SATURDAY, I5 JULY 1950

The aim of this party is to provide a friendly evening for everyone in the Parish, and Billy Eaton, who will be playing with his band, is himself a parishioner. His music will accompany the games and dancing and will provide a good background during interludes and refreshments.

The previous Flitch in Stanmore was so successful that it was agreed to include another one in the Centenary programme. To the couple, who, in the opinion of the jury, have achieved a married life of uninterrupted bliss, the traditional ham will be awarded.

Mesdames: R. A. Barron, A. W. Kimber, R. G. McLeod, A. B. Menezies, R. W. Jacquest, Miss Hornby. Messrs: R. A. Barron, R. W.Jones, K. R. Pope, F. W. Sinclair, A. Shine, L. Watson.

In this drama the Parish will be presented to the Parish by the portrayal of an evening in the life of a typical Stanmore family. A special stage has been erected in the Church House, and the performers, which number over one hundred, are drawn from The Mothers' Union, The St John's Stanmore Dramatic Society, The Stanmore  Choral Society, The Church Lads Brigade and the Sunday Schools.

Mr Andrew Burgess, Mrs Helen Burgess, Jean Marshall, Mary Burgess, Dorothy Burgess, Robert Burgess, Charles Anderson, John Rigman, Leslie Joslin, Doreen Nicholas, Doreen Burles, Gillian Whitehouse, Brenda Thomas, Clifford Pearce, Jack Dawson, Douglas Nicholas.

This important event has been made possible by the willing co-operation of artists taking part and of the Officer Commanding, R.A.F. Stanmore Park (Wing-Commander J. D. Sidebottom, A.F.C.), and the Adjutant (Squadron-Leader Baillie, A.F.C.). We have been allowed the use of the magnificent ballroom at Stanmore Park, together with many R.A.F. facilities, including restaurants, lounge, etc. The entrance and drive to the ballroom (from the Uxbridge Road behind the Church) will be illuminated.

Third Cadet Regiment, Herts Yeomanry, R.A. by kind permission of the Commanding Officer, Lieut-Col. A. Downer. The Corps of Drums of the 3rd Cadet Regt. under the direction of Lieut H. Tillard. Church Lads Brigade, Stanmore and Wealdstone Companies.

The episodes depict historic figures who are known to have passed through or near Stanmore, and who will be witnessed as they would have appeared travelling through the village. Other episodes portray events which Actually Took Place in the village. Each episode is linked up by a continuity, and heralded by a fanfare of trumpets of the band of the 3rd Cadet Regiment, Herts Yeomanry, R.A.

[Note: A film of the Stanmore Pageant exists in the London Metropolitan Archives. Description: This is an amatuer film made by Stanmore citizens to commemorate the centenary of Stanmore in July 1950 at the Parish Church of St John in Great Stanmore. The film shows the amatuer dramatic society producing a 'History of Stanmore in 15 episodes' written by Constance Major. The last two episodes were never filmed however due to bad weather so only 13 episodes appear on two reels, ending with episode 13 'The new railway comes to Stanmore in 1890'. The film's finale is a parade through the streets of Stanmore, by all the groups and people who appear in each episode. It is all B&W silent film except for the last few episodes of modern history which appear in colour.]

The Rev. Dr E. F. Carpenter (Chairman) and Mrs Carpenter, Mr and Mrs W. Adam, Mr and Mrs C. V. Rouse, Messrs R. A. Barron, D. E. Bowen, R. W. Byford, S. E. Crafter, J. F. Dunn, R. W.Jacquest, R. W. Jones, F. A. Lark, M. H. Lush, Rev. A. B. Menezies, C. H. Montague, F. H. Spear, J. Shrimpton, Miss H. M. Carrington, Mrs B. Fern, G. Paul (Honorary Secretary), and E. Dinsdale-Young (Honorary Treasurer).

A parish church is a community and it is only natural therefore that its worship should find expression in social relationships. Our Parish is well equipped in its organizations, which provide for all tastes and ages, offering everyone an opportunity to enjoy a full share in the life of the Church.

Perhaps the oldest of these is The Society of Bellringers, which dates from the seventeenth century. Its almost unbroken service has enabled many generations to hear the call to divine worship Sunday by Sunday.

The Church Choir has the responsibility of leading the worship in the Church and its traditions stretch back into the past. It is trained by Mr F. A. Lark, F.R.C.O., who is also the organist. Mr C. H. Pellow is assistant organist.

