In the last year or two, we have taken possession of a number of items which were previously kept in St James’ Church, Badsey, or in the Vicarage loft. These are slowly being archived and will be stored in our store room at the Remembrance Hall for safe keeping (a number of items had suffered water damage after there had been a flood in the church).
Gill Woods has been busy transcribing some of the 20th century Annual reports of the Parochial Church Council (many of them a bit the worse for wear because of the water damage). The full transcriptions may be seen in the archive section of this website. They were random years, but give a flavour of what was happening in the parish, as the summaries below indicate.
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1929-1935 Annual Reports
The reports for these years appear to have been taken from an exercise book and pinned together. The Vice Chairman throughout this period was Charles Binyon. The Secretary was May Sladden.
It was reported in 1931 that many of the church chairs were badly affected by woodworm and there was a danger of this spreading to other woodwork. The Council authorised the purchase of a timber liquid and to try its application where needed. This seemed to stave off the problem for a year or two but, by 1934, many of the church chairs were badly worm eaten and in an unsafe condition. It was hoped shortly to replace them with oak seating in accordance with the scheme made at the Restoration in 1885. A considerable part of the money required was available from an Oak Seating Fund which was started 30 years ago, but more money was needed to seat the whole church.
Church heating was an issue during this period. The chancel stove was repaired in 1929 after a long time with no heating. To help to keep out draughts a beading of oak was put on the outside of the Church door, and a new mat for the porch was bought to fit closely against the door.
In 1932, the question of electric light in the church was discussed at two of the quarterly meetings and a sub-committee was formed to consider the matter further. Some gifts or promises towards the cost were made. The following year it was reported that some people would prefer the heating to be put right, before the light was done, if the money were forthcoming. It was proposed that an investigation of the flue was made and reported on. The cost of the electric light was likely to be about £50 to £60. The question as to the provision of additional heating for the Church was brought forward in 1934. It was thought that heating by gas would not be practicable and the possibility of introducing a hot water system was under discussion.
A bequest of £100 was made by Sir Julius Sladden to the Council, with the proviso that the income should be used to keep in repair the gravestones and memorials to his family in Badsey Church or Churchyard.
Collection for a Churchyard Fund continued. Initially it was thought that a dozen new yew plants were required to fill up gaps in the churchyard hedge but, after it had been cut, the yew hedge filled out well, so few, if any, new plants were needed. In 1930, the churchyard gates were re-hung and oiled by Lewis Stribblehill who did the work free of charge.
In 1930, in accordance with the wishes of Wickhamford parishioners and after the Council had discussed the matter, the Vicar was to hold Service in the evening instead of the afternoon at Wickhamford on two Sundays in the month. As the Council thought it would not be advisable to vary the hour of service from week to week it was arranged to have Evening Service every Sunday at Badsey at 5.45 and at Wickhamford at 7 o’clock on the 1st and 4th Sundays in the month.
Insurance of the church and contents was increased to £5,000 in 1929.
A Social Tea was arranged each year by the ladies on the Council and proceeds given to church funds.
Go to the Archive section to see a full transcription of the reports.
1947 Annual Report
The main event was the change of Vicar. Reverend J G Jeffreys left the parish in October 1947 after two years, due to ill-health, and was replaced by Reverend W B Chapman. Reverend Chapman was appointed in November, visited Badsey on 2nd December as Vicar Designate, and the service of Institution and Induction took place on 9th January 1948.
In January 1947, a parish magazine was started. Maurice Harvey [Head Teacher of Badsey County Primary School] undertook the editorship for the year and arranged for the school children to distribute them. 300 copies were issued monthly, paid for by subscribers. [NB – There had previously been a monthly parish magazine from 1898-1919, but production had then ceased. Sadly, the magazines for 1947 have not survived, but we have a complete collection in the Archive from 1948 onwards. The cost was 3d per month.]
In March 1947, the organ from St Helen’s Church, Worcester, was installed in the transept, three rows of seats having to be removed to make room for it. Costs were met out of church funds and from the proceeds of a garden fete held at the Vicarage. Mrs Marshall was appointed organist.
A good second-hand wheeled bier was purchased by the Churchwardens with money they had (largely helped by Mr Clinton Sears and others) collected in this parish for the purpose. When done up the bier was housed in the former Fire station shed, the door of which they agreed might be altered to allow it to be easily taken in and out. [This shed was demolished in 1950 when the churchyard was extended.]
Insurance of the church and contents, including the organ, was increased to £15,000.
