Monday, 10 July 2023
Tough Assignment - Do You Remember?
In the story of any society there are numerous incidents too trivial or fleeting to fit into the more formal history. Yet they too are part of the rich tapestry of events and deserve to be recorded, if only because we still sometimes think back and laugh once again.
... the services of not so very long ago when every woman
wore a hat - and the children who loved to try and fill the hat brim of the
lady in front with matchsticks?
... Eli Carter and Charlie Wilkins and other local preachers
who made the journey to Eton Wick on cycles in all weathers.
... Mr Clifton, a Baptist preacher, who visited the
Sisterhood in the 1930s? He had a fantastic imagination and kept his audience
in fits of laughter, much to the consternation of Mrs Chew - though just before
the end of his talk he would remember to include the requisite spiritual
message.
... the local preacher whose false teeth used to chatter, or
the occasion when one local preacher pulled a handkerchief from his pocket -
and also his false teeth which clattered down the pulpit steps?
... the speaker who came to talk to the Band of Hope
bringing with him a piece of diseased liver in a glass tube?
... Mr Frank Styles who played the organ for services, but
who could also make it sound like a hurdy gurdy?
... Ken Clifton and the hilarious times enjoyed by all at
the fund-raising socials when he was fed blind-folded with cold custard?
... the gas lamps on either side of the pulpit and the
disastrous effect of those preachers who tried to make a point by flinging wide
their arms?
... the morning when torrential rain kept us all from going
home and the spout of water that gushed through the wall near the spot where
the present pulpit stands?
... the 1947 floods and how Eton Wick was cut off from the
outside world for almost a week, except for one phone in Chantler's Stores? The
Salvation Army Concert arranged to be held at the chapel had to be cancelled.
... the oil stoves which were used to supplement the heating during the 2nd
World War, and how, on at least two occasions, clouds of thick, smelly smoke
billowed out of the chapel front door when it was opened for morning service?
The services were held up until the smoke had cleared.
... the time when one young lady came to preach and entered
the pulpit clothed in a scarf, balaclava, mittens and a coat. A voice from the
back of the congregation asked in a stage whisper " Is she stopping?
"
... the long serving Sunday School official (who does not gamble)
who bet one his scholars that he couldn't get his father to come to chapel ....
and lost!!
... when the fusebox began to smoke last year and how the
organ had to be replaced by the piano until the offending fuse had been
replaced.
... when Moore's Lane was so narrow that coaches could not
turn the corner from Alma Road. This meant that the coaches had to reverse into
Inkerman Road and then back towards the chapel.
... that just after World War II when funds were low the
Sunday School children had to choose between prizes and a Summer Outing?
... the old negro penny savings bank which belongs to the
Sunday School and is still loved by the youngest children?
Ladies Club Cowboy Supper 1967
Monday, 3 July 2023
Old Days of Eton Parish - CHAPTER XVII - THE LAST.
THE census of the town and parish in 1871 shewed a population of 3261; in 1881, 3169; in 1891, 2986; in 1901, 3154. In all cases the boys in College are excluded; the varying numbers may be largely accounted for by the time chosen for the census. The last two returns indicate some decrease of population. This is partly explained by the pulling down of cottages to make room for College houses, and the reduction in the town of in-habited houses from 635 before 1891 to 494 in 1901.
The last twenty years of the nineteenth century were also marked by the migration of a considerable number of tradespeople from their shops in the High Street to more commodious homes in Windsor or Slough. This of course caused a corresponding decrease in the attendance at the Parish Church and left many gaps in seats formerly occupied by large families. The building of the Lower School Chapel also drew away some who hitherto could find no room in the College Chapel.
The working class population, during those twenty years, was also driven for want of cottage accommodation to seek it elsewhere, and many regular workers in Eton lived in Slough, Windsor or at Eton Wick. A fresh opening for the artisan class was made just beyond Eton Wick.
This came about indirectly by the action of the Eton Urban Board. More space was required for the Sewage Farm, and they accordingly purchased land in Boveney, and then finding that they had on their hands more than was needed, they offered the rest for sale.
