The Henson Journals

[104]

Thursday, March 12th, 1931.

The frost last night was the severest we have yet had. During the day the sun, which has now gained some strength, melted the snow: but the frost returned at nightfall.

Charles & I motored to Chester–le–Street, and had tea with Canon & Mrs Jackson. Mr Robinson, the Churchwarden of Winlaton, had come at my request to see me in order to give me some trustworthy information about the state of affairs in Winlaton. He is a schoolmaster, and was one of the choirboys, whom Bishop Lightfoot had to sing in the Chapel here. He expressed himself with intelligence & good feeling; finally undertaking to see both the Vicar and the Curate, and to report to me the result. I greatly fear that there are the materials and the promise of a lamentable scandal in that parish.

We motored to Bearpark, where I confirmed 53 persons from the parishes of Bearpark, Ushaw Moor, and Waterhouses. The incumbents' – Riding, Welby, & Burgess – were present with their candidates. The Church was crowded, and the attention was close & sustained. I was pleased with the apparent earnestness of the candidates. After the service we returned to Auckland. The roads were very slippery with ice.

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