100 Years Ago June 27, 1908 The annual club dinner and fete in connection with the Court Star of Ashton' Lodge of the Ancient Order of Foresters, was held on Tuesday and was favoured with beautiful weather. The old-established lodge was formerly held at Ashton-under-Hill but in recent years has had its headquarters at Overbury. In the morning the members, headed by the Alderton Brass Band, marched to church, attired in full regalia, where divine service was conducted by the Rev J Gough, Vicar of Beckford, who was assisted by the Rev R F Reeves. The members afterwards paraded the village and called on the principal residents. The dinner was held in the spacious village hall and about 50 members and friends sat down to an excellent repast. This number was, however, smaller than on previous occasions, the haymaking operations materially affecting the attendance.
75 Years Ago July 1, 1933 There were between 50 and 60 horses scheduled in Messrs E G Righton and Son's sale at Pershore Horse Fair in the Sling Meadow, Defford Road, on Monday, and buyers were present from various parts of the Midlands. Many useful animals of the active shire type changed hands. Mr Righton offered prizes as usual. Mr Haines Rimell, of Throckmorton, who again acted as judge, called in Mr Percy Cook, of Worcester, as arbitrator. The prize for the best cart mare or gelding, four years old and over, was won by Mr A Curnock, of Rous Lench, with a bay cart gelding five years old and 17 hands. The second prize was won by Mr H Rimell's bay Shire mare, four years old and 16.1 hands. The first prize winner was bought by Mr A Horne, of Stratford-on-Avon, for 56 guineas, and the second was knocked down for 35 guineas.
30 Years Ago June 19, 1978 The Vale of Evesham Special School made more than £1,000 from their annual open day and fete. The fete was opened by Mr Michael Spicer, MP for South Worcestershire, who was accompanied by the mayor of Evesham, Mr S Baldwyn and the chairman of the governors and Worcester county council representative, Mrs D E Stacey. About 700 people attended and looked round the 36 stalls and the exhibition of children's work in the school, accompanied by music from the Avonbank Brass Band. Mr N A Moore, headmaster, said: "This annual fete and open day could never happen unless we got the co-operation we get from the people of Evesham. Without their assistance the whole thing would be a flop."
