December 1938

The survival of the 1938 church magazine not only gives an insight into the life of the church at that period, but also the fact they were dependant on local firms placing adverts with them to ensure they could produce the magazine.

St Alban’s Church 

The vicar of St Alban’s at that time was the Rev. Percy Clegg. From the first pages in the magazine we learn that there was a Midnight Mass 11.30pm on Christmas Eve and three services on Christmas Day at 8am, 10am and evensong at 3.30pm.

Rev Clegg said there was to be a large Crib in church, which meant an outlay of 10/-, and he hoped parishioners would contribute towards the cost. Also he hoped to secure a Christmas Tree and that all boys and girls would place a gift on it which later could be sent to the Hospital.

Adverts

These reveal businesses in Forest Town and Mansfield, in 1938. Of these I think only two remain today, the Mansfield Building Society and the firm of Ingham of Poplar Grove Forest Town, although they no longer deliver coal – they are now Funeral Directors.

What memories do these adverts create for you?