Character

script

notes

H D Grantham

Enters from rear left looking perplexed. Sees Supt Robotham and advances to address him

Superintendent Robotham! How pleased I am to see you. One of my parishioners told me that I should see an auction here. This morning. Is that the case?

Supt Oliver Robotham

Enters from rear right

Indeed Rector. But you are a little early, it is scheduled for a quarter to 12.

Looks up at Town hall clock?

HDG

Do you think there will be trouble, Superintendent?

SOR

I hope not, sir, that is why I am here, to keep the peace.

HDG

I am not sure I understand what is going on. What is being auctioned here?

SOR

I am not too sure but I do know the items belong to Mr Wilfred John Rosier and he has been in court twice this month.

HDG

So he’s having to sell his belongings to pay a fine? But what has he done to incur this penalty?

SOR

Ah, that’s easy to explain – he refused to pay his rates! Well at least he refused to pay part of his rates. In truth the overseer had proved an incorrect amount as Mr Rosier had moved into Park Street 2 days after the date the amount was calculated from. On the magistrates instruction the rate was calculated again, but it was already obvious that he would not pay the second time he appeared.

HDG looks confused

Knight and Seward arrive

HDG

How much is he required to pay?

WSK &SS put up auctioneer’s sign and bring in fender AND DROP IT

SOR

Ten shillings and sixpence

HDG

Is he suffering pecuniary embarrassment?

SOR

I think not sir, he is an Insurance Agent. He says his refusal is a matter of conscience.

HDG

Does he not want to provide for the poor?

SOR

Pause

O, he is quite prepared to pay the poor rate but he will not pay the education rate, the new portion since last year’s Education Act of Parliament. And he must pay it all.

Distracted again

ESK & SS put out other sale items

HDG

My understanding is that this new Act is for the benefit of all our children. Mr Morant sent colleagues to many countries in Europe: Holland, Switzerland, to look at the ideas of education reformers Pestolazzi and von Fellenberg, so that we can improve our education system at every level. Why does Mr err Rosier you say? (SOR nods) Why does he object to improving education for Heavens sake – o I do beg your pardon!

Pause

Has he had any education?

Resisters start to arrive

SOR

I am not sure, o yes someone told me he attended the Boys Board School in Ramsbury. It was there he started to play his instruments (indicates them) to accompany the school singing.

HDG

That sounds to me like a very good education, I know a little of that school, Board schools are well funded and use pupil teachers to good effect

Rosier arrives from stage right

SOR

I think Mr Rosier would agree with you. (Turns around) Ah there he is. (nods towards WJR) What he is not happy about is the use of his rates to support Voluntary schools.

Goodwin arrives from stage left and crosses stage, shakes hands with Rosier

HDG

You mean like the denominational schools, like the Church school in Newtown where I am governor.

SOR

Exactly sir. He does not want his rates to support local Church schools

WSK/WJH/WJR

Harris arrives from stage right. Shakes hands with Rosier and Goodwin. Rosier hands Harris a purse of money, surreptitiously I think, but in view of the audience

Clock changes to 11.45am

WSK

You all know that Mr Rosier’s belongings are being sold so that the Overseers receive the rates in full. You see the distrained articles before you. I have been instructed by the overseers to sell them without reserve (looks at Rosier)

Picks up cruet

For this cruet one shilling

All Resisters move in to watch the auction

WJH

First bid from Rose Dolton

Harris keeps hand up

WSK

Any advance on three shillings and six pence? Sold to Mr Harris

Seward puts cruet back on to cart

HDG

Steps forward

But what on earth does our local baker want with a cruet?

WSK

Seward picks up piccolo, WSK starts bidding at 3d.

Shall we start this piccolo at thrupence?

WSK

First bid from Smith. Harris keeps hand up. Bidding ends at 3s6d.

Seward replaces piccolo

3s6d

WSK

Seward picks up clarinet, WSK starts at one shilling, Midwinter first bidder, sells 2s6d, Harris again.

