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Visitors’ Book

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Andrew R Wilson - 1st December 2022 - 14:45

I have been going through my pictures of my time in Honeybourne from 1965 -1969 and found several prints done by the late John Barnard. I was wondering if copies of his 2002 book (Secret of the Skies), were still available?
During my time in Honeybourne, I lived on the old airfield and gained my love of airplanes and the Vale of Evesham. In 1969 we emigrated to Canada, and in 1974 I joined the RCAF, It wasn't until much later that I realized the connection between Honeybourne and Canada. During WWII, Honeybourne was 24 OTU, where many Canadian aircrew received their bomber training, prior to joining their operational squadrons.
I have been able to obtain a copy of "Angry Skies across the Vale" by Brian Kedward But would very much like to find a copy of Mr Barnard's book, to add to my collection. We are hoping for a return visit next spring and look forward to seeing the Vale one more time.

Andrew,
I am currently sorting through my library and disposing of many of my books. I do have a nice copy of Michael's 'Secret of the Skies' which you are welcome to have as a gift.
Fourteen Canadian aircrew from Honeybourne are buried in our local Waterside Cemetery in Evesham, where the local branch of the Royal Air Force Association hold an annual ceremony to commemorate their death.
Regards,
Peter Stewart (RAF.Rtd).

Dear Peter Stewart,

Thanks for your response and offer. I am also in the retired category(I probably should be downsizing too). I had the opportunity to visit the Cemetery back in 2013 and recorded the event in several pictures. My younger sister, was born in the former RAF Hospital in 1966. I was amazed to see that it was still there. I have very wonderful childhood memories of the area. I remember passing through Badsey on my way to Blackminster (Secondary Modern at that time). I think we even went to school on the train for a short while. Or going to Evesham on the Midland Red bus. Living on that old airfield, particularly as a child, made everyday an adventure. I remember Balloons and gliders alighting on the old runways and fields, on what must have been competitions and races. A little Cessna 172 used to land there routinely. There were many occasions I would be riding my bike and would be buzzed by a low flying Jet Provost, from Little Rissington. I remember how sad I was when they tore up most of the runways and the miles of copper wire in 1968. I'm sure the farmers were happy that the airfield was finally returned back to farmland. I also hated it when we left and moved to Canada. But I got to realize my dreams and had a wonderful career in the Canadian Air Force.

Please let me know if I could help with the postage on the book, and how we might facilitate the exchange. Again thank you for your response.

Andrew Wilson.

Lesley Berry - 2nd November 2022 - 13:34

So pleased to find this local connection. Researching children of my Bromfield family's black sheep I came across Louise. She was one of four children born to George and Sarah Allen in Chelsea in 1878. I think there may have been a private adoption by the Duston family of Bristol. George Allen was a draper and John Duston's brother was a commercial traveller in linens. Not out of the question that Louise could have been adopted to "ease the burden " on the Allens. All this is supposition of course, but Louise led a comfortable life. I had got as far as the American trip and then found a marriage for her to William Harley Clark in 1947-New Forest reg. Louise died 26 May 1955 and probate was awarded to Eva Margaret Money and Cecil Herbert Spence Blatch, solicitor.Effects £51395 7s 7d. Her husband must have pre-deceased her as she is said to be a single woman. Wonder why not a widow!!
I live in Ashley and so am very familiar with the area. What a find!

Replying to my own comment-further investigation reveals Louise's husband was still alive in 1955, and in 1949 he married 60 year old spinster, Anna Margaretha Jungk in Bournemouth. Eva Margaret Money was a witness at her friend Louise's wedding in Lymington. Harley Clark claims he is a widower at both weddings. Indeed, this was true for his marriage to Louise but I am suspicious this could have been a bigamous marriage. Harley Clark died in Devon in 1957.