The new Vicar took the Chair at his first PCC meeting on 26th January, and mentioned various things he felt were needed for the Church, including a Vestry Safe, a Processional Cross, Churchwardens’ Wards of Office and Verger’s Virge [the rod of office], a Baptismal Shield [presented by the Mothers’ Union] and Prayer and Hymn books.
Go to the Archive section to see a full transcription of the report.
1978 Annual Report
We now jump forward 30 years to find out what were the issues in 1978.
The Vicar was by now the Reverend Adrian Leak. He began by saying that the pattern of worship remained the same with a morning and evening service each Sunday. He observed that whilst special services, such as those for Mothering Sunday, Harvest Festival, Christmas, Remembrance Sunday, Easter, attracted large numbers, there was a decline in numbers of churchgoers attending ordinary services. There was a Sunday School, Mums and Toddlers group, and various other clubs for children. The church choir, at full strength, had 24 adults and children. An Adults’ Bible Study course was held in November. The Bishop of Worcester visited in April.
There were then several reports attached, some handwritten, others typed. One report was on the church cottages, which had been given to the church eight years previously.
The Overseas Committee report indicated that the parish had links with the Arctic diocese where they supported a young man named Bobby Nakoolak in his pre-ordination training at Baffin Island. The Bishop of the Arctic paid a visit in March and gave a fascinating talk.
With regard to social events, there was a garden party at Aldington, a fete at the Vicarage, a garden party at Badsey Manor, a Harvest Supper.
Mothers’ Union had 40 members and was very active.
Go to the Archive section to see a full transcription of the report.
1979 Annual Report
At the Annual Parish Meeting, held at an unknown date in 1980, the new Vicar, the Reverend P D Mitchell, gave a very brief report as he had only taken office in September 1980, so he was heavily reliant on the reports of church members.
The choir went from strength to strength and now had robes. Social events continued as normal. The Overseas Committee continued to help finance the training of a priest, Bobby Nakoolak, to work in the Arctic regions of Canada. It was reported that garages had been built at the church cottages. The Mothers’ Union, Mums and Toddlers and the Sunday School continued to thrive.
Go to the Archive section to see a full transcription of the report.
1980 Annual Report
Reverend Mitchell had been in office for seven months when he delivered his first report to the Annual Parish Meeting in April 1981. He remarked that the three most significant events during the past year were:
- His institution and induction as the new Vicar
- The final confirmation of the new scheme for the united benefice of the parishes of Badsey with Aldington and Wickhamford
- The very large increase in the Quota Assessment for 1981 to cover the increased financial commitments of the parish
Concerning the new scheme, for centuries the parish of Badsey with Aldington and the parish of Wickhamford were held in plurality. On 17th October 1980, it was published in The London Gazette that a new united benefice of Badsey with Aldington and Wickhamford was authorised.
Concerning the increased quota, Badsey was faced with raising a greatly increased amount for the Diocesan quota, as well as facing other increased costs. Plans had been put in place to meet the costs.
The churchwardens reported that one unfortunate consequence of the interregnum was the need to abandon the plans that had been formed for Badsey to celebrate the 13th century centenary of the diocese.
Go to the Archive section to see a full transcription of the report.
1981 Annual Report
In April 1982, Reverend Mitchell delivered his second report, beginning with finances, mentioning in particular the increased quota assessment of approximately £1000. This commitment was met but had laid a heavy burden on the church. The social committee played a large part in fundraising and the Stewardship Scheme also helped considerably, whereby people gifted money or covenanted for a number of years. Membership of the scheme now stood at 79, compared with 68 a year previously. The number of covenants also showed an increase, from 24 to 30.
Reverend Mitchell said that the churchyard also needed some consideration. The number of new graves required over the last two years had increased from 4 to 6 in 1978 to 10-12 in 1980. There were difficulties with the ground at the far end of the churchyard which was now suitable for single graves only. The re-use of the old ground to the north of the church had provided a much-needed respite but a letter has been sent to the Parish Council informing them that a new parish cemetery will be required within the next five to ten years. [In the event, it was to be another 40 years before a new cemetery was created!]
The Cottages Sub-committee had been very concerned with the future of the cottages. It had now been decided to sell the church cottages.
Essential work was needed on the tower, estimated at about £10,000. In order to raise the money, an Appeals Committee was formed.
For both the 1980 and 1981 reports, a financial statement for the year was attached.
In both 1980 and 1981, social events continued as normal. The Overseas Committee continued to help finance the training of a priest, Bobby Nakoolak, to work in the Arctic regions of Canada. The Mothers’ Union, Mums and Toddlers and the Sunday School continued to thrive.
Go to the Archive section to see a full transcription of the report.
April 2025