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Bedfordshire Times and Independent, 20th September 1901, transcribed by Susan Manton
Wymington - The Church Clock
To the observer in country villages there are many interesting items obscured in legendary lore. The clock originally from Rushden, being rejected as unfit for public service between the years 1839 and 1846. To accommodate it the belfry arch is said to have been filled in, as it could not be elsewhere placed out of the way of the ropes. To examine it one must first ascend a 12 pound ladder just behind the belfry door. At first sight one could hardly connect the various wheels and rollers with a time recorder, but the clock has done its public work unblushingly for a long period, insomuch, and has never shown its face through good report or ill. As a matter of fact it has not got a face – its secrets are alone known to the parish Clerk, who is familiar with all its freaks. At seven minutes to each hour it utters a kind of creaking noise, which the Parish Clerk could interpret if consulted. If one insists on knowing the time he must work by rule and measure up the time by finding how long it takes the iron indicator to traverse a specified space. It has the knack of being either ten minutes before Rushden clock or ten minutes behind. In the latter case the shoe operatives are not at all friendly with their time maker. It is reported that its worst trick is in disorganising the services on Sunday, and making the worshippers five minutes late. The parish is asking for repairs to the belfry, which will probably include the clock and the Rector has issued an appeal in a very attractive circular and a collection of £60 towards the proposed restoration is in hand.
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Extracts typed from J E Smith's notebooks
Old Church 'Clock' Rushden, Mr Fisher told me on Saturday Feb 15th 1908, that the 1st Clock from Rushden Church is in Wymington Church, & the date upon it was 1736, made at & sold by a man at Kettering. Stanwick, Wellingborough & Knotting Church Clocks were by the same man, so I do not now know whether the Clock 'Weight’ I found last Sunday (Feb 9 1908) in the yard against Vestry Hall (& which is now inside the organ case) belonged to the Clock at Wymington or the one at Hargrave; the 'weight' is a very rough stone with ring put in with lead. J E Smith.
Maker's name on the clock at Hargrave - Joseph Eayre, maker Kettering.
Our present Clock and Chimes by Gillet & Bland (Croydon)
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Rushden Echo, 12th July 1918, transcribed by Kay Collins
The Garden Party yesterday week for the Church restoration fund was a great success.
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Rushden Echo 16th September 1921, transcribed by Susan Manton
Mr. James Smith, who has been organist of St. Lawrence’s Church, Wymington, for 23 years, officiated in that capacity as usual at the harvest festival services on Sunday.
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The Rushden Echo Friday 28th September 1923,transcribed by Susan Manton
Organist honoured. On August 14th Mr. James Smith completed 25 years as organist of Wymington Parish church. The choir and congregation felt this to be an opportunity to express their appreciation of his long service, and last Sunday night, after Evensong, the Rector presented to him, on their behalf, a gold watch which, he said, he hoped he might wear for many years to come.
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The Rushden Argus, 3rd August 1928, transcribed by Kay Collins
Wymington Church Garden Fete - Church and Bells Restoration Fund
An Attractive Day’s Programme
With the object of providing funds for the completion of the exterior renovations to Wymington Church and also to the Church bells, a garden party was held in the Rectory grounds on Saturday afternoon, followed in the evening by a social in the schoolroom. Both events were well attended.
During the afternoon the Rushden Temperance Band provided music. The stall-holders were: The Church Catechism, Mrs Twelvetree and members; the Ladies’ Working Party, Mrs Norman and ladies of the party, Mrs W W Smith and Mrs J American, Mrs Roberts and Mrs Phillips; Bunty pulls the strings, Mrs J Dickerson; crockery, Mrs Sills and Mrs Brunt; sweets, Mr and Mrs E Wright; handkerchief, Mrs Coleman; “Mystery” the Misses Goosey; ice-cream, Mr Norman. Those in charge of amusements were: Golf, Mr Reynolds and Mr W Carter; skittles, Mr Litchfield and Mr Warren; rolling the ball, Mr Twelvetree and Mr Robinson; darts, Mr Phillips and Mr Sills; treasure hunt, Mrs Litchfield; treasure, Mr Abbott.
The prize-winners were: Rolling the ball, gentlemen, Mr Meadows, ladies, Mrs Abbott; golf, Mr Maung Than; skittles, gentlemen, Mr Whittington, ladies, Mrs Woolard. A country dance display was given at the garden party by members of the Higham St Mary’s Social Club.
Following the party a social was held in the new schoolroom, and proved a great attraction. The programme given by members of the Higham Ferrers St Mary’s Social Club included a country dancing display; pianoforte solo “Sanctuary of the Heart,” Mr W Simmons; songs, Schubert’s “Serenade,” and “Passing by” (Purcell), Mr S Hudson; monologue, “The Night Wind,” Miss H Espin; sketch, “Butterscotch Burglary.” The sketch was very amusing and well enacted, the characters being taken by Mrs E Wagstaff, Miss M Eaton, Miss L Keep, Messrs A King, R Ward, W Simmons, and H Felce. The Rev A S Dodds capably carried out the duties of M.C., and “The White Heather Band” provided the music for dancing. At the close the Rector thanked Mrs Reynolds, the artistes and the Band for their splendid help. Assistance was rendered by Mesdames Hadley, Fisher, G Woolard and G .........
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| Photo and note from Paul Wright, 2016 |
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Robert Runcie is talking with Philip Swingler (who later converted to the Catholic faith), on a visit to Wymington in the early 1970's.
Later Robert Runcie became the Archbishop of Canterbury.
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