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The Rev Arthur Simon Latter, Vicar of North Mymms 1864-1880 Photographer unknown, image from the former North Mymms Local History Society |
In 1876 a local branch of the Temperance Society opened in North Mymms. It was started by the vicar at the time, the Rev Arthur Simon Latter, who admitted to being a “moderate drinker”.
Meetings took place in Welham Green, Bell Bar and Roestock attracting “large gatherings” entertained with songs, readings and speeches while drinking tea.
The aim of the local group, which lasted for 40 years, was to “save souls and have sober labourers”.
The vicar who became a total abstainer was able to claim that a quarter of his “flock” had given up drink.
Peter Kingsford wrote about “the drink problem” in the September 1985 issue of the Chancellor’s Community Newsletter, reproduced here with permission of the publisher.
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