August 1929

Seagoe Parish Magazine.

AUGUST, 1929.

RECTOR

Rev. Canon Archer, B.D., The Rectory, Seagoe,

Portadown.

LAY READER (Bishop's Licence)

Mr. Robt. Gracey, 23 Railway Street, Portadown.

CHURCHWARDENS:

Rector's—George Henry Wilson.

People's—John Harrison Twinem.

The Excursion.

The annual Sunday School excursion took place

to Newcastle on Thursday, July 18th, and proved a

great success. Until the present year the annual

outing was always held in June. This year the

experiment was tried of having it during the July

holidays. Some people said it would not be a success,

but events have proved that the committee made a

very wise selection of the date. The excursion was

looked forward to with great interest, especially by

the children of the Sunday Schools. The morning

of July 18th was beautiful, mild and sunny. At a

very early hour the drums of the bands could be

heard through the Parish. The Ballyhannon band

headed the contingent from the South end of the

Parish, and the Tamnificarbet lads headed the

children from the Carne and Drumgor or northern

end of the Parish. A short service was held in the

Parish Church at 8-20 a.m., and at 8-30 a start was

made for the station. Headed by a Union Jack, the

procession moved off. The two bands and the long

line of children walking two and two made a fine

picture. The long train waiting at the station was

soon filled up with eager excursionists. All the

carriages were filled to overflowing. The country

looked lovely as we sped along to our destination.

At Newcastle the procession was re-formed, and

headed by the bands, marched to Mr. Tom Cusack's

hall, where the first meal was served. Ham sandwiches

and well-baked buns and pastry were in great demand,

and the tea was very good. The hall was very

comfortable and easily accommodated the large number

present. During the afternoon the happy excursionists

went everywhere; some bathed, others paddled, others

climbed the mountains, and all enjoyed the sunshine

and fresh air. At 4-30 the second meal was served and

much appreciated. At 6-30 the two bands combined

their forces and played along the main street. It made

a great impression and many compliments were paid

to the bands on their excellent music. The massed

bands numbered over seventy performers. The return

journey was made in good time, the train left Newcastle

at 7-30 and reached Portadown before 9 p.m. The

excursion was one of the best attended we have ever

had. The number of railway tickets sold was 769.

Refreshments were supplied to 693 people. The total

cost of the excursion ran well over £100 but we are

glad to say that the finances work out with a balance

on the right side. The Mother's Union kind gift of £10

proved a great help and encouragement. Mr. John

Dermott sold over £20 worth of adult tickets in

Edenderry on the morning of the excursion. Our

special thanks are due to Mr. Robert M'Clements,

the Hon. Treasurer of the excursion. Our thanks

are also due to the many helpers who worked so

well to make the excursion a great success.

Death of Mr T. J. Montgomery.

It is with feelings of deep regret that we announce

the death of Mr. Thomas James Montgomery, who

passed away after a brief illness on July 24th, at

the age of 84 years. Although he had been in weak

health for some years it was only about ten days

before his death that he became seriously ill.

Seagoe has never had a more attached or faithful

friend than Thonmas James Montgomery. Born in

Derryvore, he was baptized in Seagoe Church on

June 14th, 1845. He attended the Church Education

School under Master Forsythe in Levaghery, and

was a pupil in the Sunday School at Seagoe. All

through his long life he attended the Parish Church

with the utmost regularity, and in course of time

filled all Church offices, being for many years a

member of the Select Vestry and also a Churchwarden.

He had a very retentive memory and loved

to call to mind the old days of Archdeacon Saurin

in Seagoe Parish. The funeral took place on Friday;

July 26th, to Old Seagoe graveyard. As the coffin

was borne from his residence in High St. all blinds

were drawn and business suspended in the town.

The attendance of parishioners and townspeople

was very large. A very large number of Wreaths

were sent, among them one from the Select Vestry

of Seagoe. The service in the Parish Church and at

the graveside was taken by the Rector, who was

assisted by Mr. R. Gracey, Lay Reader. On Sunday

morning in the Parish Church the Rector made special

reference to the character and life-work of Mr.

Montgomery. Our sympathy goes out to the members

of his family in their bereavement.

Through the kindness of "The Portadown News"

we are able to present our readers with a portrait of

the late Mr. Montgomery.

Seagoe Mothers' Union.

The members of the M.U. spent a pleasant evening

at Seagoe Rectory on Tuesday, July 8th. After tea in

Seagoe School, all adjourned to the Rectory grounds.

They wandered through the old gardens and many

sat in the ever-popular wishing chair. Others were

interested in the house and explored the old wine

cellar and underground passages, others indulged in

games on the lawn. At the close of the evening Mr.

Scott expressed the thanks all present to the Rector

for the pleasant evening they had enjoyed. No meeting

of the Mothers' Union will be held in August.

