Page 8 - Life in Langham 1914-1919

The Bells and Bell Ringers

of St Peter and St Paul’s Church Langham during WWI

1 Dec 1917 -

Joy Bells - The Church bells were rung on Saturday afternoon to celebrate the

famous success achieved by our Army earlier in the week.

Grantham Journal 1 December 1917

A Memorial Service was held in the Parish Church on Sunday evening, in memory
4 May 1918 -
of the late Lieut Harold Lubbock, Cpl Alfred Breakspear, and Pte Bryant Smith, who

have nobly laid down their lives in doing their duty for King and country. There was a

very large congregation. Suitable psalms and hymns were sung, and a very

appropriate and touching sermon was preached by the Vicar, the Rev WA Mandall.

The ‘Dead March’ was played by the organist, Miss F Lee, LRAM, the congregation

standing. The bells were rung half-muffled. On the war shrine in the Church were laid

some beautiful floral tributes by kind friends and loving relatives, as a last mark of

respect to the faithful dead.

Grantham Journal 4 May 1918

7 June 1918 -
To celebrate the anniversary of the King’s birthday, a touch of 720

Grandsire Doubles was rung on Monday evening on the Parish Church bells.

Grantham Journal 7 June 1918

The Peace celebrations at Langham commenced on Saturday morning with

some lovely music from the fine old Church bells, and at eleven o’clock a procession 26 July 1919 -

was formed which marched round the village, headed by an impromptu band,

composed of school children blowing various instruments and dressed in suitable

costumes. The capital way in which, they acquitted themselves showed what pains

Mr and Mrs McClelland had taken with them. The former headed the party,

belabouring a drum.

A short open-air service was afterwards held in the new

playground, and an address given by the Vicar, the

Rev WA Mandall. A cricket match, Club v Demobilised

Soldiers, was played in the afternoon, sports for the

children being carried on in another part of the field,

which was kindly lent by Mr C Squires. Tea, in which

most of the onlookers joined, was provided.

Sweets were also distributed amongst the children.

The men’s sports occupied the evening, and there were

many interesting competitions, the high jumping being

particularly good. During the latter part of the

programme, the weather acted rather as a ‘damper’ on

the proceedings.
Grantham Journal 26 July 1919