THE WOODLANDS LOVEFEAST

(Although this is the title, the article ranges far and wide. I have highlighted a few passages that refer specifically to the Lovefeast)

THE WOODLANDS LOVEFEAST

Hayfield Man Who Was Converted at Alport

AND BECAME WESLEYAN PRESIDENT

By James Garside.

It has been said that the Woodlands Lovefeast owes its inception to the period succeeding the passing of the Act of Uniformity in 1662, when so many dissenting congregations were formed, but no reliable data can be found in support of this assertion.  It is true that a number of dissenting congregations were formed at this time by the Rev. William Bagshaw, the Apostle of the Peak, but in the diary of his preachings no mention is made of these parts, although the place names of Hucklowe, Malcroft, Middleton, Castleton, Edale, Chapel, Charlesworth, Chelmorton, Bradwell, Hayfield, Stockport, Macclesfield, and Chinley occur again and again in his diary.

( In the book William Bagshaw The Apostle of the Peak by John Brentnall, 1970, on p44, it says ‘ The meeting house on Charlesworth Hill, which remained in Presbyterian hands after the Great Ejection under the enlightened patronage of the Howard family, also became under Bagshawe a well-known centre of Dissent, as did the famous barn attached to Alport Castles Farm, beneath the wild slopes of Bleaklow.)

The Rev. William Bagshaw was for ten and a half years vicar of Glossop, and when the Act of Uniformity was passed in 1662 Mr. Bagshaw was one of the 39 ministers of Derbyshire who resigned their homes and their livings.  Higginbottom, the minister of Hayfield, was at heart one of them, but in the face of difficulties, conformed.  Bagshaw did not give up his work for the Gospel, but continued to preach throughout the Peak among the poorest and most neglected in the wildest parts of the district.  No fewer than eight distinct congregations were formed by him, some of which still remain, and 150 years after his death the Vicar of Bakewell (the late Rev. H. Cornish) told Lord George Cavendish that whatever religion existed in the High Peak was due to Mr. Bagshaw.  He undoubtedly prepared the way for the 18^th century Methodists.

But while the Woodlands Lovefeast may not be the direct result of the labours of the Rev. W. Bagshaw, yet in a way it is linked with the dissenting congregations formed in the seventeenth century for among the worshippers who assembled at Kinder during the ministry of the Apostle of the Peak, were the Bradburys of Coldwell Clough, who afterwards joined the congregation worshipping at the Chinley Independent Chapel (where Grace Bennett, whom Wesley would have liked to have married, lies buried).  From that time to this the Bredburys have remained members of this church.

But the most singular man perchance of a singular race ‘saysJohn Tilley (author of ‘the Old Halls of Derbyshire’)’ was Thomas the Nonconformist.’

SERMON ON QUEEN.

Thomas Bradbury in Queen Anne’s reign occupied the pulpit and the chapel known then as the New-street Conventicle.  It lay secretly in a high-walled court behind Fetter-lane, London.  Its foundations and the east wall of the chapel belong to an earlier building of James I time, which succeeded a wooden building that was erected as a meeting-house for a small protestant sect, which in the days of Mary’s persecutions met in a saw pit there.  Bishop Burnett, who was a friend of Bradbury, promised to send him the first news of the death of Queen Anne, and it was agreed that the messenger would inform the preacher of her death, by dropping a handkerchief over the gallery.  The expected event happened and Bradbury preached, so it said, from the text ‘Go, see now this cursed woman and bury her, for she is a king’s daughter.

The chapel in Fetterlane came into the possession of the Moravians.  In 1738 John Wesley attached himself to the Moravian community in Fetter-lane.  He met with them daily in their conferences for reading the scriptures and prayers.  At length the hour of what he always regarded as the great crisis of life was at hand.  At a meeting to which he went unwillingly some one read Luther’s preface to St. Paul’s Epistle to the Romans.  All at once, as he supposed, the scales fell from his eyes, and he rose a ‘converted’ man.  His ‘conversion,’ the primal fact in the history of Methodism took place, according to his own reckoning, about a quarter before nine on the evening of the 24^th of May 1738.

John Wesley, John Hutchins and George Whitefield were present at a wonderful Watchnight and Lovefeast at Fetter-lane, London, on January 1, 1739.

‘About three in the morning as we were continuing instant (intent?) in prayer,’ says Mr. Wesley, speaking of that meeting when there were about sixty others present, ‘the power of God came mightily upon us, insomuch that many cried out for exceeding joy, and many fell to the ground.  As soon as we were recovered a little from that awe and amazement at the presence of His Majesty, we broke out with one voice, ‘We praise Thee, O God; we acknowledge Thee to be the Lord.’

‘It was a Pentecostal season indeed,’ says Whitefield, and adds, respecting these ‘society meetings,’ that ‘sometimes whole nights were spent in prayer.’

Thus began the year which was to prove such a crisis in their lives, and in the history of Methodism.

The Lovefeasts which had been instituted by the Moravians in invitation (imitation?) of the Agapae or lovefeasts held in the early Christian Church, in some places as late as the fourth century, was adopted by the new Methodist societies.  In the early Church these feasts had sometimes been spoiled by selfishness and gluttony.  In their revived form this was impossible.  A little plain cake and water, the elements of a simple meal, were distributed to all present and taken by them as members of one family united by love to Christ.  This was followed by testimonies concerning His love to them and theirs to Him interspersed with songs of praise. And one reading early Methodist literature will find frequent mention of these lovefeasts which were held quarterly in most circuits.  Thus in the Memoir of William Bramwell, who was stationed in the Sheffield Circuit in 1795-1797, and again in 1810-1811, there are references to the lovefeast at Mansfield, at Garden-street, Chapel, Sheffield, and at Rotherham.  Sheffield circuit comprised in those days what are now the Doncaster, Worksop, Redford, Mansfield, Chesterfield, Bakewell, Bradwell, Barnsley and Rotherham Circuits.  So it was impossible for the travelling preacher to conduct all the lovefeasts in the circuit, and in Bramwell’s memoir there is a letter requesting a Miss Barret to go to a lovefeast at Mansfield in his place.

