Heritage Matters . . .

There is very little to report since the last edition of “The Dial” as it is our closed season.  We are now in the process of getting quotations for the end walls of the Chapel and Cottage to be re-limewashed.  We are  hoping to get it done during the better weather.  Some people have asked why we don’t have it done with one of the new acrylic type paints but that is not approved of by English Heritage.  They stipulate three coats of limewash.  This is to preserve the building.  If modern acrylic paints are used the water seeps down behind it from the upper part of the building and then accumulates at the bottom causing the dampness to go inside the building and cause problems.
 
We are also still on the trail of having the sundial repaired but that is more complicated.  Watch this space.
 
We have had a full risk assessment on the buildings and graveyard and we are most grateful to Mr. Anthony Greenwood for doing that for us and for putting up handrails, notices, etc.
 
October, 2004 is the date on which we have to be seen to be providing facilities for disabled users.  We have submitted a sketch and photograph of the outside toilet which we are hoping can be adapted for wheelchair users and people with mobility difficulties.  Again, watch this space!!
 
In February, 2004, I went to the Archives and History Committee and Heritage Forum.  This year we met at Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.  It was a very interesting visit.  After the first part of the meeting we did a tour of the sites in Newcastle City Centre.  We went to one of the main shopping  streets and saw site where the Orphan House had been, we went to the Literary and Philosophical Society building  where the Methodist Archive is kept and then down on to the waterfront where we saw a fountain and a mural on the wall all relating to Wesley.  It was good to see the bridges, especially the “winking eye”, although it did not operate when we were there.  We then climbed back up to Brunswick and completed the meeting. I had not been to Newcastle before and found the experience very rewarding.  Next year we meet at Mount Zion.  Help will be needed for catering!!!!
 
The Mytholmroyd Historical Society members had their summer outing to Mount Zion on 15th May, 2004.  I had spoken at the Historical Society Meeting about Mount Zion and the Hird Collection and last year spoke at the Hebden Bridge Historical Society about Wesley and the Calder Valley.  As a result it was suggested that one of the summer outings could be to Mount Zion.  It was a lovely evening, quite balmy for Mount Zion and they thoroughly enjoyed the evening.  One of the things which was said to me afterwards by so many of the visitors was how well-loved Mount Zion must be to be in the condition it is.  They felt it was warm and welcoming.  Actually their visit coincided with the heating being on in both Chapel and Cottage.  It is set to come on for about one hour each day and that is early evening!!!!!!!!!
 
Rev. Donald Ryan has visited on a number of occasions to re-catalogue the Hird Collection.  A bound annotated catalogue will be published in the near future.  This will be a large publication as the Hird Collection contains a great number of items.  Donald photographed and measured all the items and needed to do this outside.  It proved to be a very exciting and challenging job.  The first day it was dry but very windy and as all the artefacts in the reserve collection are covered with acid free tissue it was difficult keeping hold of the paper and keeping the ceramics still --what did we do before blu-tack.  They are all kept in the prophets chamber, so that entailed a lot of step work.  Thanks go to Donald for all his hard work in doing this cataloguing.  It will be interesting to see the finished article.
 
We are looking forward to the Open Days this season which are on Saturday 19th June, 17th July, 21st August and 18th September and for the Heritage Open Days, on the  Saturday 11th September we shall be open from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.  We cannot open on the Sunday because the building is being used for worship by Illingworth Moor.

  

PEOPLE . . . .
 
GORDON MADDY – It is with great sadness that we record the death of Gordon Maddy.  Gordon and Doreen were very much part of Mount Zion whilst Doreen played the organ for us once each month.  Gordon was very solicitous in caring for Doreen .  He brought her into Church and sat with her during the service.  We were indeed sorry when we learned of his illness and the subsequent time of various treatments.  Gordon was a very accomplished man in many ways.  He was a great musician and had a love of brass instruments through his, and his family’s, long association with the Salvation Army.  He was very accomplished also in his work with wood.  I remember him showing me a wonderful train engine he had made from wood for his grandson, Christopher.  He was above all a very committed Christian whose faith shone through his life and especially through his positive approach to his illness. He will be very sadly missed and our condolences go to Doreen and to the family and we wish Doreen well in her new home. 
 
GEORGE YATES – We were shocked to hear of the untimely death of George after a short illness.  George had shown a great interest in Mount Zion.  He was an avid historian and collector of all sorts of things, especially Wesleyana, and came to Mount Zion open days and gave to us a number of things.  One of these was the lovely autograph album which we have on display on Open Days.  George was originally a member at Bethel, Ovenden, but on his marriage to Susan (daughter of Gladney and Freda Robinson of Illingworth Moor) they went to live in Brighouse where they attended Lane Head and then Central.  Our condolences and sympathy go to Susan and all the family.
 
JACK ILLINGWORTH – We were sorry to hear that Jack had to have surgery for cancer in his mouth and face shortly after Christmas.  At the moment he is completing radiotherapy treatment so is quite unwell.  We all send him our greetings and assure him of our prayers.  We trust that the surgery and treatment will mean that he will recover and once again come and join us at Mount Zion.  Our greetings also go to Stephen who cares for Jack at the moment and to Charlotte and her family too.
 
