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Το περιεχόμενο παρέχεται από το Sheila Featherstone-Clark and friends and Sheila Featherstone-Clark. Όλο το περιεχόμενο podcast, συμπεριλαμβανομένων των επεισοδίων, των γραφικών και των περιγραφών podcast, μεταφορτώνεται και παρέχεται απευθείας από τον Sheila Featherstone-Clark and friends and Sheila Featherstone-Clark ή τον συνεργάτη της πλατφόρμας podcast. Εάν πιστεύετε ότι κάποιος χρησιμοποιεί το έργο σας που προστατεύεται από πνευματικά δικαιώματα χωρίς την άδειά σας, μπορείτε να ακολουθήσετε τη διαδικασία που περιγράφεται εδώ https://el.player.fm/legal.
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In the Shadow of the Abbey
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Manage series 2847884
Το περιεχόμενο παρέχεται από το Sheila Featherstone-Clark and friends and Sheila Featherstone-Clark. Όλο το περιεχόμενο podcast, συμπεριλαμβανομένων των επεισοδίων, των γραφικών και των περιγραφών podcast, μεταφορτώνεται και παρέχεται απευθείας από τον Sheila Featherstone-Clark and friends and Sheila Featherstone-Clark ή τον συνεργάτη της πλατφόρμας podcast. Εάν πιστεύετε ότι κάποιος χρησιμοποιεί το έργο σας που προστατεύεται από πνευματικά δικαιώματα χωρίς την άδειά σας, μπορείτε να ακολουθήσετε τη διαδικασία που περιγράφεται εδώ https://el.player.fm/legal.
Explores the unique history of Bisham Village, telling the story of those who lived in and around Bisham Abbey in Berkshire. Each episode recounts the history, a personal story or the impact of an event; based on interviews with people who lived here all their lives, local knowledge and documents from the last 300 years. The War Years episodes recount life in the village after the Great War from 1918-1924 based on the delightful Bisham Parish Reports. The Abbey History episodes tell the story of Bisham Abbey and the Vansittart Family who were the Lords of the Manor of Bisham for 200 years, they sold the whole village in 1965. The Village Stories, based on interviews with people who grew up in Bisham in the 1940s and 1950s, tell tales of ordinary families who lived in the shadow of the abbey. Researched and written by Sheila Featherstone-Clark.
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Manage series 2847884
Το περιεχόμενο παρέχεται από το Sheila Featherstone-Clark and friends and Sheila Featherstone-Clark. Όλο το περιεχόμενο podcast, συμπεριλαμβανομένων των επεισοδίων, των γραφικών και των περιγραφών podcast, μεταφορτώνεται και παρέχεται απευθείας από τον Sheila Featherstone-Clark and friends and Sheila Featherstone-Clark ή τον συνεργάτη της πλατφόρμας podcast. Εάν πιστεύετε ότι κάποιος χρησιμοποιεί το έργο σας που προστατεύεται από πνευματικά δικαιώματα χωρίς την άδειά σας, μπορείτε να ακολουθήσετε τη διαδικασία που περιγράφεται εδώ https://el.player.fm/legal.
Explores the unique history of Bisham Village, telling the story of those who lived in and around Bisham Abbey in Berkshire. Each episode recounts the history, a personal story or the impact of an event; based on interviews with people who lived here all their lives, local knowledge and documents from the last 300 years. The War Years episodes recount life in the village after the Great War from 1918-1924 based on the delightful Bisham Parish Reports. The Abbey History episodes tell the story of Bisham Abbey and the Vansittart Family who were the Lords of the Manor of Bisham for 200 years, they sold the whole village in 1965. The Village Stories, based on interviews with people who grew up in Bisham in the 1940s and 1950s, tell tales of ordinary families who lived in the shadow of the abbey. Researched and written by Sheila Featherstone-Clark.
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×This track guides you round the highlights of Bisham Church in 15 minutes. All Saints Bisham sits on the banks of the River Thames by an ancient river crossing with a clunch chalk Norman tower and significant extensions from 1566, 1849 and 1870. Enjoy the peaceful churchyard. The church was always linked with Bisham Abbey after the priory was demolished and the monastery closed. Home to the Knights Templar then three great families; Salisbury, Hoby and Vansittart for over 600 years. Bisham Abbey became the first national sports centre in 1946 and was sold 60 years ago in memory of the 2 heirs (Berkeley and Guy) killed in WWII. The spectacular Hoby monuments (featured in the Simon Jenkins book) contrast with the simple gunmetal of the Williams copper family and the tragedy of the Vansittarts. Investigate the stories hidden in the church. Longer tours are available via Bishamchurchfriends.org Written and narrated by Sheila Featherstone-Clark…
Audio description of the Creckett and Brinkhurst brasses in Bisham Church. Featuring Thomas Creckett a Fishmonger and John Brinkhurst a Merchant Venturer and local philanthropist. Part of a series of mini-pods for the church by Sheila Featherstone-Clark
Unexpected inheritance funds the co-operative movement, Henry and Florence finally marry, the opening of the Bisham institute, new road and profitable development for wealthy residents. On November 4th 1885, 200 people attended GHVN the younger’s funeral at Bisham Church. He left £52,000 pounds and the Bisham estate to his cousin Edward. Was this Abbot Corderys curse at work? Edward Ernest was born in 1810. His father, Edward, was the second son of the then Lord of the manor, George Vansittart. Edward succeeded to his wife’s estate of Allesley Park near Coventry in 1805, he had taken the name Neale on inheriting the property. After her death he married again; Anne (nee Spooner) and produced Edward Ernest in 1810 followed by 7 girls. In 1825 Edward became a trustee of the Bisham estate, on his brother’s death, because his heir, George Henry Vansittart the Younger, his grandson, was only a minor. Edward Ernest went to Oriel College Oxford. In 1828 he started practicing as a barrister and in 1837 he married Frances Sarah Farrer. Edward Ernest believed passionately in ‘the inestimable value of co-operation as a method for conferring inestimable advantages upon mankind’ (Smith, 1892). In 1850 he became a Christian Socialist, along with others such as John Stuart Mill and John Ruskin. By the 1850s Edward had lost some £40,000. Edward Vansittart Neale is Nationally recognised as the founding father of the Co-operative