I found it tricky to understand who was Minister at Bourne at different times. So, I have put together a list which covers the period from around 1910 to 1964.
Introductory Notes
Appointments were to circuits so there could be overlap. It appears that there were two ministers at a time – one based in Kirkby and a Superintendent based in Sutton.
Details are drawn from the diaries, Edith Searson’s book(let) “I Remember”, Barrie Smith’s books “Noah’s Ark – A Century Before and After” and “A Brief Record of the Ashfield Circuit (22/13) 1959-2010” and online resources particularly My Primitive Methodists and, to a lesser extent, My Methodist History. I have been able to confirm some details in the “Directory of Primitive Methodist Ministers and their Circuits” by W Leary.
Many of the Ministers trained at Hartley Training College. A book about the origins of the college was written by G E Milburn to coincide with its centenary. It is entitled “A School for the Prophets.”
Vincent Taylor 1910-1914
Grandad referred to a Rev Taylor being ordained in Mansfield in March 1914. He subsequently heard him preach in April of that year. He preached a farewell service in August 1914.
According to Barrie Smith’s book “Light on the Hill”, there was a Rev Vincent Taylor there from 1910 to 1914. It seems that he may have been a Wesleyan Minister as he is not mentioned in Barrie Smith’s list of Primitive Methodist Ministers in his book “Noah’s Ark – A Century Before and After” or in W Leary’s “Directory of Primitive Methodist Ministers and their Circuits”.
Thomas Richard Auty 1914-1918
The diaries do not mention him at all.
Edith Searson recalls him as a young man with a wife and two young boys.
Barrie Smith listed him as a Minister in the Sutton & Kirkby Circuit from 1913-1918. According to W Leary’s “Directory of Primitive Methodist Ministers and their Circuits”, he was a Minister in Sutton & Kirkby from 1914.
In 1918, he became Connexional Sunday School Secretary and a founder member and host of the Methodist Holiday Homes. Born on 5 July 1885 at Wood Green London, he died in 1971 in Llandudno. He trained at Hartley College and he started ministry in 1910 in Thetford. His wife was Edith Blanche nee Mossop. They had four children – Jabez K (b1915), John Hugh (b1917), Richard Mossop (b1920) and Kathleen M (b1922). Edith Searson recalled the first two of these.
Matthew Henry Bainton 1912-1918
The diaries do not mention him at all.
Edith Searson mentioned that he was the Superintendent and was based in Sutton. He was in place when Edith arrived in 1917.
Barrie Smith listed him as a Minister in the Sutton & Kirkby Circuit from 1913-1918. According to W Leary’s “Directory of Primitive Methodist Ministers and their Circuits”, he was a Minister in Sutton & Kirkby from 1912.
He was born at Brynmawr, Breconshire in 1881 and he died on 31 December 1966. Before entering the ministry, he had worked in mining. He trained at Hartley College. He married Maria nee Harrison in 1910.
Albert Griffiths 1918-1921
The diaries do not mention him at all.
Edith Searson mentioned him in a list she provided on p62.
Barrie Smith listed him as a Minister in the Sutton & Kirkby Circuit from 1918-1921 and this is confirmed in W Leary’s “Directory of Primitive Methodist Ministers and their Circuits”.
He was born in Pontlottyn, Glamorgan on 26 June 1882 and died on 27 August 1944. His training took place at Hartley College and he entered ministry in 1909. He married Lily Matilda nee Stephens in 1915. They had a son.
Alexander Surtees 1918-1923
The diaries do not mention him at all.
Edith Searson noted that he lived to be 102 and that she received a letter from him each Christmas.
Barrie Smith listed him as a Minister in the Sutton & Kirkby Circuit from 1918-1923 and this is confirmed in W Leary’s “Directory of Primitive Methodist Ministers and their Circuits”.
He was born on 24 December 1877 at Spennymoor and he died on 19 January 1979. He entered the ministry in 1903 and he married Mary nee Stephenson in 1907. They had one child Elizabeth Stella (b1908).
William Thomas Edwards 1921-1924
Grandad did not mention him in his diaries but mum recalled him coming to speak at a circuit rally and the chapel anniversary in April 1950. At the circuit rally, she said he had been “boring”. She noted that he was then living and working in Chester. She noted that the morning service had been good and that 106 people attended at night.
Edith Searson recalled him as a much loved pastoral type of Minister but she did not recall anything he said!
Barrie Smith listed him as a Minister in the Sutton & Kirkby Circuit from 1921-1925. According to W Leary’s “Directory of Primitive Methodist Ministers and their Circuits”, he was a Minister in the Sutton & Kirkby Circuit from 1921-1924.