TREVOR HOYLE – Trevor underwent further surgery on his hip but he is now out and about – dancing, etc.  We are glad to see that he is recovering well and send him our greetings.
 
PAT VARNEY – Pat had a hip replacement just about a year ago but now needs to have the other hip done and we hope that she will soon be able to have that and will then have a better quality of life and can eventually throw away that stick.  All good wishes to her.
 
STUART AND JILL MCARTHUR (supported by ALICE) – Congratulations on becoming Members of the Methodist Church.  We re-welcome you to our Church Family.  You have been part of it for a long time and we are really pleased that you have taken the step of becoming members.   Stuart has submitted a “free” item to “The Dial” which you will read later.
 
ALL THOSE BIRTHDAYS:
This is a special year for the big ‘0’s – Mavis Wilkinson, Mary Ayrton, Mary Dixon, Ros Greenwood, Dennis Fryer, Betty Jagger, John Lambert – 60’s, 70’s, 80’s – I’ll leave it to you to work out which for each!!!!!!!!!!!!  Thanks for the parties, etc.  Sorry we did not get an invite to Kenya with John and Sue, but you can’t have everything.  I think Mavis will still be celebrating when she is 90 as things are going!!!!!!  Greetings, congratulations and good wishes for many years to come.
 

  

 
 Thanks to Mary Dixon for this.  Those halcyon days of long ago when children had much more freedom.  To-day the platform would be a Health and Safety issue and running over the gravestones would not be an adventure but a hazard.
(I have recently been reading “Lost Icons” by Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury, and one of the chapters is “Lost childhood”.  Very interesting.)
 
 

How do people find us ???
 
It is amazing why people come to join us at Mount Zion.  Marie and Lesley Hollingworth saw that we had afternoon services as they passed the Church quite often and thought they would come in.  They have continued to worship with us regularly during the summer months.  It isn’t that they are afraid of the weather (and let’s face it the time of year does not matter at Mount Zion – it can be snowing in April or blowing a gale in August.  They are members at Salendine Nook Baptist Church, Huddersfield and their Church has an afternoon service in winter and evening in summer.  Thank you for your presence you are always welcome and are now certainly part of Mount Zion.
 
Someone else who comes regularly to service and the fellowship group is Marjorie Spaven who tells how she came to be part of Mount Zion:
 
Having a curiosity for local knowledge about history, geography and customs of local places especially Halifax and its Methodist roots, I had for my history exam to research and write a 3000 word essay and I chose the Rev. John Wesley, knowing quite a lot about him from my childhood, Sunday School days, and through my life in Methodism. 
 
I went on to the website and brought up Mount Zion.  Where was this chapel?  Firstly I visited the Octagonal Methodist Chapel in Heptonstall, a place I know well, and a chapel I have visited on previous occasions, having friends who live in the village.  This chapel it was said, was built in the shape of an octagon so that where were no corners for the devil to hid, but recently I have heard it was to benefit the acoustics, perhaps someone may be able to clarify these points!  During one visit to this chapel I stayed for the service.  Afterwards the Minister asked me if I was a tourist.  He seemed disappointed when I informed him I lived in Halifax.  This I later confirmed when a few days later I bumped into him at the local supermarket, whilst he was packing his bags at the checkout.  He gave me a cheery wave and was off – what a small world.
 
One Sunday in May 2002 I went as usual to the morning service at the Chapel where I am a member and included in the notices was information about John Welsey and Mount Zion.  After the service I decided to find this Mount Zion.  I was greeted by Trevor Hoyle as he was dashing up the chapel path and Una Gill who duly introduced me to Irene Cunliffe.
 
I was invited to stay for the service and afterwards was given a personal tour and history lesson on the Wesley brothers.  I came away armed with leaflets, a copy of “The Dial” and a porcelain Mount Zion beaker – since that Sunday I have become a regular.
 
One of the most joyous occasions was the Tercentenary celebrations last July.  What would John Wesley have thought?  Another fun time was when Irene Cunliffe had a Sunday off and Stuart McArthur, who sits in front of me, told me to sing up.  When I told him to do the same he informed me the only singer in his house was the old sewing machine.  The other occasion was last summer during the silence of prayer a mousetrap went off.  This amused Una and me greatly, especially when we were told that they were “great big fat ‘uns” so even Mount Zion mice are contented.
 
 
Sunday by Sunday as I study the portraits of the Wesley brothers I ponder as to whether I have been lead, like them to this unique Mount Zion, with its equally unique congregation?
 
With best wishes from pew 37.

 

 
EMINENT PEOPLE . . . .
 
