Clifford Chambers - User contributions [en]

The New Inn Pub

2022-12-24T13:22:43Z

Tomsalmon:

__notoc__
=THE NEW INN PUB=

[https://www.thenewinnhotel.co.uk/ The New Inn website]

[[File:New_inn_1951.jpg|thumb|New Inn Pub 1951]]

Joseph Woodward (usually called Old Bob) became the Landlord of our village Pub in 1891, and he told the Rector once that, up to 1896 the Pub was called The Golden Fleece. All we can assume about the change of name, is that The Golden Fleece either was burnt down, or just tumbled down, and consequently this present Pub was built in its place. And why not call this The New Inn!! That is only an assumption though.

In the living memory of some of the older people living in our Parish, there were no glasses to drink out of; only blue and white mugs which were served through a hatchway, and anyone wanting to be served had to queue along a corridor to reach the hatch. On warm summer days, most of the customers then wandered outdoors where there were plenty of seats and, I believe trees to sit under.

There was an old large Elm tree on the small island leading to our village street (now a small triangle of grass). In fact, this small island was always referred to as "One Elm", and some of the shade from this tree reached to those having a drink from their blue and white mugs, outside.

Rumour has it, that Old Bob was so slow in serving, that customers once locked him in the Pub cellar to show him how fed up they were with all the waiting. Then they just helped themselves to drink and left their money on the counter of the hatch.

Violet, his daughter, lived and worked at the Pub, but I think mainly doing the housework and cooking for her father. I think I have already mentioned the time when the young lads - and I had this from Vic Radbourne - were playing pranks in the evening when it was dark. They were by the Pub and hiding in the bushes, when they heard the upstairs sash window open above their heads and then felt water splash over them. Vic and his friends ran away fast - believing that it was Violet emptying her chamber pot over them!

There were one or two tragic accidents on the road by the Pub. Now that the road is one straight road, there are even more accidents, but up until 1962, the main road curved round in an 's' shape, with two bends near to the Pub. During the War, an army lorry overturned after colliding with a telegraph pole, and the Pub took casualties in until ambulances arrived. Twenty six soldiers had to be take to hospital, and one officer was killed. Another time, an army motor cyclist was killed at the same spot. It was rumoured he was doing 70 m.p.h! But the worst was when one of the young lads of the Parish was killed in the same spot - and many in the Parish grieved over his death.

Old Bob retired in 1941.

==From the Stratford Herald 3rd October 1941==

Fifty Years as "Mine Host" Clifford Chambers

"On Monday, Mr. Joseph Woodward completed his Fiftieth year as "Mine Host" of the New Inn, Clifford Chambers.

In the evening, a large number of his customers gathered to congratulate him and showed their appreciation by presenting him with an electric stand lamp.

The presentation was made by the oldest customer, Mr. John Lively who, in the short but appropriate speech, commented that, although he had been a customer for more than 75 years, there had been very little change.

All the Landlords during that period, had some connection with Alscot Park. The first had worked there; the second had married the parlourmaid there; and Mr. Woodward who married the cook, had been employed there as groom.

Mr. Woodward is in his 84th year, and Mr. Lively a few months younger.

Musical honours were given; the 'blue cups' were replenished, and an enjoyable evening was had by all."

Jack Radbourne took over from Joe, with Martha (not her real name but all the villagers called her this) his wife did all the work while Jack just served and chatted.

He only stayed there a few years, and it was Charlie Pugh who came along and made the Pub into a more friendly place with beer being served in a comfortable room behind a counter that customers could lean their elbows on and drink and chat. Chairs and small tables were dotted around the room, and, even on warm summer days, most customers preferred to stay in the cosy and comfortable room with their drinks, than go outside.

==Photographic Views of Clifford Chambers village street==

[[File:Nos_1_and_2_clifford_chambers-small.jpg|800px|Nos 1 & 2 Clifford Chambers 1910]]

[[File:Nos_5_to_8_clifford_chambers_1951.jpg|800px|Nos 5 – 8 Clifford Chambers]]

Prospect House (Dodds)

2022-10-30T16:04:20Z

Tomsalmon:

=THE TENANTS OF PROSPECT HOUSE (DODDS)=

[[File:Doris_dodd-small.jpg|thumb|Doris Dodd]]

As far as is known, this house has always belonged to wheelwrights, but in the 1800's (and possibly centuries before) it was also an alehouse and shop where villagers drank in the room to the right of the front door and smoked their clay pipes, but what they bought there, I suppose only they can tell.

Originally it was thatched, but the roof was raised and tiled and the brick frontage put on, around the beginning of the nineteenth century. The front garden belonged to the Lord of the Manor and was sold to Thomas Spilsbury in 1843 for £1. The house had been lived in by the Spilsbury's since at least the beginning of the 19th century. They were a large family of wheelwrights who owned other property in the village.

The Dodd family originally came from Warwick and settled at Preston and for many generations they supplied the farmers of Preston with wagons. Eventually one of their descendants, William Coldicott Dodd came with his young bride to Clifford Chambers and moved into Prospect House.

The front garden became a vegetable garden shaded by an apple tree producing two kinds of apple – blenheim and wyken pippin. The present drive was full of wagons in process of being made, and wheels. Mr. Dodd was also the Undertaker, but the coffins were made and stored away from the public eye.

Mrs. Dodd died early in their marriage and eventually Mr. Dodd met a schoolteacher from Knowle, Leah Woodfield, and they married in 1897. Ralph, their oldest child was born in 1898 and Doris in 1910, and they had a normal happy childhood of that period. About 10 years after, Floss was born and soon after Mrs. Dodd became ill with arthritis, and it was possibly that which affected Flossie's upbringing.

Ralph and Doris attended the village school Flossie stayed a t home being taught by her mother. Ralph and Doris had been allowed to play with the village children, but Floss was kept a virtual prisoner in her own home. Her little wistful face could often be seen looking through the bars of the gate at the children playing in the street. Even when she became a teenager, she wasn't allowed out unaccompanied. As an adult, she had to stay at home and look after her mother. The only time she was allowed to go to work was during the war when she worked, I think, at Josephs making parts for the fighter aeroplanes. He relaxation was in the violin and with her brother and sister accompanying her, she played in the orchestra for the Stratford Operatic Society; Ralph and Doris taking singing and acting parts.

[[File:Mrs_houstmann-in-car_and_david_woulfe-small.jpg|thumb|1950's: Mrs. Horstman, in car and David Woulfe. The car was manufactured by the Horstman family]]

Ralph, leaving school at the age of 12, worked for his father until the 1st World War and then found himself in the terrible fighting at the Somme,at the tender age of 17. After the war. He not only plunged into work at his father's workshop, but added his baritone voice with many others in the Stratford Operatic Society which had only just then started. A young soprano claimed his attention, Kathleen Victoria Phyllis Mc Neil. They eventually married in 1935 - and the same year his father died. But Ralph carried on with the business.

It was Doris who became so popular and was so well loved. Alex her nephew had been known to say that his Aunt Floss never went to school and his Aunt Doris never left it! She stayed at the village school almost until she died in 1960. When she reached the age when she could no longer be called a scholar, she became a pupil teacher and then an Infant Teacher. At the same time she took over the Church Choir. Up until then, there had been a small choir run by Miss Monica Pippet. For most of that time, Doris, Ralph and Flossie had been members, sitting in primitive choir stalls with a harmonium to accompany them. (The present choir stalls and organ didn't arrive until 1931)

When Doris took over, she took her responsibilities very seriously. She travelled to London once a week to take music degrees at both the Royal Acadamy of Music and the London College of Music, taking and passing exams held in London and having the initials LLCM and LRAM added to her name.. Also, being so close to the children of the Parish, she kept an ear open for any musical talent. Through her efforts the choir stalls were full each service - with a waiting list!

The children loved her; the adults respected her and the Choir practice was so enjoyable that everyone eagerly awaited the next practice. She organised the concerts in The New Room (reached by way of The Nashes), and sang and played at concerts in other villages. The concerts were mainly for enjoyment, being the only entertainment of that time, but, during the Second World War, the concerts were held to raise money to buy food and pay for postage in order that the Clifford boys overseas could have a food parcel.

Doris suffered as a diabetic and in the end, it tragically took her life. Towards the end, she developed cataracts and became blind, playing the organ by ear. She valiantly carried on with her work in the Church, and in the school until she became too ill to do anything.

Doris died Easter 1960. Floss was on her own. Her arthritic (and sometimes quite unreasonable) mother had died in 1944. Within a few months, Floss had sold the house which had been prison to her for so many years in her early life, and moved to Quinton.

The man who bought it for, I think the princely sum of £3,300 was a property developer, who promptly removed the old character of the ale house. The room where the men of the village smoked their clay pipes and drank their beer and where, some years later, Doris gave her piano lessons and Floss her violin lessons, was amalgamated into the hall. The small store rooms, one of which contained the entrance to the beer cellar, disappeared altogether.

Ralph's business was removed to The Lindens, though, by that time, he was near retirement, and the house unofficially known as 'Dodds' became 'Dodds' when Miss Horstman bought it.

The house reverted to its previous name 'Prospect House' in 1987 when it was combined with the neighbouring [[Easter_Cottage|Easter Cottage]].

Prospect House (Dodds)

2022-10-30T16:03:34Z

Tomsalmon:

Easter Cottage

2022-10-30T16:03:31Z

Tomsalmon:

=THE TENANTS OF EASTER COTTAGE=
(formerly Eastcote Cottage) 
(since 1987 it is part of Prospect House)

==GEORGE AND MARY ANN SALMON==

I am so very glad I was able to take many notes from the stories that both Mrs. Margery Tustain and Mrs. May Huckvale told me before they died. Their maiden names were Salmon (part of the numerous Salmons in the village, all descended from Thomas and Sophie Salmon originally from Preston-on-Stour).

Their paternal grandmother, Mary Ann Salmon lived at Eastcote Cottage. At the same time, another Mary Ann Salmon (whose husband was a younger son of the said Thomas and Sophie) lived at No. 23! The husband of the above mentioned Mary Ann, (the grandfather of Mrs. Tustain and Mrs. Huckvale) was George, the oldest son of Thomas and Sophie

[[File:George_salmon-small.jpg|thumb|George Salmon]]

George was a gamekeeper who refused to go to Church for fear that his pheasants would be poached whilst he was dozing in the pew during the sermon. After George died in 1895, his widow spent every Sunday teatime with her son John and his family, and two of her grandchildren. May and Ray used to sit with her whilst their parents went to Church, teaching their Granny to read! She had a lovely sense of humour. And her giggles joined in with the children’s at her poor attempts at reading.

George and Mary Ann had seven children, but one of their little boys died only a few days old. William, their oldest son, lived at No. 21, and he and his wife Margaret were known as Mr. and Mrs. Pickles Salmon! John, their next son, fell in love with Fanny Woodward whose parents eventually came to live next door, and they were married in 1893.

Another tenant who came to live at Easter Cottage was Harry Radbourne. It was in his lorry that the Boy Scouts from Clifford were taken to a Jamboree somewhere in Europe – possibly Holland. Harry had two sons – Bruce who married and settled in Stratford with his wife, both running a flower shop. The other son was always called Tiny. He was well over 6 feet tall, skinny and no-one could look him eye to eye because he was so tall. His actual Christian name was Arthur

Prospect House (Dodds)

2022-10-29T14:15:36Z

Tomsalmon:

=THE TENANTS OF PROSPECT HOUSE (DODDS)=

[[File:Doris_dodd-small.jpg|thumb|Doris Dodd]]

As far as is known, this house has always belonged to wheelwrights, but in the 1800's (and possibly centuries before) it was also an alehouse and shop where villagers drank in the room to the right of the front door and smoked their clay pipes, but what they bought there, I suppose only they can tell.

Originally it was thatched, but the roof was raised and tiled and the brick frontage put on, around the beginning of the nineteenth century. The front garden belonged to the Lord of the Manor and was sold to Thomas Spilsbury in 1843 for £1. The house had been lived in by the Spilsbury's since at least the beginning of the 19th century. They were a large family of wheelwrights who owned other property in the village.

The Dodd family originally came from Warwick and settled at Preston and for many generations they supplied the farmers of Preston with wagons. Eventually one of their descendants, William Coldicott Dodd came with his young bride to Clifford Chambers and moved into Prospect House.

The front garden became a vegetable garden shaded by an apple tree producing two kinds of apple – blenheim and wyken pippin. The present drive was full of wagons in process of being made, and wheels. Mr. Dodd was also the Undertaker, but the coffins were made and stored away from the public eye.

Mrs. Dodd died early in their marriage and eventually Mr. Dodd met a schoolteacher from Knowle, Leah Woodfield, and they married in 1897. Ralph, their oldest child was born in 1898 and Doris in 1910, and they had a normal happy childhood of that period. About 10 years after, Floss was born and soon after Mrs. Dodd became ill with arthritis, and it was possibly that which affected Flossie's upbringing.

Ralph and Doris attended the village school Flossie stayed a t home being taught by her mother. Ralph and Doris had been allowed to play with the village children, but Floss was kept a virtual prisoner in her own home. Her little wistful face could often be seen looking through the bars of the gate at the children playing in the street. Even when she became a teenager, she wasn't allowed out unaccompanied. As an adult, she had to stay at home and look after her mother. The only time she was allowed to go to work was during the war when she worked, I think, at Josephs making parts for the fighter aeroplanes. He relaxation was in the violin and with her brother and sister accompanying her, she played in the orchestra for the Stratford Operatic Society; Ralph and Doris taking singing and acting parts.

[[File:Mrs_houstmann-in-car_and_david_woulfe-small.jpg|thumb|1950's: Mrs. Horstman, in car and David Woulfe. The car was manufactured by the Horstman family]]

Ralph, leaving school at the age of 12, worked for his father until the 1st World War and then found himself in the terrible fighting at the Somme,at the tender age of 17. After the war. He not only plunged into work at his father's workshop, but added his baritone voice with many others in the Stratford Operatic Society which had only just then started. A young soprano claimed his attention, Kathleen Victoria Phyllis Mc Neil. They eventually married in 1935 - and the same year his father died. But Ralph carried on with the business.

It was Doris who became so popular and was so well loved. Alex her nephew had been known to say that his Aunt Floss never went to school and his Aunt Doris never left it! She stayed at the village school almost until she died in 1960. When she reached the age when she could no longer be called a scholar, she became a pupil teacher and then an Infant Teacher. At the same time she took over the Church Choir. Up until then, there had been a small choir run by Miss Monica Pippet. For most of that time, Doris, Ralph and Flossie had been members, sitting in primitive choir stalls with a harmonium to accompany them. (The present choir stalls and organ didn't arrive until 1931)

When Doris took over, she took her responsibilities very seriously. She travelled to London once a week to take music degrees at both the Royal Acadamy of Music and the London College of Music, taking and passing exams held in London and having the initials LLCM and LRAM added to her name.. Also, being so close to the children of the Parish, she kept an ear open for any musical talent. Through her efforts the choir stalls were full each service - with a waiting list!

The children loved her; the adults respected her and the Choir practice was so enjoyable that everyone eagerly awaited the next practice. She organised the concerts in The New Room (reached by way of The Nashes), and sang and played at concerts in other villages. The concerts were mainly for enjoyment, being the only entertainment of that time, but, during the Second World War, the concerts were held to raise money to buy food and pay for postage in order that the Clifford boys overseas could have a food parcel.

Doris suffered as a diabetic and in the end, it tragically took her life. Towards the end, she developed cataracts and became blind, playing the organ by ear. She valiantly carried on with her work in the Church, and in the school until she became too ill to do anything.

Doris died Easter 1960. Floss was on her own. Her arthritic (and sometimes quite unreasonable) mother had died in 1944. Within a few months, Floss had sold the house which had been prison to her for so many years in her early life, and moved to Quinton.

The man who bought it for, I think the princely sum of £3,300 was a property developer, who promptly removed the old character of the ale house. The room where the men of the village smoked their clay pipes and drank their beer and where, some years later, Doris gave her piano lessons and Floss her violin lessons, was amalgamated into the hall. The small store rooms, one of which contained the entrance to the beer cellar, disappeared altogether.

Ralph's business was removed to The Lindens, though, by that time, he was near retirement, and the house unofficially known as 'Dodds' became 'Dodds' when Miss Horstman bought it. The house later reverted to its previous name 'Prospect House', which it is known by today.

Prospect House (Dodds)

2022-10-29T14:14:39Z

Tomsalmon:

=THE TENANTS OF PROSPECT HOUSE (DODDS)=

[[File:Doris_dodd-small.jpg|thumb|Doris Dodd]]

As far as is known, this house has always belonged to wheelwrights, but in the 1800's (and possibly centuries before) it was also an alehouse and shop where villagers drank in the room to the right of the front door and smoked their clay pipes, but what they bought there, I suppose only they can tell.

Originally it was thatched, but the roof was raised and tiled and the brick frontage put on, around the beginning of the nineteenth century. The front garden belonged to the Lord of the Manor and was sold to Thomas Spilsbury in 1843 for £1. The house had been lived in by the Spilsbury's since at least the beginning of the 19th century. They were a large family of wheelwrights who owned other property in the village.

The Dodd family originally came from Warwick and settled at Preston and for many generations they supplied the farmers of Preston with wagons. Eventually one of their descendants, William Coldicott Dodd came with his young bride to Clifford Chambers and moved into Prospect House.

The front garden became a vegetable garden shaded by an apple tree producing two kinds of apple – blenheim and wyken pippin. The present drive was full of wagons in process of being made, and wheels. Mr. Dodd was also the Undertaker, but the coffins were made and stored away from the public eye.

Mrs. Dodd died early in their marriage and eventually Mr. Dodd met a schoolteacher from Knowle, Leah Woodfield, and they married in 1897. Ralph, their oldest child was born in 1898 and Doris in 1910, and they had a normal happy childhood of that period. About 10 years after, Floss was born and soon after Mrs. Dodd became ill with arthritis, and it was possibly that which affected Flossie's upbringing.

Ralph and Doris attended the village school Flossie stayed a t home being taught by her mother. Ralph and Doris had been allowed to play with the village children, but Floss was kept a virtual prisoner in her own home. Her little wistful face could often be seen looking through the bars of the gate at the children playing in the street. Even when she became a teenager, she wasn't allowed out unaccompanied. As an adult, she had to stay at home and look after her mother. The only time she was allowed to go to work was during the war when she worked, I think, at Josephs making parts for the fighter aeroplanes. He relaxation was in the violin and with her brother and sister accompanying her, she played in the orchestra for the Stratford Operatic Society; Ralph and Doris taking singing and acting parts.

[[File:Mrs_houstmann-in-car_and_david_woulfe-small.jpg|thumb|1950's: Mrs. Horstman, in car and David Woulfe]]

Ralph, leaving school at the age of 12, worked for his father until the 1st World War and then found himself in the terrible fighting at the Somme,at the tender age of 17. After the war. He not only plunged into work at his father's workshop, but added his baritone voice with many others in the Stratford Operatic Society which had only just then started. A young soprano claimed his attention, Kathleen Victoria Phyllis Mc Neil. They eventually married in 1935 - and the same year his father died. But Ralph carried on with the business.

It was Doris who became so popular and was so well loved. Alex her nephew had been known to say that his Aunt Floss never went to school and his Aunt Doris never left it! She stayed at the village school almost until she died in 1960. When she reached the age when she could no longer be called a scholar, she became a pupil teacher and then an Infant Teacher. At the same time she took over the Church Choir. Up until then, there had been a small choir run by Miss Monica Pippet. For most of that time, Doris, Ralph and Flossie had been members, sitting in primitive choir stalls with a harmonium to accompany them. (The present choir stalls and organ didn't arrive until 1931)

When Doris took over, she took her responsibilities very seriously. She travelled to London once a week to take music degrees at both the Royal Acadamy of Music and the London College of Music, taking and passing exams held in London and having the initials LLCM and LRAM added to her name.. Also, being so close to the children of the Parish, she kept an ear open for any musical talent. Through her efforts the choir stalls were full each service - with a waiting list!

The children loved her; the adults respected her and the Choir practice was so enjoyable that everyone eagerly awaited the next practice. She organised the concerts in The New Room (reached by way of The Nashes), and sang and played at concerts in other villages. The concerts were mainly for enjoyment, being the only entertainment of that time, but, during the Second World War, the concerts were held to raise money to buy food and pay for postage in order that the Clifford boys overseas could have a food parcel.

Doris suffered as a diabetic and in the end, it tragically took her life. Towards the end, she developed cataracts and became blind, playing the organ by ear. She valiantly carried on with her work in the Church, and in the school until she became too ill to do anything.

Doris died Easter 1960. Floss was on her own. Her arthritic (and sometimes quite unreasonable) mother had died in 1944. Within a few months, Floss had sold the house which had been prison to her for so many years in her early life, and moved to Quinton.

The man who bought it for, I think the princely sum of £3,300 was a property developer, who promptly removed the old character of the ale house. The room where the men of the village smoked their clay pipes and drank their beer and where, some years later, Doris gave her piano lessons and Floss her violin lessons, was amalgamated into the hall. The small store rooms, one of which contained the entrance to the beer cellar, disappeared altogether.

Ralph's business was removed to The Lindens, though, by that time, he was near retirement, and the house unofficially known as 'Dodds' became 'Dodds' when Miss Horstman bought it. The house later reverted to its previous name 'Prospect House', which it is known by today.

War Memorial

2022-10-29T08:30:32Z

Tomsalmon:

__notoc__
[[File:War memorial without steps.jpg|thumb|right|War Memorial without steps]]

==Our Sixteen Boys==
And others mentioned on the gravestones in the Churchyard who gave their lives for their country

==Those Who Fell in the First World War==

====John Milton James (Private 171)====
(From the War Graves Commission Records) 
A Company 16th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment 
Architect and Surveyor 
Died Sunday 26th January 1916 aged 30 – buried Frcourt Somme 

[[File:John milton james.jpg|thumb|right|John Milton James]]

From the Stratford-upon-Avon Herald dated February 1916: 
<blockquote>“On the 26th ult. killed in France John Milton James 16th Royal Warwicks
elder son of John James of Whitchurch

John Milton James (known by his family as Milton) was the eldest son of John
James who came from Whitchurch to live in Orchard House, Clifford Chambers.

Milton attended the Commercial School in Greenhill Street, and on leaving, became
articled to Messrs. Wilde & Fry, Architects of Weston-Super-Mare for 5 years.
He then had a Government appointment at Bristol dealing with structural
alterations of Post Offices and Municipal Buildings in West England. From there,
he found work with Messrs. Hall & Stevenson, Land Agents and Surveyors of
Shrewsbury. For the two years before the 1st World War, he was Assistant Agent on
the estate of the Earl of Harrowby of Sandon Park, Staffs. He was offered work by
the Board of Works in Ceylon, but declined, feeling the need to serve his Country

He was one of the first to enlist at the Birmingham Battalion. Lance Cpl. Horseman
reported to his parents, “On the evening of the 26th January, we came off duty and
were asleep in our dug-out when a shell burst, killing him and two others
instantaneously and injuring seven. We had a very high opinion of him, for he
always showed great willingness and very valuable intelligence in everything he had
to do. The granting of his Commission which was to have gone through in a few
days now, would have given us a very useful Officer.”</blockquote>

(Inscription on the grave of Alan Maxwell James (brother of Milton) and his wife Alice in Clifford Chambers Churchyard:- “William Leslie James RAF Volunteer Reserves the beloved son of the above missing from air operations March 3rd 1945 aged 23 years)

====Raymond George Salmon Private 1011====
(From the War Graves Commission Records) 
D Company 16th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment 
Died Monday 10th April 1916 aged 22 buried at Arras

[[File:Raymond salmon.jpg|thumb|right|Raymond Salmon]]

[[File:Raymond_salmon_grave.jpg|thumb|right|Raymond Salmon's Gravestone in Arras]]

Raymond George Salmon was the eldest son of John and Fanny Salmon; brother of May Huckvale, Percy Salmon and Margery Tustain; grandson of Daniel and Ann Woodward

From the Stratford-upon-Avon Herald dated 5th May 1916 
<blockquote>The late Private R. G. Salmon – enlisted in Birmingham son of John and Fanny Salmon
– Cemetery; Faubourg D’Amiens Cemetery, Arras

The death (killed in action) of Private R. G. Salmon Royal Warwickshire 3rd City Battalion.
Writing to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. Salmon of Clifford Chambers, Sergeant Crooks said,
“I know it will be a great blow to you all, as it is to me. He was one of my best boys;
always willing and ready to do anything that he was wanted to, and he earned the reputation
of being one of the smartest in our platoon.

The night that poor Ray met his death on Monday 10th April at 7.00 in the evening, we were
going to stand to in the firing lines as is our usual custom, and on entering the lines,
the enemy began throwing aerial torpedoes over, which fell and burst in all directions. It
was impossible for anyone to escape injury anywhere near where we were. I was near to
Ray and his comrades, when a torpedo burst over us, killing poor Ray, and fatally wounding
his next comrade. I escaped with concussion of the spine, losing the use of my legs, and
have been lying on my back ever since that night. I can assure you that his death was
instantaneous and that he did not suffer any pain. May God give you strength to bear the
loss, as I am sure you must be proud of him.”</blockquote>
[[File:P19-1st_world_war_tribute_given_to_each_family_who_lost_a_member_in_the_forces.jpg|thumb|left|1st World War tribute]]

====Cpl R J Woodward====
(Inscription on the grave of Daniel and Ann Woodward in Clifford Chambers Churchyard:- “and grandsons of the above – Cpl R. J. Woodward missing presumed killed in action July 14th 1916 aged 24 years, Pte R. G. Salmon killed in action April 10th 1916 aged 22 years, Pte R. W. Woodward missing presumed killed in action April 15th 1918 aged 22 years

And in the Stratford-upon-Avon Herald 18th August 1916: 
<blockquote>“Mr. & Mrs. F. Woodward of Bordon View, Evesham Road have just received from the Territorial Force Record Office a notification that their only son was posted as missing after an engagement in France on July 14th. Corporal Woodward who is 23 years of age enlisted in the Royal Warwickshire Regiment and crossed the Channel 12 months last March. He renewed acquaintance with several old friends the week before Easter, when he was on home leave.”</blockquote>

And dated 13th April 1917 “A report has been received from the War Office notifying the death of Corporal Reginald J. Woodward of the 7th Battilion Royal Warwickshire Regiment which occurred with the British Expeditionary Force in France on July 14th of last year. Previously this young soldier had been reported as missing. Before joining up, he was employed with Messrs. Kendall & Sons.”)

====William Ernest Lively Private 3015====
(From the War Graves Commission Records) 
2nd Battalion Worcestershire Regiment 
died Wednesday 9th August 1916 aged 31 
son of John and Emily Lively 
Private W. Lively killed in action August 9th 1916 at High Wood Bazentin-le-Petit

Only a very little is known about the early years of William Ernest Lively (who was probably called Bill by his family.) He was always referred to as the third son of John and Emily Lively, but, according to the Census of 1891, the oldest son had a different surname to the parents, yet was referred to as “son”. John was 31 at the time of this Census and his occupation was Parish Clerk; in other words, he did all the official business at the Church apart from actually taking services, marrying, baptising, visiting - and burying - parishioners, which, of course, was the Rector’s job! But John, with his official gown and official verger’s staff, would precede the Rector into Church for all the services, and out again afterwards, and have all the paperwork ready in the Vestry for the Rector to fill in and sign.

Emily, his wife, came from Admington and was 4 years older, and one assumes the oldest son, Roger Edwin Denis, aged 15 at the time of the 1891 Census and written down as ‘son and Agricultural Labourer at Admington,’ was her son; perhaps from a previous marriage. Censuses were prepared every 10 years, and in the 1901 one, he is down as ‘Ben’ aged 25.

John Henry Lively was the next son on the list, in the 1891 Census listed as aged 8, scholar. Then came William Ernest 6, scholar, followed by Ada Annie 4, scholar, then Rose 2 and Ellen 11 months.

William (or Bill) joined the 2nd Battalion of the Worcestershire Regiment in March 1916 at the age of 31, and nothing, as yet is known of his schooling at Clifford School, or his work once he left school, With his father being the Parish Clerk, I would imagine it meant regular attendances at the Church – maybe singing in the choir if he had a good singing voice.

From the Stratford-upon-Avon Herald dated 25th August 1916:-
<blockquote>“Private W. E. Lively
Sympathy will go out with Mr. and Mrs. Lively of Clifford Chambers in the heavy bereavement they have sustained through the death of their youngest son

He joined up under the Derby system in March last, and had only been in France 3 weeks when it became his lot to make the final sacrifice. The Reverend Harold Ewbank, the Chaplain, in his letter to Mr. and Mrs. Lively, said that Private Lively had nobly laid down his life on August 9th in the defence of his freedom and the happiness of all whom he left. “I know all this will be a terrible blow to you all, but it will be a great relief to know that his death was instantaneous, and without pain. He has done the noblest and most Christ-like thing it is possible for any man to do, for has not our Master told us ‘Great love has no man than this that he lay down his life for his friends.’

He was buried near the fighting line (at High Wood, Bazentin-le-Petit) with all reverence and with a cross fixed at his head.”</blockquote>

====Francis Neville Conran Smith Lt. 6th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment====
(From the War Graves Commission Records) 
Died Sunday 27th August 1916

Lt. Francis Neville Conran Smith, second son of Mr. and Mrs. Conran Smith, Craxted Road, Dulwich, was educated at Bedford Grammar School. He enlisted at the outbreak of the War and was given a Commission in the Worcestershire Regiment. He was wounded on Friday 25th August and died of his wounds on the following Sunday.

The Chaplain wrote, “He has left behind him a gap which will be hard to fill as his charm of manner, the simplicity of his life; his gallantry in action, and his devotion to duty made up a combination which is as rare as it is welcome.”

Before the War, he farmed at Clifford with Mr. A. J. Wedd and was a well-known hockey player.

====J. Hewins Lance Corporal 1641====
(From the War Graves Commission Records) 
1st Battilian Royal Warwickshire Regiment 
Died Thursday 12th October 1916

[[File:Sailor and soldier.jpg|thumb|right|Geoffrey George Ivens (sailor) and Jack Hewins (soldier)]]
Photo:Clifford Chambers in the 1910's:Sailor and Soldier

Corporal John Hewins second son of Mr. and Mrs. Hewins, aged 24, on 12th instant was killed in action in France.

An intimation of the death of this gallant soldier was received by his parents who reside at Clifford Chambers, on Sunday last. Corporal Hewins was stationed with his Regiment at Malta when War broke out, and returned with his comrades to the Mother Country. On October 10th 1914, he crossed the Channel and eleven days later, was placed hors de combat by a wound in the head. On April 8th 1915, he had sufficiently recovered to return to the front, but again had the misfortune to be wounded in the left leg and arm on 8th November.

July 6th of the present year saw him once more actively engaged in his country’s service. Corporal Hewins had four months only to serve in order to complete seven years in H.M.Forces.

From The Stratford-upon-Avon Herald dated 16th February 1917: 
<blockquote>“Death from wounds of a Clifford man 
Mrs. W. Hewins of Clifford Chambers has just received a letter from Lieutenant
Devis of the 1st Royal Warwickshire announcing the death of her son. The writer adds that he died at the Field Ambulance from wounds received under shell fire in the early stages of an attack on the 12th October. He bore the wounds most pluckily, and cheerfully spoke when he was carried away. The Officers who knew him speak of the loss his death is to the battalion, and sympathise with his relatives.”</blockquote>

From the Stratford-upon-Avon Herald dated 12th October 1917: 
<blockquote>In Memoriam 
In proud and loving memory of our dear son and brother Cpl John Hewins of Clifford Chambers who was killed in action October 12 l916 at Ypres in France aged 24 years. 
We look around our homestead and someone is missing there 
We have loved and lost a dear one on the battlefield over there 
No loved one stood beside him to bid him last farewell 
No words of comfort would he have from those who loved him well 
Never absent from the thoughts of mother, father, sisters, brother, and Florrie from the Isle of Wight. 
John Hewins was the son of John Henry Hewins and Adalin Hewins, and half-brother to Geoffrey John Ivens 
(John Hewins was also the lad who had to be horse-whipped by Col.Studley as Miss Wilding could do nothing more to discipline him, but who turned up in his army uniform at the school to say sorry to her!)</blockquote>

====Albert Edward Mole 1st Battalion Grenadiers====
(From the War Graves Commission Records) 
Son of Arthur Edward Mole 
No more is known of Albert Edward Mole. The knowledge that the descendants of his immediate family have, is that Albert joined H.M.Forces on leaving school, and was never known to have stayed, or lived, at his home again, from then on.

====Geoffrey George Ivens Leading Seaman H.M.S. Broke Royal Navy====
(From the War Graves Commission Records) 
Died Saturday 21st April 1917 aged 27 
Son of Mrs. E Hewins 
Buried at Clifford Chambers

From the Stratford-upon-Avon Herald dated Friday 27th April 1917: 
<blockquote>On the 21st inst. Killed in action Geoffrey George, Leading Seaman of H.M.S. Broke, the eldest and beloved son of Ellen and William Hewins of Clifford Chambers, aged 27. “Greater love hath no man than this, that he laid down his life for his friends.</blockquote>

====Naval Funeral at Clifford Chambers====
From the Stratford-upon-Avon Herald 27th April 1917: 
<blockquote>Among those who fell gloriously in the recent naval engagement off Dover was Leading Seaman George Geoffrey, the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Hewins of Clifford Chambers at the age of 27, and he was given a naval funeral in the Gloucestershire village yesterday (Thursday) afternoon. This young hero, who had seen eleven years’ service in the Navy, was well-known at Clifford, and the whole village turned out to pay a last tribute of respect to his memory.

