October 1923

Seagoe Parish Magazine

Mr. DAVID ROCK, J.P.

OCTOBER, 1923

We are glad to be able to present our readers with

a Portrait of Mr. David Rock, J.P. He has recently

been of several honours which set the

seal to what we in Seagoe felt and knew all the time

—that he was one of the best parishioners of Seagoe,

and one of the most useful citizens of Portadown

Mr. Rock has within the past few years been elected

to the Urban Council, and has proved himself a most

diligent and attentive representative of the townspeople.

Quite recently another honour has been

conferred on him. He has been appointed by the

authorities a Justice of the Peace. Within the last

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE

week he has again been marked out for further

honours in being presented with an artistic and

life-like oil painting of himself, the gift of his

brother Orangemen. We are proud to claim Mr.

Rock as a Parishioner of Seagoe. He is a regular

worshipper at the Parish Church, and has in former

days been a member of Seagoe Select Vestry. He

has for many years been a member of the. Committee

of Edenderry Parochial Hall, and has shown his

interest in the Parish in many ways. It is well for

Seagoe and Portadown that there is in our midst

one who has so high a sense of Christian citizenship

and Brotherhood. Mr. Rock believes in deeds rather

than words. His fellow parishioners and fellow

townsmen have confidence in him because they know

him to be true and just in all his dealings. We

congratulate Mr. Rock in the name of the Parishioners

of Seagoe on his recent honours, and we believe

that the future has in store for him still greater

tributes to his worth.

Harvest Thanksgiving Services.

The Annual Harvest Thanksgiving Services will

be held (D. V.) in the Parish Church on Thursday,

October 11th, at 8 p.m., and on Sunday, October

14th, at 11.30 and 7. The Rev. H. B. Swanzy, M.A.,

Vicar of Newry, will preach on Thursday evening,

and on Sunday the special preacher will be the Rev

Leslie Stevenson, M.A., Curate of St. John's, Malone,

Belfast, and formerly Vicar of Wadhurst, Surrey.

The Offerings on Thursday will be for Foreign

Missions, and on Sunday for Church Expenses.

District Harvest Services,

The following arrangements have been made for

Harvest Services in the various Parochial centres :

HACKNAHAY—Sunday, September 30th, at 3.30 p.m.

Monday, October 1st, at 8 p.m.

Preacher on Monday—Rev. J. Molloy, M-A.

DRUMCOR—Sunday, October 7th, at 3.30 p.m.

Monday, October 8th, at 8 p.m.

LEVAGHERY Sunday, October 21st, at 3.30 p.m.

Monday, October 22nd, at 8 p.m.

CARNE—Sunday, October 28th, at 3.30 p.m.

Monday, October 29th, at 8 p.m.

EDENDERRY—Sunday, November 4th, at 3.30 p.m.

Monday, November 5th, at 8 p.m.

The Collections at the Sunday Services will he for

Local Sunday School Expenses, and on the Mondays

for Foreign Missions.

Indian Mission

Miss Jellett, of the Chota Nagpur Mission in North

East India, will (D. V.) give a Lecture on the work

of the Mission in Seagoe School on Thursday,

October 25th, at 8 p.m. A collection will be made.

Miss Jellett has a very interesting story to tell of

her work among the aboriginal tribes rof India.

The Mothers' Union.

The Monthly Meeting of the Mothers' Union will

be held (D. V.) in Edenderry Parochial Hall on

Tuesday, October 2. A full attendance of all the

members is invited.

The opening Service in the Parish Church on

Tuesday, September 4th. was largely attended. The

Service was taken and the address given by the

Rector. The Offerings were for Foreign Missions.

The Glebe Purchase Scheme.

At a meeting of the Select Vestry held in Seagoe

School on Monday, September 10th, the gratifying

announcement was made that the £950 5s 3d required

for the purchase of Seagoe Rectory had been reached

and was now lodged in the Rank to the credit of the

Scheme. The actual sum standing to the credit of

the Fund in the Belfast Bank on September 10th was

£808 10s 11d, which, together with Miss Macoun's

gift of (in memory of her mother the late Mrs.

Macoun), and a sum of over £40 lodged in the Ulster

Bank, runs the total up to something over the £950.

Thus the long-sustained effort made by the Parish

reaches a successful conclusion. We remember with

what wonderful energy the late Mr. Wolsey Atkinson

worked for this great object, although he was

not spared to see its final success. It is in many

respects a very real memorial to his revered name.

A suggestion was made that the sum in hands should

be invested in War Loan for a few years, which

would bring in a much increased return. Some of

the Vestry were in favour of this, and some were

opposed to it. It was therefore decided to adjourn

the final decision for a month so that the Vestry

might talk it over with the Parishioners. As far as

one can judge the opinion of the Parish is in favour

of an immediate purchase, and that is probably the

course which will be adopted at the next meeting

of the Vestry.

