Worle.

Bristol Mercury.

1834 Jun 14.

Death: May 19 On board the ship Nelson, on his passage from Barbados, where he had been for the recovery of his health, Mr James Parsley, son of Mr Samuel Parsley, surgeon, Worle, one who, from his amiability and sweetness of disposition, is sincerely and deeply lamented by all who knew him.

1835 Feb 14. Marriage: Jan 31 Mr Sidney Tripp, son of Mr Tripp, farmer, to Miss White daughter of the late Mr George White, farmer, both of Worle.

1838 Jul 21. Marriage: Jul 10 at St. Augustine’s, J Tripp Esq of Worle to Elizabeth, only daughter of the late Jacob Howell, Esq of Clevedon.

1839 Jul 20. Murder at Worle. An inquest was held at 12’clock at the New Inn Worle, after the jury had been sworn, the proceeded to view the body: it was that of an interesting girl of about 16 years old. On the forehead was five wounds, inflicted by some sharp instrument, and a very severe; on the left side of the neck were three wounds, of from 2 to 3 inches in length and on the right side a very extensive one, penetrating to the jugular vein, by which death was produced.

The victim is a young girl by the name of Eliza Pain, a parish apprentice, employed on the farm of Mr Josiah Reeves of Wick St. Lawrence.

The first witness was Josiah Reeves who said he lived at Wick St. Lawrence and the deceased was a parish apprentice on his farm. About half an hour after the girl left me, Sydney Tripp called and said “your girl’s throat is cut and she is quite dead.” I and my wife went with Tripp and found the girl lying by the roadside. We took the body and carried it to the New Inn.

By the Foreman—The prisoner lived in my service for 2½ years; I never observed any particular intimacy between him and the deceased; nor heard any quarrel between them; deceased was about 14 years old; saw the prisoner and deceased together, milking at the farm, about a quarter of an hour before she left my house, the prisoner absented himself from my house, just before the deceased, without my consent.

Samuel Norman, sworn—I live at Uphill. About 6’clock on Sunday evening I saw Charles Whateley come out of a ditch, he turned towards me and then turned into a lane: directly afterwards a girl came out of the same part of the ditch and went towards Worle. She turned round and I saw her face, it was all covered with blood. I rode to see who the man was and as I turned into the lane, the prisoner came towards me. The prisoner said “I must die” I said “what have you been doing; you have cut her throat?” The prisoner said she had stabbed him first. I said “you must come with me,” and he did so. We went back and found the deceased lying down and speechless. I called for assistance and Sarah Bowden came; I then left the place with the prisoner whom I took to the constable.

Wick St. Lawrence church register, records in 1825 Nov 27^th the baptism of Eliza Pain daughter of George and Jane Pain, making her 14 years old, at the time of her death.

1839 Aug 17.

Murder at Worle. Charles Whateley was indicted for the wilful murder of Eliza Pain, at Worle. The prisoner was a young man, 29 years of age, perfectly harmless in appearance; his face not in the slightest degree indicating that he would have committed the offence with which he was charged. Upon being called on, he pleaded guilty. The learned judge asked him if he was aware of the serious nature of the offence and the punishment that must follow it? The prisoner said no one had given him advice to plead guilty, and after some other remarks of the learned judge, he still persisted in his plea. The prisoner was then removed and another cause proceeded with.

In the course of the morning being again placed at the bar, and the evidence gone through respecting the finding the body of the deceased, the learned judge put on the black cap, but was so much affected, that for some time he was unable to proceed. It was the most affecting scene we have for some time witnessed. The court was completely crammed with females, and their sobs alone interrupted the solemn silence that prevailed. The prisoner’s features did not appear to vary in the least. He stood with a calm composed countenance; as of a man who had given up all hope, and had resigned himself to the fate that awaited him.

