MARTYRDOM OF BADSEY PASSIVE RESISTERS – WATCH, STRING AND LADDER SEIZED
Mr W R Warmington, assistant overseer of Badsey, has recently had to seize goods from the “passive resisters” who refused to pay the education rates, and who were ordered to do so at the County Sessions. Mr Wyles’ rate amounted to 7s 4d, and for this Mr Warmington took a watch. Mr W Churchill’s amounted to 1s 4d, and for this Mr Warmington received seven balls of string, while Mr L E Horne’s was 1s 2d, and Mr Warmington received a ladder. Mr Warmington personally conducted a sale of the property at The Bell Inn, Badsey, on Wednesday morning. Much interest was evinced in the event. Mr Churchill bought in Mr Wyles’ watch for him for 7s 6d, Mr Pethard bought the string for 1s 6d. Mr Churchill bought in the ladder for Mr Horne at 8s.
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Six months later, a further sale of passive resisters' goods took place, as recorded in The Evesham Standard of Saturday 8th April 1905:
THE “PASSIVE RESISTANCE” FARCE – SALE OF BADSEY MARTYRS’ GOODS
Shortly before ten o’clock on Wednesday morning, Badsey gardeners began to assemble at The Bell Inn, Badsey. Some had come to partake of their lunch, washed down with a pint of ale, and at the same time witness the second sale of passive resisters’ goods, while others had come solely for the sale. The auctioneer was Mr W R Warmington, the assistant overseer, who conducted a similar sale about six months ago. Before the sale, jokes about the passive resisters were freely indulged in, the prevailing opinion being that the action they had taken was not only silly but costly. The sale became necessary because three persons refused to pay the education portion of the poor rate. They were summoned before the Evesham County Bench on March 20th. Mr Albert Wyles, market gardener, of Netherfield, Badsey, was summoned for not paying a poor rate amounting to 7s. He told the magistrates they were perfectly familiar with his objections. Messrs William Churchill, market gardener, Badsey, and Lionel Edward Horne, market gardener, Aldington, were the two other defendants, the amounts of the rates respectively being 1s and 1s 2d. The usual orders were made in each case. Soon after ten o’clock the sale commenced in The Bell Inn yard, there being a fair number of amused and joking spectators. Messrs L E Horne and W Churchill were present, but Mr Wyles did not attend. The various articles were arranged on a table in the yard. Mr Warmington said the sale was under the usual conditions.
- Lot 1, from Mr A Wyles, consisted of three volumes of Wilson’s, “Tales of the Borders”, good-sized well bound books in excellent condition. Bidding started at 2s 6d and the books were knocked down to Mr G A Binyon of Badsey for 6s.
- Lot 2, also from Mr Wyles, comprised two valuable Malacca cane walking sticks. They were offered separately. A silver mounted one was started at 2s 6d by Mr W J R Partridge of Evesham who was driving by with a friend, but stayed to see the fun. The stick was sold to Mr Thomas Crane for Mr Thomas Marshall for 5s 6d. The other stick, which was inlaid with silver, was started at 2s and sold to Mr W J R Partridge for 3s – another capital bargain.
- Lot 3, also from Mr Wyles, comprised Mr Wyles’ black overcoat which was said to be as good as new. Mr F Byrd, Junior, humorously suggested that they should “try it on”. The bidding commenced at 4s and the coat was bought by Mr Thomas Sears for 6s 6d.
- Lot 4 consisted of Mr W Churchill’s packing string. Mr W Pethard started the bidding at 1s 3d and the string was sold to Mr T Sears for 2s.
- Lot 5 comprised Mr L E Horne’s spring balances. The first bid was 2s 6d and the balances were bought by Mr T Crane for 9s 6d.
As the last lot was being sold, two local County Court bailiffs happened to be passing, and as they stopped to see what was taking place, Mr William Keen called out to them, “You chaps have come too late.” Mr Warmington thanked the people for their attendance, and this concluded the proceedings.