HOLMESWOOD Methodist Chapel organist Ellen Mee is hitting all the right notes with her new book.
For a number of years Ellen, a lifelong member of the church, has been collecting information and photographs about the history of Methodism in the area.
Ellen's work has now come to fruition with the publication of her book, which recounts the story of the Methodist people of Holmeswood over the last two centuries.
The 78-year-old, who now lives in Rufford, said: “I was born in Holmeswood. My mother Alice and father Richard Forshaw had a farm on Wiggins Lane and I grew up there.
“My mum and dad were originally from Mere Brow, so I started going to church there before attending Holmeswood Chapel.”
The chapel, which was known as the Wesleyan Chapel due to its influence by preacher John Wesley, was built in 1863. Up until then all Wesleyans would meet in a barn owned by Henry Ashcroft on Smithy Lane to worship.
“I went to Holmeswood School, it was nice and quiet growing up and I had many friends. I then went on to Ormskirk Grammar and when I left there I started working on the farm.”
Ellen left the grammar school when she was just 15 years old with qualifications in music. She has been involved with chapel from a young age and took over as organist in 1950, when she was 21.
“I’ve played the organ at a lot of weddings, I just love playing,” she said.
Following the death of her husband John of 10 years, Ellen decided to take up teaching, finishing Edge Hill University at 40. She began working at Ormskirk CE on Greetby Hill.
“I was teaching for about 20 years, after Greetby Hill, I went to Tarleton Church school. Even when I was teaching I was still involved with summer fairs and choirs at the church.”
After retiring, Ellen decided that she would put a book together from all the materials she had collected from various church meetings.
“It was just something I wanted to do, and once I started it I couldn’t wait to finish it.”
The book features a history of the church and many pictures including some of the Holmeswood Walking Days.
“I remember my very first walking day to Moss End and down Wiggins Lane, it was a very long way.”
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