Near the porch and entrance to the Church of St John the Baptist, Wickhamford sits a moderately sized gravestone which dates from 1750. It is the burial place of Ann Brooke, who died before she was one month old.
Just as David Attenborough might be considered a “national treasure”, so Terry Sparrow might be considered Badsey’s “treasure”. Ninety years young, Terry spoke knowledgeably about the origin and development of market gardening in Badsey. He began with how market gardening started initially in Evesham, then talked about the reasons for change in Badsey and the development of market gardening from the late 19th century and the resulting population increase. His talk covered details of the crops grown, marketing and the growing of medicinal herbs in WW1.
Elizabeth Spencer, former Head Teacher of Badsey First School, delivered the annual Richard Phillips Memorial Lecture. Elizabeth is Vice-Chair of Evesham Abbey Trust and spoke to us about "The Rise and Fall of Evesham Abbey".
Elizabeth's lecture covered a brief history of the Abbey and the famous people associated with the Abbey throughout history. In addition, she talked about the formation of Evesham Abbey Trust (EAT), its conservation, archaeological, and educational projects, and the legacy of EAT and the Abbey Site today.
Garry Smout entertained us to a a fascinating talk about three Evesham bands from the 1970s and 1980s - a subject matter which was quite different to our normal offering. Garry had given us a taster of what his talk was all about:
Relax, this is not a story of raucous rock ‘n’ roll excesses but one set in very different times that covers hard work, commitment, dreams, disappointment, achievement, cider, blackmail, skulduggery and tragedy. Fortunately, murder is not on the list, well, apart from a rendition of a song or two...
WILLIAM SEWARD COMMEMORATION SERVICE, Oct 21
Last year we had in our church the first commemoration service for William Seward, the Badsey man who became one of the earliest Methodist lay preachers, and died a martyr’s death at Hay-on-Wye, Oct 22nd 1740. At that service the minister of the Methodist Church and a large number of the congregation joined us in Holy Communion at the altar which Seward gave to our church.
A Service of Reconciliation
The anniversary date of William Seward’s martyrdom is 22nd October. Our Methodist friends in Badsey have agreed with me that we should make this date the occasion of an annual joint commemoration service. The Methodist minister in Evesham, the Reverend T R Hill, has declared himself to be in favour of such a project, though owing to a previous engagement he would not be able to take part personally on Oct 22 this year.
BADSEY SCOUTS PRESENT “CINDERELLA”
Scout funds will benefit by more than £12 as a result of the presentation last week by the Senior Scouts, Scouts and Cubs of the Badsey Troop of the pantomime “Cinderella”, supported by two short plays.
The programme opened with a set piece depicting HMS Scout, in which the company sang the famous gang show number, “Crest of the Wave”. This was followed by a sketch of Hyde Park Corner, ably played by John Bennett, Charles Perkins, Derek Barrand and Douglas Bott.
The presence of a burial tablet on the floor of the Chancel of the Church of St John the Baptist in Wickhamford has drawn many Americans to visit the church. It commemorates Penelope Washington, who died in 1697 and was a distant relative of President George Washington.
A THRILL FOR AMERICANS
Two Stripes and Three Stars with the Cross of the Washingtons
HISTORY SLIGHTS IT – HOME OF GEORGE WASHINGTON’S ANCESTORS IN ENGLAND
Unmistakable traces of the distinguished family to be found in the village of Wickhamford, near Stratford-on-Avon – grave of Penelope, daughter of Colonel Henry Washington, in the parish church – little accurate information to be obtained in regard to them.
