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...