David N. Elmore - 25th October 2022 - 23:39

I was so pleased to read the information concerning the artist, Arthur Claude Strachan. I live in Alabama (USA) and have searched for quite a few years for biographical information concerning him. The Maureen Spinks February 2022 article was so helpful and answered so many questions I had about Arthur Claude Strachan. I wish someone could write a biography about him. His art work is the very best!

Thank you for your kind comments. It is a shame that so many art sites have his date of death incorrectly listed as 1938 - he was still very much alive then!

joan Paparo - 25th September 2022 - 9:40

It Seems Val Mckenzie have a connection with the LLoyd family of Brynhope, please pass on my details.
Many thanks

Joan Paparo - 24th September 2022 - 11:23

I wrote you in 2015 regarding The Rev Daniel Jones, I found the conection between him and Brynhope, which I have been reseaching, at the time Maureen Spinks replied , thank you for looking into him, Great work Val

Maureen Spinks - 25th September 2022 - 9:02

In reply to by Joan Paparo

Thank you - our combined research efforts have led to a greater understanding of the Reverend Daniel Jones.

Christine Gill - 31st August 2022 - 20:42

Having discovered that 5 children of the same family were buried in Cumwhitton parish in (Cumberland) in 1727 (3 were buried together in the same grave) I decided to Google epidemics of 1727. So pleased I did as Maureen Spinks' article of Nov 2021 was able to throw some light on the matter. Thank you

Maureen Spinks - 1st September 2022 - 16:24

In reply to by Christine Gill

Glad you found the article useful. The COVID-19 pandemic was the impetus for me to start looking at earlier times to see if there were other periods of high mortality.

Anne Keen - 18th August 2022 - 22:58

Hello, I have just discovered this amazing site, well done to all who have been involved with it.
I marriied into the Keen family. At that point, the only Keens known to the family, were my parents in-law, my husband and his brother.
Although I had done some research on the Keens in the Badsey area, your site has been fabulous at filling in gaps - and I didn't realise quite how many Keens there were!
My husband is descended from Henry Keen and Elizabeth Allard, their oldest son moved to Malvern, but the Keen name started to die out here as the sons and grandsons either had daughters, or died at a young age, leaving just my father in law carrying on the name - and that's only because his mother omitted to marry his father! We are though, doing our best to expand it again, with 2 sons, a nephew and twin grandsons!!
I would be interested to know if there are still Keens in the Badsey area?

Matthew Skinner - 17th June 2022 - 7:44

Hello,
I have inherited a large number of what appears to be water colours from my grandfather (via my mother) George Scott Ridsdale who emigrated to Australia around 1909 aged 4 with his parents. They are signed as "Edward Scott Ridsdale" with various dates. Considering they came over with his family in 1909 ish, they do not seem to be copies. How do I determine their origin and originality, and if they are the same ESR on your site?
I can take photos of the drawings and handwriting on them if needed.

Regards,
Matt Skinner.

Hello Matt,
I came across the painting featured on our web-site when looking for items related to Wickhamford, via Google. The image is not clear enough to make out the signature, so the details are those given with the painting.

If you have not seen the web-site where the painting featured it is-

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/original-watercolour-1880-wickha…

I think that is all I can tell you.

Best wishes,
Tom Locke

I think that your pictures are likely to be genuine. If you search for Edward Scott Ridsdale online you will find information about him. This is backed up by records on Ancestry. He was an architect from York who moved to Evesham. Your great grandmother would be his daughter who married her cousin so they were both Ridsdales. Are the pictures of places around Badsey so of interest to people who visit this site?

Thanks Catherine,
I am just staring the scanning and editing process on drawings etc and some genealogy research on my family - something I should have started years ago when my parents were alive to get first hand information. I'll share the scans on my google drive eventually.

The Custard Boys (Custard Brothers) were John and Will Dallimore. They were given the name after appearing in a Central TV program about Bird's Custard called Taste Of Success in 2003. It was introduced by Tony Francis and featured John sitting in a bath of custard, amongst other comedic clips of the Badsey brothers. Lumpy custard still features regularly in their weekly meals.