Seagoe P.E. School.

The following children obtained prizes as the best

in their standard at the examination held prior to

the summer vacation: —Seventh Standard, Harry

Hynes; Sixth, John Fiddes, May Jones, Fifth, Samuel

B. Kingston, Bertha M’Loughlin, Gertie Simpson;

Fourth—Victor Porter, Molly Jennings; Third, Roland

Scott, Caroline Guy; Second—Willie M'Loughlin,

Sally Hamill; First, Bobbie Jennings, Jean Finney;

Infants, Jim Magowan, Chrissie Fiddes, Edna Gray.

Religious Knowledge Examination.

At the examination in Religious Knowledge held

in Seagoe P.E. School on June 10th, the following

children obtained certificates for good answering: —

Senior Division—First Class—Eileen Dunlop. Doris

Livingston, Gertie Simpson, John Fiddes, Sam Kingston,

David Guy, Dinah M'Cabe, Maggie Ruddell, Harry

Hynes, May Jones, Annie M'Clatchey. Second Class—

Bertha M'Loughlin, Florrie Hynes. Middle Division—

Peggy Caddell, Caroline Guy, Mollie Jennings, Robert

Magee, Sarah Macauley, Gertie Magowan, H. M'Clatchey,

Fred M'Knight, T. M'Shannock, Roland Scott.

Marriage of Miss Blacker.

On Wednesday, July 17th, Miss Betty Mary Blacker,

elder daughter of Lieut.-Col Blacker, was married

to Lieut. George Arthur Thring, R.N., only son of

Sir Arthur and Lady, Thring, of Charlton House,

Charlton Mackrel, Somerset. The service was held

in Walditch Parish Church, Bridport, Dorset. The

close connection which has for centuries existed

between the Blacker family and the Parish of Seagoe

makes any event occurring in the family a matter of

great interest to the parishioners. We offer our hearty

congratulations and best wishes to Mr. and Mrs. Thring

on the occasion of their wedding, and we hope someday

to see them in the old home at Carrick Blacker.

Parish Register for July.

Baptisms

The following were Baptized in Seagoe Parish Church

on July 6th, 1929:—

Watson—Ambrose, son of James and Isabella Watson,

of Edenderry.

Sponsors—Sarah Jane Whaley, Isabella Watson.

Campbell—Lavinia, daughter of William James and

Jane Anna Campbell, of Balteagh.

Sponsors—Agnes Webb, Jane Anna Campbell.

Winter—Doris Elizabeth, daughter of Hiram Oswald

and Anne Elizabeth Winter, of Edenderry.

Sponsors—Rosina Glassey, Anne Elizabeth Winter.

Marriages.

Corkin and Whaley—July 11th, 1929, Edward John

Corkin, of Portadown, to Sarah Jane Whaley,

of Edenderry.

Simpson and Magee—July 17th, 1929, David William

Simpson, of Edenderry, to Hannah Jane

Magee, of Edenderry.

Thring and Blacker—July 17th, 1929, George Arthur

Thring, Lieut., R.N., to Betty Mary Blacker,

elder daughter of Lt.-Col. S. W. Blacker, of

Carrick Blacker.

Burials.

Dickson—July 2nd, Sarah Burns Dickson, of Drumnagoon.

Roney—July 9th, Albert Roney, of Edenderry; aged

2 years

Montgomery—July 26th, Thomas James Montgomery,

of Portadown; aged 84 years.

A “Seagoe" Cup.

Mr. James M'Dowell, of Providence, Rhode Island,

a native of Seagoe, has just been paying his annual

visit to the Parish. He is accompanied by his daughter,

Miss M'Dowell. While here he presented a handsome

cup for competition by Portadown firms during

"Shopping Week," and has asked that the Cup be known

as the "Seagoe Cup." This is a nice compliment paid

by the donor to his native Parish. Mr. M'Dowell has

always been very kind and generous in his gifts.

Seagoe in Southport.

A Camp Diary kept by Captain R. Gracey, C.L.B.,

when in camp with the Seagoe C.L.B. at Southport,

July 11th—20th, 1929.

On Thursday, July 11th, the lads of the Seagoe

Company Church Lads Brigade gathered at the

Parochial Hall in Edenderry, before proceeding to

the all Ireland C.L.B. Camp at Hillside, Southport,

England. After roll call, and prayer led by the Rector,

Rev. Canon J. E. Archer, the lads marched to the

G.N.R. station, where a number of friends had

gathered to wish the lads a happy time. As the train

moved out of the station the words of the old song

which became such a favourite during the Great

War, “It's a long way to Tipperary," could be heard,

accompanied by mouth organs. The journey to Belfast

was made in good time, and on arrival the Company

marched to the C.L.B. Headquarters in Donegal Square.

