On 12th June 2025 we enjoyed a group visit to Wenlock Priory which followed on from Will Motley’s talk on 9th April. We arrived in the morning with time for coffee, exploring the town and lunch before our visit to the Priory itself. The Museum was interesting and informative and the church and Guildhall also worth visiting.
Whilst the morning was dry, as we headed to the Priory reception, the rain started and lasted for most of our visit. Fortunately, there were trees and a remaining roofed part of the Cloister to shelter under whilst our guide, Susan, gave us an informative and interactive talk about the history of the Priory and remaining stonework. Happily, we were joined by Will Motley who was able to add lots of interesting detail.
The rain eased off a little allowing us to explore the ruins of which the elaborately carved Norman Chapter House was particularly stunning. There was also the lavabo, cloister garden with anthropomorphic topiary, and a collection of Mediaeval to Victorian tiles to admire.
Of course, as our visit ended and we set off home the rain eased and blue sky began to appear!
Launch of the new Bromyard & District History Society Exhibition
Mandy Palmer
On June 14th Mandy Palmer, who leads the exhibition team welcomed a small crowd and introduced 95 year old Ken Hamnett who was evacuated during the war to Bishops Frome, aged 8. He lived with the Rosser family at Cheney Court Cottage. Ken and his daughter Julie told of his life during these years. Ken’s memory of how he was chosen by Mr and Mrs Rosser is so vivid. All the children were sat in playground in a school in Erdington Birmingham and there was a large group of people picking out children they could care for. Mrs Rosser said to Ken ‘would you like to come with us ‘ and he said ‘only if my friend Charlie Lovell can come too ‘ so they agreed on the both of them. Charlie stayed about 3 weeks in but he was homesick and returned home .
Ken , pictured left, talks about Mr and Mrs Rosser every day. He speaks about him helping Mr Rosser with taking food to the farm hands, picking hops, and riding his pony Dandy [without a saddle] and having a lamb called ‘Ere’ as in Come Ere ! The lamb was fortunate to grow into a sheep and he looked after it throughout his time with them. He was also in the choir at the local church.
Ken says Mr and Mrs Rosser’ did everything for him’. They even wanted to adopt him when his mother died while he was with them, his father had passed away just before he was born. His sister Pattie was very involved in his life visiting him regularly from Birmingham . She was 10 years older and was able to care for him. Unfortunately, Mrs Rosser died in 1949. Ken continued to contact Mr Rosser even when he was in the Navy, working in Birmingham and then moving to Stratford with Mum in 1959. They visited him in Bromyard several times and also sent him a postal order every year to say thank you for caring so much for him.
Also present was Daulton Hall, aged 84 who had delivered milk to Mr Rosser when he moved to Bromyard from Bishops Frome in the 1960s. Daulton spent a happy couple of hours reminiscing with Ken.
Hugh Langrishe
Member Hugh Langrishe, who is 102, told us about his experience in the Navy, where he heard the news of Victory in Europe (some 12 hours later!) whilst stationed on his ship off the coast of Australia. When they eventually heard that the war was over, Hugh said they may have all gone for a couple of drinks!
The exhibition is accompanied by a book packed with local photographs featuring street parties, local servicemen and women and lots more.
Thanks go to our fabulous Exhibitions team – Carmen Orgee, Ann Gould, Jennifer Storer, Ella Nosworthy, Mo & Claire Padfield, Mandy Palmer and Audrey Lowery – who have worked so hard to put this together.
More information on the exhibition below:
On May 8th, 1945, WWII in Europe came to an end. As the news of Germany’s surrender reached the rest of the world, joyous crowds gathered to celebrate in the streets of Bromyard, clutching newspapers that declared “Victory in Europe”, V-E Day.
When victory eventually came a weary nation were understandably keen to celebrate; street parties and parades were held, bonfires lit and church bells were rung.
But it was a day of mixed emotions; many people felt unable to celebrate as they mourned the death of a loved one, or worried about those who were still overseas.
For people in Bromyard and the rest of the country, the end of the fighting didn’t mean an end to the impact of the war on their lives. Although many things slowly began to return to normal, it took time to rebuild the country, rationing remaining for several years.
