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.
Tag: Handsacre
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.
From Hermit’s Haven to Parish Landmark: The Ancient Church of Armitage
Step back to 1790 and explore the historic St. John the Baptist Church. From Saxon carvings to medieval relics, uncover the secrets of this ancient gem before its rebuild. A journey through faith, architecture, and local heritage awaits!
Gateway to the past
By Roy Fallows Ok, not the most inspiring photograph of the year but, it has a bit of local history attached which I thought was worth investigating. The posts are in cast iron and the gate, possibly more recent wrought iron, are located outside a house at the top of Old Road in Handsacre, opposite… Continue reading Gateway to the past
St. Magdelene Church
The first church in the parish was St. Magdelene. It is likely to have originally been a timber-built structure and rebuilt in stone by the Normans but very little is known about the building. The only written reference to the name of the church found so far is from a court case in 1386 concerning… Continue reading St. Magdelene Church
Thomas William White
In October 1962, Thomas William White celebrated his 90th birthday, honouring his service to Handsacre Methodist Church and the community. Born in Rugeley, White worked various jobs before becoming a blacksmith. A dedicated Methodist preacher since 1894, he also served as Parish Council Chairman and Lichfield District Councillor. Married to Alice Elizabeth Hughes in 1898, he continued his community service until his death in 1965 at age 92. In 1966, a silver birch cross was dedicated to his memory at Handsacre Methodist Temple
Thomas Bond Part 3 – brickmaker
By December 1819, Thomas Bond restarted his business post-bankruptcy, moving to Handsacre for a malting and brickyard operation. His fifth child, Edwin, was born around 1821, with two more children following. In 1830, Thomas leased land with a brickyard but no malthouse. By 1835, the Bond family operated three brickyards. Thomas relocated to Birmingham by 1841, with his sons taking various paths in brickmaking. Some sons suffered multiple bankruptcies, but his eldest son, John, succeeded, leaving £20,000 upon his death in 1880. His legacy includes stamped bricks, reflecting the mechanization of the industry.
Field names
What is known as the Tithe Commutation Act map (tithe map) of 1841 and its accompanying book showing tenants, owners etc. for the parish of Armitage-with-Handsacre gives us most of the information we have on old field names although estate maps also provide some information. The different documents do not all agree, and some information… Continue reading Field names
Signing the pledge
The Pledge Book above is from Handsacre Primitive Methodists and I would first like to thank Gifford Foote for allowing me access to their historical records and for his encouragement in my research on the village. The temperance movement in the UK was a social movement that campaigned against the recreational use and sale of… Continue reading Signing the pledge
Sixteen years on the run
There weren’t many people to watch John Walthew (Waltho) on his wedding day as he limped, (courtesy of a broken left thigh some years earlier), down the aisle at St. John the Baptist church, Armitage on 26th September 1789. John was just short of 31 years old and his bride was 17-year-old Sarah Lamsdale and… Continue reading Sixteen years on the run