Messages received in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006 appear on separate pages. If you wish to add your own comments, queries, etc. to the Visitors Book then please contact the Editor at Editor@badsey.net.
I have just been reading your web site and found it very interesting .You have an Albert Haines on it who I think may be a relative of mine .The Albert I am looking for was born in Gloucestershire in about 1891. He became I am told a market gardener and had a son Charles and two daughters .
I know they lived for a time at Penarth near Cardiff in Wales but may have moved .What may be just a coincidence is that on the page of 1933 children's letters there is one from a Charles Haines and his address is `Penarth ' Blackminster, Evesham; and he mentions South Wales. I maybe completely off track here but I wonder if there is anyone who I could get in touch with that may remember the family?
Kind Regards
Mrs Susan Howell suebhowell@msn.com
May 2008
I saw your appeal
for the names of head boys at Badsey School. I went through school a year
ahead and was privileged to do the job for two years. So you can add these missing
names:
1934-35 Kenneth Knight (Ken)
1936-37 and 1937-38 Richard Knight (Dick)
Besides the tasks mentioned on your webpage, there were other jobs I recall.
Happy days! Incidentally, a letter I wrote describing the life of a market gardener is also on your website.
Regards, Dick Knight, Lymington,
Hampshire richard@rknight.fsworld.co.uk
April 2008
You can read more about this time in Maureen Spinks's excellent history 'Heads and Tales: A History of Badsey Schools' published by the Badsey Society.
When researching for Hartwell family history links I knew originated in Badsey, Worcestershire, I decided to try my luck and "google" the place name. Quite by chance I came across this invaluable resource. The website contains what look to be all the school registers, church records, parish magazines, censuses and electoral registers related to the village, all lovingly transcribed onto one incredibly useful site and carefully cross referenced to a large index of all individuals names.
Putting together my family tree couldn't have been easier. Even with limited experience I found it possible to link together relatives, to add dates (sometimes from ancestry.co.uk - free at the Worcester History Centre) and to add generation upon generation. A job that could have kept me busy for years and end with many mistakes and wrong turnings has been possible in just a few weeks - made even easier when I discovered the Hartwell family section on your site which confirmed much of what I had already pieced together. I love this site and I dip in and out of it regularly to check out what's new and to learn more about where my grandfather came from.
If there is any help I could provide in transcribing any further paperwork onto the site I would love to get involved, to help other people to learn more too: I am based in Worcester which is not too far away, and my data entry skills are fairly high and I think I would find it interesting to help out. Either way, please keep up the good work, I love the site and will continue to use it and to point it out to others I think will find it interesting too. It is certainly a blueprint of what a local site should be able to achieve.
Sarah Ganderton, Worcester
(descended from George and Letitia Hartwell of School Lane, Badsey) worcslass@hotmail.co.uk
April 2008
Sarah has kindly offered to help us construct a list of wills made be people living in Aldington and Badsey. This will be added to the records on the website when it is complete.
Greetings again from Scotland.
I was intrigued to see the LBG photos courtesy of Les Grinnell. What a lot of memories seeing those pictures brought back - for example, I was at school with both Fred Steven's daughter and Phil Rose's son.
Most intriguing was the one with the cheque book - as the company accountant for over 40 years my father normally wrote all the cheques, until the momentous day he persuaded the committee to invest in one of the first cheque writing machines in the country (a bit like a big electric typewriter) which he took me to see and admire on the day it arrived!
These memories have led me to have a look through my archives but, sadly, of the dozens of photos I took of the LBG over the years, hardly any remain. One picture I have is a reminder that the LBG used to sell petrol (and at what prices!).
I remember the original herbery was looked after by, among others "Nucky" Grinnell and later Harry Rourke and (I think) Cecil Cox. I spent many hours as a youngster helping them turn the drying herbs on the kiln and feeding the dried material into the "mincer" for rubbing, separating and bagging in conditions which today's health and safety rules would never allow!