Seagoe Abroad.

Many young people have left the old Parish and

are scattered abroad, some in Canada, some in the

United States, others in Australia and New Zealand

—there seems to be no land under the sun where

some Seagoe parishioner has not found a dwelling

place. Many of these emigrants have prospered,

but the Church in the old Parish is poorer by their

absence. Perhaps some of those upon whom the

sun of prosperity has shined would be anxious to

help once again the Church where they worshipped

in their early days, and the Parish where their forefathers

dwelt in bygone days. If such an one happens

to read these lines they might be disposed to

send a subscription to the Church Funds. Any such

help will be gratefully received and may be sent

Mr. Hugh Stoops, Hon. Treas, Killicomaine Road.

Portadown, or to the Rector. Any sums received

will be acknowledged in the Parish Magazine. The

accounts for the year close on December 31st.

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE.

Meeting of Churchpeople.

A great meeting of Church people is announced to

be held in the Ulster Hall, Belfast, on Tuesday evening,

November 6th, at 7.30 p.m. It is being held on

the evening of the day on which the Diocesan Synod

meets. The list of speakers is an influential one ;

among them we see the name of the Bishop of

Aberdeen and the Lord Primate. There is no charge

for the Tickets. The Rector will be glad to obtain

Tickets for any of the Parishioners who wish to

attend, The meeting is intended to bring our

Church people together, and it ought to be productive of much good.

Parish Register for September.

Baptisms.

The following were Baptized in Seagoe Parish

Church on September 1st, 1923

Carville—Joseph Gilpin, son of Valentine and Amelia Anna Carville, of Killicomaine.

Sponsors – Margaret Tate, Amelia Anna Carville.

Porter—-Mary Adeline, daughter of John and Jeannie Porter, of Lower Seagoe.

Sponsors—Henrietta Porter, Jeannie Porter.

Neill—Robert, son of William and Mary Rachel Neill, of Killicomaine.

Sponsors—Emily Neill, Mary Rachel Neill.

PRIVATE BAPTISMS.

Vennard—10th September, 1923, Mabel and Josephine twin daughters of Edward and Jane Vennard, of Edenderry.

Porter 22nd September, 1923, Richard Joseph, son of David and Sarah Mary Porter,

of Kernan.

Burial.

Cooke—September 2nd, Henry Cooke, of Hacknahay, aged 22 years.

Double Championship for Seagoe.

Last month we recorded the success of Seagoe Girl

Guides in carrying off the Silver Challenge Cup for

the County Armagh against all comers. This month

Ave record a similar honour won by Seagoe Scouts,

who in competition last month at Moyallon carried

away with them the Silver Challenge Cup for North

Armagh. This double win for Seagoe is a testimony

to the capabilities in all directions of our Seagoe

lads and lasses. Seagoe is now on top, and we hope

it will stay there. But if the Guides and Scouts wish

to retain their honours next year they will have to

work hard and continuously. We congratulate them

very heartily on the honours they have brought to

Seagoe.

Presentation.

On Thursday, September 6th, a Social meeting of

Seagoe Choir was held in Seagoe School. After tea

music and games were enjoyed, and during an

interval a Presentation was made to Miss Isabel

Best, who is leaving the Parish to go to Belfast for

Training as a Teacher. The Presentation, which

consisted of a Leather Attache Case, was handed

to Miss Best by Mrs. T. H. Wilson in the name of

the Choir. Miss Best thanked all present for their

very kind and useful gift. The Rector spoke of the

good work done in the Parish by Miss Best, and said

that she would be greatly missed. He congratulated

her on her success in being called up for Training,

and wished her on behalf of the Choir and Parishioners

much prosperity and blessing in her future life.

ITEMS

We are indebted to Mr. W. J. Moffett, Photographer,

and to the " Portadown News " for kindly allowing

us to use the block of Mr. Rock, J.P., in this issue.

A meeting of former members of the Edenderry

G.F.S. will be held during the month.

The Rev. W. T. Wilson has returned to 21 Edward

Street after his holidays.

Parishioners can now set their Watches and

Clocks by Seagoe Church Bell. Thanks to the advent

of Wireless it is possible to have the exact time.

The Bell is rung for two periods of five minutes

each, beginning half an hour before and ten minutes

before the Services.

The Annual Inspection and Examination of Seagoe

Day School was held on Wednesday, September 26th,

by Mr. Scott, of the Northern Ireland Board of Education.

The Rev. W. R Crichton hopes to leave India for

Northern Ireland in November. Mrs. Crichton and

his two children have been on a visit to Belfast recently.

The men of the Parish are invited to join the

Men's Bible Classes, which meet each Sunday morning

at 10 0'clock in Edenderry Recreation Rooms

(Rev. W. T. Wilson), and in Seagoe School (Mr. Thos. Metcalfe).

WITH THE "NINTH" IN FRANCE.