The coffin, which was covered with the Union Jack and several beautiful wreaths, was borne shoulder-high to the Church, escorted by a firing party from Budbrooke under Sergeant Norris and a contingent of wounded soldiers from Clopton. The mourners included Mr. and Mrs. Hewins, the Misses Gladys, Doris, and Vera Hewins (sisters), Mr. Harold Hewins (brother), Mr. Jesse Hewins, Miss Hilda Ivens (cousins), Mr. and Mrs. Ivens, Mr. and Mrs. H. Hewins, Miss F. Davis, Mrs. Dodd. Miss Harris and a Stratford representative of the Navy in Seamen Croft. The Rev. W. A. Pippet met the cortege at the entrance to the Church, and impressively recited the Burial Service, the hymns sung being “There is a blessed home”, and “For all the Saints”. Miss M. Pippet was at the organ, and as the mourners filed out of the Church, she played the “Dead March” in Saul. The committal prayers were read by the Rector in God’s Acre, and then the soldiers from Budbrooke paid full honours to their departed brother by firing three volleys over the grave, while the bugler sounded the “Last Post”. There were a large number of lovely wreaths, and among those who sent emblems were the father and mother, sisters and brother, Mr. and Mrs. H. Hewins, Aunt Edith and Uncle, Mrs. Douty “with deepest sympathy”, the maids at The Manor, the Women’s Volunteer Reserve (Dover Company), “the Ship Company”, “a few old friends”, the villagers of Clifford, Mr. and Mrs. Tompkins, Miss Derry, Mrs. Dodd, Miss Harris, Mrs. Radbourne, Kathleen Radbourne, the elder schoolchildren and the infants. Mr. Dodd carried out the duties of undertaker.</blockquote>

From the Stratford-upon-Avon Herald dated April 19th 1918: 
<blockquote>In loving and affectionate remembrance of P.O. Geoffrey George, the elder and beloved son of Ellen and William Hewins of Clifford Chambers who was killed in action in the Dover bombardment April 20/21st 1917/ 
A devoted son, a true and faithful friend 
One of the very best God did lend 
He gave his dear life for one and all 
And answered to his country’s call 
No mother or dad to see him die 
No sisters or brothers to say goodbye 
No loving mother to hold his dear hand 
But we hope to meet the dear one in a better land 
Sleep on dear one, and take your rest 
Those miss you most that loved you best 
And when days are sad and friends very few 
Oh! Our dearest Geoffrey, how we long for you 
Never absent from the thoughts of his broken-hearted mother, dad, sisters, brothers, uncle and aunt from West Street, Mollie for Erdington and little Cissy for her loving bunch of flowers.</blockquote>

(Maurice Woodfield, son of Geoffrey George Iven’s sister, Vera, says that he was told his Uncle Geoffrey died from wounds caused by his legs being blown off, though he survived long enough to smoke his last Woodbine! His death took place in the English Channel just off the port of Dover, and his body was brought back to Clifford for burial)

====Ernest Jessie Odell Private 42523====
(From the War Graves Commission Records) 
A Company 2nd Battalion Worcestershire Regiment 
Died Wednesday 1st November 1916 aged 31 
Son of Henry A Odell and Mary A. Odell, Little Alne, Wootten Wawen

====Charles J. Giles Private 55056====
(From the War Graves Commission Records) 
Machine Gun Corps Infantry 48th Battalion 
Died Tuesday 23rd April 1918 aged 26 
Husband of Mrs. C. J. Giles Clifford Chambers 
(Mrs Gertrude Giles was left with a small son, Derek, to bring up. She and her sister, Agnes, were the twin daughters of Ewib and Mary Ann Cockbill who kept the dairy at No 18 Clifford Chambers.)

====Stephen Ernest Bennett Private 35232====
(From the War Graves Commission Records) 
16th Battalion Royal Warwickshire 
Died Saturday 20th April 1918 aged 19 
Son of Stephen and Eliza Bennett, Clifford Chambers

From the Stratford-upon-Avon Herald Dated 3rd May 1918: 
<blockquote>“On the 20th ult. killed in action in France Private Stephen Ernest Bennett 16th Royal Warwick Regiment only dearly-beloved son of Mr. and Mrs. S. Bennett of Clifford Chambers, aged 19 years 
He sleeps beside his comrades 
In a hallowed grave unknown 
But his name is written in letters of love 
In the heart he left at home.”</blockquote>

Stephen Ernest Bennett had two older sisters, Frances and Fanny, all living in Clifford Chambers, the children of Stephen and Eliza Bennett and the grandchildren of Stephen and Frances Bennett; all 3 Stephens being agricultural labourers at Clifford Chambers. Nothing more is known of them.

Letter written to Rev. Pippet from Stephen Bennett from Hut 36, Regt 2nd 8/9556. B.Coy, 8th Batton. 35TR. No 1 West Farm Camp, Havant, Nr. Salisbury, Wilts, dated April 14th 1917 (written in pencil in neat handwriting): 
<blockquote>Dear Sir,

I thought its my duty to write to you, to let you know I am getting on alright, and quite happy. I am in the 35th Training Reserve, it is rightly the 7th Dorsets only they are attached to the Reserve. It is rather a nice camp, well situated in a valley. There are some very fine land–marks on the hills, one is the 6th “City of London Regt.”. I expect Clifford is rather quite, but I hope to be home on leave soon. I have been up eight weeks last Friday, we have seen great change in that time. We have boxing hear, I have had the gloves on several time the last time I knocked my man out. We are having dreadful weather hear nothing but snow, or rain. I was vaxenated last Thursday week, which caused me to have rather a bad arm, we are expecting a double dose Monday. Fred Lyne is quite well, we are both together. Well Sir please excuse the pencil as it is rather difficult in obtaining ink. So I will conclude my short letter has the bugle is sounding, So I remain, 
Your’s Obedient 
Pte S. E. Bennett</blockquote>

[[File:Christmas card 1917.jpg|thumb|right|Christmas Card 1917]]

====Reginald William Woodward Private 21457====
(From the War Graves Commission Records) 
3rd Battalion Coldstrean Guards 
Died 13th April 1918 aged 22 
Reginald William Woodward was the son of William (a millers carter at Weston-on-Avon) and Elizabeth Woodward, and grandson of Daniel and Ann Woodward of Clifford Chambers.

====William Wheeler Lance Corporal 0743====
(From the War Graves Commission Records) 
9th Battalion Royal Warwickshire 
Died Thursday 6th April l916 
Buried in Iraq

From the Stratford-upon-Avon Herald 5th May 1916:
<blockquote>“The death is announced of Lance Corporal W. Wheeler of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment, son of the late M. and Mrs. Wheeler of Clifford Chambers. Wheeler enlisted about 10 months ago, and his first engagement was in the Dardanelles. He remained in Egypt some time, and then took part in an action at the Persion Gulf, where he was severely wounded. He died from his wounds on the 6th April, much to the regret of his officers. Wheeler was, for some time, in the employ of Mrs. Douty of Clifford Chambers and afterwards entered the services of Mr.Griffiths of Edstone Hall as chauffeur</blockquote>

====Addition of Steps to the War Memorial====
[[File:War memorial with steps.jpg|thumb|right|War Memorial]]

Section of the Minutes of the Meeting of the Parish Council in the Parish of Clifford Chambers held at the Village School on Monday the 10th day of January 1921

<blockquote>Present – Mr. J. R. Black Chairman 
Mr. J. H. Bailey 
Mr. J. L. Radbourne

Clifford Chambers War Memorial 
Encroachment on Footpath 
Read a letter from the Rev. F. H. Hodgson M.A. addressed to the Chairman of the Parish Council, stating that it was proposed to place stone steps at the foot of the Village War Memorial and asking if this Parish Council had any objection to the slight encroachment on the footpath that would be caused thereby.

Moved by the Chairman 
Seconded by Mr. J. H. Bailey and 
Resolved unanimously – That the Rev. F. H. Hodgson be informed that the Parish Council has no objection to the encroachment on the footpath which would be caused by the placing of stone steps at the foot of the village War Memorial.</blockquote>

==Those Who Fell in the Second World War==

====Kenneth Patrick English Flying Officer 41273====
(From the War Graves Commission Records) 
Pilot 274 Squadron Royal Air Force 
Died Monday 12th May 1941 Buried in Egypt

From the Stratford-upon-Avon Herald dated 30th May 1941: 
<blockquote>“Flying Officer Kenneth Patrick (Pat) English, the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. K. M. English of Clifford Chambers, is missing as the result of air operations by the RAF in the Middle East.

Flying Officer English who is 27 was, for a time, on the staff of the NFU Mutual Insurance Society and later was in the Birmingham Office of the London Assurance Society. He joined the RAF in 1938 having decided to make flying his career.

The many friends of the family will sympathise with them during the anxious wait for news.”</blockquote>

Research has shown no other news of Pat English beyond the above found in the Stratford Herald. The date of death on the War Graves Commission Records is the date Pat English was reported missing. It is believed he and his parents lived at The Laurels, and it is also believed his mother was a school teacher.

====Frederick Charles Pinfold Sergeant Volunteer Reserves 130878====
(From the War Graves Commission Records) 
Air Gunner Royal Air Force 
Died Thursday 13th April 1944 aged 23 
Son of J. F. Pinfold

From the Stratford-upon-Avon Herald dated 21st April l944:
<blockquote>Clifford Air-Gunner killed

Sergeant Air-Gunner Frederick Chas. Pinfold elder son of Mr. and Mrs. Pinfold of Clifford Chambers has been killed on active service. Sergeant Pinfold who had completed some 17 operations over enemy country was well-known in Clifford Chambers and in Stratford. He was 23 years of age and before joining the RAF in 1940, was employed at the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre.

Educated at Clifford School and King Edward VII School, he was ground-gunner for some time, but later transferred to air crew. He was keen on all sport, particularly fishing.

There was a large attendance at the funeral at Clifford Chambers on Monday (17th April) The service was conducted by the Rector, the Rev. F. Meridyth Brookes. The 23rd Psalm and the hymn “Peace, perfect peace” were sung. Miss D. Dodd L.L.C.M., L.R.A.M. being at the organ.

The chief mourners were Mr. & Mrs. J. Pinfold (father and mother), Mr. Jim Pinfold (brother). Miss Mary Jeffrey (fiancee), Mrs. & Mr. C. Mullis (aunt and uncle), Mr. E. Mullis, Mrs. Hobbs, Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey, Mr. and Mrs. H. Lively, Mrs. J. Salmon, Mrs. J.Huckvale, Mr. and Mrs. R. Tustain, Mrs. L Silvester, Mr. and Mrs. H. Cockbill, Mr. R. Harris, Mr. G. Harris, A.C.l. R. Burton, A.C.1. D. Brocklehurst and L.A.C. R.Embrey. 
Among the flowers were tributes from the Head Postmaster and Staff; O.C. and all ranks from his station; O.C. and all ranks from his squadron; customers and friends New Inn; Clifford Chambers Forces Fund; and Front staff Memorial Theatre. Mr. R. Dodd carried out the funeral arrangements.</blockquote>

From a letter written by Trevor Timperley
<blockquote>“Fred was about 17 when I came to live at “Chetwynd” in September 1937. He lived with his young brother Jim, and Mother and Father at No 2 The Nashes. This house was at the top of my back garden and I soon became friends with Fred. I don’t remember what job Fred had then, but I do remember him getting a job in 1938 as a shop assistant at the shop in Greenhill Street (believed to be Fred Smith’s) almost opposite to the site of the old cinema. It sold fishing tackle and Fred was a keen fisherman. If ever anyone would answer “Yes” to the question, “Are you happy at your work?” it would be Fred! The prospect of discussing fishing and showing fishing tackle to customers, really had him enthusing!

I was no fisherman, but I would occasionally go with him. One evening in 1938 he caught a large pike and for some reason I don’t now know, took it to my home and left it in the large sandstone kitchen sink. It had been stunned only, by the blow to it’s head, but we both believed it dead, and went out again. By the time my mother returned to the house, a dripping tap had revived it, and it had leapt from the sink to the kitchen floor. My mother got an enormous shock to find it flopping round the kitchen floor. Fred was really apologetic.

I went into the Army in 1939 and transferred to the RAF in 1941 becoming a bomber pilot in 1942. Fred was called up early in the war and became an RAF air gunner in which capacity he was killed in about 1942. I never saw him from the start of the war as our leaves never coincided.

Fred’s father was the local postman based in Stratford, but doing a round that included Clifford and Atherstone. War casualties were notified by telegram and when notification came through to Stratford that Fred was missing, his father was on duty. The telegram would normally have been delivered by a “telegram boy” on a bicycle but Fred’s father did the task. What a task – to deliver to your wife notification by telegram that their son was missing!”</blockquote>

====John Spencer Salmon fusilier 14552875====
(From the War Graves Commission Records) 
6th Battalion Royal Welch Fusiliers 
Died Monday 24th July 1944 aged 19 
Buried in France 
(from the gravestone in Clifford Churchyard of Percy John Salmon and Elizabeth Ann Salmon “John Spencer Salmon elder son of the above died in Normandy July 24th 1944 aged 19 years”)

[[File:Percy salmon and family.jpg|thumb|right|Percy Salmon and family]]

From the Stratford-upon-Avon Herald dated 4th August 1944:
<blockquote>Clifford man dies of wounds)

Wounded in Normandy in July, Fusilier John Spencer Salmon, elder son of Mr. and Mrs. P. J. Salmon of Clifford Chambers died four days later. He would have been 20 in November.

Fusilier Salmon enlisted in March 1943. He was employed by Messrs. Titchmarsh and Hunt Ltd. at Stratford-upon-Avon</blockquote>

From the Stratford-upon-Avon Herald dated 11th August 1944: 
<blockquote>Deaths 
Salmon – Fusilier John Spencer Salmon, Royal Welch Fusiliers aged 19 died of wounds in July 
Not far away, for unbroken 
Is the golden chain of love 
It is binding us still together 
On earth and in Heaven above 
Never forgotten by his mother, father, Gerald and Dinah.</blockquote>

John volunteered for active service the same time as Claude Hogg and they both went to Budbrooke Barrocks together. John was accepted, but Claude was refused as he was in agriculture and needed on the farm. However, when John had leave during his training there, Claude would often cycle back to Budbrooke with him.

====Douglas John Mole Flying Officer 168506====
(From the War Graves Commission Records) 
10th Squadron RAF Volunteer Reserves 
Died Monday 18th December 1944 aged 29 
Son of Albert and Violet Mole; husband of Lilian Mole of County Durham

Douglas was always known as Jack by friends and family. He lived at ‘Ynot’, a house built by his father who was an engineer. The plans for his house included an annexe to the kitchen to house the copper/boiler, but planning consent was not given. Albert’s answer to them was “Why not?” Hence the name of his house! Jack went to the village school, but when his father was given a job by the Water Board, the family moved to Stratford. Jack worked at Hensons when he left school, and later married a girl from Northumberland.

From The Stratford-upon-Avon Herald 26th April 1918:
<blockquote>“On March 24th Lt. Reginald T. Dent (aged 19) grandson of the late Rev. Francis H Annesley formerly of The Manor House Clifford Chambers, was killed in action whilst holding on with a few men to a position which was practically surrounded by the enemy. His brother, Captain Arthur Evelyn Dent was killed in the battle of Arras on Easter Day last year and his elder and only surviving brother is now in France.”</blockquote>

==From the Gravestones in Clifford Churchyard of Names not included on the War Memorial==

* Flt. Lt. C. E. Brayshaw killed in action February 21st 1944 aged 22 (his sister is Pauline Mary Rowe)

* Wilfred George Lewis Warrant Officer RAF killed in action 28th September 1944 aged 24 years

And on another gravestone in Clifford Churchyard
* Douglas Edward Downes Curry (21) Lost in H.M.S. Captain September 6th 1870

[[File:Remembrance sunday 1.jpg|thumb|left|Remembrance Sunday]]

File:Raymond salmon grave.jpg

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Tomsalmon:

File:DJI 0690.JPG

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Tomsalmon: Tomsalmon uploaded a new version of File:DJI 0690.JPG

Clifford Manor

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Tomsalmon:

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[[Manor Cottages]] | [[2 Manor Cottages]] | [[Clifford Manor Estate Auction]]

==Clifford Manor==

[[File:Clifford manor.jpg|thumb|400px|right|Clifford Manor]]

''“Our first halt was at Clifford Chambers – a village of a few well-to-do cottages on the Stour. But the pride of Clifford is its Manor House. Tall white gates in a high brick wall form the end of the turf-bordered road, called by courtesy the village street. Within the gates stands the old house.''

[[File:DJI_0632.JPG|thumb|300px|left]]
[[File:DJI_0725.JPG|thumb|300px|left]]

''We peeped through the bars of the white gates that rose so stately between their stone pillars, and were presently invited in by the courteous owners.''

''A delicious old garden lay inside the high walls. A straight broad gravel drive led up to the front door, with smooth borders on either side, filled with every kind of fragrant old flower – clove pinks, white pinks, pansies and columbine, snapdragons and gorgeous larkspur. Beyond the borders, quince and apple, and nut trees grew among the peas and potatoes beside green alleys under sunny walls. On a side lawn near the house stood an ancient mulberry tree, propped with many posts, yet still bearing plenty of fruit.''

''Inside the house, everything of course was oak. In a delightful little sitting-room with a high carved mantel-piece, priceless old Worcester china heaped and crowded every table. We felt certain that, hidden away in corners, we should find great jars of pot-pourri made from the petals of the fragrant Damask Roses. It was a pretty summer picture altogether, as we turned away – open doors and windows, roses everywhere. Beyond the old moat, now part of a meadow, the pink and white stars of the wild rose shone twenty feet high among branches of black fir trees.”''

- from an article written by Miss Kingsley appearing in ‘English Illustrated Magazine’ 1866

== Anglo-Saxon History ==

The first known owner of the Manor plus land, plus 2 Mills – and more land! –was Algar, a great Saxon Thane (holder of lands by military service in Anglo-Saxon times ranking between nobility and freeman). It passed, on his death, to his son Brictic – and here comes the interesting bit! Brictic was sent by Edward the Confessor (who died in 1066 – just so that you know the period we are talking about!) to the Court of Bruges as an English ambassador. There, he caught the eye of a noble lass called Matilda. She was very much impressed with him. In fact, it seems she was besotted with him. He rejected all her advances, came back to England, and promptly forgot her!

She didn’t forget him! Her later marriage to William of Normandy brought her, eventually, to England. When her husband became King, she took her revenge on poor Brictic. He was sent to prison. His lands were confiscated and passed to – Queen Matilda! So, for a while, the Queen of England was our Lady of the Manor. I was so intrigued by this, that I named my daughter after her - much to her present disgust!

Soon after the Domesday Book was completed, the Manor, Mills and land were passed to the Benedictine Abbey and convent of St. Peter at Gloucester, and it remained in their hands for four centuries. And here comes another interesting bit! Up until the time the property came under the ownership of the Church, the Manor, plus buildings and land were known as Clifford. Nothing more! Now we have the ‘Chambers’ bit added! Any money or lands given to the Church were designated into different funds within the Church. This particular ‘offering’ called ‘Clifford’, was placed in a fund – or office – which kept the Abbot’s Chamber properly furnished. The one in charge of this fund or office was the Camerarius or Chamberlain – though I really do not know why ‘Chambers’ had to be added onto our particular village, when probably other areas were also financially helping this fund without having an ugly name like that added to their identity!

== Past Owners ==

The book ‘Clifford Manor,a history’, lists names of free tenants, customary tenants and other tenants in 1266, but the only names I could recognize as village names were William ole Winnecote, Henricus de Wilicote and Rogerus Silvestre, though an interesting one was Adam Bruggemon (Bridgman) who had to keep the bridge in repair.

As for the owners, - once the property was taken away from the monks by Henry VIII (which, by now, boasted a Church and lands called Mounckes Close and Moorse Hill) - two were knighted, one was involved in the Civil War (and as he was a Royalist, was on the losing side, taken prisoner, then escaped!) One was a barrister-at-law and two were Vicars and became Rectors of Clifford Chambers. Their names you will recognise – Raynesford (later Rainsford), Dighton, Annesley, West.

====HERE ARE THE DETAILS OF CLIFFORD HISTORY AND THE MANOR====

From the Chronicles Anglo-Normandy I 73 Freeman iii 86 1070

“William the King 'forgetting it would seem that such hatred might be deemed to savour of love, granted his wife's prayer and imprisoned Britric - transferring all Brictric's land to The Queen Matilda

The Lordship of Tewkesbury, including the Manor of Clifford, thus became the property of Queen Matilda.

Before her death, the Queen conferred the Manor of Clifford to Roger de Busli (or Bushley). (It is held by one authority that Roger's wife Muriel was in some way connected with Matilda)

====The Domesday Book====

Roger de Busli is registered as the Lord of the Manor of Clifford

======THE SURVEY======
“In Clifford are:- - 7 hides pertaining to the Manor of Tewkesbury - 3 carucates in demesne - and 14 villans with 5 ploughs - and a mill worth 12s - two acres of meadow

Between the male and female serfs there are:- - 13 ploughs and a Church - and a priest with one carucature. The value 8l. now 6l.

This land the Queen gave to Roger de Busli· It is geldible for 4 hides in Tewkesbury Immediately after the compilation of Domesday - , Roger de Busli and Muriel his wife granted Clifford formally to the Benedictine Abbey and Convent of St. Peter at Gloucester

And the Parish deemed it none for Clifford to become:- CLIFFORD CHAMBERS -
for the revenue from this land went to a specific office – that was - the Chamberlain.

The Chamberlains duties were the clothing of the monks and the proper furnishing and upkeep of the Abbot's Chamber - and the Guest Chamber – for hospitality was one of the first duties of a monastery

In 1266, four manors were contributing to the Abbot's Chamberlain - Clifford – Buckland in Devon – Guiting – and Hinton
(see History of the Manor and Advowson of Clifford Chambers reprinted from the Transactions of the Bristol and Gloucester Archives)

[http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/GLS/CliffordChambers/ManorChurch.html]

(This custom of bequeathing lands to monasteries became one of the recognised ways of avoiding death duties. A Monastery was as reliable a manor-lord. The monks were enlightened farmers and led the way in mediaeval agriculture.)

======Extent of the Manor of Clifford in 1226======
There were five free tenants:- Robertus le Freman held by charter as an inheritance:-four virgates of land and two acres of meadow each of which virgates consists of 30 acres - paying 25 shillings and sixpence a year twice yearly
.
IF he dies the lord of the manor has his house, his armour and accoutrements if he has any - and IF on his death he leaves children under age, the Lord of the Manor has custody of his children and their lands, and controls their marrying. And IF when he dies his heir is legally of age, he, the son, is to pay homage to his Lord and perform whatever service is due with his land

Radulphus de Eylestone lives on his land free - being one virgate of land containing 48 acres - BUT must follow the Earl of Warwick and do service for his lord at the Hundred of Kington and is liable for all services at the Court of Clifford. AND IF he dies, his heirs, land and hereditaments are subject to the same conditions as those of his senior in service Robert le Freman.

Henricus son of the Smith holds:- one virgate of land containing 48 acres for the same service in all things as has been said for Randulphus AND IF through default of the said Randulphus and Henricus, the lord of the manor shall suffer loss, the same shall owe him full indemnity.

Willelmus son of Symon holds one virgate of land containing 48 acres by charter
and owes seven shillings a year for the same, paid twice yearly And he shall follow the court of Clifford. And if he dies all things shall be performed as for the said Randulphus. And he shall render whatever service is due with his land.

William son of Robert

======Others======
Two mills which were wont to return sixty shillings and sixpence quarterly will be in the hands of the lord of the manor on the feast of the Annunciation next, because then the leases of the said mills will terminate.

William the Miller holds 12 acres of land for the term of his life and that of his wife, and returns thence ten shillings a year quarterly. He performs small customary duties which pertain to the land, instead of paying taxes.

The whole ville of Clifford pays yearly sixpence in common for certain small pastures.

Nicholaus Hentelove hold one messuage with courtyard and two acres of land and pays three shillings twice yearly. And he supplies labour according to the number of his animals. And he shall pay pannage (i.e. pay for the privilege of feeding his swine in the woods) namely for a full-grown pig one penny and for a young pig a halfpenny, until it is weaned or able to be weaned.

And if he brews in order to sell, he shall give 12 gallons of ale per ton (ad tonnutum) or as toll or its equivalent

And he shall redeem his son and daughter (i.e.pay merchet or a sum of money for freedom of marrying). He shall not sell ox or horse without leave. And when he dies his lord shall have his best beast by way of heriot (melius averium suam nomine haerieti)

Adam Textor holds one messuage with courtyard and pays twelve pence twice yearly,. And he shall lift hay for his lord for four days, and it shall be worth two pence. And he shall do three bederipas (bedrip – a special duty at harvest time) and they shall be worth four pence halfpenny. And he shall perform other duties even as Nicholaus.

William Marescallus holds - do- with one acre of land and pays -do-

Alexander Sinne holds -do- and pays two shillings and sixpence twice yearly. And he does three bedrips of value fourpence halfpenny. And he shall help in lifting hay for his lord for four days to the value of two pence a day. All his other duties are similar to those of Nicholaus.

Hugo son of Laurentii -do- -do-

Thomas le Careter -do- -do-

Christina Widye holds a like tenement and she helps with the hay for four days to the value of two pence per day. And she does three bedrips to the value of fourpence halfpenny. And pays two shillings and sixpence twice a year. And all her other duties are similar to those of Nicholaus.

Matilda the widow of Galfridus -do- Christina

Johannes Lasteles -do-

Adam Bruggemon (Bridgeman) holds one messuage with courtyard and with certain pastures and pays two shillings twice yearly. And instead of all services he shall keep the bridge in repair. And there is there a certain annual toll from the whole ville of Clifford namely fifteen shillings of which ten shillings goes to the hundred of Theuk and five remains for the lord of the manor.

William de Winnecote holds five cottages in fee to his lord and pays nine shillings yearly and no other service to his lord except to the Court of Clifford. And he pays homage to the Abbot of Gloucester and when he dies his lord the abbot has the custody of his rents aforesaid and of his heirs until they are of age.

The sum of the rents of this class of tenant amounts to seventy-six shillings and six pence without the farm of the mills.

Customary tenant: Be it remembered that he has a larger holding. (This sentence is written in red ink)

Ricardus de Porta holds one virgate of land and half an acre of meadow, the virgate consisting of 36 acres. And he shall plough half an acre in the Autumn and half an acre in the Spring and he must harrow that land at seed-time. And it shall be worth fourpence altogether. And from the feast of St Peter in Chains he must in every week do manual labour for four days with one man, and for every day he is owed a halfpenny. And he shall provide transport to Gloucester twice a year to the value of eight pence. And he must also every week on the fifth or sixth day at the will of his lord provide transport to Hinetone and Boclande and he is owed for that day a penny halfpenny

And he shall wash and sheer his lord's sheep for two days and is owed a penny for whatever work is allotted to him on those days. And he must scythe his lord's meadow for four days and for any further day's work he is owed a penny. And he must help in the lifting of the crops of his lord for three days and more if necessary and he is owed a halfpenny for whatever days that are not allotted to this work. And he must carry the crops of his lord for one day and he is owed two pence beyond the manual labour of that day which can be valued at a half-penny. And he must carry firewood wheresoever the lord shall wish and he is allotted one day for that work. And he must do two bedrips before the feast of St Peter in Chains with two men and they are worth three pence.

And the total value before the autumn work is fourteen shillings and sixpence halfpenny

And from the feast of the Blessed Peter in Chains to the feast of the Blessed Michael he must work at his master's board (in messe domini) for five days with one man and it is worth a penny halfpenny each day. And he shall do eight bedrips with two men worth altogether two shillings. And he must carry his master's corn twice a week for four weeks worth a penny halfpenny each day beyond the manual labour. And he must bring his lord's sheaves to the grange for one day worth a halfpenny. And he must furnish help according to the amount of his land and number of animals. And if he brews to sell he must give twelve gallons of ale (ad tonnutum) or its equivalent price. He must pay pannage for his pigs. He may not sell horse or ox without leave. He must redeem his son and daughter. And when he dies his lord shall have his best beast by way of heriot.

The total value of his work in the autumn is eight shillings and a halfpenny.

Walter son of Yvon holds one virgate of land containing thirty six acres, and he does everything even as the said Richard. It is to be noted that he has a larger holding.

Each of the following 'holds one virgate and does everything even as the said Richard:-
* Henricus de Wilicote
* Alicia Williames
* Nicholaus de Middletone
* Matilda Adam
* Relicta Johannis Rondulf
* Willelmus le Orl
* Ricardus Palmerius
* Ricardus de Ovetone
* Thomas Rawe
* Nicholaus le Orl
* Bertram Belami
* Robertus filius Willelmi
* Sampson Neweman
* Johannes filus Willelmi

Item at Sileston: Galfridus de Forde holds one virgate of land containing 28 acres, and from the feast of St. Michael to the feast of St. Peter in Chains he must work with his hands every week for four days with one man, and it is worth a halfpenny each day. And he must supply transport twice a year to Gloucester, worth eightpence. And on the fifth or sixth day of each week he must supply transport to Hyntone or Boclande worth a penny halfpenny a day. And he must plough half an acre and harrow it at seed sowing; and he shall be free (of all other work) during his week of ploughing. And he shall tend and shear his lord's sheep for two days worth a penny. And he shall scythe his lord's meadow for four days worth twopence a day. And he shall help in lifting crops for four days worth a halfpenny a day. And he shall carry crops, and it shall be worth twopence beyond the manual labour of that day which may be taken as a halfpenny. And he must carry brushwood wheresoever his lord wishes. And he must do two bedrips before the first of August (ante Gulaustum) with two men and they shall be worth three pence. The rest he does even as Richard de Porta.

Each of the following 'holds one virgate of land and does everything even as the said Galfridus' - Willelmus de Rye - Thomas le Orl - Rogerus Silvestre - Radulphus Frankeleyn - Alicia Mauger - Ricardus Newcomene - Robertus de Forda.

Chrisina relicta Carectarii holds half a virgate of land and does half service in all things even as Galfridus.

All the aforesaid customary tenants give an annual aid of twenty shillings, and all owed mill-carriage, that is to say mill-stones to the lord's mill or they gave in common thirteen and a farthing.

Item – at Clifford there are four ploughs for the arable land in demesne and there are thirty six oxen for each plough eight oxen and four besides.

It must be remembered that the lord of the manor owes defence and arbitration to his tenants; he must be able to protect their property and persons, and must also provide a court of justice in the hall of the manor-house.

The successful working of the system depended on the personality of the lord of the Manor, whether these ancient dues remained constitutional or developed into tyrannical extortion.

====Rectors of Clifford Church====

* 1274 – Robert le Wise
* 1324 – Thomas de Bradwalle
* 1344 – John Kyngcot
* 1349 – John de Wynchecombe
* 1361 – Richard Bundy
* 1391 – William Wayte
* 1458 – Thomas Jolyff
* 1465 – Rocharfd Skardeburgh
* 1467 – Hugh Cheswell
* 1494 – John Dorseley
* 1501 – Edward Frocester
* 1513 – William Sklatter
* 1533 – Abbot Parker
* 1542 – John Browne
* 1574 – Walter Roche
* 1578 – Richard Faune
* 1578 – Edward Vernon
* 1585 – Hugh Powell (removed)
* 1586 – Edward Vernon (reinstated)
* 1603 – William Albright

A letter was sent regarding William Albright to the County Committee

Mr. Albright was considered “without doubt one of the Puritan intruders”. The Vicar of Quinton Wm Thornborough complained that he is being disturbed in his duties by William Albright clerk. The County Committee were directed to assist Thornborough and prevent these disturbances.

Mr. Albright had something to say for himself and appeared before the Committee at Goldsmith Hall in June 1648.

The Committee wrote as follows to the Commissioner of Plundered Ministers:-

“ Mr. Albright minister of Clifford has appeared alleging that he has preached constantly for one an a half years at Quinton on the parishioners' promise of allowance for his pains. There has been an increase in the living from the tithes of Edward Savage who has compounded and from these, Albright desires satisfaction.

“As you best know his deserts, make him such allowance as you think fit.

“Albright says that Mr. Thornborough is very meanly endued for his called 'not being able to put up any prayer but what he readeth'.

“Enquire into his sufficiency and let the inhabitants receive the benefit intended by the increase to the maintenance”

* 1662 – Jaspar Moris
* 1667 – Wm Watts
* 1687 – Christopher Smith
* 1729 – Richard Dighton
* 1732 – Robert Goodall
* 1734 – John Martin
* 1776 – Stephen Mason
* 1787 – John Brewer
* 1793 – Arthur Annesley
* 1803 – Arthur Annesley
* 1845 – Framcis Annesley
* 1879 – Francis Hanbury Annesley
* 1895 – Rev Archibald Pippet
Owners of the Manor and lands

The Rainsford's possession of The Manor were:-

free warren lands tenemnts meadows woods and hereditaments called Wincott in the parish of Clifford: free warren in the manor of Clifford and in all lands meadows etc. to the said manor belonging: free warren in the manor of Aleston, free fishing in the waters of the Stower; the advowson of the church of Clifford; 2 messuages, one cotttage and 2 virgate of land in Clifford; 20 selions of land there late parcel of the demesne lands of Clifford; one parcel of meadow there called Brooke meadow; one messuage and half a virgate of land, meadow and pasture there in the tenure of Richard Wilkes, and of divers lands meadows pastures and hereditaments there.

All this changed when Job Dighton, barrister, took over the guardianship of Henry Rainsford, who inherited the property on the death on 10th April 1648 of his father. Henry Rainsford reached the age of 18 on 12th May 1648.

Henry, under age, took up arms for the King – was ruined with his family in the King's cause; made prisoner by the Parliamentary forces at Oxford. But managed to escape.

To compound his possessions, he had to lease the Lordship and Manor of Clifford and the Hamlet of Allston to his guardian Job Dighton for 99 years. A sum of money 1,371l. 3s 10d. He was then aged 26. He went overseas and died in East Indies unmarried.

From then on the Dighton family carried on with the succession of owners of The Manor and land.

====Owners of the Manor and lands====

The Rainsford's possession of The Manor were:-

free warren lands tenemnts meadows woods and hereditaments called Wincott in the parish of Clifford: free warren in the manor of Clifford and in all lands meadows etc. to the said manor belonging: free warren in the manor of Aleston, free fishing in the waters of the Stower; the advowson of the church of Clifford; 2 messuages, one cotttage and 2 virgate of land in Clifford; 20 selions of land there late parcel of the demesne lands of Clifford; one parcel of meadow there called Brooke meadow; one messuage and half a virgate of land, meadow and pasture there in the tenure of Richard Wilkes, and of divers lands meadows pastures and hereditaments there.

All this changed when Job Dighton, barrister, took over the guardianship of Henry Rainsford, who inherited the property on the death on 10th April 1648 of his father. Henry Rainsford reached the age of 18 on 12th May 1648.

