Potters Wood History - 1892 to 1992
Bert Saunders
Transcript of a tape, produced by Bert Saunders on the occasion of our 100th Anniversary
The Bristol East Temperance Band
The end of the last century. It was great days in the Christian Church in this country; or more correctly in the British Isles. Towards the end, some new hymns had come down from Scotland. In particular ‘O Love, it will not let me go’. Mr Spurgeon had just passed away after a wonderful ministry for his Lord. In 1891 Mr Moody had been to Bristol on his way back to America for what was to be his last visit.
In the midst of this there was small company of people in what was a then postal address - Potters Wood, in Kingwood. They met together in a little cottage in Moravian Road, a cottage that I knew well as a boy; and I can imagine that handful of people, not knowing at that particular time where the Lord was leading them, and yet they felt compelled to be drawn together.
I knew some of the people that were in that room; as amazing as it might seem. One was practically a new born baby at that particular time; as her sister told me in years gone by they used to put the baby in the bottom drawer, the blanket drawer, and hope she would sleep peacefully while they were in prayer and bible study with their Lord.
It wasn’t long before it was not large enough. They wanted to draw more people in. There was a piece of ground opposite this little cottage, and they decided they would try and buy it. It belonged to a man named Mr Baldwin; and eventually they came to some sort of agreement with him. They didn’t have any in money; time proved that. But they decided to have this piece of ground and on this piece of ground they were going to erect a Mission hall. This is a wonderful act of faith really, and it still thrills me.
I don’t know how it happened; but they bought a corrugated building; hence the phrase the Old Tin Mission: very affectionate phase that you know. They bought this corrugated building at Keynsham for £25. It cost them thirteen shillings to have it transported to Moravian Road, and they had to pay eight pounds fifteen shillings to have it dismantled first at Keynsham and then re erected in Moravian Road. Oh!! there is something very romantic about that you know.
Just a handful of men and women being led by God. We are not too certain even about who they were. Mr Pow was the first leader of the Potters Wood Mission. Mr Oliver Sevier, the grandfather our own Bert Sevier, was a tireless worker for many many years; although it must be said he was a bit of wanderer and had connection with many churches. A dear old man who I knew at Kingswood Methodist, Mr Rogers who told me many years ago how he couldn’t leave his own church but he came down to Sunday School on a Sunday afternoon in those very early days to help out.
The Bristol East Temperance Band
But there was another bit of romance at this time you see. The hall was erected and it wasn’t long before all of the Churches of Kingwood were preparing for the annual Whitsontide demonstration and Potters Wood Mission wanted to take part. Now the problem was that in those days you see you had to supply your own brass band to lead your particular Church; and Mr Pow was instructed to put an advert in the local paper. But almost immediately he received a reply, from a Mr George White. Mr George White had been a bandsman, a very experienced cornet player for quite some years, and had played in various bands; and then had been converted; had become a Christian, and thought that that was something he could do for the Lord. So he gathered round him comparatively small group of men, mostly like minded as himself; and he wrote back to Mr Pow “there are only 14 of us but if we can help you we will come along to the Mission on Whit Monday morning and play for you.”
And that was the beginning you see of Oh! a very, very happy relationship.
I thank God that in later years I came to know that same Mr White very well. Heard these stories from his own lips and through the Bristol East Temperance Band. Oh! made great friends although I didn’t see them many times in a year. George White the present conductor, dear old Sid White who I have been near to, Oh! for many, many years. Les Bundy who was a little school boy then with no thoughts whatsoever of either coming to Kingswood or coming to Potters Wood I suppose. And his father who were players in the East Bristol Band. Oh! they came to us on Whitson Tide, and they came to us for a garden party, they came to us at Christmas for the carol singing and they came along from time to time for concerts; and how I looked forward to seeing them and meeting them again. Very, very good memories.
It was then it appeared you see; that from 1892 there was a continual growth, because in 1897, we were told, there was an extension. I am not going into the details here but I can remember some of the old building you see, which was a queer shape to say the least. There was also a new harmonium, and there was also a new banner. Whitsuntide was still very much in the forefront of the newly forming Mission. The banner incidentally cost five pounds eighteen shillings.
Now at this time there is even a query in my own mind, because although (let me give you a reminder that the collections averaged about six to eight shillings for a week.) But every quarter there was a donation made to Bowring House. Never been able to find out anything about it, but without a shadow of a doubt, the days collection it was actually, was sent to Bowring House. Allied to this we have records that every so often a lady came to Potters Wood Mission; not always the same lady; to conduct a mission. Now there weren’t many lady preachers about in those days. But we have Sister Blanche’s Mission, Sister Mary’s Mission, Sister Evleyn’s Mission, Sister Vera’s Mission; and it must have been successful because very frequently, very frequently, the Mission ordered more Sankeys Hymn Books.
