CHAPTER VI.
Parish Notes

THE VILLAGE SCHOOL.

Less than fifty years ago the post of Schoolmaster was combined with that of Parish Clerk in the person of Mr. Voce, who died in 1858, aged 45. The present excellent Parish School and School House were built by the Squire on a piece of ground given by him in 1871, the year after the Education Act, which provided for universal elementary education, and was handed over by Trust Deed to a Committee of six of which the chief officiating minister was Chairman, under liberal conditions, which provide for the religious education being wisely carried on. On April, 1872, the School opened with 48 scholars. Within three months a parent complained that the master was too anxious, and told the managers she should be quite satisfied if her daughter did not learn quite so much! Within six months the master enters in his log "sent the police to— —and— for using obscene language; they promised never to do so again!" Things were beginning to hum! In the following year a Night-School was opened, and 13 men and boys attended.

In 1874 the Bishop of Nottingham. Dr. Mackenzie (Suffragan to the Bishop of Lincoln) visited the school and wrote "that he was very much pleased with these excellent schools." A year after, the Bishop of Ripon, Dr. Bickersteth, called, and found all "clean and happy."

In 1876, the ever-green shrubs were planted by Mr. Anderson, Head Gardener at the Hall since 1870. These shrubs were given by Mr. Johnson of Leicester, a most valuable and prudent gift. In 1885 the present Head Master. Mr. J. H. Goddard was appointed, and since, he and his family have done their utmost to serve the educational needs of the place.

The central stone bears this inscription:—

"These schools and school-house were erected by Henry Robert Clifton. Esquire and the corner stone was laid by Mrs. Clifton on the 3rd day of November, 1871"

ALMS-HOUSES.

The Alms-Houses accommodate four women, and were built by George Wells, the central one bears this inscription:—

"I to God's glory Dedicate this place
Inspired thereto by his most holy grace
May his Great name for ever here be praised
Then my Ambition to its pitch is raised.

Anno 1709.

George Wells."

The little out-door " offices," which belong to each house, are said to have been originally intended as oratories or chapels.

"POORS' MONEY."

This is an old charity of £60 yielding about £1 5s. 0d. a year, which is spent at Christmas at the discretion of the Rector and Parish Council, and is generally made up to £1 10S. and given to 10 poor parishioners in sums of 3s. each: it is known as "The Plum Pudding Money."

UNDERGROUND PASSAGES.

There are believed to be still the remains of many hidden passages. One is supposed to run from the Church to the Hall, and to continue to the little monastic Chapel on the Terraces and thence to the River, and even, one early writer adds, under the Trent to Lenton Priory. Someone else must verify these traditions, but there are certainly many points which puzzle the architects.

LOST RELICS.

Throsby writing in 1790 mentions a picture representing Christ bearing His cross, part of which is "at the altar"; and also some fragments of painted glass in the windows. I can trace neither.

CHURCH  EMBROIDERY.

There are some most beautifully embroidered altar cloths. Communion cloths, and other pieces of embroidery. The very magnificent green altar cloth was the gift of Mrs. Ffoulkes, wife of the late Rector, and the work of her mother and sister, Mrs. and Miss Jenkins, and has been left for the use of the parish as a tangible memorial of the late Rector's life's work at Clifton.

The white one also having upon it the result of an enormous amount of most minute work, was made and presented by Mrs. Bruce, wife of the present Squire. The violet one is plainer.

"SEVEN OLD TERRIERS."

There are seven "terriers" (documents describing in legal terms the Church property dating from 1759 to 1864): they are fusty looking old fellows but would probably kill a rat (if he tried to eat them). Their present holder has not taken out a dog License for any one of them, so the less said about them the better.

Among other old papers is one referring to an Act of Parliament in 1759 by which the Rector establishes his claims to the Easter dues and minute tithes of eggs and pigs. Those were the good old days !

BABIES' SKELETONS.

It is locally maintained that the " aumbrey " referred to on page 17, which is a small square hole in the wall is no earlier than the restoration of the Church in 1840 by Sir Juckes Clifton, and that in the wall at this point, were discovered the bones of two new born babies who had been dead some three or four hundred years. Round this supposed fact, cluster many curious and interesting suggestions.

THE AGE OF THE ELMS.

