Badsey (with
Aldington) and Wickhamford
Parochial Magazine
1902
JANUARY
The fourth bell's inscription is :—
ROB PIGEON THO BYRD THO DVDLY CHVRCHWARDENS.
It was usual to put the names of churchwardens on one bell of a peal at this time. The fact
of three names appearing is interesting, as it shows
that Aldington had a separate warden. This bell is the only one of the six which has not the sacred
monogram, but the letters are the same as the smaller ones used in the tenor inscription. The
three lightest bells have only the monogram enclosed in the square as on the fifth. From the
inscriptions it is evident that the bells were all cast by the same founders and in the same year, A.D.
1706. Very little is known about these founders, Clark and Bushell. Their foundry was most probably
at Evesham. Their bells are confined to this district, and as far as I know Badsey is the only
peal of six cast by them. In most cases they re-casted old bells. Clark's inscriptions were either
churchwardens' names or else in Latin. Badsey treble bell is 30 inches in diameter, and the tenor
45 inches, considerably larger than in most peals of six.
AUGUST
Fine weather favoured the Rose Garden Fete held on July 2nd at Seward House, and the general result was most successful both as regards finances and the enjoyment afforded to the visitors. The late season had, unfortunately, rather retarded the bloom on many of the rose trees, but the climbing trees were very pretty and did their best to make up for the tardiness of the others. Many would-be rosarians were glad to gather a few hints about rose-growing from Mr. Sladden's lecture, and to make a close inspection of the garden. The concerts were a feature of the afternoon's programme, which seemed very popular. Some pretty glees were well rendered by some members of the Badsey Glee Society; the Rev. Harcourt Fowler's songs were much enjoyed, and mention must also be made of the pianoforte solos by Miss May Cull and the violoncello solos by Miss May Butler. The children's action songs were very well done, especially " Topsy-turvey," in which they all stood and walked about on their heads like little acrobats. Tea was served on the lawn after the first concert was over. Many thanks are due to those who helped with, the tea, their task was no light one, but all showed themselves able waiters and waitresses and all went off without a hitch. Not only the tea, but also many other parts of the entertainment could not have been carried out without the kind help most readily given of those who assisted in making the various necessary arrangements. To all of these, also to Mr. and Mrs. Cull for their kind offer of the use of their piano, and to all the performers, very grateful thanks are accorded. The amount realized by the fete was £20 2s. 3d. This has been paid in to Lloyds Bank, and the amount now in hand for the two new bells is nearly £45; that is almost two-thirds of the amount required. A little more combined effort would soon raise the rest of the money and enable the work to be put in hand.
SEPTEMBER
With feeling's of great thankfulness we are able to record that the King and Queen were crowned
in Westminster Abbey, on Saturday, August 9th. The King had happily recovered in a wonderful
manner from his serious illness, and was able to go through the sacred ceremony,
performed with all the beautiful and ancient ritual of the Church, without great fatigue.In our parish the day was observed in a due and
proper manner. In the morning the ringers rang out merry peals on the bells, and Divine Service was
held in Badsey Church at 11 a.m. The form and order of service drawn up by the Archbishop of
Canterbury was used. This consisted of a shortened form of Litany, the service of the Holy
Communion together with special prayers and hymns, and the proclaiming of the King. The Vicar gave the
address. It is worthy of notice that the Coronation in Westminster Abbey took place in the Communion
Service, which emphasizes a fact, very often forgotten, that the Holy Communion is the chief service
of the Church, around which all Christian worship centres. The King and Queen both received the
Communion in Westminster Abbey. In our own Church the Communion was celebrated entirely,
the musical portion being nicely rendered by the choir to the setting of Woodward in E flat, the
Te Deum to the music of Smart in F was also sung. With regard to the secular festivities of the day,
the dinner for adults had already been held on June 20th, and it was not possible to repeat this, but all
the children of Badsey received their Coronation cups and saucers or mugs, and were again entertained
at tea out of the balance in hand at the disposal of the committee. After the tea the
children had athletic sports, and prizes were given out of the funds. Peals on the bells were rung at
intervals during the day, and in the evening a very good display of fireworks was given in the Stockey
by Mr. C. A. Binyon, the expense being defrayed out of the Coronation funds. The
children of Wickhamford were entertained at tea and had mugs presented to them, and sports were organized for
them. The children of Aldington also were presented with Coronation mugs. They had previously
been very well entertained on June 26th when dinner was also provided for all the adults.
