HANLEY MATTERS the newsletter of The Hanleys’ Village Society Issue No. 4 Spring 2004 OFFICERS THE HANLEYS’ RICH ARCHIVES President Nick Lechmere Tel: 0771 644927 A 13th century tax roll some 30 m Forming the focal point for local

Chair long, from the Lechmere family history societies seeking Ian Bowles archives held at the County Record information, the CRO has been in Tel: 311931 Office (CRO), was among several existence since 1947, in that time Treasurer original documents brought to filling 12 miles of shelving with John Boardman Tel: 311748 Hanley Swan Village Hall on 26 over 40,000 boxes of records. Secretary & Newsletter March by Robin Whittaker, senior These come from three main Editor archivist at the CRO, for his sources: public (census returns, Malcolm Fare Tel: 311197 fascinating talk on the development parochial accounts), official

Archaeological Officer of archives in . bodies (church registers, quarter- Peter Ewence The continuity of records sessions material) and private Tel: 561702 provided by the Lechmere papers (family papers, solicitors’ Programme Secretary over 700 years – amounting to archives). David Thomas Tel: 310437 about 10,000 items – makes the The earliest parish registers for Hanleys particularly rich in date from 1538 FORTHCOMING historical material and gives them and are complete until the Civil ACTIVITIES a unique place in the county. Wars, when many registers were 6 June Other documents on show either destroyed or ceased to be Dowsing day with included a charter dated 1339, kept. Records for the Bishops of Peter Ewence. (already fully whereby Henry Lechmere gave Worcester go back even further subscribed) land at Severn End to his son and include a list from the 1370s 12/13 June Robert, and the 1604 will of one of the prisoners taken at the Historical display in St William Suffield of Hanley Castle Battle of Poitiers. Mary’s Church as part of an open gardens with an inventory of his goods Robin Whittaker pointed out weekend. and chattels, such as feather that, although the digital 17 July beds, sheets, cupboards and revolution has made it easier to Historical display at animals, which help to build up a access a vast range of material, it Quakers Farm as part picture of local life. was too soon to know how long of the village fête. Mr Whittaker used a bishop’s CDs, microfilm and other digital 1 October charter of 1277 to demonstrate how recording media would last. AGM, 7.30 pm, Hanley Swan Village Hall. a document can be trusted as a The huge increase in public genuine source of information. He interest in local and family history held up an indentured parchment, was shown by the rise in the 21 May showing by its tooth-marked outline number of enquiries received by HAM COURT The Rise and Fall of a that it was once one of four the CRO – from 3000 in 1975 to Country House documents cut from a single sheet 75,000 last year. Members wanting Simon Wilkinson talks about Ham Court, near recording the same transaction and to make use of the records at the Upton-upon-Severn. which could be reassembled if CRO should note that it is located 7.30 pm, Hanley Swan Village Hall. necessary to prove its origins. In at County Hall, Spetchley Road, Organised by Hanley addition, it was attached with seals Worcester. Tel: 01905 766351. Castle WI – £2 per mentioned in the document. Open 9.30am - 5.30pm Tuesday to person, including refreshments. Apparently, Evesham Abbey was Thursday, until 7pm on Monday known to have produced many and Friday, and until 4pm on forgeries of deeds in medieval times. Saturday. SUMMER PROGRAMME

Archaeology University College, Last season Peter Ewence Worcester. Members who allocated a small portion of a would like to see this should field adjacent to Quay Lane contact Victoria Bryant or to me and said: “Dig ”. This I Deborah Overton of the did until a hole, 1 cubic Worcestershire Historical metre in size had been Environment Service on excavated. I did not realise 01905 855492. just how much soil is packed into a cubic metre, or the Oral History time it takes to shift the lot. Jenny McGowran has Fortunately, the results started interviewing people were outstanding – lots of and families who have lived bits of pottery and soil in the village for more than OPEN DAY changes which indicated 40 years. She would like to hear from anyone with Despite strong competition that a post had been sunk. memories of village life that from Court ’s On being told that some of might be of interest (tel: daffodil afternoon, the the pot was Samian ware, I 311820, or email: Society ’s Open Day on 28 did a small war(e) dance in jennyandterry. mcgowran@ March attracted a steady the said hole, to the virgin.net). stream of visitors. amusement of my Historical material on show companion and a couple of included shards of pottery crows. Documents from people ’s gardens, I also planted a catalpa Graham Thomas will lead a enclosure maps of 1797, tree in my garden at the project to compile a register early photographs and bottom of Picken End. While of documentary material. He postcards taken in and digging hole for same, I would like to hear from around the Hanleys, a uncovered more pottery and anyone who has or knows of slideshow of local houses a blue glass bead. These material important to the and a beautiful album put Romans seem to get area (tel: 310413). He will together by the artist Patricia everywhere. also consider what subjects Fall containing a history of Mike Andrews might be suitable for further Hanley Castle and illustrated research. by many of her attractive Peter Ewence is seeking drawings. volunteers to help excavate Environment a further test pit in the Quay Mike Andrews will lead a two- Lane area (tel: 561702). part environmental project. He also hopes to arrange This will: a) search for areas an activity day at the site of of rushes, which would have Hanley castle, probably in been the basis of thatch for the Autumn, to look at the dwellings, and b) measure all layout of the buildings and the big trees in the parish, begin a survey of the area. some of which would have There are two boxes of been ancient boundary A drawing from Patricia archive material on the markers. Volunteers are Fall’s album castle at the library of welcome (tel: 310352).