Robert Hugh Mansfield-Williams vicar ??/??/1954 -??/04/1960

 

Rev Mansfield-Williams

(Sellen)

 

Wendy Farrington's wedding 1962

(Farrington)

 

Rev Mansfield-Williams grave, Harston churchyard

(Roadley)

Hugh Mansfield-Williams arrived as vicar in 1954 and moved to Gainsborough in May 1960. His departure was announced in the local press thus:

‘The vicar of Harston (the Rev H Mansfield-Williams) announced this week that he is to leave the parish at the end of April to take up the living at St John’s Gainsborough.

He views the prospect of leaving Harston, where he has been for the last five years, with regret but he reflects with pleasure upon the happy association and friendships experienced during the period of his incumbency, and the support and encouragement which he has always received.

The vicar has done much admirable work, not only in his church, but in the village as a whole. The youth of the district, particularly, are losing a very good friend and an ardent supporter of their interests, and hee was also interested in the game of darts of which he was no mean exponent, especially when in partnership with his Lay Reader Mr W Armstrong.

Many of his friends wish to be present at his induction at Gainsborough which is expected to take place in early May, and it is hoped to arrange transport for the occasion.’

There seem to be a number of village memories of Rev Mansfield Williams stay in Harston. Brian Willers remembers him with affection as he often took him to the Queen’s Head for an underage drink after he had been helping around the church or after a funeral. One day the Rev sat on a bier outside the Coach and Horses asking for money and said ’if the parishioners won’t come to me, I’ll go to them’!

David Starr went to a youth club in the village hall started by the Rev Mansfield Williams.

A newspaper cutting in 1958 tells of the Coach & Horses Chapman Cup darts final which won by the Rev Mansfield Williams & his lay-reader Mr Armstrong. The Rev threw the final double 5 to win.

On Friday, May 15, 1959 the Independent Press & Chronicle shows a picture (right) of Rev Mansfield-Williams leading female candidates to Harston Church when Bishop Walsh visited Harston.

Wendy Farrington’s wedding was on 21st July 1962 and although Rev. Williams was no longer the vicar of Harston he came back to officiate for he. The wedding photo was taken in the vicarage garden.

While living in Canterbury in 1972 he was invited back to Harston to open the village fete.

The Reverend liked Harston so much he asked to be buried here even though he no longer lived here. He died 24 March 1986, aged 68, and is buried in churchyard. His funeral service took place on Friday 11 April at 2.30pm. Earlier in the day, at his request, a requiem was held for him at 10.00am.