TO BE OR NOT TO BE IN THIS HAMLET

You might get black looks in Blackminster if you mention Offenham; in Offenham it’s a bit “off” to mention Badsey; and it’s just as bad in Badsey to speak of Offenham.

For the Worcestershire villages of Offenham and Badsey are at “war” over the adjoining hamlet of Blackminster.

The Blackminster folk have campaigned long to be removed from the auspices of Offenham.  They favour the social life of Badsey, with its main bus route and its street lighting.

BLACKMINSTER TRANSFER – County Council Approve Recommendation

No seconder was found on Monday for an amendment that Worcestershire County Council should refer back a recommendation approving the transfer from Offenham to Badsey parish of the part of Blackminster parish lying to the south of the GWR.

BLACKMINSTER’S FUTURE – Part Transfer to Badsey Proposed

The transfer of the part of Blackminster lying to the south of the Great Western Railway line from the parish of Offenham to the parish of Badsey will be recommended by the General Purposes Committee to Worcestershire County Council on Monday.

BLACKMINSTER'S REQUEST – DESIRE TO LEAVE OFFENHAM FOR BADSEY – COUNTY COUNCIL INQUIRY HELD 

A public enquiry was held at Blackminster County Modern School on Friday evening last by the Worcestershire County Council to hear a plea by Blackminster residents who wish to change their allegiance from the parish of Offenham to the parish of Badsey. 

The enquiry was conducted by County Councillors J W Hughes and H Ashwin on behalf of Worcestershire County Council.  Mr Hodgetts represented Offenham Parish Council.  

OFFENHAM SAYS “NO” – Parish Meeting describes Blackminster Petition as premature

By 37 votes to one, a parish meeting at Offenham Village Hall on Wednesday evening opposed any alterations to the village boundaries, a resolution passed to this effect, describing the petition of residents at Blackminster to the County Council for the transfer of that part of the Offenham Parish to Badsey as premature in view of the general review of parish boundaries to take place in due course.

BLACKMINSTER PETITION – Request for Transfer to Badsey

The residents of Blackminster are asking the Worcestershire County Council to authorise the transfer of their administration from the parish of Offenham (in which they are at present situated) to the parish of Badsey.

For some weeks a petition has been in course of active preparation and on Wednesday a “Standard” reporter was officially informed that the petition has this week been despatched to the County Council.

£1,066 AND ALL THAT – Offenham Cannot Afford to Lose Blackminster

That the transfer of the district of Blackminster from the parish of Offenham to the parish of Badsey would mean the former village sustaining a big drop in rateable value was disclosed at a meeting of Offenham Parish Council on Thursday evening last week when the matter was further considered.

ACTION NECESSARY FOR THE TRANSFER OF BLACKMINSTER – QUESTION LEFT IN ABEYANCE FOR TIME BEING  

Mr. C. A. Binyon presided at a meeting of the Badsey Parish Council held at the Council Schools on Monday evening, when also present were Messrs P. A. R. Butler. F. E. Jones, G. A. King, G. Phillips , G. H. Stewart, A. W. E. Wheatley and D. A. Jelfs (Clerk). 

BLACKMINSTER’S RIFT WITH OFFENHAM – DESIRE TO SEEK UNITY WITH ANOTHER PARISH 

That the people of Blackminster were desirous of breaking away from the parish of Offenham, of which at the moment they form a part, and joining in unity with the parish of Badsey was revealed at a meeting of Offenham Parish Council held at the School on Friday evening last week, when the matter came in for considerable discussion.