At length his Lordship began his address in the following terms;

“Charles Whateley, you have pleaded guilty to the offence of wilful murder-the wilful murder of Eliza Pain; who was your fellow servant and companion, and with whom, so far as we know, you have never had any quarrel, but lived on friendly terms. Under what awful temptation or under what circumstances this dreadful crime was committed, we know not. It is not even for us to inquire further than we have done. The circumstances, whatever it may be, remains with in your own bosom. This only is fitting for me to say, that, let no one suppose, because it is against the direct language of scripture, that that temptation arose from God. Had you received his grace, or had you made the earnest endeavours which it behoved you to have done, no doubt you would have received assistance sufficient to have enabled you over come it. But your conduct now, and your conduct since, has been such, that I have no necessity, and of course, I have no desire by any remarks that I make, to add to the pain you must be feeling at this moment. The few observations which I feel myself able to make to you, will be addressed but for the purpose of advising and assisting and rendering you consolation for the short period of life now remaining to you.

I have but two remarks to make; the first is, let nothing induce you to deceive yourself as to the enormity of the offence; do not cheat yourself for a single moment, by believing that you have acted as others might have done, or in any other way that which makes it incumbent on an earthly judge to award the severest punishment the law can inflict. Another remark is this; do not cheat yourself with the slightest hope that you have anything more to do with the world, or with the interests of this world; or with your friends or relations here-with the place or persons to whom you have been most attached: your only business in this life, an awful one it is, enough to employ a longer period than will bestowed to you, is to prepare yourself for the next world, and the best mode of preparation is to throw yourself upon the mercy of the Redeemer entirely, without the slightest reservation, repenting, deeply of the past, and earnestly imploring that you may not be thought unworthy of a share in the benefits of his all sufficient sufferings. Think no more of this life, do not for a moment suppose that there is any chance of mercy being extended to you.

You must meet the fate you have brought upon yourself, which I trust will serve as an example to all others, who may be disposed to yield to strong temptations, and still more I hope it may be received on your behalf as something like a satisfaction and that your punishment being allotted in this world you may be thought fitting to receive mercy hereafter.”

His Lordship then sentenced the prisoner to be executed, and his body to be buried within the precincts of the prison.

…………………………………………….

1851 May 10. Worle: Thursday evening a little boy, about three years of age, son of Mr Henry Burgess of this village, met an agonising death through drinking boiling water from a tea-kettle. He expired about an hour after the accident.

1851 Dec 6. On Tuesday last an accident, bad in itself, but which might have been attended with much more serious consequences befell, a child of Mr J Harse, butcher, of Worle, On e of Mr Harse’s sons was cutting some mutton chops, when the child, who is about four years old, stretched his hand across the block to take up some coppers which were lying on it, just at that moment that the brother was bringing down the chopper. The brother did not perceive it in time to altogether stay his blow, and the consequences was that the back of the child’s hand was severely cut. It seems a miracle that it had not been completely severed. The child is being attended by Mr Hardwick, surgeon of Worle and as yet the wound seems progressing favourably.

1858 Mar 20. Death: March 12, at the residence of his niece, Weston-super-Mare, Mr Joel Bishop, aged 77, an old inhabitant of Worle, and for many years a resident of the former town.

1858 Mar 20. Death on March 12, at Kewstoke, after a long and painful illness, borne with Christian resignation, Mrs Mary Hewlett, widow of the late Mr Joseph Hewlett, late of Worle.

1862 Jul 26.

Highway Robbery and Attempted Murder near Worle.

On Tuesday morning at the Weston-super-Mare police-court, before R A Kinglake and H Rockett, Esqs; five labouring men, named Wm. Lancaster 20, John Fletcher19, Frederick Knowles 19, Albert Knowles 20, and Benjamin Day 18, were all brought up in custody, charged with having violently attacked a man named Samuel Thomas, with intent to murder him, at the same time, searching his pockets, and taking therefrom a two-shilling piece, while prosecutor was on his way home, about 400 or 500 yards from Worle. The case was not fully entered into, in consequence of a man, named Hewlett, who was with the party at the time, having escaped apprehension.