Here a large number of boys from all over Ulster were

assembled, the roll of each Company was handed in

to the Paymaster, Col. R. H. Moore, and at 8 p.m. the

Battalion, numbering about 250 lads, under the

command of Lieut.-Col. the Rev. J. B. Bradshaw, and

headed by the pipe bands of St. Michael's and St. Aidan's

Companies, marched to the Donegal Quay, and in a very

short space of time, all were aboard the beautiful new

ship the “Ulster Monarch." The sea was quite calm and

very few of the boys suffered from sea sickness. Liverpool

was reached about 6 a.m. Here again the Battalion formed

up and marched to Lime St. Station. The journey from

Liverpool to Hillside took 40 minutes. A number of the

advance guard were waiting at the station to welcome

their comrades. Greetings were exchanged, and within

the space of 10 minutes the lads had arrived in camp,

and what but a short time before seemed dead was now

teeming with life, and when the bugle sounded for

breakfast 270 lads could be seen racing toward the two

big marquees set up for the purpose of dining halls.

Nothing much was done the first day with the

exception of setting things in order. In the evening

a number went to see the sights of Southport. At

10-30 "Last Post" sounded; at 10-50 the bell rung

silence for prayers; at 11 o'clock lights out, and so

ended the first day in camp.

Saturday, July 13th—The Reveille went at 7 a.m.,

At 7-10 there was silence for prayers, and 7-30 roll

call, and at 8 o'clock the cookhouse sounded. After

breakfast the blankets and ground sheets had to be

folded up neatly and the tent cleaned up for the

lines inspection. At 10 a.m. the bugle sounded for

church Parade. The service, held in the open air,

was taken by the Battalion Chaplain, the Rev. Canon

Manning, M.A., M.C., Rector of Holywood, and the

address was given by Major Gausson, M.D., the

Battalion Doctor, dealing with purity of mind and

Body. At the close of the service the first verse of

the National Anthem was sung. The lads were

engaged in drill up to 11-30, and at 12-30 were free

for the rest of the day. Some: went to Ainsdale for

bathing, others went down to Southport.

Sunday, July 14th—The Reveille went at the usual

time, and at 7-15 there was a celebration of the

Lord's Supper in the Church tent. At this service a

good number of our Seagoe lads attended. The tent

was crowded. Breakfast was served at the usual

hour, and at 9-30 the Battalion formed on the square,

and headed by the band marched to St. James's

Church, Birkdale, for Morning Prayer at 11 o'clock,

seats being reserved for the members of the C.L.B.

An appropriate address was given by the Vicar.

Well-known hymns were sung, some of the verses

being sung by the congregation alone. All the lads

joined heartily in the Service, and members of the

congregation were impressed by the reverence shown

by the members of the C.L.B. After dinner the boys

were again free. In the evening some of the officers

attended Divine Service in the great new Liverpool

Cathedral.

Monday, July 15th—At the Church Service this

Morning the address was given by Captain R. Gracey,

of the Seagoe Company on “The Church and youth."

In the afternoon a bathing parade was arranged, and

in the evening the lads could be seen enjoying

themselves on the pleasure beach in Southport, some

on the water chute, others on the scenic railway or

the electric motors, and the whip; indeed almost

everywhere could be seen the lads in blue.

Tuesday, July 16th—The lads are now well settled

down, and everything is moving along very nicely.

The sun has shone brightly every day, indeed the

weather is just perfect. The address this morning

was given by the Rev. J. Gilliland, of Belfast. It was

very wonderful to hear the singing of nearly 300

voices, and quite a number of the residents of Hillside

came over to hear the service, and workmen engaged

in building houses nearby downed tools to listen.

A Silver Cup, presented by the C.L.B. Headquarters

for the best guard during camp, was to be competed for.

When the result of the draw was announced it showed

that our Seagoe Company were, to do duty first, the

guard comprising 12 cadets, 1 cpl. and a sergt. mounted

at 8 p.m.. and were on duty up to 8 a.m. next day. Our

Seagoe lads could not be praised too highly for the

splendid way they did their duty, and the sentries could

be heard distinctly challenging the late-corners - "Halt,

who goes there.” We congratulate Sergt.-Major Burns

on the splendid way he controlled the lads under his

command in the competition.

Wednesday, July 17th—At the invitation of Lever

Bros., the world famous soap makers, to visit their

works and model village at Port Sunlight, a large

number of lads and officers made the journey, and

were greatly thrilled by what they saw, and everyone

returned with a souvenir.

Thursday, July 18th—The competition for the Lines

Cup was now very keen, and it could be seen that

Seagoe were well in the running. To-day was sports

day, and also Col. Foulkes, of the Headquarters Staff

in London, was coming to camp. After breakfast,

Lieut.-Col Bradshaw sent for Captain R. Gracey and

asked him if the Seagoe guard would turn out to receive

Col. Foulkes. This speaks very highly to our Seagoe boys.