At the Woodlands, Henry Longden, of Sheffield, for over twenty years was the leader at the lovefeast.

The conference of 1798 appointed Mr. Bramwell to Nottingham.  A great number of members had left the old Methodist Connexion, and joined the Methodist New Connexion.  The trustees of the large Methodist Chapel had given it up for the use of the Methodist New Connexion.  Consequently, the old members who remained true to the old body were without a place of worship.  In their extremity they appealed to Mr. Henry Longden, who was the means of them securing a plot of ground from Mr. John Fellows to build a chapel thereon.  For nine months they had tried to secure a plot of ground, but every application had been turned down.  Mr. Longden died in 1811, and his funeral service was conducted by Mr. Bramwell.

LOVEFEAST MUGS.

I may mention that at many of these lovefeasts fair sized pieces of fancy seed loaf were handed round and large mugs with a handle at each side were carried round out of which everyone was expected to take a drink of water.  There are still in use at Walk Mill, schoolroom, Hayfield, a few of these old mugs.

Hutchinson, who visited the Woodlands in 1809, says of Alport, where the lovefeast is held : ‘It consists of two farm houses by the side of a rivulet, and at the foot of some high craggy rocks called Alport Castle.  The Methodist preachers regularly attend this place every Sunday, where they collect a small congregation from the scattered houses in the Woodlands ; in fact the whole of the inhabitants in this neighbourhood are of that persuasion.  I was willing to give my tribute of applause to the zeal and labour with which these sectarians have endeavoured to propagate the Gospel and recommend the worship of God.  Religion never appears more unaffected or more lovely than when she addresses the great Creator of the universe in these solitary places –‘tis here she is clothed in her simple and unassuming garb.  No artificial grandeur strikes the eye or captivates the senses – ‘tis the pure breath of adoration that offers its incense to the Divinity.  The summits of the lofty hills seem to point to the Creator ; the great volume of nature lies open on every side, all around is the awful grandeur and majesty of God.  Who is He that will not read, that will not adore?  The stubborn atheist himself must stand appalled, and tremble for his tottering theory.’

The third of these lovefeasts is thus described in ‘The Rommany Stone’ by J. H. Yoxall, M.P., published in 1902 : –

‘Encaustie with daisy and buttercup was the meadow grass that flooded the nave and chancel of the natural fane ; topaz-hued the stream that wound for font and aspersorium through the encircled valley.  Grey hills around were wall and buttress, and hillocks rose for pillar and pier ; the trees were screens and tapestry, the tors the clerestory, and the mass of Kinder Scout was the high cathedral tower ; for vaulted roof and groining the magnificence of the firmament hung over all… A rocky mould (mound) was the pulpit, and upon it Lawrence Yewdall stood, his whitening hair blown round his ugly visage, and yet was as the face of saint, or angel, suffused and sublimated by the radiance of the soul.

A THOUSAND LISTENERS.

‘A thousand listeners hung upon his words.  From Edale, Castleton, Tideswell, Buxton, they had come, and some from Glossop, some from Stockport, Manchester, Sheffield, many a moory mile.  Pursy shopkeepers, puny websters, and miners, sturdy farm dwellers, Quakerish women and quiet children, they stood or sat within the crescent of covered wagons and spring carts which had brought them, the lines of drab and grey, with here and there the sheen of silk and broadcloth, and the flash of a golden watch chain.  These Methodists of Peakland and its towny borders gathered to the third of the annual lovefeasts that have lasted to this day.  How they wept, prayed, rejoiced, lamented with their eyes closed, and lifted their voices every now and then in the stanza of a hymn.  A cornet player led the singing, his loud, clear blasts pitched the note, started the time, marked the rhythm, lifted the chorus to the true tone when the trebles flattened and swelled triumphant in the lingering refrains.  The congregation shouted, to inflame the preacher and redouble their own fervours with sobs and beseeching they called upon the unconverted, the children, and the careless who had come to stare or scoff, to flee from the wrath to come.’

This district has produced many notable local preachers, among whom may be noted Joseph Dakin, a native of Castleton.  After serving the circuit as a local preacher, he entered upon the work of a travelling preacher, and for six years he served the Connexion in this capacity.  His last appointment was to the Barnard Castle Circuit in 1816.  He died at Thirsk, January 8^th, 1818, aged 31 years.  The Dakin family have attended the Lovefeast for many generations. 

Another notable local preacher was John Longden, of Lady Clough House (Snake Inn).  When the bridge called the Old Oak Bridge which spanned the Derwent broke down and killed several poor fellows, they were taken to the farm house which was then on the Wesleyan plan as a preaching station, and as the bodies lay in the dwelling – a moving sermon in themselves – Mr. Longden preached a special discourse from Christ’s words in reference to the tower of Siloam.  ‘Think ye that these men were sinners above all men,’ and its powerful effect was marked by converting power in the crowded company gathered beneath the roof under such solemn circumstances. 

In 1815 Anthony Lingard was executed at Derby for the murder of a toll bar woman at Wardlow Miers.  After his execution his body was brought back to Wardlow Miers and was hung in chains on the 1^st of April 1815.  The gibbet was erected on a hill side in a field opposite the house where the dreadful deed was done.  Hundreds of people from the surrounding villages flocked to witness the ghostly scene of the gibbet.  John Longden, who was planned to preach on the following Sunday at Tideswell, finding that almost all his congregation had gone to view the gibbet followed and from beneath the gibbetpost delivered stirring and impressive words of exhortation to the multitude. 

Among the Methodists attending the old preaching station was the family of Greaves.  Mr. Greaves, of Row Lee, Woodlands, was a class leader and a man of piety.

A HAYFIELD PRESIDENT.