Henry, under age, took up arms for the King – was ruined with his family in the King's cause; made prisoner by the Parliamentary forces at Oxford. But managed to escape.

To compound his possessions, he had to lease the Lordship and Manor of Clifford and the Hamlet of Allston to his guardian Job Dighton for 99 years. A sum of money 1,371l. 3s 10d. He was then aged 26. He went overseas and died in East Indies unmarried.

From then on the Dighton family carried on with the succession of owners of The Manor and land.

======UNTIL======

Alice daughter of Francis Keyt Dighton married Rev Arthur Annesley DD Trinity College Oxford, vicar of Chewton Mendip in Somerset. Their son Arthur Annesley applied for Rector in 1793. He and all the Rectors of that family from then on lived at The Manor until the Rev Pippet took Holy Orders at Clifford, and lived in a house he built for himself and his family.

The Manor and land then came into possession of the West family in 1865 - then Gratrix in 1903 – followed by Miss Kathleen Wills later Douty until her husband's death and then Mrs. Rees-Mogg on her marriage to Col. Rees-Mogg.

==== Rees-Mogg ====

When I first came to the village in 1968, people could just remember a Mr. Gratrix as owner; “a very strange gentleman”; but their greatest memory was of Mrs. Douty, later Mrs. Rees-Mogg. She bought the Manor as Miss Kathleen Wills, younger daughter of Sir Frederick Wills (who made his fortune in cigarettes!) in 1909. On 21st September 1909, Miss Wills married Dr. Douty who was in practice at Cannes.

'' '''Wedding of Miss Kathleen Wills''' 
''The wedding of Miss Kathleen Wills and Dr. Edward Douty of Cannes took place on Tuesday afternoon at St. Paul’s, Knightsbridge. The bride was given away by her brother Sir Gilbert Wills and wore a white satin dress draped with old lace. Her five bridesmaids wore white chiffon dresses and pink and mauve sashes and their white chiffon hats were trimmed with pink carnations and silver leaves. No reception was held after the wedding owing to the recent death of Sir Frederick Wills, and the bride and bridegroom left early for their honeymoon which was to be spent at Stratford-upon-Avon.''

''Many costly gifts were received from the numerous friends of the bride and bridegroom. Among those who gave gifts were the Dowager Lady Cairns, Lady Carnarven and Princess Pless. It is stated that the newly married pair intend taking up their residence at Clifford Manor House.''

- FROM THE STRATFORD-UPON-AVON HERALD dated 24th September 1909

In 1910, Dr. and Mrs. Douty restored to the Manor everything that had been sold in 1865 by the Annesley Family to the West Family of Alscot Park. (The Rev. Francis Annesley had bought back just the house from the West family in 1891 at the price of £2,079.). Now, in 1910, the Douty’s bought back the Manor Farm (and lands) from the Wests and, in 1911, bought from the Wests the advowson (the right to be Patron of Clifford Church and appoint Rectors), plus many cottages in the village.

Two years after her marriage, Mrs. Douty was left a widow with a baby son, Gilbert to bring up.

However, back to the Manor, Mrs. Douty, in the book she had printed in memory of her husband (compiled by Philip Hope Bagenal), had a description of how the Manor (or rather Priest’s house) might have looked in the days of long ago - “with clay and thatched outbuildings round it. A granary, a hall for the Court of Justice, a bakehouse, stables, a dovecot arranged round it, a moat on three sides, the river on the fourth, and the villagers’ clay houses forming a wide street approaching the Manor and Church.”

== Fire ==

This original Manor or Priest’s house, dated about late 15th/early 16th Century, was still standing when, in 1918 an ancient but smouldering timber in a chimney spluttered into life one night. Mrs. Douty and her 8yr old son were in Bournemouth where Gilbert, the young boy was recovering from chicken pox. Only 2 maids and an odd-job-man were sleeping in the house, and they only became aware of it at 6.00am the next morning! One maid rushed down the village street in her nightgown and made enough noise to bring every man and boy out into the street. David Simmonds galloped on a farm horse to Stratford to summon the fire brigade. By the time the horse-drawn fire engine arrived, the fire had taken such a hold due to a strong wind blowing, that little of the original Manor was left.

This was a great shock to Mrs. Douty, for in her book that Mr. Philip Hope Bagenal had written, with her approval, came the following:- “A single stack of flues is grouped in the centre of the house with the stairs beside it. The fireplaces and flues are built of stone, and the stairs, though now of timber, were probably of stone in their original state. The masonry work would thus be a solid core in the centre of the house, and the danger of fire be minimised.”!!!!

The enclosed letter printed in the Stratford Herald dated 5th April 1918, is interesting:-

''“Sir,''
''I feel sure the deepest and most sincere sympathy is felt for our kind and generous neighbour Mrs. Douty, in the calamity that has fallen upon her in the destruction of her beautiful old manor house.''

''This lamentable fire has caused many to discuss the adequacy of the existing means available for dealing with such disasters. I am told the Stratford-upon-Avon fire engine did not arrive on the scene till one hour and a half after the fire had been discovered, and, but for the promptitude of Mr. James of Clifford in sending in his horses to bring out the fire engine, a further delay would have occurred. We all know that promptitude of action is all important at the outbreak of fire. I should like to ask what means are being taken to prevent the recurrence of such disastrous delays in the future? Are any arrangements being made to horse the fire engine, or is it to be left till the outbreak of a fire to hunt round the town for horses? Considering the valuable historical property in Stratford and the immediate neighbourhood, it seems to me – and I know I am expressing the opinion of a great many influentual people – it is time the town should possess a motor fire engine?''

''Francis H. Hodgson''
'' Clopton April 3rd 1918”''

Another letter followed from him in the Herald dated 17th April, stating that he was willing to subscribe £50 towards the purchase of an
engine and two guineas per annum towards the upkeep. This offer was repeated in a letter the following week; this time from Mrs. Douty.

After the fire, another timbered and beautiful building was built on the ashes of the old Priest House, and Mrs. Douty had placed in the high brick wall running alongside the tradesmens entrance, a large bell to ring in emergencies to awaken the village!

[[File:Restoration of manor after fire.jpg|thumb|400px|Restoration of Clifford Manor after fire]]

== Village Wedding ==
[[File:Col_rees_mogg_and_others.jpg|thumb|400px|right|Col. Ress-Mogg]]

When I first arrived in this village in the late 1960’s, many people in the village could remember The Wedding, especially two ‘children’ who were invited with their parents to St. Margaret’s, Westminster, to see Mrs. Douty marry Col. Rees Mogg. Kath Salmon could remember with delight, how the car in which they were travelling back to Clifford, was mistaken for the bridal car. Mr. Ainley, Mrs. Douty’s Agent, had to hurriedly get out of the car to persuade the lads of the village to hold on to their ropes until the right car came along. Eventually it did, and the lads tied ropes round it, and the newly married couple were pulled along the village street to the Lodge (the Manor still being rebuilt after the fire) with Col. and Mrs. Rees Mogg regally waving to the villagers standing either side of the village street. Then, on arrival at The Lodge, they both stood up in the car and gave speeches even more regal! The bride had been treated very regally in the village for many years, due to Miss Wilding’s insistence that her pupils must either curtsey or take off their caps (depending on sex) when her car passed them.

FROM THE STRATFORD-UPON-AVON HERALD Friday June 30th 1922
 MARRIAGE OF MAJOR REES-MOGG AND MRS DOUTY
 (it is interesting to read that two of the bridegrooms’ guests at the wedding were Viscount and Vicountess Althorp – Princes Di’s grandparents!)

''“On Wednesday afternoon at St. Margaret’s Church, Westminster, the marriage was solemnised of Veterinary-Major Graham B. C. Rees-Mogg 1st Life Guards, younger son of the Rev. H. J. and Mrs. Rees-Mogg of Midgham, Berkshire, and Kathleen, youngest daughter of the late Sir Frederick and Lady Wills of Northmoor, Dulverton, and widow of Mr. Edward Douty.''

''Sir Gilbert Wills, the bride’s brother, gave her away and Captain Astley, a brother-in-law of the bridegroom was best man.
Troopers of the 1st Life Guards formed a guard of honour and trumpeters blew fanfares in honour of the bride and bridegroom.
The bride’s dress was of deep cream charmeuse, veiled with pleated net draped with lace, and she wore a gold net toque with a gold lace veil, and carried a shower bouquet of red roses. She had no bridesmaids, but during the ceremony, her little son stood near her and held her bouquet.''

''The Dean of Westminster performed the rite assisted by the Rev. the Hon. Edward Lyttelton, and the Bishop of Gloucester gave the address. The second hymn was sung to a tune written by Mr. G. F. Bloomer of Stratford-Upon-Avon.''

''Among those present were……..Viscount and Vicountess Althorp, and the Rev. F. H. and the Hon Mrs. Hodgson.''

''The village of Clifford Chambers was gaily decorated with flags and floral arches for the auspicious occasion, and on the arrival of Major and Mrs. Rees-Mogg in the evening, the villagers assembled en masse by the New Inn, attached ropes to the motor-car, and so escorted the occupants to Clifford Lodge. Rose-petals and confetti were showered upon the happy couple, and a tiny jet-black Persian kitten was handed to the bride as a mascot.''

''The bride and bridegroom thanked the villagers for their kind and hearty reception. Peals were rung on the Church bells during the evening.
Presentation''

''Last evening (Thursday) practically the whole village assembled to make two presentations to the bride and bridegroom.''

''The Rev. F. H. Hodgson (Rector of Clifford) presided, and among those present were the Rev. W. A. and Mrs. Pippet, Miss Pippet, Messrs. J. R. Black and John James (Churchwardens), Mr. J. R. Steele, Mr. and Mrs. Matters etc. The Rev. F. H. Hodgson said that he felt that was a great red-letter day in the history of the Parish of Clifford. They were met there that evening to give a hearty welcome to Major and Mrs. Rees-Mogg. He was sure they all wished them every happiness in this world, and they were there to present them with a parish gift. The speaker proceeded to graphically describe the wedding service at St. Margaret’s, Westminster at which he was present, and he mentioned that in all his long life (and he had been to a good many marriage services) he did not think he had ever attended a more beautiful ceremony, or a more impressive one.''

''The gifts, Mr. Hodgson continued, had been subscribed for by the parishioners and tenants, and also Mr. Oliver Baker who had his share in it as well. It was an expression of their affection and gratitude for all Mrs. Rees-Mogg had done for the parish since she had come to live at the Manor and he was sure she would accept it with a great deal of pleasure.''

''Mr. Hodgson then presented the bride and bridegroom with a Cromwellian leather settle, with oak feet, which is about 300 years old, and also a Ruskin bowl from the children.''

[[File:Col_rees_mogg_dog_and_others.jpg|thumb|250px|left|Col. Rees-Mogg]]

''In reply, Mrs. Rees-Mogg said that she did wish to tell them how deeply she appreciated the splendid present that they had given them. They had shown to her husband very clearly that which she knew already – that at Clifford they were surrounded by most kind, warm and hearty neighbours and friends. Through the days of sorrow and years of loneliness and through the dreadful disaster, they had all given her proof of their goodwill and sympathy. She was glad that their marriage did not mean saying goodbye as so often was the case after marriages. In that case, it only meant that instead of finding two friends at The Manor (for they must count her son Gilbert) they would in future, she hoped, find three. (applause). They had made their homecoming delightful with the glorious welcome they had given them, and she thanked them all a thousand times for it, and for the beautiful presents they had given them. Those were tokens of good wishes which they would value all their lives.''

''The bridegroom also spoke, and in the course of a short speech thanked them all for their hearty welcome the previous night. He was not unacquainted with village life, having had his home, when on leave, at a village rectory or vicarage, and he added that he was sure they would be lenient with him if he did anything which might not meet with their approval. He again thanked them for the welcome and the presents, after which the bride announced that there was a piece of wedding cake for each one.
Loud cheers were given for the bride and bridegroom following the presentation and after each had received a neat packet of wedding cake, the ceremony terminated.”''

== Gilbert Douty ==
[[File:Mrs_rees-mogg.jpg‎|thumb|400px|right|Rees-Mogg family with young Gilbert Douty]]

Gilbert was sent to a boarding school and was only seen in the village during holidays. However, on his 21st birthday, he was given a sports car by his mother – and everyone saw him in the village then! In fact, his mother, very concerned at the speed with which Gilbert drove his new possession through the village, made a point of finding out from her son when he was intending to go out his in his car! Then word was sent round the village, so the mothers would keep their small children off the street until Gilbert was safely on his way out of the village. There was not much warning however, when he came home from his excursions, and the villagers would watch him roar up the village street, and hope children would have the sense to scurry out of his way. Those working in the Manor gardens would see the cloud of dust as Gilbert’s car came up the drive, and the car, with a quick turn, would skid to a stop with the gravel spitting against the front door of the Manor.

Mrs.Rees-Mogg was quite an attractive woman, not tall; in fact she looked quite small compared to Col. Rees-Mogg’s towering height. She suffered terribly from asthma, and was very sympathetic towards her tenants who also were ill, particularly those with breathing problems. She would go to great trouble at re-housing them in one of her other cottages in an attempt to relieve their suffering.

Her attempts at motherhood were not very successful however! With Gilbert losing his father before he was two, there was no man in his life to discipline him. In her loneliness of widowhood, his mother had given him everything he wanted. By the time Col. Rees-Mogg turned up in Gilbert’s life, Gilbert had become a very spoilt twelve-year-old child, and made it quite clear that he did not like his step-father disciplining him! I have been told that, as Gilbert became older, Col. Rees-Mogg stayed away from him as much as he possibly could, walking out of the back door as soon as Gilbert walked in the front!

Kath Salmon could remember, on sunny Sundays, the Misses Lupton cycling from Stratford to play afternoon tennis at the Manor.

Tragically, Gilbert died from an accident in his late twenties.

FROM A BIRMINGHAM NEWSPAPER dated 12th July 1938

''“DEATH AFTER DANCE
POLICE CONTINUE THEIR ENQUIRIES
MEMBER OF MIDLAND FAMILY''

''A DETECTIVE OFFICER ATTACHED TO THE Chief Constable’s office at Northallerton, North Riding, is continuing his investigations today into the strange death of Mr. Gilbert Edward Frederick Douty (aged 28), member of a well-known Midland family, following a dance in the village hall at Oswaldkirk on July 2 last.''

''The inquest was opened yesterday and adjourned until July 21. Only formal evidence was given by the young man’s stepfather, Lieut.-Colonel Graham Rees-Mogg of Clifford Manor, near Stratford-on-Avon, and Prince’s Gate, London S.W.''

''Mr. Douty had driven away from the dance in his car, accompanied by a young woman, when a missile struck one of the windows. He got out to investigate, and it is believed that he was then struck over the head.''

''He was admitted to a York nursing home, where he developed pneumonia and died yesterday.''

''The police have made a number of enquiries in the village, but have been unable to trace anyone who saw anything of the incident.''

''‘No one knows anything at all about it. I don’t think it was anything to do with any of the villagers,’ the postmistress at Oswaldkirk told a reporter. ‘Ours is a very respectable village.’''

''A close acquaintance of Mr. Douty told a reporter that the incident occurred some time after 2.a.m. on July 2. After Mr. Douty had left the dance, he was knocked unconscious, and with the execption of a few brief intervals, he did not regain consciousness. The only person he recognised was his mother.''

''Mr. Douty, who was educated at Eton and Cambridge, was undergoing training in the estate office of the Earl of Feversham at Helmsley, a few miles away from Oswaldkirk. He is the son by her first husband of Mrs. Rees-Mogg, formerly Miss Kathleen Wills, sister of Lord Dulverton, chairman of the Imperial Tobacco Company.''

''Though ill herself, Mrs. Rees-Mogg travelled north with her husband the day after the accident, and she has not yet returned to Stratford-on-Avon.''

''The funeral has been arranged for Thursday afternoon July 14th, at Clifford Chambers Parish Church.”''

<gallery perrow="2">
File:Funeral_sevice_sheet_Gilbert_Douty_A.jpg|Funeral service sheet, Front
File:Funeral_sevice_sheet_Gilbert_Douty_B.jpg|Funeral service sheet, Back
</gallery>

==Servants==

From Peter Stenson, Claines, Worcestershire:

:My Mother, Doreen (known as Dorrie) Marjorie Stenson nee 'Roythorne' went to work at Clifford Manor on 4th May 1936. She was then aged 16. She was employed as an under-house-maid for the grand sum of seven shillings a month!

:The other staff she remembered were: - Mr. Hall, carpenter and outside work - Mr. Salmon 'odd man' and gardener - Mr. Holman butler - Caroline head housemaid - 'George' hall boy (irrespective of their real name all the hall boys were called George!). 'James', footman (whose real name was actually George but had to be called 'James' for the same reason as the hall boys being called 'George') Gilmore 'Gillie' Whittle footman - Mrs. Yateman cook - Mary Owen kitchen maid - Kitty Jenner second scullery maid (she could not be called by her proper name Kathleen, as it was Mrs. Rees-Moggs first name) - Lillian head scullery miad.

:Kitty and Mary were my Mum's best friends at Clifford and, although the work was hard and the hours were long, she did recall having lots of fun too. Mrs. Rees-Mogg was known as one of the more enlightened and kind employers that my Mother worked for.

:Mother had to be up at 5.00am. Her first job was to collect and empty all the slops from the bedrooms in a bucket.

:One morning when the house was full of guests, she rushed into the servants' bathroom where she poured her slops into the lavatory. She rinsed out the bucket and turned to leave the bathroom only to discover that the bath was occupied by the Bishop of Gloucester! Fortunately there was a good covering of soap bubbles floating on the water. She hurried red-faced from the bathroom.

:The next time she saw Dr. Arthur Caley Headlam was on Wednesday February 24th 1937, when he confirmed my Mum and Kitty at the village Church.

:Mrs. Rees-Mogg was very keen that all her staff attended Church regularly. She presented Mother with a signed Book of Common Prayer within weeks of her starting at the Manor, and insisted that she get herself confirmed as soon as possible. After the confirmation, she also presented Mother with a signed copy of 'Daily Light on the Daily Path'. The Rector F Meridith Brookes also presented a Plain Communion Book. Mrs. Rees-Mogg also supplied some rather nice light grey material so Kitty and Mum could make confirmation dresses.

:Mother's other early morning jobs, were to clean and lay fires in all the occupied bedrooms. She was terrified of dropping anything in the grate and waking the sleeping occupant. She also had the main stairs to sweep with a brush and dustpan. No wonder she had painful knees in later life.

:One of her least favourite jobs was washing a long green-tiled corridor which had to be cleaned with stale milk. This had to be collected from outside the dairy. Mother used to cheat by adding hot water to stop her hands freezing on very cold mornings.

:Mrs. Rees-Mogg, not surprisingly, had a fear of fires and one of the first things Mum had to do when she started, was to have fire practice. The local Fire Brigade was in attendance and, after a demonstration, all the staff had to slide out of an upstairs bedroom window, and down a canvas tube. All the female staff had to pin their dresses up to prevent the men waiting at the bottom of the tube, from seeing their knickers!

:All sorts of fun started as soon as the family left the Manor for various social events. One one occasion, the footman chased the shrieking housemaids around the garden with a snake in a basket. 'James' also donned a lion-skin, complete with stuffed head and jumped out on the kitchen maid who was on her way up the stairs. In the chase that followed, he managed to scratch her cheek with one of the lion's claws. She had a permanent reminder of her lion attack.

:Colonel Rees-Mogg had a rather distinctive speech impediment and seemed to spend quite a lot of time in bed with real or imagined illness. Although my Mother tried to creep quietly past his bedroom one mid-morning, he called out “Dorrween! Dorrween - ask Holman to bwing me the Daily Miwaa”. Why a person in his position should be reading the Daily Mirror remains a mystery.

:During the early years of the war, there was a plane crash nearby and Moses, one of the scruffy terriers that roamed about the buildings and gardens, brought home a souvenier of the crash – a human finger, which he left on the lawn. On another occasion – a quiet afternoon when sitting in the garden over-looking the river, the staff were upset by the arrival of the otter-hounds in full cry.

:My Mother also remembers the great upset that was caused when Gilbert Douty was killed after being hit on the head by a bottle.

:At Christmas time, the family provided gifts for all the staff and we still have the amber necklace that Mother received in 1938.

:In 1940, at the prompting of her father, my Mother applied to the Air Ministry instead of going into the forces, for a job as a clerk. She had no sooner started, then she was moved to Worcester where she later met my Father.

:Mother died after a short illness in April 2012 aged 92.

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Tomsalmon:

Main Street

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Tomsalmon:

[[File:Aerial view village 1938.3.jpeg|thumb|300px|right|Aerial view of the Village 1938]]
[[File:DJI_0690.JPG|thumb|300px|right|Aerial view of the main street 2021]]
[[File:Nos 1 and 2 clifford chambers.jpg|thumb|300px|right|No 1 & 2]]
[[File:New inn 1951.jpg|thumb|300px|right|The New Inn, 1951]]

[[Village Post Box]] | [[Telephone Kiosk]]

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* [[Clifford Manor]]
* [[The Mill]]
* [[Rectory|The Rectory]]
* [[Church]]
* [[The Square]]

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* [[Tenants at No 23]]
** [[Tenants at No 23#George and Trixie Sylvester|George and Trixie Sylvester]]
* [[Tenants at No 22]]
* [[Tenants at No 21]]
** [[Tenants at No 21#The 'Pickles' Salmon Family|The 'Pickles' Salmon Family]]
** [[Tenants at No 21#Jack and Lilian Bailey|Jack and Lilian Bailey]]
* [[Tenants at No 20]]

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* [[The Lodge]]
** [[The Lodge#The Bramwell Family|The Bramwell Family]]

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* [[Tenants at No 18 & 19]]
* [[Butchers Row - Nos 14, 15, 16, 17]]

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* [[Tenants at No 13]]

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* [[Village Shop - No 12]]

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* [[The Working Mens Club]]
* [[Hall]]

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* [[Pear Tree Cottage - Nos 9, 10, 11]]

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* [[Tenants at No 8]]
* [[Tenants at No 7]]
* [[Tenants at No 6]]
* [[Tenants at No 5]]

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* [[Owlet End]]

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* [[Tenants at No 2]]
* [[Tenants at No 1]]

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* [[The New Inn Pub]]

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* [[Tenants at No 38]]
* [[Tenants at No 39]]
* [[Tenants at No 40]]
* [[Tenants at No 41]]

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* [[Recreation Ground]]

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* [[Tenants at No 42]]
* [[Tenants at No 43]]
* [[Tenants at No 44]]
* [[Tenants at No 45]]
* [[Tenants at No 46]]
* [[Tenants at No 47]]

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* [[Prospect House (Dodds)]]
* [[Easter Cottage]]

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* [[Tenants at No 49]]
* [[Tenants at No 50]]

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* [[Tenants at No 51]] Mr & Mrs Neville Smith escape from the Russian Revolution
* [[Tenants at No 52 - Glebe Cottage]]
* [[Forge Cottage]]
* [[Ivy Cottage - No 54]]
* [[The Laurels]]

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* [[Barn Close]]

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* [[The Methodist Chapel]]

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* [[Roimond]]
* [[Sunset and Chetwyn]]
* [[The Lindens]]

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* [[Red Hill House]]

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* [[The Nashes]]
** [[The New Room (The Bungalows)]]

File:DJI 0690.JPG

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Tomsalmon:

File:DJI 0632.JPG

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Tomsalmon: Tomsalmon uploaded a new version of File:DJI 0632.JPG

Clifford Manor

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Tomsalmon:

__notoc__
[[Manor Cottages]] | [[2 Manor Cottages]] | [[Clifford Manor Estate Auction]]

==Clifford Manor==

[[File:Clifford manor.jpg|thumb|400px|right|Clifford Manor]]

''“Our first halt was at Clifford Chambers – a village of a few well-to-do cottages on the Stour. But the pride of Clifford is its Manor House. Tall white gates in a high brick wall form the end of the turf-bordered road, called by courtesy the village street. Within the gates stands the old house.''

[[File:DJI_0632.JPG|thumb|300px|left]]

''We peeped through the bars of the white gates that rose so stately between their stone pillars, and were presently invited in by the courteous owners.''

''A delicious old garden lay inside the high walls. A straight broad gravel drive led up to the front door, with smooth borders on either side, filled with every kind of fragrant old flower – clove pinks, white pinks, pansies and columbine, snapdragons and gorgeous larkspur. Beyond the borders, quince and apple, and nut trees grew among the peas and potatoes beside green alleys under sunny walls. On a side lawn near the house stood an ancient mulberry tree, propped with many posts, yet still bearing plenty of fruit.''

''Inside the house, everything of course was oak. In a delightful little sitting-room with a high carved mantel-piece, priceless old Worcester china heaped and crowded every table. We felt certain that, hidden away in corners, we should find great jars of pot-pourri made from the petals of the fragrant Damask Roses. It was a pretty summer picture altogether, as we turned away – open doors and windows, roses everywhere. Beyond the old moat, now part of a meadow, the pink and white stars of the wild rose shone twenty feet high among branches of black fir trees.”''

- from an article written by Miss Kingsley appearing in ‘English Illustrated Magazine’ 1866

== Anglo-Saxon History ==

The first known owner of the Manor plus land, plus 2 Mills – and more land! –was Algar, a great Saxon Thane (holder of lands by military service in Anglo-Saxon times ranking between nobility and freeman). It passed, on his death, to his son Brictic – and here comes the interesting bit! Brictic was sent by Edward the Confessor (who died in 1066 – just so that you know the period we are talking about!) to the Court of Bruges as an English ambassador. There, he caught the eye of a noble lass called Matilda. She was very much impressed with him. In fact, it seems she was besotted with him. He rejected all her advances, came back to England, and promptly forgot her!

She didn’t forget him! Her later marriage to William of Normandy brought her, eventually, to England. When her husband became King, she took her revenge on poor Brictic. He was sent to prison. His lands were confiscated and passed to – Queen Matilda! So, for a while, the Queen of England was our Lady of the Manor. I was so intrigued by this, that I named my daughter after her - much to her present disgust!

Soon after the Domesday Book was completed, the Manor, Mills and land were passed to the Benedictine Abbey and convent of St. Peter at Gloucester, and it remained in their hands for four centuries. And here comes another interesting bit! Up until the time the property came under the ownership of the Church, the Manor, plus buildings and land were known as Clifford. Nothing more! Now we have the ‘Chambers’ bit added! Any money or lands given to the Church were designated into different funds within the Church. This particular ‘offering’ called ‘Clifford’, was placed in a fund – or office – which kept the Abbot’s Chamber properly furnished. The one in charge of this fund or office was the Camerarius or Chamberlain – though I really do not know why ‘Chambers’ had to be added onto our particular village, when probably other areas were also financially helping this fund without having an ugly name like that added to their identity!

== Past Owners ==

The book ‘Clifford Manor,a history’, lists names of free tenants, customary tenants and other tenants in 1266, but the only names I could recognize as village names were William ole Winnecote, Henricus de Wilicote and Rogerus Silvestre, though an interesting one was Adam Bruggemon (Bridgman) who had to keep the bridge in repair.

As for the owners, - once the property was taken away from the monks by Henry VIII (which, by now, boasted a Church and lands called Mounckes Close and Moorse Hill) - two were knighted, one was involved in the Civil War (and as he was a Royalist, was on the losing side, taken prisoner, then escaped!) One was a barrister-at-law and two were Vicars and became Rectors of Clifford Chambers. Their names you will recognise – Raynesford (later Rainsford), Dighton, Annesley, West.

====HERE ARE THE DETAILS OF CLIFFORD HISTORY AND THE MANOR====

From the Chronicles Anglo-Normandy I 73 Freeman iii 86 1070

“William the King 'forgetting it would seem that such hatred might be deemed to savour of love, granted his wife's prayer and imprisoned Britric - transferring all Brictric's land to The Queen Matilda

The Lordship of Tewkesbury, including the Manor of Clifford, thus became the property of Queen Matilda.

Before her death, the Queen conferred the Manor of Clifford to Roger de Busli (or Bushley). (It is held by one authority that Roger's wife Muriel was in some way connected with Matilda)

====The Domesday Book====

Roger de Busli is registered as the Lord of the Manor of Clifford

======THE SURVEY======
“In Clifford are:- - 7 hides pertaining to the Manor of Tewkesbury - 3 carucates in demesne - and 14 villans with 5 ploughs - and a mill worth 12s - two acres of meadow

Between the male and female serfs there are:- - 13 ploughs and a Church - and a priest with one carucature. The value 8l. now 6l.

This land the Queen gave to Roger de Busli· It is geldible for 4 hides in Tewkesbury Immediately after the compilation of Domesday - , Roger de Busli and Muriel his wife granted Clifford formally to the Benedictine Abbey and Convent of St. Peter at Gloucester

And the Parish deemed it none for Clifford to become:- CLIFFORD CHAMBERS -
for the revenue from this land went to a specific office – that was - the Chamberlain.

The Chamberlains duties were the clothing of the monks and the proper furnishing and upkeep of the Abbot's Chamber - and the Guest Chamber – for hospitality was one of the first duties of a monastery

In 1266, four manors were contributing to the Abbot's Chamberlain - Clifford – Buckland in Devon – Guiting – and Hinton
(see History of the Manor and Advowson of Clifford Chambers reprinted from the Transactions of the Bristol and Gloucester Archives)

[http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/GLS/CliffordChambers/ManorChurch.html]

(This custom of bequeathing lands to monasteries became one of the recognised ways of avoiding death duties. A Monastery was as reliable a manor-lord. The monks were enlightened farmers and led the way in mediaeval agriculture.)

======Extent of the Manor of Clifford in 1226======
There were five free tenants:- Robertus le Freman held by charter as an inheritance:-four virgates of land and two acres of meadow each of which virgates consists of 30 acres - paying 25 shillings and sixpence a year twice yearly
.
IF he dies the lord of the manor has his house, his armour and accoutrements if he has any - and IF on his death he leaves children under age, the Lord of the Manor has custody of his children and their lands, and controls their marrying. And IF when he dies his heir is legally of age, he, the son, is to pay homage to his Lord and perform whatever service is due with his land

Radulphus de Eylestone lives on his land free - being one virgate of land containing 48 acres - BUT must follow the Earl of Warwick and do service for his lord at the Hundred of Kington and is liable for all services at the Court of Clifford. AND IF he dies, his heirs, land and hereditaments are subject to the same conditions as those of his senior in service Robert le Freman.

Henricus son of the Smith holds:- one virgate of land containing 48 acres for the same service in all things as has been said for Randulphus AND IF through default of the said Randulphus and Henricus, the lord of the manor shall suffer loss, the same shall owe him full indemnity.

Willelmus son of Symon holds one virgate of land containing 48 acres by charter
and owes seven shillings a year for the same, paid twice yearly And he shall follow the court of Clifford. And if he dies all things shall be performed as for the said Randulphus. And he shall render whatever service is due with his land.

William son of Robert

======Others======
Two mills which were wont to return sixty shillings and sixpence quarterly will be in the hands of the lord of the manor on the feast of the Annunciation next, because then the leases of the said mills will terminate.

William the Miller holds 12 acres of land for the term of his life and that of his wife, and returns thence ten shillings a year quarterly. He performs small customary duties which pertain to the land, instead of paying taxes.

The whole ville of Clifford pays yearly sixpence in common for certain small pastures.

Nicholaus Hentelove hold one messuage with courtyard and two acres of land and pays three shillings twice yearly. And he supplies labour according to the number of his animals. And he shall pay pannage (i.e. pay for the privilege of feeding his swine in the woods) namely for a full-grown pig one penny and for a young pig a halfpenny, until it is weaned or able to be weaned.

And if he brews in order to sell, he shall give 12 gallons of ale per ton (ad tonnutum) or as toll or its equivalent

And he shall redeem his son and daughter (i.e.pay merchet or a sum of money for freedom of marrying). He shall not sell ox or horse without leave. And when he dies his lord shall have his best beast by way of heriot (melius averium suam nomine haerieti)

Adam Textor holds one messuage with courtyard and pays twelve pence twice yearly,. And he shall lift hay for his lord for four days, and it shall be worth two pence. And he shall do three bederipas (bedrip – a special duty at harvest time) and they shall be worth four pence halfpenny. And he shall perform other duties even as Nicholaus.

William Marescallus holds - do- with one acre of land and pays -do-

Alexander Sinne holds -do- and pays two shillings and sixpence twice yearly. And he does three bedrips of value fourpence halfpenny. And he shall help in lifting hay for his lord for four days to the value of two pence a day. All his other duties are similar to those of Nicholaus.

Hugo son of Laurentii -do- -do-

Thomas le Careter -do- -do-

Christina Widye holds a like tenement and she helps with the hay for four days to the value of two pence per day. And she does three bedrips to the value of fourpence halfpenny. And pays two shillings and sixpence twice a year. And all her other duties are similar to those of Nicholaus.

Matilda the widow of Galfridus -do- Christina

Johannes Lasteles -do-

Adam Bruggemon (Bridgeman) holds one messuage with courtyard and with certain pastures and pays two shillings twice yearly. And instead of all services he shall keep the bridge in repair. And there is there a certain annual toll from the whole ville of Clifford namely fifteen shillings of which ten shillings goes to the hundred of Theuk and five remains for the lord of the manor.

William de Winnecote holds five cottages in fee to his lord and pays nine shillings yearly and no other service to his lord except to the Court of Clifford. And he pays homage to the Abbot of Gloucester and when he dies his lord the abbot has the custody of his rents aforesaid and of his heirs until they are of age.

The sum of the rents of this class of tenant amounts to seventy-six shillings and six pence without the farm of the mills.

Customary tenant: Be it remembered that he has a larger holding. (This sentence is written in red ink)

Ricardus de Porta holds one virgate of land and half an acre of meadow, the virgate consisting of 36 acres. And he shall plough half an acre in the Autumn and half an acre in the Spring and he must harrow that land at seed-time. And it shall be worth fourpence altogether. And from the feast of St Peter in Chains he must in every week do manual labour for four days with one man, and for every day he is owed a halfpenny. And he shall provide transport to Gloucester twice a year to the value of eight pence. And he must also every week on the fifth or sixth day at the will of his lord provide transport to Hinetone and Boclande and he is owed for that day a penny halfpenny

And he shall wash and sheer his lord's sheep for two days and is owed a penny for whatever work is allotted to him on those days. And he must scythe his lord's meadow for four days and for any further day's work he is owed a penny. And he must help in the lifting of the crops of his lord for three days and more if necessary and he is owed a halfpenny for whatever days that are not allotted to this work. And he must carry the crops of his lord for one day and he is owed two pence beyond the manual labour of that day which can be valued at a half-penny. And he must carry firewood wheresoever the lord shall wish and he is allotted one day for that work. And he must do two bedrips before the feast of St Peter in Chains with two men and they are worth three pence.

