THE Chairman introduced two September milestones, the 10th birthday of the Society, which has a consistent membership well over 100 and a presentation to Wendy Shaddick, retiring after 10 years Committee service, the last three as chairman.

Our speaker was Dr Maureen Harris, who spoke about disputes against the late 17th Church of England . Restoration of the monarchy created difficulties for the church redefining its authority, especially in Bidford, Wixford, Cleeve Prior and Salford Priors, which had a relatively high proportion of Catholics (35%), Baptists and Quakers, who did not attend this Church or pay the tithes it depended upon. Clergy appointed during the Parliamentary period , often puritans, clashed with the “sub-cultures” in their church.

Maureen’s talk was based on closely researched cleric court records. In addition to revealing dissent between puritan clergy and parishioners, there were more personal cases throughout the villages. They included four cases of wife beating, 17 case of clerical fornication and of financial misappropriation. Despite the difficult cultural situation, there was a shocking level of local clergy misbehaviour over a 30 year period.

The next meeting on 21 October is about the Zulu wars, in period costume.

CHRIS SMITH