Elaine Singleton shares with us some of her own happy memories of St Silas and Broomhall. Elaine was baptised and married at St Silas Church. The church was one of the key places where the community got together and enjoyed each other’s company whether it was at special events or groups.
“The majority of my childhood and teenage years revolved around activities at St Silas Church. I attended the Sunday school which was held in St Silas School and on one Sunday a month we went into the Church. There was an annual prize giving. I still have a Bible which was presented to me in 1954 (aged 9). On Whit Monday we had a family outing to Graves Park on hired Corporation buses and then returned to the Church Hall for a party. I was a member of the Brownie pack and then on into the Guides. These meetings were held in the Church Hall on Hanover Street. We had Church parade once a month which was led around the streets by the Scout band, which was voted the best band in the City.
For many years we had a May Queen Ceremony followed by a concert where local musicians, singers and dancers showed off their talents.
In my teenage years I sang in the choir and was a member of the youth club. I was confirmed in the Church in 1960.
My mother (now aged 93) was baptised there in 1920 and married there in 1939. I was baptised there in 1945 and married there in 1966. Our children were baptised there in 1971 and 1974.
The area was densely populated, the majority of people living in back to back houses. There were lots of shops and pubs on every street corner. My mother worked in Hanover Street post office for many years.
I attended Springfield School on Broomspring Lane.
We had a wonderful get together for the last service in St Silas when we were reacquainted with lots of friends from the past.”
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