Now somehow or another all of these things are tied up
together you see; and gave the Mission (and I put the emphasis on that word
because it did really mean something in those days); gave the Mission a firm
foundation ; and it grew; there is no doubt about that. Oh! no comparisons with
the Kingswood Zion or Kingswood Wesley or even Hanham Road Congregational which
was nearer still. All great Churches in these days; Having great times. But
Potters Wood in its own little way grew and apparently must have grown
financially.
In 1916 they paid Mr Baldwin £60 as part of the price of the ground; and they also bought, (which I find very significant, in that same year) five dozen Bibles and six dozen Testaments. The congregation was growing, not only in numbers, but in a need to know more about the scriptures and so forth.
But then of course we have the years leading up to the war; when apparently things got a little bit more quiet. There were some of the men obviously that went away, and it was a quiet period of time. As far as I am aware there wasn’t any records kept during the war years. Except 1917; and the very old ones will know that was a very dicey time in the first World War. 1917. But that happened to be the 25th anniversary of the Mission; and apparently they celebrated that anniversary, in no uncertain manner. In 1917, I can tell you, for instance, that the income for the year was £61. Oh! it was a lot of money you know, a lot of money in those days and a lot of money to Potters Wood; and after the all the debts had been paid there was still a balance of £30 on the year’s working for 1917.
Mr Oliver Sevier, who I have mentioned before now, oh! became something of a giant in the organisation and the leadership. Mr William Pow was still officially the leader, but Mr Sevier who was a great man who (incidentally I knew him in the latter days) a great man; and it was a very lively time. In 1919 when the war hadn’t been over for very long as you know, the final £60 for the ground was paid: and Potters Wood became self sufficient, if that’s the right phrase.
Oh! it took them a long time didn’t it for them to pay for that bit of ground. But now it was theirs; and the Mission grew; there was no doubt about that. Very lively; and it appears that in 1924, there was a new stage of that growth, if you like. Because they decided they were going to form a new Trust.
But before I go to that let me remind you of a record that is left a very good idea if I might say so. In 1920 there is a list, not only of the collections during the first half of that year, but who were the preachers. Now I don’t know whether if people gave according to how much they liked the preacher or not, but it is interesting. I am not going into that; but listen to this list. Now you have got to be old here or you have got to have an enquiring mind. Isaac Yeoman, William Pow, Allan Pyle, Mr Whitman, Mr Webb of Warmley Tower, Mr Higgs, the Zion men’s bible class, Mr Willmott of Cock Road, Mr Bush, Zion, Mr Green, Mr Jelf,( first time that name comes in), Mr Smith, Mr Pillinger (who was a Trustee for many years), George Shellard, Mr Hudd, Mr Martin, Mr Pullin from Bitton, and Bert Shearn from Moravian Road.
Oh! there are some saints there you know. No doubt about that; and you could understand, with that sort of preaching - and I heard most of those preach - with that sort of preaching, there was bound to be growth.
But back to the new Trust, because the Mission decided that this was going to be a time for advancement. Of the old Trust there was still left Oliver Sevier, John Green and William Pillinger (one of the preachers that I just mentioned). And here are the new men that made up the new Trust. Only names to many of you, but as I read them out, you know, Oh! I have got very blessed thoughts of each and every one of them. The new Trustees then were Mr Frank Monks, Mr Charlie Foxwell, Mr Henry Brook, Pharoah Brain, Arthur Jelfs, Sidney Church, Earnest Alderwick, and George Pow.
And in 1924, when that new Trust was formed, there was £170 in the Bank, in the name of Potters Wood. And I repeat again; when you look and see what the Sunday collections were; Oh! that was an astronomical figure you know. Marvellous. But they decided, not officially, that they wanted to lose this tag you see, of being the Old Tin Mission. Now as a boy I loved it, and I am sure that the vast majority of people that used that phrase (and there were ever so many that did,) did it with a great affection in their hearts. Oh! it had a place in the hearts of the people of Potters Wood. There was no doubt whatsoever about that.
But it was time to progress; to make it into a really a house of God. In 1921, the new organ was built - bought rather. It needed building every so often. If you want to enjoy 5 minutes, ask Den Worlock what it was like, pumping the old organ; especially if you had someone enthusiastic playing it because there was a little brass ball on the side you see, that you had to keep up to a certain mark. But you see the more air that went out, the more air that had to go in; and it always leaked; it always leaked. But anyhow, that did a grand service.
One thing while we are talking about the organ. Mr George Pow, who was the son of Mr William Pow, and who later took over the leadership, was also the organist. And I am sure every Sunday night, long before I knew what the piece of music was, or who had written it, we heard Handel’s Largo. I don’t know whether it was a piece of music that he could play by ear or not, but I loved it nevertheless, and it always connects me with him, and with the organ.