He was born in Walsall Wood, Staffordshire in 1869 and he died on 25 November 1956. He went to Hartley College in 1916 and he was married to Emma. From 1947 to 1954, he was working in the Chester George Street circuit.
Thomas Johns Martin 1923-1928
In April 1948, mum noted that he came to speak. She referred to him as a special man but also noted that the service had been terrible!
Edith Searson noted that he was the Superintendent based at Sutton. She noted that she became a member, in 1926, while he was Minister. Apparently, his name is on the foundation stones, of the commemoration tablet in the Brook Street Hall of St John’s Church in Sutton. She also noted that when he visited Kirkby he would go to her parents for the day. Also, she remembered one of his texts which was from Revelation and was “I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day”. She recalled that they also sang “Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty”.
Barrie Smith listed him as a Minister in the Sutton & Kirkby Circuit from 1923-1927. According to W Leary’s “Directory of Primitive Methodist Ministers and their Circuits”, he was a Minister in the Sutton & Kirkby Circuit from 1923-1928.
He was born in 1875 in Eskdale, Cumberland and he died in 1960. He trained at Hartley College and married Mary Elizabeth nee Murray in 1906. They had three children Alice May (b1907), Thomas Murray (b1910) and Lydia Margaret (b1916).
Edgar Trevvett 1924-1929
This is the first Minister grandad noted in his diary. When grandad was unwell, Rev Trevvett visited him twice in February and March. Grandad noted going to his farewell service in June 1929.
Edith Searson noted that she became a member, in 1926, while he was Minister. Apparently, his name is on the foundation stones of the commemoration tablet in the Brook Street Hall of St John’s Church in Sutton.
Barrie Smith listed him as a Minister in the Sutton & Kirkby Circuit from 1925-1929. According to W Leary’s “Directory of Primitive Methodist Ministers and their Circuits”, he was a Minister in the Sutton & Kirkby Circuit from 1924-1929.
He was born on 5 January 1890 in Leeds and he died on 12 June 1966. He went to Hartley College in 1916 but was then withdrawn for circuit work. Later, in 1920, he returned to college. He married Margaret nee Paxton in 1922 and they had one child, Edgar Derek (b1925).
Ezra Sellers 1928-1935
The diaries do not mention him at all.
He is mentioned by Edith Searson in a list she provides on p62.
Barrie Smith listed him as a Minister in the Sutton & Kirkby Circuit from 1927-1935. According to W Leary’s “Directory of Primitive Methodist Ministers and their Circuits”, he was a Minister in the Sutton & Kirkby Circuit from 1928-1935.
He was born in Sheffield on 30 May 1886 and he died in 1954. His training was at Hartley College and he entered the ministry in 1909. He married Gertrude Ruth nee Benstead in 1913 and they had two children – Eileen Ruth (b1915) and John Ezra (b1923).
John Harold Charter Rogers 1929-1944
Grandad noted attending his first Sunday on 21 July 1929. He was the Minister who married grandma and grandad in March 1930.
He is mentioned by Edith Searson in a list she provides on p62.
Barrie Smith listed him as a Minister in the Sutton & Kirkby Circuit from 1929-1944 and this is confirmed in W Leary’s “Directory of Primitive Methodist Ministers and their Circuits”.
He was born in Hull on 5 July 1894 and he died on 15 March 1976. His training was at Hartley College and he spent 15 years in Kirkby and Sutton. He married Muriel Doris Maude nee Tinslay in 1926 and they had two children Paul Edwin C (b1930) and John D C (b1933).
Victor Elijah Vowles 1935-1938 and 1956-1960
He is mentioned several times in the diaries but there were lots of spellings of his name (Voles, Vowells, Vowels, Vowles). Mum and grandad noted he visited for the weekend in April 1949. In May 1957, when he preached he came to grandma and grandad’s house for dinner and tea. Mum also noted that he spoke at Family Circle in April 1960.
According to Edith Searson, he served two separate spells at Bourne (but she too spelled his name differently – Vowles and Vowels).
Barrie Smith listed him as a Minister in the Sutton & Kirkby Circuit from 1935-1938 and from 1956-1959. This is confirmed in W Leary’s “Directory of Primitive Methodist Ministers and their Circuits” which also has him as a Minister in the Ashfield circuit from 1959-1960.
He was born on 2 May 1899 in Cwm, Monmouthsire and he died on 11 May 1981. His training took place at Hartley College. He married Hazel Kathleen nee Meredith in 1929 and they had one child, Roy M (b1931), but he died aged 6 weeks. His wife Hazel died in 1948.
