Events 1900 - 1929
Please note that more records may be added here from time-to-time but will continue to be generally only those relating to Pamber Common (Heath), NOT Pamber Green or Pamber End.
All records are in DATE ORDER BY YEAR
HOME PAGE EVENTS 1800 - 1899 EVENTS 1900 - 1929 EVENTS 1930 - 1969 EVENTS 1970 - 1999 EVENTS 2000 - 2009
1900 - BENHAM'S BAKERY AND GROCERY SHOP ESTABLISHED > William Benham established a bakery and grocery shop in High Road (Silchester Road), Pamber Heath this year. In 1899 he had been a grocer in partnership with his brother Tom at Silchester. By 1900 the shop at Pamber Heath was opened. William was the official shopkeeper but helped by his younger brother Thomas, who was to be detailed as a'bakers assistant' at the time of the 1901 census. William had a wife called Lucy and just one child when he came to Pamber Heath - a daughter named Kathleen. ITEM 0178 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 2nd of June, 1900 as well as the 1901 census.
1900 - VALUABLE ALLOTMENT LAND FOR SALE BY AUCTION > Allotment land measuring 3 roods and 13 poles or thereabouts, late in the occupation of David Long, (believed to be in Clapps Gate Road) is to be auctioned at Pamber Heath by Mr. Alfred W. Tyrrell of Basingstoke. The auction will take place on the ground on Friday the 1st of June 1900 at 1 o'clock punctually. ITEMS 0167 & 0304 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 26th of May, 1900.
1900 - JAMES STAMP OF PAMBER GREEN SELLS FARM STOCK > Cherry Tree Cottage, Pamber Green: 'Messrs. Curtis & Curtis are favoured with instructions from Mr. James Stamp, who is giving up the land to sell by auction on the premises on Tuesday, June 12th, 1900, at 2 o'clock. On view morning of sale.' Various items of stock were listed. ITEM 0304 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 26th of May, 1900.
1900 - FIRST JUMBLE SALE AT PAMBER HEATH > A rummage sale, believed to be the first in the village, was held at Pamber Heath in the Mission Room on Tuesday, 22nd of May. The sale commenced at 3 o'clock and within half-an-hour nearly everything was sold. The Misses Adams, Mrs. Adams and Miss Hall sold the goods. Tea and cake was supplied for one penny. A large quantity of goods came from the Parsonage. Mrs. Roller, Mrs. Oppé, Mrs. Franklin Saunders, Mr. Rose and Messrs Burberry & Sons Ltd., were the suppliers of other goods. Between four and five pounds were realised to provide extra lighting for the Mission Room. ITEM 0167 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 2nd of June, 1900.
1900 - PAMBER HEATH SCHOOLCHILDREN RECEIVE A TREAT > Mr. and Mrs. Benham of 'The Stores, Pamber Heath', gave the scholars of Pamber Heath Sunday and Day Schools a treat in the Mission Room. A 'first-rate tea' was supplied at the event, which was held on the Queen's birthday. 103 children assembled at 4pm and sweets were given to each child. The children wore national colours and 'the company were unusually jubilant due to the recent success at Mafeking' (Boer War). ITEM 0178 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 2nd of June, 1900.
1900 - PAMBER PARISH COUNCIL MEETING > 'A meeting of the Parish Council was held at the Mission Room, Little London (by permission), on the 27th ult. The following councillors were present :- Mr. W. Stroud (chairman), Messrs. J. Bonney, J. Dicker, W. Follett, T. Kimber, J. Smith and C. Stroud.' Business concerned writing to various persons requesting them to attend to such matters as clearing out watercourses and maintaining hedges. ITEM 0304 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 13th of October, 1900.
1900 - SCARLET FEVER OUTBREAK - THREE CHILDREN DIE > Scarlet fever broke out in Pamber Heath in November, resulting in the deaths of three children. The following was recorded in the Pamber Heath School log book: November 9th, 1900: 'Florence Stroud, a scholar, died last night after only 3 days absence from school.' November 19th, 1900: 'Scarlet fever having broken out in the house where a pupil died on November 8th, all children from the immediate neighbourhood are being exempted from attendance.' November 23rd, 1900: 'Elizabeth B. Saunders attacked in school all the symptoms of scarlet fever and had to be sent home.' November 26th, 1900: 'Two scholars of class IV, Dorothy West and Ethel Lambden, having taken the fever, are absent as well as their brother. The head teacher and 25 pupils only were present all day.' December 16th, 1900: 'The names of two baby class pupils, Ethel Lambden and Edith Holmes, withdrawn from the register. Both children died of scarlet fever.' January 7th, 1901: 'School reopened after being closed 6 weeks all but 1 day. 14 regular scholars and 4 new ones present, the monitress absent, undergoing quarantine for scarlet fever.' ITEM 0322 SOURCE: Pamber Heath School log book, document ref. 141M87/LB1, Hampshire Record Office.
1901 - DEATH OF FORMER PELICAN LANDLADY > Hannah Newman died in January of this year at the age of 83. She was born in Brackley, Northamptonshire and arrived in Pamber Heath from Mortimer, where the family were living at the time of the 1881 census. Her husband James Carr Newman, a former gamekeeper, had died in 1890 at the age of 76. Hannah was listed as the publican of the Pelican Inn at the 1891 census and she had three unmarried daughters living with her. She had given up running the Pelican Inn by 1899 as Daniel Beer was in charge then. Hannah, who was still living in Pamber Heath at the time of her death, was buried at Pamber Priory Church on the 2nd of February, 1901. ITEM 0318 SOURCE: Burial register, Pamber Priory Church as well as the 1881 and 1891 census.
1901 - DEEP SNOW IN PAMBER HEATH CLOSES SCHOOL > February 5th, 1901. 'Snow has fallen to a depth of 4 feet in some places. Roads are blocked. Only 1 scholar has come. School closed till the roads are open again.' ITEM 0322 SOURCE: Pamber Heath School log book, document ref. 141M87/LB1, Hampshire Record Office.
1901 - NEW CLASSES FORMED AT PAMBER HEATH SCHOOL > February? 30th, 1901. 'New classes were formed for the year 8 scholars from Standard 1. Drafted to upper schools - 4 to Tadley and 4 to Silchester. A child having brought a walnut to school, clay models of it were done by classes 1 and 2.' ITEM 0322 SOURCE: Pamber Heath School log book, document ref. 141M87/LB1, Hampshire Record Office.
1901 - DEATH OF EDWARD RICHARDS ADAMS > The curate of Pamber Heath, Edward Richard Adams passed to his rest in March, 1901. He left a wife Augusta, aged 48 and at least a daughter - Violet Eva, aged 18. Augusta was born in Germany and Violet in London. Edward had been curate at Pamber Heath at least since 1897. He was buried at Pamber Priory Church on the 18th of March 1901, aged 59 years. ITEM 0318 SOURCE: Burial register, Pamber Priory Church and 1901 census.
