Mexborough and Swinton Times October 28, 1927

Wombwell Parish Church
Restoration Scheme Nearly Completed
A Bazaar Effort
Canon Blakeney’s Visit

Church people of Wombwell this week revived happy associations in connection with the opening of a bazaar, the ceremony being presided over by Canon R.B.Blakeney, M.A., Rector and rural Dean of Southport.

Canon Blakeney was the incumbent at Wombwell at the time the church was erected, and it was a happy tribute to his work in the parish that he was asked to take the lead in launching a big effort to raise money to restore and renovate the church. Canon Blakeney spoke of the joy he felt in reflecting on the 11 years he spent in the town. He was Rector of Wombwell from 1894 to 1905.

The bazaar was held in the Bath Hall – a building well adapted for undertaking of this kind – and covered two days, Wednesday and Thursday. Mrs Ward Aldam of Hooton Pagnell, opened the bazaar on Wednesday and Mrs Ryder of Sheffield, yesterday when the chairman was Archdeacon Sanford of Doncaster.

Mr A.E. Allott, chairman of the bazaar committee, on Wednesday explained the objects of the effort. The church was erected 30 years ago, since when nothing had been done in the way of restoration or decoration. Two years ago a committee was appointed, and a comprehensive scheme was embarked upon. The church at that time was a dangerous and dilapidated condition. Meanwhile subsidence due to the working of the coal measures and damage the fabric, and to meet the cost of repairing this fun was vested in the ecclesiastical Commissioners.

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