by Paul Tivey
The Sunday school played a huge part in the life of Wollaton Road, right back to the early days from about the 1880s when the building had to be largely extended in 1882. In those early days the Sunday school met twice on a Sunday, in the morning and then again in the afternoon. After a number of years it was decided to hold the Sunday school on Sunday afternoons only. Sadly we do not have any records of any events the Sunday school did in those early years, but heading up to the Second World War and the years following we can begin to piece together some of the events.
The first of the year’s three main events was the Sunday school anniversary when all the children were dressed in their Sunday best and recited songs and poems based on a theme. The next event was the annual Sunday school outing on the famous double decker Barton’s bus to various locations such as Alton Towers or Newstead Abbey. Finally there were the Sunday school parties around Christmas time – and some of the older members will remember being given an orange by Mr Bettle.
SUNDAY SCHOOL ANNIVERSARIES IN THE 1950s.
Junior anniversaries were held on a Sunday in May, in the morning, afternoon, evening and on a Monday evening. This enabled people from other churches in the area to come. Practices were held for the boys at the home of Elsie Sheldon (nee Wright) to learn the alto. The service always included a choral march.
The beginners and primary section held their own anniversary for many years. Joyce Wright trained the children in the 1950s, followed by the other leaders in the primary Sunday school.
During the 1970s it was decided that the Sunday school would be held on a Sunday morning at 9.30am before the morning service. The anniversaries, the annual outing and the parties were still taking place.
But in 1978 it was decided to do something different for the anniversary. This was the start of the musicals beginning with “Joseph and his Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat”, followed by “Noah and his Floating Zoo”, “A Grain of Mustard Seed”, “Greater than Gold” and “Kids Praise.”
In the late 1980s it was decided to update the Sunday school and call it The Junior Church. As well as a new name we also changed a lot of the events we organised. The musical anniversaries had now ceased and the anniversary now mainly comprised drama sketches based around a theme. The outings had discontinued and the format for the parties moved on. Instead of party games, we now went ten pin bowling or had a sleep-over at Church or a coach trip to Skegness.
Junior Church started to meet at the same time as the morning service at 10am. The first ten to 15 minutes was spent in the church service and then Junior Church went in the school room for their own activities.
In October, 1993 a Portacabin was purchased. It was sited at the rear of the church and was used by the Junior Church. In 2001 we were extremely pleased when we were visited by the McConnel family from America and the three boys took part in the life of the Junior Church and they stayed with us for a year.
There have many, many Sunday school and Junior Church teachers at Wollaton Road over its long history, far too many names to mention. But there are two people who ought to be singled out for a special mention – Laura Hodgkinson (Auntie Laura) and Jean Whittaker.
This brings us nicely to people who held office:
Sunday school Superintendents/Junior Church leader: Jabez Wright, William (Billy) Bates, Mr Dyer, Ernest Bettle, Arthur Southgate, Sidney Denton, Cyril Baumber, Paul Tivey.
Primary and Beginners’ leader: Sidney Denton, Gladys Spensley, Val Monk, Mary Barker, Valerie Spensley, Joyce Baumber.
Sunday school/Junior Church secretary: Arthur Hickingbotham, John Corrall, Paul Tivey, Anthony Wright, Tony Beardsall.
Sunday school/Junior Church treasurer: Hilda Braisby, who was treasurer for over 50 years.
Cradle roll secretary: Jean Whittaker, Sheila Kilby, Margaret Middleton, Susan Towlson.
In the early 1970s there were a small group of young people who were too old for Sunday School. So it was decided that a young people’s group was needed. This was set up and run by Sue Betts, a university student who was already attending church. Sue was assisted by Kathy and Andrea. The group met after Sunday morning service and mainly consisted of a bible study.
When Sue, Kathy and Andrea moved on after completing their university studies, the group was led by Neil Bourne. During Neil’s time the group went away to Sheringham for a weekend.
The next young people’s group – set up in the late 1970s – was run by Audrey and Val Monk, assisted by David Safhill. It mainly met at their homes on a Sunday evening. This group lasted about three years.
The need for a youth fellowship emerged again in the late 1980s when a group was set up and run by David Hopkin and Peter Davie, assisted by Paul Tivey. This met on Sunday afternoons and comprised a four-weekly programme. The group also met with other church youth fellowships and attended the MAYC weekends. This group continued until 1991.
PARENT TEACHER ASSOCIATION
This was started by Mrs Ada Morrell in the 1950s to enable parents with children in the Sunday School to get to know the teachers. Outings and concerts were organised and when Mrs Morrell retired, Barbara Brown became secretary of the PTA.
SUNDAY SCHOOL/JUNIOR CHURCH PRODUCTIONS