1901 - REPORT ON SCHOOL RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION > April 19th, 1901. 'Copy report of religious instruction. Inspector April 19th, 1901: Old testament very good, new testament very good, catechism very good, repetition very good. General remarks: Number on books 42, present 35.' ITEM 0322 SOURCE: Pamber Heath School log book, document ref. 141M87/LB1, Hampshire Record Office.
1901 - PELICAN INN PUBLICAN DIES AT AGE 41 > Daniel Beer, the landlord of the Pelican Inn, sadly died early in this year at the age of 41. His wife Thirza was to become the landlady. She had two sons living with her at the time of the 1901 census - Crawford and younger son, Leonard. SOURCE: GRO BMD index, Kelly's Directory 1903 and 1901 census.
1902 - HARVEST THANKSGIVING SERVICE > The annual harvest thanksgiving service took place recently. The Band of the Pamber Heath Church Lads' Brigade played. 'Some two dozen people were unable to gain admission due to room being crowded to excess'. ITEM 0332 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 11th of October, 1902.
1902 - NOAH PIKE & THOMAS RAWLINGS FINED > Petty Sessions: Unlighted vehicles. 'Noah Pike, gypsy and Thomas Rawlings, a loud voiced and rather brazen individual'. They were fined 5s each for driving carts with no lights; stopped by PC Pott. ITEM 0332 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 25th of October, 1902.
1902 - MOTHER OF SCHOOL HEADMISTRESS DIES AGED 60 > Mary Hall, the mother of Pamber Heath School headmistress Sarah Hall, died in November this year at the age of 60. Mary had come to live with her daughters Sarah and Eliza at the School House in Pamber Heath adjoining the school, presumably following the death of her husband James, who was a blacksmith. Mary had been at Pamber Heath at least since 1901. She originally came from the Northumberland area but spent some time living in Durham, where her daughter Sarah was a pupil teacher. It was said in the local newspaper in 1909, on Sarah's farewell from the school at its closure, that a close tie that linked her with Pamber Heath was that her dear mother had spent her last days with her at Pamber Heath. Mary was laid to rest in the churchyard of Pamber Priory Church on the 16th of November, 1902. ITEMS 0304 & 0318 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 6th of February, 1909, ITEM 0332 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 22nd of November, 1902, Burial register, Pamber Priory Church, as well as Census returns for 1881 and 1901.
1902 - NOAH PIKE IN ALLEGED THEFT OF RABBIT SKINS > Court: Alleged theft of rabbit skins by Noah Pike, gypsy. £3 bail in Basingstoke Police. ITEM 0332 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 13th of December, 1902.
1902 - NOAH PIKE HAS ALLEGED THEFT CASE DISMISSED > Division Petty Sessions: About a rabbit skin (Noah Pike); case dismissed. ITEM 0332 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 20th of December, 1902.
1903 - BASINGSTOKE RAILWAY STATION IMPROVEMENTS > Work has begun on Basingtoke's new red brick railway station. Completion is expected in spring 1905. ITEM 0332 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 21st of March, 1903.
1903 - JAMES SMITH IN AN ACCIDENT > 'An accident occurred on Monday night to Mr. James Smith, of Yew Tree Cottage Laundry, Pamber, as he was returning home from the Duke of Wellington's with the washing in a pony trap. His leg was injured badly, being nearly broken, and he has been laid up since. He is progressing favourably.' ITEM 0332 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 5th of December, 1903.
1904 - WEDDING OF ALBERT WOODS TO ANNIE LONG > 'A very pretty wedding took place at Pamber Church on Monday afternoon, the Rev. Kidgell officiating. The contracting parties were Miss Annie Long, second daughter of Mr. D. Long and Mr. Albert Woods, second son of the late Mr. J. Woods, both of Pamber Heath. The bride, who looked very pretty in a costume of lavender grey with hat to match, was given away by Mr. W. Woods...Mr. P. Monger was best man. The bridesmaids were...Miss Rose Long, Miss Elsie Woods, Miss Kate Woods and Miss Bertha Woods, who wore pretty costumes of blue - grey, with hats to match. At the conclusion of the ceremony, the party adjourned to the bridegroom's home where a goodly number of relatives and friends assembled.' ITEM 0332 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 30th of January, 1904.
1904 - WILLIAM BROADHURST & ESAU WIGLEY IN DISPUTE > 'Garden Boundary Dispute - At the Divisional Petty Sessions at Basingstoke, on Wednesday, William Broadhurst appeared to answer an information alleging that on the 16th June he maliciously damaged a fence belonging to Esau Wigley.' Esau Wigley's son William gave evidence: On the 14th June, he saw that the fence had been pulled down and his mother said William Broadhurst had done it. The fence was restored the following Wednesday, only to be then pulled down again and cut into five pieces by William Broadhurst on the 16th June. 'It was an old dispute and one for the County Court to settle. The Acting Clerk advised the Magistrates that they had no jurisdiction, and the case was accordingly dismissed.' ITEM 0332 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 16th of July, 1904.
1904 - WEDDING OF PAMBER HEATH SCHOOLMISTRESS > Eliza Hall, a schoolmistress of Pamber Heath School, was married to George Herbert Fletcher, a schoolmaster, at Pamber Priory Church on the 4th of August, 1904. Eliza is the younger sister of Sarah Hall, the headmistress of Pamber Heath School. ITEM 0175 SOURCE: Register of marriages, Pamber Priory Church.
1904 - SALE AT THE OLD HATCHET > A sale of household furniture and outdoor effects took place at the Old Hatchet public house. ITEM 0332 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 10th of September, 1904.
1904 - HARVEST FESTIVAL > A harvest festival took place at the Mission Room, Pamber Heath. ITEM 0332 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 15th of October, 1904.
1904 - EARTHQUAKE IN NORTH HAMPSHIRE > An earthquake shock was felt in many of the villages of north Hampshire 'last Friday around midday'. ITEM 0332 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 3rd of December, 1904.
1904 - SALE OF TABLE FOWL > A sale of table fowl was held in Pamber Heath by P. Tull. ITEM 0332 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 17th of December, 1904.
1904 - INQUEST ON SUDDEN DEATH OF ARTHUR CRIPPS > An inquest was held at the Old Hatchet Inn, Pamber Heath on the body of Mr. Arthur Cripps of Pamber Heath, who had passed away suddenly. The jury returned a verdict of death due to natural causes as a result of heart disease. ITEM 0332 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 17th of December, 1904.
