From the Archives - June 17, 2008

11:14am Thursday 17th July 2008

100 Years Ago July 11, 1908 A ceremony of peculiar interest to inhabitants of the village took place on Monday afternoon, when the act of dedication of the new lychgate in the churchyard at Great Rollright and the recently-erected screen in the church was observed. The lychgate has been put up by the nine sons of the late Rev Henry Rendall, who for a period of 36 years was rector of the parish, in memory of their mother. The gate is a handsome structure built of massive local stone up to the sills, the upper work being of English oak, with oak pillars on each side. The oak screen which is placed against the entrance to the vestry is associated pathetically with the late rector, the Rev W S Guest-Williams, who, in his lifetime, commenced the carving of the same, with the intention of erecting it to the memory of his mother and sister.

From the Archives - July 10, 2008

12:14pm Thursday 10th July 2008

100 Years Ago July 4, 1908 Ideal summer weather prevailed on Tuesday, when in aid of the funds of the Winchcombe Cottage Hospital, two Shakespearean pastoral plays were given in the beautiful grounds of Stanway House, by past and present members of the Oxford University Dramatic Society. The extensive and well-kept grounds were looking most charming and well repaid the visit, while the performances were highly creditable and were much enjoyed. An excellent spot had been chosen for the performances on a gentle slope above the lawn and the trees with their wealth of foliage formed an ideal background and gave charm and realism to the scenes. There was a large and fashionable attendance. The children attending the schools in the district were admitted free and were entertained to tea by Lady Elcho.

From the Archives - July 3, 2008

12:29pm Thursday 3rd July 2008

100 Years Ago June 27, 1908 Shipston'S annual June Fair was held on Monday. The High Street was as usual filled with roundabouts, coconut booths, etc. In Church Street the horse fair was well up to the average of late years. Mr Walker Barnard offered for sale about 80 horses and ponies. The trade was good - a decided improvement on the April sale. Plenty of buyers being present, there was a good demand for good horses. Cart horses made up to 30gns, cobs up to £25, ponies to £18. In the cattle market Messrs Frank Parson and Co offered for sale 800 sheep and lambs, 300 head of cattle and 250 pigs. The large supply of mutton met with a ready sale at almost recent rates. Shearhogs made up to 41s. Store sheep and lambs met with a fast trade. Bullocks made up to £25 5s. There was a good trade for milking cows, making up to £21. Pig trade was slow.

From the Archives - June 26, 2008

12:16pm Thursday 26th June 2008

100 Years Ago June 27, 1908 THE annual Maypole Festival in connection with the Chipping Norton national Girls' School took place last Thursday afternoon and evening in the Vicarage gardens. A handsome maypole was decorated with many brilliant colours and erected in the grounds and the girls selected for taking part in the fixture were very becomingly attired and carried out their respective parts in a manner worthy of all praise. On the same occasion the annual sale of work in connection with the parish church room was held on behalf of the room, and stalls of needlework were superintended by Mrs Reader and Mrs Haynes. An alfresco tea was provided and well patronised. During the evening a large number of visitors supported the undertaking.

From the Archives - June 12, 2008

10:54am Thursday 12th June 2008

100 Years Ago June 13, 1908 ON Tuesday the members of the Great Western Arms, Blockley, Sick and Dividend Society held their annual festival. The club has only been in existence 11 years and has now 177 members. The Blockley Brass Band was engaged and at 1.30pm a procession was formed, headed by their beautiful banner and the band paraded the town. Afterwards they proceeded to the field, pleasantly situated in the middle of the town, where the sports were held. The programme for the sports was all carried out in an excellent manner by the committee. At 6.30pm the prizes were distributed by Major H M Spencer, who said he was pleased to know the club was so well conducted. He was afraid he had not given as much as he ought towards its support but if the club would accept it he would be pleased to double his subscription.

From the Archives - May 15, 2008

12:11pm Thursday 5th June 2008

100 Years Ago May 16, 1908 THE children attending Longborough Church School gave the usual annual school concert to a crowded and appreciative audience on Friday and Saturday. The reason for giving it so late this year was on account of epidemics of fever and measles throughout the village. The children have been handicapped for several months because of this. Very great credit must be given to them for the excellence of their performances, which evoked great praise from a most attentive gathering of people and the way in which every part of the programme was received left no doubt as to whether or not the efforts of the children to give satisfaction were successful. They all did excellently and performed their individual parts to perfection.

