Reverend Arthur Myers of Ruskington

Ruskington altar, front 3 panels carved by Harry Lumsden

The Myers family had a long association with Ruskington Church.

Revd John Myers (1764-1831) was Rector from 1794-1831
his cousin's son, Revd Charles John Myers (1800-1870) was Rector from 1832-1870 and was also patron of the living.
Rev Arthur Myers (1846-1916) succeeded his father and was Rector from 1870-1892 when the two medieties were combined after the death of the Vicar, Grover Scarr, in 1873.
Clara Belasyse Myers (Arthur's sister-in-law) continued as patron until her death in 1944, when the patronage was transferred to the Lincoln Diocesan Board.

Arthur Myers married Edith Paulina Pickering. The Pickerings were wealthy Liverpool bankers who lived at Montebello, New Brighton, Cheshire. For much more information about the Pickering family visit Pickering family history by Connie Pickering Stover.

Myers family (from left): Fred, Ethel, Edith, Freida, Charles, Arthur

1892 Sleaford: We regret to learn that owing to prolonged illness the Revd Arthur Myers, rector of Ruskington, has recently tendered his resignation to the Bishop of Lincoln. During the ministry of 21 years Mr Myers has proved himself a friend to the poor of his parish, by whom his many kindnesses will be long remembered; nor will his name be forgotten in connection with the restoration and beautifying of the chancel of our fine old parish church. Formerly a warm advocate of "muscular christianity" he took a lively interest in the manly game of cricket. Mr Myers retires from his benefice with the sympathy and regret of his parishioners.

The Myers "vault" in the Ruskington cemetery:

Arthur MYERS born 3rd April 1847 Died 19th March 1916 Rector of Ruskington 1870 - 1892.
Edith Paulina wife of Arthur MYERS died 26th Feb 1953 Aged 100 years 10 months buried at Inverurie Cemetry Aberdeenshire.
Charles Audrey 2nd son of Arthur MYERS died 23rd July 1959 Aged 83 years. Lieutenant ASC 1914 - 1918 War.
Florence Gwendoline wife of Charles Audrey MYERS. Died 12th Nov 1986. Aged 92 years 7 months.
Charles Arthur MYERS of Clitheroe, Lancashire 29th September 1923 27th February 1998 Aged 74 years.
Rowena Myers. Died 24 August 2005.

Picture on right is the grave in the churchyard for Hugh Martindale Myers (Arthur and Edith's youngest son) who died aged 2 years.

Descendants of Arthur Myers

Generation No. 1

1. ARTHUR MYERS was born April 03, 1846 in Flintham, Notts, and died March 19, 1916 in Nottingham. He married EDITH PAULINA PICKERING October 05, 1871 in New Brighton, daughter of CHARLES PICKERING and ELIZABETH WALKER.

Children of ARTHUR MYERS and EDITH PICKERING are:

2. i. MARY ETHEL MYERS, b. September 21, 1872; d. 1943.

3. ii. FREDERICK PICKERING MYERS, b. September 03, 1874, Ruskington, Lincs; d. May 11, 1955, Feilding, NZ.

4. iii. CHARLES AUDREY MYERS, b. January 15, 1876, Ruskington; d. July 23, 1959.

iv. HUGH MARTINDALE MYERS, b. December 23, 1880, Ruskington; d. March 13, 1883, Montebello, New Brighton.

v. FREIDA ELIZABETH MYERS, b. October 15, 1884; d. January 22, 1975, Bedford; m. GEORGE BRUCE.

Generation No. 2

2. MARY ETHEL MYERS was born September 21, 1872, and died 1943. She married WILLIAM SINGLETON.

Children of MARY MYERS and WILLIAM SINGLETON are:

i. JOHN FREDERICK SINGLETON, b. 1899; d. 1981, Perth, Western Australia; m. Violet Mabel HELBERT

ii. LENA MOLLY SINGLETON, b. 1906; d. 1994; m. (1) CHARLES ECKERSLEY-MASLIN; m. (2) GEORGE LIGHTFOOT.

