A FARRAGO

A FARRAGO

To anyone attending the Carol Service last Christmas, and who was somewhat startled by the rendition of ‘While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks By Night’ to the tune commonly associated with the Yorkshire National Anthem (‘On Ilkla Moor Baht ‘At’), we offer some information. The tune was a hymn tune known as ‘Cranbrook’ (or sometimes ‘Northampton’) long before the words of ‘On Ilkla Moor’ were put to it and first appeared in 1805 in Thomas Clark’s ‘A Sett of Psalm and Hymn Tunes’. (Clark was a cobbler living in Canterbury.) ‘O For A Thousand Tongues To Sing’ goes well with it too!

Apparently the words of ‘While Shepherds Watched’ have been found set to more than 150 different tunes. Maybe there will be another surprise next Christmas!

‘Onward Christian Soldiers’ was written by an Anglican curate : Sabine Baring-Gould. Although it first appeared in print in 1864 it really made its mark when sung by local children in 1865 during the annual Whitsun Procession from St John’s Church, Horbury Bridge near Wakefield, to St Peter’s Church in nearby Horbury. Later in life Baring-Gould moved to Devon and became well known for his work in collecting folk songs and carols.

Does anyone recall taking part in Verse Speaking Competitions or in Scripture Knowledge Examinations? We’d love to hear from you.

Last ‘back end’ several members of our congregation were invited to take part in the Northern Exposure research project being organised by the University of Leeds. Its purpose is to study the personal experiences of long-term residents regarding post-industrial change and diversity in the town. The same research was going to be carried out in a number of other northern towns. The mind boggles at what might be made of some of the information collected.

Sadly the Lancashire Branch of the Wesley Historical Society has had to close. Difficulties in recruiting new members, in replacing serving officers wishing to retire and no meetings being held during the past two years due to the adverse effects of Covid are some of the reasons. The usual things! – and all too common in this day and age.

We’re always pleased to receive copies of magazines, newsheets and visitor guides from other churches.

We also regularly receive a copy of the magazine from our twinned Evangelische- methodistische Kirche in Recklinghausen, Germany. Copies translated to English are usually on the Church website from a link on the front page.

Roy Smith (Editor)