On Wednesday, Hewlett was brought up before the same magistrates with the other prisoners, together with a man named Edward Knowles, but as the latter was not included in the prosecutor’s evidence, he was discharged, while John Fletcher turned Queen’s evidence.

Mr Thomas Smith, solicitor, appeared for the prisoners.

The clerk read the following evidence of Samuel Thomas, the prosecutor (as given the day previous):-I am a labouring man and live at Wick St. Lawrence. On Saturday evening

I was going home, a few minutes before twelve having called at the New Inn at Worle, and when opposite a pool of water, near Mr Beek’s farm, about 300 or 400 yards from Worle, the prisoners Albert and Frederick Knowles, Lancaster; and Edward Hewlett; all came up to me and took hold of my coat collar, and pulled me backwards into the road, when they searched my pockets, and I believe it was Edward Hewlett; or at least one of them, who took a two shilling piece from the right hand inside pocket of my coat.

Albert Knowles said-“ has the b…… enough to pay for a quart.” Hewlett then said-“I do not know what he has got, whether it is a new penny piece or a half-crown.” Previous to this, Frederick Knowles rubbed a quantity of pig dung in my eyes, so that I could not see.

They threw me, head foremost into the pool, and ducked me as many as ten times under the water. The water would be about three feet deep. After this they pulled my head up out of the water by the hair, and one struck me several times with a stick, but I could not see properly which it was. They said they were combing out my hair. Then they left me in the pool.

Prisoner Benjamin Day did not stick me as I know off, but was walking up and down the road opposite. After they left me two or three minutes they came and dragged me out again by the hair of the head up under a wall, a distance of about ten yards from the pool. They again beat me about the back and thighs, but I was unable to notice which.

Prisoner Lancaster then took out his knife and opened it saying “Let us kill the ……., or he will have a warrant for us.” Then they all went away. I again heard Lancaster say “He is not dead, lets kill the ……….”

Prisoner Albert Knowles then caught him by the collar, and prevented him, when a scuffle ensued. After this they all went away together. I remained there an hour, as I was not able to get away. I could not see until I got the dung out of my eyes. I had previously been that evening at the New Inn. I saw all the prisoners there when I left.

By the Bench—Was the water deep enough to drown you?

Prosecutor—Yes; some parts were three feet, and some five or six feet.

By the Bench—Were you sober?

Prosecutor—Yes, quite sober when I left Mr Cooke’s, the inn.

The Bench—How do you know it was Albert Knowles who saved your life.

Prosecutor—I am sure of it; I can swear it.

The Bench—Why did you not call for help?

Prosecutor—I cried “murder,” when Frederick Knowles and Edward Hewlett filled my mouth with pig’s dung, and I could not speak.

The Bench—How far was the nearest house?

Prosecutor—About ten yards off—the dwelling house of Mr Beek.

The wife of the prosecutor here described the pitiable plight in which her husband came home on the morning in question, stating that he did not tell her of the affair until Monday morning. The prosecutor gave as his reason for not speaking to her earlier of the affair because he was afraid she would speak of it when she went to chapel on Sunday, and he should get murdered by them as he came to Weston.

Mr Cooke, landlord of the New Inn, Worle, spoke as to the prisoners and prosecutor being at his house on the evening in question, and stated that they all left about a quarter to twelve, all in liquor, but not unable to take of themselves; after which he saw the prisoners following prosecutor along the road.

By the Bench—They had not been playing games in my house that I know of.

Fletcher’s evidence was corroborative of the above facts, and his mother gave evidence to the effects that she heard cries of murder, which her son, the previous witness (who had then arrived home), said was Samuel Thomas.

