130 Years Ago Sussex Express 8 April 1894

FLETCHING

NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL UNION

A meeting has been arranged to be held on Friday, the 27th day of April, in the National Schools, at 7.30 o’clock in the evening, when Mr. Nethersole and other gentlemen will speak. It is particularly requested that all interested in agriculture will attend.

THE NATIONAL SCHOOLS

At recent committee meeting held at the schools it was decided that the general meeting of ratepayers and parishioners should be held at the schools on Monday, the 16th day of April, at which meeting the school accounts should be laid open for inspection and a managing committee elected for the ensuing year.

PARISH OFFICERS

At a recent parochial meeting the following gentlemen were nominated for the office of overseers of the parish.

For the town of Barkham district, or the southern division of the parish Messrs. Henry Ridley, John Fleet, A. J. Browning and John Diplock; for the Sheffield and Mark Street or northern division, Messrs. Henry Briggs, Horace Chatfield, Frank May, and George Venson Masters.

Mr. George Fenner, who was re-elected surveyor, read his financial statement, which showed a deficit of £14 7s. 2d.

Mr. Alfred Tidy and Mr. John Fuller were again nominated as assessors, and Mr. John Fuller and Mr. Alfred Tidy collectors of the assessed taxes for the ensuing year. A letter was read from the Acting Clerk to the Board of Guardians (Uckfield), stating that the present guardians of the poor of this parish Mr. Robert Kenward (of Barkham Manor House, Piltdown), and Mr. Elias Turner (of Chelwood Common), would remain in office until November next.

VESTRY MEETING

This annual vestry meeting was held at the Reading-room. There were present the Rev. W. F. Attenborough (chairman), Messrs. Jos. Martin, R. Kenward, Thomas Colgate, Wm. Kenward, Hy. Ridley, H. Gravely, R. Welfare, G. Fenner, E. J. M. Taylor, A. J. Browning, Henry Baker..

The Churcwardens: Messrs Joseph Martin and R. Kenward) presented their accounts for the past year (Easter 1893 to Easter 1894), which showed deficit of 10s. 5 ¼ d.

Mr. Martin then reported that a donation of 10s. 6d. had been received from Mrs. Martin since the accounts were made up. On the motion of Mr. Thomas Colgate, seconded by Mr. John Fuller, the accounts were passed. The Vicar re-appointed
Mr. Joseph Martin as his warden, and Mr. Robert Kenward was re-elected people’s warden.

A church rate of 1 ½ d. in the £ was unanimously agreed to. A vote of thanks, on the motion of Mr. John Fuller, was accorded to Mr. Kenward for so ably filling the office as people’s warden during the past year. The three following members of the Burial Board retire by rotation (Messrs. T. Colgate, Mr. Hy. Ridley, and Mr. John Kenward).

Mr. Baker proposed, Mr. Fuller seconded, and it was unanimously agreed, that Mr. Thomas Colgate and Mr. Henry Ridley be re-elected, and Mr. Robert Kenward, of Barkham, fill the other vacancy caused the death of his father, the late Mr. John Kenward. Mr. Martin, clerk, appointed Mr. E. J. M. Taylor deputy-clerk at the same salary as last year.

lt was then decided that a choir fund be started, as the choir books w«re almost worn out. It was the unanimous opinion that an organ recital should be given at the parish church, and that a collection in aid of the above fund should be made at the conclusion.

A vote of thanks to tho Chairman terminated the meeting