Whealtey Lane Fence In 1978

A Memory of Fence.

My husband became the minister of Wheatley Lane Inghamite Church at the far end of the village of Fence in 1978. In those days we believe it was the busiest church in England (at least) for weddings and funerals. In six years, my husband officiated at over 1000 weddings and 800 funerals. The church (a branch of Methodism) opened in 1750 and the 13 acre graveyard contained (we were told) over 100,000 burials. Our twin daughters, who were five years old when we moved to Fence, learned to ride their bikes by riding around the church and car park!  Many memories are of the funny things that happened during some of the weddings and funerals. I have a book of them! Our cat, Pippin, was well known for attending every service and occasion. He would walk down the aisle and rub himself against the bridegroom's legs - to my husband's acute embarrassment!  The manse, where we lived, was next door to the church and was built originally for a local mill owner. It had two huge monkey puzzle trees outside the front door, which were a local landmark, but no fun to live near since they blocked the light from the house and dropped spiked 'leaves' which were painful to walk on. The house had two parts: one at the back for the housekeeper, including her own staircase which led up to her bedroom. The family used another staircase at the front of the house. The church is now the last remaining Inghamite church in the country and perhaps significantly, it is the only one that has supported a full time minister since it was founded by Benjamin Ingham, in 1750.

---

---