An important milestone was reached in the lives of Mr & Mrs William Knight of Hinton Villa, 9 Chapel Street, Badsey, on Monday when they celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary.
It was on January 18 1911 that Mr Knight, eldest son of Mr & Mrs Charles Knight of Badsey, was married at St Michael’s Church, Broadway, to Miss Frances Annie Jarrett, daughter of Mr & Mrs Charles Jarrett of Broadway.
Born at Badsey, Mr Knight attended the village school and when he was 11 joined his father on his market garden land, and in later years took land on his own account. Between 1919 and 1931 the couple lived at Rainbow Hill, Worcester, where they were engaged in the greengrocery trade, but they returned to Badsey where Mr Knight took over his father’s market gardening business.
He retired owing to ill health about 15 years ago, but was able to tend his own garden until a few years ago, and this duty has now been taken over by his wife.
Throughout his life in Badsey, Mr Knight has taken an active part in village affairs. His family have been connected with Badsey Flower Show since its formation in 1887, Mr Knight following his father on the committee some 60 years ago, and he has been president of the Horticultural Society for nearly ten years. A regular and keen exhibitor at the show he was a prolific prize-winner and won the challenge cup in 1950.
From 1937 to 1949 he served as a member of Badsey Parish Council. While living at Worcester, Mr Knight was captain and secretary of the Vauxhall Bowls Club, Worcester, and proudly boasts that the team was never beaten on their own green while he was in office. A keen soccer fan he served on the committee of the old Badsey Star team which was in operation before the First World War.
Mrs Knight was born at Broadway and after attending the village school went into service with the Sandford family in the village. After her marriage she assisted her husband in his work, and said she was too busily occupied as a housewife and mother to have any outside hobbies or interests.
Looking back to the past, Mr Knight said that when he married, he was earning 18s a week, of which 5s 6d had to be paid in rent, but his wage was increased to £1 a week when he did Sunday milking. In those days there was not TV and no radio, and families had to make their own entertainment which was probably more enjoyable than some of the entertainment of today.
Mr Knight is 83 and Mrs Knight a year younger, and despite their age, they are extremely active, in possession of all their faculties, except that Mr Knight has lost the sight of one eye, and both have wonderful memories. They have a family of three sons, two daughters, ten grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
To mark the occasion a family party was held at the house on Sunday.
With thanks to William & Frances’ great-nephew, Tom Ford, for providing us with a copy of this newspaper cutting.