As part of our twelve months of Centenary Celebrations it was decided to write to as many past Ministers of FMC as could be traced - either directly or by means of a notice in the Methodist Recorder - and others who had grown up at Fulwood (some going on to candidate for the Ministry). The subsequent contacts have provided us with a fascinating selection of memories, and some of those who were contacted have already been back to preach at a Sunday morning service.

Here are some of those memories:-

Rev. Bob Kitching recalls from Chandler’s Ford in Hampshire, "We were at Fulwood from the 1940s, in the time of Rev. Albert Folley. At three years of age I started in the Beginners’ department of the Sunday School in 1947-8. This was when Sunday School met in the afternoon, with Beginner, Primary, Junior and Senior departments, and the Leader was Miss Dorothy Arkwright. When I was five I started going to Morning Service, which was preceded by the Order of the Morning Star: a sort of children’s service. For good attendance you received stars: little metal badges with O.M.S. on them. Morning Service for children was quite a ‘long do’: we sat at the front of the church, and even had to sit through the long sermon! Just before the sermon began, the choir used to come down from the choir stalls to sit with us, presumably to keep us in order! There was also a children’s address and I particularly remember some given by Rev. Arthur Bilsborough who was the minister at Moor Park, who told stories about Tom Boy.

I seem to remember the afternoon Sunday School classes were single sex, and I feel the teachers – such as Harold Beggs, Austen Speight, Elliot Rae, Ernie Whittall, Fred Haire and Miss Dorothy Fielding - deserved medals for coping with such unruly and mischievous lads. I am sure they wondered what was being taken in – but they sowed seeds in one boy’s heart and mind.

1952 was a great year, as the church took part in the first Preston Guild in thirty years. That year I joined the Wolf Cubs, with Miss Betty Mitchell as Akela, and in 1955 moved on to become a member of the Scout troop, with A. T. Hindley as Skipper.

I recall Rev. Ron Jobling, and later Rev. Clifford Chesworth, opening up the Manse at 85, Victoria Road, to hordes of young people on Sunday nights, and there was Youth Club too, on Friday nights, led by Mr Sam Stocks.

It was in Preston I was converted and at Fulwood I received a call to preach. So many people showed me such help and kindness in those days. I left Fulwood in 1968, but it was my first spiritual home and I do pray God’s blessing upon you in your centenary year."

Mrs Doreen Chesworth follows that up with, "It was in August, 1963, when Rev. Clifford W. Chesworth came to be your new Minister. He was accompanied by myself and our three sons: Kingsley (14), Raymond (12) and Martyn (11). I’ll mention a few of the activities, although I could probably write a very large book about Fulwood Church over the eleven years which followed.

Firstly the Women’s Fellowship: we met each Tuesday afternoon in the school hall. We had various speakers, musical afternoons and fund-raising efforts for our missionaries overseas. My husband, Clifford, also took a devotional meeting each month. It was a real privilege for me to be its President. The ladies gave so much time and work for their church.

We also started a Young Wives Group, meeting fortnightly on Thursday evenings in our homes. We enjoyed talks on many subjects and the hostess would close the meeting with an epilogue. It was the Young Wives who started the Toddlers’ Club 45 years ago and I am so glad it still welcomes so many young mothers and little children on Friday mornings.

The Uniformed Organisations and Youth Club all flourished and the Youth Fellowship met at the Manse every Sunday night: our lounge was heaving, with more sitting on the floor than on the furniture! All would be quiet for an hour or so, then laughter and chatter took over as they enjoyed tea and biscuits. Clifford and I smiled many times as we watched romances start: some lasted two or three weeks and some have lasted more than 40 years! They are now parents and grandparents themselves. Two of the Youth Fellowship became Methodist Ministers. Another young man, playing for the opposition in a table tennis match, started to attend church with his wife and children: he too became a Minister.

The strong choir of both adults and teenagers was an important part of our church; their music always enriched our worship and their lively concerts were enjoyed at churches throughout the Circuit.

In 1972 we celebrated the Preston Guild: Fulwood church played an active part in the festivities and I well remember walking in the Free Churches Procession – a most memorable time.

Fulwood was a family church: it was uplifting to see it full on Sunday mornings and to share in its witness throughout the area. We joined in the happy times of friends and members, but also shared in the sorrow and heartaches of many families. We welcomed many new people from home and abroad and wished others well as they moved to pastures new.

While at Fulwood, Clifford had the pleasure of marrying two of our sons: Kingsley to Jean and Raymond to Barbara. It was also very special when he christened our first grandchild, Louise, in the July just prior to saying our farewells to Fulwood.

During this celebratory year, we will all reflect on those who have passed through the doors; those who have helped maintain, administer and lead. A church is as strong as those who are part of it and so Fulwood Methodist Church should look forward to the next 100 years with confidence, vitality and faith."

Professor Roger Earis writes from Pontrhydfendigaid in Ceredigion to say, "As a family we were at Fulwood for several years, very much formative years for us, where we developed our education. We owe a lot to Preston: my elder sister Margaret had a distinguished career in education – for which she was awarded an OBE – and is now an Anglican priest. John is a Professor, the senior consultant and Director of post-graduate medical students in Liverpool; Derek is an Anglican priest and Canon of Norwich Cathedral and I am now retired as a Professor of Law, living in the heart of the Cambrian Mountains – so Preston education, followed by Lincoln education and university did us all proud!

Fulwood Methodist Church had as Minister Rev. Clifford Chesworth, my uncle, and it was very poignant to revisit for his funeral a few years ago. We were all given a very warm and happy welcome both by the Minister and some of the congregation who remembered us. You can tell how long ago we were there by the fact that I remember getting Tom Finney’s autograph when he came to speak to the Scouts! I also recall all the second year at Preston Grammar School having to write a letter of apology to the new school secretary because the boys wolf-whistled when she first arrived at school: I hope she has recovered from the ordeal!

I also remember my father telling us about one member of the congregation who taught Religious Knowledge at the Park School: she was on her bicycle, crossing Blackpool Road, and jumped the lights at red, thereby causing some mayhem. Stopped by a police officer, she explained that she had her eyes closed and therefore did not see the lights; she had forgotten to say her prayers that morning and was doing so as she cycled to school. She was let off, but it’s not a precedent I would recommend! It does show, however, the powerful impression the church had on its congregation.

We enjoyed living at Victoria Road and it’s strange to think that several houses had chauffeurs in those days. My father ran an old Austin 7 then, travelling all over the Circuit. It was turned over when someone didn’t notice his hand signal – but easily righted. I remember my father’s evidence about the long right arm of a Methodist Minister demonstrated in Court. Of course, many cars in those days did not have indicators. Perhaps this accident is what propelled me into the law!

We all hope that your centenary events are hugely successful and send to all at Fulwood our very best wishes for the future."