Chaddesley’s Origins

The village of Chaddesley Corbett is an ancient settlement with a prehistoric buriel mound and traces of a Roman road. Originally known as Chaddesley the name is thought to mean "Ceadda's clearing in the wood" and is first mentioned in a Saxon Charter of 816 when the land was given to the Bishop of Worcester in return for hospitality to the King of Mercia and his men. It is mentioned in the Domesday Book as belonging to a Saxon Noblewoman - and had two priests, several corn mills, a population as large as Kidderminster and two saltpans in Droitwich for it's own use. After the Norman Conquest the Manor of Chaddesley was owned by the Corbett family who added their name to it’s title. Later, church lands passed to the Earldom of Warwick and, eventually, to the Throckmortons of Coughton Court.

History

History Society

Non-members welcome (£5 fee payable) ~ Zoom connection also available

The contact details for Chaddesley Corbett History Society from Freda Griffith 077476 18 487 fred@fredagriffith.co.uk ___________________________________________________ Lectures held in Chaddesley Corbett Village Hall (DY10 4QA) - with a Zoom option too! - see <History> page Enquiries to Freda Griffith 07747 618487 or fred@fredagriffith.co.uk Wednesday 18th September 7:30pm, at the Village Hall Alan Godfrey will lecture on ROWLAND HILL (local celebrity and founder of the Postal System) £5 on the door on the night A YouTube video will be available to members at a later date

Contemporary History

Chaddesley Woods in Chaddesley Corbett became a Nature Reserve in 1973 through the generosity of Mr. John Cadbury. The reserve consists of 53 hectares of native oak woodland and 47 hectares of recent plantations of young hardwoods and softwoods - which were added to show how wild life conservation can be intergrated with modern commercial management. A "Jubilee Walk" was introduced in 1977 to mark the 25th anniversary of the Queen's accession to the throne. The walk is marked by yellow arrows - which indicate public rights of way - and by white arrows which indicate courtesy paths. There are Voluntary Wardens for the woods and the area is managed by the Nature Conservancy Council. The Woods are a special feature of the area and attract many visitors all through the year. • Car parking by the roadside. • Guard against thefts. ____________________

Chaddesley - in May 1944

4th May 1944 A large congregation heard excerpts from ‘The Messiah’ by the Brierley Hill Orpheus Choir. Two H.M. Inspectors visited the schools last week and praised the excellence in the canteen, which served over 453 meals. 13th May Our refugee population is already starting a homeward trek. Many have been so helpful during their stay that we part with them with regret. Rats and Rooks invest many of our farms which had no such problem pre- war. Mr. Cotterill continues his untiring efforts for the National Service cause. 20th May Such a glorious display of blossoms .. and then cruelly cut down by frost. Our Allies from the USA are very pleasant company but they scoot their Jeeps round our rural roads so fast we call them “The Quick and The Dead” ! 27th May “Salut the Soldier” week was well-observed and our headteachers, Mr Cotterill and Miss Chillington were very pleased with the £2,720.12s raised. Alexandra Flag Day raised £3 16s 2d, and £8 3s 4d went to the Lifeboats. ____________________________________________________ What passes for “Humour” in Chaddesley Many will remember the Cobbler (who doubled as the Postman) with his blunt query - “Have ye brought thee money ?” “N0 ?” “Then thee boots’ not done !” _____________________________________ Others might remember “Big Head”, who drank at ‘The Talbot’, who always knew better, been there, done that, more times and more frequently than anybody else. Thinking to give him a lesson, someone lay in wait in a newly dug grave, with a white sheet draped over him. Along comes “Big Head” and said fellow stands up and complains “.. Oooo, I am feeling cold !” thinking to scare the man. But Chaddesley beer is strong beer (and makes brave men of us all !) So “Big Head” remarks “..No wonder thee’s cold, thee’s got no dirt on thee !” and proceeds to kick soil over the poor man in an attempt to bury him, requiring help from those gathered behind nearby tombstones waiting to see what happened ! ___________________________________ One lad, who ‘specialised’ in snatching other’s drinks, got his ‘come- upance’, when a glass of liquid paraffin with fruit dye was downed in one gulp .. and left the lad sincerely regretting it, for some time after ! ____________________________________ A 1922 visit from the Birmingham Tramways Sports Club resulted in Chaddesley wins for both Bowls and Cricket Teams .. and a challenge to a drinking match. The Landlord asked “ .. first visit the Chaddesley then .. ?” “Thought so .. !” “The Brewery hasn’t got sufficient beer for that competition !” _____________________________________

The Society is pleased to announce that a history of the parish from 1900-1950 i published in July.