THE LAND ARMY
Away from the well-documented horror of the battlefields, World War Two was a time of immense social change. The Women’s Land Army, affectionately known as ‘Land Girls’ were a big part of that, as labour shortages meant women took on the roles traditionally held by men.
By 1934 there were more than 80,000 Land Girls. Women like Joan Watkins, Peggy Calder, Gladys Hoskins and Joy Atkins. Come and learn more about their fascinating stories and the important contribution the women working in Bromyard made to the war effort.
EVACUEES
The evacuees had to adapt quickly to country life coming from London and Birmingham for some, it was the first time the bus services were frequent, if you lived outside of Bromyard or in a small hamlet you might have to walk two to three miles to school. they had seen cows, sheep, chickens and pigs. It was strange going into homes not knowing the families they were placed with, leaving their mothers and sometimes being separated from their brothers and sisters as some households could only take one child. Transport was another problem as in London and other cities
RATIONING
When World War II began in September 1939, petrol was the first commodity to be controlled. On 8 January 1940, bacon, butter, and sugar were rationed. Meat, tea, jam, biscuits, breakfast cereals, cheese, eggs, lard, milk, canned and dried fruit were rationed subsequently, though not all at once. In June 1942, the Combined Food Board was set up by the United Kingdom and the United States to coordinate the world supply of food to the Allies, with special attention to flows from the U.S. and Canada to Britain. Almost all foods apart from vegetables and bread were rationed by August 1942. Strict rationing created a black market. Almost all controlled items were rationed by weight; but meat was rationed by price.
THE HOME GUARD
Men who were eager to ‘do their bit’ but were unable to enlist for the regular forces due to age or being in a reserved occupation joined the Home Guard. Despite being seemingly far from the action Herefordshire’s Home Guard platoons still had important work to do; they were tasked with monitoring the skies for German bombers and trained in street fighting in preparation for any invasion. Alongside them existed a ‘secret army’ – the Auxiliary Units – who in the event of an invasion were expected to go to ground in their base, living underground for up to two weeks before emerging to carry out acts of sabotage and provide useful intelligence.
Over 700 years ago, the United Guilds of Warwick built their headquarters consisting of a conference room, banqueting hall, mansion for the Master of the Guilds, storage rooms and lodgings for travellers. The Guildsmen built this splendid example of medieval half-timbered buildings with trees felled in the 1200’s from forests across England. Today, the site survives intact and tops the list of most complete and important medieval buildings in the British Isles.
The buildings are extraordinary, but what makes them unique is the enduring communities that have lived within the walls since the 1300’s. First came the Guilds, and then the Earl of Leicester, Robert Dudley, who was a favourite of Elizabeth I. Dudley founded the Lord Leycester Hospital in 1571 – a philanthropic community of a Master and twelve Brethren. Coming from the ranks of soldiers injured in Tudor wars, the Brethren were deserving recipients of Dudley’s philanthropy.
Today, the Master and Brethren still live in the community of the Lord Leycester established by Robert Dudley. Within the honey-coloured half-timbered walls it is as if time stood still. The Master and Brethren still wear Tudor livery and adhere to an ancient way of life. The Royal Hospital Chelsea, with its in-pensioners in their scarlet coloured livery are famous worldwide – The Lord Leycester is a much older, quieter and smaller forerunner of this most English of institutions. However, both have stood the test of time and still provide a place of sanctuary for those who have sacrificed to serve their country.
We will be escorted on this guided tour by a robed member of the Brethren – one of a long line of veterans who have lived on this site since the Tudor age. The 90 minute tour will explain the history of the site, the lifestyle of the Master and Brethren through the centuries and glimpse into a centuries old way of life at the Lord Leycester.
Because this is a medieval site with 700 year old buildings access can be limited for anyone with mobility issues. There is a lift to the second floor galleries, but access to the chapel is by stairs only. (there is a 3 D model of the chapel for those who can’t do stairs!).
We will be leaving the Conquest car park at 8.45am and the tour will start at 11.00am
The cost for this visit will be £30.00 per person including transport from Bromyard. Teas and coffees can be provided on arrival at a cost of £2.50. There is a restaurant on site and meals can be pre-booked.