2s6d

WSK

Very nice silverplated horn in case

Seward takes horn out of case & shows it

WJH

Siney makes first bid. Bidding – sells for 25s. Harris buys again.

25s

WSK

One moment

Checks how much he has

It seems I have sufficient. I will detain you no longer. Quite enough has been sold to cover the rate and the expenses of the court and the auction. Thank you everyone.

(stares at Harris)

WJH

Goes forward to Knight and pays for goods bought

Herbert Binnell Goodwin

I am sure we are much obliged to you Mr Knight for being so courteous. And thank you officers for your presence.

WSK

I hope the law will be as courteous! (Laughter)

Harris walks over to Rosier Rosier puts some items in carpet bag and takes purse back from Harris. Harris helps Rosier to remove fender and rug. They return shortly.

Both exit stage right

HBG begins to set up his protest meeting, putting up posters of Rev John Clifford and moving the deed boxes to stage right.

HDG

And that is the end of it?

Return to centre stage

SOR

I fear this is just the beginning. I hear that scores of dissenters will appear in court soon, in Newbury, Reading, indeed all over England and especially Wales. And they will all refuse to pay the education rate. And then the court will make a distraint order and send in the bailiffs. There will be many more auctions all over the land.

If you stand to the side I think you may hear more about these matters of conscience.

HDG

What do you mean? What is happening now? Who is that man on the poster? (SOR shakes his head)

Edward Harper Titchmarsh

Ah Reverend Grantham, have you come to support our cause?

Enter rear left

HDG

Reverend Titchmarsh, perhaps you can tell me who the gentleman is on the Daily News sheets?

EHT

That Sir is the Reverend doctor John Clifford of Westbourne Park Chapel. He is leading our cause across the country. And he is especially valued in this area as his wife, Rebecca, is the daughter of the late Dr Thomas Carter of Bartholomew Street Newbury!

HDG

I see. Does your cause have a name?

EHT

Indeed we are ‘Passive Resisters’. Now I must address the meeting. Excuse me, you are of course welcome to stay.

Steps on to deed boxes, aided by Goodwin

Shall we begin with ‘Oh God our help in ages past’ (812)

All Resisters

Eva on tambourine

O God, our help in ages past

Our hope for years to come

Our shelter from the stormy blast

And our eternal home

Time like an ever rolling stream

Bears all its sons away

They fly forgotten, as a dream

Dies at the opening day

Rosier and Harris return

All crowd around Titchmarsh to sing hymn

WSK back on as Bell

EHT

Now your Reverend Goodwin of the Primitive Methodist Church (points to his left) here in Hungerford will address you with a message from Congregational Pastor Summers.

Goodwin and Titchmarsh change places

HBG

We are not here as law breakers, but as men who recognised that no Parliament has a right to override by its own decision the laws of God – which we hold to be dearer than the laws of men.

All

Amen, amen

HBG

I have here a letter from the Rev W H Summers, Congregational Pastor here in Hungerford. I shall read his words to you.

Dear Mr Goodwin

I am sorry that owing to the engagement at Oxford of which I spoke to you the other day, I am prevented from being with you tomorrow and expressing my intense and growing opposition to the policy of the Education Act. The more I see of its practical working and the unfairness shown in many quarters, and by the Berkshire County Council especially, the more glad I am that Nonconformists did not yield to the plausible appeals to ‘give the Act a fair trial’. Out of the 31 members of the Berkshire Educational Authority only one is a nonconformist and as this gentleman happens to be laid aside by a severe accident, we are left without a single representative at this most critical juncture. I think that our county scheme is one of the most one-sided in England. I am disgusted by the cuckoo-cry that this is ‘only a political agitation’. The same charge was brought against the early Christians, and it is the stalest plea of the persecutor in every age. If we have little to complain of in Hungerford at the present time it must be borne in mind that the rate is not for this parish alone, but for country parishes in which there is but one school and therefore no choice for parents.

