100 Years Ago April 23, 1910 MR J Stanley, the new manager of the White Hart Hotel, Winchcombe, gave an “introductory” dinner to his patrons on Friday evening. About 30 assembled, Mr Craddock presiding, and Mr W C Belcher being in the vice chair. The tables were decorated with pot plants and sprays of greenery, and the capital feast provided was much appreciated by all present. A smoking concert followed, Mr W E Haslam being at the piano. The health of the host and hostess, Mr and Mrs Stanley, was drunk with musical honours, and wishes were expressed for their success in their new undertaking. Thanks were given to the chairman, and the National Anthem brought to a close a pleasant and harmonious evening.

75 Years Ago April 20, 1935 From the days of Charles I, for 206 years, the oldest of the “Belles of Bledinton” (sic) have been in constant use, thus having outlived a dozen Kings and Queens on England. Even when the ancient ring of bells was restored and augmented in 1932, this old “treble” was, after a slight repair, still able to take its place worthily among the rehung bells. Now it is to be recast as a parish memorial of the Silver Jubilee of King George, by the joint gift of the vicar (the Rev S Liberty) and Mr E H Birley, of the Manor Farm, Bledington. The necessity for recasting has been caused by a serious crack in the second-bow which developed recently, and it has been felt that this accident, however regrettable in itself, gives opportunity for a permanent local commemoration of the 25th year of the King’s reign.

35 years Ago April 24, 1975 Chipping Campden Town Hall was jammed tightly for the annual parish assembly, with people sitting on window sills, standing in doorways and queueing right into the street. Many latecomers had to go home disappointed. There was hardly room to breathe and the sight of such a solid immovable mass of people would probably have given a fire prevention officer a heart attack. But although the meeting was one of the best attended on record it was also one of the dullest. This was mainly because, as so often happens at Campden, the agenda was overloaded. Too many officials and councillors, who have a regular opportunity of airing their views, went on spouting too long. The annual assembly is the one occasion in the year when the man in the street, who is normally unheard, has the chance to have his say. As it was, the meeting had gone on for nearly 90 minutes before a single person from the floor was allowed to speak.