In The Past
An Historical note
John Wesley preached
in Bingham, from the steps of the Buttercross - on Monday 30th July 1770. The journal entry reads:-
'I preached at Bingham, ten miles from Nottingham. I really admired the exquisite stupidity of the people. They gaped
and stared while I was speaking of death and judgement, as if they had never heard of such things before. And they were
not helped by two surly, ill mannered Clergymen, who seemed to be just as wise as themselves.'
However things soon changed for the better and in 1773 William Huckerby introduced Methodism into Bingham. A Godly and
quiet spirited draper who lived to be ninety, he built a 'place' which we suspect is the present choir vestry. If so it
will be one of the oldest Methodist buildings in continuous use in Nottingham. Mr Huckerby is presumably buried in
Bingham Church Yard and it would be interesting for Bingham Methodists to try to locate his grave.
The present Chapel was opened on 19 July 1818 according to the Nottingham Journal. Though the exterior has suffered,
the inside is still a charming example of a Georgian style Methodist Preaching house, with plaster ceiling, sash windows,
and simple panelling of the gallery front. The pillars are wood; 1818 being too early for cast iron.
Bingham was then part of the Newark Circuit and was the 'second place' in the Circuit. The Schoolroom (hall) was added
later, around 1901, the parlour, 1930, and porch in 1967. An unmarked grave of a boy named Attenborough is under the path
outside the parlour door. Drowned in the flooded Smite at Christmas 1858 together with the Doncasters whilst returning
from Granby, he could not be buried in consecrated ground as he was a Baptist and therefore unbaptised. The precinct
enterance with the shop, toilets and Dunsmore room were added in 1981.
The old Manses still stand together on The Banks, while the Headmaster's house and the School building remain on Kirk Hill.
The school is now in new premises as Bingham Infants, and was long ago handed to the State.
The organ chamber dates from 1870 though the present instrument, an Allen Digital Organ, was installed only a few years ago.
Music, of course, runs in Methodist blood and the Choir in the early years of this century was a great feature of the
Town's life.
The membership in 1837 was 81 and the assessment was £29.12.1d per quarter. By 1841 membership was 114 though membership
would only be a portion of those who attended and supported the Chapel. Nevertheless that so few could have put up
such a building certainly puts us on our mettle.