At one Hope Fair he engaged as his servant John Barber of Kinder Head, Hayfield.  John Barber was induced to attend the services at Alport, and coming under religious conviction he became a local preacher.  Afterwards he entered the itinerancy, and became one of the most distinguished ministers that ever graced the Connexion, and was twice President of the Conference.  He was one of the chief leaders among the Dissenters who secured the total repeal of the Conventicle and other oppressive Acts in 1812, which had been in force since the restoration of Charles the Second in 1660.

For his work in this connection John Barber received the thanks of the London West Circuit.  The following is a copy of the resolution : –

‘London West Circuit Methodist Quarterly Meeting, 7^th October, 1814, Rev. Mr. Entwistle in the chair.  Resolved unanimously that the cordial and affectionate thanks of this meeting be presented to the Rev. John Barber, the late Superintendent of this Circuit for his diligent and judicious attention to its concerns , for his firm, manly and prudent conduct throughout the very important transactions with His Majesty’s Government respecting religious toleration during his residence in London; for his unwearied zeal, affection and wisdom, uniformly manifested in the cause of God; for his liberality and public spirit, fand for his Christian kindness to the poor, and the individual members of the Society. – Extracted from the minutes. – Jos. Butterworth.

So even if it cannot be said that the love feast was established as a direct result of the passing of the Conventicle Acts and the Five Mile Act at least it can be said that it had something to do with one of the prime movers in the abolition of these Acts in 1812.

Mr. Barber died in Bristol, April 28^th, 1816.  Another local preacher who served this district was James Ridal of Edale, who afterwards entered the itinerancys.

In the list of appointments for 1818 appear the following : 224 Bradwell, Thomas Gill, Joseph Brougham, James Ridal, supernumerary.

There is a reference to James Ridal in Everett’s ‘Wesleyan Methodism i Sheffield.’ He says in reference to David Taylor, the first Methodist to mission the Peak : ‘In addition to his being benighted on the moors near Bradford, when alone, he met with a similar fate, in company with another person, on the mountains of Edale, near Castleton, in  Derbyshire.

A WEIRD EXPERIENCE.

 It was in the depth of winter, and while the snow was falling very thick around them after experiencing considerable fatigue and anxiety, they reached a house, knocked at the door, obtained admission, and began to shake the snow off their clothes.  The man of the house expecting a neighbour, was both surprised and alarmed on seeing two strangers enter with some degree of freedom; and immediately took down his sword. which hung over the fire-place, among other armour, which had been employed by him as  a train-band soldier, in the battle of Preston Pans in 1745.  With this weapon he proposed to defend himself and his family from men of whom he was apprehensive as being influenced by evil intentions.  His fears were soon silenced by David stepping up to him and saluting him with – ‘Peace be to this house.’  He found no need of his martial spirit; and being a man that feared God, he laid aside the soldier and took up the Christian; shook David heartily by the hand, and bid him welcome.  His name was Joseph Hadfield.  This is noticed as connected with the introduction of Methodism into Edale; for the Methodist preachers succeeded David, who often acted as a pioneer, and there has been preaching in the place either less or more ever since.  While it may please some to know it can give offence to no one to observe that in this very house Mr. James Ridal, an old travelling preacher was afterwards born and brought up.’

Another Edale local preacher who joined the itinerancy was Daniel Eyre. 

The Hadfields of Edale and the Eyres have for many generations been attenders of the Annual Woodlands Lovefeast.

Ramblers owe a debt of gratitude to the Hayfield worshippers at the Lovefeast for their testimonies collected by the late William Kirk, of Hayfield, helped to win the right of way to the Woodlands by way of William Clough and Ashop Clough in 1897.

An account of this Lovefeast has been given in which it is stated that the late Rev. W. Fiddian Moulton. M.A., of Hathersage, was the preacher and the probable date is given as 1898, this cannot be correct for the Rev. W.F. Moulton was not stationed in the North Derbyshire Mission until 1910.

I append the list of ministers of the Bradwell and North Derbyshire Mission Circuit from 1851: –

1851-1852 John Bonser, Henry Cattle.

1853          John Bonser, Samuel T. Greathead.

1854          Thomas Brown, Samuel T. Greathead.

1855-1856 Thomas Brown.

1857          William Exton.

1858-1859 Thomas Burrows.

1860-1861 Richard Smailes.

1862          George H. Chambers.

1863-1865 John Archer.

1866-1867 John E. Doubleday.

1868-1869 Henry M. Ratcliffe.

1870-1871 Jonathan Barrowclough.

1872-1874 Edward Russell.

1875-1876 Joseph Hirst.

1877-1879 Cornelius Wood.

1880-1882 George S. Meek

1883-1885 William R. Dalby.

1886-1888 James Clegg.

1889-1891 William Henry Hill.

1892-1894 W. Dawson Watson.

1895-1898 William Wandless.

1899-1901 Samuel Goodyer.

1902-1904 James Foster.

NORTH DERBYSHIRE MISSION

(Bradwell and Bakewell Circuits Combined).

1905          George Makin, Marmaduke Riggall, Arthur Adlington.

1906-1907 Marmaduke Riggall, William Res, Arthur Adlington.

1908          Marmaduke Riggall, William Rex,  Walter Standley.

1909          D. Ledger Pawson, W. Fiddian Moulton, M.A., J. Chesworth Jackson.

1912                    W. Fiddian Moulton, M.A., Frederick Senior, Sydney Brown.

James Garside

The previous post was an article from the Reporter of 1930 and was found in a collection of articles as a pdf online.  I wanted to find out more about them and online it credits the scrapbooks to Luke, James and Sam Garside.  It would appear that there are 12 scrapbooks of articles which have been scanned. (paid for by a member of New Mills Local History Society who wishes to remain anonymous)

The article that I am currently typing up is by James Garside but there was no date and no paper mentioned, so I had a look online to see if I could find out more about him. It would appear that he died in 1952 and there was this tribute online : http://www.stevelewis.me.uk/page46.php

He seems to have been an extraordinary man, a great walker, friend of GHB Ward, and local historian who helped with access and himself walked to the Lovefeast from Hayfield at the age of 75.

