Memorials of the Church in Prestwich; Derived Chiefly from Unpublished and Authentic Sources (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1852. Excerpt: ... 1658 Pd. for glassinge ye Church 00 05 06 Pd. for an acte () for the observation of the Sabbath day 00 00 06 observed in many parts of Lancashire, and only discontinued in Prestwich within the last twelve years. This item of expenditure is of yearly occurrence in the Churchwardens' accounts, and is sometimos entered as money paid for "dressinge the Church," or "dressinge the Church and Steeple." It was the ancient practice to decorate the Church with garlands, in anticipation of the Wakes' Sunday (the Sunday immediately succeeding St. Bartholomew's Day), and to provide a cart upon which had been erected a solid cone or pyramid of rushes adorned with watches, plate, ribbons, and flowers, --contributions lent with the utmost willingness on such occasions. On the summit of the pyramid was seated a man decorated with ribbon, &c., and to the cart were yoked twenty or more men similarly habited, who acted also as morris dancers. After the cart had traversed the village, attended by a band of music, and had received its tribute of admiration, it was removed to the Church yard where it was dismantled, and the rushes strewed on the Church floor (a not unnecessary precaution against the dampness of a stone floor then without any thing to protect the feet), there to remain until replaced by the next year's succession. An attempt was made last year to revive the custom, nor was the attempted revival without interest; but, like too many of our old customs, it is now made to serve as an excuse for drunkenness and other irregularities; and to this, more than to any other cause, must be ascribed the indifference exhibited by those to whom the promoters looked for encouragement. (') The Act for the Observance of the Lord's Day was passed in 1656. It contains a Clause requi...