movement. The key role he played in its establishment is acknowledged in a memorial to him in the crypt of St Pauls Cathedral . Inheriting the Bisham Estate in 1885 provided an unexpected source of funds to support his favoured co-operative movement. Edward started to sell off parts of the estate. In May 1888 he gave the inaugural address at Dewsbury as president of the Co-operative Congress. Henry James, Edward’s son, had had to curtail his plans University in favour of getting paid employment at the Admiralty to support his mother and sisters who were secondary to his father’s co-operative endeavours. He married Florence, the daughter of Arthur Eddis a County Court Judge in 1887 Edward founded the Village Club and Institute, giving the land contributing towards the building which opened in November 1888. The estate cottages were upgraded around 1890. However Edward increased the rents significantly. He proposed building a new road from Bisham to Cookham to replace the track, from Bisham road through Quarry Wood. The charming terraces in the wood which command some of the most lovely scenery along the valley of the Thames, will be obtainable for building purposes . Henry James and Florence took an increasingly active part in village life. Edward had broken the terms of the entail shortly before he died in September 16th 1892, to pass the estate to his wife Frances for life, to try to limit death duties. She died two years later in 1894. “ I was willing to incur the risk of loss from the desire to promote a great cause and 2. The ill success of these trials did not discourage me from working for that cause” He propounded a scheme for converting the most beautiful parts of his estate into places suitable for wealthy residents , Margaret Dickinson, credits him with beginning the dissolution of the Bisham estate. Country Life ' if the inhabitants of Bisham well cared for, living in one of the oldest, most charming and picturesque villages of rural England, are not among the most contented and happiest of people it must be their own fault.’ Researched, written and narrated by Sheila Featherstone-Clark. Sounds from Freesound.org.…
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In the Shadow of the Abbey
The turnpike the train and the bridge, MP for the pocket borough of Bisham, ghostly copybooks? Victorian Gothic makeover and new chapel for the Church, selling land to fund lavish lifestyles . George Henry the Younger was the first Vansittart heir to be born at Bisham, the Estate comprised 1800 acres the landscape was changing with new modes of transport. The Hatfield to Reading Turnpike came through Bisham. From 1826 to 1881, the Marlow Flier offered a twice daily coach service to London in only 3 hours. In 1832 Tierney Clark designed a new stone suspension bridge across the Thames. The Wycombe Railway Company opened the line as far as High Wycombe on 1st August 1854 via Wycombe Junction and Cookham. During George Henrys minority, the estate was run by the trustees. The Abbey was leased to his aunt Caroline and her husband Augustus East. The guardian of the 2 young boys (George Henry and Augustus Arthur) was Henry Windsor the 8th Earl of Plymouth. In 1840, faded blotted copy books were found. Were these the books from the story of Lady Hoby whose ghost walks through the great hall. GHV took over the running of the Bisham estate in 1844. Trees for timber, osier beds provided willow. The 4 farms: provided wheat, barley and oats and pasture for the animals. In March 1845 GHV became deputy lieutenant of Berkshire. Bisham Church had a Victorian Gothic makeover and the Williams Chapel was built at a cost of £2000, funded by Owen Willams of Temple House. The memorials in this chapel are all of copper. In Dec 1851 GH married Catherine Elizabeth Steuart (b 1828) from Scotland and in July 1852 he became MP for Berkshire.‘ the parishes of Great and Little Marlow, Medmenham and Bisham made up the Borough of Marlow, .., the Squire of Bisham exercised a powerful influence in the result. Indeed Bisham was generally regarded as the key to the borough .’ George Henry created a road to the railway station at Cookham. In June 1855 he instructed Messrs Rolls to sell 3 miles of valuable FISHERY, And twelve Lots of Valuable FREEHOLD BUILDING GROUND for Residences of a superior class and enjoy a right of way to the river for mooring their skiffs or fishing punts but not for trading purposes. In May 1857 George Henry’s brother Augustus Arthur married the Hon Rachel Irby. A further Building plot Sale held at the Compleat Anglers Hotel in Bisham ( owned by the Wethered family) in 1858, delightfully situated on the bank of the Thames at Bisham, close to the beautiful suspension bridge. Oct 1858 Bisham Church choir concert under the direction of the vicar (Powell) with all first and second class seats being full . The Royal East Berks Agricultural association held their annual Ploughing match at Park farm on 5th Oct 1858. 40 teams entered. At Christmas 1860 a ball was given for 200 of the elite of Berkshire and the Abbey was illuminated with gas from the works erected on the estate. The hall is lighted up with a very handsome chandelier throwing out jets of gas forming stars. In August, Bisham School held their annual festival in the Bisham Abbey Park. In 1867 the businessmen of Great Marlow partly funded a railway linking Great Marlow to the GWR Wycombe branch. The line opened on in 1873, known as the Marlow Donkey . 1874– George Henry’s mother, Ann Mary, and his wife, Katherine died. George Henry married Constance Charlotte Craven age 38 in 1876, producing only a daughter who died young. On the death of George Henry in 1885, the Bisham estate passed via his uncle, the Revd Edward Neale. Edward Ernest inherited the estate aged 75. Episode researched, written and narrated by Sheila Featherstone-Clark. Image is the Great Hall, Bisham. Sound effects from Freesound.org…
