Council”.

25th April 1919

Thanks ... included reference to The Christian Brotherhood.

... in connection with the choir the death of Mr Edgar Whalley, who had been a member of the choir for a great number of years was referred to ...

Reference was made to:

 Sunday morning services in the School
 Children’s Guild
 Bible Class
 A Scouts Group (inc. a Bible Class)
 District Visitors
 Penny Bank

Vicar’s Warden: Mr AB Turner.
Renters’ Warden: Mr J Harcourt Willson.
Additional Sidesmen: 13 No.
Lay Representatives: Mr WS Coppock and Mr John Crosby.

“Proposed ... That the Vicar and Wardens have the authority of this vestry to apply for faculties for the erection in the church, or in the churchyard, of memorials to the late vicar and men from the Church and Christian Brotherhood, who have fallen in the War, also for memorials to Mr and Mrs SJ Tennant, former members of St Anne’s Church Sale”.

“Proposed ... to call a meeting for May 8th at 8 pm to consider a scheme as a memorial to the men who had fallen in the War”.

“Proposed ... that the hymn book “Hymns for the Christian Year” be adopted ... An amendment was proposed ... that the question be referred to the congregation for their choice of a new hymn book ... The amendment was declared as carried”.