(maybe one or two look at HBG?)

Besides at any time a change of clergy may bring into Hungerford itself a less broad and liberal spirit than at present prevails. 

It is 15 years since I ever spoke at a political meeting, and 7 or 8 years since I attended one. So I don’t think anyone can call me a political Dissenter. But I am thankful to see that many Nonconformists who have been Unionists (all Protestants of course) are putting their religion before their politics and opposing the Act. What we need is to do away with indirect elections and co-optations and secure direct public control so that all denominations may have equal rights’.

There we have it. Thankyou

(Applause)

Now Rev Titchmarsh from Newbury Congregational Church would like to offer his thoughts on this matter.

Reading a letter

Continues

EHT

Thankyou, thankyou

We must not forget that we are here to stand by our friend Mr Rosier whose goods have been sold this morning to assist in propagating the dogmas of the Church of England. (Cheers and cries of ‘Shame’)

I am one of a great army who are determined that no single Nonconformist, who felt called upon by his conscientious conviction to take up this position, should be left to stand alone. Mr Rosier and everybody else (points to Rosier)will be made to understand there is with him the ardent and active support of a great mass of his fellow Nonconformists. Dr Clifford (points to poster – cheers) has written to me that he is glad to hear there are so many Passive Resisters in Newbury, and he has no doubt that the principle will grow in the royal county, as it is growing all over the country. We have 40,000 Passive Resisters now. This is a remarkable fact, the more so because of the spontaneity of the movement. Our fellow townsman, Mr Rosier, has not taken up this attitude because anyone has persuaded him, but because of the steady and deliberate growth of his own conviction of what is right and what is required of him.

In Newbury some of us met in January last to form a Citizen’s League, then our members numbered only 3 or 4, now over 40 persons have refused to pay the Education Rate. I have not persuaded anyone to join this movement but have just pointed out my own position in this matter.

A friend has made the doleful prediction of the way in which the Conservative Press will ridicule us. Only the other day he noticed in the “Daily Mail” an account written by a correspondent who had been on a walking tour through East Anglia. He said he had interviewed some 800 people during the course of his tour, and the only question they were keenly interested in and thoroughly understood was the question of Passive Resistance, and he pointed out that the Government had no idea of the really serious danger this was from their point of view.

(Muttering emphasising this point)

In this cause of Passive Resistance we stand first of all upon our own conscientious convictions about religious teaching. We decline to pay for teaching the catechism which is repugnant to our conscience. If there is to be religious teaching at the public cost – and some of us are very doubtful about that – let it be upon those points upon which we are all supposed to agree, and not upon dogmas and doctrines upon which we differ, such as Baptismal Regeneration.

Amen, amen.

We know that learning the Catechism by rote can never be enough to be accepted into the Kingdom of Heaven. Faith is the indispensable requisite to salvation!

(Hear, hear)

Whilst Nonconformists are taking a stand for our own convictions we are also upholding the rights of the people. We   are fighting for the clear right of the teacher to be chosen for his qualifications as a teacher, and not because he belongs to a particular church or because of his power to play a particular church organ.

Laughter

We are not standing only for our own religious convictions we are also standing for the rights of teachers, for the efficiency of public education, and for the rights of the people against a spurious majority in Parliament. There has never in my time been so grave an abuse of Parliament as the passing last year of the Education Act.

(Pause)

I am exceedingly glad that things have gone off amicably this morning, and I think the authorities will find things will pass off amicably, so long as they are reasonable and polite as they were this morning.

We are not going to pay this rate so long as this Act remains as at present. We will go on until some Government or other (pause) recognises the injustices of this Act and removes them from the Statute Book.

(Applause)

Takes HBG’s place

EHT

All men take hats off

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be with us all evermore.

Amen

Benediction

PRs exit stage right and to back

SOR and HDG resume centre stage

SOR

Are you wiser now?