Sergeant Ross, of the police force, said he had examined the prosecutor’s body, and found one mark on the right hip joint, and a large lump also, which was discoloured; five marks on the loins, and five on the shoulders, a mark on the knee, and four marks on the forehead. On examining his head, he found the back part, where he said the prisoners had pulled his hair, very red, and a quantity of black dirt amongst the hair. Also some dirt attached to the hair on his breast. He had also been with prosecutor to Worle, and examined the place, where he traced marks of the scuffle, and a mark on the ground where a man’s shoulder had been.

Lancaster, Day and Hewlett, offered no defence, while the other two prisoners gave a rambling statement of very little importance. Their Worships then committed all five, W Lancaster, A Knowles. F. Knowles. B Day and E Hewlett, to take their trail at the ensuing assize, bail being refused.

Much interest was manifested in the court, and it was numerously attended throughout the proceedings, which lasted about four hours.

…………………………………………………..

1864 May 28. Wedding Festivities at Worle. The village of Worle, was on Thursday, the scene of much festivity and rejoicing, the occasion being the marriage of Miss Louisa Clara Wodehouse, fourth daughter of the Rev. Nathaniel Wodehouse, the vicar, to her cousin Edmund Robert Wodehouse. The wedding took place between eleven and twelve o’clock, and the distance from the vicarage to the church being very short, it was arranged that the bridal party should walk through the vicarage grounds. Amongst those who assisted in the decorating we may mention the churchwardens, Messrs. James Hardwick and Edward Jones,and Messrs. J. Coles, W Scotford, Gen. Hewlett, G Lee, C Printer, J Walker, A Tripp and others. An avenue of Hawthorn bushes temporary planted on the green, lead up to the Church, the chancel of which was decorated, with exquisite taste by the family of Mr John Hardwick. Festoons of Oak leaves and flowers adorned the alter rail and circlets of flowers were suspended from the north and south walls. The bridegroom was accompanied by Mr Joyce, who officiated as “best man”. The bride who was given away by her father, was elegantly attired in a white Indian muslin over a satin dress, wreath of orange blossom, and Brussels lave veil, her appearance of the whole being exceedingly rich and chaste. She was accompanied by ten bridesmaids, comprising the following ladies- Miss Alice Wodehouse, Miss Ellen Wodehouse and Miss Fanny Wodehouse her sisters; Miss Clarke, Miss Ada Capel, Miss Edith Capel, Miss E Clutterback, Miss E Dashwood, Miss F Yatmanand Miss Constance Barnard. The ladies wore dresses of tarlatan with an exceedingly pretty mauve flower, over glace silk train, wreaths of lilies of the valley and violets, and veils tulle. The ceremony was performed by Rev Campbell Wodehouse and the Rev. Thomas Wodehouse, relatives of the contracting parties.

Amongst the relatives and friends who partook the wedding breakfast at the vicarage were, Mr and Mrs Wodehouse, General Blanchley, Colonel Capel, the Hon R Moreton, Captain,and Mrs Law, the Rev. W H and Mrs Turtar, the Rev J A and Mrs Yatman of Winscombe, Mr and Mrs Graves of Charlton Wilts, Mr Edmund Turner, Rev T Wodehouse, Rev W Wodehouse, Mr and Mrs Spencer Dawson, Miss Agnes Wodehouse, Mr Edward Piggott, Mr Heathcote Long, Mrs Barnard, Mr John Hardwick, the Misses Hardwick, Mr George Edwards, Mr Sidney Joyce, the Misses Bourton and others and the bridesmaids before mentioned.

