The tiny rural Methodist chapel at Alminstone (just 6 houses) was seminal in shaping EJL's early life & future changes. 'Little Alminstone chapel had a remarkably boisterous singing congregation, that included several Lotts, Andrews (esp. Cyril, grocer's shop) , Cardews (blacksmith), Cleaves (Lane Mill), & Stephens (small farmers, Ashmansworthy). At 16 he began preaching, & was also bass soloist in the region, singing with e.g. the Clovelly Concert Party (along with their skits), in surrounding villages/towns. At 22 he was accepted for the Methodist ministry, first working for 4 months in the northern industrial city Middlesbrough (N Ormesby churches).