Then in 1923, this idea of making the Church more presentable became actual fact. They decided that they were going to have a new building fund; And let me remind you that the four walls and the roof were corrugated iron, at that particular time. Being a second hand building and not having the attention that I assumed that it ought to have, it wasn’t in too good repair. So in 1923 this building fund commenced and 1927 there was £158 in the fund.
Now in 1930 - this is things I can remember now you see - in 1930, the alterations started; and the first thing that happened was that the old corrugated roof was taken off, and Potters Wood was tiled. Marvellous sight you know. We had grown used to the old; and there now it was, tiled. We had a new kitchen; taken out from the inside of the Church and built up. It wasn’t a grand affair but it was very grand to us. And then after the roof had been done, you see, the intention was to start on the walls. But don’t ask me why, but it started at the back. It may have been some logical reason for it. And the little room that we had at the back; the galvanised was removed, and it was bricked all the way round. And new windows were put in.
That room has very special memories for me you see. Band of Hope. We had records of there being a Band of Hope in Potters Wood Mission in 1900. It was always strong with regards to Band of Hope. And in days of my childhood and indeed in the days of my youth, when the Band of Hope movement was very strong, I can remember a little gang of us going to Potters Wood on a Tuesday night, up to Hanham Road Congregational on a Wednesday night, and over to Kingswood Wesley on a Thursday night. Not always for the best of motives I must tell you that.
But I learnt these gospel songs from Alexanders. Wonderful times. I remember Mrs Bateman, as she was then - later to become Mrs Harse - who was the leader of the Band of Hope, from the time when the war was over; Oh! yes I expect up to almost the time of the next war. She had lost her husband at the end of the war, had a son Ted who played his part in the life of the Church. I always connect her with the Band of Hope. Had to work full time; but was always there summer and winter, sunshine and shower. And that was very blessed memories.
Come back to the Band of Hope later on, if I remember it. I expect I will. But this room was bricked round, and the brickwork went on, half way up the Church, towards the front. Then you see everything came to a standstill. There was a calamity - I am not going to go into it - and the work stopped. And the work was never completed.
Oh! there was a great upheaval. As youngster I realised this. I was a teenager by now. I can remember there was, Oh! great concern. that there wouldn’t be enough money for the prizes at Christmas. And that was always as great day you know, in Potters Wood Mission. Always a good place for young people. Not always as organised as they are nowadays. But you felt wanted; and you were glad to be there; and there were people that were concerned about you.
In those days in the Sunday School, Mr Reeves, who lived just up the road from the Mission, was the Sunday School superintendent. Mr Brooks, who lived up the top of Moravian Road, was the Sunday School Secretary. Mrs Bateman, who was then, had her Sunday School class, as did Mrs Pow; a lovely lady, the wife of William Pow, and her daughters Hilda Pow and Marion Pow. Now you see in whatever went on, the Pows left the scene. Very, very sad, because we did owe a lot to them. It wasn’t long before Mr Brooks, and Mr Reeves left as well. It was a while after Charlie Fox who was a Trustee left as well. It was very, very sad occasion. There’s no doubt whatsoever about that.
But you see the Lord is always in control, let us remember that - even do a little bit of preaching as well now you see - and the circuit in its wisdom asked Mr Arthur Jelfs, who was a Trustees, and who was now living at Britannia Road - not very far away, the other end of Wood Road - if he would temporarily take over the leadership of the Mission, until things could be sorted out. Well it must have took him a long time to sort it out, because he stayed there until the day he went home to glory. And Mr Jelfs became the leader of Potters Wood Methodist Church.
Now something else that didn’t seem very exiting at the time. We had a young lady in the Church that had been brought up - Emmy Sage - who started courting; with a young man - that I am saying this with a very close association - who was a little bit of a dandy. Oh! he was well above us young chaps. There is no doubt whatsoever; in the way he dressed, in the interests he had, and in the outlook he had. And it was just at this time they decided to get married. And Mr Jelfs asked this young man if he would take on the responsibility of being Secretary to the Church.
Now that was how Desmond Brown arrived on the scene. Oh! we had some fun about the way he dressed; and his top hat; and his outlook on life. But what a master stroke. God calling in particular; in particular; those two men - one very experienced in the life of the Church, the other no experience whatsoever. The one old, as I looked at it from my point of view in those days; and the other very young. But what a team they made, for Potters Wood, and for the Kingdom of God.
And I was blessed you see, particularly at this particular time, because they not only held those offices in the Church. Mr Jelfs became the superintendent of the Sunday School, which meant I seen him every Sunday afternoon. And Mr Brown became the secretary of the Sunday School. Which meant I was with them every Sunday afternoon.