Most of the elm-trees in the Grove, as well as those along the river at Wilford, were planted about 1690 by Sir Gervase Clifton, 4th Bart.

"WHEN DUTY CALLS."

A cross cut in the turf on the road to Nottingham about 150 yards from the green on the top of Drift Hill on the left hand side, going to Nottingham, marks the spot where the game-watcher, Samuel Daykin, bravely met his death while doing his duty at 3 a.m. on June 5th, 1893.

LONG  MEMORIES.

There are still men alive who remember the old Church before it was restored by Sir Juckes, and they say that there was a Sunday School over the present Clergy Vestry, approached by a flight of some fifteen stone steps : and they also remember the old village orchestra, which sat where the Squire's pew now is,  and whose many trombones were forerunners of the modern one-man organ.

The "T.I.L. Cottage" has a 14th century hall and a cross-wing of c.1600 (A Nicholson, 2004).
The "T.I.L. Cottage" has a 14th century hall and a cross-wing of c.1600. It was refaced in brick in 1707 (A Nicholson, 2004).

"T.I.L" ON A COTTAGE.

A beautiful cottage in the village bears the initials T.I.L 1707. This stands, I believe, for Thomas and John Lambert, who were two brothers, members of a family conspicuous at that time in the village, and whose graves are marked by stones in the Churchyard beyond the West window.

MASTER SPENCER.

This information was handed down to Mr. John Hall,—one of our oldest inhabitants and most valued—by Mr.William Spencer, who died at the age of 76 in 1871. This remarkable old gentleman, besides being an antiquarian and student of local lore, was also schoolmaster, farmer, doctor, dentist, parish constable, overseer, rate collector and ferret breeder to the parish. His dentistry, however was conducted on the simplest plan, and one of his patients still tells how 50 years ago Master Spencer had many a long and hard pull at a tooth which he still possesses, and how that all his remonstrances and appeals for pity provided only what sympathy he could extract from "You poor tender devil."

"A FINE OLD ENGLISH CRICKETER."

Mr. Wootton. whose name is on the Tenor bell (see page 26) has a very splendid record as a cricketer. In the early sixties his name was a household word all over England; and, no wonder, for in one match at Sheffield playing for England against Yorkshire, he succeeded in taking the whole ten wickets; while shortly after, playing against England tor Scarboro' he took three wickets with the first three halls he bowled. After a vigorous life as a cricketer he became a hardly less vigorous farmer, and even still he has some hand in the working of Mr. Beeby's farm; the latter has succeeded him in his farm, and his office of Churchwarden, and has become his son-in-law. Mr. Wootton finds time however to encourage young cricketers, local as well as first-class, for if not on the County ground on a summer afternoon, he is generally on the village cricket field.

CRICKET IN 1905.

On June 24th, 1905, our village cricket club had a red letter day, as we played the Nottingham Corporation Works and Ways at home, and beat them; sent a team to a neighbouring village and beat them, while one vice-president, who generally plays tor the team, was opening a bazaar at St. Catherine's, so could not play, and another, Mr. Haynes. formerly for many years captain, was making a big score in a match elsewhere.


A Clifton cottage.

A FRAGMENT OF OLD-TIME CHAFF.

In 1850 an old lady called Mrs. Wright kept an infant School in the Alms Houses to which the wee bairns repaired as soon as they could walk. With her, lived her mother-in-law, a yet older Mrs. Wright, popularly believed to be go; Dr. Holdsworth the Rector, one day was conversing with the old lady, who was quite blind, when she suddenly asked "Who are you?" "I'm the parson," he said; "Then who is the lady with you?" she persisted. "It's all right," said Mrs. Holdsworth for herself, "I'm the Mrs. Parson." "Oh, you are, are you!" said the old lady. My elderly informant added "To hear them all begin laughing, you'd think they wouldn't have done yet." This was told in 1906, but old Mrs. Wright died in 1866. and Dr. Holdsworth five years later.

THE ALLENS.

Mr. Marshall writing before 1790 says that "Joseph Allen of Clifton raised himself high in reputation from a plough-boy to an eminent sheep-breeder; and was the first man who distinguished himself in the Midland District as a breeder." The name is still existing in Clifton, and its bearers include men of conspicuous enterprize.

BEES.

