04. Ramsor Circuit.

Ramsor, the place from which the circuit takes its name, is a hamlet, lying off the main road from Ellastone to Leek, and comprises some three or four farms and a few cottages. The place is historic because of its association with Hugh Bourne and W. Clowes. Hugh Bourne made his home at the farm known as Lex Head, when missioning villages in the present circuit area. In an adjoining farmhouse, he conducted services, and held his quarterly meetings. In fact, owing to inability to secure a site, services at the Chapel House farm continued to be held as recently as 1897, when the present neat and attractive building was erected.

Speaking of a camp meeting held at Ramsor in 1808 Hugh Bourne says: “My friend, William Clowes was present.’’ Another was held later in the year, October 9th, at which it is recorded that “William Clowes began to preach, and the people encouraged him to go on.” At the Ramsor Camp Meeting, held 3rd June, and in view of the decision of the Wesleyan Conference, Hugh Bourne felt that it would be better for Clowes not to attend. From this James Crawford (Crawfoot) dissented, and said ‘‘Tis better to obey God than man.” This appears to have decided Clowes and to the Ramsor Camp Meeting he went. This meant his expulsion for at the Quarterly Meeting, the month, Clowes’ name was taken off the plan. 

It was Francis Horobin, of Ramsor, who pressed for the first issue of class tickets. When Hugh Bourne enquired about the payment of expenses, Horobin replied, ‘‘I will pay for the tickets out of my pocket. “Very well then,” said Bourne, “if you will pay for them there may be tickets.” The matter was then laid before the friends at Tunstall, and with their concurrence Hugh Bourne ordered the printing of the tickets. bearing the date, May 30th, 1811. with the text: ‘‘But we desire to hear of thee what Thou thinkest, for as concerning this sect, we know that everywhere it is spoken against.”

The Ramsor Circuit consists of twentv-one places and covers a wide area. The circuit, with two ministers. is worked sectionally. The superintendent minister resides at Rocester, and the second minister at Uttoxeter. This arrangement considerably lessens labour involved in travelling, both for ministers and local preachers. The present membership is 358. Sunday School scholars 414. The value of chapel and house property is £8,000. In most cases the original chapels have been replaced by modern and attractive premises. Considering the fact of the removal of families and young people—incident to an agricultural area – numbers are well maintained. Owing to shortage of local preachers, plan making is not easy. To meet this difficulty, some locals take ten and eleven Sundays a quarter: a few cases of neglected appointments are reported. The circuit is proud of its history, and loyal to its traditions. With the advent of Methodist Union, making possible the elimination of cases of over-lapping, the circuit anticipates an era of still greater prosperity. 

G.W.M