Oh! the beginning of an era in Potters Wood. Oh! I mustn’t be faithless. But I don’t think very many dreamt about, you see; and brought out of chaos and disorder. Now what made it better for me, they asked me to come along to the next meeting of the Church, something that had never crossed my mind. And I went along -1936 - to a meeting of the Potters Wood Mission. Still the Mission. And I was appointed Minute Secretary. I don’t think they really needed a Minute Secretary. I think they wanted to get me involved.
But there again it was a blessing, you see, because from 1936 up till a few years ago now - apart from the army days - I wrote the Minutes of every meeting of Potters Wood. Which amongst other things, gave me a good insight and a good memory in what is going on. I wasn’t only there to listen, I was there because I had to record what I heard, and I had to read back what I had recorded. Oh! and very often I used to pick up that minutes book for something to do, or to remember back to some particular point; sometimes good, sometimes not so good. But to appreciate how, without a shadow of a doubt, the Lord was with us. And he was blessing us, and he was leading us, and it was obvious even to a young chap like me.
From then on there was lots of reorganisation. Mr Jelfs with his vast experience, I suppose, made us more into a Church than we had ever been; and Mr Brown with his youthful ideas. Oh! what a godsend. There was no, there was no doubt whatsoever about that. In whichever respect we looked at it; from as spiritual point of view or from an organisational point of view, from an entertainment point of view, the Mission grew and grew very quickly.
We were famous for our garden parties. Lord Mayor’s were two a penny at opening garden parties at Potters Wood. And I suppose most of them, during those present years come to us in some form or another, and not to be outdone we had the Bishop of Bristol come. It was almost unheard of to a little place called Potters Wood.
I don’t want to go into details about personalities, but I must remind you of some of the people who were very important at this particular time. The ladies first. Mrs Bateman and Mrs Worlock. Mrs Bateman who became Mrs Harse, and Mrs Worlock who became Mrs Britton, had been brought up in Potters Wood Sunday School - they have never known no other life - and they were great stalwarts. I might even be doing them a disservice when I say just “great”. Two ladies in particular that gave the whole of their lives, long after the time that I am talking about now, in the service of their Lord and his Church at Potters Wood.
And then there was Mrs Batt; there was Mrs Lewis, and her husband Wally. There was May Mears; there was Mrs Brown; there was Mrs Brain - one of the old school; Pharoahs wife and many others. I say this now because I might have to repeat it again. I shall sure to forget somebody. But their names are all written down in the lambs book of life. But God will not forget them. So it doesn’t matter too much about me, does it? There was Mr Monks who had supervised the rebuilding of the Chapel, as far as it had gone; Mr Pharoh Brain who was a Trustee. Oh! a grand old chap; as humble a man as I had ever met. Ted Bateman was taking on responsibility. Mr Sevier, Bill Sevier. We’ve come now to Bert’s father; and Mr Raisy was with us for quite a while and was a great help.
Later on there were others. As I look through the records of 1939; Two young ladies, Olive Cox and Betty Saunders, arrived on the scene. And you will hear more about them or about their activities. Olive Cox became Wilf Ball’s wife. Wilf had not arrived yet, and Betty Saunders as you know married Den Worlock, and took her part in all the work of the Church.
The work went on in ever so many directions, because in 1937, the Church decided that it would like electric lighting. And this might make people of today smile; but I can remember very easily the gas lighting; and the mantels that would pop and break, Oh! far too often. That is how I got to know Mr Bamford by the way - going up for replacement mantels. And so you see these electric lights were fitted into the Church. For those of you who like prices, it cost £8. I can’t remember exactly now, but I think that was 4 lights out in the little room, and 8 lights in the Chapel. And it was another step forward.
And then there was something, of which I have always taken a great deal of interest. The old Mission was still on its Private Deed: and this caused a little bit of excitement from time to time you see. The powers that be thought that they would have another try; and they didn’t never succeed. But I was very pleased about that, because that was the way I was brought up. But I want to read something to you. 1937. To show you not only wanting their own way but why they wanted their own way.
It was moved by Mrs Gay and it was seconded by Mrs Bateman that “We the general meeting of Potters Wood Mission, in view of the diversity of opinion among Churches and Officials of the Kingswood Circuit, and also our sincere belief in the power of God to guide us safely and solvently, are not prepared at the present time to consider handing the Deeds of the Mission over to the Connection.”
That’s well reasoned you know. That’s well reasoned. Not only because of what they wanted, but because of a belief that they could trust in Almighty God to lead them -and to use that word that they use - “to keep them solvent”. That the story of any history of a Church or of person you know. That sort of trust.
