Village Characters
Henry Dane
Henry (or Harry as he preferred to be called) Dane was born in 1912 in Hackney, London. He was the only child of Henry and Florence Dane. He was educated at University College London with a degree in chemistry.
A member of St. Andrews Church, Whitehall Park, he was called to the Ministry in the 1930s and trained at Clifton Theological College, Bristol. He was ordained Deacon at Southwark Cathedral on 4th June 1939, and spent his initial Curacy at St. Stephens, Clapham Park. He was ordained Priest on 15th May 1940. He married Phyllis Bacon on June 7th, 1941.
In August 1943, he was appointed Rector of Langar and Barnstone, in the Diocese of Southwell, where he remained until October 1949 when he moved to become Vicar of St Matthew's, Worthington, where he remained until 1972. In addition to his ministry, he also took an active interest in all aspects of life in both the parish and the local community. During the 1950's, he spent a number of years teaching on a part time basis. This included spells at Coalville Mining and Technical College, where he taught Mining Science to first year Coal Board apprentices, and a year at the Boys Grammar School, Ashby, teaching science. He was also persuaded to serve on the Ashby Rural District Council.
The aspect of his ministry to which he attached probably the greatest importance was his work with children. The Sunday School Anniversary services always gave him great pleasure, and he would take great pains to produce sermons for the children, using a variety of props such as a working model of a traffic light, or using the colour changes from chemical reactions to emphasise his message.
While at Worthington, he developed an interest in photography. This prompted him to prepare a slide presentation of a year in the life of Worthington church, supported by an commentary spoken by the parishioners. The presentation covered all aspects of church and parish life, regular services, the major religious festivals, baptisms, weddings and funerals as well as the social aspects of church and parish life.
He left Worthington in 1972 after his wife died and took up a full time teaching post at Newbridge School, in Coalville, remaining there until reaching the age of 65 in 1977. His initial retirement was brief, and in 1978 he was appointed Priest in Charge at Mackworth and Kirk Langley, where he remained until 1986 also serving as Chaplain to the High Sheriff of Derby.
He retired (again!) in 1986, and went to live in Ashby. His arrival in Ashby coincided with an interregnum at Worthington (by this time combined with Breedon) and he continued to take regular services there for the next 3 years. He also continued his speaking engagements, and also ran courses at various colleges on local history.
He is remembered by many people throughout the Worthington parish and beyond as a person with immense love and respect for his fellow man.
Abridged from Henry Dane’s eulogy written and read by his son Stephen at his funeral on the 15 Aug 1995.
Reuben Sissons
Reuben Sissons was born in 1864 in Ilkeston Derbyshire. He was schoolmaster at Newbold School for 25 years. Reubens was married to Clara who originated from Wolverhampton.
Reuben was a teacher and musician. He held the position of organist and choirmaster at St Matthews Church Worthington for 18 years. His service to the church is commemorated on a tablet which hangs in St Matthews. He died in 1918 aged 55 years.
Clara Crabtree
Clara Crabtree was known as the Grand Old Lady of Newbold and was licensee at the Cross Keys pub for 38 years. Clara’s name appears as licensee of the pub in 1925. She took over from her husband William Crabtree (presumably on his death). Records show William Crabtree as the pub landlord in 1908 and 1922. William was also a carpenter in the village.
When the Coalville Times reported on Mrs Crabtree’s 91st birthday in 1941, it was believed that she was the oldest working licensee in England. She was still attending to customers’ needs with her daughter Miss Annie Crabtree.
Clara died at 93 in 1944 and by then was pre- deceased by her husband and her three children. Interestingly her death report states that prior to keeping the Cross Keys, she was also landlady at the Railway inn (now the Gelsmoor).
Alf Poyser (The Old Codger)
Alf wrote many articles for the 'Newbold News' including this account of his first visit to the Cross Keys.
