Jackson's Oxford Journal/1871/Opening of New Schools at South Hincksey

OPENING OF NEW SCHOOLS AT SOUTH HINCKSEY.

On Thursday evening the 3rd inst. the new Boys’, Girls’, and Infants’ Schools, at South Hincksey, were formally opened. A public tea, given by the Rev. T. P. Garnier, the Vicar of the Parish, was provided in the new School-rooms, and to which about 250 children and their parents sat down. During the past 18 months the Schools, which have been admirably conducted by Mr. and Mrs. Farley Sinkins, have been held in the body of the new Church, which portion. of the sacred edifice has not yet been consecrated. This district is increasing in size, and the requirements of proper School accommodation has been very much needed. With a view, therefore, to providing suitable School-rooms, the Vicar set himself to work most energetically, and being assisted in his endeavours by some of the parishioners, he soon succeeded in obtaining by subscriptions the necessary sum to erect the building that was that day opened. Archdeacon Clerke, who had previously done a great deal for this parish, kindly gave the site on which the Schools are erected. The building is of brick, with a tile roof, and cost about 560l. It is situate in Post Office-street, close to the new Church, and Messrs. Honour and Castle, builders, of Oxford, were the contractors. The new Schools will accommodate from 150 to 200 children, and the total average number now attending School in this parish is about 120. Mr. Arnold, of Axminster, Somersetshire, has been appointed Superintendent, in the room of Mr, Sinkins, who has resigned.

The Vicar of the Parish having been appointed Chaplain to the Bishop of London, is about to leave the neighbourhood, and the parishioners considering this a fitting occasion to show their respect and esteem for him, presented him with a handsome silver inkstand, together with a gold pen-holder and pen. Two hundred and fifty-five persons, poor as well as rich, subscribed to the testimonial, in sums from one penny upwards. On the inkstand is the following inscription:—"Presented to the Rev. Thomas Parry Garnier, M.A., by the parishioners of South Hincksey, Berks, as a token of affection and esteem for the great good he has done in the parish during the time he was Vicar, South Hincksey, Berks, Aug. 3, 1871."

Previous to tea, which took place about five o'clock, the 366th hymn, from Hymns Ancient and Modern, was sung by the Church Choir and School children, Miss Phillips ably presiding at the harmonium. After tea, the 11th hymn was sung, and Archdeacon Clerke, who was present, subsequently distributed a large number of prizes, consisting of books, which had been given by the friends and supporters of the Schools, to about forty of the children.

At the conclusion of the distribution of prizes to the children, the Archdeacon, on behalf of the parishioners, presented the inkstand, &c., to the Vicar. In doing so he said that that gentleman had been enabled, under God’s blessing, to do a good and great work, and this was a proof of the manner in which they valued it. These Schools were built principally through the exertions of their Vicar, and he was sure they would all feel deeply the separation of so excellent a person from them. He had no doubt they would remember long after he had left them the kind services he had rendered to this parish. He would be brief in his remarks, and he might say, in conclusion, that it gave him great pleasure in placing in the Vicar’s hands this token of respect and regard. It had been subscribed for by 255 of the inhabitants of this small parish, and this plainly showed how very much he was esteemed by his parishioners.

The Vicar, in returning thanks, said he was unable on an occasion like the present to say what he would wish for their kindness towards him. His most predominant feeling was one of gratitude not only for their having given him these presents, but because they had treated him with kindness since he had been amongst them. He came here three years ago, and, notwithstanding the many errors he had committed during that time, they had condoned them all and overlooked all the mistakes he had made, and had treated him with the utmost kindness, affection, and confidence. He had done things which he ought not to have done, and left undone those which he ought to have done. He felt considerable sorrow in leaving them, but in two months’ hence they must be separated. The poor of that parish had not too much to spend, and they must have deprived themselves in contributing to this parting token of affection, which he did not need. He felt that he was unworthy of any recognition of this sort. What he had done was with a desire to be for their good. All good councils, holy desires, and just works came from God, and he would ask what had he done? Where would these schools have been but for the kindness of the Archdeacon, who was present that day? (Applause.) That gentleman had given them the site on which they were erected, and with respect for all the other good works that had been accomplished in that parish, he might say that he could never have carried them out had he not been seconded by the Rev. Mr. Kemp and the Rev. Mr. Barker, the Curates of Hincksey and Wootton. The interpretation which he put upon this gift was, that they had recognized in him a good-will, and had accepted that good-will for the deed; had given him credit for far more than he deserved, and had carried out the Apostolic precept, in which case they had done honour to God and not to man. The greatest joy to him would be to hear from time to time that things were going on as they had begun, and that the work had not stopped where he had left it. He hoped that those who now voluntarily assisted in the work would continue to do so, and that Mr. Sinkins would go on training the choir, and Miss Phillips continue to preside at the harmonium. He should carry that handsome present with him wherever he went, and when he used it, from time to time, his thoughts would revert to Hincksey. He expressed a hope that God would, in His good mercy, bless dear Hincksey. (Applause.) It only remained for him now to thank the Archdeacon for his many acts of Kindness to the parish of Hincksey. (Renewed applause.)

Archdeacon Clerke, in reply, said that he had for many years felt a deep interest in the parish of Hincksey and Wootton combined. He had done his best, with the assistance of others, in order to provide a Church and Schools for this populous district, so that it should not be pointed out as a desolate place in the out-skirts of Oxford. His efforts had been seconded in a wonderful manner by the parishioners. He thought they were very much indebted to Mr. Garnier for the great assistance he had rendered. Others had also partly assisted in the work. He was pleased to see these Schools completed; they were excellent ones in every respect, and he trusted that those who occupied them would become a pattern to Oxford itself. (Cheers.)

The Vicar then thanked those ladies and gentlemen who had assisted that day.

In the evening service was held in the Church, when a sermon was preached by the Rev. F. J. Jayne, Fellow of Jesus College, and Curate of St. Clement's, who had also taken a great interest in the parish. There was a good attendance.