And the total value before the autumn work is fourteen shillings and sixpence halfpenny

And from the feast of the Blessed Peter in Chains to the feast of the Blessed Michael he must work at his master's board (in messe domini) for five days with one man and it is worth a penny halfpenny each day. And he shall do eight bedrips with two men worth altogether two shillings. And he must carry his master's corn twice a week for four weeks worth a penny halfpenny each day beyond the manual labour. And he must bring his lord's sheaves to the grange for one day worth a halfpenny. And he must furnish help according to the amount of his land and number of animals. And if he brews to sell he must give twelve gallons of ale (ad tonnutum) or its equivalent price. He must pay pannage for his pigs. He may not sell horse or ox without leave. He must redeem his son and daughter. And when he dies his lord shall have his best beast by way of heriot.

The total value of his work in the autumn is eight shillings and a halfpenny.

Walter son of Yvon holds one virgate of land containing thirty six acres, and he does everything even as the said Richard. It is to be noted that he has a larger holding.

Each of the following 'holds one virgate and does everything even as the said Richard:-
* Henricus de Wilicote
* Alicia Williames
* Nicholaus de Middletone
* Matilda Adam
* Relicta Johannis Rondulf
* Willelmus le Orl
* Ricardus Palmerius
* Ricardus de Ovetone
* Thomas Rawe
* Nicholaus le Orl
* Bertram Belami
* Robertus filius Willelmi
* Sampson Neweman
* Johannes filus Willelmi

Item at Sileston: Galfridus de Forde holds one virgate of land containing 28 acres, and from the feast of St. Michael to the feast of St. Peter in Chains he must work with his hands every week for four days with one man, and it is worth a halfpenny each day. And he must supply transport twice a year to Gloucester, worth eightpence. And on the fifth or sixth day of each week he must supply transport to Hyntone or Boclande worth a penny halfpenny a day. And he must plough half an acre and harrow it at seed sowing; and he shall be free (of all other work) during his week of ploughing. And he shall tend and shear his lord's sheep for two days worth a penny. And he shall scythe his lord's meadow for four days worth twopence a day. And he shall help in lifting crops for four days worth a halfpenny a day. And he shall carry crops, and it shall be worth twopence beyond the manual labour of that day which may be taken as a halfpenny. And he must carry brushwood wheresoever his lord wishes. And he must do two bedrips before the first of August (ante Gulaustum) with two men and they shall be worth three pence. The rest he does even as Richard de Porta.

Each of the following 'holds one virgate of land and does everything even as the said Galfridus' - Willelmus de Rye - Thomas le Orl - Rogerus Silvestre - Radulphus Frankeleyn - Alicia Mauger - Ricardus Newcomene - Robertus de Forda.

Chrisina relicta Carectarii holds half a virgate of land and does half service in all things even as Galfridus.

All the aforesaid customary tenants give an annual aid of twenty shillings, and all owed mill-carriage, that is to say mill-stones to the lord's mill or they gave in common thirteen and a farthing.

Item – at Clifford there are four ploughs for the arable land in demesne and there are thirty six oxen for each plough eight oxen and four besides.

It must be remembered that the lord of the manor owes defence and arbitration to his tenants; he must be able to protect their property and persons, and must also provide a court of justice in the hall of the manor-house.

The successful working of the system depended on the personality of the lord of the Manor, whether these ancient dues remained constitutional or developed into tyrannical extortion.

====Rectors of Clifford Church====

* 1274 – Robert le Wise
* 1324 – Thomas de Bradwalle
* 1344 – John Kyngcot
* 1349 – John de Wynchecombe
* 1361 – Richard Bundy
* 1391 – William Wayte
* 1458 – Thomas Jolyff
* 1465 – Rocharfd Skardeburgh
* 1467 – Hugh Cheswell
* 1494 – John Dorseley
* 1501 – Edward Frocester
* 1513 – William Sklatter
* 1533 – Abbot Parker
* 1542 – John Browne
* 1574 – Walter Roche
* 1578 – Richard Faune
* 1578 – Edward Vernon
* 1585 – Hugh Powell (removed)
* 1586 – Edward Vernon (reinstated)
* 1603 – William Albright

A letter was sent regarding William Albright to the County Committee

Mr. Albright was considered “without doubt one of the Puritan intruders”. The Vicar of Quinton Wm Thornborough complained that he is being disturbed in his duties by William Albright clerk. The County Committee were directed to assist Thornborough and prevent these disturbances.

Mr. Albright had something to say for himself and appeared before the Committee at Goldsmith Hall in June 1648.

The Committee wrote as follows to the Commissioner of Plundered Ministers:-

“ Mr. Albright minister of Clifford has appeared alleging that he has preached constantly for one an a half years at Quinton on the parishioners' promise of allowance for his pains. There has been an increase in the living from the tithes of Edward Savage who has compounded and from these, Albright desires satisfaction.

“As you best know his deserts, make him such allowance as you think fit.

“Albright says that Mr. Thornborough is very meanly endued for his called 'not being able to put up any prayer but what he readeth'.

“Enquire into his sufficiency and let the inhabitants receive the benefit intended by the increase to the maintenance”

* 1662 – Jaspar Moris
* 1667 – Wm Watts
* 1687 – Christopher Smith
* 1729 – Richard Dighton
* 1732 – Robert Goodall
* 1734 – John Martin
* 1776 – Stephen Mason
* 1787 – John Brewer
* 1793 – Arthur Annesley
* 1803 – Arthur Annesley
* 1845 – Framcis Annesley
* 1879 – Francis Hanbury Annesley
* 1895 – Rev Archibald Pippet
Owners of the Manor and lands

The Rainsford's possession of The Manor were:-

free warren lands tenemnts meadows woods and hereditaments called Wincott in the parish of Clifford: free warren in the manor of Clifford and in all lands meadows etc. to the said manor belonging: free warren in the manor of Aleston, free fishing in the waters of the Stower; the advowson of the church of Clifford; 2 messuages, one cotttage and 2 virgate of land in Clifford; 20 selions of land there late parcel of the demesne lands of Clifford; one parcel of meadow there called Brooke meadow; one messuage and half a virgate of land, meadow and pasture there in the tenure of Richard Wilkes, and of divers lands meadows pastures and hereditaments there.

All this changed when Job Dighton, barrister, took over the guardianship of Henry Rainsford, who inherited the property on the death on 10th April 1648 of his father. Henry Rainsford reached the age of 18 on 12th May 1648.

Henry, under age, took up arms for the King – was ruined with his family in the King's cause; made prisoner by the Parliamentary forces at Oxford. But managed to escape.

To compound his possessions, he had to lease the Lordship and Manor of Clifford and the Hamlet of Allston to his guardian Job Dighton for 99 years. A sum of money 1,371l. 3s 10d. He was then aged 26. He went overseas and died in East Indies unmarried.

From then on the Dighton family carried on with the succession of owners of The Manor and land.

====Owners of the Manor and lands====

The Rainsford's possession of The Manor were:-

free warren lands tenemnts meadows woods and hereditaments called Wincott in the parish of Clifford: free warren in the manor of Clifford and in all lands meadows etc. to the said manor belonging: free warren in the manor of Aleston, free fishing in the waters of the Stower; the advowson of the church of Clifford; 2 messuages, one cotttage and 2 virgate of land in Clifford; 20 selions of land there late parcel of the demesne lands of Clifford; one parcel of meadow there called Brooke meadow; one messuage and half a virgate of land, meadow and pasture there in the tenure of Richard Wilkes, and of divers lands meadows pastures and hereditaments there.

All this changed when Job Dighton, barrister, took over the guardianship of Henry Rainsford, who inherited the property on the death on 10th April 1648 of his father. Henry Rainsford reached the age of 18 on 12th May 1648.

Henry, under age, took up arms for the King – was ruined with his family in the King's cause; made prisoner by the Parliamentary forces at Oxford. But managed to escape.

To compound his possessions, he had to lease the Lordship and Manor of Clifford and the Hamlet of Allston to his guardian Job Dighton for 99 years. A sum of money 1,371l. 3s 10d. He was then aged 26. He went overseas and died in East Indies unmarried.

From then on the Dighton family carried on with the succession of owners of The Manor and land.

======UNTIL======

Alice daughter of Francis Keyt Dighton married Rev Arthur Annesley DD Trinity College Oxford, vicar of Chewton Mendip in Somerset. Their son Arthur Annesley applied for Rector in 1793. He and all the Rectors of that family from then on lived at The Manor until the Rev Pippet took Holy Orders at Clifford, and lived in a house he built for himself and his family.

The Manor and land then came into possession of the West family in 1865 - then Gratrix in 1903 – followed by Miss Kathleen Wills later Douty until her husband's death and then Mrs. Rees-Mogg on her marriage to Col. Rees-Mogg.

==== Rees-Mogg ====

When I first came to the village in 1968, people could just remember a Mr. Gratrix as owner; “a very strange gentleman”; but their greatest memory was of Mrs. Douty, later Mrs. Rees-Mogg. She bought the Manor as Miss Kathleen Wills, younger daughter of Sir Frederick Wills (who made his fortune in cigarettes!) in 1909. On 21st September 1909, Miss Wills married Dr. Douty who was in practice at Cannes.

'' '''Wedding of Miss Kathleen Wills''' 
''The wedding of Miss Kathleen Wills and Dr. Edward Douty of Cannes took place on Tuesday afternoon at St. Paul’s, Knightsbridge. The bride was given away by her brother Sir Gilbert Wills and wore a white satin dress draped with old lace. Her five bridesmaids wore white chiffon dresses and pink and mauve sashes and their white chiffon hats were trimmed with pink carnations and silver leaves. No reception was held after the wedding owing to the recent death of Sir Frederick Wills, and the bride and bridegroom left early for their honeymoon which was to be spent at Stratford-upon-Avon.''

''Many costly gifts were received from the numerous friends of the bride and bridegroom. Among those who gave gifts were the Dowager Lady Cairns, Lady Carnarven and Princess Pless. It is stated that the newly married pair intend taking up their residence at Clifford Manor House.''

- FROM THE STRATFORD-UPON-AVON HERALD dated 24th September 1909

In 1910, Dr. and Mrs. Douty restored to the Manor everything that had been sold in 1865 by the Annesley Family to the West Family of Alscot Park. (The Rev. Francis Annesley had bought back just the house from the West family in 1891 at the price of £2,079.). Now, in 1910, the Douty’s bought back the Manor Farm (and lands) from the Wests and, in 1911, bought from the Wests the advowson (the right to be Patron of Clifford Church and appoint Rectors), plus many cottages in the village.

Two years after her marriage, Mrs. Douty was left a widow with a baby son, Gilbert to bring up.

However, back to the Manor, Mrs. Douty, in the book she had printed in memory of her husband (compiled by Philip Hope Bagenal), had a description of how the Manor (or rather Priest’s house) might have looked in the days of long ago - “with clay and thatched outbuildings round it. A granary, a hall for the Court of Justice, a bakehouse, stables, a dovecot arranged round it, a moat on three sides, the river on the fourth, and the villagers’ clay houses forming a wide street approaching the Manor and Church.”

== Fire ==

This original Manor or Priest’s house, dated about late 15th/early 16th Century, was still standing when, in 1918 an ancient but smouldering timber in a chimney spluttered into life one night. Mrs. Douty and her 8yr old son were in Bournemouth where Gilbert, the young boy was recovering from chicken pox. Only 2 maids and an odd-job-man were sleeping in the house, and they only became aware of it at 6.00am the next morning! One maid rushed down the village street in her nightgown and made enough noise to bring every man and boy out into the street. David Simmonds galloped on a farm horse to Stratford to summon the fire brigade. By the time the horse-drawn fire engine arrived, the fire had taken such a hold due to a strong wind blowing, that little of the original Manor was left.

This was a great shock to Mrs. Douty, for in her book that Mr. Philip Hope Bagenal had written, with her approval, came the following:- “A single stack of flues is grouped in the centre of the house with the stairs beside it. The fireplaces and flues are built of stone, and the stairs, though now of timber, were probably of stone in their original state. The masonry work would thus be a solid core in the centre of the house, and the danger of fire be minimised.”!!!!

The enclosed letter printed in the Stratford Herald dated 5th April 1918, is interesting:-

''“Sir,''
''I feel sure the deepest and most sincere sympathy is felt for our kind and generous neighbour Mrs. Douty, in the calamity that has fallen upon her in the destruction of her beautiful old manor house.''

''This lamentable fire has caused many to discuss the adequacy of the existing means available for dealing with such disasters. I am told the Stratford-upon-Avon fire engine did not arrive on the scene till one hour and a half after the fire had been discovered, and, but for the promptitude of Mr. James of Clifford in sending in his horses to bring out the fire engine, a further delay would have occurred. We all know that promptitude of action is all important at the outbreak of fire. I should like to ask what means are being taken to prevent the recurrence of such disastrous delays in the future? Are any arrangements being made to horse the fire engine, or is it to be left till the outbreak of a fire to hunt round the town for horses? Considering the valuable historical property in Stratford and the immediate neighbourhood, it seems to me – and I know I am expressing the opinion of a great many influentual people – it is time the town should possess a motor fire engine?''

''Francis H. Hodgson''
'' Clopton April 3rd 1918”''

Another letter followed from him in the Herald dated 17th April, stating that he was willing to subscribe £50 towards the purchase of an
engine and two guineas per annum towards the upkeep. This offer was repeated in a letter the following week; this time from Mrs. Douty.

After the fire, another timbered and beautiful building was built on the ashes of the old Priest House, and Mrs. Douty had placed in the high brick wall running alongside the tradesmens entrance, a large bell to ring in emergencies to awaken the village!

[[File:Restoration of manor after fire.jpg|thumb|400px|Restoration of Clifford Manor after fire]]

== Village Wedding ==
[[File:Col_rees_mogg_and_others.jpg|thumb|400px|right|Col. Ress-Mogg]]

When I first arrived in this village in the late 1960’s, many people in the village could remember The Wedding, especially two ‘children’ who were invited with their parents to St. Margaret’s, Westminster, to see Mrs. Douty marry Col. Rees Mogg. Kath Salmon could remember with delight, how the car in which they were travelling back to Clifford, was mistaken for the bridal car. Mr. Ainley, Mrs. Douty’s Agent, had to hurriedly get out of the car to persuade the lads of the village to hold on to their ropes until the right car came along. Eventually it did, and the lads tied ropes round it, and the newly married couple were pulled along the village street to the Lodge (the Manor still being rebuilt after the fire) with Col. and Mrs. Rees Mogg regally waving to the villagers standing either side of the village street. Then, on arrival at The Lodge, they both stood up in the car and gave speeches even more regal! The bride had been treated very regally in the village for many years, due to Miss Wilding’s insistence that her pupils must either curtsey or take off their caps (depending on sex) when her car passed them.

FROM THE STRATFORD-UPON-AVON HERALD Friday June 30th 1922
 MARRIAGE OF MAJOR REES-MOGG AND MRS DOUTY
 (it is interesting to read that two of the bridegrooms’ guests at the wedding were Viscount and Vicountess Althorp – Princes Di’s grandparents!)

''“On Wednesday afternoon at St. Margaret’s Church, Westminster, the marriage was solemnised of Veterinary-Major Graham B. C. Rees-Mogg 1st Life Guards, younger son of the Rev. H. J. and Mrs. Rees-Mogg of Midgham, Berkshire, and Kathleen, youngest daughter of the late Sir Frederick and Lady Wills of Northmoor, Dulverton, and widow of Mr. Edward Douty.''

''Sir Gilbert Wills, the bride’s brother, gave her away and Captain Astley, a brother-in-law of the bridegroom was best man.
Troopers of the 1st Life Guards formed a guard of honour and trumpeters blew fanfares in honour of the bride and bridegroom.
The bride’s dress was of deep cream charmeuse, veiled with pleated net draped with lace, and she wore a gold net toque with a gold lace veil, and carried a shower bouquet of red roses. She had no bridesmaids, but during the ceremony, her little son stood near her and held her bouquet.''

''The Dean of Westminster performed the rite assisted by the Rev. the Hon. Edward Lyttelton, and the Bishop of Gloucester gave the address. The second hymn was sung to a tune written by Mr. G. F. Bloomer of Stratford-Upon-Avon.''

''Among those present were……..Viscount and Vicountess Althorp, and the Rev. F. H. and the Hon Mrs. Hodgson.''

''The village of Clifford Chambers was gaily decorated with flags and floral arches for the auspicious occasion, and on the arrival of Major and Mrs. Rees-Mogg in the evening, the villagers assembled en masse by the New Inn, attached ropes to the motor-car, and so escorted the occupants to Clifford Lodge. Rose-petals and confetti were showered upon the happy couple, and a tiny jet-black Persian kitten was handed to the bride as a mascot.''

''The bride and bridegroom thanked the villagers for their kind and hearty reception. Peals were rung on the Church bells during the evening.
Presentation''

''Last evening (Thursday) practically the whole village assembled to make two presentations to the bride and bridegroom.''

''The Rev. F. H. Hodgson (Rector of Clifford) presided, and among those present were the Rev. W. A. and Mrs. Pippet, Miss Pippet, Messrs. J. R. Black and John James (Churchwardens), Mr. J. R. Steele, Mr. and Mrs. Matters etc. The Rev. F. H. Hodgson said that he felt that was a great red-letter day in the history of the Parish of Clifford. They were met there that evening to give a hearty welcome to Major and Mrs. Rees-Mogg. He was sure they all wished them every happiness in this world, and they were there to present them with a parish gift. The speaker proceeded to graphically describe the wedding service at St. Margaret’s, Westminster at which he was present, and he mentioned that in all his long life (and he had been to a good many marriage services) he did not think he had ever attended a more beautiful ceremony, or a more impressive one.''

''The gifts, Mr. Hodgson continued, had been subscribed for by the parishioners and tenants, and also Mr. Oliver Baker who had his share in it as well. It was an expression of their affection and gratitude for all Mrs. Rees-Mogg had done for the parish since she had come to live at the Manor and he was sure she would accept it with a great deal of pleasure.''

''Mr. Hodgson then presented the bride and bridegroom with a Cromwellian leather settle, with oak feet, which is about 300 years old, and also a Ruskin bowl from the children.''

[[File:Col_rees_mogg_dog_and_others.jpg|thumb|250px|left|Col. Rees-Mogg]]

''In reply, Mrs. Rees-Mogg said that she did wish to tell them how deeply she appreciated the splendid present that they had given them. They had shown to her husband very clearly that which she knew already – that at Clifford they were surrounded by most kind, warm and hearty neighbours and friends. Through the days of sorrow and years of loneliness and through the dreadful disaster, they had all given her proof of their goodwill and sympathy. She was glad that their marriage did not mean saying goodbye as so often was the case after marriages. In that case, it only meant that instead of finding two friends at The Manor (for they must count her son Gilbert) they would in future, she hoped, find three. (applause). They had made their homecoming delightful with the glorious welcome they had given them, and she thanked them all a thousand times for it, and for the beautiful presents they had given them. Those were tokens of good wishes which they would value all their lives.''

''The bridegroom also spoke, and in the course of a short speech thanked them all for their hearty welcome the previous night. He was not unacquainted with village life, having had his home, when on leave, at a village rectory or vicarage, and he added that he was sure they would be lenient with him if he did anything which might not meet with their approval. He again thanked them for the welcome and the presents, after which the bride announced that there was a piece of wedding cake for each one.
Loud cheers were given for the bride and bridegroom following the presentation and after each had received a neat packet of wedding cake, the ceremony terminated.”''

== Gilbert Douty ==
[[File:Mrs_rees-mogg.jpg‎|thumb|400px|right|Rees-Mogg family with young Gilbert Douty]]

Gilbert was sent to a boarding school and was only seen in the village during holidays. However, on his 21st birthday, he was given a sports car by his mother – and everyone saw him in the village then! In fact, his mother, very concerned at the speed with which Gilbert drove his new possession through the village, made a point of finding out from her son when he was intending to go out his in his car! Then word was sent round the village, so the mothers would keep their small children off the street until Gilbert was safely on his way out of the village. There was not much warning however, when he came home from his excursions, and the villagers would watch him roar up the village street, and hope children would have the sense to scurry out of his way. Those working in the Manor gardens would see the cloud of dust as Gilbert’s car came up the drive, and the car, with a quick turn, would skid to a stop with the gravel spitting against the front door of the Manor.

Mrs.Rees-Mogg was quite an attractive woman, not tall; in fact she looked quite small compared to Col. Rees-Mogg’s towering height. She suffered terribly from asthma, and was very sympathetic towards her tenants who also were ill, particularly those with breathing problems. She would go to great trouble at re-housing them in one of her other cottages in an attempt to relieve their suffering.

Her attempts at motherhood were not very successful however! With Gilbert losing his father before he was two, there was no man in his life to discipline him. In her loneliness of widowhood, his mother had given him everything he wanted. By the time Col. Rees-Mogg turned up in Gilbert’s life, Gilbert had become a very spoilt twelve-year-old child, and made it quite clear that he did not like his step-father disciplining him! I have been told that, as Gilbert became older, Col. Rees-Mogg stayed away from him as much as he possibly could, walking out of the back door as soon as Gilbert walked in the front!

Kath Salmon could remember, on sunny Sundays, the Misses Lupton cycling from Stratford to play afternoon tennis at the Manor.

Tragically, Gilbert died from an accident in his late twenties.

FROM A BIRMINGHAM NEWSPAPER dated 12th July 1938

''“DEATH AFTER DANCE
POLICE CONTINUE THEIR ENQUIRIES
MEMBER OF MIDLAND FAMILY''

''A DETECTIVE OFFICER ATTACHED TO THE Chief Constable’s office at Northallerton, North Riding, is continuing his investigations today into the strange death of Mr. Gilbert Edward Frederick Douty (aged 28), member of a well-known Midland family, following a dance in the village hall at Oswaldkirk on July 2 last.''

''The inquest was opened yesterday and adjourned until July 21. Only formal evidence was given by the young man’s stepfather, Lieut.-Colonel Graham Rees-Mogg of Clifford Manor, near Stratford-on-Avon, and Prince’s Gate, London S.W.''

''Mr. Douty had driven away from the dance in his car, accompanied by a young woman, when a missile struck one of the windows. He got out to investigate, and it is believed that he was then struck over the head.''

''He was admitted to a York nursing home, where he developed pneumonia and died yesterday.''

''The police have made a number of enquiries in the village, but have been unable to trace anyone who saw anything of the incident.''

''‘No one knows anything at all about it. I don’t think it was anything to do with any of the villagers,’ the postmistress at Oswaldkirk told a reporter. ‘Ours is a very respectable village.’''

''A close acquaintance of Mr. Douty told a reporter that the incident occurred some time after 2.a.m. on July 2. After Mr. Douty had left the dance, he was knocked unconscious, and with the execption of a few brief intervals, he did not regain consciousness. The only person he recognised was his mother.''

''Mr. Douty, who was educated at Eton and Cambridge, was undergoing training in the estate office of the Earl of Feversham at Helmsley, a few miles away from Oswaldkirk. He is the son by her first husband of Mrs. Rees-Mogg, formerly Miss Kathleen Wills, sister of Lord Dulverton, chairman of the Imperial Tobacco Company.''

''Though ill herself, Mrs. Rees-Mogg travelled north with her husband the day after the accident, and she has not yet returned to Stratford-on-Avon.''

''The funeral has been arranged for Thursday afternoon July 14th, at Clifford Chambers Parish Church.”''

<gallery perrow="2">
File:Funeral_sevice_sheet_Gilbert_Douty_A.jpg|Funeral service sheet, Front
File:Funeral_sevice_sheet_Gilbert_Douty_B.jpg|Funeral service sheet, Back
</gallery>

==Servants==

From Peter Stenson, Claines, Worcestershire:

:My Mother, Doreen (known as Dorrie) Marjorie Stenson nee 'Roythorne' went to work at Clifford Manor on 4th May 1936. She was then aged 16. She was employed as an under-house-maid for the grand sum of seven shillings a month!

:The other staff she remembered were: - Mr. Hall, carpenter and outside work - Mr. Salmon 'odd man' and gardener - Mr. Holman butler - Caroline head housemaid - 'George' hall boy (irrespective of their real name all the hall boys were called George!). 'James', footman (whose real name was actually George but had to be called 'James' for the same reason as the hall boys being called 'George') Gilmore 'Gillie' Whittle footman - Mrs. Yateman cook - Mary Owen kitchen maid - Kitty Jenner second scullery maid (she could not be called by her proper name Kathleen, as it was Mrs. Rees-Moggs first name) - Lillian head scullery miad.

:Kitty and Mary were my Mum's best friends at Clifford and, although the work was hard and the hours were long, she did recall having lots of fun too. Mrs. Rees-Mogg was known as one of the more enlightened and kind employers that my Mother worked for.

:Mother had to be up at 5.00am. Her first job was to collect and empty all the slops from the bedrooms in a bucket.

:One morning when the house was full of guests, she rushed into the servants' bathroom where she poured her slops into the lavatory. She rinsed out the bucket and turned to leave the bathroom only to discover that the bath was occupied by the Bishop of Gloucester! Fortunately there was a good covering of soap bubbles floating on the water. She hurried red-faced from the bathroom.

:The next time she saw Dr. Arthur Caley Headlam was on Wednesday February 24th 1937, when he confirmed my Mum and Kitty at the village Church.

:Mrs. Rees-Mogg was very keen that all her staff attended Church regularly. She presented Mother with a signed Book of Common Prayer within weeks of her starting at the Manor, and insisted that she get herself confirmed as soon as possible. After the confirmation, she also presented Mother with a signed copy of 'Daily Light on the Daily Path'. The Rector F Meridith Brookes also presented a Plain Communion Book. Mrs. Rees-Mogg also supplied some rather nice light grey material so Kitty and Mum could make confirmation dresses.

:Mother's other early morning jobs, were to clean and lay fires in all the occupied bedrooms. She was terrified of dropping anything in the grate and waking the sleeping occupant. She also had the main stairs to sweep with a brush and dustpan. No wonder she had painful knees in later life.

:One of her least favourite jobs was washing a long green-tiled corridor which had to be cleaned with stale milk. This had to be collected from outside the dairy. Mother used to cheat by adding hot water to stop her hands freezing on very cold mornings.

:Mrs. Rees-Mogg, not surprisingly, had a fear of fires and one of the first things Mum had to do when she started, was to have fire practice. The local Fire Brigade was in attendance and, after a demonstration, all the staff had to slide out of an upstairs bedroom window, and down a canvas tube. All the female staff had to pin their dresses up to prevent the men waiting at the bottom of the tube, from seeing their knickers!

:All sorts of fun started as soon as the family left the Manor for various social events. One one occasion, the footman chased the shrieking housemaids around the garden with a snake in a basket. 'James' also donned a lion-skin, complete with stuffed head and jumped out on the kitchen maid who was on her way up the stairs. In the chase that followed, he managed to scratch her cheek with one of the lion's claws. She had a permanent reminder of her lion attack.

:Colonel Rees-Mogg had a rather distinctive speech impediment and seemed to spend quite a lot of time in bed with real or imagined illness. Although my Mother tried to creep quietly past his bedroom one mid-morning, he called out “Dorrween! Dorrween - ask Holman to bwing me the Daily Miwaa”. Why a person in his position should be reading the Daily Mirror remains a mystery.

:During the early years of the war, there was a plane crash nearby and Moses, one of the scruffy terriers that roamed about the buildings and gardens, brought home a souvenier of the crash – a human finger, which he left on the lawn. On another occasion – a quiet afternoon when sitting in the garden over-looking the river, the staff were upset by the arrival of the otter-hounds in full cry.

:My Mother also remembers the great upset that was caused when Gilbert Douty was killed after being hit on the head by a bottle.

:At Christmas time, the family provided gifts for all the staff and we still have the amber necklace that Mother received in 1938.

:In 1940, at the prompting of her father, my Mother applied to the Air Ministry instead of going into the forces, for a job as a clerk. She had no sooner started, then she was moved to Worcester where she later met my Father.

:Mother died after a short illness in April 2012 aged 92.

File:DJI 0632.JPG

2022-10-02T08:44:27Z

Tomsalmon:

Church

2022-10-02T08:38:04Z

Tomsalmon:

[[Bell Ringing]] | [[The tolling of the bell]] | [[The Poor Law]] | [[Joining of the Parishes]] | [[Parish Magazines]]

[[File:Church.jpg|thumb|right|Clifford Chambers Church, St Helens]]

There were many colourful characters in our Church. One in 1646, was a William Albright who was described in the records as Rector of Clifford, but someone had added the words “without doubt one of the Puritan intruders”! He also appeared to have intruded into the Church at Quinton, for, in the Proceedings-of-the-Composition Committee, 1648, the Vicar of Quinton, William Thornborough, complained that he was disturbed in his duties by Mr. Albright. Mr. Albright’s reply was that Mr. Thornborough “is very meanly endued for his calling not being able to put up any prayer but what he readeth”!
Rectors of Clifford Church

[[File:DJI_0188.JPG|thumb|left|St Helens and Rectory]]

* 1274 - Robert le Wise
* 1324 - Thomas de Bradwalle
* 1344 - John Kyngcot
* 1349 – John de Wynchecombe
* 1361 – Richard Bundy
* 1391 – William Wayte
* 1458 – Thomas Jolyff
* 1465 – Rocharfd Skardeburgh
* 1467 – Hugh Cheswell
* 1494 – John Dorseley
* 1501 – Edward Frocester
* 1513 – William Sklatter
* 1533 - Abbot Parker
* 1542 – John Browne
* 1574 – Walter Roche
* 1578 – Richard Faune
* 1578 - Edward Vernon
* 1585 – Hugh Powell (removed)
* 1586 - Edward Vernon (reinstated)
* 1603 – William Albright

A letter was sent regarding William Albright to the County Committee

Mr. Albright was considered “without doubt one of the Puritan intruders”. The Vicar of Quinton Wm Thornborough complained that he is being disturbed in his duties by William Albright clerk. The County Committee were directed to assist Thornborough and prevent these disturbances.

Mr. Albright had something to say for himself and appeared before the Committee at Goldsmith Hall in June 1648.

The Committee wrote as follows to the Commissioner of Plundered Ministers:-

“ Mr. Albright minister of Clifford has appeared alleging that he has preached constantly for one an a half years at Quinton on the parishioners' promise of allowance for his pains. There has been an increase in the living from the tithes of Edward Savage who has compounded and from these, Albright desires satisfaction.

“As you best know his deserts, make him such allowance as you think fit.

“Albright says that Mr. Thornborough is very meanly endued for his called 'not being able to put up any prayer but what he readeth'.

“Enquire into his sufficiency and let the inhabitants receive the benefit intended by the increase to the maintenance”

* 1662 - Jaspar Moris
* 1667 – Wm Watts
* 1687 – Christopher Smith
* 1729 – Richard Dighton
* 1732 – Robert Goodall
* 1734 – John Martin
* 1776 – Stephen Mason
* 1787 – John Brewer
* 1793 – Arthur Annesley
* 1803 – Arthur Annesley
* 1845 – Framcis Annesley
* 1879 – Francis Hanbury Annesley
* 1895 – Rev Archibald Pippet

[[Charities]] 
[[Chalice and Paten]] 
[[Change-over of Benefices]] 
[[Church Clock]] 
[[Church Porch]] 
[[Churchyard]] 
[[Flag and Flag Pole]] 
[[Heating in the Church]] 
[[Quest Club]] 
[[Straightening of County Boundaries]]

==Vergers==

When I arrived in the village, people were still talking very lovingly about the Verger, John Lively who had died in the 1950’s. The extract from the Stratford Herald gives a good picture of him:-

“His dignified walk up the nave, his steady gait while mounting the steps of the Chancel, and the methodical way he turns to his desk and reaches for his spectacles, all belie his years. In the truly traditional manner, he leads the people, being first with the amens and responses saying them in a loud voice.”

Jack Radbourne was the Verger when I arrived, and he based his conduct in serving as Verger, on John Lively, with perfect accomplishment – including the loud amens. Jack also had a strong bass singing voice. So did Ralph Dodd who sat opposite him.

==Choir==

[[File:Church_choir_1938.jpg|thumb|right|Church Choir 1938]]

Ralph sang each bass note with perfect precision and timing. Jack wandered a bit in his bass notes, occasionally hitting the same note as Ralph – and sometimes not! Both men entirely obscured the trebles who sat behind them, boys one side and women and girls the other, and their strong bass voices almost drowned theirs! The congregation didn’t fare very well either! But the two mens’voices could be heard clearly outside in the street.

[[File:Doris_dodd.jpg|thumb|right|Doris Dodd]]

The choir, in 1938, had 7 men and 6 women. Choir Mistress was Doris Dodd.

[[File:Church_door_dedication.jpg|thumb|right|Dedication of Church Door]]

Each May, the Cross and Bearer, Choir, Doris Dodd, Rector and congregation all processed out of the Church and round the village for Rogation Sunday, stopping every-so-often for prayers to be said – for the school children – for those working in the fields – for those serving and buying in the Village Shop etc.

<gallery perrow="4">
File:Small-rogation_sunday.jpg
File:Small-rogation_sunday_1.jpg|Rogation Sunday
File:Small-rogation_sunday_2.jpg
File:Small-Rogation_Sunday_4.jpg
</gallery>

Please note, in one of these photos, the double-decker bus that had brought a number of the congregation from Stratford.

In 1968, the choir consisted of the two men already mentioned, 3 women, 4 teenage girls, 8 little girls, and 8 boys.

The only other time, the choir and congregation left the Church was for the Remembrance Day service round the War Memorial

Photos Church St. Helen's Church - Remembrance Sunday 1972
<gallery perrow="2">
File:Remembrance_sunday_1.jpg|Remembrance Sunday
File:Remembrance_sunday.jpg
</gallery>

To provide robes for all the little ones in the Choir, a Pantomime was held for three days, with one matinee performance, in the Jubilee Hall, with all the younger choir members taking place.

