Being lost in the grounds of Crystal Palace and walking the Croyland Wards of the Park Hospital, Wellingborough, are two sidelights of choral activity that can be recalled from these sixty years.

The choir of the 1960s

At the opening ceremony of the present Church Miss Agnes Groom was organist and during the years Mrs. Lamb, Mr. A. Frost, Mrs. S. Woods and Mrs. D. Wells have occupied the post.

Until the middle fifties the Free Church Festival at the Congregational Church, Wellingborough, was a regular vocal highlight.

The Higham Chapel packed to capacity brought back memories in 1950 on the occasion of the visit of Sandy Macpherson, when Mrs. J. Utley was supporting organist and Mr. D. Binder was soloist.

To mark the 1953 Jubilee Celebrations an augmented choir gave an outstanding rendering of Handel's Messiah when the soloists were Mrs. G. E. Bayes, Miss M. Keech, Mr. S. Hudson and Mr. S. Robinson.

Of special interest in 1959 was the composing of an anthem dedicated to the Choir by one of our own members, Mr. E. J. Wood, B.A. This was followed by an Introit and Solo a year later.

With a deep sense of gratitude we record the names of Miss N. Lawrence and Mr. T. Lawrence amongst the list of Choir Secretaries, a post which is now held by Mrs. Carol Hudson.

The Minister conducts a weekly Class Meeting where a faithful group of members gathers to receive spiritual encouragement and stimulus. The Leaders' Meetings are held regularly to consider the spiritual condition of the Society and to promote the work of Jesus Christ. Closely allied to this Meeting are the Society Stewards of whom since the Second World War Mr. F. J. Pack. Mr. R. J. Rowlett, Mr. P. H. Cobley, Mr. T. R. Thacker, Mr. S. A. J. Knights, Mr. J. P. Kay and Mr. A. K. Sawford have given long periods of service.

The Bright Hour has indeed provided many happy hours of friendship, fellowship and worship through the years. Known originally as the Mothers' Meeting, it has been faithfully served by many exceptional women of our C'.hurch who have held office within it. Prominent among these have been : Mrs. G. H. Groome, Miss E. Blackwell, Mrs. Gray, Mrs. Marshall Johnson, Mrs. Reynolds, Mrs. F. John, Mrs. T. H. Johns, Mrs. R. W. Janes, Mrs. J. W. Utley, Mrs. Green, Mrs. G. H. Crapper, Mrs. J. W. J. Scott, Mrs. E. E. Wood, Miss I. Green, Mrs. E. J. Rowlett, Mrs. D. Garlev. Mrs. A Thornton and Mrs. Ward.

The Men's Fireside was started immediately after the Second World War by Mr. Harold Lee, who was always keenly interested in the exchange of ideas and the dissemination of knowledge. In scholastic tradition, Mr. Harold J. Woodall has since led the Fireside, which has proved a strong link between Church and Townsmen.

In 1948 a play-reading group was formed under the Presidency of Rev. J. Wainwright Utley, with Mr. L. G. White as Secretary and Miss L. Woods as Producer. Several one-act plays were performed and a Passion Play, ''Simon Peter," was given on Good Friday, 1949. At this time there were twenty-three members and Mr. R. G. Williams had become the Producer. In 1933 the group became the "Higham Ferrers Methodist Dramatic Society", and various one-act plays were produced. A three-act play was eventually attempted in the production of "Outward Bound." by Clemence Dane, in 1954. Mr. D. Austin became scenic designer, Mr. R. Perkins and Mr. C. Holloway assisted back-stage, and the Society continued production until 1959. For various reasons the membership decreased at this time and those who remained gladly assisted the Sunday School in pantomime production. The stage was enlarged in 1962 for the latest pantomime. "Aladdin".

