John Wardle’s Artefacts on display
PRESENTATION CLOCK
The plaque on the front of this marble clock reads:
Presented to
Mr John Wardle
by the Rector and Choir of
St James Church, Stonehaven
As a mark of
their appreciation of his service as
Organist for Twentyfive years
1907
The clock, vases and prayer book (below) have been kindly donated by Mr Christopher Wardle and family. Christopher is John’s great grandson, and he is now living locally. He also provided access to the large archive of John’s papers which is shown elsewhere on this web site. It is somewhat unfortunate that, when John’s house at 449 Great Western Road, Aberdeen, was sold by his son, the extensive work records of John’s organ building were not preserved. The only records that exist are now stored within the Wadsworth company records in the British Organ Archive in Birmingham.
PRESENTATION VASES
With the clock, the congregation also presented a pair of matching vases to sit on end of the mantlepiece. Very Edwardian.
PRAYER BOOK, dated 1894
This combined Book of Common Prayer and Hymns Ancient and Modern was given by John Wardle to his wife Ellen in 1894, probably when they moved into Ingleside, Bath Street, Stonehaven, with their three children, and she would be starting to attend St James on a regular basis. It is a very small book, and might be called the ‘handbag’ version!
The Evensong pages are well thumbed.
MOUSTACHE CUP
This moustache cup belonged to John Wardle. It was one of his most prized possessions. His luxuriant moustache must have derived much benefit from it.
It has been kindly loaned by two of his great, great, great grandchildren
• EVIE GILMOUR of Aberdeen, and
• HENRY SHEPHERD of Perth, Western Australia.
PHOTO OF CHOIR – 1938
The photo features Revd John Symon, and was probably taken around the time of his leaving St James to take up a new calling at St Johns, New Pitsligo .
The picture is taken against the north wall of the church. The ivy has long since been removed, and the stonework is probably the better for that!
Unfortunately there is no record of the members of the (all-male) choir.
PHOTOS of JOHN and ELLEN
These photos were taken by a local Stonehaven photographer (J. Watson) so presumably were taken sometime around the time when John and Ellen moved into their new house in Bath Street in about 1894. The style of dress would support this.
MEMORIAL PLAQUE
Shortly after his death in 1941, and his funeral in St James, the congregation decided to erect a plaque. Because of war-time restrictions it was three years before it was engraved.
It is not in the Exhibition but can be seen attached to the main church pillar on the left hand side of the organ console.
The inscription reads “He was strong in faith giving Glory to God’.