And so you see the time went on. The Band of Hope once again was at its strength. Mrs Bateman was the leader still; then, and went on till the war years. Oh! when the back room of the Mission on a Tuesday night would be - Oh! - three quarters full of boys and girls that were really enjoying themselves.
I met a man sometime ago, that could tell me of a visit that he paid when he was boy - of the speaker, a Mr Howe that lived at Soundwell. And could even tell me what the speaker’s message was on that night; and that must have been - Oh! - 50 years ago. Marvellous you see, the teaching. Not only temperance teaching; that was very important, but the Christian teaching that we received.
And then about this time, the friends at Zion - and they were friends; (All the way through the history of Potters Wood there be men and women of Zion that were vitally interested in Potters Wood) - and they suggested that we ought to have a Christian endeavour. And there was a group of them that came to Potters Wood; every Thursday night, for this Christian endeavour. Some of us were taught to speak, and some of us were taught to pray. And some of us were taught to go out -Oh!- and it was a beautiful grounding.
The Reverend W J Downes at Hanham Road Congregational was the President of the Christian Endeavours Union at that particular time; and I recall having some very fine times with him. And about this time, had the privilege of a rally at Bitton Methodist Church on a Saturday. And being allowed to preach under the old oak tree, that was in the garage forecourt - before the garage was there of course - opposite the Church. Oh! and receiving a letter on Monday morning from dear old Mr John Pullin; not only thanking me for what I had done, but assuring me that God had a future for me. He knew me, better than I knew myself.
But it was a fine training ground; the Church of England; the Christian Endeavour rather, not the Church of England. But then alas, you see, 1939 and the war came. We went on; we still went on. But eventually the bombings came; which interrupted -which you don’t need me to tell you - interrupted the services, and so forth, of not only Potters Wood, but many other people. Evening services ended. Midweek services ended. And yet you know there was that grain of trust in God that he would see us through. And he didn’t let us down.
We moved out to the little room at the back. But still the things kept going. Until in 1944 there was another shock. The Minister came along to see us and informed us that the Rusket Mills, (which had taken over Pows old boot factory, which was at the side of us) wanted to buy the Mission hall to extend his factory. But this was indeed a shock; things were very low ;things were very difficult. But you know the members of the Church were marvellous. That’s the only word. I must go back to leadership again of Mr Jelfs and Mr Brown. It was terrific. But the response was marvellous; and they that decided they were not going to sell out; they were going to continue, in the work to which they had been called. Now this is the true test you see, in saying that you believe in God. When the outlook is very bleak and very dark, a decision that with Gods help you will go on.
This was conveyed to Messrs Lucas; to Mr Round. And its amazing - I cant go into all the detail here - but our first contact with them was a complaint about some rubbish that they had deposited on our land. That was the first contact between Potters Wood Mission and the Rusket Mills. And yet you see thing went on growing from there. They put up a fence for us. They put in a concrete path for us. Oh! when there were various things going, on they loaned us practically everything that they had. Sacks and ladders and steps and so forth. And Mr Jelfs and Mr Brown were continually meeting Mr Lucas to work something out.
“Would the Mission be interested in exchanging their building and land for another building and land not too very far away?” Now you know, this was something that was quite out of the ordinary at that particular time, I assure you. I don’t think it had ever crossed any ones’ mind.
Now let me tell you something which happened back in 1901. There was a book published at that time- there are still a few copies about I do believe - of the history of all of the Churches in Kingswood and District. It was printed then because that was the time of the opening of Wesley Memorial. Which is another wonderful story. And as you read through all of these churches you see, big ones and large ones, it comes to Potters Wood Mission.
Now who the author of the book was I can’t remember. But the comments were something like this: “what a pity that some benevolent soul would not give them a church building that was worthy of their faith and work in the little Mission Hall at Moravian Road”. Full stop. And now here you see; 46 years after that there is a possibility; there’s the offer; there is a chance. Mr Lucas comes back to us and tells us that he has purchased a site upon the corner of Pows Road and Hanham Road. And a piece of ground was going to be set aside for the building of the new Potters Wood. When of course the times got a little bit better.
Wonderful romance. But you know things didn’t stay still down at the old Mission. In 1945 we had the inside of the Church repainted; by Mr Elbrow. And this time an MP for the reopening of the Church. Mr Alpass.
Grand times. Rev Howen Rodda was the Minister, and I owed quite a lot to him. And when he left, Mr Hawkins came; who was a beautiful chap. Oh! I remember the Good Friday walks.Oh! I don’t know I won’t guess how many went with us. But it was a considerable number.
1947; Temperance Queen; Miss Olive Ball. The first of a series of Temperance Queens that Potters Wood produced for the Kingswood and Hanham District Band of Hope Union. And I suppose a little bit of myself here. Wilf Ball and myself returned from the forces. Oh! to start not only a beautiful friendship, but a beautiful working friendship, for the life of Potter Wood.