1905 - FRANCIS BOYD IN COTTAGE ON RED HOUSE ESTATE > Around this time, Francis Boyd took up residence of a cottage in the north-east corner of the Red House Estate owned by Mrs. Pauline Oppé. It is believed that he was the gardener on the estate. Francis had married Annie Matilda West of Pamber Heath on the 4th of November, 1905 and was stated as being a gardener in 1906 on the baptism of his son Rowland. He was also stated as being 'a tenant of 44 years standing' on the sale documents of The Red House in 1949. ITEM 0311 SOURCE: Sale documents of The Red House, 1949 and other documents.
1905 - ARTHUR LONG ACCUSED OF STEALING > Arthur Long was accused of stealing a sack of chaff valued at half-a-crown. ITEM 0332 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 25th of November, 1905.
1906 - DEATH OF LEONARD BEER > 'Profound regret was felt and expressed throughout the hamlet of Pamber Heath when the news of the death of Mr. Leonard Beer was known. He was the youngest son of the respected landlady of the Pelican Inn and was of a bright, cheerful, genial disposition. He was beloved by all who knew him and was a prominent member of the Church Lads' Brigade. His illness came on somewhat suddenly, and rapid consumption setting in brought this young life to an early grave. The funeral took place at the Tadley Congregational burial ground on Friday afternoon.' ITEM 0332 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 24th of March, 1906.
1906 - MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR LEONARD BEER > 'Memorial Service - Pamber Heath Mission Room, always well attended, was crowded to its utmost capacity on Sunday evening, March 18th, the occasion being a memorial service for the late Leonard Beer, a member of the Pamber and Tadley Corps of the Church Lads' Brigade. The comrades of the deceased, to the number of 24, under their captain (Mr. J. Whistler), attended in uniform.' Family, friends and neighbours were present and Rev. F. J. Kidgell 'preached a soul-stirring, impressive, and eloquent sermon.' Hymns were sung, Mr. W. Yates presiding at the organ. ITEM 0332 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 7th of April, 1906.
1906 - PETER LONG DIES DAY AFTER ENTERING WORKHOUSE > An inquest was held at the Old Basing Union Infirmary on the body of Peter Long of Pamber, aged 70 years. 'From the evidence of Mr. Joseph Jibb, Relieving Officer, it appeared that the deceased applied for an order of admission to the workhouse, which he was granted. He was removed to the workhouse on Wednesday. The following morning he became ill and Nurse Charles at the Infirmary attended him. Dr. Meyrick, the Medical Officer, was sent for but the man died on Thursday morning. At the post-mortem examination the cause of death was found to be pericarditis. A verdict of death from natural causes was returned.' ITEM 0332 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 8th of September, 1906.
1906 - WEDDING OF JAMES SMITH TO MABEL LAMBDEN > 'A very pretty wedding was solemnized at St. Saviour's Church, Mortimer West End, on Saturday, September 1st, between Miss Mabel Lambden of Stoney Hill, Mortimer West, and James Smith, son of Mr. James Smith, farmer, of Ashford Hill. The ceremony took place at 2.30 and was conducted by the Vicar (Rev. F. E. Rooke). The bride who was given away by her brother, Mr. Edwin Lambden, looked very pretty in a handsome dress of white silk with veil wreath of white heather and orange blossom. Her four bridesmaids were Miss Annie Wynn, Miss Annie Smith, Miss Alice Smith and Miss Kate Wyeth.' Mr. Archibald Wells was best man. ITEM 0332 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 15th of September, 1906.
1906 - DEATH OF MR. FROOME AT THE AGE OF ONLY 33 > 'On Wednesday in last week, after a long and painful illness, Mr. C. W. Froome passed away into the higher life. The burial took place at the Congregational Church cemetery at Tadley. The first part of the funeral service was conducted by the Rev T. W. Robilliard in the church.' A hymn, a reading and prayer was followed with another hymn. 'A short but very suitable address was given by the Rev. J. Kidgell, curate of Pamber Heath Church. At the close of the address, the coffin was taken to the grave and the service concluded' (with a hymn). 'The deceased, who was only 33 years of age, leaves a widow and three young children.' ITEM 0332 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 15th of September, 1906.
1906 - HARVEST FESTIVAL HELD > 'The Mission Room at Pamber Heath was on Sunday a scene of cheerfulness, the occasion being the Harvest Festival. The room had been beautifully decorated' by numerous individuals. 'It was well the thanksgiving had been fixed late in the month, as many exquisite dahlias, which had bloomed after the recent heavy rains, were sent, and these and other lovely flowers, faded bracken, creeper, berries, moss, corn, fruit and vegetables, formed the main decorative material. The morning service was very well attended. Rev. F. J. Kidgell preached at the evening service, when the room was crowded to its fullest capacity.' Many local people had sent gifts. 'Mr. W. Yates ably presided at the organ and the singing was hearty and reverent.' ITEM 0332 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 27th of October, 1906.
1907 - YEW TREE LAUNDRY CELEBRATION SUPPER > 'A supper was given on Thursday in last week by Mr. and Mrs. Smith, of the Yew Tree Laundry, Pamber, to celebrate the opening of a new laundry which has been built owing to the great increase of their work. All those employed on the building were invited, Mr. Wigley, of Silchester, being the builder. With the employees and friends, altogether over 30 sat down to the elaborate supper provided. After supper a most enjoyable evening was spent, and a hearty vote of thanks, proposed by Mr. Wigley, was passed to the host and hostess for their kindness.' ITEM 0332 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 5th of January, 1907.
1907 - PAMBER HEATH SCHOOLCHILDREN ENTERTAINED > 'Children's Treat - With her characteristic kindness, Mrs. Oppé entertained the day scholars (numbering over forty) and the Sunday scholars (sixty) to a tea in the schoolroom on Saturday afternoon. From 3.30 to half past six, the young folks and their teachers, The Misses Hall, L. Saunders, L. James and K. Saunders, had a very happy time.' The 'capital tea' was catered for by Mrs. W. Benham. Afterwards, the day scholars 'sang several carols very sweetly', followed by "Bonnie Dundee", 'sung beautifully' by four elder girls from the Sunday School. 'Two huge, heavily-laden Christmas trees were unveiled' and presents distributed to all, suited to their ages and needs, provided by Mrs. Oppé and Mrs. Wiggett. 'Before leaving hearty cheers were given for Mrs. Oppé' and others. ITEM 0332 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 12th of January, 1907.
1907 - WEDDING OF JOHN OPPÉ TO SARAH STEPHEN IN CANADA > 'The marriage between John Daniel Oppé and Sarah Jackson Stephen, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Stephen, was solemnized on Tuesday at 502, Sherbrooke-street, Montreal, Canada, the residence of the bride's parents. Mr. J .D. Oppé is manager and director of Marconi's Wireless Telegraph Company of Canada, and is a son of the late S. A. Oppé and of Mrs. Oppé, of Pamber Heath, Basingstoke. ITEM 0332 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 19th of January, 1907.