The Sewing Meeting

The Sewing Meeting was held even before the present Chapel was built. When the new building was opened the work continued in the Ladies' Parlour under the guidance of Mrs. M. Lawrence and Mrs. Hustwait. While Mrs. Lawrence was secretary, other officers were Mrs. T. Patenall, Mrs. William Alfred Groome and Mrs. R. W. Janes. Mrs. A. O. Groome became secretary in 1937 and guided the fortunes of the Sewing Meeting for 23 memorable and rewarding years. In office, too, for varying periods of time, were Mrs. J. A. Groome, Mrs. H. R. Patenall and Mrs. O. Harris. In 1960 Mrs. S. Hudson became secretary and the work continues with Miss E. T. Parsons as President and Mrs. E. Thompson as Treasurer. Garden parties, especially those at Bron Dinas in the early days, have been highlights of the Meeting. Through the years the Sewing Meeting has made notable contributions to the Church Funds. The amount given in annually has increased from £40 to £200 now. Beyond this, gifts have been made, including that of a carpet for the Parlour, £50 to the Jubilee Fund. £20 to the Manse Fund and many others. Although not a lot of sewing is done now. there is much other work, and the fortnightly teas are very popular. The Sewing Meeting has provided fellowship and finance for many years. The support which members have given has enabled the Meeting to make a major contribution to the funds of the Church. The spirit of service has shown itself in many ways and perhaps is best illustrated by these lines:

"We give Thee but Thine own, Whate'cr the gift may be, All that we have is Thine alone, A trust O Lord from Thee."

Flower Fund

The kindly thoughts extended throughout the Borough by the message of flowers number many thousands. How graciously this distribution has been arranged by Miss Nellie Lawrence and Mrs. Sawford and their helpers.

Mr. Fred Thompson organised the support for Overseas Missions from 1903-1918 when the contributors put a penny a week in their Missionary Boxes. During Mrs. A. O. Groome's term of office, from 1918 to 1945, the income — and outgoing to the Missionary Society — was between £50 and £70 a year. From 1935 to 1962 Miss F. Townsend gave valuable help as Box Secretary. Since 1945 Miss H. M. Groome has been able to send about £150 each year to the Mission Field. £30 of this has come annually from the Juvenile Missionary Association begun and organised by Mrs. L. Bird since 1958. Substantial help has come from the Sunday School. Many thanks are due also to the great keenness of our members in supporting our valiant missionaries, among whom we think especially of Mrs. Harris who, as Miss Margaret Valentine, went out from Riseley to India in 1938 and has inspired us ever since by her example, her talks to us. and her zeal for Our Lord's work.

This is a small meeting of great spiritual value. The few women who meet together each month give their prayerful and financial support to the women on the Mission Field. In the past there have been able women who have been called to lead this work: Mrs. Reynolds, Mrs. Utley, Mrs. Glenn, Mrs. A. D. Groome. Mrs. H. R. Patenall and Miss I. Green as secretary and Mrs. F. J. Pack as treasurer. Mrs. F. J. Pack has recently relinguished the treasureship and we wish her successor, Mrs. D. W. Garley, much happiness in her new task. £30 approximately was raised last year for the Women's Work of the Missionary Society.

The Bulletin is a monthly duplicated paper which has recounted the events of the Church since 1948. It has been consistently supported by the successive ministers and has kept in touch with us those who have not been able to attend Church.

Throughout its history an important part of our Church has been the Sunday School. Many members have given of their time and inspiration to pass on to the boys and girls of Higham Ferrers that love of their Lord and desire to serve their fellow men which thev themselves possessed. What tremendous effect the ministrations of some of our Superintendents and teachers have had. Names come readily to mind: the Groome family, Mr. T. Sanders, Mr. A. Middleton, Mr. T. Freeman, Mr. H. Glenn, Mr. W. A. Goosey, Mr. A. Baxter, Mr. F. Thompson, Mr. F. J. Pack, Mr. Hugh Cobley and his sons, and Mr. T. Thacker. The leaders of the Bible Classes, too, have made a great contribution from the time of Mr. G. H. Groome, Mr. H. Glenn and Mrs. H. R. Patenall, down to the present day. There are about 180 scholars and 30 teachers in the school now, which makes it one of the biggest in the district, although the numbers reached 400 when we had a big influx of children after the 1939-45 war. We are striving in these difficult, materialistic times to keep the Sunday School a happy, virile organisation which will produce good Christian citizens for the future, as it has done in the past. A good number of our scholars have studied enthusiastically for the Scripture Examination each year and have achieved the distinction of winning the Herbert Abrams Shield of the Sunday School Union. The numbers taking the examination have risen from nine in 1947 to 84 in 1962. After a series of Concerts given around Christmastime to raise funds for the School, a group of teachers with other helpers have produced good, well-supported pantomimes. These have been greatly appreciated for they have provided a worthwhile interest for the drama-minded scholars, financial help for the Sunday School and good entertainment for us all.