HDG

I think I am more confused than ever! This Citizen’s League, which I had never heard of before, is refusing to pay the education rate, not for the sake of their own children and grandchildren, or indeed children of their parishioners.

In Hungerford and of course Newbury there is a choice of school, Board or Voluntary, but it is true that in Hungerford Newtown, where I am a Governor, all children have to attend the St Mary’s Church of England School – where the catechism is taught.

But children can always be withdrawn from religious teaching and worship – difficult at times, though I believe the new Act stipulates such teaching to be at the end of the day – or first thing in the morning.

Am I right in observing that Mr Rosier’s friend, Harris the baker if I am not mistaken, was using Mr Rosier’s own purse to pay for the items he won at auction?

SOR

I couldn’t possibly comment sir!

Both exit

Exit rear left

END OF ACT 1

Code

Notes

Joseph Napoleon

Day

Thirty six summonses for today. We shall be here until this evening!

And 35 of them are our fellow citizens of good repute, many of them friends of yours Rankin? All refusing to pay their rates

Waves papers

John

Rankin

Tis true. Midwinter and Nash mentioned this state of affairs Sunday last. They are worried it will be bedlam -  as Best’s county petty session was two weeks ago. Then there were only about 10 ratepayers on that occasion but the police had to step in and they ejected poor William Froome.

JND

Good heavens

JR

Did you read the account of the lecture on Passive Resistance in yesterday’s paper? Thompson read out his letter to the Chief Constable about the way Froome had been treated and he, Major Poulton replied – that was read out too.

Joseph Elliott

It seems I’ve missed some excitement here. I haven’t had time to read the Newbury yet. These upstanding citizens are up before us because they refuse to pay the rate, that’s right, isn’t it?

JND

Partly. They are more than happy to pay the Poor Rate, as they did last year and every year past but not the new Education Rate. And of course they have to pay it all –that’s the Law.

JE

So what happened in Marmaduke Best’s session then? I wish I had been there!

JR

There were only – only- about 10 of them, not 35 -  and it didn’t begin too badly. That’s not true –the first defendant queried that a magistrate who is also on the Board of Guardians and responsible for Poor Relief, like you Elliott, shouldn’t adjudicate.

JND

Oh Lord! Will that happen again?

JR

Each one got up in the dock and stated why they wouldn’t pay “I am not guilty, I would be guilty if I did pay”. And then Froome’s rant had him a round of applause and Supt Robotham shouted “Silence in Court” and threatened to throw out any man that made a noise!

JE

My word! Better and better!

JR

And when Pocock refused to pay he exclaimed “ I would rather have my goods sold than pay it against my conscience”

JND

Is that all? When was Froome ejected?

JR

Not yet because next to take the stand was Mrs Allee of Newbury, apparently she has property in Chievely – except she wouldn’t!

JND

Wouldn’t, wouldn’t?

JR

She wouldn’t go into the dock! ”Am I to be treated like a criminal and be made to stand in the dock?”

And Best says “Stand up there it is the proper place!”

“I am not a criminal”

“If you do not stand there the case will be heard in your absence! That is all”

JND

And? (Head in hands)

JR

She didn’t pay. It might have been now that two constables carried Froome out of the court room!

JE

Why? Why? What had the poor old soul done?

JR

Well that’s the rub! Because all the Resisters said he just sat at the back quietly – you know how deaf he is? But someone did applaud and Robotham and Best thought it was him. He was very upset and Arthur Brown – you know the Thatcham Overseer – he did speak up for Froome. Said they were rather hard on him.

JE

Ha! Did his feet touch the ground? I suppose Brown was there to prove the rate?

JR

No that was the point, the assistant overseers proved the rate all through because Brown had also refused to pay his rates!!!! Though after he had made his protest he did pay plus the costs, of course.

JND

We can’t have that sort of thing today. Will Robotham be here too? Are there any ladies who have refused to pay (looking at papers) Oh Lord! Mrs Chivers – and both Dolton sisters!

