FOUND DROWNED IN WASH-TUB – Badsey Husband’s Tragic Discovery
The District Coroner (Mr H Basil Harrison) held an inquest at the Royal Oak Hotel, Badsey, on Thursday afternoon on Mrs Bertha Cassidy, wife of George Cassidy, insurance agent, of Sunny Lea, Blackminster, who was found dead with her head in a wash-tub on Tuesday morning, the discovery being made by the husband.
Hermann Zapula lived in Wickhamford for a while between the First and Second World Wars. Initially, the only reference found to this was in the Evesham Journal, in a report in 1947 on the funeral of Benjamin Ryle Swift, who had lived at Oxley House, Longdon Hill, during that period. Nevertheless, Zapula’s life story is an interesting one and the known facts are covered in this article.
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Maureen Spinks spoke about the village photographic survey which took place in the Spring of 2021 and showed how the village has changed over the past 50 years. There was an exhibition of photos and the chance to chat to other members whilst partaking of mince pies to get in the festive spirit.
On 5th November 1836, Mary Hope Bloxham, wife of the Curate, Charles Bloxham (who was de facto Vicar in the absence of the non-resident Vicar), was laid to rest in Badsey churchyard. She was just 39 years old and the mother of ten children. Her life as a Curate’s wife in a Worcestershire village was a far cry from where she had grown up.
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Did you know that the commonest pub name in the UK is “The Red Lion”? It’s because of a royal decree, issued more than 400 years ago, when James VI of Scotland was also crowned James I of England. Following his coronation in 1603, King James ordered the red lion of Scotland to be displayed on all important public buildings – which of course included inns and taverns.
The Marchioness of who? That was the reaction of members of The Badsey Society way back in 2005 when they came across a reference to the Marchioness of Downshire in some Badsey and Aldington Enclosure Awards. Books had been written about Badsey’s history, much research had been done, but never before had we heard of anyone by the name of the Marchioness of Downshire.
Albert Edward Carter of Pitchers Hill Farm died on 29th June 1946. His widow, Mary Louise Carter remained at the associated house, Wickham House, until 1952. When she left, she put the contents up for Auction. These were sold by E.G. Righton & Son on 28th August 1952. The advertisement appeared in the Tewkesbury Register, and Agricultural Gazette of 16th August 1952.
On a recent visit to Witley Court, seat of the Foley family for many generations, I was reminded that the Foleys also owned the Manor of Aldington for some 140 years. Thomas Foley, an ironmaster, acquired the estate in 1665. Six generations of Foleys, all named Thomas, were lords of the Manor of Aldington until the estate was sold in 1806.
This plan was found in the deeds belonging to Bredon View, 11 Willersey Road. No details of the auction have been found, but the deeds reveal that an auction was held on 7th July 1888 at The Swan Inn, Bengeworth. The land had originally been owned by John Jones (1759-1850).
At the time of Aldington and Badsey enclosures, in 1808 and 1815 respectively, John Jones was a major landowner in the village. His family had owned land in the village for several generations.
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John Jones was born at Badsey in 1759, the eldest of four children of Piercy Jones (1710-1802) and his wife, Elizabeth Squire (née Silvester). He was baptised at St James' Church, Badsey, on 28th October 1759.
