The Times 22nd April 1931 Page 5

UNION OF BENEFICES -TWO SCHEMES SANCTIONED

The Judicial committee of the Privy Council - the Lord Chancellor, Lord Blanesburgh, Lord Darling, and Lord Thankerton - yesterday had before them three appeals against schemes proposed by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners under the Union of Benefices Measure, 1923, for the uniting of the following benefices :- ....Puttenham and Wanborough, in the Diocese of Guildford Surrey. ....

"In the next two cases" said his Lordship "I happen to be a patron, so I think that it is better that the Court should go on without me". His Lordship then withdrew.

The proposed scheme for uniting the benefices of Puttenham and Wanborough was opposed by the Rev John Pearce, vicar of Wanborough. Mr Harold Willis, who appeared for the vicar, said that his client was supported in his opposition by 132 heads of houses in the parish of Wanborough - that was, all except nine. Since 1880 1,700 had been subscribed for the very purpose that the proposed scheme would frustrate - namely to give Wanborough a parson of its own. He further submitted that the scheme was not in the interests of the two parishes concerned, and under the Measure of 1923 those interests were for primary consideration.

Mr F.H.L. Errington, for the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, said that the main reasons, for the proposed union were (1) proximity of the two parishes - one practically ran into the other to a very considerable extent; and (2) income would be available for use in poorer parishes.