Punch-ups and Pints - a Primitive Methodist Spectacle

Reading the headline for this story you might be forgiven for thinking that the tone has been severely lowered at Englesea Brook. Fear not - if any pints have been downed they were pints of tea and the only fighting has been between volunteers and boxes of books being shoved into spaces that could do with being bigger.

Whilst we have not been drinking or fighting we did talk a great deal about it in our recent study day. It was a delight to welcome Professors Ted Royle and Rob Colls who led about thirty people through a day entitled Health and Holiness: The Methodist Guide to Keeping Fit. In the morning, Ted presented the story of the temperance movement in British churches. Whilst at one stage there was considerable doubt as to whether churches should be involved in such a secular issue as temperance, organisations like the Band of Hope were to have a profound influence on many people, offering not only a cause to rally around but also an alternative social life that was not based in places where alcohol was served.

In the afternoon Rob provoked debate with a paper which used the athletic and spiritual endeavours of the 'converted athlete' Albert Shakesby to explore the relationship between nineteenth century Methodist ideas about the body and the spirit, arriving at the conclusion that the twenty-fiirst century soul is a very sick thing indeed.

Tow fabulous papers were complemented by an excellent meal courtesty of Jill Baker. Thanks to all who helped out.