3. FREDERIC PICKERING MYERS was born September 03, 1874 in Ruskington, Lincs, and died May 11, 1955 in Feilding, NZ. He married ALICE ETHEL MACARTHUR November 19, 1902 in St John's Church, Feilding, daughter of DOUGLAS MACARTHUR and MARY HANNAY.

Children of FREDERIC MYERS and ALICE MACARTHUR are:

i. NORMAN MACARTHUR MYERS, b. January 20, 1904, Feilding, NZ; d. September 17, 1904, Feilding, NZ.

ii. ALICE AUDREY MYERS, b. July 12, 1905, Feilding, NZ; d. December 07, 1994, Auckland; m. RICHARD GEORGE HARLAND.

iii. ARTHUR (CHAPPIE) MYERS, b. May 17, 1907, Feilding, NZ; d. November 28, 1961, Palmerston North; m. MOIRA GUTHRIE, 1931.

iv. MARGARET CECIL MYERS, b. July 27, 1913, Feilding, NZ; d. December 09, 1997, Feilding, NZ; m. ARTHUR HAROLD MONTAGU MAURICE, September 13, 1932, St John's Church, Feilding.

4. CHARLES AUDREY MYERS was born January 15, 1876 in Ruskington, and died July 23, 1959. He married FLORENCE GWENDOLINE BURTON 1918.

Child of CHARLES MYERS and FLORENCE BURTON is:

i. CHARLES ARTHUR MYERS, b. 1923; d. February 27, 1998, Clitheroe, Lancs; m. ROWENA JENNER, August 29, 1950.

OBITUARY (Carrington D. Excerpts from obituary in Musical Opinion, 1998): The death of Charles Arthur Myers on 27 Feb, at the age of 74, brings to an end an era of music making by this remarkably active church musician in Lancashire. Born in Kensington, London an 29 Sept 1923, Charles was educated at the King's School in Worcester. Here he became a Cathedral chorister under Sir Ivor Atkins, where he sang in the last performance to be directed by Sir Edward Elgar. An early interest in the organ led to his becoming an articled pupil of Herbert Sumison at Gloucester Cathedral, leading to a life-long interest in the Three Choirs Festival, where Charles was a rehearsal accompanist.
Many a young man has been fascinated by the cinema organ and Charles was no exception. He studied with John Bee of the West Midlands circuit, becoming proficient in this aspect of performance. In 1988 he gave a superb performance at an evening of silent films following the refurbishment of the Willis Organ in Liverpool's St George's Hall.
His first teaching appointment was at Moncton Combe School, where he first met Rowena Jenner, the School Matron. One of her ancestors was Dr Edward Jenner, who discovered the principle of vaccination against smallpox.
In 1950 when Charles and Rowena were soon to be married, he applied for and was duly appointed Organist and Choirmaster of Clitheroe Church, where he remained until his retirement some years ago. In 1961 he established a series of organ recitals which still continue to the present time. Well known for his recitals in Clitheroe, Charles also gave recitals from Edinburgh to Bristol and beyond and was the soloist on the only LP record of the Clitheroe Parish Church Organ.
The major part of his life was spent teaching music at both the Clitheroe Royal Grammar Schools and to a large number of private pupils. Their examination success rate became legendary and, judging by the hundreds of Christmas cards received each year by Charles and Rowena, he must have been a popular, sympathetic and gifted teacher and she a welcoming hostess. They celebrated their Ruby Wedding in 1990 with a huge party of friends. It was a pleasure to visit their home, full of musical instruments, books and music.
He became editor of Musical Opinion until it changed hands in 1987 when he continued to write and organise The Organ World section.
The Myers' friends always looked forward to receiving their annual Christmas card, invariably featuring a photograph taken by Charles, whose great and principal hobby was photography. It was unfortunate that in his later years failing eyesight became a real hardship. Charles was a fighter for the causes in which he believed. He was incredibly loyal to his friends and of a kindly and generous disposition. We who are left will mourn his passing whilst remembering, with gratitude, the many moments of musical majesty he brought to our attention.