George Arthur Lofthouse 1938-1942
He is mentioned very extensively in the diaries as he and his wife Ella (nee Martindale, married in 1932) became firm family friends and his daughter, Dorothy, was one of mum’s long-term friends and was bridesmaid at mum’s wedding. Ella’s father was a Primitive Methodist minister, George Gowthorp Martindale. Arthur was born in Brotton in August 1901 and he died in 1991. Following Ella’s death, he remarried in 1967 – Jessie nee Marsh. Jessie and Arthur spent their honeymoon with grandma and grandad in Norfolk.
He is mentioned by Edith Searson in a list she provides on p62.
Barrie Smith listed him as a Minister in the Sutton & Kirkby Circuit from 1938-1942 and this is confirmed in W Leary’s “Directory of Primitive Methodist Ministers and their Circuits. This directory also lists his other circuits including Hartlepool from 1942-1947, South Bank etc. from 1947-1953, Stokesley from 1953-1957, Shildon from 1957-1962, Skelmersdale from 1962-1967 and Buxton from 1967.
He was first a Methodist local preacher and he then trained at Cliff College, following which he worked as a lay pastor. He then went to Hartley College and was ordained in 1932 as one of the last ordinands in the Primitive Methodist Church and one of the first in the uniting conference.
Charles Walter Bowdler Hemshall 1942-1943
Grandad mentions going to hear him and that he was the new minister in September 1942.
He is mentioned by Edith Searson in a list she provides on p62.
Barrie Smith listed him as a Minister in the Sutton & Kirkby Circuit from 1942-1943 although he gives his first initial as G. These details and his full name are confirmed in W Leary’s “Directory of Primitive Methodist Ministers and their Circuits”.
He was born on 1 May 1899 in Coppenhall, Cheshire and he died on 19 March 1977. His ministry began through local preaching aged 16 and he served in the navy during the first world war. He entered Hartley College in 1921 and served as a missionary in (what is now) Zambia from 1924 to 1926. He was married twice, first to Doris nee Parry in 1953. Following her death in 1971, he married Dorothy nee Spurway in 1974.
Gwynne Hodder 1943-1946
He is mentioned extensively in the diaries. Mum noted him frequently as a speaker until 1946. In September 1943, grandma and mum went by train to Newstead for a reception for him as a new Minister and this Reception Service was also noted by Edith Searson.
Edith Searson recalled that he introduced himself by saying, “you have heard of being odd, well I am Hodder!”
Barrie Smith listed him as a Minister in the Sutton & Kirkby Circuit from 1943-1945 or 1946.
He was born in Tupton, Staffordshire in 1889 and he entered the Wesleyan Ministry in 1915. He died in Dolgellau on 5 March 1965.
George Kendall 1944-1948
Mum recorded Rev G Kendall as a speaker several times during 1946. For example, he was the speaker at Newstead Anniversary in June 1946. In February 1947, he spoke on the topic, can we live to be 100? In September 1947, he spoke about Hugh Bourne and William Clowes.
Edith Searson noted that “during the war the Rev George Kendal OBE of the London Kent Road Mission came to be the Superintendent at Sutton. This was in the forties. He had been in the blitz and his nerves were very bad. I remember how ill he looked, we would say he looked a wreck. After a stay of four years as Superintendent he recuperated. He would tell of being out when the enemy planes were over, and how he hid out of the way of them, including in a cemetery at the back of a gravestone. When at Bourne for the day he came to our home, bringing his slippers as he used to say “to be comfortable”.
Barrie Smith listed him as a Minister in the Sutton & Kirkby Circuit from 1944-1948 and this is confirmed in W Leary’s “Directory of Primitive Methodist Ministers and their Circuits”.
He was born in Hoyland in 1881 or 1882 and he died on 22 July 1961. His training took place at Hartley College and he started ministry in 1906. He served as a chaplain in the first world war and was awarded an OBE.
He wrote an autobiography called “Daring All Things”. Understandably, it focuses mostly on his time in WW1 and only very briefly mentions his time in Kirkby (p168).
Alfred William Hall 1946-1950
Mum refers to him frequently speaking at chapel and at Youth Club including once on John Wesley in July 1947. He visited mum when she was ill in January 1949. She noted that his farewell service was in August 1950. In April 1955, he came back to Bourne for the chapel anniversary.
He is mentioned by Edith Searson in a list she provides on p62.