From the Archives - May 22, 2008

12:07pm Thursday 5th June 2008

100 Years Ago May 23, 1908 Blockley Choral Society's annual concert took place in the Northwick Institute on Thursday week. This marked the close of a season in which hard work and careful training have brought about a considerable advance in the rendering of choral music. The Rev Canon Houghton, the president, was in the chair. Mr F C Chaundy, who has coached the choir throughout the season, as last, conducted the chorus and orchestra. The programme included two psalms by Mozart, the Laudate Dominium and the Dixit Dominus. Miss Marjorie Southam sang the solo in the former and the latter was sung throughout in chorus.The string band gave the Serenade Angelique in a very pleasing manner. All these were appreciated by the audience.

From the Archives - May 29, 2008

12:03pm Thursday 5th June 2008

100 Years Ago May 30, 1908 THE annual general meeting of shareholders of the Moreton-in-Marsh Sanitary Laundry was held on Thursday morning. Mr A Rushout (chairman) presided. The director's report showed a considerable falling off in fine work done during the year. Heavy expenses had to be carried in meeting the requirements of H M Inspector of Factories and making necessary alterations; also certain work was carried out in connection with the public sewage disposal the whole of the company's water was drained from their well for which no compensation was obtained. While the whole of the plant and buildings and machinery have been kept in repair, the directors regret that no dividend can be paid.

From the Archives - June 5, 2008

12:01pm Thursday 5th June 2008

100 Years Ago June 6, 1908 Under the auspices of the Loyal Cotswold Lodge of Oddfellows and the Stow Branch of the Cirencester Benefit Society, a grand united fete was held in Mount Pleasant, Stow, kindly lent for the occasion by Mr H Hollis on the usual club day, the first Monday in June. It is very pleasant indeed to know that these old-fashioned and old-established fetes are still kept going, despite the fact that in some places they are things of the past. Of late years these societies have banded their strength together and their effort has resulted in previous years, as also this year, in a greatly improved attraction. The day's proceedings began with a large procession of members of both societies, together with the juveniles, around the town. They were headed by the Moreton Post Office Brass and Reed Band who played them to church.

From the Archives - May 15, 2008

12:26pm Thursday 15th May 2008

100 Years Ago May 16, 1908 THE children attending Longborough Church School gave the usual annual school concert to a crowded and appreciative audience on Friday and Saturday. The reason for giving it so late this year was on account of epidemics of fever and measles throughout the village. The children have been handicapped for several months because of this. Very great credit must be given to them for the excellence of their performances, which evoked great praise from a most attentive gathering of people and the way in which every part of the programme was received left no doubt as to whether or not the efforts of the children to give satisfaction were successful. They all did excellently and performed their individual parts to perfection.

From the Archives - May 8, 2008

12:17pm Thursday 8th May 2008

100 Years Ago May 9, 1908 THE scholars attending Todenham School gave an excellent miscellaneous concert on Thursday evening. The room was well filled with a most appreciative audience. A long programme was gone through and the children acquitted themselves admirably. The singing was a special feature, the tone being very good and an evidence of careful training by their teacher. The chorus Hurrah for the Sailors and the Sea by 12 boys in full dress and swords was received with ringing cheers, while another nautical song entitled Handy Jack met with a similar reception. It would be difficult to describe fully the manner in which the various items were rendered and received. Even the tiny tots caused roars of laughter. But the closing song, entitled The Tall Top Hat, by six boys in the usual "chimney pot", carrying sticks and gloves, fairly brought down the house.

From the Archives - May 1, 2008

12:11pm Thursday 1st May 2008

100 Years Ago May 2, 1908 The Beale Browne School at Stow-on-the-Wold is likely to be closed, the headmaster having received a notice from Col Beale Browne that it will not be continued after Whitsuntide next. No reason is assigned. We believe that Col Beale Browne is the sole surviving trustee, and it is suggested that a memorial should be presented to him praying that the school may be continued. The headmaster (Mr R Heathcote) came to Stow only six months ago, at a time when the school, through successive changes, was at a very low ebb. Under his guidance it has very much improved and it has become the centre of many evening classes for extra subjects. The school was built in 1833 to provide accommodation for 140 children.

From the Archives - April 24, 2008

10:42am Friday 25th April 2008

100 Years Ago April 25, 1908 WE are again very glad to be able to state that the annual competitions promoted by the Stour Choral Union, which took place at Moreton-in-Marsh on Tuesday and Wednesday, have passed off most successfully. Ten choirs from towns or villages in the Moreton district competed and, on the whole, a higher standard of excellence was reached than on previous occasions. The members of the various choirs seem to take the greatest possible interest in their work and there is a healthy rivalry between the different bodies, which makes singers and conductors do the very best they can. The really excellent work accomplished by choirs representing small communities shows that there is latent talent in almost every place - all that is needed for its development is someone to organise the choir and conduct the practices.