In the afternoon a dinner was provided by the vicar, for the aged poor of the parish, and upwards of 60 sat down to a substantial repast at the New Inn, the room being decorated in an appropriate manner. The church-wardens Messrs James Hardwick and Edward Jones, occupied the chair and vice-chair. Amongst the decorations in the village, we may mention the following; the New Inn was quiet gay with fir trees and hawthorn, which had been planted across the whole frontage, and several flags were displayed there. Mr Coombes of the Golden Lion had erected a very handsome arch of evergreens, with the words “ May their future be happy” and “Loved and Regretted” wrought in flowers and leaves on a red ground and reflecting credit on those that made it. Mr James Walker, Mr Savage, Mr John Coles, Mr Gregory, Mr Charles Taylor, Mr Salisbury, Mr Broadbeer, Mr Marshall, Mr Harris, Mr Wright, Mr Mitchell, Mr George Cooke, Mr J Coles, Mr Watson, Mr Knowles, Mr Stabbins and several other residents of the village also exhibited flags, evergreens and lines of streamers in honour of the festive occasion which proved a great holiday for young and old throughout the village.

1865 Oct 14. Wedding Festivities at Worle. On Thursday, the village of Worle assumed a most gay aspect in consequence of the marriage of Miss Alice Jane Wodehouse, daughter of the Rev. Nathaniel Wodehouse, the respected vicar of the parish, to Major Neville Granville, late of the 28^th Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Flags were visible in nearly every part of the place and many of the inhabitants, in order to testify their feelings of attachment to the vicar and the fair bride, had decorated the exterior of their dwellings. The wedding party entered the church of St. Martins, at eleven thirty when the choir sang a suitable anthem. The bride was elegantly but simply attired, in white glaze silk, and train, she had a Brussels lace veil and a wreath of orange blossoms and stephanotis adored her brow. The bridesmaids were eight in number and wore dresses of white tarlatan over silk and they white narcissus wreaths and rich veils. They were Miss Ellen Wodehouse, Miss Fanny Wodehouse, Miss Grenville, Miss Harriet Grenville, Miss Fox, Miss Cochrane, Miss Fanny Yeatman and Miss Emily Yeatman. Lieut. Capel Wodehouse. R.N. acted as the bridegrooms best man. The ceremony was conducted by the Rev. Campbell Wodehouse, cousin of the bride assisted by Rev. Granville Granville, uncle of the bridegroom. At the conclusion of the ceremony, Mendelsohn’s “Wedding March” was performed on the organ by Miss Hardwick of Worle.

The bells pealed forth merrily as the bridal party left the church and proceeded down the village to the vicarage. Here a scrumptious breakfast had been laid out by Mr Collis, confectioner, of Weston-super-Mare, and amongst the company were General Blanchley, Mr and Mrs F Granville, Messrs. Dashwood, Captain Bathurst, Captain and Mrs Law, Mrs Turner, the Rev. J Yeatman and Mrs Yeatman, Mr Crotch, (Uphill) and Miss Piggott, etc. The happy pair left shortly after for Barnerton near Salisbury. In the large room of the New Inn, provided liberality by the vicar, dinner was provided for about 60 of the poor of the parish, chiefly aged persons. The children of the parish were also regaled with tea in the new National schoolroom, which thanks to the efforts of Mr J Perry of Weston-super-Mare, the builder, will soon be completed. In the evening there was a ball for the young people of the parish, when a large number attended at the schoolhouse. The wedding festivities will soon not be forgotten by the inhabitants of Worle.

1865 Nov 4. Inauguration of the new schools at Worle. On Thursday the new school premises, which have been just completed at Worle, were opened and the proceedings proved of the most interesting character. The building is erected on the site where the rectoral barn, next to the church, had till lately stood a relic of monkish times; and many centuries ago it was set apart, so gossiping chronleters say, as an agricultural store-house for the acoustics, who were doubtless not averse to good cheer. Modern taste has converted the Holy Father’s victualing depot into a storehouse for the mind; there stands a modern Gothic edifice, in which the young ideas, will be drooled in all the ‘ollogies, that go to makeup a national school education, and learns those bombasting arts, which Mr Lewis and his colleagues, of the educational board at headquarters esteem proper for the children of the masses. Well-nigh forgotten is the Prior of Woodstock adjacent, with which the old barn is some way connected and that the recollection of the place as it formerly was might not entirely pass away, the architect of the schools, Mr J Nortee of London, according to his custom, has shown a spirit of observation by preserving the ancient walls of the monk’s store. These walls form a parallelogram, with gabled ends, 70 feet in length and 30 feet in width, and they remain, as we have just said, in the integrity of medieval architecture. The north side is supported by eight well-wrought chiselled buttresses, while the south side has likewise eight buttresses, although they are more highly finished than the others, and their coping is of a singular character. In the centre of this side is the new entrance to the schools, formerly employed as a doorway, and fashioned as a plain arch, nine feet wide and twelve feet high. Attached to the premises is a neat and substantial residence, for the schoolmaster, and there are convenient out-offices etc. The entire contract has been most satisfactory carried out by Mr J Perry of Weston-super-Mare, at the sum of £800, however does not include a great many extras.

