Mexborough and Swinton Times January 27, 1939
“Coming Lads”
New Interpretation of C.L.B.
Dinner at Wombwell
Some of the Guests at the C.L.B.Dinner at Wombwell on Saturday
A claim that the Church Lads’ Briga Was one of the most important social organisations in Wombwell and that its good influences had been radiated over a much wider area was made by Mr. I. Loy, an old-boy of the Wombwell Company, and a founder of the Wombwell C.L.B.Comrades” Association, at a dinner of the 1st Sheffield Battalion of the CL B at the Ark Restaurant Wombwell, on Friday. The 1st Sheffield Battalion is composed of various Dearne Valley companies and there were representatives present from ‘ Wombwell. Worsborough, Elsecar and other places.
Canon J. St. Leger Blakeney, Rector of Wombwell and Rural Dean. Hon. Colonel of the Battalion, presided over a company of about sixty.
During the evening Canon Blakeney paid tribute to the Rev. J. Vesey Roome, Vicar ; Elsecar and O.C. of the Elsecar Company, who has left to take a living at Hutton Bussel. near Scarborough.
The Guests.
Among the guests were Mr. and Mrs. D. Lee. the Rev. A. M. Cook, of Woodthorpe, and Miss Macdonald; Mr. and Mrs. Irving Loy. of Barnsley; the Rev. A. Friend, Vicar of Worsborough, and Mrs. Friend; Major R. W. Pilkington, Mr. J. N. Dickinson and Mrs. Dickinson, Mr. C. Boocock, chairman of the Wombwell C.L.B. “Old Comrades” Association; Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Burrows, Mr. and Mrs. L. Burrows, Assistant Commissioner E. E. Lines (Scouts), Major J. E. Saville, O.C. 1st Sheffield Battalion, and Mr. E. I. Allen.
Canon J. St. Leger Blakeney congratulated the organisers on the function, and said they were specially glad to have so many visitors. It was a pleasure to have Vesey with them the Rev. J. Roome, Vicar of Elsecar, Officer Commanding the Elsecar Company, who, as they would know, would be leaving the district the following week to take the living of Hutton Bussel, near Scarborough. “I am sure he will carry away with him the good wishes of everyone associated with the Battalion,” said Canon Blakeney. “We all hope that he will have every blessing and success in his new work.
As Rural Dean I would like to say that work Mr Roome has been a good pal to me and a great help to the C.L.B.” Canon Blakeney also referred to the presence of the Rev. A. M. Cook, former curate at Wombwell and now curate in charge of Woodthorpe, near Handsworth. Mr. Cook’s fiancee was also present, and they would all like to congratulate them both on the news concerning them which was published recently. The Rev. A. Friend. Vicar of Worsborough and Battalion Chaplain, was indeed a great “friend” and always willing to help in any effort for the C.L.B. They also had with them Mr. I. Loy, of Barnsley, who had done a great deal for the Company and was one of the founders of the C.L.B. Old Comrades’ Association.
Nearly 40 Years Old.
Proposing the toast of the C.L.B., Mr. Irving Loy suggested that the letters “C.L.B.” might appropriately be interpreted as “Coming Lads of Britain.” He often wondered what Wombwell would be like without the Church Lads’ Brigade. The Company had been established nearly 40 years and during that time it had certainly done a great deal of good work. The tradition and influence of the C.L.B. was clearly discernible in every phase of life in the town. Former members of the C.L.B. were playing their part in all the important branches of public and professional life. There were old Wombwell C.L.B. boys in law, medicine, the Church and business, and they had at least one Justice of the Peace and several members of local authorities. All were doing high credit to their native town and to the corps to which they had belonged. It might in fact be said that the C.L.B. had become part of the life of Wombwell, and certainly it was one of the most important social organisations in the township. Moreover, its influence had been widely radiated in the district round about since the Wombwell Company had been responsible for the formation of other companies at Elsecar, Worsborough, Broomhill and other places. He was informed that at present the Battalion strength was about 200. (Applause). Mr. Loy said he was delighted when he read in the papers recently that a new branch of the Wombwell Company had been formed down at Broomhill. He hoped it would flourish.
Art Of Living.
The Rev. A Friend, Vicar of Worsborough, responded. He took it that the chief function of the C.L.B. was to help its members to race bravely, intelligently—and, he wasn’t ashamed to say, prayerfully—the problems of life. They were compelled forsooth, to practise the art of living. No doubt there were times when they were all distinctly fed up, when the spokes in the wheels of the C.L.B. badge were inclined to clog, or maybe come off altogether. The case might be physical, mental or spiritual. It might need a specialist in psycho-therapy or the humbler clay of the parson. (Laughter). Whatever the diagnosis, they should try themselves to clear the fog from their lives. If they were to understand each other they would have to try to see each other’s point of view and endeavour to see the best in everyone. He would warn them against any form of ridicule, especially in dealing with boys, who were very sensitive to praise or censure.
Mr. Friend said their thanks were due to Canon Blakeney, their Hon. Colonel; Major J. E. Saville. Commanding Officer; Lieut, E. Knowles, Battalion Chaplain, and all the officers for what they were doing to keep the Brigade going happily on its way. He regarded it as a great honour to be asked to respond to the toast and he thanked Mr. Loy for his compliments. Their motto should be “Hats off to the past; coats off to the future.” (Applause).
Entertainment was provided by Mr. T. A. Seago, Lieut. C. Illingworth and Sergt. E. Illingworth, Worsborough; Mr. W. Gleadall, and C.Q.M.S. G. Hoyland, of Worsborough.