In 1948 a new organ was bought, for £120. The kitchen and the lavatories were redecorated, and 130 chairs were bought from Frys. The youth work in particular increased out of all proportion at the Mission at this particular time. Oh! we had dozens and dozens and dozens of young people; during the week, yes; and even a good representation in service on a Sunday.
It was something in the air you see. Hanham Mount had been renovated at this particular time; and had become once again the attractive centre that it had been back in the days of my childhood. And then in 1952 came the diamond jubilee of the Church. 60 years old. Miss Florence Hancock (Oh I’m I’m quite certain was one of the leaders of the TUC), was our important visitor at that time. And we decided that we would purchase a new banner for the diamond jubilee. One little regret on my part -never mind about anyone else’s. On the banner it said; not Potters Wood Mission, but Potters Wood Methodist Church. Now that may have been pure sentiment on my part.
Then in 1953 - we were always having special appeals you know, for something or another - appeal now for gas heating. It turned out to be overhead gas heating. Not too successful, if I remember correctly.
And then - you have to ask Wilf Ball about this - the famous pantomime. Oh we excelled then, and raised a nice bit of money for the Church at that particular time.
We lost a couple of good friends at this particular time. Mr George White, the conductor of the East Bristol Temperance Band, passed away. And in a very simple little ceremony we had a clock put on the wall in the small room, with a plaque underneath in memory of him. Mr Church - a Trustee, a local preacher, a great friend - also passed away. And his family provided a communion rail for us. I think the plaque is still on the new communion rail at the chapel now.
Then in 1956 all of the business of the new Church was resurrected. Builders were going into action again on projects such as Churches. And we were informed that the Rusket Mills were prepared to start work on the site at on the corner of Pows Road. The job had been given to Mr Elbrow, the builder at Hanham, who was also a great friend of Potters Wood. Another fund; the building fund; came into action at this particular time.
I must mention another name as it was very important. Keith Bray and his family came to us. Oh! now looking back; what a wonderful guidance of God that was. And then we went to the new Church. And there are still plenty of photos about of that. Oh! What a wonderful time. What a wonderful time. I don’t know whether I could honestly say it was the greatest days in the history of Potters Wood or not - that would be a matter of opinion - but it was grand days. Oh! We were surrounded by a company of Christian people, not only in our own Church, but throughout the whole Circuit.
Let me remind you that all this business; all this business; had been done by two laymen -Mr Jelfs and Mr Brown. And in a very special sense it was ours.
We lost Ted Bateman just after this. Mr Sevier came along to play the organ, particularly on a Sunday morning. “I’m wondering if it could be any help if he could start a little band from the Sunday School scholars?” And that seemed innocent enough. But how it grew. How it grew. How for quite a long time it was a great blessing - not only to our Church but practically every Church in the neighbourhood, hospital and homes and so forth - all had great advantage from the work of that band as it progressed.
Oh! it was really great days. There’s no doubt about that. The prayer meeting cum bible study that we had had previously - Oh!- now grew. We had to move out into the Sunday School, because we had so many there on a Thursday night. It was the same with the Band of Hope. It was the same with the Women’s Bright Hour. Oh! The spirit of God was abroad in the hearts of people, and they were attracted. Nothing out of the ordinary to have 70 people in the Sunday evening congregation. The Sunday School grew so much that dear old Mr Jelf and Mr Brown thought that it was about time that someone else younger had taken over. So in 1960 or thereabouts Les Bundy became the Sunday School superintendent; and Wilf Ball became the Sunday School secretary. That was the beginning of a beautiful combination there, where the work went on growing. Oh! Beautifully. Beautifully.
This was one of the highlights of my Christian life, because I was taught in a very practical way, that God can take and use about a dozen people - they weren’t very clever - and enabled them to build up a Church. Not only a building, but a Church.
It wasn’t long before Mr Elbrow was paid off the money which we owed him. £1,500, which was quite a bit of money at that time; Mr Lucus having paid £6,300 for his share.
Then it seemed that everything we did met with blessing. We had an industrial service - something totally unknown - and the reverend John Wragg of the Church of England - who I knew - conducted that service for us. We had Fred Cotterel, the Chairman of the District, who also became a good friend, come to preach to us. We had articles written about us in the Methodist Recorder.
It was on the following year that the debt was finally cleared and a dear friend of ours the Reverend Fred Hicklin came and preached, on that particular day. And not long after, the band that had been formed by Bert Sevier from the Sunday School scholars, led Potters Wood for the first time on Whitson Tide. And that was something to be very proud of.
The numbers, especially among the young people, continued to grow until there was a great concern about accommodation. And in 1962 we decided that we would have a new hall out the back. First of all we thought about having a prefabricated building. And then Mr Elbrow promised that he would build for us the shell of a building, which would match the existing Church. And that was what happened.
