The Henson Journals

[177]

Thursday, November 3rd, 1927.

I received from Ralph the answer to my letter which I expected though, perhaps expressed rather more brutally than was befitting. He probably is less sure of his own rightness than the strength of his language might suggest.

The morning was devoted to R.L.S., on whom I actually wrote 13 pages out of the requisite 100. Then the Annfield Committee came to lunch. The 3 laymen – Cooper, Greener, & Wilson – were intelligent and well–spoken men. Cooper is evidently a man of many interests; including the poetry of Herbert & Keble, and he is a recognised authority in the mining world. The broad determining fact which they made clear to me was that the mines in Stanley & Annfield Plain are drawing to an end, that the longest lived of them would be finished in 70 years, & most would not continue for half that time. In these circumstances it wd be indefensible to expend great sums in building churches of brick & stone. The obvious policy is to put up temporary buildings substantial enough to last out the requisite period.

Then I wrote to Lillingston relieving him of his responsibility for the Women's Work in the diocese, which is obviously too great for him.

Ella, Lady Eden, & Fearne motored to Gateshead on some fool–errand of so–called good works!