On May 8th 1945, World War II in Europe came to an end. As the news of Germany’s surrender reached the rest of the world, joyous crowds gathered to celebrate in the streets of Bromyard, clutching newspapers that declared Victory in Europe, V-E Day.
The Bromyard & District Local History Society will launch a new book which accompanies the new exhibition on Saturday 14th June at 10.30am at the Local & Family History Centre, Sherford Street. 10.30am – 2.30pm.
The book is packed with local photographs featuring street parties, local servicemen and women and lots more.
Available to purchase for £6.00 from the day of the launch.
Firstly, a huge thank you to Debbie and Peter for hosting the afternoon at Thornbury on Monday 19th May. The weather was glorious – warm and sunny but not overly hot. We had a wonderful turn out at the church for Debbie’s talk after which a general discussion and Q&A ensued with much members’ knowledge being shared. Tea and yummy cakes were served in the garden afterwards and hopefully a good time was had by all.
We sold £24 worth of the new Thornbury Church publication and we raised a further £132 from donations which has been split equally between the History Society and St Anna’s Church.
We look forward to seeing another good turn out for Rowden Mill Station on 26th June. David Grant and I did a site visit earlier in the week and a flyer and an update on the format and parking arrangements will be circulated in a few days’ time. In the meantime, enjoy these photos from Thornbury. Joy Hoyle
On 30th March 2025 Phyllis died peacefully at home in Skenfrith with her family, aged 100 years. Historian, author and farmer; Phyllis was born in Birmingham to Frank and Dolly Cope. Frank, was a successful motorsport racer who owned and managed a popular garage and motorcycle dealership.
During the second world war she served with the ATS and NAAFI. Afterwards travelling to Ontario to work on a market garden farm. When she returned she bought a farm near Bromyard where she established a dairy herd, married Noel and raised her family. At this time she helped found the Bromyard and District Local History Society and started a lifelong interest in researching and writing books on local history. She did volunteer work at both the Samaritans and Citizens Advice Bureau in Worcester; and served for a time as Director and Chairman of the Samaritans. She also volunteered for a time at Bromyard Hospital manning a trolley with toiletries and chocolates. Phyllis spent her last 30 years living in Skenfrith and will be lovingly remembered by her six children; Caroline, Tim, Meg, Jon, Ben and Kate. She will also be greatly missed by her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Her funeral service will be held at St Bridget’s Church, Skenfrith on Tuesday 29th April at 1pm. All are welcome to attend. Please wear colours that reflect a celebration of Phyllis’s life. Please make any charitable donations to St Bridget’s Church or St Michael’s Hospice, who lovingly cared for her and the family during her final days.
This talk by Will Motley will explore the history of Wenlock Abbey, Much Wenlock, Shropshire, from the earliest foundation of Wenlock Priory up the end of the 20th Century, with new information about the Milnes Gaskell family at Wenlock Abbey in the 19th century and their visitors such as Henry James, Thomas Hardy and many others. The talk will discuss this rare architectural gem and show pictures of the interior of the Prior’s Lodgings.
Will Motley was born in Much Wenlock and grew up at the Abbey, which was owned by members of his family from the 1540s to the 1980s.
An exciting new initiative, Food Stories of Bromyard, by the BDLHS will be officially launched on the 3rd of April, between 5 and 8pm in the Oak Room at the Falcon Hotel in Bromyard. As refreshments will be served we would appreciate that you email Jayne at jayne@foodscapes.co.uk letting her know you will be attending by 27th March.
Jayne Bradley (a freelance food project manager) has been interviewing local farmers and food producers for the archive, with a grant awarded by HM Government, Cultural Development Fund.
She has interviewed 8 local farmers and producers. The interviews will go into our archive. For a sneak preview of one of the interviews click on the image to the right.
She has also created a map for visitors to Bromyard (above) which will be available across the town. The map will pinpoint all the significant food locations across the area. People will also be able to go online and download a recording of the best of the clips from the oral history interviews.
Jayne was keen for visitors to our town to be able to find out more about past and present stories of farming and food production in the area and to feel connected to Bromyard’s significant food history. Jayne wants to continue to develop awareness of the amazing food economy of the town and the rich history of agriculture in the area. She wants to put Bromyard on the Food Map and Food Stories of Bromyard is another step in that direction.
