Mel Culbert's Robert Raikes Diploma

This Robert Raikes diploma was awarded to my father, Milward Taylor "Mel" Culbert in 1935 when he was 15 years old. 

The diploma was presented to young people who had achieved perfect attendance at Sunday school during a given year. 

This diploma was signed by his older brother, Clifford Burton Culbert who was the Secretary of the Lucan United Church.

Lucan United Church. Photo by Mary Jane Culbert.

Robert Raikes (1736-1811) was one of the pioneers of the modern Sunday School movement.

Statue of Robert Raikes on Queens Park Crescent in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Appalled by the ignorance, poverty and vice of children in the slums of England, Robert Raikes sought to improve their lives. He started his first Sunday school (for boys, only) in 1780. Within a few years, Sunday schools were popping up all over England.

So great was Raikes' influence that 200 years later in 1980, the Lucan United Church was jammed to capacity to celebrate the founding of the Sunday school movement ...

Source: Exeter Times-Advocate, 5 November 1980.

I assume that the diploma held special meaning for my father because he kept it into his adulthood, along with his Bible. He was a member of the Lucan United Church all his life (1920-1958).

Effie Pearl (Taylor) Culbert (wife of Myron Manford Culbert) at Poplar Farm with four of her six sons. Back row, left to right: Cliff Culbert and Effie. Front row, left to right: Ivan Culbert, Mel Culbert, and Ken Culbert. Judging by their "Sunday best" outfits, I'd say they're on their way to Sunday school.

Speaking of perfect Sunday school attendance, over at Lucan's Holy Trinity Anglican Church in 1962 ...

The sons of Mel Culbert's brother, Mert Culbert. Photo by the boys' first cousin, Terrence Patrick "Terry" Culbert.

Milward Taylor "Mel" Culbert's Family Tree:

Ancestors:

John Culbert & Mary Ward (great-grandparents)

Richard Culbert & Jane Eleanor Fairhall (grandparents)

Myron Manford Culbert & Effie Pearl Taylor (parents)

Descendants (Children):

Terrence Patrick "Terry" Culbert

Dana Elizabeth (Culbert) Garrett

Mary Jane Culbert

Happy Easter!

These Lucan Public School students (including a Culbert) have created a "Funny Bunny" that "eats" coins as part of a fundraising campaign in 1963.

Apologies for the poor digitial reproduction of what was a clear photo in the newspaper. It's hard to see the "funny bunny" in the image but he's standing beside the boy on the right, and is holding an Easter basket. Source: Exeter Times-Advocate, 25 April 1963.

At first glance, the photo and caption depict a cheery scene. However, let's look a little closer and read the words I've highlighted in yellow (below) in the accompanying newspaper article. 

That "Funny Bunny," created by the children, was constructed of ASBESTOS!

It wasn't until 1981 when the Canadian government introduced regulations to reduce the use of asbestos. The final ban of asbestos didn't come until 2018. 

And so, as we try to enjoy yet another Easter during the pandemic, let's all give thanks that there will be no more big asbestos bunnies.