1907 - ARTHUR LONG CHARGED > 'Mentally deficient - On Saturday last, at Basingstoke, before Mr. W. J. Cooper, a young man named Arthur Long was brought up charged with stealing a horse collar from the stable of Mr. Thomas Bowman on Thursday night. Mr. Cooper remanded the prisoner until Monday in order that enquiries might be made into his mental condition. On Monday the magistrate said he had a communication from the Governor of Winchester Prison stating that the prisoner was, in the opinion of the prison doctor, mentally deficient and not a fit subject for penal discipline. That being so he should discharge the prisoner as far as this case was concerned.' He was discharged. ITEM 0332 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 19th of January, 1907.
1907 - ALFRED WEST FINED FOR HAVING UNLIGHTED CART > 'Unlighted Cart - At the Divisional Petty Sessions at Basingstoke, on Wednesday, Alfred West, labourer, was fined 5s, including costs, for driving a pony and cart at Pamber Heath without a light at 9.30 p.m. on the 2nd September. He did not appear, having gone to Farnham to pick up hops. P.C. Pett said that when he stopped the cart the defendant said the candle went out up by Rose's shop. "But you have no lamp here", said the constable. "No", the defendant replied. "I borrowed one, and when the candle went out I gave the lamp back." He should have borrowed another candle.' ITEM 0332 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 21st of September, 1907.
1909 - SERVICE OF SONG AT THE MISSION CHURCH > 'The people of Pamber Heath have for some time been without a resident clergyman but they are fortunate in having Capt. George Ayrton in charge of the Mission Church. He has organised weekly entertainments and is ably backed up in those undertakings by Mr. W. Yates , of the Post Office, Silchester. On Tuesday evening a good congregation assembled to hear a Service of Song entitled "Billy Bray". A choir of 12 in number took the singing parts. Mr. W. Yates presided at the organ. Capt. G. Ayrton gave the connected readings. These bright evening entertainments are most enjoyable and help to break the monotonous round of everyday life in country villages in the winter time.' ITEM 0304 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 2nd of January, 1909.
1909 - GRAMOPHONE ENTERTAINMENT AT THE MISSION CHURCH > Mrs. Hume Winn kindly gave a gramophone entertainment at the Mission Church on 'Wednesday evening'. Miss Harrison was in charge of the gramophone and there was a crowded audience who were delighted with the lengthy entertainment. ITEM 0304 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 9th of January, 1909.
1909 - BENHAM'S FAMOUS LARDY CAKE ENJOYED AT SCHOOL TREATS > Mrs. Oppé gave her annual two treats: one on Friday at 4pm for the day scholars, mothers and teachers and the other on Saturday at 5pm for the Sunday scholars, fathers and teachers. Mr. and Mrs. Benham catered for the events and there was an 'ample supply of their famous Lardy Cake.' Each adult and child received a present from a large Christmas tree. There were songs, games and much enjoyed by all. ITEM 0304 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 16th of January, 1909.
1909 - CLOSURE OF PAMBER HEATH SCHOOL A HARDSHIP SAY VILLAGERS > Pamber Heath School is to close on Friday the 29th of January, 1909. The school was provided by the local Squire at the time, Richard Benyon, who gave £50 a year to fund it, as did the present Squire (J. H. Benyon) until it was taken over by the new County Education Committee. They are closing it to economise by ordering the children to attend other schools. Fifteen will go to Silchester School and eight to Tadley School. Miss Hall, who had been headmistress for 11 years since March, 1898 and held in high regard by all, was presented with a purse of gold, subscribed to by many, by Mrs. Oppé after the annual treat on Friday (see previous item). Miss Hall will take up the post of headmistress at the large Church of England Infants' School at Hawley on the 1st of February. The closure is considered a hardship by Pamber Heath people and it was supposed that if only a petition had been put in hand, the closure would not have come about. ITEMS 0103 & 0304 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 16th and 23rd of January, 1909.
1909 - FAREWELL TO PAMBER HEATH SCHOOL HEADMISTRESS > A farewell gathering and presentation took place on 'Wednesday afternoon in last week' when villagers and friends assembled in the Schoolroom to bid farewell to Miss Hall, who had been headmistress for eleven years and was leaving for Hawley. 74 sat down to a tea catered for by Mrs. Benham, followed by songs, recitations and piano solos. A presentation was made to Miss Hall of a silver-backed hair brush and comb as a token of appreciation by the parishioners of Pamber and Monk Sherborne, not only for her work in the school but for her work as a Sunday School teacher, for being a member of the church choir and generally supporting the work of the church. A short farewell service followed. ITEM 0304 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 6th of February, 1909.
1909 - PAMBER HEATH SCHOOL LOG BOOK CLOSED > With the closure of Pamber Heath School, the log book, which was started in 1887, was also closed. The book recorded many events at the school, mostly attendance, school reports and the items studied such as those used for object lessons. Other less mundane events were recorded, such as the scarlet fever outbreak in 1900, which resulted in the deaths of three pupils, and deep snow causing the school to close in 1901. There was also mention of the frequent late opening of the school after the summer breaks, due to families being away hop-picking late September into October. ITEM 0322 SOURCE: Pamber Heath School log book, document ref. 141M87/LB1, Hampshire Record Office.
1909 - 'I'LL VOTE LIBERAL TO DO AWAY WITH HOUSE OF LORDS' > A Liberal Party meeting took place in the School on ' Wednesday evening' and the prospective Liberal Party candidate for North Hants Mr. J. E. Wallis was present. The meeting was well attended and one of the main topics discussed was the House of Lords veto. Mr. Penny of Mortimer West pledged himself to vote for Mr. Wallis if he could promise the Liberal Party really meant to do away with the House of Lords. ITEM 0304 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 27th of February, 1909.
1909 - PAMBER HEATH MISSION CHURCH BECOMES ST. LUKE'S CHURCH > The church at Pamber Heath became known as St. Luke's Church around this time but I have yet to research and find a newspaper report concerning this event.
1909 - FIR TREE COTTAGE LAND CONVEYANCE > The sale by auction documents in 1949 for 'Fir Tree Cottage' (now known as 'Treacle Cottage') at what is now the corner of Pamber Heath Road and Church Road, referred to '...a Conveyance on Sale dated the 19th November, 1909'. This is possibly the transfer of land prior to the building of the cottage. ITEM 0311 SOURCE: Sale documents, 1949.
1910 - CHRISTMAS CHURCH SERVICES WELL ATTENDED > Services at St. Luke's Church, Pamber Heath were well attended over the Christmas period. The Rev W.S. Walford preached at them all. ITEM 0178 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 1st of January, 1910.