Sincerely,
Alan Bunting
Scotland alan.bunting@pelstream.co.uk
March 2008
Alan has sent us some of his photos of LBG which we will add to our collection.
I was very interested to find your web site and congratulate you - I find it most interesting.
I worked at LBG from 1948 to 1965 and remember Les Grinnell very well.
Best regards,
Alan Wood
bandaw@tiscali.co.uk
March 2008
Alan has put some names to the faces of the LBG Committee.
I am doing some research into the history of Aldington watermill, which sadly was demolished in the 1930's.
Could I ask if anybody has any material associated with the mill - documents, photos articles, billheads or even just memories - which they might consider letting me borrow?
I can be contacted on 01386 830755 or by email at mike@clock-shop-winchcombe.co.uk
Many thanks,
Mike Lovatt, Aldington mike@clock-shop-winchcombe.co.uk
February 2008
I have been looking through the Badsey site with much interest, particularly as I am doing a little research into the Malins family. My father-in-law is the son of Wilfred and Margaret Malins of Evesham (Badsey area) and I'm scratching around for info and not getting too far as yet. There is some confusion over spelling as on BMD records my father-in-law's name is entered as both Malin and Malins. His dad Wilfred was born in July/Sept 1904 and married a Margaret Mason in Evesham in Apr/Jun 1946.
If anyone has any info I'd love to hear it and thanks for a very informative website!
Cathy Malins junior.malins@btinternet.com
November 2007
As I attended Badsey school in the 1950s, I am interested in tracing Richard Malin, born 1882, a son of Mr John Malin born 1852. He had brothers William and Charles, Sisters Flo, Agnes, Minnie, Mary and Ruby. I can find death certificates for everyone except Richard, who may have married my grandmother in Stanton in June 1903 under the name of Wilson Malins. Their son, my father Wilfrid Malins who was a market gardener, also had sisters / brothers named Flo, Minnie, Mary, Richard with others and lived in Evesham. I am curious as my middle name is Wilson and there was a family in Badsey of Edward Wilsons who were Lords of the manor. Could there be a connection? I look forward to hearing from you.
John Wilson Malins paulshazkayles@malins03.orangehome.co.uk
November 2007
My name is Paul Edward Malins, eldest son of John Wilson Malins, only son of Wilfrid Malins son of Wilson Malins and Alice Malin born in August 1904 in Stanton. Wilfrid was always told that he was the son of Richard Malin who died in 1907 - could it be that in fact Wilfrid was an illegitimate child of the last Edward Wilson who died in 1907 and Alice Malin who died in 1911, as it appears that Alice Malin was married to George Malin at the time of his birth. If this is the case does this mean that Wilson Malins was actually the last Edward Wilson as I can find no records of a Wilson Malins being born or dying. Your help with this would be greatly appreciated.
Many Thanks, Paul Malins
paulshazkayles@malins03.orangehome.co.uk
November 2007
Can anyone help with these Malins families? Can anyone explain 'Wilson' as a middle name? Edward Wilson 1820-1907 had four wives with three children from the first marriage to Sarah Roberts Taylor. I don't know of other children but it is possible that they existed. He would have to have conceived Wilfrid at the age of 83 which is biologically possible but perhaps a little unlikely.
Peter Stewart writes: At present I can find no connection with the Malin family of Badsey with the Malins of Evesham or Stanton or indeed with Edward Wilson. The only way to resolve the issue is for the writers to obtain a birth certificate for Wilfred whose birth was registered in Evesham in the Jul - Sept quarter of 1904. Wilfred is buried with his wife in Waterside Cemetery. I have notes of two Wilson Malins, one who married Alice Stanley in 1903 (Winchcombe) and another who married Ellen Ballard in 1878 (Pershore). The latter pair, Wilson & Ellen had a son Wilson who was born in 1882 and died in 1905. He and his parent are buried in Waterside cemetery.
First, congratulations on your wonderful web site. I discovered it a few days ago and it is a fabulous resource, with all the photos and other features.