JR

And John Nash’s sisters!

JND

(Checks his papers and nods) How much time have we before proceedings start? We have 35 cases of Passive Resistance to hear and our colleague St Gerrans has a case of a totally different nature.

How can this best be done?

They walk back to bench together pulling the curtains aside and talking to each other. Curtains open fully

Eg have you had chance to speak to St Gerrans?

Where will the ladies say their piece?

Act 2 Scene 2

Singing can be heard from outside.

All hail the power of Jesu’s name (207)

All hail the power of Jesu’s name

Let angels prostrate fall

Bring forth the royal diadem

To crown Him Lord of all.

Ye gentile sinners, ne’er forget

The wormwood and the gall

Go spread your trophies at His feet

And crown Him Lord of all.

Let every tribe and every tongue

Before Him prostrate fall

And shout in universal song

The crown-ed Lord of all

O that with yonder sacred throng……….

A crowd of ladies and gentlemen enter looking confused, not sure where to go.

The magistrates look at each other

Very quiet

Quiet

Loud with descant

Loud and stops

SOR

I believe they have held a prayer meeting at the Primitive Methodist Church on Bartholomew Street.

JND

We have quite a crowd in court today. Ladies can I suggest that you all find a seat where the jury usually sit when needed, over here. Some of you gentlemen will have to remain standing I am afraid, but do use the chairs that are available. Mr Midwinter, Mr Bell, Mr Smith you should be comfortable here.

For the record the magistrates today are myself Mayor Joseph Napoleon Day, Councillor Rankin and Councillor Elliott. We propose to take first the summonses arising out of the Education Rate, and the Bench wish to suggest that they should be taken en bloc. We only suggest that, because everyone has the right to be heard separately. As a matter of convenience, we would prefer them to be taken together

Right. (Speaking to stage left) Mr Gerrans we have decided that we will take the non-payment of rates cases first.

 Sort themselves out

??????

He seems pleased by that decision (laughter)

JND

Mr Elliott please can you read the names and the amounts in default – for those now present. Please indicate when your name is called

JE

William Robert Allee? (no response, Day makes a note)

John Thomas Nash  12s0d

Arthur Smith 8s0d

Samuel Attewell 11s0d

Mrs Eva Chivers 11s0d

Rev John Neville 4s0d

Robert Bell 7s0d

Samuel Seward 13s10d

Thomas Turner 3s2d

Mrs Fanny Gayfer and Miss Jennie Nash 3s8d

Frederick John Gibbons 2s8d  (No? day makes a note)

James Siney 3s11d

Each indicates as their name is called

JS

That’s Siney, sir

JE

Siney 3s11d

Rev Edward Harper Titchmarsh 5s0d

Misses Rose Dolton and Edith Dolton 5s0d

John Wyse 3s1d

Charles Midwinter 9s10d

JND

Although we are taking these summonses together you will probably wish to make some remarks and within reasonable limits the Bench are quite prepared to give you a hearing.

I need scarcely remind you that this Court is not a place for applause, or demonstration of any sort, and we feel sure that you will respect the wishes of the magistrates that these proceedings should be of a perfectly orderly nature.

(PR crowd look at each other and nod)

I need only to say for myself, as well as for my colleagues, that it is exceedingly painful to have to adjudicate in a matter of this sort, in which so many respectable inhabitants of the town are concerned.

At the same time it is our duty to adjudicate; we are not responsible for the law, but we have to see it is carried out.

EHT

Perhaps you will allow me to say – although I have no authority to speak for the whole of those summoned, because many of them are not connected with any organisation – that if the taking of the cases en bloc means that the overseer will be sworn once for all there will be no objection raised. I may also say that the bulk will be content if their objections were briefly stated by two or three, and although I cannot speak for everybody I am sure the desires of the Bench will be respected. We have no desire to do anything in derogation of your position and authority.

JND

We only suggest this course: anyone who wishes can be heard separately.

