THE CARLTON MINSTRELS
Mr. J. Gilbert, proprietor, and Mr. A. Floyd, secretary, beg to announce that, owing to the engagement of professional talent and different arrangements, it would be impossible to postpone the two entertainments at the Town Hall, which they are sorry takes place so soon after the funeral of the late Vicar of St John’s, the Rev. T.G. Barlow Poole.

THE LATE REV. T. BARLOW-POOL
Last Sunday evening being the anniversary of the death the Rev. T. G. Barlow-Pool, reference was made to the event in his semon by the Vicar; a favourite hymn of the deceased, “Ten thousand times, ten thousand," was sung before sermon, and Beethoven’s Dead March was played on the organ as a closing voluntary.

SERIOUS ILLNESS OF THE REV. T.G. BARLOW POOL *
- We regret to learn that the Vicar of St. John’s, Rev. T.G. Barlow Poole* is suffering from a severe attack of inflamation (sic) of the lungs.
The rev gentleman was taken ill at an early service on Sunday morning, and although able to preach at matins, was unable to take any further part in the services of the day.

* Shown without a hyphen but with an ‘e’ on Poole.

DEATH OF THE REV. T.G. BARLOW POOLE,
VICAR OF ST JOHN’S, NEWBURY

No death has for some time past created a more profound sensation, or elicited a more wide-spread regret, than that of of the Rev. Thomas Guy Barlow Poole, Vicar of St Jon’s, which occurred shortly before mid-day on Friday last. Intimation was conveyed last week in our columns as to the serious nature of the illness from which the rev. gentleman was suffering. It became known on Friday morning that the medical gentlemen in conference had given little, or no hope of life being spared, so that the tolling of the church bells at mid-day, which announced to the parishioners that their much-loved Vicar was no more, though not altogether unexpected, occasioned great sorrow, as well as respectful and sincere sympathy for those who had sustained such an irreparable bereavement. A fortnight previously the Vicar presided at the annual parochial gathering, when it was observed that he was suffering from a severe cold, from which he never recovered. He would not allow this, as he considered, slight and passing ailment to interfere in the exercise of his pastoral and ministerial duties. While officiating at the early service in St John’s Church on the previous Sunday he was taken ill, and was evidently suffering from weakness of the chest. This warning did not deter him from taking part in the eleven o’clock service, at which he occupied the pulpit and preached a sermon singularly monitory in its tone and character, the impression of which will not readily be forgotten. The disease, which proved to be inflammation of the lungs, had settled severely upon him. He took to his bed, and in the course of two or three days his condition became critical, and, never rallying, he passed away on Friday, at about 44 years of age. He leaves a widow, who for several years has been in a delicate state of health, and five children.

Mr. Barlow Poole was son of the Rev. Thomas Poole, rector of Firbeck with Letwell, Yorkshire, which he has held for 50 years. The deceased clergyman was M.A. of Cambridge; he took deacon’s orders in 1868, and was ordained priest in 1869 by the Bishop of Salisbury. His first curacy was Bradford-on-Avon, in Wiltshire. He subsequently removed to Lancashire, and became curate to Canon Birley, at St Philip’s, Hulme, Manchester. This is a free and open church, built by the Messrs. Birley, one of whom was M.P. for Manchester, and whose efforts in church building and church work generally have given them a pre-eminent position even amongst the princely merchants of Manchester. St Philip’s was crowded with working men, who contributed largely to the offertory, and amongst those who helped keep this important congregation together, and to organise them in the promotion of good works, both at home and in foreign missions, no one was more forward than Mr. Poole, whose efforts in house-to-house visitation, in the parochial schools, and in the evening meetings were indefatigable. From Manchester Mr. Poole moved to Ecchinswell in 1879, where the same system of work was continued. The scattered character of the parish necessitated cottage lectures at remote distances, involving great physical exertion. The frequent services in church were well attended, and his earnest, affectionate preaching, of a practical and devout though unpretending character. Were always warmly appreciated by his hearers.

Appointed to St John’s in 1884, his ministrations were characterised by the same hard work in all the various departments of parochial organization, including Sunday Schools and Temperance Societies. A strong churchman himself, his great kindliness and charity enabled him to live at peace with, and gain the respect of, those who differed from him in religious opinion, and his sudden loss will be widely and deeply felt, far beyond the bounds of his own parish.