‘He was a great walker and for many years he went regularly over Kinder Scout to attend the famous Woodlands Love Feast. At the age of 75 he did this walk last year. For a long period Mr. Garside also walked to Eyam to attend the Plague Service.’

WOODLAND’S LOVEFEAST or the ‘Peakland Pentecost’

Click to access sbook3_002.pdf

Click to access sbook3_003.pdf

This article is split between the last page of the first collection and the first page of the second.  The articles are pasted onto sheets and copied and the last section has words missing as they are off the page.  Sometimes I have been able to finish a word or it is obvious what is missing.  Otherwise I have just put dots to show missing words or parts of words.

There are differences and anomalies in the various accounts, but I have typed things up as they were originally printed.

The Reporter July 12 1930

WOODLAND’S LOVEFEAST or the ‘Peakland Pentecost’

How long the famous Woodlands Lovefeast has been held in the Peak no one knows.  Some people say it goes back to the passing of the Act of Conformity in 1662, and others that it belongs to the days of the Covenanters.  But it is definitely known that the Wesleyans have held the Lovefeast for more than 150 years.

This year’s feast was held on Sunday.  There was a gathering of the clans but regular frequenters say the attendance was not so large as usual.  Some familiar faces were missing, but that is bound to happen in the course of nature every year.  Mr. G. H. Eyre was there from Castleton and he recalls being there as long ago as 1870.  Mr Elijah Wragg, who hails from beyond Sheffield, is a popular figure who always ‘testifies’, and has a sense of humour even in his Christianity.  He has been coming to the gathering for 60 years.  People from Hayfield, New Mills, Chapel, Chinley and even Ashton, were noticed in the service.  One who testified came from far away Wensley Dale.

The service is held at Alport Farm, in the hamlet of Alport, in the Woodlands.  The hamlet used to consist of three houses.  Now there are only two, as two houses have been knocked into one.

SERVICE HELD IN BARN

The scenery is magnificent.  The farm is about a mile from the main road of the Snake Pass but one or two hardy motorists had braved the stony road to Alport.  For the most part the people walked from the main road, some of them getting wet for rain began to fall in the early afternoon.  From the farm is a splendid view of ‘Alport Castle,’ a series of rocks, so called because of their fortress like appearance.  Beyond the farm the road does not go, and there is some of the wildest scenery in the High Peak.  The hills are glorious, and not a few who were in the neighbourhood would like to penetrate the fastnesses. (as original)

The Lovefeast must surely be one of the most remarkable services held in the Christian world.  The barn of the farm is used for the purpose.  The floor is strewn with straw and the seats are ‘forms’ without back rests.  The hayloft forms a gallery in which people sit, and they get a fine view of the proceedings below.  Behind the barn is a shippon, and it is possible to see into the barn through the wooden racks from which the cattle take the hay.  Two large ‘picking holes’ are open to the sky, and the glimpses through them of the lowering hills are really wonderful, But on Sunday afternoon they also made it possible for the rain to come through.

PLUM CAKE AND WATER.

The procedure is equally quaint.  As soon as people arrive they are offered a piece of cake by men standing there with old fashioned wicker baskets full of plum cake.  The ‘wine’ is the natural one of water and is offered from a pint jug filled from a large enamel ewer.  That is the feast of love and it corresponds to the more elaborate Holy Communion in the Church of England or the Lord’s Supper in the Wesleyan Methodist Chapel.  Having partaken of the cake and water, people pass into the barn for the service. 

In the morning there was an ordinary Wesleyan Methodist service conducted by Rev. W.  Standley, superintendent of the North Derbyshire Mission.  His pulpit was a small platform.  There was no musical instrument of any kind.

THE LOVEFEAST.

The Lovefeast was held in the afternoon.  This also was conducted by Rev. W. Standley.  It was a service of fervour in which anybody present could take part individually.  It opened with a hymn and prayer in the usual way and Mr. Standley gave a short address.  Then others began to testify what had happened to them.  If no one cared to speak at the moment, then someone would start a hymn.  Most of the hymns thus started were of the old revivalist character.  One always sung is :

‘ We sing of the realms of the blest,

That country so bright and so fair,

And oft are its glories confest,

But what must it be to be there?’

It was sung with much fervour on Sunday afternoon.  Much feeling was also expressed in the hymn, ‘What a friend we have in Jesus,’ and a chorus was added, which is not usually the case.  And so the service went on for several hours, in testimony and song.  Many old Methodist hymns were sung to the old rousing tunes.  Occasionally there would be an impressive pause. More than once it was broken by a bird coming into the barn through the ‘picking hole’ and twittering amongst the beams.

Woodlands Lovefeast has been described as the ‘Peakland Pentecost’ and to old frequenters it is.  Some of those used to impart fire and fervour are gone on their long journey and the modern… are much more restrained in their … ions.  But it is yet a wonderful service in its simplicity, its freedom from al l..tion, its homeliness and in its fervent expression by the simple country … of the marvellous faith that is theirs.  There is no organ but the singing is wonderful at times.  Some bass singers were there on Sunday afternoon, whose notes … clear and resonant as those of any ….

It is one of the places as yet un… by the great hurry of the outer world.  All is peace and quiet in Alport and it has an air of rest about it that soothes the nerves jagged and torn by the fretting and worrying of the workaday life.  A few …s have discovered it.  Some were .. at the service.  But they were the ramblers, those who love the countryside not the people who live on it.  Alport is the ideal place in which to hold a religious service and it is good to know there are places in which today, despite the hustle and bustle and the mechanical … of mankind, the peace and quiet of nature reign supreme.