<gallery perrow="3">
File:Cinderellas_ball.jpg
File:Cinderellas_ball_1.jpg|Cinderallas Ball
File:Cinderellas_ball_2.jpg
</gallery>

Denise Reynolds was a sweet little Cinderella, and Caroline Spragg her handsome Prince. Martyn Spragg was a page, but the two who bought the house down were the ugly sisters, played by Paul Leonard-Williams and Ian, his friend.

Elaine Harris was the Queen Mother, and Stephen Leonard-Williams the King. Then we had various children and mice, one of whom was Christine Evans (now Beasley), and I believe Buttons was played by Neville Evans.

The Pantomime was so popular, that people who came the first night, turned up the second night so they could have another amusing night!

At the beginning of last Century, the choir and Sunday School children went to Red Hill House every Christmas Day at 6.00pm for tea in the Pippets dining room. The long dining table was decorated with flags of all nations. After tea, presents were given out from under the Christmas tree.

[[File:Parish_Magazine_April_1930.jpeg|thumb|left|1930 April Parish Magazine]]

Psalms were only sung at Harvest Festival. Miss Wilding played the American organ. Before that instrument arrived, there was an harmonium costing £3 bought with the proceeds of a carol singing expedition. And before that, the congregation had to rely on the various instruments played by the villagers sitting in the Musicians Gallery at the back of the Church. When our present organ arrived in 1931, the American organ was given to the Methodist Chapel in the village.

[[File:Church_choir_1993.jpg|thumb|left|Church Choir 1993]]

The lady who took the register at one time at the Sunday School was Miss Padbury. She originally lived at Mill House, an elegant figure with feather boa and parasol. Len Salmon, born in 1910, could remember, as a little boy, walking up the drive of Red Hill House with the other Sunday School children, to have Sunday School with Miss Monica Pippet. Miss Edwards taught the Sunday School in the 1950’s.

After the War, we had a Choir outing to Weston-Super-Mare. It was my first view of the sea. My Mum gave me a sweet ration coupon to buy a candyfloss for me and my brother. Most of our outings after that were to Cheddar and Weston-Super-Mare. The coach was always full, and we always called for fish and chips on the way home.

[[File:Church_choir_outing.jpg|thumb|right|Church Choir Outing ]]

''MEMORIES OF CLIFFORD SUNDAY SCHOOL (Maisie Wilkes)'' 
We always went three times on a Sunday to Church; choir attendance at morning and evening service, and Sunday School in the afternoon. This was taken by Canon Brooks and Miss Dodd. We always received a coloured stamp to stick into our attendance book.

The Sunday School treat was a tea party at The Manor. This was at Christmas where Mrs. Rees-Mogg always had a present for us – a useful present! I still have the two sewing kits I was given, one in the form of a lady’s bonnet, and one in the form of a girl in a hooded cape, and they are still being used! In the summer we also had a picnic at The Rectory, with games.

----

When I (Avril) arrived, Mrs. Leonard-Williams was taking the Sunday School with the help of some mothers and teenagers.
When the Hawkins arrived, due to such a small number of small children in the village, it was decided not to hold Sunday School for a while. Instead, we had Childrens Church, taken by Rev. David Leonard-Williams, assisted by his wife and sister-in-law, and Miss Baker, the headmistress of our village school.

[[File:Sunday_school_children.jpg|thumb|left|Sunday School children]]

[[Quest Club]] started round about 1982 when the Hawkins left.

File:DJI 0188.JPG

2022-10-02T08:36:54Z

Tomsalmon:

Flooding 1999

2022-10-02T08:11:50Z

Tomsalmon:

=EASTER FLOODS 1999 AVRIL'S STORY=

Friday – Good Friday in fact and therefore Lawrence was able to come home early. We were going, later on to the Jewish Passover at Welford village hall and wanted to have chance to get ready for it well in time, so we decided then and there to do the Tesco shopping.

The rain all day had been quite heavy, but in the afternoon, I noticed one of the windows was allowing the rain to come in. This had never happened before, and I thought a leak had started due to the old age of the window. I had no idea that the fierce strength of the rain hammering against the windows was causing this.

As our car reached the end of the village street, and we paused to make sure the coast was clear for us to cross, I noticed muddy water pouring, in quite a volume, between the roots of the hedge bordering Rectory Farm. And I had never noticed that before either in all the rain storms we had had.! It poured across the Campden Road, and our car splashed its way through it.

There was another surprise at Tesco car park, water was bubbling out of a soak-away cover as if it was a small fountain. It must be blocked with something” I remarked to Lawrence. “And the rain water can't soak away.”

Our shopping I suppose took just over half-an-hour, and we carried our bags out to the car park, stopping in amazement to find all the parked cars (including ours) were in a large pond which was getting deeper and deeper every minute. I just had ordinary shoes on, though Lawrence had tough steel tapped shoes. But our feet were soaked by the time we reached the car. We were now realising that something was really wrong.

[[File:P11-1999-The_Easter_floods-taken_from_our_front_door.jpg|thumb|right|Easter floods 1999]]

Back at the village, we saw the village street was turning into a river, the water coming, not from the River Stour, but from Martins Hill where there is a reservoir (possibly built by the Romans) fed by an underground stream. Water was pouring down the hillside and straight into the houses along The Nashes. Then into the Campden Road, and then along our village street.

Running into our house and looking out of our back window, I realised that the River was nowhere near our back garden – yet. So we were safe from that side of our house.

We still had the sandpit that my children had used for many years, mainly because I was still entertaining small children in my house, and on summer days, these little ones loved to play in the sand. But that sand was quickly shovelled into some old potato sacking, packed solidly and dumped onto our front door step.

Then feeling we were safe, we put on our wellington boots and went out and inspected the situation all the way along the village street. From the main road down to The Close the village street was completely covered by a fast flow of water, and as we watched the next area of the village street to Forge Cottage was soon covered.

“It will reach our cottage and beyond.” muttered Lawrence, “As long as it doesn't come above the pavement!”

But it did! Not straight away, but as soon as the water lapped over the pavement outside our house (and our house was a step-down from the pavement), we knew we were in trouble. Tom, due to start University in September, and Henry still at High School were both at home for the Easter Holidays. They had spent most of the morning and afternoon busy on computers and guitar upstairs, unaware of what was happening outside. At our shout, they came running down.

We managed to drag our piano out of the dining room, into the hall, and then with some manoeuvring, into our kitchen which was slightly higher than the hall. But to make sure, Lawrence insisted the whole piano had to be lifted onto the kitchen bench. And that was an effort, with me desperately anxious in case they dropped it and it would crash onto the kitchen floor. (It was bought with money my father left me in his will – so it was precious to me.)

It was useless rolling up our carpets. They were pretty-well worn in any case. But the chairs we piled onto our dining room table, with the assurance from Lawrence that the table wouldn't suffer too much with its legs in water! The two cosy armchairs in the living room, were piled onto the sofa – and after that there was little we could do apart from wait to see if the water would come over the sandbags and into the house.

The water never did enter that way. Instead it soaked through our ancient brickwork, and it was the dining room (being a little lower than our living room) that suffered the worst damage.

James being still at University was spending the Easter holidays working at a garage, and by the time I had collected all the towels I could find as well as some buckets, James had come home with tales of everything he had seen.

He soon joined Tom, Lawrence and Henry on their knees on a wet carpet laying out the towels to soak up as much water as they could; then wring the towels into the buckets – and these filled faster than I thought they would.

I got cups of tea and coffee going and soup to give the men some energy, but they worked hard all that evening to try and keep the rest of the house reasonably dry. The front part of the hall suffered with wet carpet, but as the carpet was very worn, I rolled it up and dumped it out into the soggy back garden, and used a mop continually to soak up some of the water and pour it into another bucket. The carpet in the living room squelched as we walked into it, but in the dining room, as I walked over the carpet, water came out of it and almost over my shoes. All the men were soaked up to their waists, and their shirts were getting so spattered with water as they rung out the towels, there didn't seem to be any dry parts on them at all.

Ivy Radbourne was suffering far more than we were – not in her house (which probably by now was in a bad way) but in her car. She was driving Vic home from a visit to the hospital and Vic was on crutches!

Their car stalled in flood water, and Ivy and Vic felt helpless, feeling the flood would take their lives away. In spite of the fact that cars are supposed to keep on moving in situations like this, one driver stopped and helped them. He had a larger car, and helped them to get out and into his vehicle. Then he took them to his house which wasn't touched at all by floods, being on a hill.

Ivy was almost in tears when, eventually she and Vic came home and told us about their journey.. Tears, not from their near-death experience, but the extreme kindness of this couple, who fed them, run them baths, made up beds for them in their spare bedroom and looked after and cared for them as if they were their parents. And this kindness extended until they were eventually able to get back to Clifford..

By 10.00pm, I was tired and decided to go to bed, and leave the men to it. I had to be fresh the next morning to look after them when they needed to eat and rest. James, having to work the next morning, also went to bed. All through the night, those 3 men worked hard. By the morning the rain had stopped, but their hands – especially Henry's were covered in blisters, wrinkled and were so white, there seemed to be no blood in their flesh..

While they eat breakfast, I tried to mop up a bit more water from the dining room carpet. Then tackled the living room carpet. Before having a much-needed sleep, Lawrence and Henry helped roll back the sodden carpet in the dining room while Tom attempted to lift the furniture so they could remove the carpet underneath. Then Lawrence, Henry and Tom carried it out to the back garden and that finished up with the hall carpet.

While they slept, I mopped over the tiles in the dining room and hall until they were dry. The water had receded off the pavement and was now moving sluggishly just along the village street. By afternoon, the tarmac of the road was showing until eventually the whole village street was revealed – with only the road near the Council Houses still being covered with water.

But even the oldies in our village had no memory throughout their years living in this village, of a flood quite like this. It was History!

File:P11-1999-The Easter floods-taken from our front door.jpg

2022-10-02T08:11:17Z

Tomsalmon:

Tenants at No 26

2022-10-02T08:05:07Z

Tomsalmon:

[[The Square|Back to the Square]]

Mr. And Mrs. Rouse lived at No 26 in the 1920’s and their grandchildren were still living in the village years later; Cyril in charge of the village shop, and Hilda, who was a great friend of Betty Harris (then Betty Bailey). Mrs. Rouse was very thin, but she survived her husband by many years

====Mr & Mrs Len Salmon====

[[File:P18-Len_Salmon.jpg|thumb|left|Len Salmon]]

When she died, the Len and Phyllis Salmon moved in. They had been living at No 16, a two-bedroomed cottage with their two girls and one boy, so they were glad to move into a three-bedroomed house. However, Phyllis was a great believer in hoarding, not only all her own belongings, but other peoples’ too! These were ‘belongings’ her neighbours did not want and had therefore thrown then into their own dustbins. Phyllis went through the contents of their dustbins regularly and brought her ‘treasures’ home and stored them in her house, along with her ‘stuff’.

These ‘belongings’, to begin with, were all piled into the third bedroom of No 26, and it was years after they moved, before their son could move from the camp bed he had in his parents’ bedroom, into a bedroom of his own!

[[File:Salmon children.jpg|thumb|right|Salmon children]]

While her daughters were around, the house was kept reasonably habitable. Angela, her oldest daughter, was very adept, once her mother was out of the way, at whipping through her mother’s ‘treasure’ and stuffing them into a sack and disposing of them where her mother would never find them. When Angela and her sister Veronica married and left home, the ‘treasures’ began piling up

Then Lawrence, her son, married in 1973. At that time, there were chairs to sit on and some furniture was visible, but the girls’ bedroom no longer looked like a bedroom!. For one thing, there was no sign of the bed! It was hidden by ‘treasures’ heaped up on it. A lot of these ‘treasures’ were items Phyllis had bought at the market. Phyllis could not resist a bargain. She had to buy it, regardless of the fact that she had three or four identical items at home still with their wrapping on. What is more, when she did buy, the identical items in her house would be added to, to number eight – or ten – or twelve – or more!

When her little grandson died suddenly, Phyllis became ill and eventually had to have a pace-maker fitted. She convalesced at Veronica’s home in Bristol for many months. That is when Angela declared, “We’ve got to clear the downstairs to make a bed for her, for she will never make it up those steep stairs!”

By this time, in their living room, the chest of drawers and the sideboard were no longer visible, for the ‘treasures’ now reached to the ceiling The two little areas that Len and Phyllis placed themselves to sit and watch television (the only item of furniture that seemed to be clear of ‘treasures’) slowly, during the clearance, turned out to be large armchairs! The chair where Len sat to have his meal was noticeable, before the clearance started, as a chair. However, the small area where his plate was placed each meal, slowly opened up into a rather nice dining table. However, it took two afternoons to clear the ‘treasure’ underneath before a start could be made on the actual table!

[[File:Len and phyllis salmon.jpg|thumb|right|Len & Phyllis Salmon]]

In the kitchen, only the fridge door could be seen, plus the kitchen sink and draining board. The electric cooker had completely disappeared, for Phyllis believed in cooking on the kitchen range! As for the girls’ bedroom, their door wouldn’t even open due to all the ‘treasures’ that had been stuffed behind it.

And the ‘treasures’? The cotton sheets all in their wrapping, went off to Romania. There were over twenty of them – never used – and with the sale price still on them. So did the pillow cases too numerous to count, with the prices still on them. These were followed by dresses never worn and – yes – with the price on them (some of the prices in £.s.d) which also went to Romania. The crockery which never matched, went to a boot market. The good matching crockery went back into the girls’ bedroom to be shared amongst the family, and all the rest of the ‘treasures’ finished up in nine large skips. Before the skips were hired, the ‘treasures’ were stuffed into many dustbin bags which were piled into Lawrence’s car on daily trips lasting a fortnight, to the tip!

The family were uncertain what Phyllis’ reaction would be when she came home five months later. Len was thrilled with it all. At last he could walk down the stairs in the morning without knocking brown paper parcels down the stairs with a crash of crockery breaking! His greatest relief was to know he need no longer live in fear that he would follow the crockery down the stairs, finishing up with a broken leg!

All the bedding was stripped from both beds. Phyllis believed in keeping aired all the blankets and sheets for when they might be used again. Her ‘airing cupboard’ was the marital bed! Thirteen layers of bedding were taken off their bed before the mattress was found. This proved to be extremely hard and lumpy. A new mattress was bought. Some of Phyllis’ new sheets and blankets that had been kept, were put on their bed, and Len had his first good night’s sleep for years!

Underneath this bed were found box after box of Easter eggs – bargains of course! There were no Easter eggs left; just bits of silver wrapping and plenty of mice dirt!

Then Phyllis came home and the family waited for her scold. There was a little scold from time to time when she couldn’t find anything but, on the whole, there was relief that it had all been cleared. Amongst all her economy drive to save everything she possibly could, was Phyllis’ need to salvage every bit of coal from the ashes of her range. Her savage raking of this fire each day; carrying out the ash with bits of coal and shaking these through a sieve so the bits of coal could be used again, had caused a heavy layer of black everywhere. Even the cobwebs in the ceiling (of which there were many – and ancient at that!) were covered in this sooty black. Now, at last, everything was clean. The sideboard and chest of drawers once completely hidden, were polished; the windows cleaned; curtains washed (only they fell apart so some of the nicer curtain material was used to make new ones), and the larder was cleared of old rusty tins of food. Those clearing the house had to work so carefully in the living room removing all the ‘treasures’. If any of it toppled over and landed on the floor, it would start a terrifying hissing noise from the larder. It was felt safer to dash outdoors and wait for the explosion, though it never came. As soon as it was felt safe, then the person would tiptoe in and peer round at the larder to see strawberry jam – or in one instance, treacle – dripping down the larder wall after a tin had exploded. One whole skip was needed to remove all the tins and jars and disintegrated coconut matting that had been stored in the larder for the last thirty years.

[[File:P03-Veronica_and_Lawrence_Salmon-2.jpg|thumb|left|Veronica and Lawrence Salmon]]

Phyllis had a sharp tongue and it was very upsetting to be at the receiving end of it, but in her heart was a desperate need to be loved and needed. She went out of her way to give people little gifts and glowed when they thanked her or praised her. She loved Betty Dench, for Betty understood her need and really cosseted her like a mother fussing over her sick child and seeing to her wants. Many others too realised her need and tried to give her the attention she needed. It was difficult, for the tiniest thing would upset her. Then she would walk along the village street crying and refusing to answer if anyone asked her what was wrong. This could last up to three weeks, and often the person at the receiving end didn’t even know what she had done to offend Phyllis in the first place.

She adored her grandchildren (when they were not at an age to answer her back!) and was often seen taking her two youngest to the Old Dairy to watch the men working on the agricultural machinery. She also loved taking these two on the Charity bus to Stratford. Her shopping in Stratford only took half-an-hour. Since her pace-maker had been fitted, she had been walking with the aid of a stick, and half-an-hour with her stick (sometimes two sticks) was enough for her! She would finish up at Marks and Spencers where she could sit in a chair and chat to other customers while her two grandsons played on the escalator until the bus came, one and a half hours later.

[[File:Phyllis salmon and mrs rudge.jpg|thumb|right|Phyllis Salmon and Mrs Rudge]]

As she was approaching her 87th birthday, she had a fall – not a nasty one, but an ambulance had to be called. It was a four-hour wait! Even she was relieved when it turned up, but in hospital, as the days went by, things didn’t go well and she died before Len could reach her. She left many memories, and all of them were fond ones, for those who knew her, understood her more than she thought they did. Ann Pybus summed it all up in a letter she wrote to the family from her new home. “I was so sorry to hear from Howard Wolverson of Mrs. Salmon’s death. I was so touched when she walked down with her sticks to say goodbye to me on the day we left Clifford.!”

Leonard William Salmon 
Said at his Funeral Service at Clifford Chambers Church: 
<blockquote>Len loved hymn singing. Whenever the Methodist Chapel on the main road had hymn-singing after their evening service, Len and his friends would leave the Church as soon as Evensong was finished, and dash round to the Methodist Chapel. There they would sing lustily the old Methodist hymns. 
 
Len was baptised on Easter Sunday 1911 by the Rev. W. A. Pippet and he kept in his wallet right up until his death, the special hymn given to him as a baby for his baptism. Mrs. Rees-Mogg at the Manor was one of his God-parents.
 
He attended the village school under the very-much-feared Miss Wilding and his parents were very thrilled when he passed the entrance exam to the Stratford Grammar School. However, his Mother died soon after, and after two years spent at KES, he was told by his father that he was to leave and earn a living! The only job available was delivery boy at a grocery shop owned by Mr. F. Balance. From there, he would cycle to all the surrounding villages with a huge straw basket fastened to the front of his bike, stocked with groceries for his customers.
 
Saturdays were frantic for those working at Ballances, and all hands were needed, including those of the delivery boy. All goods, flour, sugar, dried fruit etc. were stored in sacks in the basement and had to be brought up to the shop floor. Everything had to be measured out and the quantities needed poured into square stacks of paper, which were then folded, tossed upwards and, with quick flicks of the wrist, were twisted into bags. Saturdays, Len worked late, sometimes up until almost midnight – especially at Christmas time. Consequently he missed out on all the village sporting activities. Occasionally he would have a holiday on a Saturday, and he would cross over the river to watch the village cricket. On light evenings, he would work on his allotment. Len loved his allotment and was heartbroken when the allotments were sold for building developments. (These building developments are now the houses in The Close!) From then on, he never picked up a spade again.
 
He was confirmed by the Rev. Hodgson, confirmation classes being held at No. 19, the white cottage opposite the Rec. He had regularly attended Sunday School, trotting with all the other children along the village street, across the main road and up the steep winding drive to Red Hill House to have lessons given by Miss Monica Pippet. Church attendance stopped however, once he started work. Though Mrs. Rees-Mogg expected all her tenants to attend the Church services, she did not demand it. Len did not regularly attend services again until he retired.
 
Len married Phyllis Allen on 7th November 1933 and moved from Manor Cottages where he was born, to No 16. Their family enlarged through the years: Angela in 1936 and 7 years later, twins, Lawrence and Veronica.
 
Due to leaving his motor bike engine running while adjusting the chain, he lost the tops off three of his fingers. When he was called up at the beginning of the 2nd World War, the Army quickly realised he would be unable to fire a gun. He was sent instead to the Orkneys where he transported Army Officers to and fro. His fondest recollection of those days was gathering on a Sunday night with the men and singing “The Old Rugged Cross”. After the War, it was back again to Ballances; this time getting orders ready for delivery. The little cottage at No 16 was ‘splitting at the seams’, so the family moved to No 26 in The Square where Len lived until his death.
 
Len became a member of the Working Mens Club joining the darts and dominoes teams. In 1964, Len took over the position of Treasurer to the Club, a position he held until the early 1990’s. He was very thrilled, on his retirement from this post, on being given a very special chair by the Club marked ‘Len’s Chair’. Woe betide anyone who dared to sit in that chair except himself from then on! The last few weeks of his life, that chair was often empty as he found it too tiring to come to the Club every evening, but he was there, every Wednesday night, for his Bingo – winning many prizes.
 
Grandchildren had come along and he was fully able to enjoy them once he retired from work. To the world around, he seemed to be quiet; rarely speaking; just sitting and watching and listening unless someone took the trouble to sit beside him and draw from him fascinating stories of his life. Then he would talk! To his grandchildren, he was a loving Grandad who would pick up any screaming grandchild, cuddle him and give him his bottle without any fuss; read favourite story books to the older ones; sing nursery rhymes with them, and help and encourage them to build snowmen. Dogs and cars he loved also – talking to them as if they were children. His love and gentleness was very apparent then. He was very proud of his 11 grandchildren, but was greatly torn with grief when one of his grandsons died suddenly at the age of 2 with a form of meningitis. By the time he died, 6 great grandchildren were added to the family – including twins!
 
He attended the Over 60’s and went regularly to their fortnightly meetings.
 
Hymn singing came back into his life in retirement. He enjoyed going to Sunday evening services just for the hymn-singing. Later, he found it more comfortable instead, to sit in his armchair on a Sunday evening and join in with singing hymns on Songs of Praise. He was always very satisfied and content when the Sunday morning service on television had hymns he could sing to, and would relate in great detail during lunch – and sometimes sing - every hymn he had sung that morning!
 
His favourite was always ‘The Old Rugged Cross’. During his short time in hospital, some of us attempted to sing it to him. Although unconscious and seemingly giving no awareness of his surroundings, his mouth moved constantly all through the hymn as though he was trying to sing the words.
 
When Phyllis died and he was alone in the house, he found rest and contentment talking to God. “I’ve had a lovely talk with God today,” he would often say. When unconscious, on the hospital bed, his mouth would sometimes move as if forming words that we could not hear.
 
There was no need for us to hear them. They were words – a confidential conversation – just between Len and his God.</blockquote>

File:P03-Veronica and Lawrence Salmon-2.jpg

2022-10-02T08:04:14Z

Tomsalmon:

Butchers Row - Nos 14, 15, 16, 17

2022-10-02T08:02:14Z

Tomsalmon: /* Butchers Row Nos 16 and 15 */

__NOTOC__
[[Main Street|Back to the Main Street]]

====John Lee Radbourne====

[[File:Butchers row.jpg|thumb|right|Butchers Row]]

No. 17 housed all the Radbourne family, Bert, Ruth, Bill, Vic, Walter, Tom and Mary, and Vic doesn't know just how his Mum managed with all those children. But, despite the cramped conditions in their two-up-two-down cottage, they were very happy, spending summer days as toddlers playing on the millstone by the front door. Have a look next time you are passing No. 17, and see if that millstone is still there!

[[File:Radbourne children.jpg|thumb|right|Radbourne children ]]

John Lee Radbourne, their Dad, was usually referred to as Old Jack Radbourne, to distinguish him from Young Jack Radbourne! Old Jack Radbourne worked at the mill, driving a wagon with three horses. So, when the millstone needed replacing, he brought the old one back to his house for a step by his front door.

Old Jack was one of the first members of the the Working Mens' Club when it opened and he was also a Church Choir member for over 50 years. Sometime in his life, he also became a Parish Councillor, and at one time, was elected District Councillor representing Clifford Parish Council on Marston Sicca Rural District Council.

When the Radbournes left No. 17 about 1924 and moved across the road to a detached cottage, No. 45, Fred Richardson moved in. He came from Preston, a bachelor at that time, living with his Mum, and he lived at No. 17 for a short while, before moving also across the road to No. 47.

====Sold to the Village Charity====
When Fred moved out, Mrs. Rouse moved in! When I arrived in the village in the mid 1960's her husband's funeral was still remembered well in the village, I suppose because he was a young man when he died, leaving two small children. The Rouses lived outside the village, and John Batsford's horse and wagon brought his coffin to the Church.

Mrs. Rouse was still living at No. 17 when I came to the village, though her two children Hilda, and Cyril had grown up and left home by then. My memory of her is the afternoon walks she used to take with Bert Gardener, usually finishing up at the seat by the War Memorial. They were so constantly together, that I thought they were husband and wife, until I got to know them.

She was tenant of No. 17, and when the then owner sold, the Trustees of our village charity bought the house to be used as an almshouse. The kitchen became part of the main living room, a hall led from the front door and up the stairs. A bathroom was put in what had originally been the back bedroom, and downstairs an extension was made which then became a large kitchen.

Mrs. Rouse loved the additions. “Oh,” she said to me looking round her large living room and large kitchen. “How I wish all this was here when I had my children. I had to work in such a small kitchen, and there never was enough room for the two children and me in the living room.. This is beautiful. A real home.”

From then on, there were a series of senior citizens who moved in, and on their death, more moved in – all loving the little cottage.

====Kath Salmon====
[[File:Kath salmon.jpg|thumb|right|Kath Salmon and Avril]]

One was Kath Salmon who lived with her father Diggie Salmon at the bungalow which, at one time formed part of the Meeting Room at the end of The Nashes. Kath suffered from breathing problems probably after contacting TB. The bungalow was damp and her clothes were often mouldy if left too long without airing. It was the then Rector, when No. 17 became free, who suggested to The Charity that Kath move in. She did – and loved it there, going each Wednesday to Bingo, and always coming back a little merry. One night coming back to No 17 she slipped on some kerb stones that had been loosened by a tractor. She finished up in hospital, but refused to listen to her friends to sue whoever was responsible for not keeping the kerb stones firm. “No! I don't want to sue.” she declared crossly, but in her heart, she knew she was to blame. It was just that she was a little too merry that night to be able to concentrate on walking on the pavement instead of the kerb.

Her drinking sometimes caused her to sleep so heavily that she didn't wake up the next day until the early evening. Anxious neighbours seeing her milk-bottles outside in the sun, would call Avril (as her next of kin), but when Avril shouted up to her bedroom window several times, she would hear Kath's voice shouting hysterically, “Don't come in Avril. Don't come in!” Kath did not like anyone seeing her in a bad state after a night of alcohol. There was one time however, when there was no answer the whole of the day,, and the Police had to be called in the next morning, to force open the front door. Avril followed them in, and there was Kath sitting up in her bed and screaming out “No! No! No! Don't come in!”

==Butchers Row Nos 16 and 15==
Mrs. Mary Ann Cockbill lived at No. 16 with her twin daughters, Agnes and Gertrude. Records show that she and her husband Ewib, kept the dairy at No. 18 Clifford Chambers, before it was made into a home. Gertrude (I think usually called Lil) married Charles Giles, and became a war widow when her husband died in April 1918 aged 26. She was left with a small son, Derek.

[[File:Phyllis allen.jpg|thumb|right|Phyllis Allen]]

Len Salmon brought his young bride Phyllis to this cottage when it became empty,
and in that small two bedroom house, they managed to sleep their two girls and one boy until, at last Mrs. Rees-Mogg found room for them at No. 26 The Square. Lawrence was 9 when they moved to The Square, sleeping on a camp bed alongside his parents' bed. all through his life at No. 16

[[File:Lawrence Salmon at Clifford School.jpeg|thumb|left|Lawrence Salmon, Clifford School infants]]

In No. 15 lived Mr. and Mrs. Jack Halstead who both worked the laundry for the Manor at the 'top' mill. Mr. Halstead always wore a type of game-keepers cap.

[[File:Mrs halstead no 15.jpg|thumb|left|Mrs. Halstead]]

When they moved out, Mr. and Mrs. Percy Salmon moved in as newly-weds. Mrs. Percy Salmon as Miss Elizabeth Spencer (commonly called Betty or Bet) came to work at The Manor as housemaid, and later, when the Manor was being repaired after the fire, at The Lodge, where she found blacking the grates there, "the worst job in her whole life". Percy was working for The Manor as a groom, and the stables made a nice courting place for them.

[[File:Percy salmon and family.jpg|thumb|right|Percy Salmon and family]]

They lived all the rest of their lives at No. 15 with their first son John arriving the following year of their marriage and Gerald arriving 13 months later. Because John did not walk until his little brother was several months old, Mrs. Salmon had to carry both boys in her arms upstairs and down, and they were very narrow and twisting stairs.

I remember seeing a handwriting book with John's name on it, and all the pages were taken up with one sentence written over and over again in neat copper-plated writing, "I promise I will not drink any intoxicating liquor". John was 6 when he wrote those sentences!! He was killed in Normandy in 1944 aged 19.

Percy died in early 1960. Gerald had married and left home by then, and Mrs. Salmon was on her own, though she was delighted by the birth of a little grandson Richard, and loved taking him for a walk in his pram when the family visited her.
She always kept herself busy, making sure she cooked a good meal for herself each day - even on days when she felt unwell. She busied herself in her vegetable garden until it became too much for her. Her only delight then, was to visit her two friends, Miss Richardson (Fred's sister) and Mrs. Nason. In fact, the library van driver, as they walked to his van to change their books, used to refer to them as 'Last of the summer wine'!

[[File:P02-Lawrence_(with_long_hair)_and_Veronica_in_sidecar_on_their_Dads_motorbike_outside_No16.jpg|thumb|left|Lawrence and Veronica on Len Salmon's motorbike]]

Her death was very sudden and unexpected. She was found at the bottom of her steep cottage stairs one Boxing Day morning. But at the Inquest, it was reported that her death wasn't the result of the fall down the stairs, but a heart attack that caused her to fall.

==Butcher's Row No. 14==
No. 14 was the Butcher's shop. Meat was brought from Stratford in a wagon, and was driven into the back yard through double doors (where the garage is now), to be stored, but I don't quite know where it was stored. The present dining room at No. 14 was the actual shop, with meat hanging from the low beams. As this is now our dining room, I know just how low these beams are, so I would imagine customers must have banged their heads on the carcases as they came into the shop to be served.

[[File:Diggie salmon.jpg|thumb|right|Diggie Salmon]]

Lawrence's grandad, Diggie Salmon, could just remember coming to this Butcher's shop when he was about 5. He was born in 1880. When meat could no longer be bought at No. 14, customers went to the village shop instead, who took on the meat-selling business to add to their usual stock. The shop at that time was kept by Jack Ward.

The Silvesters lived at No. 14, but they might have arrived when the butcher's shop closed. We have found the name Frank Silvester written in pencil on the trapdoor above our landing, leading to the rafters, but unfortunately with no date.

Mr. Francis John Silvester was the one I heard about when I arrived in the village. He worked at both mills. He and his wife had two sons, Leslie and Leonard. Leonard married Dolly Hastie from Manor Cottage, and many years later when she was a widow, we invited Dolly for a meal at No. 14. She told us that, during her early married years she lived with her parents-in-law, and our dining room (once the butcher's shop) was her living room.

As she stood and looked around the room that had once been her own home, she showed me the places in the outside wall where daylight had come through and she had had to plug the gaps with rags to keep the room warm.

When we arrived at No 14, we found quite a lot of alterations had been made by the previous owner, Mrs. Mann. who was tragically widowed when her youngest child, David was only a baby. She had an older child, Sheila, little more than a toddler at the time the children's father died in a motor-bike accident..

When Sheila married a welsh farmer, her mother went to live there, but she also spent time staying with her son, then a policeman living at Ilmington, and enjoyed grandchildren from both families. Sheila married soon after we married, so our move to Sheila's old home took place about three years later.

Lawrence's Dad could remember how the house used to be, as he often played with the Silvester boys. The present kitchen was originally the scullery, with copper. There was a bakehouse the other side of the kitchen wall, approached by a door from outside. Both copper and bakehouse shared the same, very tall, chimney; - though when the bakehouse was pulled down, its part of the chimney was also pulled down, and all that was left were quite a lot of blackened bricks. The remaining part of the chimney was definitely in need of pointing, though we didn't know that at the time.

We had had our electric oven placed in the kitchen to use in the summer. But in the place where the copper had been, was a Rayburn. I was thrilled when at last it was cool enough to light it and cook with it. As you can guess, fumes were noticed straight away in the kitchen; not too bad, until a north-east wind blew. And then the fumes were terrible.

I coughed and coughed while I cooked, pleading with my little daughter to play with her baby brother in the living room so I could shut her out of the kitchen. I had to tie a silk scarf round the bottom part of my face for protection - and that is how I cooked all winter. Was I glad when the warm weather came, and I could resort to the electric cooker! But we needed the Rayburn on during the winter, because it warmed up the rest of the house if I left the kitchen door open.

The back door was right opposite the front door, and the wind, when it was strong, blew in through the one door and out to the other, via all the other doors opening into the hall; the wind howling with delight while we shivered. When, two years later we started doing alterations, that chimney came down; the Rayburn went out. Both cupboards either side of the Rayburn were removed, and in the place of one, was set a new back door with windows, and in place of the other, a window. So we finished up with a kitchen full of light - and WARM! And our old back door was sold to someone dealing with old things, who gave us £5 for it on account of the ancient large key and lock. In its place was an attractive window looking out to the view down to the river.

In the back garden near our new back door, was a very lethal bush which practically pricked you just by looking at it! Its thin brittle branches each bearing vicious weapons seemed to reach out to you as you passed it. I mentioned it once to Mrs. Reece who said that it sounded just the bush she needed in her garden to keep the cats out! She sent her husband, Alec Reece (parents of Angela Wylam) to dig it out. He came armed with spade and overalls. "Mr. Reece," I declared when I saw him, "You need to wear armour to deal with this thing!"

But he dealt with it in his overalls, telling me it was known as 'Butchers Broom'; took it home and planted it to stop the cats - and then it died! But it gave me a picture of how our living room was swept when it was covered in the sawdust every butcher's shop had in those days.