EHT

I would like to congratulate you gentlemen on the orderly nature of these proceedings. The mayor has rightly said it was painful for him to adjudicate and I do not intend to trespass upon your good feelings by making a lengthy speech

JND

Smiles and tries to speak

EHT

It is only necessary to state for myself and a good many others associated with me that in refusing to pay this rate we are by no means objecting to paying for education. I would be glad to pay for more than that for which I have been summonsed, for an efficient and just system of education. I object to paying this rate because it is associated with a system which I believe to not only be perfectly unjust, but also to be an invasion of my deepest religious convictions.

This money is devoted in some schools to the teaching of a Catechism, which embodies doctrines which I regard – I would not like to disparage other people’s convictions (looking toward SOR and Bench) or to use the language of the Prayer book, which describes certain evil doctrines  as “blasphemous deceits” or something like that but the doctrines taught by the Church Catechism I regard as perfectly untrue, and my whole life and ministry are based upon convictions which are opposed to all this. I cannot therefore without violation of my very soul pay this without compulsion.

(Maybe Day tries to speak here again)

It is a matter of great injustice that in any school to which public money has been contributed Nonconformist teachers should be shut out by Religious tests. Religious tests which have wrought evil to religion, to the soul, and to the conscience.

JR

I am almost certain that the Act makes no such suggestion?

(TT raises his hand and is noticed)

EHT

I am only speaking for myself, and not necessarily for others, but I believe that there is a constitutional aspect of this matter, against which good citizens should be protected. Denominational Schools will not be appointing a Nonconformist teacher, however excellent their teaching skills may be, to the headship or even the staff of any National school that I know of. The Education Act of 1902 is so much against the spirit of the constitution of the country that the liberty of the citizen will be ultimately at stake.

I have no more to say, except to thank you for your courtesy and consideration.

(Bench look relieved)

TT raises his hand again to speak

JND

Mr Turner you have something to say?

Thomas Turner

Thank you, sir. As a citizen I protest that the Education Rate is the old Church rate resurrected in another form and as such re-imposes a system of sectarian tests for state-paid offices. On conscientious grounds I refuse to pay – painful as such a refusal is.

RD

Rose rises to speak

JND

Miss Dolton?

Seward helps her to the lectern

RD

The statements already submitted make the position of myself and my sister very clear. We feel very strongly that this introduction of religious tests is shutting the door of a very honourable position, in the face of some of our fellow Christians, which we would not willingly see happen. As a woman I object very strongly, recollecting the large share of the work of the Board Schools that has been done by women, and the honourable and splendid manner in which they have done it.

(murmurs of agreement)

 We therefore protest against any infringement of the rights of our sisters in this matter. (Looks a sister Edith for confirmation)

JND

Mr Bell, you wish to address us?

Robert Bell

I have a few words prepared

“We’re pleased to pay to help the poor

But now we’re asked for a wee bit more

The Church schools now will have our rate

And teach beliefs that we all hate

Heaven is not for those who learn a script

They will surely stay inside the crypt

(Cheers)

The way we live shows our belief

We want only to pay the Poor Relief.”

JND

Thank you! Reverend Neville?

John Neville

I cannot pay this rate because I am a Protestant, and therefore wish to be loyal to the constitution of the country. The Education Act makes it possible for the rankest Catholicism to be taught in the day schools of this country and at the expense of the ratepayers! I must protest and I refuse to pay the rate.

When the Nonconformist case was fairly put before the Prime Minister Mr Balfour by Dr Fairbairn, Mr Balfour said we were acting from a feeling of sectarian prejudice and bigotry, but as a Bishop of the Church of England has described the Act in the House of Lords a “game of grab” I have been led to the firm decision not to pay.

JND

Mr Siney?

James Siney

You have our respect gentlemen, but if the Prime Minister, Mr Balfour were here in your place we would be able to tell him what we think of his policy. It is not long since Nonconformists prayed that the life of our King may be spared, but today we are being persecuted.