Tom Oliver - 22nd April 2022 - 12:44

I have been delighted to see - and read - the brief article by Peter Stewart on the spectacularly beautiful red Anemone growing in the churchyard at Badsey.
This in a rare place to see this particularly delicate and lovely form of this flower (an A. x fulgens var.), - it grew in a garden in Hampshire where we lived. I have an appeal - has anyone propagated from this plant in the churchyard? - I should be delighted to buy a legitimate propagated specimen (not just dug up!). Is it possible to communicate with Peter Stewart about this? Many thanks and Good Luck to the Badsey football team in their rare anemone colours!

Tom,
As far as I am aware no one has propagated from this plant, and how it found its way into the churchyard I do not know. Perhaps Terry Sparrow will enlighten us on this, suggest where you may obtain a propagated specimen.

I did send a copy of the photograph of this flower to an old friend, George Sfikas, a prolific author on the fauna and flora of Greece. He shows two plates in his 'Flowers of Greece'.

Stephen Clark - 21st April 2022 - 14:48

My wife and I find the Badsey society website fascinating and have enjoyed looking at past photos of the area, the information on The Old Farmhouse in Blackminster that you have was also very helpful as it has filled in gaps in our knowledge of the area where we have lived for the last 30 years.

Melissa - 8th April 2022 - 19:53

I recently discovered that my maternal grandmother was a Sandy and have traced that back to Jamestown where it becomes tricky which Sandy was the direct line. I have it as far back as Henry Miles Sandys born in 1642, and who his father was is the key. (This is one line I read about a discussion of verbal history but no citations, the author is from the site https://www.geni.com/people/N-N-Sandys-of-Falling-Creek-VA/600000003544… ) Anything you have to help would be appreciated.

I also found this "Henry Miles Sandys was born at Falling Creek, Virginia in 1642. When his parents returned to England, he stayed behind with his Aunt Carolyn, who married Henry Northrup. Henry married Carolyn Southwaite."

Melissa,

There are two trees on ancestry.co.uk that mention Henry Miles Sandys. One says he married Caroline Southwaite and they had a son, Thomas Wyatt Sandys. Another tree does not have these details, but gives Henry Miles Sandys' father as Capt. Henrie Sandys, who was b. in Northbourne, Kent in 1605 and died there in 1640.

I always treat these trees with caution unless the sources given can be followed up, but they may give you some leads to follow.

Tom Locke

Gary Edwards - 6th April 2022 - 17:56

I am trying to find out about the above person, whom I believe is male, I believe he was a grandson of Mary Ann Knight (died 25/2/1939) and Charles Knight (died 1944) as it is mention in a report in the Evesham Journal (posted by the great grandson Tom Ford) that "G E Knight" was a coffin bearer.

Anyway, G E Knight was the first owner of my car, a 1934 Austin 7 (Ruby) and I would love to know where he lived in the 1930's (so I can park the car outside of his home) AND, if any of his descendants have any photos of the car (a long shot I know).

I am going to be passing through the area on Monday from Tewkesbury to Penrith (and back again Thursday) as part of an Austin 7 centenary celebration to mark 100 years of the car's launch from Land's End to John O'Groats.

The car now lives in Brighton and has been on the road following completion of its restoration in 2015.

Any information would be welcomed, many thanks.

Admin - 7th April 2022 - 9:40

In reply to by Gary Edwards

The coffin bearer mentioned in the Evesham Journal report would have been George Edward Knight (born 1913), grandson of Charles and Mary Ann Knight. 

