Tuesday 20th September 2011, Roy Peacock at County Hall

Local historian and author Roy Peacock was this evening the guest speaker at the Friends of Worcestershire Records Office meeting at County Hall, Spetchley. Roy gave an interesting talk on the early history of the  Foley dynasty, the main theme of his latest publication, "The Seventeenth Century Foley's - Iron, Wealth and Vision, 1580 - 1716". This book has already gained a very favourable reputation amongst local history enthusiasts in Worcestershire, being very readable and also well researched and presented; a highly recommended item for your bookshelf. Many thanks go to Roy for his time and effort which was most appreciated by the twenty-odd attendees to the meeting. Also thanks to the committee for organising the event and especially to Peter Walker for the refreshments. Mrs. B  graced us with her presence, as did Angela Snow and her friend Rachel.

Sunday 11th September 2011 - Cornwell Manor

Mrs B. and myself paid a visit today to Cornwell Manor, the home of the present Earl of Dudley's late brother, Mr Peter Ward who was known to his friends as "Wardy", and who passed away in 2008. The manor house is located in an isolated spot in the countryside, not too far from either Moreton-in-Marsh or Stow-on-the-Wold. The estate is owned by the Ward family, with the parish church of St Barnabus being in a very remote corner of the village which the Ward's also own. Peter's simple gravestone looks out from the churchyard, over the meadowland towards the house. It is a very peaceful location with not even the background noise of motor traffic.