An appeal was made; for £2,500. And Mr Wilf Ball was the treasurer of this. And what a job he did. And what enjoyment we had when the shell was finished. And very much amateurs, we completed the interior of the building ourselves. Oh! Many good friends came along and helped; and we are very, very grateful for them, and to them.
It was at this time that Mrs Harse received a certificate for 50 years as a Sunday School teacher. That was something that was rather wonderful. And apart from the people which grew up in the Church, we had at this particular time an influx of people from other Churches, for which we were very, very grateful. Mr and Mrs Bennett came from Hanham, Mr and Mrs Bain and Ted came from Warmley Hill. Mention Ted, we must think about all the redecorating. He was the star man. The foreman. Oh! And what enjoyment we had in those things.
Mr and Mrs Bamford came down from Zion. Mr and Mrs Vater came over from Wesley. Mr Williams came from Cock Road. Mrs King came from Speedwell. Mrs Mortimer from Cock Road, and Mr and Mrs Branson from Hanham. Oh! people that all did their share in building this up. Mentioning Mr and Mrs Branson; we did actually have a new organ at this time.
You probably heard me say this many times before - a new organ - but this was the first brand new one that we had ever had. Mr Sevier and myself went up to London to see some organs. And they were sent down and I remember, the Saturday afternoon when we had an open day, to hear this particular organ. Very nice. Very nice indeed. And we thanked Mrs Bain for all the time that she spent on it; and the enjoyment that she gave us, and the piano as well.
But you know, things don’t go on smoothly for ever. 1964 Mrs Britton, one of the great stalwarts, from the beginning, as a child and a woman, passed away. 1970 Mrs Harris was so closely connected with Mrs Britton during their long years together, passed away, as indeed did Mrs Osborn, a very great friend of mine.
In the spring of 1970 Mr Jelfs passed away. Probably the one man, the one man, if there was one man that I had to meet in the Christian life. Oh! Great man as a Christian. Great man for Potters Wood. And we shall never know what he did really accomplice in the task that was given him at Potters Wood.
But in 1979 - for me I must emphasis that - there was another shock. Oh. There had been arguments all my life about Model Deeds; from the first meeting I ever went to; and now the Church decided to go over to the model Deed. And personally I felt that I had lost something that I would never recover. Well enough said about that.
Then in 1981 Desmond Brown, who had retired one year before, passed away. The great partnership of Jelfs and Brown - they are reunited in heaven I’m quite certain about that - and now they were both gone.
I took over the leadership of the Church. There were others that were brought in. There were others that grew. Mrs Betty Worlock and Mrs Olive Ball, I suppose, were the leading lights among the ladies; as Mrs Harse and Mrs Britton had been, for so many years before them. But there were other people coming in, and we were very, very grateful for that.
And then as we went on, the Church I suppose to a certain extent settled down. But we still had very, very much to be thankful for. The various services that went on -they fluctuated somewhat, comparatively speaking - we were much stronger than other people. I believe that we were an inspiration to other people. There’s not doubt what so ever about that.
The Scouts came along. The Brownies and the Guides came along. And they all added to the work of the Church. Probably not in the immediate sense that we could understand, but you know the good book tells us that if we cast our seed, it will grow, it will bring forth fruit. And so very often that is true.
Now then there is one other thing that happened around about this time which was very important. This was when the reverend Bernard Moss was the Minister. He wrote on our behalf to Cliff College, to see if we could have a man or a team come down; to wake us up if you like. And this is what happened.
We had three gentlemen that come down from Cliff College for ten days. We tried our best to do what we could in preparation for them. The leader was Reverend Smith, the trainee Minister. But the young man of the group, Michael Ross Watson, who made a great impression. Oh! We still know him now, and we still remember him; very, very fondly.
But there was one occasion out of everything that happened that sticks in my mind. Potters Wood conducted an Open Air Service in Kingswood Park. Our own band played the music and the hymns tunes. Our own people conducted the service. Our own people preached. And to me you know that was - Oh! - something of a red letter day. So you see even when you thought things were getting a bit quite. the Cliff College people came along, the new hall was opened; the open air service in Kingswood Park.
And from there, systematically, every so often, we went round to the houses proclaiming to people there that we were very much alive. Oh there wasn’t a great response that perhaps we thought there would be; but there were responses. People came back who had been away for some time. People who had grown lukewarm received - Oh! - a new lease of life.
But and in between all this there was there was the new Church to be repainted. Oh I don’t know how many times now. What a blessed fellowship that was. Oh I think that by in large we are a bit old in the tooth for that anymore now you know. But its something to look back on. Great days in the history of the Methodist Church.