I think it’s more likely, however, that G E Knight was George Edgar Knight, Deputy Surveyor for Evesham Rural District Council, born on 18th May 1908, the son of George Henry Knight and his wife, Florence (née Perkins) and baptised in St James’ Church, Badsey, on 19th July.  He attended Badsey Council School from 1912-1923.  This Knight family lived at 7 Belmont Terrace, Badsey (present-day address 25 Willersey Road).  You can see them in the 1911, 1921 and 1939 register.  George married Dorothy Andrews in 1935 and they settled in Evesham.  In the 1939 Register they were recorded as living at Lidcombe, Albert Road, Evesham (Lidcombe seems to be between Nos 12 & 13 Albert Road – there were four houses with just names rather than numbers).  As well as being Deputy Surveyor, George was also described as being “Head of ARP Repair Services”.

So, you have a choice of Badsey or Evesham for the photo.  He would have been living in Badsey in 1934 when he bought the car and from late 1935 in Evesham.
 

Gary Edwards - 7th April 2022 - 15:34

In reply to by Admin

That is fabulous information, thank you, I guess being the Deputy Surveyor would have meant having a car for his work, when the car was new he would only have been 26 years old, for a youngster to afford a brand new car back in the day he was either from a wealthy family or had a good job, seems that the latter may be right.

Interesting that he was Head of ARP Repair Services, that would probably have qualified him for petrol rations, so the car, if he still owned it then (nothing to say he didn't), then it would have done war-time duties!

Thank you for your reply, just wonder if any of his descendents have any photos???

William Waddilove - 7th April 2022 - 21:49

In reply to by Gary Edwards

Greetings from 1935 Ruby BYY 263. See you at the centenary? (Working feverously to get it on the road!) Currently working on the local water mill.
Not doing the LEJOG - did a JOGLE in 2008. Good for you look forward to seeing the photo.

Kate Potter-Farrant - 5th April 2022 - 13:58

Hello!
I have just read the entry about the Foley family as I am doing some studying for a class. I saw that you mentioned the Foley family estate and ironworks within Shelsley Walsh. I was wondering if you had a reference or a source for this information that I could read? It would be very helpful for my research.
Thank you in advance!

Max Hunt gives talks on the village of Shelsley Walsh and it includes the rise and fall of 3 great families so Max may have information on the Foley family and the ironworks.
I put his name and Shelsley Walsh into Google and there is an advert for a talk he is giving on 14th April. There is a phone number so you may be able to make contact with him.

Graham Huxley - 12th March 2022 - 16:50

Asparagus is still grown commercially (under glass) in Wickhamford at Nightingale Orchards, Longdon Hill.
This years crop will be on sale from 14th march 2022.

Thanks, Graham.  I've now added a mention of this in the article.  I was waiting for the nursery to open this Spring to confirm that the asparagus sold there was home-grown.

Tom Locke

Andy Wilce. - 26th February 2022 - 16:21

Hello, my Great Grandfather Albert Edward Evans, a Badsey resident,served in Vet Corps during WW1, I understand, my own Son Charlie, has just joined Vet Corps, and have been asked by his boss if I can dig up any info about Alberts service, does any one have any infomation, any thing would be greatly received.

My best regards Andy Wilce.

Thank you for contacting us.  Albert Edward Evans is mentioned on pages 23, 25 and 97 of Peace, War & Remembrance:  The Great War in Badsey, Aldington and Wickhamford.  His attestation certificate may be seen on page 25, but it is not very clear.  Full details of A E Evans's WWI service may be found on both Ancestry and Findmypast - both subscription websites are currently offering free trials if you are not already a subscriber.

Sue Daniels - 30th January 2022 - 20:47

Does anyone remember the row of apples that were small and dumpy grown up Badsey fields

Karen Evans - 29th January 2022 - 23:23

I recently came across this photo on your site (archive item 3727). I might be completely wrong, but I may have linked Mr and Mrs Barnard who are on it. Fanny Marshall's parents were George Addis and Hannah Glover. Hannah had previously been married to Henry Barnard (1828-1860) and they had four sons - William b.1853, Benjamin b. 1855, George b. 1857 and John b.1860. Could Mr and Mrs Barnard be mother and son rather than husband and wife? Please feel free to tell me I'm barking up completely the wrong tree!