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

(Continued from September Magazine.)

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 5th.

Fine sunny morning with a wind. Quiet night and morning so far. Fergie’s scheme for Xmas is excellent. I do hope the various committees will agree. Poor old Ensor must have had a bad time, but he’s a marvel to be alive. Young Ensor is doing splendidly. Repington’s article was very fine. Splendid having another lot of socks nearly ready. All three raids last week were duds. It’s very nice hearing what is being said, but I am not worthy of it. I might do so much more for them. I believe the Push will go on all the winter. Push on the fine days and dig on the wet days. A.S.C. rumours of a move S. for us, but it won’t come till we are fitted up.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 6th.

Quiet night, rain towards morning. Clearing now.

6.00 p.m. Heavy showers in a.m., and the river has risen some feet. Place looked in about 12.30 p.m. Present idea at G.H.Q. is we are to be made up about 900 per Battalion, and stay here for the winter, two Bdes holding the line, and one in rest well back. That will be all right; also says 109th coming back on our right, at which I am delighted. Shill, Padre and I inspected our proposed new H.Q. Quite good, but too far back, and not quite ready yet. O. pressed me to go and stay Saturday—Monday.

10.00 p.m. The Bosche was rather busy this morning from about 9.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. with his 4.2’s. He got one direct hit on our main communication trench, and damaged it badly, exposing it so we could not repair it by daylight. Relief gangs on it at night.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 7th.

Quiet night, and clear. Raining heavily this morning. River very high. Such rain all day! The stream has again risen and we are nearly isolated. About four feet of water in every trench. Duck boards floating about, and movement about anywhere, either to front line or back, is hazardous. Hooper just come in with the rations and has been up to his waist. If it continues raining as it is now I wonder what the morning will bring forth. A quiet day, thank goodness. What must it be like on the Somme! New Thornton coat and long gum boots kept me quite dry in spite of rain and flood.

9.30 p.m. Stopped raining, thank goodness, but the floods are bad. The small pond outside has grown into a lake and all the duck boards are afloat. The trenches are four feet deep in water. However, if it only doesn’t rain I fancy it will go down, but a pleasant prospect for the winter. We have pumps going to keep the water out of the Elephant, which is below level of pond.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 8th.

Mid-day. Such a night! Flooded out at 3.00 a.m. Now 3½ feet of water in the Elephant. Am hanging on here for a bit, but must retire on new H.Q. tonight or tomorrow. Was up at 3.00 a.m. and just got my kit packed and out in time. Am still unshaved and unwashed.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9th.

A lovely day and the floods gone down, but such a mess. Large parties baling Elephant and tidying up. All the trench boards in the trenches afloat, and trenches impossible. Padre and I stayed here last night with a few H.Q. people, and move back this p.m., after we have got things a little ship-shape. Of course, the Bosche has seen men working, and has begun putting Whizz-Bangs over, which stops work.

3.00 p.m. Just moved to new H.Q. ready to hand over tonight. We really cleaned up the place wonderfully, and you could hardly tell there has been a flood; fires lit in Elephant, where there was 8½ feet of water at 9.30 a.m. Front line; really wonderful.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 10th.

We got back here all right last night, and completed the tour without a casualty again, which was providential. Another lovely day, which is such a blessing the day after we come out. Saw Campbell, the Moyallon groom, today. He is in Transport of 16th . Handed over to Savage at new Bn. H.Q., which is about half a mile further back. Safe, but not comfy at present. Hope they’ll do something to it. It’s a concrete casing inside a brick barn, with concrete pillars down the middle, rather ecclesiastical and cold. It’s divided into three—one dormitory, one living room, and one small bunk at the end for C.O. A 40 minute walk from the front line, which is _________. Slept well last night in a comfy bed; quite a nice room. I have the Padre next door, and the others in the huts, about 200 yards off.

Slater from Armagh, Sergt-Major of ‘B’ Coy., has just got his commission; been with us all the time, and a very good fellow. Vennard takes his place as Sergt-Major. Three more names gone in, Espie and Campbell among them.

7.00 p.m. Lovely day, and the men dried, cleaned and refitted. Rode out for an hour on Betsy Jane, who

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 11th.

Am to dine with G. Bruce tomorrow night in ‘B’ Mess. Dull heavy day, but no rain. Go to Div. H.Q. about 4.00 p.m. Owles, who left in May to go to Flying Corps, turned up today for lunch. Rather interesting. He delights in his work. He says one of our flying fellows has brought down 29 Bosche ‘planes. Parcel of bread and jelly come; poozy.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 12th.—Div. H.Q.

I had a long talk with Singleton’s successor, Leslie. Such a nice fellow. Cavalry, and so boyish, but has 16 years’ service. Fixed up various tocks about promotion, etc. Am dining at ‘B’ Mess tonight. Farnham rolled up last night on his way back from leave; going to N.I. Horse.

(To be continued.)