The Derby Daily Telegraph, Monday, July 7 1913

Town and County Gossip

The Alport love feast is one of the most famous events in the calendar of Methodists and indeed of members of many other religious denominations – in the Peak of Derbyshire.  It is held in a barn – the building in which it has taken place now for a period of 150 years.  On the Sunday on which it is held there is a pilgrimage to the secluded farmstead in the Woodlands of the Peak, not only from neighbouring Derbyshire villages, but also from Yorkshire, Cheshire, and even Nottinghamshire.  The latest anniversary was celebrated on Sunday, when, with the additional stimulus of the presence of the Rev. W.F.Moulton , of Hathersage to conduct the services, the attendances were unusually large, in spite of the fact that the weather was unsettled. 

Derbyshire Times Saturday July 9 1932

Centuries Old Custom in a Barn.

Hidden away in the heart of the Pennines is an old grey barn, where for centuries past, on the first Sunday in July, Alport Love Feast is celebrated.

Alport, a hamlet of two houses, stands about two miles off the Snake Pass between Ashopton and the Snake Inn, and may justly claim to be one of the most secret places in England.  It is an ideal place in which to hold a religious service, for that is what Alport Love Feast really is.  It is the old testimony meeting of Methodists in North Derbyshire.

As you enter the barn, you are invited to take the feast of love – a drink of pure water and a piece of home made cake.  New mown hay and clean straw covers the floor, and the pulpit is just a plain deal table at which the minister sits to conduct the service.  There is no organ ; instead the barn resounds with the voices of country people, who worship in the way shown to their forefathers.

Everybody is at liberty to speak.  There is no prolonged silence.  Almost as soon as one has finished speaking another has started, and so throughout the day the service continues.

There is something very appealing about the simplicity of the service which has a significance all its own in the religious life of North Derbyshire.

There were about 200 at the services on Sunday.  The Rev. S.F. Pawson, Hathersage, presided, Mr. J. Eyre, Castleton was born at Alport 76 years ago, and on Sunday made his 60^th attendance at the feast.  Mr Eyre, Sheffield, who is in his 83^rd year, was also present.  Mr. Tom Dutton, a Staveley man, had walked 30 miles to tell the gathering how he was converted 28 years ago. As in several previous years, a 76 years-old Chapeltown man, Mr. Elijah Wragg, led the singing, and sang several solos.  Mr. Wragg has visited Alport for more than 50 years

1935 – 1936

Belper News 12 July 1935

Alport ‘Love Feast’

Ancient Custom Observed in Peak District

Alport ‘Love Feast’ tradition was upheld on Sunday, when a congregation of close upon 300 attended the ancient form of worship in a barn, about five miles from Ashopton.  Hundreds of years ago, farmers, who were the Covenanters persecuted by Charles II gathered together to worship in their own way.  An old barn on the lonely moors is used as a place of worship, and the celebration is always held on the first Sunday in July.

It is claimed that this unusual form of worship was attended 150 years ago by John Wesley.  On Sunday the congregation included a good number of old Methodists, aged from 70 to 80 years.  An address was given by the Rev. J. Baines Atkinson, of Hathersage.

Following the ‘Feast’ which consists of cake and water, of which all partake, the ceremony is thrown open to all who care to come forward and relate their experiences.

Mr Elizah (Elijah in other sources) Wragg, who is 78 years of age and lives at Ecclesfied, always attends, and on Sunday he led the singing and rendered several solos.  The arrangements were again carried out by Mr. T. Eyre of Alport. 

The Derbyshire Times, Friday November 6, 1936

Alport Love Feast

Interesting Link severed by death of two stalwarts

A large number of North Derbshire residents, particularly members of the Methodist Mission, will regret to hear of the death of Mr. Elijah Wragg of Gent Hall Grenoside, near Sheffield at the age of 78. 

Mr. Wragg was one of the outstanding figures of the past 60 years at the famous Alport love feast, and was fond of telling how he was carried across the moors by his father to his first love feast.  He possessed a strong voice and often led the singing of the old-time Methodist evangelical hymns.  He had sung at functions held at the Crystal Palace, Liverpool, Manchester, Doncaster, York, and many other places.  He was a member of the Birley Carr Methodist Church choir for over 60 years.  Late in life he became a tenant of the Earl of Wharncliffe.

The funeral service at Birley Carr Methodist Church was attended by a number of North Derbyshire Methodists who had gathered with Mr. Wragg in the Alport Barn on Love Feast Sunday.  Five minutes before Mr. Wragg died, his oldest friend, with whom he had aattended the love feast for 50 years also passed away.  He was Mr. M. Weldon of Howbrook, who was aged 73.

Derbyshire Times and Chesterfield Herald 01 August 1896

Another rather older and much longer article is very interesting :

 

Alport Love Feast.  Derbyshire Woodlands.  (By Nomad.)

Between Manchester and Sheffield runs a good high road – very high in some parts for it rises to an elevation of something over 1600 feet above sea level – which traversed some of the wildest and most beautiful scenery to be met with in any part of the country.

In the very northernmost part of the Peak district is the bleak but beautiful tract known as Woodlands, bounded on the north and west by the county boundary, on the east by the Derwent, and on the south by its tributary stream, the Ashop, and crossed in a S.E. and N.W. direction by the high road referred to above.  At a point on this road, 23 miles from Manchester and 15 miles from ‘t’other place,’ which the Rev, Newman Hall once described as reminding him of the ‘City of Destruction,’ to say nothing of Sodom and Gomorrah, is what is still locally known as Jumble Bridge, though marked on the Ordnance Map as Alport Bridge.

This bridge, now a substantial and well-built structure, spans a small stream known as Alport River, quiet and peaceful-looking enough just now, but in wet weather not to be trifled with, for it has within the memory of the present generation, swept away more than one of the present bridge’s predecessors – indeed this seems to be a family characteristic of Peak district streams, as residents in the neighbourhood tell me of sundry such mishaps.

A few yards on the Manchester side of Alport Bridge a lane leaves the high road on the Northern side and follows the Alport River for a distance of nearly two miles, till it reaches Alport Castle’s Farms, two lonely farm houses situated in the midst of one of the wildest and most beautiful valleys in all this beautiful part of the country.  On the left rises steeply and to a height of several hundred feet the great hill, Hey Ridge, with Hey Ridge Tor, (its summit) overshadowing the glen, and completely shutting it off from all the country to the west.