He was, writes an esteemed correspondent, as a preacher, always practical often eloquent, and distinguished for his Christian kindliness of heart. Always approachable, and with the interest of his parish ever in view. His loss must be a sincere grief to his parishioners. One of the working class remarked on his death that he would be missed “Not on account of what he could give, but that he always had a kind word for everyone.” It is this sympathy that gains goodwill and influence. Few seem to remember Lord Chesterfield’s definition of a true gentleman as “One who did to others as he would that they should do unto him.” And yet it would be well of those in authority kept this in mind.

Another communication speaks of Mr. Barlow Poole as a splendid, hard working, self-denying man, whom we respected more than I can say, and admired most truly. For him I feel that he has only gone into the fullness of the joy of being with the Lord and Master, in whose presence his daily life was lived on earth, and whom he was so prepared to meet. He was quite one in a thousand.”

A True Friend and Parishioner writes “that Mr. Poole possessed all the qualities that make a good man – firmness, gentleness, and a pure and saintly life.”

Source: Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette
Date: Thursday 13 November 1873
FASHIONABLE WEDDING


On Tuesday morning a large number of persons assembled in the snug little church of Freshford to witness the marriage of the Rev. Thomas Guy Barlow Poole, senior curate of St. Philip's, Hulme, Manchester, and son of the Rev. T. Barlow, Vicar of Letwell, to Miss Alice Christina Baker, eldest daughter of the Rev. George Baker of Freshford.

The weather fortunately was suitable to the occasion, and as the residence of the bride's father is only a short distance from the church, carriages were dispensed with and the wedding party walked to the sacred edifice. The wedding was conducted without any show or ostentation, but this did not prevent the inhabitants of Freshford and the surrounding villages, especially Westwood, where the bride is greatly loved, from showing by decorations and other outward manifestations, their esteem and good-will.

Thus along the route from the house to the church was displayed a number of flags and the gates leading to the residence of Mr. R. C. Hall were tastefully decorated. The design, which was composed principally of clematis, represented two hearts bound together with a band of yellow chrysanthemums. The design was executed by Wm. Helps, the gardener. Over the gateway of the churchyard was erected a pretty little arch made of laurel leaves, ferns, etc., and containing in the centre, worked on white ground, the initials of the bride and bridegroom, below which, suspended from silver chains, was a small silver casket containing arbutus and other flowers. On the obverse of the arch in silver letters were the initials of the bride and bridgeroom altered as follows:- "T.G.B.P. and A.C.P." The gateway of Mr. Baker's residence was set off with evergreens, as were also the pillars of the porch, the latter, which was skilfully done, being, we understood, the work of the Misses Gee.

The bride, who was given away by her father, wore a rich, white silk dress, wreath of orange blossoms, and tulle veil. The bridesmaids — Miss Baker, Miss Louisa Baker, Miss Poole, and Miss Morris — were attired in white dresses, two of them being trimmed with cerise, while the others wore blue trimmings. The bridegroom's best man was Mr. Frederick Poole, the other groomsmen being Mr. George Edward Bythesea Baker, the bride's cousin, and Dr. Guy. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. C. Baker, rector of Tellisford and uncle of the bride, assisted by the Rev. Robert Birley, rector of St. Philip's, Hulme. After the service the Hymn "How welcome was the call," which had been printed and distributed among the congregation, was sung. As the bride and bridegroom left the church the bells sent forth a joyous peal, and their path was strewn with flowers by the servants of the household and the village children.
The guests afterwards breakfasted at the house of Mr. Baker. The presents were numerous and varied, many of them being very costly, and included various sets of ornaments, - gold, garnet and silver, - silver, tea and coffee sets, sets of fish knives and forks, gold spoons, tongs, etc., handsome walnut writing desk, clocks, and valuable pictures. The happy pair left by the 3.30 train the same day for Gloucester. We should add that the dresses were supplied by Miss Watson, of Edgar-buildings, Bath, and the breakfast by Messrs. Fortt and Son, of Milsom-street.