History: The Sunday School Outing

The Church Sunday School outing of August 1927 in three modern buses owned by Mr Haines was made possible after Mr Haines applied for licences to travel to local towns and drew up a timetable. Until then, his first bus had been a twenty seater with an entrance at the rear. On Saturdays they went to Hop Pole and took passengers to Spalding for the evening. It was so popular, as so many people wanted to come home late, that they were standing down the centre of the aisle and there was no room for Mr Haines’ daughter, Lizzie, who had to sit on the outside step with the door open. There were no designated bus stops; Mr Haines and his drivers stopped wherever his passengers wanted.

Only those who can remember the 1920s can appreciate the excitement of preparing for the day, which caused almost an exodus from the village. The row of buses looked impressive lined up along Church Gate – they were small thirty seaters with a maximum speed of thirty miles an hour. People converged on them from all directions: Mothers loaded with bags while guiding their toddlers, older children with buckets and spades, fearing the buses might go without them. Friends greeted friends and all greeted Miss Crowson to find out which bus to board. When everyone was settled the Vicar,

Reverend Pain, a scholarly aesthetic bachelor, came along to give a nod of approval and set off, much later, in his own car.

At last the cavalcade set off. It was quite a sight, with children cheering and excitedly looking out of the windows and remarking about everything they passed: cows in fields, trains, the river in Spalding, windmills and most important the weather – please don’t let it rain! After about an hour and a half ’s travelling there was a stop at Boston and more exploring. Even the chain pulling at the toilet was a fascinating novelty! After another steady ride the excitement grew with each mile until the flat plain became the outskirts of Skegness, followed by the shops and cafes of Lumley Road and at last a sight of the clock tower. Finally there was the sea! Everything was different, the air, the smells, the space. Everyone was all set to enjoy this day of days.

A tea at the Tower restaurant was part of the treat. Once again Miss Crowson presided over the proceedings, while the Reverend Pain looked in to say grace and smile benignly upon his happy sun-kissed flock, before returning home in his car. There was still time to go to the amusements or for a final paddle before the buses were loaded and set off for home. Everyone enjoyed the sweets and cherries Miss Crowson provided for the return journey. Children sang and talked about their adventures until, tired by sea and fresh air, they had to give in and fall asleep.

People who had stayed at home congregated at the Cross awaiting the arrival of the travellers and eagerly greeted their own, gladly carrying their sleeping children and soggy bags and hearing the stories of all the day’s adventures.

An extract from ‘Swift to Tell’ by Nancy Titman.

Copies available at £5 from 348859 or judy.stevens1@ btopenworld.com

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