Mr. James Moss, who is grandfather to about half the Parish, has kept the same strain of bees for 60 years. He has probably owned about 50 million bees during that time. A visitor from a neighbouring village in old days once stole a hen, bought a sheep, and caught a bee. that he might have an egg for breakfast, a kidney for dinner, and honey for tea every day !

TEAS!

A considerable industry is done by most of the cottagers in the summer months by providing "teas" for visitors, and some of the older inhabitants have established a large clientele among Nottingham inhabitants, who visit the village often and always adopt the same house of call. One old lady has kept a visitor's book, and takes a very proper pride in having the signatures of Sir Henry Irving, and Miss Ellen Terry in it; when on tour in Nottingham they have more than once paid her visits and spoken kindly of her attention to their needs.

THE FEAST.

The traditional village Feast is on the Sunday after September 19th; at one time this was a very rowdy and disgraceful orgy, but a more general spread of self-respect has confined most of that which is least creditable, to a handful of irresponsible visitors, and a few thoughtless juveniles. The public tone of such a village as Clifton is an emphatic power for temperance, soberness and chastity.

The author.
The author.

AN EXAMPLE.

A certain Rector of Clifton had an uncommon weakness for many words. Once he was visiting a sick woman, and had spoken at even more than usual length, encouraged by an apparent interest on the face of his listener, he only paused when he saw with delight that she was about to speak, for he had long awaited any appreciative response ; her words were, "How quiet the cat sits!" The tone of appreciation was obvious, nor was it altogether without suggestion of contrast.

A MORAL.

A long series of lessons on the parable of Dives and Lazarus had been given to a chronic invalid, who had been a labourer, at their conclusion the

Rector wistfully asked, "Well, now do you think you understand the lesson in this wonderful story?" and received the assured reply, "Ay Ay, Sir, the gentleman went to hell."

A RULING PASSION.

The Rector had carefully prepared a boy for confirmation and asked him just before the day, "Do you owe anyone any money?" "No sir," "Are you good friends with everyone?" "Yes sir"; "Do you think you understand what confirmation is?" "Yes, sir"; "Well, is there any question you would like to ask me?" "Yes sir; if you wanted to breed a mule between a linnet and a bullfinch, how should you go on ?"

A TEACHER TAUGHT.

A young clergyman who was staying with the Rector undertook to pay sick visit to an old gentleman in the village. A certain misunderstood reserve prevented him from praying with or reading to the invalid, and resulted in this reply to a subsequent enquiry about the visit: "He's right enough in himself, but he doesn't know his job, perhaps he's no but young yet!" (This reply has already born some excellent fruit)

The Reading Room and village. Photgraph by Mrs Bruce.
The Reading Room and village. Photgraph by Mrs Bruce.

WHO'S WHO IN 1906.

Lord of the Manor—Col. Hervey Bruce, J.P., D.L. Rector—The Rev. Rosslyn Bruce, M.A., B.D.

Churchwardens—Col. Bruce (People's), Mr. Frank Beeby (Rector's.)

Sidesmen—Messrs. J. Hall and J. Allen (Rector's), Messrs. J. Butler, and E. Moss (People's).

Parish Clerk—Mr. Robert Reckless. Church Cleaner—Mrs.  Street.

Parish Council—Col. Bruce (Chairman), H. Haynes, Esq. (Clerk) Messrs. J. Allen, J. Butler. J. Morris. J. Moss, R. Reckless, and R. Turner.

Pasture Master—Mr.  Royce Turner.

District Councillor and Poor Law Guardian—Rev Rosslyn Bruce.

Overseers—Messis. F. Beeby, J. Butler, C. Jackson, and H. H. Reynolds.

Assistant Overseer and Collector—Mr. J. Moss, Postmaster—Mr, H. J. Goddard.

Parish Constable—Mr. J. Stevenson.

School Managers, 1904-1907—Rev. Rosslyn Bruce (Chairman and Correspondent). Col. Bruce, Mr. Haynes. Mr. J. Butler (Treasurer), Mr. Beeby. and Mr. Turner.

Trustees of Clifton Poor's Money—The Rector, Messrs. J. Allen and J. Morris.

