Choir

[quiffdo]

Hello

Can somebody please tell me what the man sitting on the first row far left holding the staff would have done in the choir?

He is my GGG Grandfather

Danny

[Olde Crone Holden]

Was he definitely in the choir? He looks more like a Sidesman or Usher to me.

OC

[quiffdo]

Hi OC

Im actually not sure whether he sang in the choir or if he just worked with them.

Danny

[Olde Crone Holden]

I would have expected him to be dressed in a surplice if he was in the choir.

OC

[quiffdo]

What exactly would he have done if he were a sidesman or an usher?

Danny

[quiffdo]

I found out what they mean now

Danny

[JudithM]

Those staffs, held by the two men either end of the front row look like those which are carried by churchwardens to me. On special occasions the churchwardens carry them in procession, and for ordinary services the staffs are placed at the end of the pews where the wardens sit. I'm told their original purpose was to be used as goads to chase stray dog out or put people in their places but this may just be a myth

[quiffdo]

Excellent

I never knew he was a ChurchWarden, i just thought he was something to do with the Choir.

Danny

[keldon]

I agree that they are churchwardens. There are two similar staffs in our church.

[quiffdo]

I agree that they are churchwardens. There are two similar staffs in our church.

Wonderful

I know its All saints parish church but where exactly it it do you reckon?

I got sent this picture by a rellie and he's on holiday at the mo and im unsure where it is.

Danny

[quiffdo]

Its ok now ive found it

All Saints' Church, Moxley

Danny

[Christine in Herts]

I also reckon they look like churchwardens' staffs. We have them in our parish church, too. Most older parish churches would do.

Sometimes the staffs aren't identical: one might have a mitre (held by the Bishop's warden) and one a crown(?) (held by the people's warden).

Churchwardens are elected every year at the Vestry Meeting, at which anyone on the electoral roll within the parish is entitled to vote - that's not just the parish electoral role, it's the secular electoral role - the same one as for Councillors, or MPs. In many cases, the rôle is just carried forward from year to year, because it involves considerable responsibility: people either don't want to relinquish the power, so make it difficult to get rid of them, or don't want the burden, so avoid standing in the first place!

Christine

[quiffdo]

Thankyou Christine

Now just to work out which staff he's holding:D

Danny

[Christine in Herts]

Thankyou Christine

Now just to work out which staff he's holding:D

Danny

I did try to deduce that, but they both look like crosses. It may be that there's a small symbol in the middle of the cross - but that wouldn't show up on a photo like that.

Christine

[quiffdo]

Thankyou for the help Christine

Danny