====Tragedy at No. 14====

The rest of the Salmon family were born there - James on the day we moved. William came along 15 months later – and that was our family. Lawrence had said that when James was born! !! William was definitely a little God-planned baby.

Just 3 months after his second birthday when he was beginning to talk in short sentences and roar with laughter over everything, he caught a virus one Monday and developed breathing problems.. It took three urgent phone calls before the Doctor came out. In desperation Avril telephoned Miss Taylor at No. 29 (retired from her work as Assistant Matron at Birmingham Accident), and when she arrived, she helped them make a tent over William's cot. The kettle was brought up from downstairs and was constantly kept boiling with the steam going into the 'tent' where Avril sat cuddling William. His breathing was terrible now, gasping for breath, the sound coming out from his throat . But this constant boiling of the kettle kept fusing the lights, and Lawrence constantly had to dash downstairs to the fuse box to put it right. By 6.00am Miss Taylor said, “That is enough. I am going to ring the Doctor!”

Her voice was heard by Lawrence and Avril, “This child is very very ill. You must come NOW!” but it was another two hours before he came. Once there, an ambulance was ordered and soon Avril and William were being driven to Warwick Hospital. Even though very ill, William who loved travelling in cars, wanted to sit up, and with me holding an oxygen mask to his face (which William kept trying to push away) he had to look at all the traffic passing by.

[[File:William Salmon1.jpeg|thumb|right|William Salmon]]

In the hospital he was immediately put in an oxygen tent with a window looking into her the Sister's office. His breathing became worse, and this time Avril noticed that his stomach was caving in almost to the back of his spine as he attempted to get breath to breath. By the afternoon, she noticed that his head was slipping back as he lay exhausted on the bed. Every two minutes a Nurse was coming in to take his temperature, and when she came in, Avril drew her attention to this. Immediately, she rapped on the window, and almost immediately the Paediatrician, Sister and other Nurses appeared. The french windows to this room were thrown open. The oxygen tent was whipped off. Avril was told afterwards that William was having convulsions.

Slowly William came round as the Paediatrician called his name. Avril from the bottom of the bed also called him, telling him that his Crackerjack was here (William's favourite cuddly toy that he took to bed with him each night.) The staff made way for Avril to come to William's side. She held Crackerjack to William and told William that Crackerjack wanted a cuddle. But William looked at her, his eyes so grey in his white face, that was so bright blue around his mouth - but she could see that he didn't know her. Then there was a rattle, coming from his mouth – and he was gone.

The emergency team came with the trolley within a few seconds, the Paediatrician having rung the bell above William's head. Avril, longing to do something for her little boy and knowing she couldn't- but everyone else could - , could not stay and watch anymore. She rushed out of the room crying, and was taken by a Nurse to a special room. The Matron was called and soon a phone call went to Lawrence who, with very little sleep the night before, had gone off to work.

It was a long time before he arrived. The hospital, although telling him to come to the hospital, didn't tell him how urgent it was, and Lawrence, with all the dirt and sweat over his face, felt he couldn't go to Hospital until he had had a bath and changed into clean clothes.

We were both taken into Intensive Care where William lay under a ventilator. His honey-coloured hair which had become so wet under the oxygen-tent, now had dried and turned into a golden halo of tight curls. For the rest of that day and the next three days, neither the Paediatrician or the physiotherapists never left the hospital. Every two hours the physiotherapists came and pummelled away at William's chest, to break up the mucus in his breathing tubes so it could be sucked up. But by Wednesday late afternoon, they had to come before the two-hours were up, as the sticky mucus had built up to such an extent, that William had stopped breathing – and his heart had stopped.

Again and again the mucus would be sucked up and his heart start again, but by this time the Paediatrician was giving us warning of brain damage. The virus has been identified on the Tuesday as haemopholis influenza - a type of meningitis, and it was known as a 24 hour killer of children two years and under. William was two years and three months old, and because he had survived over those 24 hours, the Paediatrician had hopes that he would be the one two-year old to survive.

But William's body with its strong heart and strong lungs, became weaker and weaker and at 4.00pm on Friday 1st August 1980, he died.

[[File:William Salmon2.jpeg|thumb|right|William Salmon]]

The whole village went into shock and the Church was packed at the funeral with the villagers, with just two pews saved for the relatives. It was a beautiful service with the Rector talking about William's loud 'Amens' after everyone else had said their Amen at services. And his need to scramble up onto the pew when the organ started and sing. with an open hymn book in his hands, looking at the congregation behind him. And his face at the window at No. 14 where he would say 'Low' to everyone as they passed by.

Lawrence and Avril had such spiritual help from many friends, and healing came to Avril a few months after William's death when, listening to a tape given by David Pawson, she was able to say, “Lord God, if I could see ahead as You can see; if I knew what You know – then I would have done, with William, what You have done.”

Tom, their fourth child and third son arrived a year later, a week before Prince Charles and Princess Di's wedding. Henry arrived 15 months later. The children grew up at No. 14 going to local schools; went to respective Universities throughout the years; found work; married, and Lawrence and Avril are now left with a three bedroomed house, a study, kitchen, dining room and living room and bathroom – and a very large garden. All very empty and quiet now, and very hard work to keep tidy and free of weeds.

File:P02-Lawrence (with long hair) and Veronica in sidecar on their Dads motorbike outside No16.jpg

2022-10-02T08:01:19Z

Tomsalmon: Lawrence Salmon and Veronica in sidecar of Len Salmon's motorbike

== Summary ==
Lawrence Salmon and Veronica in sidecar of Len Salmon's motorbike

War Memorial

2022-10-02T07:52:45Z

Tomsalmon: /* Raymond George Salmon Private 1011 */

__notoc__
[[File:War memorial without steps.jpg|thumb|right|War Memorial without steps]]

==Our Sixteen Boys==
And others mentioned on the gravestones in the Churchyard who gave their lives for their country

==Those Who Fell in the First World War==

====John Milton James (Private 171)====
(From the War Graves Commission Records) 
A Company 16th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment 
Architect and Surveyor 
Died Sunday 26th January 1916 aged 30 – buried Frcourt Somme 

[[File:John milton james.jpg|thumb|right|John Milton James]]

From the Stratford-upon-Avon Herald dated February 1916: 
<blockquote>“On the 26th ult. killed in France John Milton James 16th Royal Warwicks
elder son of John James of Whitchurch

John Milton James (known by his family as Milton) was the eldest son of John
James who came from Whitchurch to live in Orchard House, Clifford Chambers.

Milton attended the Commercial School in Greenhill Street, and on leaving, became
articled to Messrs. Wilde & Fry, Architects of Weston-Super-Mare for 5 years.
He then had a Government appointment at Bristol dealing with structural
alterations of Post Offices and Municipal Buildings in West England. From there,
he found work with Messrs. Hall & Stevenson, Land Agents and Surveyors of
Shrewsbury. For the two years before the 1st World War, he was Assistant Agent on
the estate of the Earl of Harrowby of Sandon Park, Staffs. He was offered work by
the Board of Works in Ceylon, but declined, feeling the need to serve his Country

He was one of the first to enlist at the Birmingham Battalion. Lance Cpl. Horseman
reported to his parents, “On the evening of the 26th January, we came off duty and
were asleep in our dug-out when a shell burst, killing him and two others
instantaneously and injuring seven. We had a very high opinion of him, for he
always showed great willingness and very valuable intelligence in everything he had
to do. The granting of his Commission which was to have gone through in a few
days now, would have given us a very useful Officer.”</blockquote>

(Inscription on the grave of Alan Maxwell James (brother of Milton) and his wife Alice in Clifford Chambers Churchyard:- “William Leslie James RAF Volunteer Reserves the beloved son of the above missing from air operations March 3rd 1945 aged 23 years)

====Raymond George Salmon Private 1011====
(From the War Graves Commission Records) 
D Company 16th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment 
Died Monday 10th April 1916 aged 22 buried at Arras

[[File:Raymond salmon.jpg|thumb|right|Raymond Salmon]]
Photo:Village Family:Salmon Family: Raymond Salmon

Raymond George Salmon was the eldest son of John and Fanny Salmon; brother of May Huckvale, Percy Salmon and Margery Tustain; grandson of Daniel and Ann Woodward

From the Stratford-upon-Avon Herald dated 5th May 1916 
<blockquote>The late Private R. G. Salmon – enlisted in Birmingham son of John and Fanny Salmon
– Cemetery; Faubourg D’Amiens Cemetery, Arras

The death (killed in action) of Private R. G. Salmon Royal Warwickshire 3rd City Battalion.
Writing to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. Salmon of Clifford Chambers, Sergeant Crooks said,
“I know it will be a great blow to you all, as it is to me. He was one of my best boys;
always willing and ready to do anything that he was wanted to, and he earned the reputation
of being one of the smartest in our platoon.

The night that poor Ray met his death on Monday 10th April at 7.00 in the evening, we were
going to stand to in the firing lines as is our usual custom, and on entering the lines,
the enemy began throwing aerial torpedoes over, which fell and burst in all directions. It
was impossible for anyone to escape injury anywhere near where we were. I was near to
Ray and his comrades, when a torpedo burst over us, killing poor Ray, and fatally wounding
his next comrade. I escaped with concussion of the spine, losing the use of my legs, and
have been lying on my back ever since that night. I can assure you that his death was
instantaneous and that he did not suffer any pain. May God give you strength to bear the
loss, as I am sure you must be proud of him.”</blockquote>
[[File:P19-1st_world_war_tribute_given_to_each_family_who_lost_a_member_in_the_forces.jpg|thumb|left|1st World War tribute]]

====Cpl R J Woodward====
(Inscription on the grave of Daniel and Ann Woodward in Clifford Chambers Churchyard:- “and grandsons of the above – Cpl R. J. Woodward missing presumed killed in action July 14th 1916 aged 24 years, Pte R. G. Salmon killed in action April 10th 1916 aged 22 years, Pte R. W. Woodward missing presumed killed in action April 15th 1918 aged 22 years

And in the Stratford-upon-Avon Herald 18th August 1916: 
<blockquote>“Mr. & Mrs. F. Woodward of Bordon View, Evesham Road have just received from the Territorial Force Record Office a notification that their only son was posted as missing after an engagement in France on July 14th. Corporal Woodward who is 23 years of age enlisted in the Royal Warwickshire Regiment and crossed the Channel 12 months last March. He renewed acquaintance with several old friends the week before Easter, when he was on home leave.”</blockquote>

And dated 13th April 1917 “A report has been received from the War Office notifying the death of Corporal Reginald J. Woodward of the 7th Battilion Royal Warwickshire Regiment which occurred with the British Expeditionary Force in France on July 14th of last year. Previously this young soldier had been reported as missing. Before joining up, he was employed with Messrs. Kendall & Sons.”)

====William Ernest Lively Private 3015====
(From the War Graves Commission Records) 
2nd Battalion Worcestershire Regiment 
died Wednesday 9th August 1916 aged 31 
son of John and Emily Lively 
Private W. Lively killed in action August 9th 1916 at High Wood Bazentin-le-Petit

Only a very little is known about the early years of William Ernest Lively (who was probably called Bill by his family.) He was always referred to as the third son of John and Emily Lively, but, according to the Census of 1891, the oldest son had a different surname to the parents, yet was referred to as “son”. John was 31 at the time of this Census and his occupation was Parish Clerk; in other words, he did all the official business at the Church apart from actually taking services, marrying, baptising, visiting - and burying - parishioners, which, of course, was the Rector’s job! But John, with his official gown and official verger’s staff, would precede the Rector into Church for all the services, and out again afterwards, and have all the paperwork ready in the Vestry for the Rector to fill in and sign.

Emily, his wife, came from Admington and was 4 years older, and one assumes the oldest son, Roger Edwin Denis, aged 15 at the time of the 1891 Census and written down as ‘son and Agricultural Labourer at Admington,’ was her son; perhaps from a previous marriage. Censuses were prepared every 10 years, and in the 1901 one, he is down as ‘Ben’ aged 25.

John Henry Lively was the next son on the list, in the 1891 Census listed as aged 8, scholar. Then came William Ernest 6, scholar, followed by Ada Annie 4, scholar, then Rose 2 and Ellen 11 months.

William (or Bill) joined the 2nd Battalion of the Worcestershire Regiment in March 1916 at the age of 31, and nothing, as yet is known of his schooling at Clifford School, or his work once he left school, With his father being the Parish Clerk, I would imagine it meant regular attendances at the Church – maybe singing in the choir if he had a good singing voice.

From the Stratford-upon-Avon Herald dated 25th August 1916:-
<blockquote>“Private W. E. Lively
Sympathy will go out with Mr. and Mrs. Lively of Clifford Chambers in the heavy bereavement they have sustained through the death of their youngest son

He joined up under the Derby system in March last, and had only been in France 3 weeks when it became his lot to make the final sacrifice. The Reverend Harold Ewbank, the Chaplain, in his letter to Mr. and Mrs. Lively, said that Private Lively had nobly laid down his life on August 9th in the defence of his freedom and the happiness of all whom he left. “I know all this will be a terrible blow to you all, but it will be a great relief to know that his death was instantaneous, and without pain. He has done the noblest and most Christ-like thing it is possible for any man to do, for has not our Master told us ‘Great love has no man than this that he lay down his life for his friends.’

He was buried near the fighting line (at High Wood, Bazentin-le-Petit) with all reverence and with a cross fixed at his head.”</blockquote>

====Francis Neville Conran Smith Lt. 6th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment====
(From the War Graves Commission Records) 
Died Sunday 27th August 1916

Lt. Francis Neville Conran Smith, second son of Mr. and Mrs. Conran Smith, Craxted Road, Dulwich, was educated at Bedford Grammar School. He enlisted at the outbreak of the War and was given a Commission in the Worcestershire Regiment. He was wounded on Friday 25th August and died of his wounds on the following Sunday.

The Chaplain wrote, “He has left behind him a gap which will be hard to fill as his charm of manner, the simplicity of his life; his gallantry in action, and his devotion to duty made up a combination which is as rare as it is welcome.”

Before the War, he farmed at Clifford with Mr. A. J. Wedd and was a well-known hockey player.

====J. Hewins Lance Corporal 1641====
(From the War Graves Commission Records) 
1st Battilian Royal Warwickshire Regiment 
Died Thursday 12th October 1916

[[File:Sailor and soldier.jpg|thumb|right|Geoffrey George Ivens (sailor) and Jack Hewins (soldier)]]
Photo:Clifford Chambers in the 1910's:Sailor and Soldier

Corporal John Hewins second son of Mr. and Mrs. Hewins, aged 24, on 12th instant was killed in action in France.

An intimation of the death of this gallant soldier was received by his parents who reside at Clifford Chambers, on Sunday last. Corporal Hewins was stationed with his Regiment at Malta when War broke out, and returned with his comrades to the Mother Country. On October 10th 1914, he crossed the Channel and eleven days later, was placed hors de combat by a wound in the head. On April 8th 1915, he had sufficiently recovered to return to the front, but again had the misfortune to be wounded in the left leg and arm on 8th November.

July 6th of the present year saw him once more actively engaged in his country’s service. Corporal Hewins had four months only to serve in order to complete seven years in H.M.Forces.

From The Stratford-upon-Avon Herald dated 16th February 1917: 
<blockquote>“Death from wounds of a Clifford man 
Mrs. W. Hewins of Clifford Chambers has just received a letter from Lieutenant
Devis of the 1st Royal Warwickshire announcing the death of her son. The writer adds that he died at the Field Ambulance from wounds received under shell fire in the early stages of an attack on the 12th October. He bore the wounds most pluckily, and cheerfully spoke when he was carried away. The Officers who knew him speak of the loss his death is to the battalion, and sympathise with his relatives.”</blockquote>

From the Stratford-upon-Avon Herald dated 12th October 1917: 
<blockquote>In Memoriam 
In proud and loving memory of our dear son and brother Cpl John Hewins of Clifford Chambers who was killed in action October 12 l916 at Ypres in France aged 24 years. 
We look around our homestead and someone is missing there 
We have loved and lost a dear one on the battlefield over there 
No loved one stood beside him to bid him last farewell 
No words of comfort would he have from those who loved him well 
Never absent from the thoughts of mother, father, sisters, brother, and Florrie from the Isle of Wight. 
John Hewins was the son of John Henry Hewins and Adalin Hewins, and half-brother to Geoffrey John Ivens 
(John Hewins was also the lad who had to be horse-whipped by Col.Studley as Miss Wilding could do nothing more to discipline him, but who turned up in his army uniform at the school to say sorry to her!)</blockquote>

====Albert Edward Mole 1st Battalion Grenadiers====
(From the War Graves Commission Records) 
Son of Arthur Edward Mole 
No more is known of Albert Edward Mole. The knowledge that the descendants of his immediate family have, is that Albert joined H.M.Forces on leaving school, and was never known to have stayed, or lived, at his home again, from then on.

====Geoffrey George Ivens Leading Seaman H.M.S. Broke Royal Navy====
(From the War Graves Commission Records) 
Died Saturday 21st April 1917 aged 27 
Son of Mrs. E Hewins 
Buried at Clifford Chambers

From the Stratford-upon-Avon Herald dated Friday 27th April 1917: 
<blockquote>On the 21st inst. Killed in action Geoffrey George, Leading Seaman of H.M.S. Broke, the eldest and beloved son of Ellen and William Hewins of Clifford Chambers, aged 27. “Greater love hath no man than this, that he laid down his life for his friends.</blockquote>

====Naval Funeral at Clifford Chambers====
From the Stratford-upon-Avon Herald 27th April 1917: 
<blockquote>Among those who fell gloriously in the recent naval engagement off Dover was Leading Seaman George Geoffrey, the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Hewins of Clifford Chambers at the age of 27, and he was given a naval funeral in the Gloucestershire village yesterday (Thursday) afternoon. This young hero, who had seen eleven years’ service in the Navy, was well-known at Clifford, and the whole village turned out to pay a last tribute of respect to his memory.

The coffin, which was covered with the Union Jack and several beautiful wreaths, was borne shoulder-high to the Church, escorted by a firing party from Budbrooke under Sergeant Norris and a contingent of wounded soldiers from Clopton. The mourners included Mr. and Mrs. Hewins, the Misses Gladys, Doris, and Vera Hewins (sisters), Mr. Harold Hewins (brother), Mr. Jesse Hewins, Miss Hilda Ivens (cousins), Mr. and Mrs. Ivens, Mr. and Mrs. H. Hewins, Miss F. Davis, Mrs. Dodd. Miss Harris and a Stratford representative of the Navy in Seamen Croft. The Rev. W. A. Pippet met the cortege at the entrance to the Church, and impressively recited the Burial Service, the hymns sung being “There is a blessed home”, and “For all the Saints”. Miss M. Pippet was at the organ, and as the mourners filed out of the Church, she played the “Dead March” in Saul. The committal prayers were read by the Rector in God’s Acre, and then the soldiers from Budbrooke paid full honours to their departed brother by firing three volleys over the grave, while the bugler sounded the “Last Post”. There were a large number of lovely wreaths, and among those who sent emblems were the father and mother, sisters and brother, Mr. and Mrs. H. Hewins, Aunt Edith and Uncle, Mrs. Douty “with deepest sympathy”, the maids at The Manor, the Women’s Volunteer Reserve (Dover Company), “the Ship Company”, “a few old friends”, the villagers of Clifford, Mr. and Mrs. Tompkins, Miss Derry, Mrs. Dodd, Miss Harris, Mrs. Radbourne, Kathleen Radbourne, the elder schoolchildren and the infants. Mr. Dodd carried out the duties of undertaker.</blockquote>

From the Stratford-upon-Avon Herald dated April 19th 1918: 
<blockquote>In loving and affectionate remembrance of P.O. Geoffrey George, the elder and beloved son of Ellen and William Hewins of Clifford Chambers who was killed in action in the Dover bombardment April 20/21st 1917/ 
A devoted son, a true and faithful friend 
One of the very best God did lend 
He gave his dear life for one and all 
And answered to his country’s call 
No mother or dad to see him die 
No sisters or brothers to say goodbye 
No loving mother to hold his dear hand 
But we hope to meet the dear one in a better land 
Sleep on dear one, and take your rest 
Those miss you most that loved you best 
And when days are sad and friends very few 
Oh! Our dearest Geoffrey, how we long for you 
Never absent from the thoughts of his broken-hearted mother, dad, sisters, brothers, uncle and aunt from West Street, Mollie for Erdington and little Cissy for her loving bunch of flowers.</blockquote>

(Maurice Woodfield, son of Geoffrey George Iven’s sister, Vera, says that he was told his Uncle Geoffrey died from wounds caused by his legs being blown off, though he survived long enough to smoke his last Woodbine! His death took place in the English Channel just off the port of Dover, and his body was brought back to Clifford for burial)

====Ernest Jessie Odell Private 42523====
(From the War Graves Commission Records) 
A Company 2nd Battalion Worcestershire Regiment 
Died Wednesday 1st November 1916 aged 31 
Son of Henry A Odell and Mary A. Odell, Little Alne, Wootten Wawen

====Charles J. Giles Private 55056====
(From the War Graves Commission Records) 
Machine Gun Corps Infantry 48th Battalion 
Died Tuesday 23rd April 1918 aged 26 
Husband of Mrs. C. J. Giles Clifford Chambers 
(Mrs Gertrude Giles was left with a small son, Derek, to bring up. She and her sister, Agnes, were the twin daughters of Ewib and Mary Ann Cockbill who kept the dairy at No 18 Clifford Chambers.)

====Stephen Ernest Bennett Private 35232====
(From the War Graves Commission Records) 
16th Battalion Royal Warwickshire 
Died Saturday 20th April 1918 aged 19 
Son of Stephen and Eliza Bennett, Clifford Chambers

From the Stratford-upon-Avon Herald Dated 3rd May 1918: 
<blockquote>“On the 20th ult. killed in action in France Private Stephen Ernest Bennett 16th Royal Warwick Regiment only dearly-beloved son of Mr. and Mrs. S. Bennett of Clifford Chambers, aged 19 years 
He sleeps beside his comrades 
In a hallowed grave unknown 
But his name is written in letters of love 
In the heart he left at home.”</blockquote>

Stephen Ernest Bennett had two older sisters, Frances and Fanny, all living in Clifford Chambers, the children of Stephen and Eliza Bennett and the grandchildren of Stephen and Frances Bennett; all 3 Stephens being agricultural labourers at Clifford Chambers. Nothing more is known of them.

Letter written to Rev. Pippet from Stephen Bennett from Hut 36, Regt 2nd 8/9556. B.Coy, 8th Batton. 35TR. No 1 West Farm Camp, Havant, Nr. Salisbury, Wilts, dated April 14th 1917 (written in pencil in neat handwriting): 
<blockquote>Dear Sir,

I thought its my duty to write to you, to let you know I am getting on alright, and quite happy. I am in the 35th Training Reserve, it is rightly the 7th Dorsets only they are attached to the Reserve. It is rather a nice camp, well situated in a valley. There are some very fine land–marks on the hills, one is the 6th “City of London Regt.”. I expect Clifford is rather quite, but I hope to be home on leave soon. I have been up eight weeks last Friday, we have seen great change in that time. We have boxing hear, I have had the gloves on several time the last time I knocked my man out. We are having dreadful weather hear nothing but snow, or rain. I was vaxenated last Thursday week, which caused me to have rather a bad arm, we are expecting a double dose Monday. Fred Lyne is quite well, we are both together. Well Sir please excuse the pencil as it is rather difficult in obtaining ink. So I will conclude my short letter has the bugle is sounding, So I remain, 
Your’s Obedient 
Pte S. E. Bennett</blockquote>

[[File:Christmas card 1917.jpg|thumb|right|Christmas Card 1917]]

====Reginald William Woodward Private 21457====
(From the War Graves Commission Records) 
3rd Battalion Coldstrean Guards 
Died 13th April 1918 aged 22 
Reginald William Woodward was the son of William (a millers carter at Weston-on-Avon) and Elizabeth Woodward, and grandson of Daniel and Ann Woodward of Clifford Chambers.

====William Wheeler Lance Corporal 0743====
(From the War Graves Commission Records) 
9th Battalion Royal Warwickshire 
Died Thursday 6th April l916 
Buried in Iraq

From the Stratford-upon-Avon Herald 5th May 1916:
<blockquote>“The death is announced of Lance Corporal W. Wheeler of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment, son of the late M. and Mrs. Wheeler of Clifford Chambers. Wheeler enlisted about 10 months ago, and his first engagement was in the Dardanelles. He remained in Egypt some time, and then took part in an action at the Persion Gulf, where he was severely wounded. He died from his wounds on the 6th April, much to the regret of his officers. Wheeler was, for some time, in the employ of Mrs. Douty of Clifford Chambers and afterwards entered the services of Mr.Griffiths of Edstone Hall as chauffeur</blockquote>

====Addition of Steps to the War Memorial====
[[File:War memorial with steps.jpg|thumb|right|War Memorial]]

Section of the Minutes of the Meeting of the Parish Council in the Parish of Clifford Chambers held at the Village School on Monday the 10th day of January 1921

<blockquote>Present – Mr. J. R. Black Chairman 
Mr. J. H. Bailey 
Mr. J. L. Radbourne

Clifford Chambers War Memorial 
Encroachment on Footpath 
Read a letter from the Rev. F. H. Hodgson M.A. addressed to the Chairman of the Parish Council, stating that it was proposed to place stone steps at the foot of the Village War Memorial and asking if this Parish Council had any objection to the slight encroachment on the footpath that would be caused thereby.

Moved by the Chairman 
Seconded by Mr. J. H. Bailey and 
Resolved unanimously – That the Rev. F. H. Hodgson be informed that the Parish Council has no objection to the encroachment on the footpath which would be caused by the placing of stone steps at the foot of the village War Memorial.</blockquote>

==Those Who Fell in the Second World War==

====Kenneth Patrick English Flying Officer 41273====
(From the War Graves Commission Records) 
Pilot 274 Squadron Royal Air Force 
Died Monday 12th May 1941 Buried in Egypt

From the Stratford-upon-Avon Herald dated 30th May 1941: 
<blockquote>“Flying Officer Kenneth Patrick (Pat) English, the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. K. M. English of Clifford Chambers, is missing as the result of air operations by the RAF in the Middle East.

Flying Officer English who is 27 was, for a time, on the staff of the NFU Mutual Insurance Society and later was in the Birmingham Office of the London Assurance Society. He joined the RAF in 1938 having decided to make flying his career.

The many friends of the family will sympathise with them during the anxious wait for news.”</blockquote>

Research has shown no other news of Pat English beyond the above found in the Stratford Herald. The date of death on the War Graves Commission Records is the date Pat English was reported missing. It is believed he and his parents lived at The Laurels, and it is also believed his mother was a school teacher.

====Frederick Charles Pinfold Sergeant Volunteer Reserves 130878====
(From the War Graves Commission Records) 
Air Gunner Royal Air Force 
Died Thursday 13th April 1944 aged 23 
Son of J. F. Pinfold

From the Stratford-upon-Avon Herald dated 21st April l944:
<blockquote>Clifford Air-Gunner killed

Sergeant Air-Gunner Frederick Chas. Pinfold elder son of Mr. and Mrs. Pinfold of Clifford Chambers has been killed on active service. Sergeant Pinfold who had completed some 17 operations over enemy country was well-known in Clifford Chambers and in Stratford. He was 23 years of age and before joining the RAF in 1940, was employed at the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre.

Educated at Clifford School and King Edward VII School, he was ground-gunner for some time, but later transferred to air crew. He was keen on all sport, particularly fishing.

There was a large attendance at the funeral at Clifford Chambers on Monday (17th April) The service was conducted by the Rector, the Rev. F. Meridyth Brookes. The 23rd Psalm and the hymn “Peace, perfect peace” were sung. Miss D. Dodd L.L.C.M., L.R.A.M. being at the organ.

The chief mourners were Mr. & Mrs. J. Pinfold (father and mother), Mr. Jim Pinfold (brother). Miss Mary Jeffrey (fiancee), Mrs. & Mr. C. Mullis (aunt and uncle), Mr. E. Mullis, Mrs. Hobbs, Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey, Mr. and Mrs. H. Lively, Mrs. J. Salmon, Mrs. J.Huckvale, Mr. and Mrs. R. Tustain, Mrs. L Silvester, Mr. and Mrs. H. Cockbill, Mr. R. Harris, Mr. G. Harris, A.C.l. R. Burton, A.C.1. D. Brocklehurst and L.A.C. R.Embrey. 
Among the flowers were tributes from the Head Postmaster and Staff; O.C. and all ranks from his station; O.C. and all ranks from his squadron; customers and friends New Inn; Clifford Chambers Forces Fund; and Front staff Memorial Theatre. Mr. R. Dodd carried out the funeral arrangements.</blockquote>

From a letter written by Trevor Timperley
<blockquote>“Fred was about 17 when I came to live at “Chetwynd” in September 1937. He lived with his young brother Jim, and Mother and Father at No 2 The Nashes. This house was at the top of my back garden and I soon became friends with Fred. I don’t remember what job Fred had then, but I do remember him getting a job in 1938 as a shop assistant at the shop in Greenhill Street (believed to be Fred Smith’s) almost opposite to the site of the old cinema. It sold fishing tackle and Fred was a keen fisherman. If ever anyone would answer “Yes” to the question, “Are you happy at your work?” it would be Fred! The prospect of discussing fishing and showing fishing tackle to customers, really had him enthusing!

I was no fisherman, but I would occasionally go with him. One evening in 1938 he caught a large pike and for some reason I don’t now know, took it to my home and left it in the large sandstone kitchen sink. It had been stunned only, by the blow to it’s head, but we both believed it dead, and went out again. By the time my mother returned to the house, a dripping tap had revived it, and it had leapt from the sink to the kitchen floor. My mother got an enormous shock to find it flopping round the kitchen floor. Fred was really apologetic.

I went into the Army in 1939 and transferred to the RAF in 1941 becoming a bomber pilot in 1942. Fred was called up early in the war and became an RAF air gunner in which capacity he was killed in about 1942. I never saw him from the start of the war as our leaves never coincided.

Fred’s father was the local postman based in Stratford, but doing a round that included Clifford and Atherstone. War casualties were notified by telegram and when notification came through to Stratford that Fred was missing, his father was on duty. The telegram would normally have been delivered by a “telegram boy” on a bicycle but Fred’s father did the task. What a task – to deliver to your wife notification by telegram that their son was missing!”</blockquote>

====John Spencer Salmon fusilier 14552875====
(From the War Graves Commission Records) 
6th Battalion Royal Welch Fusiliers 
Died Monday 24th July 1944 aged 19 
Buried in France 
(from the gravestone in Clifford Churchyard of Percy John Salmon and Elizabeth Ann Salmon “John Spencer Salmon elder son of the above died in Normandy July 24th 1944 aged 19 years”)

[[File:Percy salmon and family.jpg|thumb|right|Percy Salmon and family]]

From the Stratford-upon-Avon Herald dated 4th August 1944:
<blockquote>Clifford man dies of wounds)

Wounded in Normandy in July, Fusilier John Spencer Salmon, elder son of Mr. and Mrs. P. J. Salmon of Clifford Chambers died four days later. He would have been 20 in November.

Fusilier Salmon enlisted in March 1943. He was employed by Messrs. Titchmarsh and Hunt Ltd. at Stratford-upon-Avon</blockquote>

From the Stratford-upon-Avon Herald dated 11th August 1944: 
<blockquote>Deaths 
Salmon – Fusilier John Spencer Salmon, Royal Welch Fusiliers aged 19 died of wounds in July 
Not far away, for unbroken 
Is the golden chain of love 
It is binding us still together 
On earth and in Heaven above 
Never forgotten by his mother, father, Gerald and Dinah.</blockquote>

John volunteered for active service the same time as Claude Hogg and they both went to Budbrooke Barrocks together. John was accepted, but Claude was refused as he was in agriculture and needed on the farm. However, when John had leave during his training there, Claude would often cycle back to Budbrooke with him.

====Douglas John Mole Flying Officer 168506====
(From the War Graves Commission Records) 
10th Squadron RAF Volunteer Reserves 
Died Monday 18th December 1944 aged 29 
Son of Albert and Violet Mole; husband of Lilian Mole of County Durham

Douglas was always known as Jack by friends and family. He lived at ‘Ynot’, a house built by his father who was an engineer. The plans for his house included an annexe to the kitchen to house the copper/boiler, but planning consent was not given. Albert’s answer to them was “Why not?” Hence the name of his house! Jack went to the village school, but when his father was given a job by the Water Board, the family moved to Stratford. Jack worked at Hensons when he left school, and later married a girl from Northumberland.

From The Stratford-upon-Avon Herald 26th April 1918:
<blockquote>“On March 24th Lt. Reginald T. Dent (aged 19) grandson of the late Rev. Francis H Annesley formerly of The Manor House Clifford Chambers, was killed in action whilst holding on with a few men to a position which was practically surrounded by the enemy. His brother, Captain Arthur Evelyn Dent was killed in the battle of Arras on Easter Day last year and his elder and only surviving brother is now in France.”</blockquote>

==From the Gravestones in Clifford Churchyard of Names not included on the War Memorial==

* Flt. Lt. C. E. Brayshaw killed in action February 21st 1944 aged 22 (his sister is Pauline Mary Rowe)

* Wilfred George Lewis Warrant Officer RAF killed in action 28th September 1944 aged 24 years

And on another gravestone in Clifford Churchyard
* Douglas Edward Downes Curry (21) Lost in H.M.S. Captain September 6th 1870

[[File:Remembrance sunday 1.jpg|thumb|left|Remembrance Sunday]]

File:P19-1st world war tribute given to each family who lost a member in the forces.jpg

2022-10-02T07:51:26Z

Tomsalmon:

Tenants at No 26

2022-10-02T07:49:06Z

Tomsalmon:

[[The Square|Back to the Square]]

Mr. And Mrs. Rouse lived at No 26 in the 1920’s and their grandchildren were still living in the village years later; Cyril in charge of the village shop, and Hilda, who was a great friend of Betty Harris (then Betty Bailey). Mrs. Rouse was very thin, but she survived her husband by many years

====Mr & Mrs Len Salmon====

[[File:P18-Len_Salmon.jpg|thumb|left|Len Salmon]]

When she died, the Len and Phyllis Salmon moved in. They had been living at No 16, a two-bedroomed cottage with their two girls and one boy, so they were glad to move into a three-bedroomed house. However, Phyllis was a great believer in hoarding, not only all her own belongings, but other peoples’ too! These were ‘belongings’ her neighbours did not want and had therefore thrown then into their own dustbins. Phyllis went through the contents of their dustbins regularly and brought her ‘treasures’ home and stored them in her house, along with her ‘stuff’.

