Mexborough and Swinton Times January 14, 1938
Welcome To New Vicar
Representative Kilnhurst Gathering
Whole Village Rallies Round
The vicar of Kilnhurst, the Reverend E.J. Cheverton, with a few of the parishioners and others who gathered at a function of welcome held in the village on Monday.
The Rev. E. J. Cheverton was introduced to some 300 of his parishioners at an “At Home” at the Church Institute, Kilnhurst, on Monday. The hosts were Mr. W. White and Mr. E. Saxton (churchwardens), and the hostess Mrs. Saxton, Mrs. White being unable to attend. They received the guests together with the Rev. E. J. Cheverton.
Mr. J. Broadbent presided and introduced the artists, who gave concert items. They were Harry Wild, Alwyn Tingle. Mr. Harry Hinchliffe and Mr. Fred Hinchliffe. Dances were given by pupils of the National School. Refreshments were served and provided by members of the Mothers’ Union, and speeches of welcome were made by representatives of all branches of the church.
Mr. Saxton, extending a welcome to the new Vicar, said this welcome must be extended in their homes.
Mr. White remarked that they were one large family, who looked to their Vicar to lead them, and both he and Mrs. Cheverton could look forward to a very happy time.
Mr. G. H. Haigh represented the choir. The younger people were represented by Mr. L. Broadbent. Mrs. Gill represented the Mothers’ Union and Mr. J. Randall (Church Council secretary), said that it seemed a long time since the late Vicar, the Rev. F. W. Shepherd, had told him to “carry on,” and with the assistance of many friends and helpers, including Ald W. Brooke and the Rev. H.R.Heritage, they had won through. Those helpers had paved the way for the new Vicar, and they had done wonderful work. The spirit in the village was to help one another, and they were doing so.
Miss J. Johnson spoke on behalf of the junior department of the National School.
Mr. J. C. Wilkinson, headmaster of the National Senior School, remarked that he had always had a good time in the village He was sure the new Vicar would have the same experience. There was a great deal to be done for the youth movement in Kilnhurst, and he would be only too willing to render the Rev. E. J. Cheverton any assistance he could.
Wesleyan Reform Delegate.
Mrs. W. Whaley, the delegate from Highthorn Wesleyan Reform Church, said that she welcomed the new Vicar and his wife on behalf of the church of which she was a member. They were all working to one end and it was necessary for them to cooperate.
Mr R. E. Blacker, representing St. Luke’s Wesleyan Church, said that he at first wondered why the Rev. E. J. Cheverton had left Somerset to come to Kilnhurst, because he had been in the Taunton district, but he row realised that Kilnhurst made up in spirit for what Taunton had in beauty. The Vicar would find that he would be strongly supported in all his ventures.
Dr. C. H. Aitkin said congratulations were due to Mr. Broadbent for the way in which he had arranged for all the numerous denominations in the village to be represented at the “At Home.” He asked that a Yorkshire welcome be given to the Vicar. He said that the people of Kilnhurst would not only welcome Mr. and Mrs. Cheverton In the church, and in their homes, but in the steet and anywhere they happened to be.
Vicar’s Response.
The Rev Cheverton, responding, thanked Mr. Broadbent for arranging for him to come into contact with his parishioners and also thanked the artists for their performance. The representatives of the Mothers’ Union had done a lot towards the success of the event in providing the refreshments.
So far he had only met them all together, but he was looking forward to getting to know them individually. He was not to be regarded as “away from the people”, just because the vicarage was situated on the hill. He was their helper in their lives and work. They must work together to make the church a sound proposition. He finished by saying that their motto must be “Work together, play together, and pray together.”