Diary 10

‘in collaboration with Mr A. D. Chambers who for many years has also been intimately identified with the same parish and is well known for antiquarian researches in the district. At the outset, Mr Finney paid warm tribute to the assistance given him by Mr Chambers who has spent much time and skilful Labour in photographing the documents for lantern slides.’

The lecture was entitled ‘Old records of the Parish of Stone.’ I read through the lengthy newspaper report which included a mention of the church at Stone prior to 1831, describing it as a delightful little early English church erected and dedicated in 1269. This must be the photo I have seen in various boxes; A 32, B 9 ,C 48, C 49, H 32,  H 33 and in box sa  Why so many? I read on.

The chairman has proposed a vote of thanks.

‘Mr Chambers, a true artist, had spent many months on the work of photography and drawings for the lantern slides.”

Mr Chambers replied; ‘to him preparation was a work of love. The beautiful picture of the old church came to him through the kindness of the Rev Canon Wm Lea. – –

The next page contained a cutting from the Kidderminster Times of Saturday 22nd February, 1930, and headed ‘Stone’s Fascinating History. I noted the following extracts.

‘There was a crowded Schoolroom at Stone on Friday evening, when Mr Frank Finney, the headmaster of Stone school gave a very interesting lecture on the history of Stone.

He paid tribute to his friend, Mr A. D. Chambers whose work with the camera had made such a lecture possible, 90 per cent of the slides shown being his work, and the crowded audience loudly applauded many of his local photographic studies.