May 1924

Seagoe Parish Magazine.

MAY, 1924.

Easter Vestry.

The Annual Meeting of the General Vestry of

Seagoe Parish was held in Seagoe School on

Thursday, April 24t,h, at 8 p.m. The Rev. Canon Archer,

Rector, presided, and the Rev. W. T. Wilson, Curate-

Assistant, was also present. After prayer the Minutes

of the last General Vestry were read by the

Hon. Sec. , Mr. Hugh Stoops, and signed. The members

of the outgoing Select Vestry added their signatures

to the Minutes according to the ancient

custom of the Parish. The Rector in his opening

statement referred to progress made in many

directions during the past year—the appointment of a

second Curate, the buying out of the Rectory at a

cost of £950, improvements at the Parochial Hall in

Edenderry, and a Sale of Work in aid of the renovation

of Drumgor Church Hall. The Weekly Envelope

system had proved very successful, but a greater

financial effort would be required in the future

to meet the increased financial needs of the Parish.

The following appointments were then made :—

CHURCHWARDENS :

Thomas H. Wilson, Rector's.

John E. Lavery, People's.

PAROCHIAL NOMINATORS :

Lt.-Col. Blacker, D.s.o.

T. E. Maginnis.

J. G. Gracey.

DIOCESAN SYNODSMEN :

NIL Gilpin.

j. G. Gracey.

T. Martin.

J. Twinem.

J. H. Twinem.

R. Price.

SELECT VESTRY :

Miss Atkinson.

Miss Collen.

M. Gilpin.

J.

R.

T.

T.

J.

R.

H.

J.

J.

J. G. Gracey.

R. HOY.

T. E. Maginnis.

T. Martin.

J. Montgomery.

R. Price.

H. Stoops.

J. Twinem.

J. H. Twinem.

SYDESMEN :

J. Carson, I. Dickson, J. Ford, J. G. Gracey, R. Hoy,

R. M'C1ements, D. W. Murray, S. Rennix, J. Sands,

J. Twinem.

Hon. Sec.—Moses Gilpin, Drurnnagoon.

Hon. Treas.—Hugh Stoops, Killycomaine Road,

Portadown.

Holy Week and Easter.

The Services during Holy Week and Easter were

well attended Special addresses were given by

visiting clergy. On Easter Day, especially at

Morning Prayer, the congregations were large, and the

Services were very bright and hearty. The Easter

Anthem, “Christ is risen," was well sung by a full

choir. The solo was sung with fine expression by

Mr. David Murray. The Church was tastefully

decorated with palms and cut flowers.

Jumble Sale

The recent Jumble Sale in the Parochial Hall

realised a total sum of £15 19s 10d. The expenses

amounted to 10s 6d, leaving a nett balance of

£15 9s 4d for the Scouts and Guides.

Drumgor Sale of Work.

The outstanding event in the Parish during the

past month was the Sale of Work and Sports which

came off at Drumgor On Easter Tuesday, April 22nd.

Everything passed off with great success, and a

considerable sum of money has been raised towards

the renovation of the Hall where the Sunday School

and other gatherings are held. The final financial

statement is not yet completed, but the gross total

reaches something over about £100, about £70 being from

the Sale and £30 from the Sports. Everyone worked

with hearty goodwill. Mrs. Watson Walker very

kindly consented to open the Sale, at very short

notice. Mrs. Waring, who was to have done so, was

unable. to attend through illness, but kindly sent a

subscription of Mrs. James Johnston, of Lurgan,

also very kindly sent a subscription of £2. The

following names of helpers wore accidentally omitted

from the Press report —Mrs. M'Cullough, Miss Minnie

Bullick, and Messrs Robinson and Thomas

George Robinson Our special thanks are due to the

Tamnificarbet Flute Band, who helped greatly by

their presence to make the Sale and Sports such a

success. We also owe our very sincere, thanks to

Captain and Mrs. Andrews and to the. " B " Specials

for their kind help. The Irish Wedding Party was

a splendid success and created great amusement.

The Hon. Secs. of the Sale were Miss Agnes Guy

and Mr. M. Gilpin. The Hon. Treasurers were Miss

Collen for the Sale, and Mr. M'Clernents for the

Sports.

C-M.S. Boxes.