1910 - CHOIR SUPPER AT CHURCH COTTAGE > On 'Tuesday evening' a supper was held for the choir at Church Cottage, Pamber Heath. Captain Ayrton of the Church Army, who had charge of Pamber Heath before the coming of Rev. W.S. Walford, was present and a happy time was spent by all. After the supper, Rev. W.S. Walford presented the organist, Mr. W. Yates, with a bound copy of Handels Messiah, subscribed to by the choir. The boys and girls were given a little money present. There were recitations, songs and speeches given by Captain Ayrton, Rev. Walford and others. ITEM 0178 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 1st of January, 1910.
1910 - MR. T. OPPÉ GIVES A SPEECH AT MONK SHERBORNE > Mr. T. A. Oppé of Pamber Heath gave a speech 'Saturday last' at the Priory School, Monk Sherborne. ITEM 0178 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 8th of January, 1910.
1910 - PAMBER HEATH RIFLE RANGE AT THE WHITE HOUSE > A 25 yard range at the White House, Pamber Heath, residence of Mr. Wiggett, is in use by the Pamber Heath Rifle Club and influential people of the neighbourhood are in support of it. Small rifles were used at first but Lee - Enfield service rifles were later supplied by subscription. The cup was presented to A. Cripps, winner of the rifle shoot, with a score of 821. Other good scores were: H. Wigley, 816, J. Bartlett?, 804, A. Wheeler, 785, Crawford Beer, 775. ITEM 0178 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 8th of January, 1910.
1910 - ANNUAL SLATE CLUB DINNER AT THE PELICAN INN > A total of 35 people were present for the annual dinner of the Slate Club, hosted by Mrs. Beer at the Pelican Inn, Pamber Heath. The secretary, Crawford Beer, gave his report stating that there was a balance of £30 2s 4d., providing a dividend of £1 6s 2d to each member. There was a 'bountiful spread'. Songs were sung, toasts were made and it was considered 'a most jovial evening'. Rev. W.S. Walford and Dr Langley were present. ITEM 0178 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 8th of January, 1910.
1910 - NEW ORGAN AT ST. LUKE'S CHURCH, PAMBER HEATH > A new organ was used for the first time 'last Thursday' at St. Luke's Church, Pamber Heath. An 'American Organ' was purchased for use in the church, funded by subscriptions in response to private appeals by Rev. W.S Walford. Mr. Benyon gave £15. Rev. W. S. Walford has been in charge at St. Luke's for six months. ITEM 0178 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 19th of February and 12th of March, 1910.
1910 - PAMBER PARISH COUNCIL ELECTION > Elected to the Pamber Parish Council were: Benjamin Fell, Thomas Kimber, Charles Stroud, William Simpson, Arthur Smith and Alfred Bushell. ITEM 0178 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 19th of March, 1910.
1910 - WILLIAM STROUD & JOSEPH WELLS APPOINTED TRUSTEES > William Stroud of Pamber Heath was appointed as a trustee of the Adam De Ports Charity and William Stroud and Joseph Wells, also of Pamber Heath, were appointed as trustees for the Sympsons and Wheats charities. They will hold office for a period of four years. ITEM 0178 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 19th of March, 1910.
1910 - SUNDAY DELIVERY OF POST REQUESTED > Pamber Parish Council will write to the Postmaster General to request a Sunday delivery of post for the whole of the Tadley area. ITEM 0178 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 19th of March, 1910.
1910 - QUASI VESTRY MEETING AT CHURCH COTTAGE > 'The vestry meeting was held at the Church Cottage on Tuesday evening. A goodly number attended, among those present being Rev. W. S. Walford, who took the chair, Mr. Wigget, Mr. H. J. Whistler, Mr. W. Benham, Mr. James Yates junior, Mr. A. J. Goddard and Mr. W. Yates. Mr. Wigget presented the accounts, which were approved. Mr. Wigget was nominated vicar's actuate acting warden, Mr. W. Benham was elected to perform a like office on behalf of the people. The following were elected acting sidesman: Misses Whisper, Lowe, Soper and J. Yates. Mr. T. Hunt was appointed bellringer. Several proposed improvements to the church were discussed.' ITEM 0178 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 2nd of April, 1910.
1910 - EASTER SERVICES AT ST. LUKE'S WELL ATTENDED > 'The service for Easter Day was specially bright and hearty. The little church was most tastefully adorned with plants and flowers by the willing band of workers and looked very pretty and effective with the morning sunshine shining in upon it .Services were well attended. Total for the day £4 10s 11d. The choir deserved our praise. Mr. Walford conducted the services throughout the day. There were crowded congregations and evening chairs had to be requisitioned although even then all that came could not get in.' ITEM 0178 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 2nd of April, 1910.
1910 - FRED LONG BITTEN BY AN ADDER > 'A remarkable misadventure happened on Sunday afternoon to a lad named Fred Long, son of Mr. and Mrs. David Long of Pamber Heath. It appears he put his hand into a hole in the bank down by the forest, thinking it was a birds nest, and a large adder bit the back of his left hand and made it bleed. He hurried home and his father put the pony in the cart and drove him to Dr Daly, who treated the injury and gave him medicine. The boy's hand and arm were very much swollen and he was in great pain. He has been very ill in consequence and for a time his life hung in the balance. We are pleased to say that the boy is now making a rapid recovery and can eat now and was able to get out in the garden a little on Tuesday.' ITEM 0178 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 28th of May and 4th of June, 1910.
1910 - COUNCIL MEETING CONCERNING PARISH POUND > 'Pamber Parish Council meeting was attended by H. E. A. Wiggett, chairman, Mrs. C. Stroud, B. Fell A. Smith, A. Bushell, W. Simpson. With Mr. A. Kimber Clarke, the chairman was requested by the council to call the parish meeting in October or November in order to meet the feeling of the parishioners reference to the prosale of the parish pound.' ITEM 0178 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 16th of July, 1910.
1910 - BIBLE RESTER PRESENTED TO ST. LUKE'S CHURCH > 'Another adornment to St. Luke's Church: On Saturday last Miss Cockerton generously presented to St. Luke's Church, a massive, revolving brass bible rester for the pulpit. This is only another proof among many of the kind thought and generosity of Miss Cockerton since her residence in the neighbourhood.' ITEM 0178 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 6th of August, 1910.
1910 - ST. LUKE'S CHURCH CHOIR SEASIDE OUTING TO COWES > 'The choir and church workers of St. Luke's had a seaside excursion on Monday last. The party travelled in the old time style in carriers vans to Basingstoke and thence by train to Southampton Docks and boat to Cowes. A party of between 30 and 40 had a most happy time.' ITEM 0178 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 27th of August, 1910.
1910 - LARGE ONION ON VIEW AT THE PELICAN INN > A one and three-quarter pound onion, measuring sixteen inches in circumference, was on view at the Pelican Inn. The owner was not stated. Large vegetable marrows were also on display. ITEM 0178 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 24th of September, 1910.
