Saturday 25 August 1945 – VJ celebrations in Badsey
DISTRICT NEWS, BADSEY
DISTRICT NEWS, BADSEY
A ROYAL HOME-COMING – Flags and church bells greet Badsey airman
The ringing of church bells, the congratulations of friends and neighbour, and streets gaily decked with flags and bunting, heralded the home-coming of L/AC Phil Sparrow of Brewers Lane, Badsey, when he arrived in the village on Wednesday after four years away from home, three of which have been spent in Japanese prisoner of war camps.
BADSEY MAN SAFE
Good news reached the Badsey home of L/AC Phil Sparrow, only son of Mrs R C Sparrow, when she received an air mail letter on Tuesday to say that he had been liberated from a prison camp in Singapore. The letter, which was dated September 6, was in L/AC Sparrow’s own handwriting.
DISTRICT NEWS, BADSEY – A PRISONER IN JAVA
After a year and ten months, Mrs W Sparrow of 1 South View, Badsey, has received a postcard from her son, L/AC Philip Henry Sparrow, RAF, who is a prisoner of war in Japanese hands in Java. He writes: “Hope all are well. Health is and has been good. Pray speedy reunion. Fondest love, mother and others. Yours always, Phil.” Mrs Sparrow wishes to thank all friends for their kind enquiries over this long period.
Michael Barnard, who died earlier this year, aged 91, was well-known throughout the Vale of Evesham as an artist and regular contributor to The Evesham Journal and The Vale Magazine. His prolific sketches, with a trademark aeroplane in almost every one, were a familiar feature in many newspapers, magazines and on the walls of public buildings.
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BADSEY, HOUSE AND LAND SOLD
Messrs E G Righton & Son held a property sale at The King’s Head Hotel, Evesham, on Monday, which included a house and ground in Sands Lane, with crops and outbuildings was offered for sale. It was eventually bought by Mr John Byrd for £980. A pair of villas on the road from Badsey to Bretforton were withdrawn.
BADSEY WEDDING
The wedding of Miss Edith Helen Barnard of Vine Cottage, Badsey, and Mr Redvers R Gabb of Island House, Campden, was solemnised at St James’ Church on Monday. The Rev W C Allsebrook, RD, conducted the service. The bride was given away by her father, Mr James Barnard, while Mr Whitehouse acted as best man. Miss Povey of Evesham, a friend, attended as bridesmaid. The reception was held at Vine Cottage when a large number of guests were entertained. The honeymoon is being spent at Barmouth.
BADSEY WEDDING
There were many friends at the church on Monday when two popular local folk were married by the Vicar (the Rev W C Allsebrook). The bride was Miss May Keen, daughter of Mrs Keen and the late Mr Keen of Badsey and the bridegroom was Mr F Holley, son of Mr T Holley and the late Mrs Holley of Kings Road, Evesham. The happy pair were the recipients of many useful and valuable presents.
MARRIAGE OF MISS F JONES
An interesting wedding was solemnised in St James’ Church, Badsey, by the Rev P W Worster (curate of Evesham, in the absence of the Vicar, the Rev W C Allsebrook, MA). The contracting parties were Miss Frances Louisa Jones, only daughter of Mr & Mrs George E Jones of Cambrai, Badsey Fields, and Mr Albert Edward Taylor, second son of Mr & Mrs James Taylor of 63 Wolverhampton Street, Dudley.
MARRIAGE OF MISS C BYRD AND MR W CREECH
A very pretty wedding took place at St James’ Church on Wednesday last week between Mr Dennis Walter Creech, son of Mr & Mrs J Creech of Brislington, Bristol, and Miss Christabel Byrd, daughter of Mr & Mrs W H Byrd of 3 Cotswold Terrace, Badsey. The officiating clergyman was the Rev W C Allsebrook, Vicar and Rural Dean.