Ashow, Warwickshire

George Goode

George Goode who was born at Wappenbury in the 1840s was one of the builders who worked constructing this church. He was my  great grandfather on my father's side of the family. His daughter was Ellen Louisa Goode who married Thomas Pratt. He was once an officer at the Reformatory at Weston under Wetherley. He later became a master baker and became baker at Moreton Morrell.

Waifs and Strays Society

From approximately 1939-1945 the house was taken over by the Waifs and Strays Society becoming a home for 40 boys. They had moved from Chislehurst, Kent. The house was also used as a landmark by German bombers during their attacks on Coventry.

Markham's of Bascote

My husbands family were from Bascote. His ancestor Edwin Markham moved there as an ag labourer in the 1870s. His wife Maria died shortly after, and he married again. He had very many children, and used to drink at the Fox and Hen pub - the landlords were witnesses at his wedding! Sadly his cottage, by the pub, has been demolished, but his children all stayed local to Bascote when they grew up; one of his sons died in the Great War, and is named on the Bascote Heath memorial.

I used to carol sing here

This used to be owned by Sir Ivan Stedeford, and every Christmas the choir of St Michael's Church was invited to sing carols in the hall acompaned by Sir Ivan on the grand piano.