On Saturday 1st March we had an excellent talk on Stained Glass in and around Bromyard by Rob Walker author of ‘The Medieval Stained Glass of Herefordshire and Shropshire’.
Rob set the scene with a short video on the making of stained glass and the techniques involved before introducing us to the evolving styles of stained glass from medieval times to the present with examples from across Herefordshire and Shropshire.
It was impressive to hear just how many stained glass makers were operating in the 19th and early 20th centuries: some of them familiar names such as Kempe and Burne-Jones but also others less well known.
Rob then talked us through the stained glass of St Peter’s in Bromyard and many of the local churches including work by Kempe in Bockleton, Hamnish and Tedstone Delamere, Hardman in Thornbury (left) and Burne-Jones at Leysters.
Plenty of inspiration for more informed visits to lots of local churches!
Stained Glass in Bromyard and the Surrounding Village Churches by Rob Walker 1st March at the LHS centre on Sherford St, 14:00 – 16:00 Tea, coffee and biscuits will be served at half time. £10.00 per person, booking essential before 14th February. Numbers are limited so please book by email to anna.ross@live.co.uk to ensure there are remaining places. Payment can be made online via the button below, at the LHS or HOBS on Broad St. (more…)
Our next talk will be on the 12th of March at the Conquest Theatre – 7.30pm.
The Hill & Evans Vinegar Line and the Worcester Gas Works – the industrial history of the Shrub Hill area, now designated as a regeneration zone. Two chemists founded the world’s largest vinegar works in 1830, later producing 2 million gallons of malt vinegar annually. To aid distribution, in 1872 a railway track linked the Great Filling Hall to Shrub Hill station sidings, crossing Pheasant Street and the canal.
This illustrated talk by Chris Wilkinson will chart the line from Worcester’s motive power depot to the vinegar works at Lowesmoor with many then & now images and humorous anecdotes scattered throughout the talk. Book Here
Everyone is welcome, members free, guests £6.00. Tea, coffee, snacks and a full bar will be available together with a raffle – a good social evening with an interesting talk.
It would be helpful if you can pre-book before the event through the theatre booking system. This saves queuing at the box office before the start of the talk. Even though there is no charge for members, a complete list of those attending is required for fire safety reasons. Members will receive an email with a password allowing free booking. Book online: Here or telephone 01885 488575 – Saturday and Wednesday mornings.
On Sunday 8th December we met at the Falcon for the Bromyard and District Local History Society Christmas Lunch. Sue Cooper welcomed us and introduced Jane Bradley and her Food Stories of Bromyard information boards.
Beautifully cooked turkey, ham and a sweet potato Wellington were served carvery style with plenty of different vegetables (there were some very laden plates!) followed by a choice of puddings and then coffee. Natalie and Sue organised a raffle with some great prizes to round of the event and we all went home with a copy of the Food Stories map.
The Society held its annual AGM at The Falcon on the evening of 18th November with the agenda following that published to members earlier, along with a proxy voting form.
The meeting was attended by upwards of 30 members, a very good turn out considering the weather, and also a number of members made use of their proxy voting forms.
The minutes of last year’s AGM and the Trustees Reports and Financial Statements for the year ended 30th April, 2024 were passed and the following Trustees were elected for the forthcoming year: Hugh Farey, David Grant, Debbie Hughes, Jane Merry, Cliff Morris, Mandy Palmer and Anna Ross. The Officers elected for the forthcoming year were: Chairman: Sue Cooper; Secretary: Natalie Miller; Treasurer: Ian Campbell.
A note for your diary: the AGM 2025 will be held on November 10th at 7pm.
Many thanks go to all who came along and supported the Annual Christmas Fair at the Local & Family History Centre on Saturday.
Whether you came along to visit, help on a stall, made or donated mince pies or gave raffle prizes, thank you, it was very much appreciated.
You’ll be pleased to know it raised approximately £200.00 on the day.
Everyone who attended, very much enjoyed the mulled drinks and mince pies and it was also a lovely social occasion with members of the Society and the public. Mandy Palmer
Our new BDLHS 2025 calendar is available to buy from the the Centre shop, HOBS and from our online shop. It features a selection of fascinating photos from our collection. Priced at just £5.00 (£6.90 incl P&P within the UK) it makes a great gift although you’ll probably also want to keep one for yourself!