The following names and amounts were by accident

omitted from last month's list of Boxes returned

—Miss Minnie M'Corrnick, 3s 2d; Mrs. Henry Neilly

6s 8d ; Miss Minnie England, 7s 6d; Miss Sophia

M'Murray, Is 6d.

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE.

A Curious Find.

The following letter has been received from Mr.

C S. Kirk, per Mrs. John Reid, relating to the curious

find of glass jars or bottles which were unearthed

from a subterranean chamber when the

workmen were. Excavating for the making of the

railway through Seagoe about the year 1837. Mr.

Kirk most kindly enclosed a fine photograph of the

bottle in his possession —

Will you kindly hand enclosed photograph to

Canon Archer with my compliments.

I know but little of the circumstances surrounding

the history of the bottle, which was the property of

my grandfather, Daniel Sinclair, who was resident

for many years in Seagoe. I remember my grandfather

telling me that at the time they were cutting

the Railway from Belfast to Portadown a number

of these bottles were found somewhere in the neighbourhood

of the level crossing at Seagoe Gates, and

that Archdeacon Saurin got several of them.

The bottles when found were securely sealed, and

all contained liquor—wine of some sort, I think.

The bottle itself is of thick dark glass, similar in

substance to the ordinary porter bottle of to-day,

and of somewhat similar density. The photographer

has tried to convey this, but with somewhat doubtful

success in the accompanying photograph. It is

his endeavour to do so that accounts for the white

splash and the apparent band that runs round the

base of the bottle.

If this photograph will serve Canon Archer's

purpose I will be very pleased that I have been able

to supply him with it.

G.F.S.

Eight new members were admitted to the Hacknahay

Branch of the G.F.S. by the Rector at a recent

meeting of the Branch held at Miss Calvert's house

in Breagh. The names of the new members are—

Misses Emily Neill, Sophia M'Murray, Ethel

M'Murray, Gertrude Fowler, May Quinn, May Bell,

Fanny Davidson, Sophia Davidson.

Our Summer Migrants,

The Cuckoo was heard by Mr. M'Clements, of

Edenderry, at Seagoe on April 1st. This is a very

early record. The Corncrakes were heard by many

on the evening of Monday, April 28th. We have not

yet heard of the Swallow's reappearance, but it

is long overdue.

The Parochial Hall.

The splendid new iron railings are now in position

round the Hall, and are much admired. A Social

meeting was held in the Hall on Friday, April 25th,

and it was decided to start a Penny a week Fund to

provide money for the new Musgrave Heating

apparatus for the Hall. It will cost about £100, so please

pay in your pennies and the thing will soon be done.

Rev. W. Crichton,

Our old friend, the Rev. W. Crichton, hopes to

spend a day or two in Seagoe this month. We will

all be glad to see him once again after his six years

in India.

Parish Register for April

Baptisms.

The following were Baptized in Seagoe Parish Church on April 5th, 1924—

Stanfield—Robert Weirs son of Thomas Edward and Mary Jane Stanfield, of Edenderry.

Sponsors—Annie Weir, Mary Jane Stanfield.

Johnston—David Charles, son of James and Elizabeth Johnston, of Kernan.

Sponsors—Margaret Sommerville, Elizabeth Johnston

Best—William David, son of William David and Sarah Anne Best, of Edenderry.

Sponsors—Margaretta Pentland, Sarah Anne Best.

Montgomery—Edna Emily Jane, daughter of Thomas John and Martha Montgomery, of Kernan.

Sponsors—Jemima Porter, Martha Montgomery.

M'DonaId—Helen, daughter of William Henry and Mary M'Donald, of Edenderry

Sponsors—Lucy Henry, Mary M'Dona1d.

Abraham—Absalom, son of George and Margaret Abraham, of Edenderry

Sponsors—George Abraham, Margaret Abraham.

RECEIVED INTO THE CONGREGATION.

Porter—April 18th, Richard Joseph, son of David and Sarah Mary Porter, of Kernan.

Sponsors—Anne Jane Patton, Sarah Mary Porter.

Marriages.

M'Kerr and Livingston—April 17th, 1924, William George McKerr, of Drumgor,

to Sarah Livingston, of Edenderry.

Warnock and Hughes—April 23rd, 1924, at St. Mark's Church, Portadown, by the Rev. Canon

Archer, assisted by the Rev. H. F. O. Egerton, Joseph Warnock, of Edenderry,

to Sarah Hughes, of Portadown

Rankin and Preston—April 23rd, 1924, Albert John Rankin, of Castlecaulfield, Co. Tyrone, to

Anne Elizabeth Preston, of Killycomaine.