On the opposite side of the stream is Alport Edge, also rising to a great height, and separating Alport Dale, as this district is called, from the upper section of the Derwent Valley.  Looking down on these solitary dwellings, and forming part of the Alport Edge, are some rocks rising abruptly from the valley, and having very much the appearance of an ancient fortress – hence they have obtained the name of Alport Castles.

Such, then, is a brief description of Alport in the Woodlands.  To do anything like justice to its natural beauties would be a task far beyond the powers of the present writer – it should be seen by all lovers of rural loveliness – but enough has been said to show how out-of-the-way a spot it is.

It was here – Alport Castles’ Farm – that the True Believers, or Covenanters, or Nonconformists, or whatever they may have been called, in the ‘time of the persecution’ (Reign of Charles II), used to assemble to hold their (then) illegal meetings for prayer and praise, safe in their mountainous retreat from the harassing attentions of their enemies, the soldiers, who must indeed have had keen noses to scent out the ‘psalm-singing rascals’ in this remote corner.  The services were originally conducted in one room at the farm, and soon became so well attended that two rooms had to be utilised : then as people flooded in over the neighbouring hills, and adjournment was made to a larger barn, and in this barn the service, or Love Feast, has continued to be held ever since, and there is no record of the worshippers having ever been disturbed by their enemies, though some years since an infidel appeared on the scene, and endeavoured to bring people round to his views.  It need hardly be said that he met with remarkably little success, for he was in a hopeless minority.

The first Sunday in July is the date of this now firmly established institution and this day brings pilgrims to Alport Love Feast from all directions – I met people there from Moseley, Tideswell, and Swallow Nest, as well as many pedestrians from the valleys of the Astrop (original spelling – I presume Ashop), the Derwent, and the Noe – all bent on taking part in this by far the largest and most important Love Feast for many miles round.

The service began at 10.30 a.m. and lasted till about 4 p.m. in the historic barn.  The first part was an ordinary Wesleyan morning service conducted by the Rev. W. Wandless, of Bradwell, who also acted as president throughout the day.  The first service over, the Love Feast proper, i.e. the refreshments, came on in the form of large slices of cake handed round in clothes baskets and jugs of cold water, with which some regaled themselves while seated on the forms placed for their convenience in the barn ; some made themselves comfortable in the thick bracken with which the floor was carpeted, while others strolled about outside exchanging notes with friends they had not met with since the previous Feast.  The collection of course was not overlooked, a knife tray being requisitioned as no orthodox collection-plate or offertory bag was available in this remote corner of the world ; but it answered the purpose quite well, for there was hardly a person present who did not give something.  The refreshments were very soon disposed of, and people settled to the more interesting part of the programme, viz, the experiences.  One after another, members of the congregation rose and related their experiences as Christians – how they had been converted, how glad they were they were converted, how anxious they were everyone else should be, etc., etc., etc.  Between each speaker a hymn was sung, and in this way some two hours passed very pleasantly, and no doubt with benefit to many present.  To reproduce the speakers here would take up far too much space.  Suffice it to say the speakers were in great variety, some harangued the audience in a fiery, excited manner, after the style of the man who once talked of ‘dragging iniquity down the High Street with a cart-rope’ and seemed to be heard all over the Woodlands, while others spoke in subdued tones that were hardly audible at the further end of the barn.

About 3.30 p.m. everyone who had any experiences to relate appeared to have related them, and the president (Rev. W. Wandless) rose and told us that we must not suppose because he was a minister his life had been all smooth sailing – on the contrary he had had as many troubles and temptations as anyone.  Ministers are not kept in glass houses – indeed it would be no good if they were, for he said, they get so pelted that the glass would very soon be broken.

Mr Wandless referred very pathetically to his parents, long since gone from this life, or as his aged mother remarked on her death-bed ‘got a little start’ of him – they were both journeying to the same place and would meet again there, the only thing being that she had got a little start on the road.  A short prayer and a hymn or two followed, and the congregation were dismissed to their scattered homes, and here I would remark that a more orderly or decorous congregation I never saw in any church or chapel.  There must have been some 200 or 300 present for the large barn was full to overflowing and some even could not get in : but the talking, laughing, etc., etc., one generally sees outside a chuch were singularly absent – even the children behaved as though the service had made an impression on them.

After a few minutes for a cup of tea at the farm (in the room where the meetings were first held) I joined the throng wending their way down the picturesque dale, and a pretty scene it was, as the different coloured costumes of the ladies blending with the charms of nature gave a lively appearance to this usually lonely mountain glen.

Once more at Alport Bridge my nearest route lay across the Astrop (Ashop) by a wooden foot-bridge, and along the almost disused Roman Road, which crosses Blackley Hey and Hope Brinks – a distance of about four or five miles to the quiet little village of Hope; but some good people going to Bradwell very kindly offered me a seat in their trap.  Of course I did not say no, and a beautiful drive I had along the Sheffield Road to Astropton (Ashopton) (four miles) then along by the Derwent through Bamford to Brough Lane Head.

Arrived at Astropton one of our party, who has lived there the last 20 years or more, left us, but not before she had invited us (almost insisted) to go into her house for a cup of tea before going any further ; ‘Just a cup of tea – it is ready,’ etc. Of course eight or nine people could not drink a cup of tea and be off immediately without a word, so the nominal two minutes spread out into more like three quarters of an hour ere we bid our fellow-traveller ‘good-day’.

From Astropton down to Bamford the road lies in the valley between Win Hill on the west and Bamford Edge on the east, over which lies (in the writer’s opinion at least) the pleasantest road to Sheffield via Stanage Toll and Redmires.

