A packed village hall enjoyed an amazing performance by the one woman show, Vesta, performed by talented Claire Worboys, on Saturday 15 October.

Claire alternated her story of Vesta Tilley’s life with lively renditions of the songs she sang throughout her life from a stage life starting at the age of 3 despite extremely humble beginnings. She encouraged the audience to join her in the chorus of the better known songs such as ‘Burlington Bertie’ and ‘I’m following in father’s footsteps’. When the average man’s wage was £1 a week, Vesta was making £12 – and at the tender age of just 10! Although dressing as a man for her act which was initially controversial, she went on to become a recognized artist on both sides of the Atlantic and an inspiration to women everywhere.

She and her husband were recognized for their contribution to the First World War recruitment drive, with one evening’s performance seeing 300 men sign up for duty. He was knighted for his wartime service to the country and she consequently was known as Lady Matilda Alice de Frece. After retiring from the theatre continued to help her husband in his political career, after which they both retired to Monte Carlo. Vesta eventually died at the age of 88 in 1952.

On Sunday 16th the Society launched the last book of its two year Heritage Lottery funded project ‘The First World War and its impact on a rural Worcestershire village’ about the home front produced through painstaking research of archives and documents from the period by a dedicated team of seven. Copies of the book are being issued free of charge to all Bishampton residents. As well as other fascinating facts about the community left behind, the book contains a map showing where the soldiers and their families lived. Visitors to the Villages Hall in Bishampton were also able to see displays of the material extracted from the book, and the project including the local soldiers who had died and served so valiantly for their country.

The weekend marks the penultimate event before the £10,000 award-winning project ends. The finale will take place on the morning of Friday November 11th with a dedication of two new plaques at the war memorial and the planting of the first of a row of cherry trees at the north end of the village by Deputy Mayor Cllr Valerie Smith as a recurring reminder of the fallen.

Mike Rickard is standing down as chair once the project is completed so the Society is keen to recruit a replacement as well as new committee members.

More information is available by visiting www.bishampton.org.uk , emailing mike.rickard@sky.com or telephoning him on 01386 462037.

LESLEY MILLER