Badsey (with
Aldington) and Wickhamford
Parochial Magazine
1906
JANUARY
As most of our readers are probably by this time aware, the Vicar has begun the publication of
a series of Picture Postcards. The first two views to make their appearance—one of Badsey Church
and another of the Village, giving a good impression of what May, in his " History of
Evesham," calls 'the airiness of its street'—have so far sold well. It is intended that the series shall include
Aldington Village, Wickhamford Church, the Sandys monuments, and the Washington tombstone.
The cards are being produced by Messrs. W. & H. Smith Ltd., of the Journal Works,
Evesham, who are on the high-road to an international reputation for work of this description.
The price of the cards is 1d. each or 7 for 6d., and they may be obtained at the Journal Office,
Badsey Post Office, the Royal Oak Inn, and Mrs. Warner's, Belmont Terrace. Any profits accruing
from this venture will be devoted to the churches of the respective parishes.
For some years past the state of the floor in the big room has been indescribably bad. As the
trustees are-of course in their corporate capacity only-on the verge of insolvency, to employ a
builder to put down a new floor was out of the question. The Vicar, however, being very anxious
to see the floor renewed this winter, offered to advance the money for materials if a few
voluntary workers would undertake to lay the floor. The response was spontaneous and prompt, and
the room in question is once more provided with as good a floor as one could wish to have. The
gentlemen who have laid the parish under an obligation are Messrs. J. Barnard (foreman), A.
Evans, H. Kelland, J. E. Knight, and W. Stanford. The cost of the timber has been about £5,
which we hope may soon be defrayed by a parochial dance.
FEBRUARY (with extracts from MARCH and OCTOBER)
We are sorry to learn from Nurse Beesley that, after giving the Badsey district a three months' trial, she finds it quite impossible to earn a living wage under existing arrangements. Unless, therefore, something can be done without delay to provide hey with more adequate remuneration for her work, the parish and neighbourhood must very shortly be deprived of her services. Nurse Beesley has already established such a reputation for skill and attention, and kindness, that it would be a mere waste of time to emphasize the loss to all concerned which her withdrawal from the district would mean. The Vicar is most anxious that such a calamity should be averted, and invites all those who share his anxiety to attend a meeting at the Parish Room, on Tuesday, February 13th, to consider the situation and see what can be done. One possible way out of the present difficulty would be to form a Nursing Club, on the lines of the ordinary medical club, the members of which would be entitled to the services of the nurse on payment of the existing fees, whilst non-members would have to pay double fees before the nurse undertook the case. This is of course merely one of many possible suggestions. It must be clearly understood, once and for all, that if we are to have a resident nurse, willing to devote the whole of her time to her profession, the district as a whole will have to contribute substantially towards her support. Whether Nurse Beesley remains with us or not will depend in a large measure on the number of households represented at the meeting to beheld on the 13th, and everyone desirous of retaining her services should make an effort to attend.
A Public Meeting was held at the Vicarage on Tuesday, February 13th, at which it was unanimously decided to inaugurate a Nursing Club for the benefit of the parishes of Badsey, Aldington, and Wickhamford, The Vicar was asked to act as Treasurer, with Mrs. Hands, Mrs. R. Taylor, and Miss Sharpe as Sub-Treasurers. It was agreed that rules should be drawn up by a Committee, consisting of Mrs. H. Byrd, Mrs. A. Evans, Mrs. Hands, Miss Idiens, Mrs. H. Keen, Miss Sharpe, Mrs. Sladden, Mrs. R. Taylor. Miss Whitford, Mr. Geo. Jones, and the Vicar. The Committee met at the Vicarage on Friday, February 16th, and drew up a set of rules, copies of which have been circulated throughout the three parishes. If, after a six-months' trial, the Club is found to be receiving insufficient support to justify its continuance, it will be dissolved, and the subscriptions of those members who have never had occasion to call in the Nurse will be returned.