1910 - CURACY FUND > 'The vicar acknowledges in the parish magazine the following contributions to the curacy fund. In addition to Mr. Benyon's handsome subscription of £75, viz. Mrs. Oppé £10, Mrs. Cockerton £5, Mr. H. Wiggett £5.' ITEM 0178 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 24th of September, 1910.
1910 - BAD LANGUAGE TO A PONY RESULTS IN FINE > Eli Rose, a travelling grinder, encamped on Pamber Heath, was fined 10 shillings, including costs, for using obscene language. From the evidence of PC Chandler, he had been seen thrashing his pony and shouting bad language to it while driving at a 'tremendous pace' along the Silchester to Tadley road 'Saturday last at 8pm'. 'He was making use of bad language to his pony and witness could hear him half-a-mile away. Eli said it was only his boy singing. He had a boy in the trap.' Eli was said to have been drinking and police had received several complaints about his conduct since. He did not appear in court but his wife did, saying 'her husband was getting his living and had six children to keep'. ITEM 0178 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 29th of October, 1910.
1910 - HARVEST FESTIVAL > 'The harvest festival at St. Luke's Church took place on Sunday last. The little church looked at its best in its beautiful festal garb. A lovely supply of white crysanthemums and other flowers, autumnal foliage and corn, fruit, vegetables and hops were used for the decorations, which were undertaken by Mrs. Hunt, Mrs. Saunders, Mrs. Fulford, Miss Hunt and Miss. J Parris. Services were attended by full congregations and in the evening extra chairs had to be requisitioned. Mr. W. Yates presided at the organ in a most able manner. The singing was unusualy bright and hearty led by the choir of 20 voices. Collections in aid of the Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading amounted to £2 4s 2d. The offerings of fruit,vegetables etc. were sent to the Church Army Labour Home, Reading.' ITEM 0178 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 5th of November, 1910.
1911 - NEW PAMBER PARISH OVERSEERS' BOOK BEGAN > A second book for recording payments and receipts by the overseers of the parish of Pamber was started. The first book covered the period between 1889 and 1911. The second book covered the period between 1911 and 1927. Both books are now lodged with Hampshire Record Office. ITEM 0326 SOURCE: Documents ref. 68M72/DU34 Parish Overseers' receipt and payment book, Pamber 1911-1927, 68M72/DU33 Parish Overseers' receipt and payment book, Pamber, 1889-1911, Hampshire Record Office.
1911 - THIRD 25-INCH ORDNANCE SURVEY MAP PRODUCED > Third edition of 'Pamber Heath'. The village is named as Pamber Heath (was previously shown as Pamber Common) and shows that much building had taken place in the Burney Piece (Burney Bit) area. No road names were given. The Red House and its estate is detailed as is The White House. Footpaths and the location of wells were shown. Houses and other buildings are detailed. ITEM 0102 SOURCE: Copy of map.
1911 - ELLEN MONGER ASSAULTED BY FATHER-IN-LAW > Assault on a daughter-in-law: At the Basingstoke Petty Sessions on Wednesnday, David Monger, labourer of Pamber, was summoned, but did not appear, in respect of an assault on his daughter-in-law, Mrs. Ellen Monger, wife of Charles Monger of Pamber, during an argument about the taking away of the boy and girl who were at Ellen's home at the time. She said she had been married about 11 years and had two children - a boy and a girl. 'The husband's father, who lives in Tadley came to her house at 2.30pm and enquired for the husband but was not at home. The defendant said he would take the little boy but she refused to hand him over and said that he should not take the little girl because she belonged to William Stacey. Defendant then hit her on the right side of her face with his fist causing a bruise. Albert Broadhurst of Mulfords Hill, Tadley, brother of the complainant, said that he was at her house when the father-in-law came and said he would take the boy and also made a remark about the girl to the effect that she was to go to her father William Stacey.' David was fined £1 including costs. ITEM 0178 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 4th of February, 1911.
1911 - WILLIAM BENHAM BAKES CELEBRATED STANDARD BREAD > William Benham advertised that he bakes the celebrated Standard Bread, which can be obtained from him at Pamber Heath. ITEM 0178 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 18th of February, 1911.
1911 - PAMBER HEATH POST OFFICE OPENED AT MR. BENHAM'S SHOP > 'Postal improvements: Pamber Heath can now boast that it has its own post office, which is a great boon to this hamlet. Only a pillar-box hitherto existed and parcels and orders etc. had to be dealt with either at Tadley or Silchester, each a mile distant. Now we have a 'full-blown' post office opened at Mr. Benham's shop. We hope soon to say the telegraph has been also connected.' ITEM 0178 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 25th of February, 1911.
1911 - REV. E. DIGGES LATOUCHE COMMENCES HIS MINISTRY > 'At St. Luke's Church on Sunday last the Rev. E. Digges Latouche M.A., Dr. of Trinity College, Dublin, commenced his ministry at Pamber Heath.' He came into residence the previous week. 'There were good congregations both morning and evening. Dr. D. Latouche, whose degree of doctor of letters was obtained by his recently published book Christian Servitude, has been elected to deliver the Danellan Lectures at Trinity College, Dublin for the current year. He is both a student and practised debater who has been doing important evangelistic evidential work in the north of England. For reason's connected with Mr. Latouche's health, he has been led to work in the south. Up to recently, he had been curate of St. John's, Bradford'. ITEM 0178 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 25th of February, 1911.
1911 - FIRST PAMBER HEATH SCOUT TROOP FORMED > 'Pamber Heath Boy Scouts: A movement in connection with St. Luke's Church to raise a troop of boy scouts is making good progress and a good number of boys has been enrolled. The Rev. D. Latouche and Mr. Wiggett are working energetically in the movement.' ITEM 0178 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 1st of April, 1911.
1911 - INQUEST ON LOUISE WARD AT THE PELICAN INN > 'An inquest was held on Wednesday afternoon at the Pelican Inn by Mr. Spencer Clarke, the County Coroner on the body of Louise Aubrey Ward, the four-month-old child of Horace and Blanche Ward of Pamber Heath, which died on Tuesday morning. From the evidence of the mother and Dr Langley, it was clear that the child, which was weakly from birth, has suffered from jaundice and death was due to purely natural causes. A verdict to this effect was thefore returned.' ITEM 0178 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 9th of September, 1911.
1911 - ST. LUKE'S CHURCH CHOIR OUTING TO WINDSOR > 'Choir Outing: A more successful and enjoyable outing it would be impossible to conceive than the trip participated in by members of St. Luke's choir on Wednesday. Favoured with brilliant weather, the party started from the Parsonage shortly after nine-o-clock in Messrs Lovegrove Brothers' motor cars, for the Windsor Castle with the Rev. Digges Latouche in charge.' They arrived at ten minutes to eleven and viewed the sights of Windsor, toured the Castle, Royal Stables, Riding School and Curfew Tower. They had lunch at one-o-clock and tea at six-thirty in the Castle restaurant. Some boys were put into the ancient stocks, some went on the river while others preferred to stroll. 'Thanks were due to Mr. Arthur Goddard for making all the arrangements and carrying out every detail so well.' A very enjoyable time was had by all. ITEM 0178 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 30th of September, 1911.
