IN Sixteenth century Warwickshire the accident rate was possibly no higher than today, but the causes of accidents was very different. Top accidents for women and young boys were drowning, generally when falling into wells. One died when picking flowers and another collecting cabbage leaves. Men drowned too when they accidentally fell into water at fords or from shaky bridges and their heavy underclothes pulled them down.

Dr. Steven Gunn of Merton College Oxford entertained and informed Bidford History Society on October 17. with the research reports on 3,000 coroners reports. These provide a narrative on individual accidents. Most people wore a knife for eating and many falls resulted in fatal blade injuries. Carts were poorly laden, so over turned. Lead animals could be erratic and many were killed when run over by their own cart. Collecting fire wood by climbing trees had its hazards too.

The Society's latest book, "We will remember them" will be launched on Saturday November 15 in Bidford Church Hall. The book is an illustrated account of those Bidford and district men who died in the Great War and follows 10 years of research.

The next routine meeting is in the Crawford Hall on November 21 and is the story of the 1914 Christmas truce, told by Morris Men in honour of all the dancers who died during that war.

visit www.bidfordhistory.org.uk for details.

JOHN ALEXANDER-HEAD