At a meeting of the Nursing Club held at the Vicarage on Tuesday, September 11th, it was unanimously agreed to wind up the Club at the end of September, in accordance with the terms appended to the rules. The Nurse's total net receipts from the Club (subscriptions and fees) for the six months ended August 31st give an average annual income of £32, for which stipend it is of course absurd to expect to command the services of a professional nurse—especially one so able and skilful as Nurse Beesley. If any really general support had been given to the Club it would certainly have proved a success, but we know of people in Badsey who were not above accepting Nurse Beesley's services for nothing before the Club was formed, who have carefully refrained from contributing the modest penny per week. Without depending upon subscriptions, however, the Club might have succeeded if the Club Nurse had had the whole of the district work, and, before the Club was started, the Vicar received an assurance from Mrs. Stewart that she did not intend to practice again but Mrs. Stewart has once more changed her mind. We are already hearing expressions of anxiety as to the future, but it is extremely doubtful whether such anxiety will be allayed by the advent of another professional nurse. On one point, however, there can be no manner of doubt should another nurse ever come to Badsey, she will be almost too good for this world, for only a woman possessed of faith, hope and charity of the celestial order would ever venture to settle in a parish where the last of her kind had been literally starved out. Nurse Beesley's new address is Ash Hurst, Great Hampton, and she asks us to state that she will always make an effort to attend any old Club members who may require her services.
JUNE
The Church in Badsey loses one of its oldest workers in the death of Oliver Jelfs, who passed to his rest on Friday, May 25th. In his early days he was a member of the choir, and for the last twenty years had been one of the band of chimers. A life-long invalid, he battled bravely with his infirmities, and was most regular in the discharge of his self-imposed duties. His death was in a sense sudden, following as it did upon his return from Weston with what seemed the promise of improved health. But, as he himself undoubtedly realised, his work was done, and, prepared and purified as he was by a life of suffering, we cannot but thank God that he has been called to join those who "rest from their labours." He was laid to rest on May 29th amid many tokens of respect. The Burial Office was sung throughout most impressively by the choir, and the bells were chimed before and after the service. R.I.P.
JULY
Since the old bier disappeared from Badsey Church, it has been quite impossible, in conducting funerals, to conform to the apostolic rule of doing all things 'decently.' However, what has long been a reproach to the Church and Parish is soon to be removed, as the Vicar and Churchwardens have commissioned Mr. Wathen to make a bier. The new bier will be of oak, and, in view of the distance of many houses from the Church, will be as light as is consistent with strength. So long as seven or eight years ago Mr. Mustoe gave £2 towards a bier, but the money somehow disappeared into the miscellaneous fund known as 'Church Expenses,' and the Vicar and Churchwardens must now contrive to raise the necessary five guineas for the new bier out of this fund. To enable them to do so they appeal to parishioners to contribute as liberally as possible to the Sunday collections during the month of July.
NOVEMBER
The members of the Badsey Choir went to Tewkesbury on September 19th for their annual outing. The party arrived at Tewkesbury by an early train, and spent the morning in exploring the old Abbey Church, where the Vicar and Mr. Binyon took some very successful photographs. An excellent dinner at the Victoria Restaurant recruited the flagging powers of the excursionists, and prepared them for the labours of the afternoon, which was devoted to a river trip to Wainlode Hill, a popular resort about 8 miles down the Severn. Tea awaited the party on their return to Tewkesbury, and, an early start being made for home, Evesham was reached about half-past eight, after a thoroughly enjoyable day.
On Saturday, September 22nd, the Vicar gave his annual tea to the Sunday Scholars. As
it was rather late in the season for an al fresco meal tea was provided in the Parish Room. Mr.
Sadler, with his usual kindness, gave up the House Ground to the youngsters for the afternoon.
A cricket match between two teams, captained respectively by the Vicar and Mr.
Binyon, was reported as resulting in a win for the Vicar's eleven, but the alleged victory appears to have
due to Mr. Binyon's unselfishness in omitting to include the score of one of his "men." The best
scores were made by T. Keen and W. Barnard, both of whom show much promise.
In the sports which succeeded tea the following were the prize winners':
Girls over 11—Helen Agg 1, Lena Crisp 2.
Girls under 11—Rose Brewer 1, Mary Jelfs 2.
Infants (girls)—M. March 1, D. Agg 2, H.Grove 3.
Boys over 11—F. Jelfs 1, W. Wilkins 2.
Boys under 11—H. Marshall 1, W. Barnard (scratch 2.)
Infants (boys)—G.B.P. Hartwell 1, E. Wilkins 2, Eric Jelfs 3
The Tug of War between the boys and girls resulted as usual in an easy victory for the latter.
The prizes were distributed by Dr. Latimer Green of Stratford on Avon.