Subsequently a soirée was held in the new school premises which was gaily set off for the occasion, the large room being very elegantly decorated with evergreens, flowers and a collection of choice hothouse plants from the conservatory of Mr E May. As for the tables, they were decorated with the greatest taste, the fair hands of the Misses Wodehouse and the Misses Hardwick having been instrumental in effecting the pleasing arrangement. The following were those that managed the affair; The wife of the Rev. N Wodehouse, Mrs E May, Mrs W Day, Mrs S May, Mrs Printer, Mrs Hardwick, Mrs Scotford, Mrs Hucker, Mrs Lee, Mrs Young, Mrs Hewlett, Mrs J Day, Mrs J Hardwick, Mrs E Wodehouse, Mrs Watson, Miss Maunder, Miss Cole, Mrs Crossman, Mrs Walker, Mrs Jones, Miss Plaister and Mrs Fox. The speeches of the evening, were interspaced with some pretty part songs, well rendered by ladies and gentlemen of the village, and the whole affair passed off in the most agreeable manner.

1870 Nov 5. Re-opening of Worle Church. Tuesday, All Saints day, was the day selected for the re-opening of the above venerable edifice, after having undergone a through restoration. Those who knew this building of old, would hardly scarcely recognise it in its modernised condition. Open benches of stained deal have taken the place of high closed pews, the old cumbrous gallery has been disposed of with, the twisted pillars and falling arches have been set in proper order, whilst the general appearance of the building-more particularly the internal-would warrant us calling it one of the most prettiest churches in the county. An arcade of arches divides the nave from the north aisle, and on the north side of the chancel a spacious chapel has been erected; par closed off by elaborate carved screens of oak; this chapel serves as an organ chamber and vestry, besides providing accommodation for the school children. Two windows have been fixed in the south side by the Rev.W C Fox as a memorial to his grandparents. Throughout the restoration the many antiquities with which the edifice abounds have been carefully preserved and in making the necessary alterations many objects of interest have been discovered. The floors are laid with encaustic tiles –those in the chancel being of a rich design-supplied by Mr Godwin of Hereford. The alter dais is of Irish black marble also laid with encaustic tiles. A beautiful worked alter cloth has been presented by Mrs Charles Edwards of Wrington; at the back of the altar is a an oak reredos-at present unfinished-which is intended hereafter to contain sculptured subjects. At the top and base of the reredos is a beautiful specimen in carving, in sycamore wood, by the Misses Wodehouse, (daughters of the late vicar). The roofs of the whole building are now of open timber, with tracery principles and moulded cornices. The church is heated by hot air pipes, supplied by Mr Skinner of Stokes-Croft, Bristol. The plans were prepared by Mr Norton, the eminent Church architect and the work has been carried out in a most satisfactory manner by Mr Diment of Bristol; Mr Cloutman acting as clerk of the works. The total costs of the work will exceed £1,500, out of which sum £1,250, has been subscribed, principally through the indefatigable exertions of the late vicar.

