DEATH OF BADSEY OCTOGENARIAN – The Late Mr Edwin Knight
Market gardeners in particular will learn with deep regret of the death of one of their oldest colleagues in the district, in the parson of Mr Edwin Knight, of the Silk Mills, Badsey, who passed away, after a short illness, in the early hours of Thursday morning.
Mr Knight, who was 83 years of age, and the fourth of a family of eight, was a native of Badsey. In 1874 he left the village and went to reside at Shipston-on-Stour, where he lived for 15 years, ultimately returning to his native village. On his return he took up his residence in a house occupied by his parents. The Knight family have lived in the house since 1864. Mr Knight often related how he remembered the house being part of a large silk factory. He married at Badsey, Miss Sarah Daubney in 1866, and his wife died seven years ago.
Mr Knight was of a lovable disposition and his humorous outlook made him popular in the district for miles around. Having been in the market gardening industry all his life he was looked upon as an authority on all matters relating to agriculture and horticulture, and was considered on of the best gardeners in the county.
Until a fortnight ago he could have been seen working on his land, and after an eight-hours’ day work, would visit any social gathering in the village and, to the delight of his audience, would render, admirably, songs of his boyhood days. He would talk of the time when for miles around Badsey there was nothing but fields of corn. He started his career on the land under the careful attention of his father, the earliest market gardener in the district. In his younger days he thought nothing of walking from Badsey to Moreton-in-Marsh on a Sunday, and carrying a child, to visit his mother-in-law.
Mr Knight was a keen cricketer, and last year could often be seen watching the local team in its encounters. He was an enthusiastic member of a bellringing society for many years, having taken an interest in this movement since he was 25 years of age. He then assisted at the first peal rung at St Peter’s Church, Bengeworth, when it was dedicated over 50 years ago.
Last year, on June 25, Mrs Knight, despite his years, assisted in ringing a full peal of bells at Badsey Church lasting three hours, to celebrate the 80th birthday of the late Sir Julius Sladden, and his own 83rd birthday.
At his birthday party his 15 grandchildren were present. He told our representative then that by putting in a day’s work on his land he kept fit. His 82-year-old brother, William, and his sister, Mrs W Keen, who is only a few years his junior, were present at the party. Both reside in Badsey.
Mr Knight is survived by four sons and three daughters, one son and one daughter having died. He also leaves 15 grandchildren.