The opening pages of the Red Minute book give a detailed breakdown of
income and expenditure for the years 1949 -1952.
Throughout this period a continuing tradition has been the social life that
has revolved around the Church - while the minutes give dry accounts of money
and work on the Church they also give glimpses of the social life that went with it
One example is that in 1949 Rev Oddling Smee discussed with the Bishop of Knaresborough the
- for many years Manfield Grange hosted the annual Church Garden Fete, a big
event in the 1950's as well as numerous functions in the WI hut.
acceptability of Sunday outings - coach trips were ecoming very popular; Scotts Grey was a
Darlington firm involved with this business for many years. The response was that a trip
shold be organized to demonstrate that, outings of this nature should not interfere with
attendance at Church. The day to start with communion at Church followed by a Parish breakfast
and then all depart on the Bus outing. July 22nd 1950 was set as the date and Manfield was to combine with Cleasby.
The larger minute book -- red - is easier to skim through and get a flavour of the work of the parish.
The story is much the same, one of the month to month running of the Church and its maintenance,
in the 1950's finding a groundsman was a problem until the late John Durham took over
Mowers were not as versatile as they are now and grave mounds and curbs caused problems to.
From time to time, talk of parish amalgamations came up. A link up with Aldbrough St John was
suggested only to be turned down by Aldbrough. There was talk for many years of combining
with Melsonby. Eventually the vicarage was sold in 1975 and the parish successfully amalgamated with Barton.
Again the rural parishes are faced with change, this time a Team Ministry linking
All Saints Manfield with Croft, the Cowtons and the Smeatons and Appleton Wiske,
a move that reflects the changing times and circumstances.
R.Watson April 2003
For those under 35 the sums of money are mystifying. They are given in 'Old Money', which was measured in £ - Pounds - shillings (sh) - pence (d) - £10.15sh.6d In old money there was 240 pence to the pound, 12 pence to one shilling and 20 shillings (12x20)=240p=£1.0.0
50p=10 shillings 100p=£1 25p=5 shillings 12.5p=2s and 6d or half a crown.
There was a 3d coin (bit), a 6d coin (tanner), and 1sh or bob.