大象传媒

In my previous contribution I concentrated largely on the chapel next door. As many older folk will however remember there was at that time nationaly a call to prayer. This was led by our beloved King and Queen and the Government, and Trowbridge was no exception. At times of crisis - and there were so many - when the nation was called in this way there would be a tremendous response. I was really too young to take an active interest but I have memories and these have no doubt been furthered by reading and being reminded of those events. At such times there would be a united meeting in the Parish Church and many congregations such as Zion next door would meet together. I have been told particularly that on the evening of 6th June - D.Day - instead of their usual week evening meeting the Zion folk went down the road to St. James Parish Church. One of my earliest memories is Christmas Day 1939 when King George in his broadcast included those now famous words 'I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year, give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown'. The Church bells did not of course ring during the first part of the war, but there was great excitement when they were once again rung - I think to celebrate victory in the Battle of El Alemain. There are still many photos in local history books of the local Home Guard marching to Church on Armistice Day which was then actually remembered on 11th November. We would also watch long lines of young soldiers marching through the town on Sundays on Church parade. At the end of the war united services were held on the Sundays following both VE and VJ Days when the Rector led the worship. These were in the Town Park. Just one or two more memories of Zion. Another annual event changed by the War was the Church Anniversary Services - and again as children we had a hand in the preparations. Normally there would have been tea in the schoolroom, but as for the Sunday School this had to be held in the gallery. The notices however said that only cups of tea would be provided. The congregation had to bring their own food and before the meeting we had to put plates in the pews. Tea was still made in the old kitchen at the rear of the schoolroom - to which there was access, and I can still remember my dad toiling over a large old fashioned gas boiler - just rare glimpes of him through the steam. The tea was put in urns and gentleman of the Church then carried these up the side path and into the gallery. There is one further story - connected - but many have been just before or after the war. My dad would put the butter on top of the boiler to soften but one day he forgot to remove it. There was disaster - and I think the tea might have been a bit late that year.

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