At Brough Lane Head our roads again diverged, those for Bradwell turning off to the left through Brough, while I kept straight ahead for one mile to Hope and home, where I arrived safely after a very pleasant and long-to-be-remembered day in the Woodlands, whither I hope to go again some time and explore the tracks over the hills round Alport Castles.

Love Feasts appear to be a very ancient custom, having originated in Apostolic times, but like other good institutions they got corrupted in course of time, and so may (many) abuses crept in that at the Council of Carthage, A.D. 397, they were suppressed.  In modern times the custom of holding Love Feasts has been revived by the Moravians and Methodists in England, and the Glassites (followers of Rev. John Glass) in Scotland.

The particular feast herein referred to has now been held regularly for some 200 years, and seems likely to continue for another 200.  It is on record that Wesley himself once presided at Alport, and his followers may be met with there the first Sunday in July every year.

 

Old Newspaper Articles

As we have been trying to piece together the story of the Chapel and the Lovefeast, Jennifer did some research last year and found various articles.  The quality was poor so they needed retyping.  Today, I felt inspired to begin that task, starting with one from 1926.  Reports may not be completely factually correct but it is interesting to read what was said at the time.

Derby Daily Telegraph 1/9/26

For one hundred and seventy years the Alport Love Feast has been annually observed, and this year it has taken place as usual.  It is attended by Methodists from all parts of the country, who come year after year from a sentimental interest, one who has never missed for half a century travelling all night from beyond the border.  An old description of the Feast reads : –

The floor of the historical barn was strewn with hay, the seats were planks, and the hayloft served as a gallery.  The place was packed and many were unable to get in.  The veteran stewards of the place handed round, as of yore, the bread – thick slices of rich plum loaf – in farmers’ baskets, and the water from the springs of the tiny river Ashop in quart jugs – no glasses – while the collection, indispensable in a Methodist service, was made in a big mahogany knife-box, that looked as if it had been on the kitchen table of the farmhouse for two or three hundred years.

How the event originated will probably never be known, but Mr. Joseph Dyson, a Sheffield worthy, remembers it for over eighty years and he dates the inauguration about the year 1754.  John Wesley died in 1791, or nearly forty years later, and it is not unlikely that the founder of Methodism himself participated in the ceremony during his Derbyshire pilgrimage.

Two Anniversaries

This has been a busy year and although a lot has been added to our facebook page, sadly I have not made time to write posts for the blog.  However, I would like to add two accounts of anniversaries.  The centenary in 1968 was recorded in the Derbyshire Times and I will copy the article below :

The Derbyshire Times, Friday, May 24 1968

Hope Woodlands Methodist Chapel Centenary

Woodlands Methodist Chapel began on Saturday with a sale of work opened by Her Grace, The Dowager Duchess of Devonshire.  The Rev. L.N. Holden presided and also taking part in the opening ceremony were the Rev. V. Sharples and the Society Steward of the Chapel, Mr. M. Cottrill.

A bouquet was presented to Her Grace by Susan Howe, and buttonholes were presented to the Ministers and Mrs. Cottrill by Suzanne Clarke.

Those in charge of the stalls were Mrs. C. Marsden, Mrs C. Marsden, Mrs. Sutherland, Mrs. Moores,  Miss Greenwood, Mrs J. A. Whittlestone, Mrs D. Priestley, Mrs. R. Merryman, Mrs. A. Arnold and Mrs. H. Townsend.  A centenary cake, given by Mrs. E. Wilcockson was sold in portions.

Lavender was sold by Virginia Merryman and flowers by Georgina Merryman.  Linda Robinson had charge of a handkerchief stall and a competition to guess a doll’s name, organized by Beryl Ollerenshaw, was won by Judith Bramwell.  An egg competition was organized by David Ollerenshaw and Peter and Richard Cottrill and an archery contest by Mr. W. Birkinshaw.

Teas were served by Mesdadmes S. Ollerenshaw, B. Lester, K. Medley, M. Howe, D Spittlehouse M and A. Cottrill, T. E. Elliott and Miss H. Elliott.  Assistance was given by  Mr. W.E. A. Hindmarsh and Mr. J.W. S. Stafford and Mr. L. Dalton had charge of the electrical arrangements.

In the evening a centenary rally was held at which the Rev. V. Sharples presided.  Organist was Mr. H. Douglas of Grindleford and soloist was Mrs Knight of Sheffield.  Following the rally, refreshments were available in the marquee prepared by Mr and Mrs Carnelley.

Celebrations were continued on Sunday with a special centenary service conducted by the Ref. A. D. Ogle of Loughborough.  The former Minister in charge of the church Mr. Douglas was organist and the soloist was Mrs. Lester of Glossop.  A special feature was the singing of a centenary hymn composed for the occasion by Mr D. H. Marsden, Secretary for the centenary celebrations.  The church was beautifully decorated with flowers given and arranged by Mrs. Willis Ollerenshaw.  Refreshments were served after the service.

It is estimated that the celebrations were attended by about 400 people many of whom were renewing an association begun 30-40 or more years ago. ‘

It was our hope that we would once again be able to encourage people to renew their association with the Chapel and although there were not 400 people present, we did have a full house and a happy time together.  

We were welcomed to a sunny field to the sound of Castleton Silver Band and the sight of the railings adorned with Solomon’s seal, bluebells and Lily of the Valley.  The Chapel itself was sparkling after its Spring Clean, with the pictures on the wall newly refurbished and flowers filling every available space.  Richard Towell led our service and was much appreciated.  Lynne and Sandra undertook the refreshments and served a magnificent tea.  We were delighted to welcome back old friends and to be able to spend time together.  John Beatty photographed the event for us for which we are very grateful.

As I was thinking how to thank all those who had contributed to the day, I thought back over the 30 years that we have lived here, and of our neighbours up and down the Snake, many of whom had helped today.  I wrote this thanks but didn’t give it in as many words, so I will print it today :

Thanks

This celebration is a real coming together of people who have supported Chapel over the years and the Snake is very well represented :

When we moved to the area in 1989, Geoff Townsend was gamekeeping and living at the Snake Cottage.  He has recognised many of his family in the Centenary visitors book. His wife Jill has reframed all our pictures.