1911 - HARVEST FESTIVAL > 'Harvest festival at St. Luke's Church: Harvest thanksgiving services were held on Sunday last...attended by crowded congregations, especially in the evening. ...hearty singing. Rev Digges Latouche Litt. D. conducted the service in the morning. Preacher in the evening was Rev. A. E. Alder M.A., St. John's, Reading. Decorations were most beautiful and artistic, carried out by Mrs. Wiggett, Mrs. and Miss Waltron, the Misses Cockerton, Mrs. Hunt, the Misses. Davidson, the Misses Benham, Parris and Yates and Mrs. Latouche. Collections amounted to £3 1s 2d, devoted to local hospitals.' ITEM 0178 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 14th of October, 1911.
1911 - FREDERICK PERCY SMITH'S TRUANCY RESULTS IN FINE > Pamber Truant Schoolboy: At the Petty Sessions in Basingstoke on Wednesday, John Smith, hire carter, was summoned to Court but did not appear in respect of the truancy of his son, Frederick Percy, 13 years old, who had only attended 15 times out of a possible 102, according to a certificate put in by attendance officer J. Jibb. 'J. Jibb said he thought the grandfather was unaware that the boy had absented himself from school.' The chairman asked: "You don't think the boy goes out with the horses?" Mr. Jibb: "No, he stops at home." A fine of five shillings including costs was imposed and the Court threatened to send the boy to an industrial school if his attendance did not improve. ITEM 0178 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 28th of October, 1911.
1911 - GOSPEL TENT MISSION CREATES GREAT INTEREST > Missioners, Mr. G. Titcombe and Mr. G.B. Gladwick, caused much interest in Pamber Heath with their Gospel Tent mission, which closed on October 26th after a stay of 5 or 6 weeks, owing to the weather and other reasons. The Tent was filled each evening and on Sundays many could not gain admission. ITEM 0178 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 11th of November, 1911.
1911 - MR SIMPSON PRODUCES A FINE CROP OF POTATOES > Mr. Simpson of Pamber Heath was so delighted with his fine crop of potatoes that he collected 125 of them and stored them in a 'Cupid match box' as a sample for display purposes, which could be viewed at the home of the Gazette's correspondent at Silchester. ITEM 0178 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 18th of November, 1911.
1911 - EVENTS IN AID OF THE BENDINGO FUND > Events to raise money for the Bishop of Bendingo's Mission Fund were as follows: Special services were held on Tuesday and Wednesday in the parish to raise £150. Takings amounted to about £108. On Tuesday, a well-attended parish tea was held in the church cottage, the provisions having being kindly given so that the takings were clear profit. At 5.30. a sacred concert was given at St. Luke's Church and an address at 7 o-clock by Rev. Canon Bridges M.A., who was on tour in England on behalf of the Bendingo Mission, Australia. On Wednesday, there was an influential gathering at Mrs. Oppé's, followed by a service at St. Luke's Church, which included songs, organ recitals etc. ITEM 0178 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 23rd of November, 1911.
1911 - MUDDY CHURCH ROAD RECEIVES SOME GRAVEL > Due to the kindness of Mr. Benyon, gravel was put down in Church Road, Pamber Heath, which had previously been in a very muddy state. ITEM 0178 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 30th of November, 1911.
1912 - WILLIAM STROUD DIES AT THE AGE OF 72 > William Stroud, grocer of Pamber Heath, died in October this year at the age of 72, after a long illness. William was born in Tadley in 1840, the son of Barzillai and Sarah Stroud. In 1861 he was one of two footmen at The Vyne, Sherborne St. John, where it is believed he met his wife to be, Jane Wickens. The couple married in the village there in 1866 and had moved to Pamber Heath by 1871, William becoming a grocer and baker. The couple had several children and contributed greatly to village life but Jane's untimely death through illness in 1891 was a sad time for William and his family. William was prominent in the village and in 1895 was elected as the first Pamber Parish Council chairman. He married again in 1898 to Jessie Hastings of Reading. William was a trustee of two charities in 1910 and his shop was situated at what is now 18 Pamber Heath Road (next to where the Pamber Heath Post Office and stores are sited currently). He left a wife and seven children. ITEMS 0116, 0119, 0120 SOURCE: Census Returns, verbal testimonies, BMD certificates and other documents.
1914 - START OF THE GREAT WAR > This year saw the beginning of the Great War in which around 75 people from Pamber Heath were to serve.
1915 - PHOEBE WEST CONVICTED > Phoebe West, wife of Arthur West of Pamber Heath, was convicted this year for an assault on a schoolmistress. See also another news item in 1922. ITEM 0304 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 1st of April, 1922.
1915 - PHILIP TULL IN BUSINESS AS SHOE REPAIRER > Kelly's Directory of Hampshire for 1915 listed Philip Tull of Pamber Heath as a shoe repairer. ITEM 0314 SOURCE: Kelly's Directory of Hampshire, 1915.
1916 - EVIDENCE OF EARLY SCOUTING MOVEMENT > Pamber Heath boy in Scout uniform. ITEM 0042 SOURCE: Photograph of Charles Stroud and family with date verified by a family member shown in it.
1916 to 1917 - ABSENCE OF NEWS REPORTS > Hardly any news reports were published in the Hants & Berks Gazette for Pamber Heath during this period, not even so much as a harvest festival report. I have yet to research the other war years but there may be a connection with the fact that the Great War was taking place at the time.
1916 - FLOODING CAUSED BY BLOCKED DITCH RESULTS IN COMPLAINTS > 'The annual assembly of the Parish Meeting was held at Pamber Heath on Thursday in last week. There were about a dozen parishioners present. Mr. E. J. Lawes presided. The charity accounts were presented. Several complaints were made that a ditch by the main road at Pamber Heath had been blocked up by slabs placed across it and that flooding of the adjoining property had been the result. The Clerk was instructed to notify the owner and request him to remove the obstruction at once.' ITEM 0304 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 1st of April, 1916.
1916 - PAMBER ASSISTANT OVERSEER COMPENSATED > 'Pamber Parish Council - A meeting was held at Pamber Heath on Thursday in last week. The following members were present: Messrs. E. J. Lawes, W. Simpson, J. Kimber, F. Hunt and A. Smith, with the Clerk (Mr A. T. Kimber). The Chairman (Mr J. Rattray) having left the neighbourhood and resigned his office, Mr. E. J. Lawes was elected to preside. The election of a new Chairman was left over to the next meeting.' The usual business was transacted and due to the impending considerable loss of income by the assistant overseer as a result of the suspension by an Act of Parliament in preparing new voters' lists: 'By a unanimous resolution it was decided to increase the salary of the assistant overseer by £5 per annum.' ITEM 0304 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 1st of April, 1916.