We have some very important members of the congregation at Mount Zion.  Alice is very special and much loved.  She never joins in the singing but sometimes sighs and moves position in the sermon. Alice is a labrador and she brings Stuart and Jill along with her.  Stuart is also special (I’m not suggesting Jill is not special, she is because without her things might not function so well as they do!) and he recalls how he became special:
 
FREEMAN, HARDY & WILLIS
 
It all started when we returned from a weekend away.  There seemed to be quite a few messages on the answer phone to say we had only been away a couple of days.  First there was “Congratulations young man”, then there was “Do I have to tip my hat to talk to you now?”  After searching my head, wondering what it was all about the next message was from my old pal Robert who said, “Now then is it
Freeman, Hardy or Willis I am talking to?”  On returning his call I found out that the headlines in the local paper had been “Freemen of the Borough” and my photograph was there for all to see.  Apparently twenty new Honorary Freemen were to be admitted to the Borough to celebrate the new millennium.  These were the first Freemen to be admitted since the Borough of Calderdale was formed. And I was to be one of them.
 
A ceremony was held in May 2000 at the Victoria Theatre.  A procession headed down the aisle lead by the Mace Bearer, the Mayor and other dignitaries.  We all followed on, with me and little Alice my guide dog, bringing up the rear.  As we made our way to the front of the theatre, trumpets sounded and Copeland’s “Fanfare for the Common Man” was played.  It fair made my chin wobble.  With my knees knocking I was escorted up on to the stage accompanied by Alice tail wagging ten to the dozen.  Proper little poser she is!  I received from the Mayor a beautiful scroll which showed I had been admitted as an Honorary Freeman of the Metropolitan Borough of Calderdale in recognition of eminent service to the Borough.  Our names were also chiselled on to the marble wall in the Town Hall under the previous list of Freemen of Halifax.  All were in Alphabetical order except mine!  Knowing I could not read the list and being small of stature my name had been included at the bottom of the list so that I can reach up and feel the inscription.  Nice touch eh!
 
This was all pretty embarrassing at the time.  However I was invited to become a Freeman of England and Wales and since then I have travelled all over the country and been proud to represent and promote Calderdale.  It has its amusing moments too, like the first time we paraded through the streets of Newcastle and little Alice, in Guide Dog mode said, “Never mind if the chaps with the scarlet jackets and bearskins, making a din, want to talk in the road, your place is on the pavement” and that is where she was determined to take me. 
Then there was the first banquet we attended where we knew no-one and no-one knew us.  After the toast to the Queen, the chairman started his speech by telling how his committee had met with the Maitre D’ the night before and spent two hours trying to find why the numbers did not add up.  He then realized that a place had been set for Alice McArthur not knowing she was a Guide Dog.  Needless to say she is now quite famous and wherever we go she is greeted first by friends old and new, then as an afterthought they shake my hand.
 
We have been to many special services at various cathedrals and churches but it is always nice to come back to our little chapel – Mount Zion on Ogden Moor.
 
Freemen go back hundreds of years and may be in a later edition we can look at some of the history.
 
Meanwhile Calderdale Talking Newspaper is 25 years old this year and is celebrating with a concert at the Victoria Theatre.  As a founder member I don’t know where the years have gone but am still helping to produce the weekly news cassette so that the blind can keep up to date with all the local news.  I still find myself with speaking engagements and any funds raised go to the Talking Newspaper or more often these days to the Blind Children’s Fund.  This enables visually impaired children to have extra help with their education such as talking dictionaries and talking calculators.  As there are over 120 such children in Calderdale this fund constantly needs topping up.  But that is yet another story …..
 
Dates for your diary
 
The fellowship meets the first Thursday of each month until november 7.30 p.m. at the homes of members.
 
Sunday 6th June – general church meeting after service
 
Saturday 26th June – methodist conference begins at loughborough university.  At the opening of conference rev. Will Morrey will become the president.  It is a great honour to be president of conference and for will also a great personal achievement.  Irene and kath Melling are hoping to be present at that service.  Please remember Will, Vicki, Peter and Adam at that time.  We are hoping that Will is going to preach at Mount Zion during his presidential visit to the West Yorkshire District.
 
Sunday 4th July – anniversary reunion.  Service at 2.45 p.m. when we hope that the Rev. Derek Hoe will be the preacher.
 
Sunday 12th September – Harvest Festival

 

Saturday 18th September – Concert at the Victoria Theatre for 25 years of the Talking Newspaper. 
 
Sunday 3rd October – Chapel Anniversary
 
 
 
TO FINISH WITH:
 
From “A Springtime Saunter”
 
When Fly Flat Reservoir was being built on the high moor above Wainstalls the workmen had to endure very severe weather conditions.  On a large boulder nearby these words were inscribed:
 
Whether it rains or whether it snows,
Whether it freezes or whether it thaws,
Whether it’s calm or whether it blows,
Whether it’s cold or whether it’s hot,
He weathers the weather, whether or not.
 
 
Thanks to Mary Dixon for the above.
 
From MOUNT ZION we send you all our greetings and hope you will have a good summer and that we will see you at Mount Zion sometime.
 
In the present day world of conflict and the ongoing war in the Middle East we pray for peace and the desire to live together in harmony.

Copyright Mount Zion

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