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
Tag: Handsacre
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
World champion
The Regal Cinema Social Club in Lichfield were always looking for ways to get more people interested in joining and, in the autumn of 1970, as a bit of a laugh, they decided to set up a prune eating world record bid. The cinema and club manager, John Terry, announced the idea at the weekly… Continue reading World champion
A coronation carnival
If you are looking for events with which to celebrate King Charles’ coronation this year then why not take a look at the 1937 version and stage pillow fighting, cutting down a leg of mutton or even ‘climbing the greasy pole’? Like most towns and villages at that time a lot of effort was put… Continue reading A coronation carnival
Murder in the Church
Sir Simon died in 1373 leaving a widow and three young daughters – as you can imagine, with so much land, money and power up for grabs, the vultures gathered.
Handsacre poachers
By 1849 the pottery was shut. The pits were really struggling and there were no jobs down the pits for any miners in either Armitage or Handsacre. But you could always go foraging for wild fruit and roots, like your distant ancestors. Or go hunting for food, like your distant ancestors. Only they had brought in the hated Game Laws so now it was called poaching.
William Conway 1817-1901
William Conway killed a man with one punch