Burials.

Livingston—April 8th, Annie Livingston, of Edenderry, aged 43.

Hughes-—April 10th, Ellen Hughes, of Knockmena, aged 52.

Finnegan—April 22nd, Mary Finnegan, of Ballyhannon, aged 72.

M'Nulty—April 25th, Margaret M'Nulty, of Drumgor aged 21.

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE.

Congratulations.

We offer our hearty congratulations to Mr. and

Mrs. Joseph Warnock on their marriage. Mr. Warnock

has been a lifelong resident of Edenderry, and

has always taken a practical interest in the welfare

of Seagoe Parish. Much of the success which has

attended the Parish Magazine has been due to the

attention devoted by Mr. Warnock and the staff of

the " Portadown News “ to its publication ever since

it was first published in January, 1906. He has always

been most courteous, willing and ready to

help in every possible way, and since Mrs. Young

recently relinquished her control of the Printing

Office Mr. Warnock has reached a position of still

greater responsibility.

We wish Mr. and Mrs. Warnock

much happiness and prosperity in their

future life.

In our last issue we announced the marriage of

Mr. William M'Dowe11 to Miss Annie Black. The

hearty congratulations of Mrs. M'Dowell's fellow

parishioners in Seagoe will follow her in her new

sphere of life. Mrs. Mc'Dowe11 was for many years

head Nurse in the Fever Hospital at Lurgan Infirmary,

and her kind care Of the patients in her charge

brought many a sick and suffering one back to health

and strength. Mr. and Mrs. M'Dowe11 will in future

reside in Bangor.

Seagoe Children 's Choir.

Seagoe Children have again succeeded in carrying

off the Challenge Shield at the Musical Festival

held in Portadown this week. This is their second

win, so if they succeed next year the Shield comes

permanently to Seagoe. The Judge, Sir Richard

Terry, was loud in his praise of the singing. He

said—" Their utterance was remarkably clear, they

had a beautiful easy lilt, their intonation and diction

were excellent, and their nuances or lights and

shades were very satisfactory." We congratulate

Mr. Rennix and the Choir on their great success,

which has brought much honour to Seagoe School.

ITEMS,

Much regret has been caused to the Teaching Staff

and pupils of Seagoe National School by the sudden

death of little Willie Macaulay, of Lower Seagoe

He was at the school up to the Thursday before

Easter apparently as bright and happy as ever, but

passed away a few days after. We express our

sympathy with his bereaved relatives.

The Rector would be obliged if any who have sold

Tickets for the recent Lecture on " Lough Neagh "

would kindly remit him the amount without delay

Radical improvements are being made on the Lurgan

Road. For long stretches the surface is being

covered with large quarry stones and over that a

new asphalte surface is rolled in.

Mr. Robert W. Johnston, L. Th. Durham, who has

been appointed to the second Curacy ot Seagoe, will

(D. V.) be ordained on Sunday, June 29th, and will

enter on his work as Curate on July 1st.

Seagoe Sunday School Excursion to Warrenpoint

on Thursday, June 19th.

WITH THE "NINTH" IN FRANCE.

By Lieut.-Col. S. W. BLACKER, D.S.O.

(Continued from April Magazine.)

TUESDAY, MARCH 6th.

Sunny day after a white frost. A strafe of our heavies all the morning. Went to Bde. office and spent half an hour with Gen. settling things. My recommendations had not gone on, but have now. Two for Military Medal for stretcher bearers, who did good work in bringing in wounded from a neighboring Div. I hear the Canadians did a big raid the other night. A whole Brigade went over and did a lot of damage. I wrote to Padre’s father today (he is 94), telling him what we all thought of his son, and sent him the copy of the recommendations I had sent in for the M.C. for him for the third time.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7th.

Frosty again and a bitter N.E. wind today. Another strafe this a.m. by our guns; all sorts. Our snipers got to work last tour and fairly silenced the Bosche ones. Up to that we lost a man a day from them, and last tour they never even fired. We had four pairs of ours at work, one with telescope observing (only 80 yards off) and one with telescopic rifle. Result was we outed quite a lot of Bosche. Young Shill. is extraordinarily accurate and reliable. Wonderful good head on such young shoulders. A howling bitter N.E. blast that cuts one in two. The 12th had a few casualties from T.M.’s [ trench mortars ] today. This hard weather seems prevalent everywhere. I still don’t see how the war will last beyond this year. Stronge is busy ploughing and is well forward. We found two old derelict ploughs and a barrow. Bde. mess was only 6 fcs. a day last month. My strictures on liqueurs had some effect.