Barrie Smith listed him as a Minister in the Sutton & Kirkby Circuit from 1946-1950 and this is confirmed in W Leary’s “Directory of Primitive Methodist Ministers and their Circuits”.
He was born on 1 April 1889, in Clapton Gloucestershire, and he died on 28 August 1962 in Kingston upon Hull. He entered the Primitive Methodist Ministry in 1915 and spent the years of the First World War with the Royal Army Medical Corps in Greece and Palestine. Later, he served in a variety of country circuits. He married twice – Gertrude Barron in 1920 and Ida Hall in 1954, following Gertrude’s death the previous year.
Hermon Featonby Johnson 1948-1952
Mum mentioned a Rev Johnson speaking at Youth Club in 1949. Based on newspaper cuttings (see earlier), he was the speaker at Bourne’s Sunday School Anniversary in 1950.
Edith Searson noted (p60) that, on one occasion, he was due to give a lecture on “Mr Punch comes to town” but it was cancelled as other elements of the service had overrun.
Barrie Smith listed him as a Minister in the Sutton & Kirkby Circuit from 1948-1952 and this is confirmed in W Leary’s “Directory of Primitive Methodist Ministers and their Circuits”.
He was born in Chelmsford in 1886 and died on 20 August 1960. His father was a Primitive Methodist Minister (George Featonby Johnson) and he entered the Primitive Methodist Ministry in 1909. He was a chaplain in France during the first World War. His wife’s name was Ethel (nee Judson) and they had one child, Joyce.
Peter Robinson 1950-1953
Mum mentions in August 1950 that the Minister who replaced Alfred Hall was called Peter Robinson. She mentions him a small number of times between 1950 and 1952. He presided at Ken Hodges and Pearl Marshall’s wedding in 1951. Also, he led the united religious service at the Festival Hall for Kirkby carnival in 1951. He also conducted a service to commemorate the funeral of King George VI in February 1952.
He is not mentioned by Edith Searson and I have not found details of him online.
Barrie Smith listed him as a Minister in the Sutton & Kirkby Circuit from 1948-1953 but he is not mentioned in W Leary’s “Directory of Primitive Methodist Ministers and their Circuits” which presumably means he was not a Primitive Methodist Minister..
R Watson Taylor 1952-1953
Grandad noted Rev and Mrs Taylor visiting for the day in October 1952. Mum noted in September 1953 that he left to join the Church of England.
He is not mentioned by Edith Searson and I have not found details of him online.
Barrie Smith listed him as a Minister in the Sutton & Kirkby Circuit from 1952-1953 but he is not mentioned in W Leary’s “Directory of Primitive Methodist Ministers and their Circuits” which presumably means he was not a Primitive Methodist Minister..
Brian White 1952-1953
Between 1953 and 1956, mum refers frequently to a Rev Brian White. She has addresses for him in her 1953 diary, initially Didsbury College in Bristol and then an address in Ilkeston. In May 1953, mum referred to him putting together the rota for welcome stewards. His name also appears on the order of service for the Wesley Day celebrations in May 1953. He spoke at Bourne’s primary anniversary in both 1954 and 1956. I wonder if he might have been in theological training but if he was asked to assist at Bourne at the time that Rev Taylor left to join the Anglicans.
He is not mentioned by Edith Searson and I have not found details of him among the list of Methodist ministers who entered the ministry after 1932.
Barrie Smith listed him as a Minister in the Sutton & Kirkby Circuit from 1952-1953 but he is not mentioned in W Leary’s “Directory of Primitive Methodist Ministers and their Circuits” which presumably means he was not a Primitive Methodist Minister..
F Elgar Leyland 1953-1954
He is not mentioned in the diaries nor by Edith Searson and I have not found details of him online. But, Barrie Smith listed him as a Minister in the Sutton & Kirkby Circuit from 1953-1954 but he is not mentioned in W Leary’s “Directory of Primitive Methodist Ministers and their Circuits” which presumably means he was not a Primitive Methodist Minister..
William Edward Howells 1953-1959
He was Minister at Bourne Methodist Chapel when mum got married. He is first mentioned in mum’s diary in September 1953. It seems he may have come to the church at a difficult time as mum refers to the previous minister, Rev W Taylor, having left to join the Anglicans. She noted sometimes when he spoke including to the junior youth club in October 1953. In July 1954, mum and dad went with him to Bridge Street for a meeting of Young Methodist torchbearers.