These ‘belongings’, to begin with, were all piled into the third bedroom of No 26, and it was years after they moved, before their son could move from the camp bed he had in his parents’ bedroom, into a bedroom of his own!

[[File:Salmon children.jpg|thumb|right|Salmon children]]

While her daughters were around, the house was kept reasonably habitable. Angela, her oldest daughter, was very adept, once her mother was out of the way, at whipping through her mother’s ‘treasure’ and stuffing them into a sack and disposing of them where her mother would never find them. When Angela and her sister Veronica married and left home, the ‘treasures’ began piling up

Then Lawrence, her son, married in 1973. At that time, there were chairs to sit on and some furniture was visible, but the girls’ bedroom no longer looked like a bedroom!. For one thing, there was no sign of the bed! It was hidden by ‘treasures’ heaped up on it. A lot of these ‘treasures’ were items Phyllis had bought at the market. Phyllis could not resist a bargain. She had to buy it, regardless of the fact that she had three or four identical items at home still with their wrapping on. What is more, when she did buy, the identical items in her house would be added to, to number eight – or ten – or twelve – or more!

When her little grandson died suddenly, Phyllis became ill and eventually had to have a pace-maker fitted. She convalesced at Veronica’s home in Bristol for many months. That is when Angela declared, “We’ve got to clear the downstairs to make a bed for her, for she will never make it up those steep stairs!”

By this time, in their living room, the chest of drawers and the sideboard were no longer visible, for the ‘treasures’ now reached to the ceiling The two little areas that Len and Phyllis placed themselves to sit and watch television (the only item of furniture that seemed to be clear of ‘treasures’) slowly, during the clearance, turned out to be large armchairs! The chair where Len sat to have his meal was noticeable, before the clearance started, as a chair. However, the small area where his plate was placed each meal, slowly opened up into a rather nice dining table. However, it took two afternoons to clear the ‘treasure’ underneath before a start could be made on the actual table!

[[File:Len and phyllis salmon.jpg|thumb|right|Len & Phyllis Salmon]]

In the kitchen, only the fridge door could be seen, plus the kitchen sink and draining board. The electric cooker had completely disappeared, for Phyllis believed in cooking on the kitchen range! As for the girls’ bedroom, their door wouldn’t even open due to all the ‘treasures’ that had been stuffed behind it.

And the ‘treasures’? The cotton sheets all in their wrapping, went off to Romania. There were over twenty of them – never used – and with the sale price still on them. So did the pillow cases too numerous to count, with the prices still on them. These were followed by dresses never worn and – yes – with the price on them (some of the prices in £.s.d) which also went to Romania. The crockery which never matched, went to a boot market. The good matching crockery went back into the girls’ bedroom to be shared amongst the family, and all the rest of the ‘treasures’ finished up in nine large skips. Before the skips were hired, the ‘treasures’ were stuffed into many dustbin bags which were piled into Lawrence’s car on daily trips lasting a fortnight, to the tip!

The family were uncertain what Phyllis’ reaction would be when she came home five months later. Len was thrilled with it all. At last he could walk down the stairs in the morning without knocking brown paper parcels down the stairs with a crash of crockery breaking! His greatest relief was to know he need no longer live in fear that he would follow the crockery down the stairs, finishing up with a broken leg!

All the bedding was stripped from both beds. Phyllis believed in keeping aired all the blankets and sheets for when they might be used again. Her ‘airing cupboard’ was the marital bed! Thirteen layers of bedding were taken off their bed before the mattress was found. This proved to be extremely hard and lumpy. A new mattress was bought. Some of Phyllis’ new sheets and blankets that had been kept, were put on their bed, and Len had his first good night’s sleep for years!

Underneath this bed were found box after box of Easter eggs – bargains of course! There were no Easter eggs left; just bits of silver wrapping and plenty of mice dirt!

Then Phyllis came home and the family waited for her scold. There was a little scold from time to time when she couldn’t find anything but, on the whole, there was relief that it had all been cleared. Amongst all her economy drive to save everything she possibly could, was Phyllis’ need to salvage every bit of coal from the ashes of her range. Her savage raking of this fire each day; carrying out the ash with bits of coal and shaking these through a sieve so the bits of coal could be used again, had caused a heavy layer of black everywhere. Even the cobwebs in the ceiling (of which there were many – and ancient at that!) were covered in this sooty black. Now, at last, everything was clean. The sideboard and chest of drawers once completely hidden, were polished; the windows cleaned; curtains washed (only they fell apart so some of the nicer curtain material was used to make new ones), and the larder was cleared of old rusty tins of food. Those clearing the house had to work so carefully in the living room removing all the ‘treasures’. If any of it toppled over and landed on the floor, it would start a terrifying hissing noise from the larder. It was felt safer to dash outdoors and wait for the explosion, though it never came. As soon as it was felt safe, then the person would tiptoe in and peer round at the larder to see strawberry jam – or in one instance, treacle – dripping down the larder wall after a tin had exploded. One whole skip was needed to remove all the tins and jars and disintegrated coconut matting that had been stored in the larder for the last thirty years.

Phyllis had a sharp tongue and it was very upsetting to be at the receiving end of it, but in her heart was a desperate need to be loved and needed. She went out of her way to give people little gifts and glowed when they thanked her or praised her. She loved Betty Dench, for Betty understood her need and really cosseted her like a mother fussing over her sick child and seeing to her wants. Many others too realised her need and tried to give her the attention she needed. It was difficult, for the tiniest thing would upset her. Then she would walk along the village street crying and refusing to answer if anyone asked her what was wrong. This could last up to three weeks, and often the person at the receiving end didn’t even know what she had done to offend Phyllis in the first place.

She adored her grandchildren (when they were not at an age to answer her back!) and was often seen taking her two youngest to the Old Dairy to watch the men working on the agricultural machinery. She also loved taking these two on the Charity bus to Stratford. Her shopping in Stratford only took half-an-hour. Since her pace-maker had been fitted, she had been walking with the aid of a stick, and half-an-hour with her stick (sometimes two sticks) was enough for her! She would finish up at Marks and Spencers where she could sit in a chair and chat to other customers while her two grandsons played on the escalator until the bus came, one and a half hours later.

[[File:Phyllis salmon and mrs rudge.jpg|thumb|right|Phyllis Salmon and Mrs Rudge]]

As she was approaching her 87th birthday, she had a fall – not a nasty one, but an ambulance had to be called. It was a four-hour wait! Even she was relieved when it turned up, but in hospital, as the days went by, things didn’t go well and she died before Len could reach her. She left many memories, and all of them were fond ones, for those who knew her, understood her more than she thought they did. Ann Pybus summed it all up in a letter she wrote to the family from her new home. “I was so sorry to hear from Howard Wolverson of Mrs. Salmon’s death. I was so touched when she walked down with her sticks to say goodbye to me on the day we left Clifford.!”

Leonard William Salmon 
Said at his Funeral Service at Clifford Chambers Church: 
<blockquote>Len loved hymn singing. Whenever the Methodist Chapel on the main road had hymn-singing after their evening service, Len and his friends would leave the Church as soon as Evensong was finished, and dash round to the Methodist Chapel. There they would sing lustily the old Methodist hymns. 
 
Len was baptised on Easter Sunday 1911 by the Rev. W. A. Pippet and he kept in his wallet right up until his death, the special hymn given to him as a baby for his baptism. Mrs. Rees-Mogg at the Manor was one of his God-parents.
 
He attended the village school under the very-much-feared Miss Wilding and his parents were very thrilled when he passed the entrance exam to the Stratford Grammar School. However, his Mother died soon after, and after two years spent at KES, he was told by his father that he was to leave and earn a living! The only job available was delivery boy at a grocery shop owned by Mr. F. Balance. From there, he would cycle to all the surrounding villages with a huge straw basket fastened to the front of his bike, stocked with groceries for his customers.
 
Saturdays were frantic for those working at Ballances, and all hands were needed, including those of the delivery boy. All goods, flour, sugar, dried fruit etc. were stored in sacks in the basement and had to be brought up to the shop floor. Everything had to be measured out and the quantities needed poured into square stacks of paper, which were then folded, tossed upwards and, with quick flicks of the wrist, were twisted into bags. Saturdays, Len worked late, sometimes up until almost midnight – especially at Christmas time. Consequently he missed out on all the village sporting activities. Occasionally he would have a holiday on a Saturday, and he would cross over the river to watch the village cricket. On light evenings, he would work on his allotment. Len loved his allotment and was heartbroken when the allotments were sold for building developments. (These building developments are now the houses in The Close!) From then on, he never picked up a spade again.
 
He was confirmed by the Rev. Hodgson, confirmation classes being held at No. 19, the white cottage opposite the Rec. He had regularly attended Sunday School, trotting with all the other children along the village street, across the main road and up the steep winding drive to Red Hill House to have lessons given by Miss Monica Pippet. Church attendance stopped however, once he started work. Though Mrs. Rees-Mogg expected all her tenants to attend the Church services, she did not demand it. Len did not regularly attend services again until he retired.
 
Len married Phyllis Allen on 7th November 1933 and moved from Manor Cottages where he was born, to No 16. Their family enlarged through the years: Angela in 1936 and 7 years later, twins, Lawrence and Veronica.
 
Due to leaving his motor bike engine running while adjusting the chain, he lost the tops off three of his fingers. When he was called up at the beginning of the 2nd World War, the Army quickly realised he would be unable to fire a gun. He was sent instead to the Orkneys where he transported Army Officers to and fro. His fondest recollection of those days was gathering on a Sunday night with the men and singing “The Old Rugged Cross”. After the War, it was back again to Ballances; this time getting orders ready for delivery. The little cottage at No 16 was ‘splitting at the seams’, so the family moved to No 26 in The Square where Len lived until his death.
 
Len became a member of the Working Mens Club joining the darts and dominoes teams. In 1964, Len took over the position of Treasurer to the Club, a position he held until the early 1990’s. He was very thrilled, on his retirement from this post, on being given a very special chair by the Club marked ‘Len’s Chair’. Woe betide anyone who dared to sit in that chair except himself from then on! The last few weeks of his life, that chair was often empty as he found it too tiring to come to the Club every evening, but he was there, every Wednesday night, for his Bingo – winning many prizes.
 
Grandchildren had come along and he was fully able to enjoy them once he retired from work. To the world around, he seemed to be quiet; rarely speaking; just sitting and watching and listening unless someone took the trouble to sit beside him and draw from him fascinating stories of his life. Then he would talk! To his grandchildren, he was a loving Grandad who would pick up any screaming grandchild, cuddle him and give him his bottle without any fuss; read favourite story books to the older ones; sing nursery rhymes with them, and help and encourage them to build snowmen. Dogs and cars he loved also – talking to them as if they were children. His love and gentleness was very apparent then. He was very proud of his 11 grandchildren, but was greatly torn with grief when one of his grandsons died suddenly at the age of 2 with a form of meningitis. By the time he died, 6 great grandchildren were added to the family – including twins!
 
He attended the Over 60’s and went regularly to their fortnightly meetings.
 
Hymn singing came back into his life in retirement. He enjoyed going to Sunday evening services just for the hymn-singing. Later, he found it more comfortable instead, to sit in his armchair on a Sunday evening and join in with singing hymns on Songs of Praise. He was always very satisfied and content when the Sunday morning service on television had hymns he could sing to, and would relate in great detail during lunch – and sometimes sing - every hymn he had sung that morning!
 
His favourite was always ‘The Old Rugged Cross’. During his short time in hospital, some of us attempted to sing it to him. Although unconscious and seemingly giving no awareness of his surroundings, his mouth moved constantly all through the hymn as though he was trying to sing the words.
 
When Phyllis died and he was alone in the house, he found rest and contentment talking to God. “I’ve had a lovely talk with God today,” he would often say. When unconscious, on the hospital bed, his mouth would sometimes move as if forming words that we could not hear.
 
There was no need for us to hear them. They were words – a confidential conversation – just between Len and his God.</blockquote>

File:P18-Len Salmon.jpg

2022-10-02T07:47:55Z

Tomsalmon:

Tenants at No 21

2022-10-02T07:33:15Z

Tomsalmon:

__NOTOC__
[[Main Street|Back to the main street]]

====The 'Pickles' Salmon Family====

[[File:P03-1923-William_Pickles_Salmon.jpg|thumb|left|William Pickles Salmon 1923]]

When I took these notes in the mid 1980’s, there were a few people who could still remember the other Mr. William Salmon (everyone knew Diggie Salmon – the other William Salmon!) This Mr. William Salmon lived at No 21 with his wife Margaret, known as Daisy.

[[File:Mr and mrs pickles salmon.jpg|thumb|right|Mr. & Mrs. Pickles Salmon]]

Daisy’s face had beautiful bone structure. She had lovely eyes and a full-lipped mouth – in fact model looks – and from her photo, it looks as if she was slim and tall! Unfortunately, throughout her years there, she was known as Mrs. Pickles Salmon, and no-one seemed to know why! As her husband also had that nickname, it might have been he that was good at pickling! His grandson, Thomas William Salmon (named after his Grandad) could remember the delicious rhubarb and parsnip wine his Grandad used to make from the produce grown on his allotment. One of his excitements when visiting his Grandad (round about 1923/5) was having a tot of the homemade wine in a glass and Grandad getting the poker hot in the fire, to warm up the wine! On the other hand, maybe Daisy was the one excellent at pickling!

William and Daisy had three children, Alfred, (born in 1885) Frederick and Elizabeth, known as Tot. As mentioned before, Mr. Pickles Salmon was in charge of the coal club

[[File:Pickles salmon family.jpg|thumb|left|Pickles Salmon family and William Salmon]]

Frederick, their youngest son, had health problems, and as he grew to the age of leaving school, William and Daisy realised he would never be well enough to hold down a job. So, they turned their living room at No 21 into a sweet shop. This would give Frederick a chance of a living, and also give him some self-esteem. A man who was too ill to work was not looked well on. He would have no chance of having a home of his own or supporting a family. Prospects were very low for those who were disabled in some way or another.

Frederick ran the shop once he left school at the age of 13/14, and probably made a successful business with it, for there were many children in the village then. In fact, one year, the village school recorded 90 children on its register!

In his early 20’s Frederick died. I have a vague recollection of being told he had a weak chest and consequently had breathing problems, in which case just a simple cold could have killed him. Understandably, William and Daisy closed the shop, and the front room eventually became their living room again. The sweet shop held too many bitter memories for them.

====Jack and Lilian Bailey====

By the time 1935 arrived, the Baileys were living in No 21.
John Henry Bailey (always called Jack) and Lillian Elsie, his wife who preferred her second name, had been living for a while at Welford next to the Church. In fact, to get to their cottage from the road, they had to walk into the Churchyard! Jack had a little dairy business there, but once he arrived at Clifford, he worked at anything going, from gardening to haymaking. He was a thin and wiry man. Elsie, on the other hand, was big, well-built and on the plump side, and with a plump cheerful face. Their two oldest children, John and Betty, were born at Welford, and John quite amused his family over his concern for the graves in Welford Churchyard. If he saw any without flowers, he would take some of his mother’s loaves of bread, and put them on the graves!

Jack and Elsie, every Sunday, twice a day, would walk together to the Church, enter together; then they would part! Elsie would sit with the Misses Padbury in the back seat. Jack would sit opposite the door, and his children teased him terribly, accusing him of being attracted to that seat because a lady ‘dripping with jewels’ also sat on that seat! After the evening service during the light evenings, Jack and Elsie, with the children, would walk to Winnipeg to gaze at Jack’s vegetables on his allotment, then fondle George Robbins’ horses in Cokum Glory. (Winnipeg was the Stratford side of the farm road leading to the Stanley’s farm at Milcote fronting the main road, and Cokum Glory, the field the opposite side which stretched along the Welford Road.)
Jack did not get on with the Misses Padbury. They were his wife’s relatives! Often their back door would open and Lizzie Padbury’s voice could be heard calling “Elsie! Elsie!” “She isn’t here.” Jack would shout back snappily. “What do you want?” “Have you any coal or sticks?” would come Lizzie’s reply. “No I haven’t” Jack would promptly reply, and shut the door on her!

Elsie was very fond of Keith Robbins who lived two doors away. Keith often came home when his family didn’t expect him to, to find the door locked. And Keith was always hungry. So Bay, as Keith called her, would often give him snacks to keep his going.

No. 21 still stayed in the family when Jack and Elsie no longer lived there, for Martin their youngest son and his wife Rosemary moved in with their young family, eventually moving to No 7 as their family became older. When they left, Tom and Norah Radbourne moved in with their sons Stephen and Nigel.

File:P03-1923-William Pickles Salmon.jpg

2022-10-02T07:31:54Z

Tomsalmon: Tomsalmon uploaded a new version of File:P03-1923-William Pickles Salmon.jpg

== Summary ==
William Pickles Salmon - 1923

File:P03-1923-William Pickles Salmon.jpg

2022-10-02T07:23:26Z

Tomsalmon: William Pickles Salmon - 1923

== Summary ==
William Pickles Salmon - 1923

Main Page

2022-09-04T19:40:02Z

Tomsalmon:

[[The Mill]] | [[Clifford Manor]] | [[Rectory]] | [[Church]] | [[The Square]] | [[School]] | [[Recreation Ground]] | [[Hall]] | [[The Working Mens Club|Club]] | [[The New Inn Pub|Pub]] | [[Red Hill House]] | [[The Nashes]]

<div style="float: right">
[[File:Aerial view village 1938.3.jpeg|right|350px|1938]] 
<div style="float: right">
Aerial Photo 1938
</div>
</div>

[[Around the Church]] | [[Main Street]] | [[Farms]] | [[Outskirts]]

[[Origins of the Village]] | [[Village Life]] | [[Village Paths]] | [[Wells in the Parish]]

[[Special:UncategorizedFiles|Village Photos]]

'''Introduction from Avril Salmon'''

[[File:Kath_radbourne-small.jpg|left|thumb|Kath Radbourne]]
[[File:Avril_and_lawrence_2010s.jpg|right|thumb|Avril and Lawrence Salmon]]

I feel that the articles I have written on this website are memorials. Gravestones are beautiful memorials, especially when they are covered in moss and lichen, but they bear only the name and date – nothing more. What I have enjoyed so much in my writing, is finding out, not particularly what the people of yesteryear looked like or wore, but how they triumphed with a simple faith over hardship, poverty and tragedy. Kath Radbourne was one whose faith shone with great beauty – faith in a God who knew best because He was ‘our Father which art in Heaven’. And there were many others – often people whom Kath described to me. It is a testimony that can quite profoundly affect many people.

I also came to realise how busy our village street was. It was very rare to go out into the street and see no-one! All the way along the village street there was activity; carpenters and undertakers at work in their open doors; cows being driven along the road for milking; horses being shod; shoes being mended, and children playing, housewives talking on the way to the village shop, the school bell ringing and children hurrying to school and later in the day, running home after school.

And there was the Church – well attended, for practically every family felt that it was the right and proper thing to do on the Sabbath. There were the traditions of the Church strongly upheld – including the Rogation Service, when the Choir and congregation said prayers over the fields, the village school and shop, and all the industries in the village.

<gallery perror="2" widths="300px" heights="200px">
File:Manor_mill.jpg|The old Mill
File:New_inn_1951.jpg|The New Inn 1951
</gallery>

They would file past the windows of the cottages facing the village street on the way back to Church, imploring God to “have mercy upon us miserable sinners.”

<gallery perror="2" widths="300px" heights="200px">
File:Village_shop_1910.jpg|Village Shop, 1910
File:View_of_church_from_green.jpg||Church from village green, 1910
</gallery>

There was the tolling of the bell for those who died, a certain number tolled for an adult, and a smaller number for that of a child.
Then there were the village traditions......but I have said enough. Why not browse and see for yourself!

Main Page

2022-09-04T15:59:11Z

Tomsalmon:

[[The Mill]] | [[Clifford Manor]] | [[Rectory]] | [[Church]] | [[The Square]] | [[School]] | [[Recreation Ground]] | [[Hall]] | [[The Working Mens Club|Club]] | [[The New Inn Pub|Pub]] | [[Red Hill House]] | [[The Nashes]]

<div style="float: right">
[[File:Aerial view village 1938.3.jpeg|right|350px|1938]] 
<div style="float: right">
Aerial Photo 1938
</div>
</div>

[[Around the Church]] | [[Main Street]] | [[Farms]] | [[Outskirts]]

[[Origins of the Village]] | [[Village Life]] | [[Village Paths]] | [[Wells in the Parish]]

[[Special:UncategorizedFiles|Village Photos]]

'''Introduction from Avril Salmon'''

[[File:Kath_radbourne-small.jpg|left|thumb|Kath Radbourne]]
[[File:Avril_and_lawrence_2010s.jpg|right|thumb|Avril and Lawrence Salmon]]

I feel that the articles I have written in this book are memorials. Gravestones are beautiful memorials, especially when they are covered in moss and lichen, but they bear only the name and date – nothing more. What I have enjoyed so much in my writing, is finding out, not particularly what the people of yesteryear looked like or wore, but how they triumphed with a simple faith over hardship, poverty and tragedy. Kath Radbourne was one whose faith shone with great beauty – faith in a God who knew best because He was ‘our Father which art in Heaven’. And there were many others – often people whom Kath described to me. It is a testimony that can quite profoundly affect many people.

I also came to realise how busy our village street was. It was very rare to go out into the street and see no-one! All the way along the village street there was activity; carpenters and undertakers at work in their open doors; cows being driven along the road for milking; horses being shod; shoes being mended, and children playing, housewives talking on the way to the village shop, the school bell ringing and children hurrying to school and later in the day, running home after school.

And there was the Church – well attended, for practically every family felt that it was the right and proper thing to do on the Sabbath. There were the traditions of the Church strongly upheld – including the Rogation Service, when the Choir and congregation said prayers over the fields, the village school and shop, and all the industries in the village.

<gallery perror="2" widths="300px" heights="200px">
File:Manor_mill.jpg|The old Mill
File:New_inn_1951.jpg|The New Inn 1951
</gallery>

They would file past the windows of the cottages facing the village street on the way back to Church, imploring God to “have mercy upon us miserable sinners.”

<gallery perror="2" widths="300px" heights="200px">
File:Village_shop_1910.jpg|Village Shop, 1910
File:View_of_church_from_green.jpg||Church from village green, 1910
</gallery>

There was the tolling of the bell for those who died, a certain number tolled for an adult, and a smaller number for that of a child.
Then there were the village traditions......but I have said enough. Why not browse and see for yourself!

File:Avril and lawrence 2010s.jpg

2022-09-04T15:54:53Z

Tomsalmon: Avril and Lawrence Salmon in 2010s

== Summary ==
Avril and Lawrence Salmon in 2010s

File:Kath radbourne-small.jpg

2022-09-04T14:48:54Z

Tomsalmon:

File:Kath radbourne.jpg

2022-09-04T14:47:13Z

Tomsalmon: Tomsalmon reverted File:Kath radbourne.jpg to an old version

Kath Radbourne 
Photo taken about 1979 in the [[Recreation Ground|Rec]]

Main Page

2022-09-04T14:04:23Z

Tomsalmon:

[[The Mill]] | [[Clifford Manor]] | [[Rectory]] | [[Church]] | [[The Square]] | [[School]] | [[Recreation Ground]] | [[Hall]] | [[The Working Mens Club|Club]] | [[The New Inn Pub|Pub]] | [[Red Hill House]] | [[The Nashes]]
<div style="float: right">
[[Special:UncategorizedFiles|Village Photos]]
</div>

[[Around the Church]] | [[Main Street]] | [[Farms]] | [[Outskirts]]

[[Origins of the Village]] | [[Village Life]] | [[Village Paths]] | [[Wells in the Parish]]

'''Introduction'''

[[File:Kath radbourne.jpg|right]]
I feel that the articles I have written in this book are memorials. Gravestones are beautiful memorials, especially when they are covered in moss and lichen, but they bear only the name and date – nothing more. What I have enjoyed so much in my writing, is finding out, not particularly what the people of yesteryear looked like or wore, but how they triumphed with a simple faith over hardship, poverty and tragedy. Kath Radbourne was one whose faith shone with great beauty – faith in a God who knew best because He was ‘our Father which art in Heaven’. And there were many others – often people whom Kath described to me. It is a testimony that can quite profoundly affect many people.

I also came to realise how busy our village street was. It was very rare to go out into the street and see no-one! All the way along the village street there was activity; carpenters and undertakers at work in their open doors; cows being driven along the road for milking; horses being shod; shoes being mended, and children playing, housewives talking on the way to the village shop, the school bell ringing and children hurrying to school and later in the day, running home after school.

And there was the Church – well attended, for practically every family felt that it was the right and proper thing to do on the Sabbath. There were the traditions of the Church strongly upheld – including the Rogation Service, when the Choir and congregation said prayers over the fields, the village school and shop, and all the industries in the village.

<gallery perror="2" widths="300px" heights="200px">
File:Small-rogation_sunday.jpg
File:Small-rogation_sunday_1.jpg
</gallery>

They would file past the windows of the cottages facing the village street on the way back to Church, imploring God to “have mercy upon us miserable sinners.”

<gallery perror="2" widths="300px" heights="200px">
File:Small-rogation_sunday_2.jpg
File:Small-Rogation_Sunday_4.jpg
</gallery>

There was the tolling of the bell for those who died, a certain number tolled for an adult, and a smaller number for that of a child.
Then there were the village traditions......but I have said enough. Why not browse and see for yourself!

Rectory

2022-09-04T11:53:50Z

Tomsalmon: /* Campaign to save The Rectory */

= The Old Rectory =

[[Parish Magazine April 1930]]

[[File:The_rectory_tenanted_by_3_families.jpg|thumb|right|The Rectory tenanted by 3 families]]

The Old Rectory, originally of course called The Rectory, was, for many years just cottages. The Annesleys, Rectors for many years, lived at The Manor, and the Rev Pippet had a house built for himself and his family at Red Hill, so, for all that time, the black timbered house with white wattle and daub near the Church, was occupied by villagers.

Mr. and Mrs. Betteridge lived in two rooms. Their front door faced the Churchyard and opened straight into their living room. To get to their bedroom and storage room upstairs, they used the main staircase; the rest of the house being bolted off. The delightful sloping back-bedroom was used by them for storing apples, and below this was the room where Mrs. Betteridge salted the pig.

Mr. Betteridge had great difficulty in walking towards the end of his life, and for many years beforehand had trouble with his legs, so all the work was left to his wife. She was a marvellous lady, always ready to sell the best of her eggs to anyone who came to the door, Eggs were bought from The Rectory and milk bought from The Hollies across the road, so it was a very busy part of the village at one time.

Mrs. Betteridge wore clogs (and she was one of the last to wear the white bonnet so common years earlier), and the echo of her clogs on the stone-flagged floor could be heard the moment you knocked at her front door. She kept poultry (which she killed and dressed herself), ducks and pigs. The ducks filled the orchard and would always drift down to the river. Regularly at sundown, Mrs. Betteridge would clip clop down to the river calling, “Come on! Dil! Dil! Dil!”, and would be answered by several hundred “quacks” from all directions, and most of the ducks answering didn’t even belong to her! They just liked the sound of her voice coming to them across the water.

Mr. Betteridge, when his legs would permit him, was a bellringer and regularly every New Year’s Eve after ringing the New Year in, would invite the other four bellringers back to his home for a good supper of rabbit pie, cooked specially for the bellringers by Mrs. Betteridge. The rabbits were supplied by Nipper Livey (real name Enoch) from Cold Comfort Farm, and what a delicious spread it was! The only time he could not join his fellow ringers and friends, was on Boxing Day. This was the day the ringers sang more than rang. Unfortunately for Mr. Betteridge, they walked too – round to all the farms, singing. However, Mrs. Betteridge would invite them all in when darkness came and the walk finished. Then, with stomachs full of rabbit pie (again!) he would join them ringing a peal. Mrs. Betteridge would also give them warm cider with a little ginger heated on her stove in her enamel saucepan.

Very sadly Mrs. Betteridge did not have a pleasant ending to her life. She had moved to No 13 to make way for the new Rector, and fell down the stairs one morning. Harold Mole found her late afternoon. He opened her back door to get her milk jug (he was delivering milk at the time), and found her lying at the foot of the stairs unconscious. She had been there many hours, and never recovered.

Mr. and Mrs. Franklin lived in the middle section of The Rectory. The only thing that can be remembered of Mrs. Franklin was her taking the baby out for an airing in his pram.

Puffy Wheeler (baptised Charles) and his wife lived in the kitchen end of The Rectory. He would come to the door puffing and blowing through his whiskers. I think it is he I have to thank for my son’s expression on referring to the death of anyone as “kick the bucket”! Evidently, Puffy Wheeler shouted this to my father-in-law, Len Salmon, every time he saw him with his rabbits when Puffy was out delivering the dough cakes and flour. “That rabbit will kick the bucket before long”, he would shout. My father-in-law used the expression in front of James – hence the consequences. Puffy worked as delivery boy for the other Mill on the main road.

Mrs. Rees-Mogg was the Patron of the Church and it was she and not Gloucester who decided that Canon Brookes would be an ideal Rector. The Rev Pippet having died, his widow and daughter stayed on in the house he had built. Therefore Canon Brooks had nowhere to live except The Rectory, and the tenants had to leave, Mrs. Rees-Mogg finding cottages for them. She then paid for new wooden and tiled floors to be put over the stone flags. Eventually, in 1927, Canon Brookes moved in with his wife and 10 year old twin sons.

[[File:Aerial_view_village_1938.jpg|thumb|left|Aerial view of the village, 1938]]

As well as looking after the spiritual needs of Clifford, he also looked after Atherstone, and I should think he was the only Vicar to work under two Bishops – Coventry and Gloucester! Services at Atherstone I think were on a Sunday afternoon and in the fine weather he cycled across the fields to take the services. As well as that afternoon service, he had the usual services at Clifford, plus visiting the village school regularly every week to take services there. Canon Brookes was a small man with a nasal tone to his voice, but he was a brilliant speaker.

[[File:Canon_Brookes.jpg|thumb|right|Canon Brookes]]

He had been Canon of a large Church and congregation, but on developing heart trouble, was advised to seek a smaller parish. Talk of his sermons spread, and soon a Stratford Blue double-decker bus arranged by the Manager of the Company, was booked every Sunday evening to bring people from Stratford to the service. To get a good seat, people needed to arrive half-an-hour before the service! Twice, morning service on the BBC was broadcast from our Church with Canon Brooks as preacher.

He retired in 1954 and Rectors after that had a lot to live up to. Rev Brown who came after him, died very suddenly – almost at his post. He had attended a meeting at Atherstone, I was told, to discuss its future association with Clifford, and died on returning home. However, when the Rev Lake arrived on the scene, he made it quite obvious he did not like the idea of serving two Bishops. The Bishop of Coventry tried to persuade him to stay with Atherstone but it seems he wasn’t successful.

The Rev. Lake was a jolly man with a great sense of humour. He had been prisoner of war and in one of his sermons, gave a demonstration of one of his activities while in prison. He mimed opening a prison window, then roared out in a melodious but extremely loud singing voice, the chorus “Let the blessed sunshine in; let the blessed sunshine in; open wide the windows, open wide the door. Let the blessed sunshine in” He called on Betty Harris one day while she was having a bath. Not knowing who the caller was, Betty shouted out where she was, knowing that with the bathroom next to the front door, she would be heard clearly. The Rev. Lake’s reply was, “Would you like me to come and scrub your back?”!

Canon. Patterson came next, and found himself serving Clifford and Marston Sicca. (Incidentally, from old Parish Records, I have found out that Clifford applied to Marston Sicca District Council for anything to do with roads, hedges, ditches.).

Canon Patterson was a bachelor needing a housekeeper. The elderly housekeeper he brought with him, became so elderly she could no longer do the work required. As no other housekeeper turned up to take her place, Rev. Patterson had to leave.

The Rev David Leonard-Williams was the next Rector to live at The Rectory with his energetic wife and two young lads, plus - living along the village street - his delightful and prayerful mother-in-law.

Up until they arrived, the Sunday School was always held in the Church vestry on a Sunday afternoon, though when Rev Pippet had been the Priest in Charge, the children met at Red Hill House.. Now, with a young family, the Leonard-Williams encouraged the children to meet on a Sunday morning in one of the big rooms at the Rectory.

Rev. Leonard-Williams had a very dry wit. “Rector”, whispered one of the choir boys to him in the choir vestry. “Look! This wooden cupboard has woodworm in it.” Rev Leonard-Williams (who had been an architect before taking up Holy Orders) looked over his glasses at the offending cupboard. “Then,” he said, “you had better keep your head away from it!”

The villagers were delighted when, after Rev Leonard-Williams left, they found out that Canon Hawkins was coming as Rector. They had never met him, or heard his preaching, and as most of his preaching had taken place in Nigeria, this wasn’t surprising. The person they did know well, was his wife. They had known her and her twin sister since the girls were 10, when they came to play with their twin cousins in The Rectory – for Mrs. Hawkins and Miss Talbot, her sister, were the nieces of Canon Brooks!

Canon Hawkins was a very shy and gentle man who had witnessed great suffering during the civil war in Nigeria, both those in grief over the loss of loved ones, and those who were going through the trauma of killing a fellow human-being. His shyness made him put a great effort into his work. He visited everyone who was ill – even those who were suffering from nothing more than a common cold! He took the childrens’ services, teaching them new songs by singing them unaccompanied. One time he surprised the choir when our organist became ill one Sunday and there was no time to find a replacement. After announcing each hymn, he came into the choir pews and with an, “Excuse me” to the choir, climbed over the back of the choir pew onto the organ seat, switched the organ on and played the hymn,. Once the hymn finished, he switched off the organ, climbed back over the seat and back to his seat to take the next part of the service, until he announced the next hymn.
Mrs. Hawkins and Miss Talbot conducted the Sunday School with Miss Baker the village headmistress. They organized a yearly bonfire night with hot soup and jacket potatoes. The Rectory was constantly open to everyone and anyone – every room in fact – to such an extent we all felt The Rectory was our home too. The Sunday School was held there, one class being in their dining room, another in their living room, another in the Rectory’s study and teenagers in their kitchen where delicious smells would be coming from their Rayburn. The garden was a joy to be seen, for both Mrs Hawkins and Miss Talbot were very keen gardeners. The Mothers Union held their meetings in their living room.