Daring merchant adventurers seize the day. East India Company fortunes save Berkshire as the Nabobs arrive. Georgian lavish lifestyle contrasts with fighting in France threatening the succession The time of the Hoby family at Bisham Abbey ended in 1780 with the death of Sir John Hoby Mill the 5th Hoby baronet of Bisham. The succession had faltered and finally failed. Sir John’s widow, Lady Elizabeth Hoby Mill sold the estate to George Vansittart. The VanSittarts were originally of Dutch extraction, Peter, had migrated from Danzig to London in 1670 to found the English branch of the family. He was a remarkable linguist, a merchant adventurer and was said to be a man of ‘daring and enterprise in the East Indies, the South Seas, Russia and the Baltic’ . Arthur Vansittart was a successful merchant and director of the Russia Company until he retired in 1722 and married Martha Stonhouse, daughter of the comptroller to the household of Queen Ann and together they had 9 children. It was Arthur’s sixth and youngest son, who acquired the Bisham estate. George married his cousin Sara Stonhouse in Bengal in October 1767 and by 1772 he was Chief of Revenue in Patna and a member of the Board of Trade. His brother Henry had returned again to England in 1765, bought the Foxley estate at Bray and Reading Abbey and had been elected MP for Reading. However his lavish lifestyle drained all his money within two years so he was keen to return to India. George gave Bisham a lavish makeover including chimneys, ceilings and armorials in the great hall. Including the purchase of a beautiful John Lee wall clock to hang over the fireplace in the Great Hall. It seems to have been a happy settled life at Bisham. George and Sara had eight children; their 5 sons all had distinguished careers. He declared himself happy as a country gentleman but in 1784 he successfully contested the Berkshire seat in parliament. George Henry Vansittart (1768 -1824) his eldest son married late in life and on 29th October 1818, age 50, he married Ann Mary Copson age 22, the daughter and co-heiress of Thomas Copson of Sheppey Hall. Three years later, in July 1821, in peacetime, he gained the top rank of General (RBWM exhib) in the Berkshire Militia. George Henry was expected to inherit the Bisham estate, however he died in 1824, a year before his father, leaving Ann aged only 26 with their infant son George Henry Vansittart the Younger (1823–1885), and pregnant with their second son. Was the curse of Abbott Cordery now playing out for the Vansittarts? The Bisham Estate passed to the infant George Henry Vansittart ( the younger ) (1823–1885) on the death of his grandfather 1825. Episode researched, written and narrated by Sheila Featherstone-Clark Sounds effects from Freesound.org. Image is The East India Company’s Coat of Arms…
The shape of the village and tudor brickmaking, From parliament to the church, illegitimacy saves the day, the start and end of the Hoby Baronetcy of Bisham, the succession finally falters and fails. The Bisham estate passed to Edward and Thomas Posthumous Hobye, in 1609, a map of the estate was drawn up. The outline of the village is still similar today, on the road to Marlow and Maidenhead. Brick field identifies where bricks were be made for the new dwellings in the 1600s. Itinerant brickmakers were hired to excavate, mould, dry, fire and deliver bricks. English cross-bond was popular as it allowed the bricklayers to create patterns, specially shaped bricks could be made. Called ‘hewing’, this practice was introduced by Flemish craftsmen during the 15th century and required great skill. Sir Edward was another Hobye scholar, from Trinity college Oxford, under the patronage of his uncle, undertaking confidential missions for Queen Elizabeth. Lord Burghley arranged his marriage in (1582) to the Queens cousin Margaret Carey, and took him to Scotland, where he impressed King James VI with his affability and learning. By September 1586 he was MP for Queenborough (on the Isle of Sheppey in Kent) and gained distinction as the Speaker in Parliament. He regained favour with Queen Elizabeth and reported to her on the defence preparations for the Spanish Armada. However his attempts to reform the exchequer were not well received by the Queen as they challenged the royal prerogative. In 1601 he was placed in charge of the parliamentary privileges committee, accompanied the expedition to Cadiz, Spain in 1596 and in 1597, he was made constable of Queenborough Castle. A Justice of the Peace, he was elected a knight of the shire for Berkshire and Kent. Reputedly he entertained King James frequently at Bisham. Sir Edward died without a living son. He recognised and brought up an illegitimate son by his lover Catherine Pinckney. In 1616, Peregrine Hoby (aged 14) was named his heir. Sir Edward died in March 1617. Was this the curse of Abbot Cordery at work? Under English Law, a bastard could not inherit real property, thus Peregrine could not inherit his father’s title. Peregrine was accepted by society and followed in his father’s footsteps, MP (Royalist) for Great Marlow, serving in the Long Parliament and was given leave to use his father’s arms, with a bordure . Later he became MP for Rochester, and a favourite of King James I. Peregrine’s son Edward married Elizabeth Styles, the co-heiress of Francis Styles of Little Missenden and his daughter Mary married William Fleetwoode of Great Missenden in 1654 at Bisham. The Hoby Baronetcy was a new title, created in 1666 by Charles II for Edward Hoby Peregrine’s son . Unfortunately Edward died and was buried on the 1st May 1675 at Bisham, just before his father, so the succession passed to his younger surviving brother, Sir John who married Mary Long, daughter and heiress of Thomas Long. Sir Thomas (1685-1730) was the next heir. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Sir John Mill and produced another Thomas, MP for Marlow, the succession passed to his younger brother, the Revd Sir Philip Dean of Ardfert ( Ireland) the last Hoby baronet, number 5, commemorated on a stone plaque in the Hoby chapel of Bisham Church. Sir John Mill 1st cousin inherited the estate in 1766 on condition that he took the name of Hoby. He died in July 1780 and his wife sold the estate that year ending the era of the Hoby family at Bisham after 200 years. Episode researched, written and narrated by Sheila Featherstone-Clark. Image is Edward Hoby from David Nash Berkshire History…
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In the Shadow of the Abbey
Haunting the Abbey, nearly a countess, Pomp and ceremony for Queen Elizabeth in the Royal Progress, no chance for Shakespeare’s Globe and the Dowager's Magnificent monuments. Elizabeth Cooke had married Sir Thomas Hobbye on 27 June 1558. In 1565, following his death in Paris where he was the ambassador, Lady Hoby returned to Bisham to bury her husband and to give birth to a fourth child, Thomas Posthumous. The ghost of Lady Hoby is said to walk through the Great Hall at Bisham Abbey. She is rumoured to have mistreated her young son William… he was found dead in the tower room. Lady Hobye was distraught and is said to haunt the Abbey to this day, walking through the great hall wringing her hands. She particularly appears around a royal coronation, suggesting her guilt of choosing her sovereign over her son. The two girls died young, Elizabeth Hobbey (spelling as per register) died on 17th Feb 1572 aged 9 and her sister Agnis on 24th Feb aged 7. Grief stricken, Lady Hobye decided to build a burial chapel, a large extension on the south side of Bisham Church. William Cure was commissioned to create a fine life-sized monument of her husband Thomas and his half-brother Philip in Italian alabaster. Two worthye knights, and Hobies bothe by name, Lady Elizabeth married again at Bisham Church. The Right Honourable Lorde John Russell and the Renoumbed Lady Elizabeth Hobbey married 23rd December 1574 . He was heir to 2nd Earl of Bedford. Lady Russell fought a long legal battle to have her daughters recognised as his heiresses, after his death and designed a memorial in Westminster Abbey, showing him reclining in his red ermine-lined Parliamentary robes with their daughters holding the Bedford crest above him. Lady Russell became a powerful widow and courtier, a devout Protestant, she controlled the inheritance of her 2 younger sons. Edward Hobye (b1560),married Margaret Carey, the daughter of Queen Elizabeth I’s cousin, Lord Hunsdon on 21 May 1582. September 1592 Queen Elizabeth visited Lady Russell at Bisham Abbey, Lady Elizabeth loved pomp and ceremony and she mounted a very elaborate pageant starting at the top of ‘Bissam Hill’, featuring herself and her daughter Anne as Sybilla and Isabella, two virgins keeping sheep. This was the first occasion on which English noblewomen took speaking parts in a quasi-dramatic production. (Jayne Elisabeth Archer, 2014, p. Ch 11) Elizabeth petitioned the queen to refuse the building of the Globe Theatre in 1596 and engaged in various litigation including with Richard Lovelace at Hurley. Her younger son, Thomas Posthumous was said to be the inspiration for Shakespeare’s Malvolio in Twelfth Night. His wife, Margaret Hoby’s diary covers the workings of a puritan household 1599 – 1605 and is the earliest diary written in English by a woman. She was an heiress in Hackness. The Dowager Lady Elizabeth Hobye Russell demonstrated her reputation as a talented scholar of classics in the translation of a religious book Way of Reconciliation of a Good and learned man, in her own name . Lady Elizabeth Hobye planned her funeral herself to ensure it was suitable. She designed another spectacular monument in Alabaster marble, in which she is the matriarch wearing a countess’s coronet, positioned under a canopy in the burial chapel, with her children around her. This monument is more ornate than those she designed for her husbands; all the inscriptions are written by herself. Elizabeth Hobye Russell was buried at Bisham on 2nd June 1609 aged 81. Episode researched, written and narrated by Sheila Featherstone-Clark Image is Lady Hobyes's memorial. Sound effects from Freesound.org.…
The Hobbyes come to Bisham. Sir Philip, the King and the Stonor connection, Sir Thomas, the Courtier and the wedding, Princess Elizabeth under arrest. Religious turmoil. Diplomacy after death. Sir Philip Hobbye took over the Bisham estate in 1553 . In consideration of the good time and faithful service and council to us by our beloved councillor Philip Hobbye, Knight Do give and grant to the aforesaid the site of the late monastery of Bysham otherwise Bustlesham = Montague in the county of Berks. Sir Philip had been undertaking important work on behalf of Henry VIII since 1536, he married Elizabeth Stonor in 1540, part of Catherine Parr’s inner circle and daughter of Sir Walter Stonor, ; this marriage created a local family connection that was to last for generations. Sir Philip had been knighted in 1544 and made Master-General of Ordinance in 1547. He initiated significant building work at Bisham in 1556/7. It seems that the tombs of the Earls of Salisbury had also been demolished along with the priory. The work at Bisham was undertaken to the highest quality and the workmen included Flemish bricklayers, who were considered superior to the English. The new building included rooms added on the south side of the hall and in 1560, a turret on the north side at the heart of the Abbey with a Newel Staircase. A large oriel window was constructed on the solar, later the council chamber (now known as the Elizabethan room) used by Princess Elizabeth whilst she was under house arrest at Bisham from 1556 - 1558. The Flemish tapestries in the great Hall were cut up. Sir Philip died in Blackfriars on 31 May 1558 His heir was his much younger half-brother, Thomas Hobye (1530 – 1566) 25 years his junior, who was also learned and well-travelled. He had been presented at court in 1550 and joined the service of the Marquis of Northampton undertaking missions to Paris and Italy. On inheriting the Bisham Estate. Sir Thomas wasted no time; he married Elizabeth Cooke on 27 June 1558 at Bisham Church, just 3 weeks after his brother’s death. Her father, Sir Anthony Cooke of Gidea Park Romford was tutor to Edward V1. Elizabeth Cooke was highly educated, which was unusual for a woman at that time. It was the new Lady Elizabeth Hobye (b 1528 ) who was to ensure the family left an enduring legacy. Thomas is known for his translation, from Italian, of Baldessare Castiglione's book, ' II Cortegiano’ , which laid out his vision of the ideal gentleman and lady, The Book of the Courtier ran to 4 editions when finally published in English in 1561 and a diary entitled Travels and life of Sir Thomas Hoby Kt of Bisham Abbey, written by himself 1547 – 1564, bound in red leather, which is now held in the British Museum. Princess Elizabeth spent nearly 3 years living in Bisham Abbey . As Elizabeth I she returned the country to the Church of England. The Hobyes at Bisham were Protestants and thus avoided the religious persecution that was the fate of many local catholic families such as the Brinkhursts. In March 1566 Thomas was knighted at Greenwich and became the English Ambassador to France and went to Paris with his wife and 3 children. He died in July that year, aged only 36. Lady Elizabeth had to organise the return of the household to Bisham, whilst pregnant with another son who was to be called Thomas Posthumous as he was born after his father’s death (1566 – 1640). The Worshipfull Mr Thomas Hobbey Knight was buried at Bisham on 3rd September 1565. Two worthye knights, and Hobies bothe by name Enclosed within this marble stone do rest Episode researched, written and narrated by Sheila Featherstone-Clark Sounds effects from Freesound.org. Image is Sir Philip's memorial…
In remembrance of Henry James Vansittart Neale KCB, Lord of the Manor of Bisham, lover of the river, deeply involved in his village community with a sense of duty and service, remembered by Reverend Farrer, for 25 years his parson and friend. Revd William Farrer had been appointed vicar of Bisham by Henry Vansittart Neale in June 1900. He followed Revd Powell who had been vicar there for over 51 years. However it is possible that they knew each other for longer than this as they were distantly related. William and Henry both shared a love of the river as rowers and created a bond between them making a strong team. It is fitting for him to reflect on Sir Henry at this point. When I was about to issue my letter last May we had just heard that Sir Henry had been taken ill in London and I added a postscript expressing our sorrow and anxiety and hopes for his recovery. Our hopes and prayers were not to be fulfilled and he died on Sunday July 15th 1923. It is impossible to say at all adequately what his loss means to us all. I must endeavour to place on record here a slight remembrance of him. He succeeded his father as the owner of Bisham Abbey in 1892. Henry had married Florence Eddis, the daughter of a county court judge in 1887 when he could afford a reasonable marriage settlement. They were a happy family deeply involved in the village and with 3 children, the succession looked secure. Tragically, in 1904 George Kenneth died whilst as school at Eton, he was aged 14. Mr Vansittart Neale had the decoration of CB conferred on him in the year of 1897 the diamond Jubilee year of Queen Victoria and a few years later he was promoted to KCB (Knight Commander of the Bath) The honour was given in recognition of the” ability and success” with which he discharged his duties at the Admiralty during 40 years. Everyone around Bisham and Marlow was proud to call him Sir Henry. In him the Maidenhead Advertiser wrote, ‘the Parish of Bisham had a sincere and generous friend. He was a kind master and considerate landlord’. Such words applied to him seem to us only to need underlining. His religion was I believe the mainspring of his life. I can recollect how in his youth, when Sunday was his only free day he delighted when he could to spend it on the river and that he always made attendance at Church part of the days programme. Sir Henry will be greatly missed in Bisham and Marlow. A kindly and generous squire he was regarded with feelings of deep affection and regard throughout the district. The funeral took place at Bisham Church on Thursday 19th July 1923. The church was filled not with onlookers but with mourners who all felt they were parting from one who had done much to brighten and uplift the lives of very many. The Admiralty sent a Union Jack by special Kings Messenger to cover the coffin, the pair of sculls laid alongside the grave a token of his lifelong love of the river and of his sculling boat. A plaque on the wall in the church records his passing. Revd Farrer took the funeral service of his long time friend and squire, then retired to the Cottage at Hurley until his death in 1934, aged 83. He too is buried in the Churchyard at Bisham and has a plaque on the wall in the church. The villagers of Bisham were long to remember, Sir Henry, the squire and Revd Farrer, his parson. This is the final episode of this section . Episode researched, written and narrated by Sheila Featherstone-Clark based on The Bisham Parish Report of May 1924 and local newspaper cuttings. Revd Farrer is voiced by Nigel Greenwich. Sound effects from www.Freesound.org. Church bells. Episode image is an old etching of Bisham Abbey, by Thomas C Farrer…
New regime at the school, Mrs Young’s Guinea prize, wireless lessons, new houses built, the tin shed appears, Women’s Institute fete plan, Miss Phyllis steps up and Farewell to Sir Henry Writing my 25th Annual Letter reminds me that a quarter of a century has passed since I came here as Vicar. I sometimes look back at those letters, and they call to mind many events of interest in our Parish history as well as the events in the wider world during those 25 years. One event overshadows all others in our Parish story, namely the death of Sir Henry Vansittart Neale. I am printing an in memoriam notice of him. With the death of Sir Henry, I asked Mr Young to take his place as Vicar’s Churchwarden and he kindly consented to take the office . On Easter Day the number of communicants remained at 104. The Offertories fell from £114 to £88. This is accounted for as I stated at the Church Meeting mainly by the loss of Sir Henry's weekly contribution and also by the Abbey, Temple House and Stoney Ware and other big houses being empty or inhabited by Gallios. The school was working very happily and earned the commendation of a legion of inspectors . However changes were being made in schools based on the Education Act of 1921 . We were therefore, with much regret, obliged to part with Mrs Butler and Miss Sylvia Arnold, who had both been working in our school for a number of years and had done good work in the teaching of Infants and younger children. “A very interesting development has taken place in the form of lessons given by wireless. Each Friday afternoon since Easter a lesson has been given and notes have been taken by the children on music, Shakespeare, Nature Study etc . The Bishops Prize was awarded to Phyllis House, Alice Webb being a good second. The school Football Competition was won by the ‘Crusaders’, Ernest Scrace being Captain and the Cricket Club victors were the ‘Spartans’ captained by Frank Towers. Mrs Young very kindly gave a prize of a guinea for the ‘best boy and best girl’, the boys to choose the boy and the girls to choose the girl; 10s and 6d for each. The children entered into the election very keenly The School Treat was held in the Warren on July 29th and games and races and trips in a launch on a lovely afternoon were much enjoyed.” A tin shed was erected in the Parish Ground between the Churchyard and Stoney Ware. “It is not beautiful and it is to be hoped it will not be useful. The less said about it the better.” Miss Phyllis Vansitart Neale became District Commissioner of the Maidenhead Division of Girl Guides and Captain of the Marlow Company of Girl Guides. The main news was the death of Sir Henry. He died at the vicarage at Ware and was brought back to Bisham. “It is impossible to say adequately what his loss means to us all. The Maidenhead Advertiser wrote: the parish of Bisham had a sincere and generous friend, he was a kind master and a considerate landlord, a well-loved squire ” This was the last Bisham Newletter written by William Farrer, he moved to The Cottage at Hurley, where he lived until he died in November 1934 aged 83. Episode researched, written and narrated by Sheila Featherstone-Clark based on The Bisham Parish Report of May 1923. Revd W Farrer is voiced by Nigel Greenwich. Photo is of Sir Henry with family and friends, in the Abbey grounds in 1922. Sound effects from www.Freesound.org. Bell ringing, Handbell for the school etc.…
General election landslide, Church heating crisis, death of old friends, sale of the cricket pavillion, monitoring the weather and the registers, early close for the school and successful inspections. (note the Bisham Parish Report from 1922 is missing) My dear friends, this is my twenty-fourth Parish Letter and report and I may for a change, begin with an expression of thanks to all who help the Church and Parish with subscriptions and in other ways. Perhaps some will read the beginning of the letter and thus see that their help is appreciated, who may not find the letter sufficiently interesting to read to the end. Mr Somerville was returned for our division of Berkshire by one of the largest majorities in England, and he did not indulge in piecrust promises. ( he served until 1942) Mr Young kindly undertook to have the Church heating system examined. This was done and the engineers reported that the whole system was bad and that it would cost £300 or £400. Later in the year Mr Edward Marson very generously offered to give the Church a new boiler . This offer was gratefully accepted from his executors. Death of Colonel Frank Wethered. “ He died in Tenerife in August, his energetic work for the Volunteers and Territorials will not soon be forgotten ”. Such men can ill be spared . The Wethered family owned the brewery in Marlow and provided employment for many people. Also Mrs Young will be missed. A confirmation service was held at Bisham on February 16th 1923, for the first time since 1914, Revd Farrer had expressed his hope for a confirmation service in his last letter. Bishop Shaw confirmed 23 candidates 13 boys and 10 girls, and 8 from Stubbings. T he year ended with a balance in hand in the general account, £ 2-19-10 spent on gas mantles and £20-18-0 on concreting the lychgate. All would agree, the less we have to talk about money in church the better. “ The sword of St Michael (on the War Tablet) was broken by some careless person one day early in September. It has been replaced, but no one yet has offered to pay the bill. ” The Summer of 1922 was most disappointing . Towards the end of May we enjoyed some really hot days and on the 22nd bathing began. Two or three boys swam across the river and over 20 were learning. The temperature and rainfall have been recorded by the school children during the year: their rainfall total was 24.58 inches, agreeing very closely with the Vicarage total. It necessary to close the school a week earlier than usual in Summer 1922, as attendance had fallen as low as 44 due to the prevalence of measles. Measles, scarlet fever, diphtheria and whooping cough were the common childhood diseases and they were killers. The number on the school books in April 1923 was a healthy 129 and Nora Ellis, the youngest of 7 sisters in Plumtree Cottage, was the winner of the Bishop’s essay prize. PS “ Since this letter was written, news reached us that Sir Henry was very seriously ill. On Sunday the 6th May he read the Lessons as usual, so the sad news was quite unexpected . The sympathy and prayers of all in Bisham are with him at this time, and also with Lady Vansittart Neale in her anxiety ”. Episode researched, written and narrated by Sheila Featherstone-Clark based on The Bisham Parish Report of May 1923. Revd W Farrer is voiced by Nigel Greenwich Photo is of Bisham Vicarage from the churchyard. Sound effects from www.Freesound.org. Bell ringing, Handbell for the school etc.…
The Abbots curse, Margaret’s dovecote, the spring bird, the Brinkhurst brasses. Why Anne of Cleves did not want to live at Bisham and Sir Philip Hobbye did. Bisham Abbey is well known as a National Sports Centre ; however its historical importance is more impressive. It was originally part of the Bisham Estate which was dismantled in 1965. This included the Abbey, the village and land situated around a shallow crossing point on the River Thames; now known as Bondig’s Bank, named after the Saxon lord who owned the land. In the Domesday Book of 1086, this area was recorded as Bisteham, owned by Henry de Ferrars. The building known as Bisham Abbey became a fortified monastery, and by 1260, was a base of the powerful Knights Templar who built the Abbey. In the 1300s King Edward II granted Bisham to the powerful Montacute family, the Earls of Salisbury. They established the priory of Austin Canons in 1337. This family was to remain at Bisham for around 200 years. They were wealthy, and very influential, owning significant lands and the right to levy tolls for the repair of Marlow Bridge. There is a spring, which folk legend suggested was holy and had miraculous properties which could cure blindness. Pilgrims came from far afield to take its waters and to pet the tame bird that lived there. The wealthiest and most powerful English peer of the time (mid 1400s) was a Salisbury, Richard Neville, also known as Warwick the Kingmaker, is buried at Bisham, although the exact location is not known. Henry Viii often hunted in the local woods to escape “the small-pox and measles but also the great sickness” ( the plague ) and Margaret, Countess of Salisbury was a good friend of Catherine of Aragon ( Henrys first wife ). Margaret was responsible for building the circular dovecote with the revolving ladder which still stands today at Bisham. (anon, n.d.) After the break with Rome and the change to Protestantism, Margaret remained a staunch catholic, King Henry executed her son in 1538 and she was sent to the Tower, where two years later, in May 1541 she too was executed, refusing to kneel as a true Plantagenet (anon, n.d.). She was honoured by the Roman Catholic Church, Blessed Margaret Salisbury – the Saint of Bisham. Henry intended Bisham to be a place for prayers to be said for the soul of his late, loved Queen, Jane Seymour, who died in 1537. Thomas Cromwell, Henry’s first minister, closed Bisham Priory six months later on June 19th 1538. The last Abbot, John Cordery, set a curse on the property which was to hang over future owners. " As God is my witness, this property shall ne’er be inherited by two direct successors, for its sons will be hounded by misfortune " Listen to more of the abbey history episodes to find out what happened to the succession. Henry gave Bisham (including Temple Mills) to his fourth wife Anne of Cleves as part of her divorce settlement in 1540. However she petitioned him to allow her to swap it for a rural, religious property in Suffolk (Westhorpe) that had been surrendered to Henry but granted to Sir Philip Hobbye, a trusted courtier. John Brinkhurst of Temple Mill endowed the almshouses in Oxford Road, Marlow with places for 2 Bisham widows of good character who had lived in the parish for at least 5 years. The brasses in Bisham Church commemorate him and his wives. The transfer of Bisham was finally completed in 1554, Edward VI’s reign, and Sir Philip Hoby (Hobbye) took possession of an estate that was to remain in his family until 1780. Episode researched, written and narrated by Sheila Featherstone-Clark based on articles in the Berkshire archives. Image is the Dovecote and Bisham Abbey taken by Geoff Griffiths…
I
In the Shadow of the Abbey
Burial of the unknown soldier, Bisham Memorial Tablet unveiled, start of the school bus from Hurley, carving class delivers, no bathing in July. Life was taking longer than expected to get back to normal; “ In my last letter I referred to the difficulties and anxieties which the years of war had caused, and which had still to be faced with patience and courage. Our hopes that the troubled sea would calm down have not yet been fulfilled. The past year has been marked by a sad prevalence of doubts, disputes, distractions and fears”. November 1920 was the burial of the unknown soldier in London, intended to focus the grief of the nation. At 10.50 on November 11th, the gun carriage carrying the casket reached the Cenotaph, newly built in Portland stone. The King added a handwritten note ‘ in proud memory of those who died unknown in the Great War. As unknown and yet well-known; as dying and behold they live. George R I November 11th 1920 . Reverend Farrer records “ Meanwhile our parish life has been of the happy kind that has no history. The chief event in our Parish was the completion of our War Memorial in the Church.” The Memorial Tablet and the Altar Rails were erected in time for the dedication service. “ It is a matter of deep satisfaction to us all that we have been able to commemorate those whose names are inscribed upon it in such a handsome and worthy form .” Sixteen names were inscribed. All who have seen the Memorial with the names so clearly written in letters of gold and the beautiful figures of St Michael and St George on either side are unanimous in their admiration of Mr Cogswell’s design. The tablet itself cost £306-6-0, the rent on George Harding’s house for a year was £14-0-0. In the School the chief change was, “ The decision of the Berkshire Education Committee to send children from Hurley to our school. Some 20 children are conveyed from and to Hurley by motor car daily. We received a most generous gift of money for a Treat for the school children at Christmas. The gift was very much appreciated and the children had a very happy evening. The Women’s Institute had a very successful first year, the meetings were well attended and were very popular. “ The Carving Class in the Church was held about 30 times and Mr A. Ellis and Mr Jones kindly helped me on those evenings. The attendance was lowered by the counter attraction of the billiard table at the Institute. ” The Billiard Table and the New Room and Cloak Rooms added greatly to the attraction of the Club. The rainfall for 1920 was 3 inches below the average of 25.03 inches. July was very wet and cold 5.46 was the fall in the month. The cold weather made bathing unpopular. The football club had a very successful season, the games have been well contested and much enjoyed . Episode researched, written and narrated by Sheila Featherstone-Clark based on The Bisham Parish Report of May 1921. Revd W Farrer is voiced by Nigel Greenwich. Episode Image is the War Memorial Tablet in Bisham Church. Sound effects from www.Freesound.org. Last Post (MIDI Bugle by Neville Young) Organ playing (FK_Prod), Handbell for the school (Webbfilmsuk) , cricket match (Oroboros). The War Years music is Shine by Herb Wiedoeft and the Cinderella Roof Orchestra from 1923.…
