The Parish Magazine
August '24
BERWICK ST JAMES
We are very sorry to learn of the death of John Stephenson. Our condolences to Pauline, Gavin, Simon, Amanda and all of the family, and to his many friends.
Welcome to Hugh McMurtrie, we hope you enjoy living in the village.
Thank you to Steve the editor for running the Local Parishes Magazine – a hard job, and our grateful thanks for doing it.
JOHN STEPHENSON
We are saddened to announce the peaceful passing of John Stephenson at home on 8th July, following a courageous battle with cancer. John was the dedicated husband of Pauline and a loving father to their two sons, Simon (known as Hag) and Gavin. He was also a proud grandfather to Dylan and Anya. John had a deep affection for his two cats, Winston and William, who brought him great comfort during his illness, spending countless hours on his lap.
Born in Durham in 1948, John dedicated 46 years to his career as a Civil Servant after leaving college. His career took him to various locations, including Tunbridge Wells, where he met and married Pauline in 1974. Their first son, Simon, was born in 1976. The following year, they moved to Frome, where Gavin was born. Subsequent postings included Oban on the west coast of Scotland, followed by Southampton and Salisbury. In 1998, the family relocated to Berwick, accompanied by Pauline’s mother. John transitioned to part-time work in 2010, working from home with occasional trips to London for meetings.
John was an avid Newcastle Untied fan and enjoyed watching rugby union. In his teens, he developed a passion for campanology, ringing bells in churches across the country, with his last ring in Stapleford. He also enjoyed crafting bird, hedgehog, bee and butterfly boxes, which he sold to raise funds for Cancer Research UK.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone for their incredible support during John’s final years. Your messages of condolences, cards, and flowers have been deeply appreciated. John will be greatly missed.
CHURCH NEWS
We have our usual two services in August – a Holy Communion Service on Sunday 4th August at 9.30am and a Matins Service on Sunday 18th August at 10.00am.
A date for your diaries – our annual Pet Service, which is idiosyncratic and somewhat unpredictable, will be held on Sunday 1st September. All pets and their owners are most welcome.
Everyone in church community and indeed many others who know Maggie Metcalfe, wish her a speedy and painless recovery from her operation.
PLANT PRODUCE and FLOWER TABLE supporting CRUK
Hello villagers and neighbouring villages.
Summer what summer!!! more reminiscent of my Scottish homeland..my tomatoes are small and green not much better with cucumbers..chilli plants are sulking and so on it goes…hopefully by the time you read this things will have perked up a bit .. basil oregano and coriander are doing good no sun I expect to cause them to bolt. I really hope you are doing better than I am but you know what if the sun isn’t shining in Berwick, it ain’t shining anywhere LOL.I look forward to your lovely continued support..going to need it more than ever!!!
Yours Aye Christine.
BERWICK ST JAMES CRICKET CLUB
Top of the league did not last …But we are still a credible second having lost to Broad Chalke only managing to field 8 players as the holiday season kicked in. A couple away on holiday and a pulled fetlock cruelly exposed the fragility of the squad. Even with 8 the team put up a dogged defence of our unbeaten record at fortress Berwick.
A final reminder for our club day on Sunday 4th August 2024. Teams still required for our 6 a-side competition. each team must include: one lady, one under 13, and one over 50. If you would like to enter a team please call Frank (07850958995). Matches start at 1300.
READING ROOM ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The Reading Room AGM was held on 19th June.
The Committee was re-elected (Anika, Claire, Sarah, Nigel, Nicky, Fiona and Sally), and Christine was elected as a new member and welcomed. The officers were re-elected. Nicky as Chairman, Anika as Secretary and Fiona as Treasurer. Fiona would like to retire as Treasurer (but remain on the committee) so we need to find a new Treasurer – any offers?
Thanks were given to all, especially to the committee (including Christine) and to Jeff Drake and others who have helped during the year. The fabric of the building was discussed, the wall, the roof of the lobby, redecoration and the seedlings in the thatch are being investigated.
Events and fundraising were discussed, including Art talks (thank you Brian), Wylye Valley Art Trail and Chocolate Bingo. The Tea and Chats are a great success.
It was agreed that the idea of the Village purchasing a Card Reader would be very useful.
LOCAL HISTORY
MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT FOR BERWICK ST JAMES (and surrounding villages)
The recent election has made me think of the history of Parliamentary Representation for Berwick.
There is a list from 1295 of the Members of Parliament who represented our village.
Before the Reform Act of 1832 Parliamentary Representation was by MP’s elected from various boroughs – in South Wiltshire these included Salisbury, Wilton, Old Sarum, Downton, Hindon, Heytesbury and Westbury with 2 M Ps each.
Everyone who lived outside the boroughs (and had a vote!) voted for two “county” seats.
In 1831 the whole of Wiltshire had an electorate of only 1200, who returned 34 members to parliament. In 2024 the electorate of 391,000 returned 6 M P’s.
The Reform Act 1832 meant there were in total 18 seats in Wiltshire – now south Wiltshire had 2 MP’s from Salisbury, one from Wilton and one from Westbury, and two southern “county “ seats. Amongst the seats which disappeared were the two from the infamous Rotten Borough of Old Sarum.
Before the extension of franchise in the Reform Act of 1885 to include farm labourers, Berwick had 3 voters – you had to have property worth over £10. They were Erlysman Charles Pinckney, John Simpkins, and Francis Webb (who voted in Salisbury).
This Reform Act of 1885 left one MP from Salisbury and one southern “county” seat.
In 1886 there were 35 voters in Berwick. In 1915 38 voters.
The Representation of the People Act 1918 gave the vote to all men over 21 and women over 30 who were householders or wives of householders.
Berwick had 86 voters in 1918 (including 18 men who were “Naval or Military” voters, and 30 women).
The representation of the People Act 1928 gave all men and women the vote on the same terms (over 21, without property requirements).
In 1935 there were 92 voters, in 1946 133 voters plus 4 service voters.
Who were our MP’s?
In 1295 Henry Pratell Henry Thistledene
1831 John Benett (of Pyt House Tisbury) and John Dugdale Astley.
1832 John Benett Hon S Herbert. 1885 Reform Act. Wilton one seat. Sir T F Grove
1918 Reform Act. Salisbury one seat. Hugh Morrison
1942-1964. J G Morrison. 1965–1979. M A Hamilton. 1983–2010. Robert Key
2010–2024. John Glen. 2024 Re-organization of boundaries. Now East Wiltshire. Danny Kruger.
All these MP’s would have interesting stories – but did any of the pre-Reform Act of 1832 know Berwick? These MP’s had to represent the whole of the county excluding the boroughs. They were mainly drawn from a small circle of local gentry.
However, the Howe family from Wishford were MP’s from the mid 1600’s to the mid 1700’s. They owned the southern part of Berwick including The Clock House for many years.
John Howe of Wishford voted against Walpole’s government continuously until 1739 when he voted with them. He was made Lord Chedworth in May 1741.
Researched and written by Nicky Street.
WILDLIFE WATCH
A Great Bustard seen up in the west of Berwick parish near the Old Coach road and A303 in the afternoon and following morning in mid June – too far away to get the number.
My dog disturbed a large weasel on Langford Way track in early July, it hissed and spat and showed its needle sharp teeth and disappeared into the hedge.
A big grass snake has been seen in a Berwick garden, and also its shed skin was found in the compost heap.
A pair of Bullfinches have been paying a number of visits to a Berwick garden, having only seen a handful in the past years.