[[File:Mothers_union.jpg|thumb|right|Mothers Union 1981]]

May dancing took place on their front lawn and every Monday evening, the children came for “Rectory Games” in the paddock and orchard, accompanied by much shouting from the boys and a few odd screams of excitement from the girls. During winter and spring, the children met in the Rector’s study for drama, mostly on Mission Work. We missed the Hawkins when they left for retirement

[[File:Childrens_goodbye_to_hawkins.jpg|thumb|left|Children's goodbye to the Hawkins]]

– and we missed The Rectory too, for Gloucester Diocese had decided the up-keep of The Rectory was too high. Also, we had lost our connection with Marston Sicca and were now joined with Welford. Welford was the larger village; therefore the Rector from now onwards would live at Welford.
Gloucester Diocese sold The Rectory to its present owner.

==Campaign to save The Rectory==
From Coventry Evening Telegraph
Saturday 6th October 1979

<blockquote>Villagers Petition Bishop to save Rectory

Residents in a tiny South Warwickshire village are calling on a Bishop to reconsider the closing of their 16th Century Rectory.

The Gloucester Diocesan Pastoral Committee plan to close the picturesque Elizabethan Rectory next to St. Helen's Church at Clifford Chambers, and to move the Rector to Welford-on-Avon where he would serve Welford, Weston and Clifford. Chambers

“We have lost our shop, our post office and our village school – this was just the final straw”, said mother of three Mrs. Avril Salmon, who organized a 250-name petition protesting at the move.

The Committee say that the Rector, the Rev. David Hawkins – or his successor when Mr. Hawkins retires in two years' time – should be based in Welford because it is the most densely populated of the three villages.

But Mrs. Salmon says that the Rectory is used as a social gathering point for numerous local organisations and they fear that if it is closed, the village's Sunday School for one might be unable to meet.

Focal point

The petition signed by nearly every member of the Parish, has been presented to the Bishop of Tewkesbury, the Rt. Rev Robert Deakin, who is chairman of the Pastoral Committee.

The petition describes the Rectory as the focal point of village life and says that it “contributes to a feeling of unity and concern for others which makes Clifford Chambers such a pleasant place to live in.”

Villagers are also worried that the Rectory could be sold to some-one with no interest in the village, or even turned into a hotel or tea shop.

Mrs. Salmon said, “We didn't put up a fight when the shop,school or the post office closed, but this time I was determined not to sit on my backside.”</blockquote>

Tenants at No 18 & 19

2022-09-04T11:51:27Z

Tomsalmon:

__NOTOC__
[[Main Street|Back to the main street]]

The numbering of the houses came from the Womens Institute. Mrs. Rees Mogg, (after the W.I. approached her), had all her tenants' houses numbered as they are now, and two white cottages, now called Avon Cottage and Clifford Cottage, were Nos 18 and 19. Mrs. Giles who died some years ago, once told me that her grandparents lived in No. 19 and No. 18 was used as a dairy. Mr. and Mr. Mullis occupied No. 19 and when they left, Clem Faulkner took over

No. 18, almost 100 years ago, was a weekend cottage - believe it or not! The Rev Pippet had become ill and the Rev Hodgson took the services and eventually took over as Rector when Rev. Pippet died. He was unable to live at the Rectory because it was still being used as three cottages.

Mrs. Pippet was still living at Red Hill House , so the Rev Hodgson carried on living in his ancestral home, Clopton House in Stratford, Mondays to Saturdays, and spent all Sunday at No. 19 where he ate his meals, slumbered afterwards, interviewed couples intending to wed and from where he visited his parisioners. While he was Rector, he arranged for the organist and church choir to hold a sports day on the lawns of Clopton House, being transported there on Mr. James' huge hay wagon.

====The sale of Sister Hawkins====

When Canon Brookes started his living with us at Clifford Chambers, No. 19 was sold to Sister Hawkins. She was already well-known to everyone in the Parish and had delivered most of the babies born here. Mention her name, and I would hear how sharp she was in insisting that there must be no screaming at all. Concentration must be on the baby - not hysterics!

For many years, she lived at Preston with her family. It was believed she had one sister as well as parent's when liviing there.

Before taking on her duties as a midwife for the Parish, she worked as Nurse at Clopton Hospital, which I believe was Clopton House which had been taken over as a War Hospital during the 1st World War. Thanks to my mother-in-law's desire to salvage anything that could be salvaged from dustbins and skips, when Sister Hawkins went into a Nursing Home and her house was cleared up, a lot of her stuff was put in a skip. My mother-in-law (Phyllis Salmon) saw some photo albums lying in them, so she smuggled them under her apron and took them back to her house.

After she died, I had the job of sorting out her stuff, and found these photo albums and some framed photos. Although it had the name 'Hawkins' on the photo albums, there was no record of who these children were in the albums, (for they were mostly of children and young people), dressed in velvet and lace, and knee breeches and caps. The framed photos were all of of soldiers of the 1st World War in their respective units. So I assumed that, before the 1st World War she was possibly a Nurse/Nanny in some wealthy home in charge of the children.

However, from that collection of photos, I rescued two - which I have before me now. One is a young lad about 13 I would think, sitting on a metal garden chair, shiny with black paint (evidently a new one!) in a garden with a large sash window with draped lace curtains, in the background. His thick knee-socks are tucked into black smart shiny shoes.. His breeches come to just under the knee with a button on each leg fastening the material into the bands which are tight around each calf.. And an 'Andy cap' on his head. Oh yes, and he is wearing a smart waistcoat underneath his jacket which is fastened together with his top button. And he is smiling at the photographer quite happily.

The only reason I kept this photo, is because, on the back of this postcard it says under the words 'For communicaton', "To wish you a very merry Xmas and a bright New Year from John". But under the words 'For address only' are the words "Mrs. Hawkins, Preston on Stour, Stratford on Avon" I puzzled over the married title, but remembered that in a wealthy household, spinsters where always given a married title.

But it was the other photo - also printed on a postcard, that I was fascinated with. Two wounded soldiers both in Hospital suits, with the white lining of their jackets showing where they had undone the jacket's top buttons.. Both of them are sitting leisurely on a wooden two seater sofa with cane seat. One has his right arm in a sling, the other bandaging round his neck., and both have hair parted in the middle, and yes, moustaches. But on the back, in pencil, one of them has written their address as Clopton Hospital, Stratford-upon-Avon, and the message "Two rogues of Gibbins Ward - 'The Heavenly Twins' - Bob Hammond and Jumbo Belsey" - . and the message is "To our Dear Sister Hawkins, Clopton War Hospital, Stratford-on-Avon, Blighty"

So, it seems that, although she might have been rather harsh and snappy with mothers-to-be in birth pains, she was more compassionate with wounded soldiers.

[[File:WorldwarIwounded.jpeg|thumb|right|World War I - wounded]]

But, dealing with those mothers-to-be in this Parish, anxious fathers would have to either walk or cycle to Preston-on-Stour to summon her to the bedside of the future mother, and it seems she always arrived in time for the birth of all the babies. When Rev Pippet died, she lived for a while with Mrs. Pippet until buying No. 19, where she lived comfortably amongst the villagers, until she had to go into a Nursing Home.

When Mrs. Rees Mogg became an invalid, Sister Hawkins was often seen pushing Mrs. Rees Mogg along in her wheelchair, so the Lady of the Manor could inspect the village and make sure everything was happening as it should be.

She continued to live at No. 19 after Mrs. Rees Moggs' death but Lawrence can't remember her having many visitors. He only saw her when she did a spot of gardening in her front garden, but she didn't have much conversation to say to anyone who passed by. Mrs. Reese would say to her husband and daughter from time to time, "Oh, it's about time we had Sister Hawkins to tea again" - and both her husband and Angela (Wylam) would groan and say "Oh no! Not Sister Hawkins" for it was so hard to keep conversation going in a good and positive way.

By-the-way, the one notable thing about Nos. 18 and 19 - apart from the Manor - they were the very first houses to have flush toilets! Oh, what progress in those days!

====Notes from Maisie Wilks====
"When John and I married, we had two rooms at Sister Hawkins' house for a year. By this time. she was severely cripped with arthritis, and hardly ever went out. She had to sleep downstairs.
I understand, from past villagers, that she was a tarter, but we got on well. She was a very aristocratic-looking lady, and her mind was very active. She did not suffer fools gladly. She kept cats, and my abiding memory was that the house always reecked of boiled fish for the cats. She was very frugal and the house was always cold. We had to cook on oil stoves, although there was a beautiful Triplex grate and oven in the kitchen. She only brought coal in for the fire in her room."

=====Sister Hawkins - from the memories of Judith Nedderman – The Rev Pippet's grand-daughter=====

<blockquote>“Sister Hawkins – Henrietta but usually called Hettie – was one of three sisters. Her oldest sister Ida joined, sometime through her life, The Sisters of Mercy and lived beyond her 100th birthday at Windsor. Throughout her life she often visited my mother (Monica – Rev Pippet's daughter) and father and me when we lived at Gaydon. On one occasion, a Doctor had to be summoned to attend her, and this Sister of Mercy pleaded with my mother to stay in the room with her, so she was not alone with a man!

Isabel, the other sister, spent some years, it is believed, as a Nanny in the USA before coming back to the UK where she lived in London.

One time though, during the 1st World War, she lived with her parents and her sister Hettie, at Preston-on-Stour. Throughout the rest of her life, she would regularly visit Sister Hawkins at the cottage in Clifford Chambers.

Sister Hettie Hawkins started nursing in the east-end of London where, at that time cholera was wide-spread. It is believed she caught it. One of the bad effects of cholera is a severe dry mouth which, if it isn't treated in time, can cause severe problems. Hettie's mouth, as a result, became distorted in some way. (Lawrence remembers that she had what seemed to be a hare lip).

One thing I remembered about Hattie was her passion for smoking!

My Mother (Monica Pippet) also worked at Clopton House looking after the wounded, as well as Sister Hawkins. We still use the casserole pyrex dish and lid given to us for our wedding in December 1962 by Isabel Hawkins. She lived then in Hampstead. We lived in Golders Green.”

Judith Nedderman – Australia</blockquote>

Tenants at No 23

2022-09-04T11:07:37Z

Tomsalmon: /* The Workhouse */

__NOTOC__
[[Main Street|Back to the main street]]

[[File:Mary ann salmon.jpg|right|thumb|Mary Ann Salmon]]

I’ve already mentioned that, in the early part of last century, there were two William Salmon’s living in the village – distantly related. At the same time, there were two Mary Ann Salmon’s living in the village! All four lived comparatively near to each other.

In No 23 lived one! Mary Ann Salmon (Diggie’s mother and mother to the Sophy mentioned before). She was a gentle poverty-stricken lady. Before her marriage to Thomas Salmon (a shepherd on the Manor Farm) she was Mary Ann Odell. Her husband died when Diggie, the youngest of their four children, was quite small. Diggie could just remember his father saying sternly to him “You will call me Father!” – when Diggie (copying the other children in the village) called him “Papa”!

George, their eldest son, never gave his mother financial support. In fact, all the family referred to him as the Black Sheep, and deliberately lost contact with him when he left the village. Years later, the family was contacted to say that George had died, and could the family contribute to the cost of the funeral. The answer was “No!” It is assumed he was buried as a pauper somewhere in Salisbury.

Annie and Sophy, the daughters, married as soon as they could. Annie lived with her husband in a delightful Pub called “Cottage of Content” at Barton. When Len Salmon took his wife Phyllis, to see his aunt, Phyllis was disgusted that Aunt Annie never brought her out a cup of tea! No way would Phyllis walk into a Pub!

Sophy, after her marriage to Darkie Mullis, the boy next door, may have lived with her In-laws for a while, but eventually moved away. They weren’t too far away, for Sophy kept an eye on her Mother, visiting her regularly and bringing her meals – until she did the Dreadful Thing!

Diggie was constantly at No 23, and would often take his Mother along to Manor Cottages for a meal. His two children, Len and Kath, adored her.

==The Workhouse==

Len especially loved staying the night with her. His evenings at her cottage where he could chatter to her without fear of any scold, and get a chuckly and humorous response, gave him many delightful memories that lasted his lifetime. However, she was so poor, there was not enough food in her house to feed him, - and little for herself! For supper, and breakfast the next morning, Len had to slip round the corner to his dreaded Granny Coldicot at No 28. There he had to sit in complete silence, eating everything that was placed before him, before going back to his Granny Salmon,

Mary Ann had a sore develop on her breast which did not heal. Diggie came each evening to wash and clean the wound. Sophy attended to this during the day. She evidently found it too much of a strain to look after her mother. It is possible she consulted her sister Annie about her proposal. She certainly didn’t tell Diggie! One afternoon, as the children were coming out of school, a wagon arrived, stopped at No 23, and Mary Ann was bundled in it, with Sophy’s help, and told she was going to the Workhouse. Kath Radbourne told me of this. She was only a little girl coming out of school with her friends, but she can remember this little old lady sobbing on the wagon, and the sound of her crying could be heard all the way up the street, as the wagon set off for the Workhouse at Stratford.

Diggie, that evening, turned up at No 23 to wash and put his mother to bed, only to find the door locked. That was when the neighbours informed him what had happened. Diggie went straight back home, took a gun and went up Galley Oak to shoot himself. Then he remembered his two children; went back and, as soon as he could, travelled to Stratford Workhouse to see his mother. He visited her every day and was greeted each time with her tearful, “Have you come to take me home Will?” She only survived a few days in the Workhouse. It was a cold place. Babies and the elderly never lasted long in that loveless place. Such a tragic way for a gentle and loving lady to die!

===EXTRACT FROM STRATFORD-UPON-AVON HERALD===
<blockquote>2nd JANUARY 1914

“At the Workhouse

In the future, Stratfordians will be able to look back with pleasure on the Christmas of 1913 as one of the most agreeable of winter festive seasons.

The weather on Christmas Eve was fine and crisp and Christmas Day itself was all that could be desired.

At 50 Arden Street (and possibly better known as the Workhouse) the day was passed in the good old fashioned way, and the most eloquent testimony of the generosity of the Guardians was furnished by the tramps themselves.

Last year, the vagrants were regaled with the extra fare as well, and the tidings had evidently been noised abroad, for on Christmas Eve, sixty three individuals without any settled habitation, presented themselves for admission to the vagrant wards, making, with the ten who had been detained over the previous night, a total of seventy three.

To provide for such an array was out of the question and so, on the 25th, a dozen were sorted out and allowed to stop, and the remainder had to take to the road again.

The decorations at the Workhouse reflected the highest credit on the officials who,co-operating with the Guardians, did everything in their power to promote the happiness of the inmates.

The Master and Matron (Mr. and Mrs Pickett) directed the adornment of the general body of the house with special attention to the dining hall, and illuminating mottos - all more or less original – were hung upon the walls with seasonal greenery and shields, while a skilful arrangement of artificial flowers imparted a glow of colour which was at once pleasing and effective.

This was very noticeable in the sick ward where the Superintendent Nurse (Mrs. Worth) and her staff of nurses had wrought a delightful transformation by utilising imitation apple blossom, and everything looked spick and span.

The majority of the old folk received individual gifts from friends outside, who realise at this season that:-

It is easy to be pleasant
When life flows along like a song
But the man worth while is the man who can smile
When everything goes dead wrong.

The Mayor gave £1 - Mr. C. T. Garland £1: 1s - Lady Trevelyan £1: 1s - Mrs. A. B. Foster 10s. - and Colonel Studdy 5s. to be devoted towards the entertainment of the old and young assembled within the workhouse walls.

Miss Townsend followed the admirable example set by her sister (the late Miss Harriet Townsend) and sent tea and sugar for the women, tobacco for the men – and a penny each for the children.

Miss Agnes Smith of Rhine Hill dispatched lucky packets (each containing 6d) for all the patients in the infirm wards. Mrs. Whytehead sent sweets, cakes and oranges, and the old men in the infirmary received pipes from Mrs. Mansell: Mrs. Richardson cards for the children: Miss Justins forwarded oranges and crackers, and |Mrs. Bucknall a bag of crayons, while the Mayor had provided a toy for each of the children; and three juveniles recently admitted from the Wootton Wawen Parish received a pleasant surprise in the shape of 1s. each from Mr. W. J. Fieldhouse of Austey Manor.

Naturally the event of the day was the Christmas dinner, and among those who attended this function were the Mayor and Mayoress (Mr. and Mrs. F. Winter) Master N. Winter, Miss Winter, the Rev F. C. Watts, the Rev A Barber, Messrs. G. Hemming, W. Parrot and F. Hawkes (Guardians) Mr. S. C. Warden (clerk to the Guardians), Mrs Warden, Miss M. Cox, Miss Brown, Miss F Winter, Mr. G. Edmunds, Mr. A. Tompkins, Master Barber and Mr. and Mrs. E. Davies (Knowle)

Roast beef and pork, with mutton for the sick, formed the principal joints with vegetables and seasoning in abundance, followed by Christmas pudding served steaming hot, and for the few who did not partake of beer, there were mineral waters of various kinds.

At the close of the repast, Mr. Hemming proposed a hearty vote of thanks to the”

and here follow many speeches

…..finishing with:-

“The thanks of the inmates to the Guardians were expressed in the usual way and Mr. F. Hawkes in response said it was his first time among them, but he had been much pleased with what he had seen, and he knew it was the wish of the Guardians that they should all enjoy themselves to the uttermost.
“In the afternoon, there was a celebration of holy communion at the Chapel, the Rev H. Peers doing duty for the chaplain (the Rev F. H. Hastings).

After a substantial tea, the inmates assembled in the dining hall again – and thanks to the very kind manner in which the artistes who had been appearing at the Hippodrome and Picture House during the week, came forward, and gave their services, the inmates had the treat of their lives.

Belford and Mars in their merry-making duets were irresistibly funny. Jimmy Baguley as a rollicking Scotch comedian kept the audience in a continuous roar of laughter and F. W. Reed with his clever songs at the piano also met with considerable success.

Two or thee of the inmates also figured creditably in the programme, and the workhouse girls (who had been trained by Mrs. Burton, delighted one and all with their rendering of “The Lobster Quadrille”.

The piano used for the entertainment was kindly lent by Mrs,. Brenbridge.

More speeches

The singing of the National Anthem brought to a close a memorable day.
</blockquote>

====George and Trixie Sylvester====

[[File:George and Trixie Robbins.jpg|thumb|right|George & Trixie Robbins]]

Sometime after Mary Ann’s death, Aunt Alice Bailey moved in, and it was on her death that George and Trixie Robbins arrived at No 23.

Trixie was the youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charlie Sylvester – a great beauty. She was a big-built girl, but her laughing face, little turned-up nose, large eyes and beautiful curly hair, captured all the boys’ attention. George Robbins won her, married her and, by the time they arrived at No 23, their family had extended to Keith, Glenda and Mick.

[[File:Trixie Robbins and Mick Robbins.jpg|thumb|right|Trixie Robbins and Mick]]

Keith was amazing! George and Trixie were told that he would be dead by the time he reached his teens. Throughout his life, he has done one thing after another that, in another person would have brought death! “He’s like a cat,” someone said to me. “He’s got nine lives!” The villagers lost count of the number of times he fell out of the hay loft opposite No 23 (now part of Barn House). A non-swimmer, he was fished put of the deep part of the river, almost dead – but not quite! He was knocked off his bike by a car going at quite a speed. He fell off the back of his father’s wagon when the horse bolted!

George and Trixie owned a fruit stall and went to every market, leaving early in the morning. Keith never went to school as he was considered, with his learning difficulties, to be unteachable, so he was left very much on his own. He filled the time by walking to Stratford and staying a while at the fruit stall. When he became bored, he would walk home and hang around his Granny Sylvester and Granny Robbins for any food. Getting tired of that, he would walk back to Stratford until his parents became irritated with him. Then he would trundle back to Clifford again to scrounge from his Grannies. Then back to Stratford again! Every weekday was practically the same for Keith.

Keith was strong, with his mother’s build and he was quite a worry to the villagers. He was so willing to help anyone. “I’ll carry that! I’ll carry that!” he would say rushing up to anyone carrying a bag of shopping. With his large head, heavy feet, big frame, plus a mouth that was inclined to dribble, he did present a rather frightening picture to any newcomer in the village who did not know him. His rush to help was so thunderous, one was always uncertain if he would be able to stop in time, and that you would finish up being flattened on the pavement, with Keith’s heavy body on top!

Mentally, Keith never reached adulthood. He was always a child. When both his Grannies died, he felt very lost and alone, often sitting on the doorstep of No 23 for long periods. People would give him food as he was always so hungry. Unfortunately, he had a quick temper and the least little thing would set him shouting and swearing. But instantly his temper would die down and he would start shouting, “Sorry! Sorry! I’m sorry! I’m sorry!”

Trixie died of cancer while her two youngest, Vanessa and Tim, were in their teens.

Glenda, by this time was married and a mother, but she came over often to help her Dad, and to help with Keith. Mick left school and worked on the fruit stall with George, but George was beginning to have problems with drink.

[[File:George Robbins.jpg|thumb|right|George Robbins]]

He didn’t drink much, and while Trixie was alive, he hardly drunk at all, but George was one of those rare people who could become quite drunk on only a small amount of alcohol. Trixie was aware of this and always kept a watchful eye on him, but with no wife by his side to caution him, there were many times when he was brought home from the Working Mens Club in a wheelbarrow. Eventually he let Mick take over the fruit stall completely, but still cycled into Stratford frequently. Then he was involved in a terrible accident, and knocked off his bike by a car that dragged him along the road. The only thing that saved his life was his inebriated body, for he was so relaxed as he was knocked off his bike, he was more like a rag doll! After that, he always needed a stick as he walked, but he was always cheerful, and always getting drunk and falling on the ground, sometimes lying there for some while until he was found!

[[File:George Robbins in the Pub.jpg|thumb|left|George Robbins in Pub]]

Outskirts

2022-09-04T10:50:39Z

Tomsalmon: /* The Parish Outside the Village */

__notoc__
=The Parish Outside the Village=
[[Monks Barn]] | [[Station Road|Milcote and Station Road]] | [[Wincot and Willicote]] | [[Shipston Road]]

[[File:May_bank_on_chipping_campden_road-small.jpg|thumb|May Bank]]

=='May Bank,' Milcote Road==

Mr. and Mrs. Sylvester with their children lived in this large three-storey house, though very few had memories of them, mainly because they did not mix with the people in the Parish.

Len Salmon could vaguely remember Mr. Sylvester travelling along the Milcote Road in his fancy barouche driven by two smart black horses, but his memory of the first car they had, was more acute. That brand new shiny car was very noticeable,for the Sylvesters were among the very few in the Parish who had a car.

They had staff there looking after this large house, and more for the garden. As far as anyone can remember, their children, Minnie and Lily never went to a school, so possibly they were educated at home by tutors.

It is believed that Minnie married – Claude thinks her husband was Alf Rolls' brother – and made their home at Welford. Lily remained unmarried, living with her widowed mother and then, after her death, living on in the large house. It seems that she was unable to look after it. Maybe her parents felt their daughters did not need to know such things – as servants would do that for them. It is uncertain if she even knew how to cook.

She did, however, know how to use the telephone and order food. They were one of the first to be fitted up with a telephone – possibly when Mr. Sylvester was still alive. Lily, each week, put through her order to Ballances,the Grocers, and Len Salmon, the Delivery Boy, would bring it to the house. But no-one came out to take it from him. He had to leave it in a certain place, and in the post would come a cheque for the goods, so the shop knew she had received her groceries.

There was no running water in the house, for all water had to be drawn up from the well there, and Claude was not certain even if there was any electricity there either.

Lily did come out of the house occasionally by phoning for a taxi to take her to her Solicitors, Doctors, etc. She enjoyed keeping poultry, cattle and sheep on her land, for the house came with land, and paid various local people to look after them.

When she became very frail, no-one saw her – except her nose and one eye. This was how far she opened the door if anyone called. Rev Leonard-Williams, on hearing about her, felt he should call and introduce himself, but it was difficult to do so with a nose and one eye. On his enquiry to ask if she was well, he received a soft reply “Yes thank you” and to his enquiry if she wanted anyone to help, “No thank you”, and then the door was shut.

It was when she died, that the full extent of the damaged house was revealed, and walking around the damp place, one felt sorry for this little lady who, it seemed, just lived in her kitchen during her last years.

The top floor was too dangerous to reach due to the wet, soaking wooden stairs. Even the stairs up to the second floor looked as if they could collapse up if one trod rather heavily on a step. On the ground floor, wallpaper in each room was so soaked, it came away in one's hands, leaving folds of it hanging limply. The house stank of mould, decay, and rot. The kitchen was where she ate, lived and apparently slept, with the stone floor coping well with the damp, and the kitchen mats being ones that could easily dry out when placed over a clothes line.

But she seemed happy just to be in her own home with her memories of days that were hopefully happier than those in her last years.

==The Tin Tops (Tabernacle)==

Tin Tops had a corrugated roof – though it is possible the roof was originally a thatched one but was replaced with the corrugated roof when the thatch rotted. It was set in the field next to the large house - Springfield House. This large house was not in the Parish of Clifford Chambers, but the field – along with Tin Tops – was definitely in the Parish of Clifford Chambers.

Monty Preston lived in this corrugated roof cottage with his wife and only child – Patricia. Pat (as she was called), was a beauty – small but very articulate as well as attractive with beautiful blonde hair. She attracted the attention of Tony Green in the village, married, and spent their early year of marriage at The Nashes. They in turn had only one child – a girl – a beauty – slender and taller than her mother and just as articulate as her parents – and with a very sensible head on her shoulders.

Monty, as far as I can make out, was just a farm worker, but his daughter – and grand-daughter made one think they were descended from high-thinking people. Perhaps, despite Monty's humble working life, he was!

==Shipston Road Bungalows==

[[File:The_thistles_shipston_road.jpg|thumb|The Thistles]]

It seems certain these bungalows were built on a part of a field in the parish of Clifford Chambers, sometime between the two world wars.

John Bailey was not the first owner of the first one – now called “The Thistles”. He and his wife when they first married, squatted at Atherston Aerodrome. This was quite common after the Second World War when the empty buildings and Nissen huts built by the War Office for training 'our boys' for the War – were very suitable for housing those bombed out of their homes and those needing somewhere to live.

As things became better for this young couple – and things became better for the country on the whole - , John and his wife bought “The Thistles” a beautiful bungalow with a large garden where he grew plants in his greenhouses, and kept chickens in another part of the garden in between his proper work of a tool-maker.

But his greatest treasure was his old steam-organ which he worked on throughout the years, polishing, and cleaning, and mending and repairing – until it was spotless and ready to show around the country.

[[File:John_bailey_organ-small.jpg|800px|John Bailey]]

Shipston Road

2022-09-04T09:22:44Z

Tomsalmon:

=The Tin Tops (Tabernacle)=

Tin Tops had a corrugated roof – though it is possible the roof was originally a thatched one but was replaced with the corrugated roof when the thatch rotted. It was set in the field next to the large house - Springfield House. This large house was not in the Parish of Clifford Chambers, but the field – along with Tin Tops – was definitely in the Parish of Clifford Chambers.

Monty Preston lived in this corrugated roof cottage with his wife and only child – Patricia. Pat (as she was called), was a beauty – small but very articulate as well as attractive with beautiful blonde hair. She attracted the attention of Tony Green in the village, married, and spent their early year of marriage at The Nashes. They in turn had only one child – a girl – a beauty – slender and taller than her mother and just as articulate as her parents – and with a very sensible head on her shoulders.

Monty, as far as I can make out, was just a farm worker, but his daughter – and grand-daughter made one think they were descended from high-thinking people. Perhaps, despite Monty's humble working life, he was!

=Shipston Road Bungalows=

It seems certain these bungalows were built on a part of a field in the parish of Clifford Chambers, sometime between the two world wars.

John Bailey was not the first owner of the first one – now called “The Thistles”. He and his wife when they first married, squatted at Atherston Aerodrome. This was quite common after the Second World War when the empty buildings and Nissen huts built by the War Office for training 'our boys' for the War – were very suitable for housing those bombed out of their homes and those needing somewhere to live.

As things became better for this young couple – and things became better for the country on the whole - , John and his wife bought “The Thistles” a beautiful bungalow with a large garden where he grew plants in his greenhouses, and kept chickens in another part of the garden in between his proper work of a tool-maker.

But his greatest treasure was his old steam-organ which he worked on throughout the years, polishing, and cleaning, and mending and repairing – until it was spotless and ready to show around the country.

[[File:John_bailey_organ-small.jpg]]

Summer Synagoes

2022-08-27T19:05:40Z

Tomsalmon:

=SUMMER SYNAGO'S=

Miss Baker was sorely missed when she died, for there seemed to be no more extremely-organized Parish events.

Avril Salmon, who saw her garden as a gift from God, felt it would be nice to share this with the people of the Parish, and if possible start once more, some sort of Parish event. But what to put on the general invite going out to everyone was a problem. It would definitely not be a fund-raising thing, or a Garden Party but just a day of enjoyment of the company of each other, and sharing food together.

{|
| -
| [[File:Synago's8.jpeg|thumb]]
| [[File:Synago's7.jpeg|thumb]]
| [[File:Synago's6.jpeg|thumb]]
|}

She tried to find a simple way of describing it, and her friend suggested Synago, coming from the word Synagogue, meaning a gathering or assembly. The Latin title of this was synagoga, so she just left off the last two letters.

The first year was a great success with plenty of food being brought, cooked on the barbeque by volunteers, and ate by everyone. Along with chairs and tables from the Jubilee Hall, people bought plenty of umbrellas and in some cases, their comfortable garden chairs.

{|
| -
| [[File:Synago's1.jpeg|thumb]]
| [[File:Synago's2.jpeg|thumb]]
| [[File:Synago's3.jpeg|thumb]]
|}

Avril made sure there were plenty of provisions for children of all ages, from toddler's toys, toy cars and railway, and dressing-up clothes.

At that time a Mother and Toddler group were meeting at the Jubilee Hall. And we were allowed to borrow many of their equipment.

We had several 'musicians' in the Parish, and borrowing a rather Buckingham-Palace-looking gazebo, the musicians plus instruments and amplifiers were placed under this in the shade, with leads going into the Salmon shed and connecting to the plugs there. So, amongst all the chatting and shouting and laughing, music was, heard throughout the afternoon and evening.

Because of its success, another one was held the next year, with the addition of a fun pool, bought by the Salmon's next door neighbour Chris Pritchard, and later given to the Salmon family for future use.

At the very first Synago, Tony Reason brought his camcorder spent the whole afternoon and some of the evening recording the event – click on here to see it:-

Video

Old-age and children leaving the Salmon Household slowly brought the Summer Synago to an end. For how could invites be sent out to a garden full of weeds and where creaking joints slowed up the preparations needed to get everything ready in time!

{|
| -
| [[File:Synago's4.jpeg|thumb]]
| [[File:Synago's9.jpeg|thumb]]
| [[File:Synago's5.jpeg|thumb]]
|}

Summer Synagoes

2022-08-27T18:51:11Z

Tomsalmon:

=SUMMER SYNAGO'S=
[[File:Synago's8.jpeg|thumb]]
[[File:Synago's7.jpeg|thumb]]
[[File:Synago's6.jpeg|thumb]]

Miss Baker was sorely missed when she died, for there seemed to be no more extremely-organized Parish events.

Avril Salmon, who saw her garden as a gift from God, felt it would be nice to share this with the people of the Parish, and if possible start once more, some sort of Parish event. But what to put on the general invite going out to everyone was a problem. It would definitely not be a fund-raising thing, or a Garden Party but just a day of enjoyment of the company of each other, and sharing food together.

She tried to find a simple way of describing it, and her friend suggested Synago, coming from the word Synagogue, meaning a gathering or assembly. The Latin title of this was synagoga, so she just left off the last two letters.

The first year was a great success with plenty of food being brought, cooked on the barbeque by volunteers, and ate by everyone. Along with chairs and tables from the Jubilee Hall, people bought plenty of umbrellas and in some cases, their comfortable garden chairs.

[[File:Synago's1.jpeg|thumb|left]]
[[File:Synago's2.jpeg|thumb|left]]
[[File:Synago's3.jpeg|thumb|left]]

Avril made sure there were plenty of provisions for children of all ages, from toddler's toys, toy cars and railway, and dressing-up clothes.

At that time a Mother and Toddler group were meeting at the Jubilee Hall. And we were allowed to borrow many of their equipment.

[[File:Synago's4.jpeg|thumb]]

We had several 'musicians' in the Parish, and borrowing a rather Buckingham-Palace-looking gazebo, the musicians plus instruments and amplifiers were placed under this in the shade, with leads going into the Salmon shed and connecting to the plugs there. So, amongst all the chatting and shouting and laughing, music was, heard throughout the afternoon and evening.

[[File:Synago's9.jpeg|thumb]]

Because of its success, another one was held the next year, with the addition of a fun pool, bought by the Salmon's next door neighbour Chris Pritchard, and later given to the Salmon family for future use.

[[File:Synago's5.jpeg|thumb]]

At the very first Synago, Tony Reason brought his camcorder spent the whole afternoon and some of the evening recording the event – click on here to see it:-

Video

Old-age and children leaving the Salmon Household slowly brought the Summer Synago to an end. For how could invites be sent out to a garden full of weeds and where creaking joints slowed up the preparations needed to get everything ready in time!

File:Synago's5.jpeg

2022-08-27T18:44:08Z

Tomsalmon:

File:Synago's9.jpeg

2022-08-27T18:43:36Z

Tomsalmon:

File:Synago's4.jpeg

2022-08-27T18:43:01Z

Tomsalmon:

File:Synago's3.jpeg

2022-08-27T18:42:25Z

Tomsalmon:

File:Synago's2.jpeg

2022-08-27T18:41:55Z

Tomsalmon:

File:Synago's1.jpeg

2022-08-27T18:41:21Z

Tomsalmon: