Badsey (with Aldington) and Wickhamford
Parochial Magazine

1908

JANUARY

GEORGE HALFORD

In the death of George Halford, on Friday, November 29th, there passed to his rest one of those good old-fashioned Christians who know their Bibles and love their Church, and by the loss of whom we, as a Christian community, are so much the poorer. Preaching on "The Bible" on Sunday, December 8th, the Vicar said, "I stood by the bedside of the dying a few days ago, and the claims of the Bible were once more vindicated. We all profess to read our Bibles, but few read them to as good purpose as did George Halford, who passed away the other day. As you all know, he very seldom missed a Sunday morning service in this church so long as he could get about, and he was not an infrequent communicant. It was hardly then matter for surprise to find that when I recited the psalms and prayers of the Church at his bedside, although stricken with blindness, he was able to recite them with me, for he could truly say with the Psalmist, "Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage"; and so he passed to his rest full of confidence in those "exceeding great and precious promises".

JOHN HARDIMAN

We record with regret the death at Worcester of Mr John Hardiman, a former resident in Badsey, and a staunch supporter of the Parish Church. He was a member of the choir for some years, and also filled the position of Foreman Chimer at one period. In his capacity of village blacksmith th fitted most of the ironwork required at the time of the church restoration, which evidence of his handiwork will long remain. Since the re-hanging of the bells he has more than once paid a visit to assist in ringing, and the muffled peal given by the ringers from our belfry upon St Thomas' Day, the date of his funeral, was a fitting tribute of respect to his memory.

FEBRUARY

BEATRICE MATILDA LANE (NEE CARTER)

It was with very deep regret that we heard that Mrs Lane (nee Carter) had passed away on November 30th at the early age of 31. It was thus only by a few weeks that she survived her grandfather, the late Mr Edward Wilson, who had done so much for her in her childhood, and to whom she was so devoted. It will be fresh in the minds of many how that her marriage had taken place as recently as June 1906, when she left London for her new home in Birmingham, where she resided until her death. The greater part of her earlier life was spent in Badsey, and her memory will always be cherished by her many friends there. She will also be remembered as a devout and loyal member of the Church. She was patient, thoughtful, and ever ready to do all in her power to add to the comfort of others, and with such qualities she endeared herself to all who knew her.

RICHARD PENDLEBURY

In the death of Mr Pendlebury Badsey had indeed sustained a heavy loss. Whether we think of him as a churchman, or merely as a member of our little village community, he was one whom we could ill afford to spare. Any scheme or fund for the general good of Badsey and its people was always sure of Mr Pendlebury’s hearty sympathy and liberal support, although he was the last man in the world to lend his name to any undertaking just to curry favour or secure popularity, for he was honest and outspoken almost to a fault. As a churchman, too, he was earnest and sincere, and, though never a man to make a parade of his religion, he had the courage of his convictions, as might be seen from his coming forward for Confirmation when already well advanced in years. He was not only a regular church-goer, but also a regular communicant, and made his last communion only the Sunday before he passed away. The Vicar officiated at the funeral, which took place at Brooklands Cemetery, near Mancehster, on Friday, January 31st, and the ringers gave a muffled peal at Badsey.

JUNE

HENRY BYRD

Yet another familiar figure is lost to Badsey in the person of Mr Henry Byrd, who died on Saturday, May 23rd. Although Mr Byrd was for many years non-resident, he never severed his connection with Badsey, where he will long be remembered as one of the most considerate of landlords. The funeral, which was choral, took place on Wednesday, May 27th, a muffled peal being given by the ringers, several of whom were tenants under Mr Byrd.

AUGUST

WILLIAM PETHARD

Badsey’s death-roll for the past twelve months has indeed been heavy, and yet another name must now be added to it. Mr W Pethard, who had been a patient sufferer for a long time, passed peacefully away on Sunday morning, July 5th. Honest and straightforward in business, and generous in his support of every local enterprise, his death leaves a gap by no means easy to fill. The large assembly at his funeral, and the floral tributes from far and near, testified to the respect in which he was held both in the neighbourhood and also in Birmingham. It was a matter of very deep regret to the vicar that he was unable to officiate at the funeral.

OCTOBER

CHOIR EXCURSION—LONDON

By K. H.

On Monday, September 21st, the members the Parish Church choir, accompanied by a number of friends, left Badsey soon after five in the morning for the Franco-British Exhibition, and reached Paddington a little before nine. On arrival there the party divided, the men visiting Covent Garden, St. Paul's, Westminster Abbey, and other places of interest, and making their way to the White City in the afternoon. The boys, with the Vicar, Mr. Binyon, and Mr. Moisey, proceeded at once to Shepherd's Bush by train, with a view to devoting the whole day to the Exhibition.

To all who saw the White City for the first time it must have been a revelation, for nothing of the kind more beautiful or imposing could well be imagined. The stately buildings with their fretted work and pinnacles, the water winding gracefully in and out between them, the motor-boats gliding noiselessly by, the exquisite gardens laid out by such firms as Sutton and Carter, all combined to produce a wonderful effect. And yet, beautiful as was the scene by day, it was, if possible, still more wonderful by night when the whole 'city' was brilliantly illuminated, and the glass steps of the cascade in the Court of Honour were lit up from behind by coloured lights which imparted their ever, changing hues to the failing water. In the different 'palaces' the chief products of Great Britain, France, and the Colonies were shown to advantage, and the attendants were all most courteous in supplying information and answering questions. Those who have visited the White City know how utterly impossible it is to see everything in one day, but the Badsey boys saw about as much of the general exhibits as was possible with a thirteen-hour time limit, in addition to treating themselves to many of the side shows, such as the scenic railway, the various 'villages' and the firework display in the Stadium.

The 'flip-flap' was admired, but not patronised although strongly recommended by the authorities as a 'pick-me-up,' which it certainly is in one sense and may be, of course, in another. Lyons' Popular Cafe, where the catering is both, cheap and good, provided liberally for the wants of the inner man. A move was made for home about 10.45 p.m., Mr. Binyon organising a march from Shepherd's Bush to Paddington, 'just to keep the boys awake.' All arrived in good time for the train, and, leaving Paddington soon after mid-night, the party reached Badsey at 3.10, little the worse for having, once in a way, turned night into day. Through the courtesy of the Great Western Railway Company carriages were reserved and the excursion was stopped at Badsey both on the outward and return journey, while the boys were gratuitously driven to and from the station by Mr. Wilkins and Mr. G. Marshall. It should be added that Mr. Binyon, whose help on such occasions is simply indispensable, accompanied the Vicar at very great personal inconvenience.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 1908.

In the course of a sermon at Badsey Church, on the "Marks of a Christian," on Sunday, September 27th, the Vicar said: "It is likely that any one of us will ever have his flesh branded with evidence of his faithfulness to Christ, and thus be able to, share literally in St. Paul's proud boast, I bear branded on my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.' Can we therefore never hope to have proofs, which may be seen and read of all men, that we do belong to Christ? Certainly we can. Indeed if there be no such evidence as plain and unmistakable as the marks of St. Paul, though 'no man' may 'trouble' us, we have the very best of reasons for doubting our own sincerity.

The marks for which God and man look today are marks in character and conduct. There are certain things which, to a Christian, ought to matter, certain principles which he cannot disregard without it being guilty of disloyalty to Jesus Christ. One of these principles is the observance of the Lord's Day, the keeping of Sunday. I may be told that it is going too far to make the keeping of Sunday one of the tests of a Christian; that the keeping of Sunday is merely an English fashion and is not universal in Christendom; that on the continent they do not keep Sunday. This is not true. Although, according to continental fashion, more than half the day is given up by the majority to worldly pleasure, and consequently, in the case of many, to worldly business, Sunday is not allowed by the devout Christian to pass by unmarked by any outward sign of devotion: indeed the continental churches at early Mass on Sunday would put most of our English parishes to shame. The observance of Sunday by some mark of devotion is characteristic of Christianity throughout the wide world. Therefore, to blot out Sunday altogether as a holy-day is to be guilty of disloyalty to Christ.

You have, doubtless, guessed before now what has suggested this train of thought. Many thousands of our countrymen have deliberately agreed together to blot out Sunday, September 27, 1908, as a holy day, and are devoting, the day partly to business of a more or less serious character, and partly to hilarity, and duty to my office compels me to make this public protest. I say, nothing of the merits or demerits of the cause which is being advocated. I have altogether refrained from criticism of the Licensing Bill in the pulpit, which is more than some clerical opponents of the measure can say. I say nothing of the merits or demerits of the cause, and would have uttered a similar protest against such wholesale desecration of Sunday by supporters of the measure. It is urged that for such a demonstration trains could not have been secured on a week-day. In that case, a reference to to-day's Gospel, which has something to say about the conflicting interests of God and Mammon, might have provided a solution of the difficulty. The 'demonstration' is described by its organisers as 'national.' I hope the description is misleading, for, if to-day's 'demonstration' is in any sense 'national' it is surely a demonstration of national apostasy. But the language of the promoters of to-day's proceedings is obviously an exaggeration I know—and I am glad to be able to tell you—that there are some connected with this church, who have much at stake over this Bill, who are not at all favourable to such wholesale desecration of the Lord's Day, the sanctification of which is, without all contradiction, one of the 'marks' of a Christian."