The purchaser saw his opportunity and soon covered the land with villas and cottages, which were equally soon filled with tenants, most of whom were working in Eton. A considerable population was thus created, and being far distant from their Parish Church of Burnham and. Burnham schools, the people found their way to Eton Wick Church and schools. This, and the general unsuitability of the Eton Wick school for modern requirements, brought about the erection of Girls' and Infants' schools close to the Church on ground granted by the Crown. The change was effected in 1888 at the cost of £1237.
In 1881 the Eton School Laundry at Willowbrook was opened. Although inaugurated in the interests of the College, it has proved in many ways beneficial to the homes and lives of many of the working people in the parish.
In 1894 the College Watermen were re-organized--a much needed reform, which has also contributed to the better interests of the parish.
In 1887 was Queen Victoria's jubilee.
The rest of the events up to the death of the Queen may be very briefly chronicled.
In 1892 the old Porny school-room, which for some years had been a carpenter's workshop, was secured as a Parish Room, for holding meetings, classes and entertainments. This was carried out largely by the energy of the Rev. G. S. Clayton, Assistant Curate 1892 to 1897.
In December 1894 the Urban District Council for Eton was elected, and superseded the old Local Board.
At the same time the out-district of Eton Wick was constituted a parish for civil purposes, and five parish councillors were elected to manage their business.
In 1892 a temporary arrangement was made with the Vicar of Burnham, by which the Vicar of Eton undertook the spiritual care of the growing population in New Boveney.
In 1895, at Easter time, there was a large muster of volunteers, who were quartered in the various school buildings in Eton and the College. A special service was held for them on Easter morning.
A year later, the Cemetery Chapel was newly floored, and the east end of it enriched by some marble work and a beautiful stained window.
In the course of 1898 a piece of ground, presented by the College, was added to the cemetery and consecrated by the Bishop of the Diocese.
A branch was started of the Mothers' Union in 1890, and a Company of the Church Lads' Brigade in 1899. Both of these have proved of signal value in the parish.
In 1900 the parish sustained a severe loss by the death of the Vicar's Churchwarden, Mr. J. P. Carter. A processional cross was presented to the Cemetery Chapel in his memory, and a churchyard cross was erected by parishioners and friends, and placed just between the old and the new part of the cemetery.
The outbreak of the Boer War, and the call of many Eton soldiers who were in reserve to leave their work and serve their country, marked the year 1899, and led to the raising in the district of a fund for the maintenance of the soldiers' wives and children, and to a pathetically memorable Christmas party given to them by the Queen at Windsor Castle.
A few months later, Victoria the Good had passed away, and Eton took its part in paying its last sad homage to a revered memory, and then in the year following (1902) there was the busy preparation for King Edward's Coronation, his unlooked for illness and happy recovery.
In 1901 Bishop Stubbs also died, and Bishop Paget became Bishop of the Diocese.
The only parish event of these years which needs to be added to our record was the inauguration in Eton of a representative Church Council to consider Church matters and advise the Vicar.
With this we must close the last chapter of this story of the ups and downs of the town and parish of Eton. Many smaller incidents in these later years might have been included, and the names of many individuals, lay and clerical, might have been mentioned, to whose devoted work and example the parish owes a debt of gratitude, but to do so with due discrimination of worth would be a difficult and invidious task. Their labours of love will meet a full reward. We need only express the hope that those who read in these pages of the inheritance derived from the centuries past, will follow in their steps and bestir themselves in good earnest to uphold all Eton's best traditions, and will take their part in handing on to generations yet to come even larger benefits, and greater opportunities for good than they have themselves enjoyed.
OLD DAYS OF ETON PARISH by The Rev. John Shephard, M.A. was published in 1908 by Spottiswoode and Co Ltd. The text has been copied from the original book that is now out of copyright.
Wednesday, 28 June 2023
T. H. FLINT - Royal Army Service Corps

Monday, 19 June 2023
Photographic History of Eton Wick and Eton - The Horticultural Society
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On the float is Ted Bond. Standing, left to right are, Mr Benham, George Paget, Bert Bond, <r Hemmings (Secretary), Joe Clarke, Hugh Haverly, Ern Woodhouse, Bert Benham (not believed to be related to the Benham on the left) and Harry Young.