I do not think, gentlemen and superintendent, there will be any trouble when you come to seize our goods.

JND

Thank you for your reassurance. Mr Smith?

Arthur Smith

There are a number of reasons for not paying the educational part of the rate. The citizen’s right of direct popular control is being denied us by this Act of Parliament. I am summonsed to pay for teaching which as a Free Churchman I cannot accept and indeed would not allow my own children to receive.

JND

Mr Seward, you have something to add?

Samuel Seward

I am extremely sorry to be a cause of trouble to the Bench. But it is my misfortune not my fault.

I am here to refuse to pay for my children to learn what I detest. We are going back to the Reformation and I am prepared to stand by Latimer and Ridley rather than allow my children to be taught these doctrines.

JND

Mr Midwinter, you have something to add?

CM

My name is Charles Midwinter, a NEWBURY business man of some repute, a man of God, a non- conformist.

I do not mind paying my taxes, I do not mind paying the poor rate. But, I do mind very much paying this EDUCATION rate in order that our children be scripted and taught that the rote learning of a few questions and answers is sufficient for them to enter the kingdom of heaven.

Their faith and the way they live their life is the only route to heaven.

I shall pay what I owe today with a heavy heart , I've said my piece, I've said my piece.

JND

(looks around to check no-one else is waiting to speak)

I think the Bench have allowed every freedom of speech and with your permission we will now close. Our decision can only be in one way. We propose to issue one warrant for all the cases. By hearing the cases together there has been saved 4 pounds, and we are anxious to make the costs as light as possible

EHT

(All stand and make to leave)

We cannot but repeat our thanks for your courtesy, and the whole tone in which you have received us this morning.

SOR

All stand

Exeunt, Eva lags behind and then addresses the audience

Magistrates move bench and chairs off to right quietly

Curtains close

Eva Chivers

Everyone gathered that evening to sing hymns and hear from the Reverend McClure Uffin. His speech is just finishing.

JN moves lectern

Later that day in the Lecture Hall

Applause, all Resisters on stage facing lectern

Curtains open

John Neville

John Neville steps on deed boxes and looks right

Rev McClure Uffin, thank you for travelling from Dorchester to address us this evening. We hear with interest your experiences of appointing a headmaster and realising that although Free Churchmen were not eligible the salary for the appointment would now come out of the public rate.

As you tell us this Act is but an initial step in the game, and unless we resist it will not be long before this country will lose its freedom, and our necks will be placed under the foot of a priest. We will not allow this Act to extinguish Nonconformity.

Cheers.

EHT

Indeed. Our resistance will afford the opportunity of educating our young people in the principles of Nonconformity and will be the means of strengthening our churches.

It is quite possible that incidentally the result would be to do something to deliver the country from a great danger in another direction. Mr Chamberlain has said that the passive resistance of Nonconformity might beat him, and if so we will be rendering a service to the Empire, little dreamt of when this movement began.

The Tories are losing their support as they propose to move away from Free Trade.  Conservative MPs are changing to fight the next election as Liberals, that Churchill chap is one of them. We now have at last a local Liberal candidate, Mr Mackarness, who is not a Free Churchman but who is profoundly in sympathy with our position about the Education system. He will receive the support of all Free Churchmen.

Who knows what the future may hold.

Cheers and Applause, exeunt stage left and wait

EC

The Unionists continued to support the Resisters’ cause so that the 1906 general election was a landslide victory for the Liberals. In this area Mr Mackarness took the seat from Sir William Mount.

The Liberals remained in power until after the Great War. However all their attempts to repeal the 1902 Education Act were blocked by the Bishops in the House of Lords. The Local Education Authorities created in 1902 are still with us today.

Curtain Call one bow

Cast sing

O God, our help in ages past

Our hope for years to come

Our shelter from the stormy blast

And our eternal home

Amen

Curtain Call one bow

Curtains close