Clifton Hall Club—President, Col. Bruce ; Vice-Presi-clents, H. Haynes, Esq., the Rector, E. K. Smith, Esq., ; Hon. Sec., H. Haynes, Esq. ; Hon Assistant Sec. Mr. H. Sherwood ; Hon. Treas., Mr. E. Moss.

Cricket Sec.— Mr.  H.  Sherwood. Football Sec.—Mr. S.  Jackson.

Committee—Messrs. J. Allen, J. Moss, J. Butler G. Butler, A. Butler, H Butler, E. Sherwood. F. Butler, J. Moss.

Day School Teachers—Mr. H. J. Goddard, Mrs. Goddard, Miss Beatrice Goddard.

Night School Teacher—Mr. H. J. Goddard.

Sunday School Teachers—The Rector, Mr. W. Bradley, Mrs. Haynes, Miss K. Brown, Misses N. Bird, A. and E. Bradley, D. Goddard, A. Jackson, and I. Price.

Mother's Meeting—Conducted by Mrs. Bruce.

Clothing Club—Conducted by Mrs. Bruce.

Savings Bank—Conducted by Mrs. Bruce.

Lending Library—Committee: The  Rector, Mrs. Beeby, Miss B.  Butler, Mrs. Goddard, Miss Wade and Miss Whiteley.

District Nurse—Miss Whiteley.

Choir—Choir Master and Organist:   Mr. H. J. Goddard.

Assistant—Miss M. Goddard. Men (8): Messrs. G. Bird, J. Bradley J. Morris, Wm. Moss, Sen., W. Price, H. Price. J. Reckless, J. Stevenson. Boys (14). J. Allen, J. and B. Mann, C. and J. Hardy, C. and W, Newman, C. Reckless, C. Moss, J. and F. Cook, T. Stevenson, C. Sharpe and H. Bilbie.

Ladies' Choir—(12) Misses S. Moss K. and M. Sherwood, P. Street, A. and E. Bradley D. and B. Goddard, M. Price, M. Reckless, A. Mann, G. Foster.

Bellringers—(8): Messrs. J. Allen (Captain), W. Allen, H. and A. Butler, H. Price, J. Morris, W. Bradley, and B. Exton.

Organ Blower—Frank Bilbie.

Total: 77 persons, holding 125 offices.
Population in  1901,  366.
Children at Day School, 55.

At Night School, 22 boys.
At Sunday School, 70.
Church of England Communicants—Easter, 1905, 115. 1906, 130.


The author at play.

RECTORS SINCE 1242.

WILLIAM de RHODES,   1242
JOHN de CLYFTON,   1302
JOHN de CHILWELL,  1336
RICHARD de LEYCESTER,   1369
ROBERT RICHE,  1373
JOHN de CLYFTON, RALPH BROMLEY,   1391
WILLIAM NEWTON,  1304
JOHN NORMANTON ROBERT WYLOUGHBY,   1399
ROBERT DAWE, 1413
WILLIAM HIDE, 1428
JOHN WARBYN, 1432
HENRY DYSEIL, 438
RICHARD BATE HENRY PYNSON,  1413
JOHN BADDESWORTH, 1456, Chaplain to Archbishop of York,
JOHN GRENE, 1462, Bishop of Sodor and Man, 1448
JOHN AVERELL, 1467, Canon of Southwell
ROBERT HILL, 1472
ROBERT  YOLK, 1479
SILYANUS CLIFTON,  1506
EDMUND THURIAND,   1531
JOHN NORMANVILLE,  1571
JOHN ALWOOD, 1571
HENRY BACON, 1587
HENRY WYLDE, 1623
ROBERT THIRLBY, 1633
THOMAS GOODGE )
JONATHAN BOOLE ) "registerers"
CLIFFORD THIRLBY, 1675
THOMAS OUSELEY, 1689
WILLIAM STANDFAST, 1721
ABEL COLLIN LAUNDER,  1754
WILLIAM CLIFTON, 1803
HENRY SPENCER MARKHAM, 1830 Canon of York
EDWIN PROCTOR DENNIS, 1844
WILLIAM HOLDSWORTH, 1853
WILLIAM HOWARD, 1866
JOHN CLOUGH, 1873
HENRY WILLIAM WYNNE FFOULKES, 1891.
FRANCIS ROSSLYN COURTENAY BRUCE, 1904.