The first 2 minutes silence, Women’s Institute comes to Bisham, football club success, Expansion of the Bisham Institute New Billiard table and ladies join club. Revd Farrer reflected on Winter 1919 in his report of May 1920. " It was a great pleasure to Mrs Farrer and myself to welcome once again the members of our Choir to a dinner at the Vicarage in the Autumn " The choir was in good voice at that time and comprised around 15 people including both Frederick and George Harding. The Farrers were involved in all aspects of the village life and entertaining at the vicarage was a key part of that. Victorian vicarages were built with this in mind. 1919 was the first formal Remembrance Day. 11th November at 11am. "All locomotion should cease, so that, in perfect stillness, the thoughts of everyone may be concentrated on reverent remembrance of the glorious dead." It was reported that everything and everyone stopped: The minutiae of everyday life ceased completely The Times “a great awful silence”. There had been no instructions about where people should observe the silence most chose to go outdoors to stand silently in a public place. Lady V-VN 11 November 1919 2 min: silence Remembrance & Prayer at 11 a.m. Rang big bell. “Still to this day, the casualties and deaths in the First World War have not been surpassed for Britain, even in the Second World War. School was running well under the leadership of Mr Jones with around 100 pupils. Major and Mrs Faudel-Philips kindly invited the whole school to tea at Stoney Ware ( the riverside mansion ) at Christmas time. A Women’s Institute was started in Bisham. The programme was introduced by Mrs Paget at the Abbey on April 22 1920. Mrs Paget daughter of Sir Henry and Lady Florence who married Capt Paget – in the Abbey Wedding Episode . ”These Institutes have proved a great success in many places.” The rainfall for the year (1919) was 27’82, five inches in December. "The winter was a warm one, The cuckoo was heard as early as April 9th ten days earlier than usual.” “We congratulate the Football Club on winning the Wargrave Cup for the third time. The Bisham Club and Institute was established in 1888, in a building built on land given to the village by Edward Neale Esquire who became its first president . The society is a Working Man’s Club and shall be called the Bisham Club and Institute and its registered office shall be the Club-room, Bisham in the county of Bucks. The Menu for the inaugural Dinner .. We are happy to be able to hold this meeting in the new addition to the premises which we thank Sir Henry for having built and I hope it will prove a boon to the village. The membership has increased from 27 to 84. The Billiard Table presented by Sir Henry has proved a great asset to the Club. Revd Farrer reports that Major and Mrs Faudel-Philips were leaving Bisham. “With thanks of the Parish, together with my own, to all who help us in so many ways, and I must conclude this long letter.” I remain yours sincerely, W. Farrer Episode researched, written and narrated by Sheila Featherstone-Clark based on The Bisham Parish Report of May 1920. Revd W Farrer is voiced by Nigel Greenwich, George Harding is voiced by Derek Tydeman and Lady Vansittat-Neale by Shirley Jenkins-Pandya. Image is the programme for the Opening of the New Wing. Sound effects from www.Freesound.org. Bells , Handbell for the school, rain, celebration and coin. Series music is Shine by Herb Wiedorfd and the Cinderella Roof Orchestra…
Change in the Church, the Bishop visits, Peace Day festivities in the rain, design of the war memorial unveiled, and Bananas for the school treat. “I spoke last year of the noble way in which the men of Bisham answered the call of their country, and the service also of the women, the hardest perhaps of all being that of those whose duty it was to “stand and wait!” The strain fell on all in various degrees and now we have all to do our part in “building-up”. The present is a difficult and anxious time for us all. ” The waves of the storm which raged for 4 years cannot be expected to subside in a moment, or in a year, perhaps not in many years. Our business however is to ‘bear one another’s burdens’ and to ‘go forward’” The main events of the year took place in the summer of 1919 The passing of The Church of England Assembly Act in December 1919 was a significant event for the Church of England as the established church. As specified by the Act, an Electoral Roll of the congregation was duly made for Bisham. The initial Parish Church Council (PCC) was elected; some of the names may be familiar: Mr W Alloway, Mr Jerrams, Mrs Brown, Mr H.A Jones, Mrs Cook, Mrs Kelly, Mr W Ellis, Mr Harry Paine, Mrs W Farrer, Mrs H Randall, Mrs Harding, Mr Gilbert Shaw, Mr F Harding, Lady Vansittart Neale, Miss Vansittart Neale and the sidesmen: Mr G Harding, Mr W.G Jones and Mr Albert Paine. It is not surprising that the same village names occur in positions of responsibility. The Memorial Cross, erected by Lady Kelly, on a piece of ground given by the Vansittart Neale family at the corner of Temple Lane, was dedicated on June 18th 1919. This was not the official War Memorial which was to be in the church Peace Day was celebrated on Saturday July 19th 1919. Lady Florence wrote; Gloomy looking morning. Festivities all over England. In Bisham a Dinner was held for the soldiers and sailors. 70 were invited and “of the 46 attended, 32 were educated at Bisham School and we were not a little proud of our boys. Each guest was provided with an ounce of tobacco and a packet of cigarettes. A cricket match was played and swings were erected for the children. “Sports and tea went on all day with as many as 300 enjoying the happy reunion”. Rain fell gently during the afternoon which made it necessary to have tea and games and dancing in the school. Tea was held in relays of a hundred persons, and the fare consisted of bread and butter, jam sandwiches, cake, rock cakes, and buns. Over a hundred children were given a “Peace Mug” each as a souvenir. The cost of the celebrations was £66-6-10 which was more than covered by subscriptions to the Peace Day Fund. £114– 1-1 had been raised. A School Treat was given on July 24th 1919. The chief entertainment was an hour or two spent in boats and punts and a visit the Abbey. Tea and sport came later. The design for the war memorial tablet by Mr Cogswell was approved. It will be a “framework of alabaster against the Vestry wall, standing 6ft 9 in. in height and a tablet of black marble with the names of our 16 soldiers in white and gold. "I try to make this letter short without much success. There are so many subjects which require mention ." and you can hear more about this year in another episode Episode researched, written and narrated by Sheila Featherstone-Clark based on The Bisham Parish Report of May 1920. Revd W Farrer is voiced by Nigel Greenwich and Lady Vansittart Neale by Shirley Jenkins-Pandya. Image is All Saints Bisham Church in 2020 Sound effects downloaded from www.Freesound.org. including handbell, crowd noises, coin, cricket and monkeys. Details available. War Years music is Shine by Herb Wiedorf and the Cinderella Roof Orchestra from 1923…
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