In 1919 Mr. Thomas Patenall purchased the Institute buildings and gave them to the Church for use by the young men of the town. The Institute was opened and its activities were led by Mr. L. Garley, Mr. H. Daniels, Mr. H. Glenn and Mr. Cole with Mr. C. Turner as Canteen Manager. After some years Interest waned and the Institute was closed until 1941 when it was opened as a Forces Canteen manned by members of the Church. In 1946. under the leadership of Rev. J. Wainwright Utley and with Mr. A. Baker as Secretary, Treasurer and Canteen Manager, the Institute was opened again and became a Youth Club. Mr. S. Baker led a small team of members who in 1959 decorated the building internally for the first time and in 1961 added a kitchen. Now the Institute flourishes with Mr. and Mrs. David Hudson and Mr. Richard Perkins in charge. Help is given by other members of the Church. There are difficulties, not the least of which is a heating system which needs to be renewed at this present time, and money is short. The Institute is a very useful social centre where our young folk can meet to entertain themselves during the week, and thus keeps them in touch with the Church in their leisure time.

The Y.P.F. has taken various forms since 1954 but the main points of its programmes have been worship, fellowship and service. Under enthusiastic and tolerant leadership exceptionally fine work has been done: preparation for membership, visits to old people, financial and practical help to the boys at Hinwick Home, leading services in village chapels, entertainment for young and old, and much more. And we must remember that these young folk and their leaders and helpers have been keen workers in other depart¬ments as well. From 1954 to 1956 the leaders were: Messrs. G. King, A. Cobley, H. Cobley, L. King-Underwood and W. Gilks. Since 1958 the Fellowship has been run as a Junior Church Membership Class Meeting under the leadership of Mrs. V. Garley, Miss Joy Sherwood, Miss Freda Pack. Mr. H. Cobley and Mr. W. Gilks.

The Boys1 Brigade, formed in October 1907, has produced some fine men. not the least distinguished of whom is our old friend and staunch Methodist, Mr. Fred J. Pack, who joined the Brigade at its very beginning. Mr. W. A. Goosey was the first captain and held that office until 1940, through a period when there was a great deal of Brigade activity of which a very successful football team was but a part. Mr. A. Baker was captain from 1940 to 1947, a time of great difficulty and frustration due to the war. Mr. R. Blackwell took over in 1947 and led a Brigade rejuvenated by men who had returned from the Armed Forces, to many successes in the competitive field. This fine standard, together with the stirring Brigade Band, has been carried on by Mr. G. King, who became captain of this flourishing company in 1962.

In 1923 a team of Boy Reserves was formed by Mr. E. Quincey and Mr. E. Goosey. In 1926 this became the Life Boys with Miss C. Tester (now Mrs. Rowney, of Canada) as Leader-in-Charge. Other Leaders were: Miss N. Drage (Mrs. N. Cross, of Rushden), Mr. li. Holloman and Mr. R. Blackwcll, who served from 1931 to 1936, when Mr. T. R. Thacker took over. He carried on during the war years and up to 1948. Mr. G. King then led the team until 1959 when the present Leader-in-Charge, Mr. Alan Cobley, took command. He is assisted by a staff consisting of Mrs. G. King, Miss F. Pack and Miss C. Garley. Through the years the Life Boys have provided interesting activities for the boys and prepared them for service in the Boys' Brigade as well as strengthening the Junior Sunday School.

The Girls' Life Brigade was begun in 1914 to give our girls equal opportunities with the boys for training in Christian citizenship. Mr. W. Goosey was the first captain, followed by Miss D. Mould (Mrs. Sharpe), Miss L. Mould (Mrs. Eaton), Miss M. Battersby (Mrs. Barker), Miss B. Holloman, and Miss D. Nicholson. In 1935 the organisation became affiliated to the Girls' Life Brigade, and the Captains since that time have been Mrs. L. Wells, Miss G. Kenyon, Miss M. Knight (Mrs. Mackness), Mrs. G. King, Miss M. Mould (Mrs. Fairey) and Mrs. J. Cobley. Last year L/Cpl. Barbara Norman was chosen to take part in the G.L.B. Diamond Jubilee March-Past and Thanksgiving Service in London. The G.L.B. has served our Church splendidly in providing a happy and useful organisation for our girls.