A DEVOTED SERVANT OF THE CHURCH

Very quietly, owing to his indifferent health, Mr George Cooke, for over seven years the esteemed Headmaster of the Church School was presented on Tuesday night with a purse of gold.  In making the presentation the Vicar, on the subscribers’ behalf, alluded to the excelling work of Mr Cooke as a teacher and as a voluntary Church-worker.  Everyone regretted the cause of his departure, and trusted that the change and rest in Herefordshire would restore him.

In thanking the Vicar, Mr Cook with deep emotion, said how sincerely grateful he was for this latest exhibition of kindness to him.  On all sides there had been extended to him sympathy and regret at his enforced leaving, and he felt very much his having to say “Good-bye” to Woodnewton after very many happy years being there.  Whatever good he might have done he was proud to have been able to do so.

During the time Mr Cooke was at Woodnewton, he not only filled the post of Headmaster, of the School, but gave the Vicar untold aid as Sunday School Superintendent, Lay Reader and Sacristan.  Mr Cooke left Woodnewton on Wednesday for Hereford, carrying with him the good wishes of the Parishioners from the generous Squire of Apethorpe and the Lady Violet Brassey to the humblest cottager.  The Vicar is deserving of many thanks for so ably organising the presentation.

(Published by Peterborough Standard on 30th July 1910.)