Featuring 13 monthly pages there is plenty of space to record appointments, birthdays and reminders. And as there is also a January 2026 page you can ensure that until your next calendar arrives you have a little extra overlap.
On Saturday 5th October a Family History Open Day was held at the Local & Family History Centre in Sherford Street. We opened at 10.30am and it wasn’t long before the first couple of researchers arrived. Several of our extremely well qualified volunteers were kind enough to give their time to help. We were also joined by the Herefordshire Family History Society who proved to be a great help. We had a wonderful turnout on the day, of people researching local Bromyard families as well as some researching their property and family from outside our district. Amazingly, two researchers who moved into the area from elsewhere discovered they had ancestors from Bromyard, it is said that we tend to go back to our roots! We ended the day at 4pm absolutely exhausted but very pleased and satisfied that we were able to help so many people. The researchers on the day were so happy that they have promised to return as soon as they can to find out more about their roots. The day was such a success that we will be holding another Open Day next Spring, so watch this space! In the meantime, the research room at the Local & Family History Centre is open every Thursday & Friday 10am – 4.30pm (closed 1pm-2pm for lunch) and Saturday 10am – 12.30pm. Our volunteers are always on hand to help. There is no fixed charge except for printouts but donations are very much welcome to keep us going. We have no public funding but rely on fundraising, members subsciptions and donations from the public.
On Thursday 29th August our Chairman Alex Hoyle died suddenly whilst out cycling aged only sixty six years old. This news came as a terrible shock to us all. Alex Hoyle and his wife Joy moved to Herefordshire in 1998. They rented a cottage in Burley Gate for several months whilst waiting to occupy Wootton Farm in Pencombe. Alex’s background had been in the building trade. That was the start of a friendship with Barry and Erica Lawrence who introduced them to the Bromyard & District Local History Society about 2000. Alex joined the History Society at a time when the newly purchased History Centre was being adapted for our use. Members assisted with the decoration and there are photos of Alex, being tall, painting ceilings and many other tasks. Alex’s first term, of four as Chairman of the Society was in 2002 and he was in post when the History Centre was officially opened by the then Lord Lieutenant in May 2003 Alex was always willing to help friends and members alike. We worked as a team to try and ensure the efficient operation of all activities. Alex was very forgiving of some of the volunteers lack of computer expertise but was always patiently willing to assist. He was nominated to represent the History Society at a Royal Garden Party in 2021 but sadly because of Covid this did not take place. Alex was the welcoming face of the Society not only on the Reception Desk but in representing the Society at local and other events. His knowledge of anything technical and especially computers was wide ranging which resulted in the phrase “Ask Alex” being everyone’s first port of call. He treated everyone with respect and everyone respected him too. As well as being Chairman several times, he was also Chairman of publications, membership secretary, he ran the website and dealt with the online shop. He was chief clock winder for the society’s grandfather clock and general D.I.Y person. He was extremely caring and generous with his time. Alex did so much for everyone and will be most sorely missed not only by Society members but also by the many friends in the other activities in which he was involved. He has left such a huge hole and we couldn’t have wished for a better friend and colleague. It’s difficult to know how we will cope without you, you did so much and yours are big shoes to fill but we will do our best to keep up the good work. R.I.P
14th September, 2024 – Raffle draw with nibbles and wine This year our “summer raffle” turned out to be a “late summer or early autumn raffle” but was very well supported by members of the Society and the general public who visited the Centre or Shop. The main prize was a picnic basket of comestibles to the value of £100.00 which was won by Sue and John Lahiff. We also offered “consolation” prizes: second prize of chocolates and prosecco was won by Mike Field; third prize of a bottle of red wine was won by Stuart Anderson; fourth prize of a bottle of ginger wine went to Cliff Morris. The draw, as advertised on the tickets, took place over a glass of wine and nibbles, at the History Centre in Sherford Street; a very pleasant occasion. The BDLHS is very grateful for all the support from our members and the proceeds of over £500.00 will be a nice addition to our funds. A big thank you to all who took part in any capacity.
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