The sports were timed to start at 2-30 p.m. At 2-15

quite a large crowd of visitors arrived. The mounting

of the guard was carried out on the square in front of

hundreds of people and after being inspected were

played to the receiving post by the band. Our Seagoe

lads gave a very fine display, and many congratulations

from the lookers on, and later Col. Foulkes said he never

saw a finer C.L.B. guard. Surely every parishioner feels

proud of the lads.

In the high jump Cadet D. Phillips, of Seagoe Coy.,

reached the semi-final jumping with 4ft. 3in., and

in the tug-of-war Seagoe were only beaten in their

final by Christ Church, Lisburn, after a tie. At 5

o'clock the visitors were entertained to tea in the

camp, and later the prizes were distributed by Col.

Foulkes.

Friday, July 19th—There was great excitement in

camp this morning. It was announced at breakfast

that a photographer was coming to take photos for

the films of the inspection and march past, which

took place at 10-30 a.m., the salute, being taken by

Col. Foulkes. In the evening Southport was crowded

with C.L.B. paying their last visit, and a great number

of the boys were out on late passes, allowing

them out until 11-30. About 150 of them marched

down Lord St. singing "If you're Irish come into

the parlour" and other popular Irish songs. At the

head of the procession, carried on the shoulders

of two of the bigger lads, was a little boy from

Cork, the smallest of the Battalion. What a happy

lot they were! About 12 lads and 2 officers from

Cork, and 6 lads from Limerick attended the camp.

THE LAST DAY.

Saturday, July 20th—During the week photographs

had been taken in camp by one of the Southport

papers, and a prize of 10/- was to be given for the

lad with the best smile. We are glad to say it was

won by Cadet Phillips, of Seagoe. The address at

the Service was again given by Captain Gracey.

When the results of the Guards and Lines competition

were announced, to the surprise of many, Seagoe

lost the Guards Cup by 2 points, and the Lines Cup

by 2 ½ points, but after all it was not too bad for the

first year.

Home time was drawing very near, and at 7 p.m.

the bugle sounded the "fall in," and after a few

words by the Colonel and the Chaplain, the Battalion

moved on for Hillside station. A large crowd had

gathered here to say “good-bye," and it could be

clearly seen that Hillside was sorry the camp was

over. Within 40 minutes we were in Liverpool again,

marching toward the pier with the band playing "The

Protestant Boys." The journey to Belfast was made on

the s.s. Patriotic, arriving about 7-30 a.m. on Sunday,

21st July. The Journey to Portadown was made on the

9-15 leaving Belfast. At the station in Portadown the

lads were met by Lieut. W. Metcalf and a number of

friends. Lieut Metcalf had to return home on Friday

on account of his business.

Everyone enjoyed the holiday, and we feel that

next year the number leaving Portadown will be

doubled.

Amongst the 300 lads in camp were boys from

Cork and Limerick, Portrush, Newry, Lisburn, Belfast,

Portadown, Dunmurry, and about 20 Sea Cadets

N.B.—The Seagoe Company are endeavouring to

start a band, and we hope every parishioner will do

his or her part to help our lads to get into first

position in the Down and Connor and Dromore

Regiment.

Anyone wishing to receive a photograph of the

Seagoe C.L.B. can have same from Captain Gracey

for the sum of 2/6.

Sinking a Well

The Lurgan Rural Council have been given a small

section of the School ground at Seagoe in which to

sink a well. The shaft has now been sunk to a depth

of over 30 feet. The well, when completed will be a

great benefit to the residents and to the School. Seagoe

water is famous for its purity and flavour. It is said

to be the best in the whole country round, but it is now

scarce owing to the dryness of the season, and several

wells have gone dry. During the sinking of the new

well several pieces of fine black bog oak, very hard

and of close texture have been dug up at a depth of

sixteen and eighteen feet. A large boulder stone of

pure white marble was also unearthed at a depth of

fifteen feet. Water diviners have located several springs

in the place where the well is being sunk.

ITEMS

Seagoe P.E. School is undergoing painting and

cleaning during the holidays.

***

Seagoe P.E. School will re-open after the summer

holidays on Wednesday, August 14th, at 9-30. A

punctual attendance of all the pupils is requested.

***

The recent serious motor accident in Tarson is

another proof of the need for more hedge-cutting

at corners.

***

At Carrick Blacker the hedges at all the road corners

have been replaced by open wire fences. In such a case

an accident is almost impossible.

***

Mr. T. H. Jackson, hardware merchant and house

furnisher, won the "Seagoe Cup" in the Shopping

Week competition.

The Annual Report will be published this month.