1875 Jul 3. Mary Ann Hacker, (on bail) pleaded guilty to obtaining by false pretences 49 yards of flannel and 4½ yards of flannel on the 20^th January and the 19^th of February at Worle, the property of Edward Morgan Watson. Mr Murch appeared to prosecute. The prosecutor hoped the court would be lenient with the prisoner, as she had a baby. She was sentenced to three week’s imprisonment, without hard labour.

1882 Oct 19. Charles Weakley of Worle, was indicted for stealing a purse, value 6d and about £1 17s 3d in money, the property of Henry James Fisher at Weston-super-Mare on the 9^th Sep inst. Mr Hooper in opening the case said the prosecutor was a one armed man and fish salesman in Weston-super-Mar. On the 9^th of Sep he was in the Bristol hotel, he took out his purse and gave a man 7s, with his left hand he thought he had put the purse in his pocket. He subsequently missed the purse. The prisoner was seen with the purse and was seen to pick it up. George Cox said he saw the prisoner stop his cart and pick up a purse. Henry Pearce and William Jones collaborated, Mary Ann Dawe saw the prisoner’s wife take a purse out of her lap similar to the one she had seen in Fisher’s possession. A young girl named Agnes Parsons said she saw the prisoner counting some silver out of a purse, and heard his wife ask how much he had, when he replied, “shut your mouth you------ fool.” P C James said that when he charged the prisoner with theft he said, “what I picked up I gave to my wife.” There was a sufficiently strong case to go to the jury and they returned a verdict of guilty. Prisoner was then sentenced to three months imprisonment with hard labour.

1885 Aug 22. Edward Thorne, Harry Wilkins, Henry Bishop, Henry Pratlett and Joseph Vowles, five young men residing at Worle, were summoned by Francis Fry, of the same parish, for trespassing on his land in pursuit of game. Fined 5s each including costs.

Levi Baker and Luck Lock were fined 10s including costs, for overloading their hackney carriages on the 14^th.

1890 Jun 5. Sheep Shearing at Worle. Gratifying success attended the 26^th annual meeting of the Wrington Vale and West Mendip sheep society, held at Worle yesterday. It is ten years since a visit was previously paid to Worle and the village was gaily decorated in honour of the occasion. With the exception of a shower at midday, the weather was favourable and there was a large attendance. At the conclusion of the judging, the annual dinner of the society was held at the New Inn, Captain W E S Battiscombe. J.P. presiding over a company numbered about 130.

1893 Aug 18. Yesterday morning a vestry meeting was convened in the national schoolroom by the overseer and church-wardens to inquire into the conduct of the assistant overseer of the parish, Mr Henry Shepherd, and to consider whether he can properly be allowed to continue in office. The vicar the Rev. W F Rose presided over a numerous attendance and explained that the meeting had been convened in consequence of a communication received from the Local Government Board relating to the circumstances brought to their notice by the Clerk to Axbridge Guardians, such circumstances referring to the omission of several properties from the parish assessment. Mr Shepherd offered as an explanation for such omissions that the valuation list had been forwarded to the Clerk to the Guardians some five years since and lost, and the present state of affairs had to a great extent been brought about by the loss of such list. A resolution was adopted to the effect that the Vestry having heard the statement of the assistant overseer decline to take any steps in the matter.

1899 Nov 7. Herbert Higgins, gardener of Flax Bourton, sued George Bartlett, marker gardener of Worle for £7 damage occasioned to a bicycle by reason of defendant or his servant permitting a pig to stray on the highway at Worle. Mr E J Sandford, Bristol, represented plaintiff upon the instruction of the Bristol Centre of the National Cyclists Union. It appeared that whilst plaintiff and his wife were cycling through Worle on the night of the 14^th of August, defendant’s sow, which was straying, suddenly ran across the road, and collided with plaintiff’s bicycle, inflicting damage to the extent of £7. The defendant now alleged that the sow was not his property, and that it did not stray from his field: This statement however was successfully rebutted, and his Honour gave a verdict for the amount clamed, with costs.

……………………………………..