Lynne and Sandra lived at Blagden View farm and Linda Robinson is recorded in the newspaper cutting as having had charge of a handkerchief stall at the centenary.  Many thanks to them for doing todays tea!

Sheila and George came to Upperhouse at a similar time to us, and Sheila has been doing the flowers, baking the harvest sheaf and generally supplying Chapel with good things ever since.  She and Angela have done the flower arrangements for today.

Heyridge is the home of the Cottrills and Richard and Jill, along with ourselves have been keeping things ticking over, looking after the Chapel, cleaning and baking.  They did stirling work for the spring clean and have organised the parking, gazebos and portaloo for today. Richard and his brother Peter along with David Ollerenshaw, organised an egg competition in 1968!

We live at Alport Farm and were quickly mobilised by Maurice Cottrill – myself to help his wife Pat with the cleaning and catering, and Andrew to represent Chapel with himself at meetings.  We help where needed.

Angela and Roger White had just arrived at Two Thornfields and Angela has been a stalwart of flowers and home produce.

Mary Birkinshaw brought the Lily of the Valley, bluebells and lilac from their garden, as she used to do for many years when they lived round Derwent.  Two of her daughters were Christened at the Chapel.  Mary herself had another baby due and couldn’t be at the centenary but two of her daughters were take by Rosalyn who has also travelled to be with us today.

Sue Howe’s family used to live on the Snake and she is pictured giving the bouquet to the Duchess in the pictures on the walls.  Sue has helped massively in contributing to get the blog and facebook pages started.

Bryan Hazlehurst who is leading the band today, composed the music for the centenary hymn 50 years ago, and was also our faithful organist for a number of years. He first played the organ at Chapel when he was only fourteen.

And finally part of what I did say by way of thanks and explanation of our 150th Anniversary project : 

Looking back, it is evident that Chapel events were a real focal point of life in the area at one time and that people must have worked very hard and all pulled together to make them happen.

When talking to Bryan Hazlehurst,(who is leading the band today) he told me that at 14 he had come up with the minister to play for Woodlands, and had gone back to Mrs Cottrills at Gillot Hey where they served 4 sittings at tea!  He then played for the evening service and people went back to Gillot Hey again for supper!

Richard Cottrill – Sallie Cottrill’s grandson remembers the children not being allowed to help make sandwiches because they licked their fingers and not being able to eat the sandwiches in case there weren’t enough – in which case they could eat the crusts!

The year we moved to Alport 1989, there were a lot of new faces on the Snake – The Wainwrights at Upper House, the White’s at Two Thornfields, and then the Atkins at Rowlea.   Maurice Cottrill kept everything going – inviting us to help with the cleaning, decorating, cooking etc.  and he and Pat continued the tradition of hospitality at Hey Ridge farm.  He made sure that the folk who had used to live in the valley knew about the services and were invited.

After Pat and Maurice died, their son Richard and wife Jill have continued to support the Chapel and keep it going and along with the Hazlehursts and ourselves had a big drive in 2011 to repair the Chapel and keep it open.

However, what we hadn’t realised was that we no longer had the network of families and Chapels that spread the word and encouraged each other.

This anniversary year is an attempt at reaching back out to the community of those who either have been part of Woodlands in the past, or would like to be in the future.

We only have four services a year but they are an open house for those who would like to come out into the countryside and worship in that way.

There are pieces of paper in the pews that explain that we have set up a blog and a facebook page to try and tell the story of faith and worship in this place – from the early Christians who gathered in secrecy in order to stay true to their faith to those who join us today.

If you would like to stay in touch with Chapel, do take away the sheet which tells you about our services and an exhibition next month at the Anglers Rest and gives details of the blog and facebook page and consider filling in the slip with your contact details so that we can add you to our email list, or postal invitation list.

We would also like to talk to folk who would be willing to share their memories of the Chapel and Lovefeast, and there is a space to indicate whether you would be happy to do so.

 

 

2011

This account of Chapel’s renovations was published in the Derby Church Net News :

http://www.derbychurch.net/news/?year=2011&id=35

 

Refit for Historic Chapel

Rural premises brought up to date

Travelling along the A57 from Ladybower towards Glossop, about four miles from Ladybower, a stone building stands isolated in a field on the right hand side of the road. This is Woodlands Methodist Chapel. It was built in 1868 by local farmers, who provided the stone and built a chapel on land given by the Duke of Devonshire. Since the flooding of the villages of Derwent and Ashopton, when the Ladybower dams were built, this has been one the few public buildings in the area. It is about 6 miles from Bamford, the nearest village.

Following the deaths of Pat and Maurice Cottrill, who had for many years been the driving force in keeping the church open, the people in the locality felt the need to renovate the building in order to keep it available for the community. Money was raised and expertise provided. The building is now watertight, rewired, the floor replaced, a kitchen installed and water supply connected making it fit for 21st century use.

It will be a focal-point for the community throughout the year. There are only four services held each year, celebrating the seasons. In addition the Alport Love Feast is held in a barn at nearby Alport Farm. This is a simple meal of cake and spring water begun by non-conformists in the 1600’s as a thanksgiving for their safe arrival in these remote hills. It is celebrated by local Methodists in July each year.

On Sunday 17th July a Thanksgiving Celebration was held to celebrate the (near) completion of the work. It was led by Rev Fran Lane with Rev Steve Wild (Chairman of Cornwall Methodist District) speaking on the need for the expression of Christian love throughout the area and beyond. Steve, from his student days and his ministry at Cliff College, has long associations with Woodlands and he and Fran brought their usual warmth and vitality to the event. Following the service in true local tradition tea and cakes were served outside in the glorious sunshine.

The chapel was full to overflowing and the singing and fellowship inspired us all. The love of Jesus is so needed in our world. Let’s go out and share it with all we meet.