I am related to Eugenie Sladden, wife of Sir Julius. Not a descendent, but a distant cousin. Eugenie was the daughter of Mary Anna and John Mourilyan, who married in Tunbridge Wells, then lived in Sandwich before moving to Paris. Mary Anna was a Wood, a younger sister of my great-great grandfather Edmund Fowle Wood.
If any descendants of Eugenie and Julius Sladden are interested in information on Eugenie’s mother’s family, I would be happy to supply. I also have information about John Mourilyan, Eugenie’s father, that may be of interest.
Lesley Wood, Canada lslywood@telus.net
October 2007
I found your website while searching for information about my Uncle Will Stubbs and Aunt Flo as part of my family history research programme. I am very impressed by the amount of information you have been able to amass there and I wondered whether someone in Badsey might just be able to help me.
They retired from Norwich to live in a house in Badsey in the 1950s, but the problem is that I have no address for them. They were both born in Birmingham but had no children and they were rather quiet, almost reclusive people, particularly Aunt Flo, so it is unlikely that many folk beyond their immediate neighbours would have known them. A couple more details I remember was that Uncle Will was a chartered surveyor and he always ran a Rover car, which was his pride and joy.
They moved from Badsey to Cheltenham in the late 1950s / early 1960s where they both eventually died.
That is all I know of them and I shall be most grateful for any information or further leads that you might be able to give me.
Peter Stubbs, Warwick powerscan1@aol.com
September 2007
I read with interest Evelyn Crane's own story of her childhood in Badsey and my attention was caught by her description of Harry Boswell from Jersey who helped escort German prisoners of war during World War One.
My great grandfather on my mother's side was "Harry the Jersey Guide". Other than an old photograph, showing Harry standing besides an open charabanc wearing his "Harry the Jersey Guide" sash I know very little about him. Mrs Crane's description of him with his rings and scented cards advertising Jersey Flowers is most interesting. The piece was most enjoyable and evocative of a bygone age. Is it possible that anyone has additional information on Harry?
Kind regards, Spencer Hodgetts
spencerhodgetts@thinkpositive.co.uk
August 2007
Sadly Evelyn Crane died in 2003 but can anyone else give Spencer more information about Harry?
I would be most grateful if you pass this on to all those kind people who mobilised themselves to help travellers stranded by the recent floods. While the stage in the village hall is not the most comfortable bed I have ever tried, it was infinitely better than trying to sleep in a car with several fellow travellers. This and the cups of tea, etc were most gratefully received.
Dr Roy Thurston roy.thurston@virgin.net
August 2007
In July 2007 Badsey and Aldington suffered the worst flooding in living memory. For about 12 hours no vehicles could enter or leave Badsey village. Roy was one of several people who were stranded and looked after in the Remembrance Hall.
My great grandfather Wilson EMMS was born in Aldington and baptised at Badsey in 1852. He was the last of six children born to John EMMS and Susan(nah) nee Hunting. They married at Bricklehampton in 1834. Wilson's siblings were Mary, born 1835 married Charles LOCKETT of Bretforton; Charles, born 1838; Ann, born 1843; Thomas, born 1845; Susannah, born 1848 married William Frederick TIMBRELL. Wilson married Eliza BROWN of Barton Mills Suffolk in London in 1879 and they had seven sons. They eventually settled in Richmond Surrey. John was one of five children baptised in Bretforton to Thomas and Elizabeth EMMS, he in 1804. I have yet to find Thomas and Elizabeth's marriage. Susannah HUNTING was born and baptised in Evesham in 1811. I have much more information than is listed here.
I would love to hear from anyone who thinks they are related to this family.
Julie Sutton julie.sutton@blueyonder.co.uk
July 2007
Julie maintains the Evesham Index which is a great resource for anyone with Ancestors in the Vale.
I am writing to you on behalf of the Vale of Evesham Historical Society. In the Almonry in Evesham we have on display the Badsey Fire Service cart. On the 28th July 2007 the emergency services are holding an events day on the meadow in Evesham. The Historical Society have been invited to provide a display and show some items. We intend featuring the Badsey cart, but were wondering if you and your excellent site could give us any historical details about the Fire Service of Badsey, and perhaps some photographs. Maybe someone in the village remembers a relation involved with it. This request is probably a long shot but we feel if anyone has any information you will.