THURSDAY, MARCH 8th.

Snow early and continuing at intervals all a.m. Sun out now and melting it fast, but wind still N.E. and bitter. I had a reply from Nugent about Padre. “Thanks for your recommendation for Halahan. I quite agree. You may be sure he will not be overlooked.” So that’s satisfactory. Yes, so far Griffith has kept to my alterations. Of course, crabbed them [ complained], but found all C.O.’s supporting me, so left it. They are all very nice about me, far more than, of course, I deserve.

I have no idea about big things in the future. This retirement of the Germans alters things somewhat. We are short-handed again. We had to send 50 men and an officer away for a fortnight’s duty in back areas, and have had 40 cases of scabies, who will be away for a similar period, reducing us by 100, just when men are wanted for work.

10.00 p.m. The p.m. turned out better, though cloudy. No snow fell and the glass is rising. The Bosche put up a heavy strafe on 12th front between 3.00 and 4.00 p.m. Caused some casualties. He also threw some shells about back areas, promiscuous like, but did no damage. We only go in for four days this time, and then out to another place further back, where the Battalion will be together again. To promote entente between Infantry and Heavy Artillery I am to be attached, on 14th and 15th, to a heavy group, about three miles off. As they can’t put me up I have to ride over each day from 10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m.—rather ridiculous.

FRIDAY, MARCH 9th.

Fine morning, now threatening snow again. March seems a snorter out here. Sorry to say there’s a move on, only a side step N., I believe, but it will entail more Transport lines and stores, and being rather crowded. However, we can’t complain—we’ve been eight months without a move. Another strafe about 4.00 a.m., and the 12th had a few casualties. They have had a bad time this tour. The trenches were knocked about rather.

SATURDAY, MARCH 10th.

Foggy day, frost gone, mild, and spring-like. Fear the line is in a bad way, and will want a lot of work. Pleasant dinner last night with the gunners. Thomson, who commands this group, a very nice fellow. Wonderful the entente between us. All of his officers practically know all the officers of the two Battns., and are extremely pally with one another. Everyone at Bde. H.Q. impressed by pessimism of Friday’s London papers. I hope people at last are beginning to realise the seriousness of the outlook. The new Government are doing well, and judging from the proceedings of D. Comm. it was about time the old lot went. Such happy-go-lucky methods. Plumer told Nugent that this Div. was the best in the 2nd Army.

SUNDAY, MARCH 11th.

Rumour strong here that there is a Rebellion on again in Ireland. If such be the case it will give the Government a grand opportunity to have Nat. Service in Ireland. Fine spring-like day and mild. Much mud about everywhere, and movement very fatiguing. According to latest we retire to back areas shortly. Wandered up the line last night and found everything very quiet, and the morning the same. A busy afternoon, all sorts to settle, and arrange about moves and temporary shifts, etc. I read your ration statement to H.Q. Mess, and they were astounded at the small amount, especially of bread, flour and sugar. We have numerous moves on in the next 10 days, so after Wednesday letters will be scrappy and irregular. I expect much aerial activity on both sides today, as the weather is fine. There is a good deal of wind about in the higher strata.

MONDAY, MARCH 12th.

Such a rush; no time to write. Quiet night, but heavy rain and river in flood.

9.30 p.m. A mild day, heavy rain early and again in p.m., river flooding. At last got orders for move, very complicated but young Shill. such a clear head and great help. A quiet day. Water in one place in the trenches was waist deep. We managed, however, to drain it off. March 17th seems a probable date for another rising in S. and W. I’m sure Dillon will commit the Irish Parliamentary Party. They are fast losing all influence in Ireland, I think. Holt looked in this evening. Bob Maxwell away for a week at 2nd Army School. I was to have gone to Heavy Artillery group for a few days, but that is cancelled.

TUESDAY, MARCH 13th.

Wire in that I am to proceed to England and report in writing to W.O. [ War Office ] Wonder what it means. Will see Battalion out of the line and leave Thursday or Friday. Am trying to wire you.