Step back to June 1925 and discover everyday life in Armitage and Handsacre a century ago. From smoky bottle kilns, crystal wireless sets and cricket matches to church events, dances, road accidents and the founding of the local Buffs Lodge, this article recreates a single month in the life of the parish. Together these contemporary stories reveal a community on the brink of modern change while still firmly rooted in Victorian traditions.
Category: Miscellaneous
Derek Spencer’s Story – a 99-Year-Old Veteran
Derek Spencer, a 99-year-old Armitage veteran, recalls a remarkable life—from boyhood adventures and wartime service across the globe to decades working in local industry. A vivid storyteller, Derek’s life reflects both national history and village change, offering a rare window into 20th-century Rugeley and Armitage life.
The de Handsacres: Lords, land, and legacy in a changing England
For more than two centuries, the de Handsacre family were the lords of the manor from which the village took its name. Their story reaches far beyond Staffordshire, encompassing civil war, royal service, the Hundred Years’ War, and even Crecy and Agincourt. Explore the lives and fortunes of a family whose history reflects the wider story of medieval England through a series of linked articles.
From Fiddles to Pipes: The Musical History of St. John the Baptist Church
Before St. John’s possessed its famous organ, worship was accompanied by fiddles, bassoons and village musicians. This article traces the church’s musical journey from Georgian church bands and singing lofts to the arrival of the historic Samuel Green organ, later selected for an internationally acclaimed Handel recording and still filling the church with music today.
St. John the Baptist Church Tower
The church tower has watched over Armitage for almost four centuries, yet its history is far more complex than it first appears. Inscriptions, drawings, restoration reports and architectural evidence reveal how the tower has evolved through rebuilding, changing bell installations and successive repairs while remaining the oldest substantial part of St. John the Baptist Church.
Gifford Foote BEM
Gifford, a retired teacher, has devoted his life to community service, founding Meeting Point in 1999 to combat isolation. Now in his mid-80s, he remains actively involved, supporting vulnerable residents and fostering connections. His dedication was honoured with a British Empire Medal in the 2025 New Year’s Honours List.
Gifford Foote: A life of dedication and service
Gifford Foote’s life is one of dedication and service, from his early years in Suffolk to his impactful teaching career and faith-based community work. A passionate educator and advocate, he co-founded Meeting Point, fostering support and connection. His legacy is one of faith, commitment, and unwavering service to others.
Restoring Faith: The Resilient History of St. John the Baptist Church
By the mid-18th century, St. John the Baptist Church faced the toll of centuries of wear. Essential repairs began in 1752, restoring the roof and steeple, but by the 1840s, larger reconstruction was necessary. With the population growing and the church in disrepair, the nave and aisles were rebuilt, blending Norman and Gothic styles.
From Hermit’s Haven to Parish Landmark: The Ancient Church of Armitage
Step inside St. John the Baptist Church as it appeared in the 1790s. Using Stebbing Shaw’s contemporary description, this reconstructed tour brings the medieval building to life, exploring its Romanesque doorway, ancient font, painted glass and other features lost during the nineteenth-century rebuilding.
Gateway to the Past: The Story Behind Handsacre’s Historic Gateposts
A pair of old cast-iron gateposts in Handsacre leads to the story of R. J. Harris & Son, one of Rugeley’s best-known engineering and ironmongery firms. Beginning with an overlooked detail in a historic photograph, this article traces the growth of a successful family business whose products ranged from agricultural machinery to garden rollers, leaving a lasting mark on the local landscape and economy.