NEW OR RECENT BOOKS – GRAIN AND CHAFF FROM AN ENGLISH MANOR by Arthur H Savory (Oxford, Basil Blackwell, 21s net)

HAY – HISTORIC SPOT

The open-air gathering on Sunday night – one of a series organised by the Council – was held on Black Lion Green, on the identical spot where in the 18th century William Seward of Badsey, Worcestershire, was stoned and mortally wounded while preaching.  He was the first Methodist martyr, and his body was interred in Cusop church, three-quarters of a mile distant.  The speaker on Sunday night, Mr J C Powell, recalled the incident and remarked upon the change which had taken place in the interval.

WICKHAMFORD AND THE WASHINGTONS

The Rev W H Price, Vicar of Badsey and Wickhamford, writes to “The Times” in reference to the tomb of Penelope Washington, viewed by Mr Balfour and also by the Gloucestershire Archaeologists in Wickhamford Church this week.  The Vicar says:

The annual prize distribution of Badsey Sunday School took place in the Old School on Sunday week.  The prizes were distributed by Mrs Henry Byrd.  The Vicar, in opening, said how much he appreciated Mrs Byrd’s kindness in coming there that afternoon.  Mrs Byrd needed no introduction, for they all knew here well and knew, too, how ready she always was to come forward and help in every good work, especially if it were anything in the interests of the children.  Mrs Byrd, before distributing the prizes, said she was quite sure from the number of beautiful books before her,

A meeting was held at the Vicarage, Badsey, on Tuesday evening to consider the question of raising funds for a new organ for the parish church.  The vicar, who presided, said that the existing organ had done duty for many years but that many felt the time had now come when an effort should be made to provide an instrument more worthy of their beautiful church and the worship of Almighty God.  The suggested new organ would be a two-manual one, with tracker action for the manuals and tubular-pneumatic for the pedals.  There would be four stops on the great organ, four on the sw

A triple entertainment consisting of tea, concert and dance was given in the Old Schools, Badsey, on Tuesday, in aid of the Clock Fund.  The tea was not so well patronised as might have been expected but the concert attracted a large and appreciative audience and there was a fair attendance at the dance.  The dance was rendered more enjoyable from the fact that the schools had recently been painted and decorated throughout and the satisfaction of the dancers was such that another dance will probably be given before the beginning of Lent.

The contract has now been signed for the erection of two new treble bells, to complete the ocatave, and Badsey will shortly be in possession of a full peal of eight.  It may be remembered that the existing six bells were re-hung a few years ago in a new iron frame with room provided for the two additional bells.  The work, which is to be completed before Christmas, has been entrusted to Messrs Mears and Stainbank.  The bells will bear inscriptions in Latin and will be placed in the belfry as a memorial to Queen Victoria.

BADSEY – DRAMATIC ENTERTAINMENTS

THE CHURCH RESTORATION FUND

BADSEY – VESTRY