Presentations were made 40 years ago to Miss M V W Rowden, of Brans Cottage, Oddington, who had been at the heart of the life of the village for upwards of 30 years and had, at the age of 77, decided to give up her public offices.

The Journal of 1971 reported: “At a crowded gathering of villagers in Oddington Village Hall, Miss Rowden, who was accompanied by her six dogs, was presented with a clock by Mr R Cox, of Oddington, who paid tribute to the work she had done.

“Lieut Col Ivor Reeves, churchwarden of Adlestrop, presented her with a cheque, and Mr W Burton, churchwarden of Oddington, handed over a scroll with the names of all the contributors.

“Miss Rowden was welcomed by the Rector Canon Pat Mason who read a letter from the former Rector, the Rev L W Potter, and messages of thanks and good wishes both from the Bishop of Gloucester, the Rt Rev Basil Guy, and the Archdeacon of Cheltenham.

“In her reply, Miss Rowden spoke of the satisfaction she had gained from each of the offices she had held.

“Living in Oddington, she said, had given her great happiness. She recalled her hunting days with the Heythrop and referred to the many dogs she had owned, most of which had been abandoned by their previous owners.

“As a tribute to her, Mr Lyle Stewart recited a “doggerel” which he claimed had been composed by Miss Rowden’s present pack of dogs.

“Miss Rowden was presented with a bouquet of spring flowers by Susan Gould.

“During her time at Oddington, Miss Rowden has been organiser of the Poppy Day collection, representative on the District Nursing Association, church sacristan, secretary of the Good Causes Calendar, secretary to the Parochial Church Council, representative at Diocesan Conference, president of Oddington WI, secretary of the WI and churchwarden.

She was the negotiator for the purchase of the present Rectory and ran a girls’ club at her former home in Oddington.