On a personal level many thanks for the very useful information you have provided with my family history quest to do with my Hartwell and Willoughby ancestors of Badsey.
Regards
Helen Heath gerald.heath@tiscali.co.uk
June 2007
We have referred Helen to 'A Brief History of Badsey and Aldington' which has a section about 'A Village Fire Brigade'. Can anyone else help? Does anyone have photos?
Your website was an invaluable source of information to shed light on two branches of my family tree. I have made a "family tree" created using this information. This is only about one of the HARRIS families in your village. There was another contemporary one; I don't know if or how the two might be related, nor their origins. Please use my information and pass it on in any way you wish to, and if any other information relevant to the HARRISes comes your way I'd love to hear of it!
Thank you and best wishes,
Bob New bobnew@ntlworld.com
Evesham born and bred, but now living in Leamington Spa
May 2007
I have just read your site and have to tell you that I lived and worked in Badsey for twelve years without knowing my grandfather's background. The family have been living in Birmingham and I married and moved into Worcestershire, one time living at South Littleton and later Badsey. I worked at Seward House Nursing Home and lived at the top of Badsey. I decided to do family history only to find that my grandfather's family originated from Bretforton and Badsey and Bengeworth and Evesham, before moving onto Church Lench, Alcester and Great Alne, and eventually to Birmingham, down the centuries. My family name was Cormell or Cormoll and other different variants. The family are listed as living at Cormolls Yard next to the Squires House, and there is even a murder in the family! I sat in Evesham Library absolutely transfixed reading about the death of an Anne Cormell, the culprits were caught and one a Bretforton man actually hung up in Allens Barn for the villages to see.
There were Cormells for over 400 years there but they seem to have completely vanished. If there are any Cormells out there I would love to hear from you. My family starts with Issac Cormell who married Sarah Jelfs at Breforton in 1769. Amongst their siblings was Joseph my ancestor and he married Ann Percox at Offenham and their first son was called Issac and he was born at Bretforton. My ancestor however was born at Bengeworth and called Thomas Cormell in 1800 and he married Sarah Spiers at Church Lench. They in turn had Joseph my ancestor born at Alcester and he married Eliza Handy in Edgbaston, Birmingham. They were living at Great Alne with both families but Joseph who was a groom at Great Alne Mill decided to go Birmingham and work at a Mill in Edgbaston. I would love to hear from anyone connected with this family. Also born in Badsey was Hester Ainge to Samuel and Mary Ainge. (Hester was the mother of Sarah Spiers who married Thomas Cormell.) Hester married Joseph Spiers at Church Lench. If anyone has information on the Ainge family, I beleive one of Hester's sisters married a Mr.Bradley. I am enjoying my family history immensly and cannot beleive that I actually lived where some of my ancestors were born without knowing this, and also my son played for Badsey football team and his son, my grandson still plays in Badsey Rangers, how about that then ha ha.
Marilyn Ditch keven@kevenditch.wanadoo.co.uk
Evesham
April 2007
I have spent many hours absorbing the information presented on your wonderful website. I am attempting to find more information about my mother's childhood, Doris Winifred Jelfs, who was born in Badsey in 1906 and her family. She was the youngest child of Oliver and Fanny Jelfs, the other children being Frank (or "Lop Hop" of LBG fame), Mary (married Edmond Goldsmith in London), Edmond (lived at the cycle shop in Bretforton) and Eric ( married Elsie Keen and lived in Ivy House in Chapel Street).
My mother married Ernest Rose from Childswickham in 1942. She died in 1974. I was hoping to find her on the Badsey School photographs of the early 1900s but I think they may be a little too early. If anyone can shed some light on the Jelfs of this period it would be much appreciated.
Eric Rose rosee@btinternet.com
Kenilworth, Warwickshire
January 2007