From the Archives - April 17, 2008

10:53am Friday 18th April 2008

100 Years Ago April 18, 1908 None can deny that jumble sales are fashionable or that many an army of ladies have found a very pleasant diversion in organising and carrying them through. On Wednesday last St Edward's Hall, Stow-on-the-Wold, was the venue of one of these interesting functions, with the object of providing Stow Cricket Club with a pavilion, which is sorely needed. Mrs Edward Francis, assisted by many ladies of the district, carried the project through. When the sale opened there was a good rather than a large collection of goods. The quantity was somewhat dwarfed by the size of the room but buyers there were in plenty. It was hoped that £60 to £70 would be realised and it was most gratifying to find at the close of the sale that the receipts had been £80.

From the Archives - April 10, 2008

12:20pm Thursday 10th April 2008

100 Years Ago April 11, 1908 THE 1st Gloucestershire Royal Engineer Volunteers, which included a company at Winchcombe, have been disbanded. The Company consisted of one officer and 68 non-commissioned officers and men. None of these have yet enlisted in any territorial force. The Winchcombe detachment of the Cheltenham troop of Imperial Yeomanry consists of 18 men. The Gloucestershire Yeomanry will go to Winchcombe on May 6 for their annual training, encamping near Sudeley Castle. The Campden and Stow Companies of the 2nd V B Gloucestershire Regiment have been amalgamated and now form the 8th Company with headquarters at Campden. The establishment of the Company is 113, but the present strength is 127 and 14 men will be retained on the waiting list.

From the Archives - April 3, 2008

12:23pm Thursday 3rd April 2008

100 Years Ago April 4, 1908 A MEETING to explain the Territorial Forces Act was held in the Redesdale Hall, Moreton, on Friday evening by Major H M Spencer. He said he had been ordered by his Colonel to come to Moreton and do his best to explain the new act and he hoped that they would listen to him. He was afraid at one time because of the proposals, which had to be made in connection with "I" Co, but he hoped it was settled at headquarters and the best thing to do was to make a good job of it. Anyhow, Moreton men had the chance given them of joining the forces, so they would not complain. He explained under the new arrangements"I" Co, Stow and Moreton, would be amalgamated with "K" Co, Campden, with headquarters at Campden.

From the Archives - March 26, 2008

10:29am Thursday 27th March 2008

100 Years Ago March 28, 1908 On Saturday morning many of the inhabitants of Stow-on-the-Wold were attracted from their beds by the ringing of the fire-bell. The scene of the burning was soon discovered to be an old historic house in Park-street, formerly known as Porch House. It appears some men employed on the railway are lodging there. They got up early and lighted a fire, using some wood which they had brought from the railway. The chimney caught fire, and soon smoke was issuing from various parts of the roof. The brigade, under Capt Hollis, was quickly in attendance. The engine was vigorously worked and water was thrown on the burning beam, and very soon it was considered to be extinguished.

From the Archives - March 20, 2008

11:10am Thursday 20th March 2008

100 Years Ago March 21, 1908 THE question of liability to repair the old and now disused road between Winchcombe and Cheltenham was discussed at Saturday's meeting of the Rural District Council; eventually the council decided to deny liability. We are not in the least concerned as to the repair or otherwise of this road, but we must express our regret that, as far as one can judge from the report presented by the surveyor, the authorities have, in years gone by, allowed portions of this public road to be enclosed. The surveyor says there is one house actually being entirely across the road. Presumably, the public relinquished none of their rights over the old road when the new road was made, but they appear to have lost them through the stupidness of the local authorities.

From the Archives - March 13, 2008

12:08pm Monday 17th March 2008

100 Years Ago March 14, 1908 The Medical Officer of Health, in his monthly report to Shipston-on-Stour Rural District Council, said he had received notifications of nine cases of scarlet fever at Shipston. There were four in one family and one at the workhouse. He had also received notification of one case at Blockley. In a special report the Medical Officer of Health said he had advised the school managers to exclude all the children from the workhouse and all the children under five years of age between February 18 and March 5. His advice had been adopted. The Medical Officer of Health said there were nine cases in the isolation hospital, four being from that district. It was decided to obtain copies of regulations for the exclusion of children from schools and forward to the school managers.

From the Archives - March 6, 2008

11:01am Friday 7th March 2008

100 Years Ago March 7, 1908 AFTER experiencing an almost abnormally fine and mild period during the greater portion of February at Chipping Norton, during which the buds were beginning to show signs of swelling and some of the earlier flowers came into blossom, the weather towards the close of the month underwent a sharp change. The alteration was so swift and sudden that the birds stopped their morning and evening tunes and sank into retirement again. From the temperature varying around 50 degrees out-of-door, the thermometer sank back to about 30 to 35 degrees and under the influence of a biting northerly wind, sharp snow showers fell on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, although it has become somewhat too late in the season for the snow to lie for any length of time.

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