This article was first published in A Pictorial History of Eton Wick & Eton.
Monday, 12 June 2023
Tough Assignment - Memorials
Over the hundred years there have been many, many gifts to the chapel of money and items. Each and everyone has been appreciated, but neither the minute books nor the memories of the members can supply a complete list, and thus those shown below, although all are in use today, are but a small proportion of the total.
Some have been given in memory of chapel members. These
include:
Electric light installation 1948
Archibald and Clifford Chew
Organ 1966
Annie Chew
Flower vases 1973
Phillis Hutchinson
Curtain behind the communion table 1980 Sylvia Chew
Bibles 1983
Marjorie Morris
Other gifts were given simply because they were needed, such
as:
Flower vase 1943
Muriel Badder
Piano c1955
Mrs Rye of Woodlands Park
Lamp outside the chapel c1960
Leslie Hogg
Flower stand c1965
Eva Sibley (nee Lane)
Bibles for the Sunday School 1982
Katherine Lewis
The Eton Wick History Group is most grateful for the kind permission given by the Eton Wick Methodist Chapel to republish this history, Tough Assignment on this website.
Monday, 5 June 2023
Old Days of Eton Parish - CHAPTER XVI - THE NEW PARISH CHURCH AND VICARAGE.
WE have seen how, for something like five centuries before the College was founded, the parish of Eton went through various changes and vicissitudes: first, for 300 years, served by clergy unknown by name, supplied chiefly by a great Monastic Order; then, for 200 years more, under the care of a succession of Rectors, like the ordinary Rectors of most English parishes. Then we learnt how in Henry VI.'s reign it entered on a third stage of experience and was under Rectors who held at the same time the dignified office of Provosts of Eton College and often other posts as well, and how during this period the Collegiate Church served as its Parish Church.
This condition of things lasted from 1400 to 1875. In 1875 the Provost was relieved of parochial responsibilities, and the College Chapel ceased to be the Parish Church.
The fourth and last change came about in the following way.
In 1862 a Royal Commission sat to consider the condition of the great Public Schools of England and to suggest improvements. Among other matters that needed reform, the Commissioners found that for some years past the Provosts of Eton had practically ceased to act as Rectors. Several of them had never been instituted by the Bishop to the cure of souls, nor had they, except on the rarest occasions, officiated in the Chapel of Ease or undertaken any rectorial duties.
The care of the parish was practically left to two, or, after the building of St. John's Church, to three Conducts, who took their turns week by week to serve in the two buildings. Although one was styled the senior, in virtue of the date of his appointment, the three were virtually co-equal in authority ; each during his week of office took precedence of the others ; each had a portion of the parish under his care ; each had a department of the schools ; each worked in his own way and after his own methods ; and there was no head to counsel or correct, or to check neglect. Moreover, some of the Conducts held other offices as well. One acted as Master in College and was rarely available for any evening work; another was a master of a College boarding house; another had private pupils. Where these duties clashed the parish became a secondary consideration; and as no changes or new departures in work could be effected without the concurrence of the three, progress was necessarily hampered, and the condition of things was unsatisfactory.
Indeed, this anomalous arrangement was almost as bad as that which existed in some few other parishes at that date, where there were three Rectors in one parish, each responsible for the Church services during their week. It was clear to the Commissioners from the evidence they received, that the want of a head was detrimental to the interests of the people, and the more so as there were no churchwardens to voice their needs and feelings, and no Easter Vestry at which grievances could be aired and remedies suggested.
The marvel is that the system had worked for so long as well as it had, and that as a rule the three Conducts managed to discharge their duties without any serious friction in spite of very often a wide difference of opinion.
The Commissioners issued their report in 1864 and made the following recommendations: "The Parish of Eton should be constituted a separate Vicarage and endowed out of the revenues of the College. The population of the parish, excluding the boys in the School, is stated to be about 2000. It is suggested that /600 a year should be set apart for this purpose, but this sum might be diminished, should the Vicar be provided with a house or adequate lodgings by the College."