But as I said the time was going. Some of the great men and the great women of the past had, as I told you, passed away. But there was one other shock in that direction for us, you know. In 1985 Mrs Olive Ball died very suddenly whilst still on holiday. Now I’d known her as long as I could remember. Actively known her. Knew her in the Sunday School days. Knew her in the Band of Hope days. Knew her growing up. Knew her when she was courting. Oh - welcomed her husband into the fellowship of Potters Wood. Oh - knew them all of their Christian lives. Knew that I always had a friend that would be interested in what I was interested in. Oh and it would take a long, long time to recount every blessing that we shared together.
But the Lord is good, you see; the Lord is good. I remember an old preacher once saying “Christians don’t die, the Lord takes them home”. Oh - and there is a world of difference in that you know. And I shall remember until my dying day, (and then renew it) the memorial service that we had for her in Potters Wood. If I tell you that the Lord was in our midst, that is not an over statement.
But the work goes on. Mrs Doreen Hopkins, if you don’t mind me saying so, blossomed forth; according to the need, and became a great stalwart; a great help at this present time. There were others that came along. Oh - I hope I don’t forget anybody. But there were others that came along. Mrs & Mrs Ian Darney. They took their place in the Church. Mr & Mrs Brummell came along; something a little bit special there. And they took their place in the Church.
Oh - there were others too. You will have to look at the Plan for their names. But I thank God for them. I thank God for them; because I know this - this isn’t sentiment, this is Christian faith - I know that what God did for us in our day and age, he can, and he will, do for others in their day and age. There is a certainty about that.
Oh - I just remembered Wendy. I knew her at Warmley Tower. We were thankful that she came up. James and his wife. I thank God for them. And there are others, you see. You will know now I am not back into an age now you don’t know anything about. You will know that the Lord is using these people; is moulding these people.
This is why you see, when people say to me; “what is the future”. The future is certain. No element of doubt in my mind whatsoever. Because we can rely upon God. And if history repeats itself, if there can be found a dozen consecrated peoples that will give themselves wholly and unreservedly to God and the service of God - Oh - dare we say it; the future will be better than the past. Because you see, that’s Gods will. God is always progressing. What did Paul say “change from glory into glory, till in heaven we take our place”. That’s the work of God in the hearts and in the minds of everyone connected with Potters Wood.
We thank God for every member that there has been. I think I said at the beginning and I repeat it again - whether I have mentioned them or not, I haven’t forgotten them. Oh - I could keep going for a long, long time. I assure you of that. But they are written in the Lamb’s book of Life. Their membership was not only at Potters Wood. Their membership was in Heaven.
We shall meet again. And we shall talk about these grand times. I’m sure I shall be able to thank them for things that I didn’t realise that they were doing for me, in the days particularly in my youth. I hope they will think that I was worthy to carry on the work after they went. All of the friends. Oh - Potters Wood has always been surrounded by friends.
The first time I ever met Graham Bamford was as a friend of Potters Wood. He was one of the stalwarts at Zion Methodist Church. All of his time was taken up there. But always, always, a friend of Potters Wood. Many of these peoples that I have mentioned I knew them before they came to Potters Wood because of their association with other places. And I thank God for them.
I thank God for the Preachers that he sent to Potters Wood over the years. Oh! some - the names I’ve forgotten now - some that I remembered; some that as they preached, you realised that God knew that you were there. And that you had a need. And that God could satisfy that need. And there is something very beautiful about that.
The leaders that we had. Oh! some very humble folk. Some that most certainly were not known outside of Kingswood; probably not very well in Kingswood. But they were blessed, and they were blessed abundantly. But most of all my friends, we give thanks, and we give glory to God for all that has been accomplished.
Can you remember what He said to that young man Joshua. “As I was with Moses, so I will be with you”. That is what God is like to succeeding generations. And if we forget the promises of God, rest assured friend, that God does not forget his own promises. Because that was fulfilled. Elijah that great Saint of God is taken home to heaven; but not before he had prepared Elisha to take upon himself, his work.
And this is how God goes on. He’s always preparing. He’s always ahead of us. He can always see into tomorrow, or next month, or next year. And let mortals like you and me beware, that sometimes we think our plans are better than what God’s plan is.
No, thank God. But thank him also in the practical way of committing ourselves. “God of our fathers, be the God of their succeeding race.” That although it so seems impossible now, as it did in the first days of the history of the Church, someone else might be doing a task like this in 100 years time. And names that are very ordinary names now will have been touched by the Love and by the Spirit of God; so that someone else shall talk of them, or write of them, as the men and women of God that took Potters Wood Methodist Church into its second hundredth year.
May God bless us all, continue to use us, and bring honour and glory to his name. Because that’s what it’s all about.
Transcribed By Pat Badman and Ian Darney