More exploring in the archives leads me to our extensive collection of ‘The Link’ magazine; a Parish magazine incorporating the villagers of Ugglebarnby, Sleights, Briggswath, Grosmont and Littlebeck. We hold copies from 1914 – 2016 (missing one or two).
I thought it might be interesting to read and share a few of the articles featured in the magazines, a few are quite entertaining with regard to their moral meaning!
The following article mentions the heavy WWI bombardment that took place over Whitby – Two warships opened fire at 9.05am for seven minutes until 9.12am on Wednesday December 16th. Over two hundred shells fell on the town and district. The Whitby Gazette article with the full account is available to read on our digital Whitby Gazette in the library (WG Friday December 18th 1914 Pg 6).
The Eskdaleside-with-Ugglebarnby Parish Magazine: January 1915 (small exert)
The War
Wednesday December 16th, 1914, will long be remembered as the occasion when our peaceful neighbourhood was aroused for the first time for many centuries by the sound of hostile guns from the sea. While we all feel the deepest sympathy with those who suffered loss, we cannot but be earnestly thankful that so little harm to life and limb was done, considering the number of shells which fell in Whitby and the adjoining country side.
Our village had a quite miraculous escape, as no harm of any kind was sustained, though shells lighted within three or four yards of one house, and less than 100 yards from another in Lowdale Lane…
The next article is titled ‘Lantern Entertainment’. Our new exhibition in the library is about Tom Watson, photographer from Lythe and he delivered Lantern shows, so I wonder whether he delivered this one? Although it doesn’t mention him.
The Eskdaleside-with-Ugglebarnby Parish Magazine: January 1918 (small exert)
Lantern Entertainment
A series of limelight views, with explanation by the Vicar, will be shewn* in Littlebeck Mission Room, at 7p.m., on Tuesday, Jan 22nd. The children attending the Sunday School will be admitted free. Adults are asked to pay 3d. each to help to defray the cost of hire of slides, &c. The views shewn will illustrate the extent of the British Empire, and will include also some war pictures…
*shewn – shown is correct spelling but transcribed as appears in article.
I have now skipped a few years to 1975, unfortunately January was missing. The following article had me chuckling; its metaphor regarding the attendance at church was amusing!
The link: Eskdaleside-cum-Ugglebarnby Parish Magazine: May 1975 (small exert)
Warm It Up! A Thought for Whitsuntide
Take a piece of beef steak from the deep freeze and place it on the table in front of you. You can look at it, talk about it and discuss its weight and its calory content. You may know how much it costs for a pound, where it comes from and who brought it. You would, however, need to be very hungry to take a bite from that cold tough meat!
However, take that same meat, put it in a pan, add an onion and sprinkle on some salt and pepper and put it in the oven and see what happens. As the aroma begins to spread, everyone begins to feel hungry. Dad comes in from the garden a few minutes earlier than usual. Mary offers to set the table; Johnny washes his hands without being told; and we just cannot wait for the meal to be ready. That’s what happens when the cold tough steak is seasoned and heated up.
= The Church is often like a cold steak…
Like the piece of beef, the Church needs seasoning and hotting up…
If you would like to discover why the beef is a metaphor for the Church come and read the article for yourself.
The link: Eskdaleside-cum-Ugglebarnby Parish Magazine: June 1975
In a Country Church
It happened during the professional hymn. The heel of a girl chorister caught in a grating. Not wishing to hold up the ceremony, she marched on minus one shoe.
Moved by chivalry, a male chorister tried to pick the shoe and the whole grating came out with the shoe.
The poor vicar following behind fell into the hole.
Not sure where this happened but I think the moral is don’t wear high heels in church!
There are quite a few articles come stories that have you thinking, pondering and questioning faith…
The link: Eskdaleside-cum-Ugglebarnby Parish Magazine: December 1975
Advice
A group of men and women were walking along the bank of a river. One of them accidently slipped and fell into the water.
One man said, “I told you that you were walking to near the edge.”
Another commented, “I really do feel sorry for you.”
A third member of the group tried to convince the man in the water, and the rest that he was in no way responsible.
Another man shouted, “You should have learned to swim when I told you.”
“Try to keep your head above the water.” Advised one.
The poor man was by this time going down for the third time and in desperation, when a complete stranger passing by took of his jacket and without a word, jumped in and pulled the unfortunate out onto the bank.
Interesting! I take from this that we should not judge but act accordingly; question later! What do you think?
These magazines are full of information relating to Church activities, dates for the diary, local obituaries and local business adverts. How many do you recognise or are still there?
If you are interested in looking at these magazines contact our team – library@whitbymuseum.org.uk
By Claire Marris
Archive Development Officer
#HeritageFund #archivesforall