THE PROPOSED CLOCK FOR BADSEY
A meeting of those interested in providing a new clock for Badsey Church was held in the old
School, on Wednesday, August 20th, at 8 p.m. There was a fair attendance, and much interest
was shown in the proceedings. The Vicar read out an estimate which he had received from Messrs.
John Smith and Sons, of Derby. This firm undertakes to put in a clock of the very best workmanship,
having the famous Westminster Chimes attached to strike all the quarters and the hours, for £128.
The clock could be provided without the chimes for a less cost, but it would be a very pleasant
variety in the life of the village to hear these beautiful chimes, and the majority of the meeting
seemed in favour of having them. Several of those present gave increased donations on the understanding
that these chimes were added to the clock. Messrs. Smith and Sons guarantee, if we accept
their estimate, that the clock will maintain true time with less variation than 3 seconds in a week,
and they further undertake to keep it in order free of charge for two years. No definite decision was
come to, as to giving the order for the clock at once, but a general feeling was expressed that the
clock with chimes should be provided, and the following were authorised to canvass the village to
obtain donations for this purpose, viz.: Messrs. J. Agg, C. A. Binyon, R. Pendlebury, R. R. Smith,
H. Stewart, E Warner, E, Wilson, and the Vicar. At the present time the sum of £27 15s. 8d. has
been paid into Lloyd's Bank for the Clock Fund.
NOVEMBER
The east window in Badsey Church has been filled with stained glass, to the honour and glory of
God, and in memory of the late Rev. Thomas Henry Hunt, M.A., Vicar of Badsey, Aldington and Wickhamford, from 1852 to 1887. The window is
a very beautiful one, and has been presented to the Church by Mr. Hunt's family. The subject is
"The Good Shepherd," and the work has been executed by Messrs. James Powell & Sons,
Whitefriars Glass Works, London. E.C. The formal ceremony of Unveiling the Window
will take place on Tuesday, November 4th, when there will be a Special Service at 3
p.m. and the sermon will be preached by the Rev. T. H. Vines, M.A., Rector of
Fiskerton, Lincoln (an old friend of Mr. Hunt). We are glad to say some of the members of Mr. Hunt's family
will be at Badsey on that day, and we are quite sure that the Parishioners will be very pleased to
see them, and will give them a very hearty welcome. Mr. Hunt was an earnest, faithful and
devoted Vicar of these parishes for many years, and we know how very much he did for the well-being
of the people here. He has left his mark behind, particularly in the excellent restoration of our grand
old Church, and we are sure his memory is greatly revered by all who knew him.
BADSEY CHURCH BELLS
At a meeting of the Badsey Belfry Committee held on Wednesday, October 15th, it was decided to
give the order for two new bells to complete the peal of eight. The work has been entrusted to
Messrs. Mears & Stainbank, of London, and the Committee feel convinced that the work will be
carried out so as to give general satisfaction. The total cost will be about £96, and of this sum two
thirds is already in hand. Mr. J. Sladden and Mr. H. Keen have kindly made themselves responsible
to raise the remaining sum. It is expected that the bells will be placed in the tower before Christmas,
and one of the bells will be used for the striking of the new clock. Inscriptions in Latin
will be placed on the bells, to record the fact that they are erected as a memorial of the reign of
Queen Victoria of blessed memory
READING ROOM
At a meeting held in the Old School on Tuesday, October 28, at 7 p.m., it was decided to start a Reading Room in Badsey this winter. A resolution was passed that the payments for membership should be as follows: 6d. entrance fee, and 1s. per month to be paid in advance. It was also agreed that no one under the age of sixteen years should be admitted as members. A strong committee was elected, and it is proposed to open the room early in November.