In the Sunday Schools held in the Church, The Church House and Stanbum School, over four hundred children are given religious instruction. It is recognized that this work is of paramount importance, and the fact that there are nearly thirty teachers, all of them voluntary, shows an encouraging personal response. Regular Youth Services are held in the Church.

On Stanmore Hill is the St John's Day School, which for many years has been faithfully discharging the duty of giving the young a good education, and which bears in mind the truth of the great saying: 'Education begins and ends with the formation of character.' Its headmaster is Mr J. B. William.s.

There are also companies of Girl Guides and Brownies, meeting in the Church House, organizations which are known the world over for the teaching of good citizenship and for the development of personal initiative.

The Church Lads Brigade in Stanmore has a fine tradition, its band and Church Parade every third Sunday of the month being forceful reminders that Christians belong to the 'Church Militant'. It has an increasing membership, and aims to relate the life of the boy to the life of the Church.

The Young People's Fellowship, which meets every Tuesday, is becoming increasingly popular and enjoys a wide range of activities-devotional, instructional, and recreational.

The Women's Fellowship holds regular meetings on Wednesday afternoons, with a short service in Church followed by tea in the vestry. Its aim is to provide genuine fellowship for the women of the Parish, against a background of prayer and worship.

The Mothers' Union, which stands for the upholding of the sanctity of marriage, the awakening in all mothers a sense of their great responsibility in the training of their children, and the uniting together for prayer, meets regularly month by month, and has an active membership of over one hundred and thirty.

The Mothers' Meeting is mainly composed of residents of very long standing, who form a living link which binds the present with the past. They meet on Monday afternoons for prayer, discussion, and tea.

For men there is a branch of The Church of England Men's Society. Meetings are on the first Thursday of each month, when there is a talk by a member or by an expert in one particular field, followed by a free discussion.

In common with many other parishes there is a branch of The Bible Reading Fellowship. It gives selected portions of the Bible for private study, providing notes that arc helpful and constructive.

There is also a Missionary Guild, which is responsible for arousing interest among parishioners in the evangelistic work of the world-wide Church. It has special study groups, prayers, services, films and exhibitions, while a Prayer Group for men only (meeting in private houses on Wednesdays at 9 p.m.)
upholds the Parish and its needs before God. There is also a Guild of Family Prayer.

A comparatively new organization, The Forum, is run on remarkably informal lines, its purpose being to provide the opportunity for a group discussion on the implications of the Christian faith and its relationship with the life of the modern world. Subjects already dealt with include the creeds, Christianity in history and the problem of suffering.

The Poetry Reading Group was formed by a small number of people who were concerned with discovering for themselves the meaning and hidden treasure of poetry, which Wordsworth describes as 'the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings, as immortal as the heart of man.' There is a great variety in the poems which are read, and members take it in turns to select works from poets they know welL

The St John's Dramatic Society is known throughout Stanmore, and beyond. Judging from past successes, such as 'The Linden Tree' by J. B. Priestley, there is little doubt that its future productions will continue to excite great interest and enthusiasm. No less promising is The St John's Children's Dramatic Society.

The Country Dancing Club and The Old Tyme Dancing Club exist for the young in heart who do not disdain to 'trip it on the light fantastic toe' or indulge in an exhilarating 'hop, skip and jump'.

Mr A. W. Aylett, Mr W. P. Bannister, Mr D. Graham, Mr J. E. Hughes, Mr R.W. Jacquest, Mr R.W. Jones, Mr L. H. Joslin, Mr R. B. Lambert, Mr A. H. Leppard, Mr E. J. Leversuch, Mr M. H. Lush, The Reverend A. B. Menczies, Mr C. H.Montague, Mr C. E. Nash, Mr C. H. Pellow, Commander W. R. Sinclair, Mr P. E. Thomas, Mr. L. Watson, Mr C. E. Woodger, Mr E. Dinsdale-Young, Mrs W. Adam, Mrs J. H. Fern, Mrs J. Rostron.

Mr W. Adam, Mr H. Amos, Mr G. T. Andrews, Mr A. W. Aylett, Mr A. E. Bettles, Mr T. W. Bland, Mr H. F. Frampton, Mr J. E. Hughes, Mr L. H. Joslin, Mr E. J. Leversuch, Mr C. E. Nash, Mr C. H. Pellow, Mr S. Saunders, Professor H. J. Seddon, Mr W. J. Sexton, Commander W. R. Sinclair, Mr G. R. Stewart, Mr P. E. Thomas.