He had a car and used it to give lifts to grandad to Mansfield General Hospital in August 1954 for an xray. Also, sometimes he gave lifts to grandma, e.g. to attend Bright Hour in September 1954. He also helped grandad and mum when they were learning to drive in 1955. In January 1959, he and one of the stewards, Ben Searson took part in a concert as “Bill and Ben”. A farewell service was held for Mr and Mrs Howells in August 1959. He visited for the weekend in October 1962 and took both services at Trinity.
Edith Searson spells his name Howels and includes him in the list she provides on p62. She also noted the performance that her husband and “Rev Bill” gave as “Bill and Ben”.
Barrie Smith listed him as a Minister in the Sutton & Kirkby Circuit from 1953-1959.
He was born in Appledore Devon on 6 December 1920 and his mother’s maiden name was Day. He entered the Methodist Ministry in 1947 and died in Chelmsford on 2 October 1970. In the 1939 Register, he was living in Northam, Devon and working as a boat builder apprentice. It seems he married Winifred Hartley in Richmond in 1950. Sometimes, in the diaries, grandad mentions Mr and Mrs Howells and Mrs Hartley, so presumably this was Mrs Howells’ mother.
S K Page 1953-1954
He is not mentioned in the diaries nor by Edith Searson and I have not found details of him online. But, Barrie Smith listed him as a Minister in the Sutton & Kirkby Circuit from 1953-1954 but he is not mentioned in W Leary’s “Directory of Primitive Methodist Ministers and their Circuits” which presumably means he was not a Primitive Methodist Minister..
Thomas Marlowe 1954-1956
In September 1954, mum noted attending a welcome service for Rev Marlowe.
Edith Searson also listed a Thomas Marlow among ministers she had known (p62).
I have not found details of him online.
Barrie Smith listed Thomas Marlow as a Minister in the Sutton & Kirkby Circuit from 1954-1956 but he is not mentioned in W Leary’s “Directory of Primitive Methodist Ministers and their Circuits” which presumably means he was not a Primitive Methodist Minister..
James Derrick Leach 1959-1966
There are a lot of details about Derrick Leach, and his wife Mary, in the diaries, particularly mum’s, as they became firm family friends. For example, they were my godparents. According to mum’s diary, Derrick was born on 10 December 1932 and Mary was born on 17 March 1933. Mum referred to him being the new minister in September 1959. The Leaches and my parents frequently visited each other in their own homes and seemed to share a love of board games, such as Totopoly, Careers, Scoop, Flutter, Contraband and Eye Witness.
Mum stayed in touch with the Leaches after we moved to Norwich and we visited them whenever we were back in Kirkby. Mum also noted when their daughter, Kathryn Mary was born on 21 May 1962. When mum was struggling with her mental health in February 1967, she went to stay with Mary and Derrick for a week near Preston.
He is not mentioned in Edith Searson’s book(let) although Bill Clay-Dove’s book “Kirkby-in-Ashfield: an Interesting Township” (p60) identifies him and J Hibbert as the architects of the merger between Bourne and Diamond Avenue chapels.
Barrie Smith listed him on the Ashfield Circuit staff from 1959 to 1966 but he is not mentioned in W Leary’s “Directory of Primitive Methodist Ministers and their Circuits” which presumably means he was not a Primitive Methodist Minister..
He is not among the list of Methodist ministers who entered the ministry after 1932 as that only includes those who died prior to September 2016. I recall that he was minister in Colwyn Bay and I found a reference online to him leading their centenary celebrations in 2005 including a photo. He is also mentioned in the 2018 conference as a letter of concern was written to him and Mary, presumably in relation to his ill-health. I heard from their daughter, Kate Thompson, in 2020. Mary died on 23 May 2020. Derrick had previously died on 4 August 2018.
J Valentine Dibben 1959-1964
He was the Circuit minister who attended the opening of Trinity Methodist church in 1962. Listed as a speaker on the 1959 Ashfield Circuit plan. According to Barrie Smith’s book “A Brief Record of the Ashfield Circuit (22/13) 1959-2010”, he was a Minister in the Ashfield Circuit from 1959 to 1964 but he is not mentioned in W Leary’s “Directory of Primitive Methodist Ministers and their Circuits” which presumably means he was not a Primitive Methodist Minister..
Wilfred John Verinder 1959-1964
He spoke at the Bourne Primary Anniversary in both 1959 and 1960. He was born in Swindon on 12 October 1919, entered the Methodist ministry in 1954 and died in Ashtead Surrey on 9 August 2002. According to J Barrie Smith’s book “Light on the Hill”, he was Minister at the Hill Methodist Church from 1956-1960. He was listed as a speaker on the 1959 Ashfield Circuit plan and as a member of Ashfield Circuit Staff from 1959-1964.