1916 - COUNCIL CHAIRMAN, OVERSEERS AND TRUSTEES ELECTED > 'Pamber Parish Council - The annual meeting was held at Pamber Heath on Thursday, the 20th inst. Present - Messrs. W. Simpson, A. Smith, E. J. Lawes, J. Kimber and F. Hunt, with Mr. A. T. Kimber (clerk). The Rev. E. A. Hopkins was also present and was elected Chairman for the ensuing year. Messrs. E. J. Lawes and F. Hunt were appointed overseers. The Clerk presented the financial statement for the year, and cheques were signed for expenses 17s 8d. Mr. A. Smith, of Pamber Heath, was elected Trustee for Adam de Port, Sympson's and Wheat Charities, in place of Mr Rattray, resigned. The Clerk was instructed to communicate with the District Sanitary Inspector re complaints from Pamber Heath of the very bad state of the ditches near Impstone.' ITEM 0304 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 29th of April, 1916.
1917 - TADLEY SCHOOL PHOTOGRAPHS TAKEN (PAMBER HEATH CHILDREN INCLUDED) > ITEM NUMBERS 0004 & 0006 SOURCE: Lists of people appearing on them. (Date approximate).
1918 - END OF GREAT WAR > This year saw the end of the Great War.
1919 - MRS. E. MONGER OF BURNEY BIT CLAIMS RECORD > Mrs. E. Monger claimed to have the largest number of family members engaged in the First World War after 'Daily News' offered £250 prize for person with the most members serving. She says she had nine sons, four girls and 15 grandsons. ITEM 0103 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 29th of March, 1919.
1919 - ARMISTICE COTTAGE LAND CONVEYANCE > The sale by auction documents for 'Armistice Cottage' in Burney Bit referred to '...a Conveyance on Sale dated the 14th October, 1919. This is possibly the transfer of land prior to the building of 'Armistice Cottage'. ITEM 0311 SOURCE: Sale documents, 1949.
1920 - MEMORIAL HALL ERECTED > Around this period, the 'War Memorial Reading and Club Room' was erected. George Monger, who had leased the former parish gravel pit for surface cultivation in 1889, agreed to give up a portion of the land there subject to an adjustment to his annual rent. See the item about the leasing agreement under 1889 in these Event pages. The new hall was built close to Pamber Heath Road and of wooden construction. SOURCE: Pamber Parish Council minutes.
1920 - JACK BENHAM WEDS ALICE HUNT > Herbert Jack Benham, known locally as 'Jack Benham', married Alice May Hunt during the March quarter within the Basingstoke registration district. Herbert, a baker, was the son of William and Lucy Benham of Benham's Post Office and Stores of Pamber Heath. ITEM 0330 SOURCE: General Register Office Index to Marriages as well as other documents.
1920 - THOMAS PARRIS CAUGHT POACHING AT SILCHESTER > Thomas Parris, a labourer of Pamber Heath, who did not appear, was summoned for having trespassed in search of game. Frederick Smith, gamekeeper for Mr. A. Newnham Davis of Silchester, said that on Sunday February 29th, at noon, he saw the defendant with a lurcher dog in Inhams Copse. The dog chased a rabbit and drove it to earth and the defendant tried to get it out with a stick but failed. On leaving the wood, he ran away but the gamekeeper overtook him and told him he would be summoned. He had warned the defendant on the previous Tuesday, when he had four dogs with him. He was fined £1. ITEM 0304 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 20th of March, 1920.
1920 - ROBERT LOUIS WARD IN TROUBLE OVER HIS MOTOR CYCLE > Robert Louis Ward of Pamber Heath was summoned to appear in court for not having a motor cycle licence and also for not having registered it. PC. Toms saw Robert on the 27th of March with a motor cycle No. 1.B. 666 and when questioned, said that the motor cycle belonged to him and he had it since June of last year. When asked about whether it had been registered in his name, Robert said: 'No, I didn't know I had to'. When questioned about the local taxation licence he replied: ' My boss always takes out a licence for me but I don't know whether he has done so this year or not'. PC Toms saw the defendant again on Friday the 2nd of April, who said: 'My boss did not have a licence for me, so I have taken one out', at which point he produced a licence that had been issued at Basingstoke Post Office on March 29th. Robert was a wood cutter and was at present working at Chandlersford for his employer, a Mr. West of Henley. The Bench imposed a fine of £3. ITEM 0304 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 1st of May, 1920.
1921 - HARRY COTTRELL WEDS LILY MERRINGTON > Harry J. Cottrell, son of Charles and Elizabeth Cottrell, married Lily E. Merrington, within the Basingstoke registration district, during the March quarter of 1921. Harry grew up in Pamber Heath and, around 1905, was living with his parents at 'Jasmine Cottage', The Glen. He attended Silchester School. Harry was a bus driver. ITEM 0330 SOURCE: General Register Office Index to Marriages as well as verbal testimony from his daughter.
1922 - PHOEBE WEST FINED FOR BEATING TENANT WITH A STICK > An assault took place on the 13th of March, 1922 after an argument about being asked to quit rented accommodation. A young married woman named Maud Long had been given notice to quit by Mrs. Phoebe West but Phoebe's husband told her not to go until he told her to. Maud went to pay her rent to Phoebe, who lived nearby. Maud told Phoebe that she would not leave the cottage and Phoebe used language which Maud later wrote down to show the court, as she was ashamed to repeat it. Phoebe said Maud had used language which put her into a rage. Maud went indoors and Phoebe followed and beat on her door with a stick. An attack followed minutes later when Maud was going up to where her husband was working. Maud said 'she would do and say as she liked', resulting in a blow on the arm from Phoebe, as she tried to protect her head from injury. When Maud's husband came along afterwards, he was told by Phoebe: 'You can either have the stick too or the contents of a bucket of water', at which point he went away. Mabel Long, wife of Arthur Long, had witnessed the assault from her kitchen window. Phoebe, who had been convicted in 1915 of having assaulted the schoolmistress, was fined £1. She refused to pay, saying she would sooner go to Winchester Jail. ITEM 0304 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 1st of April, 1922.
1922 - TOM WEST FINED FOR POOR SCHOOL ATTENDANCE OF SON > Tom West of Pamber Heath was summoned for the poor school attendance of his son Albert, aged 14. Tom stated that Albert had an influenza cold and then a bad throat. Albert had been absent 24 times between December 19th and March 17th. Tom, who had been fined three times previously for similar offences, was fined five shillings with a week to pay. ITEM 0304 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 1st of April, 1922.
1922 - PAMBER PARISH COUNCIL ELECTIONS > The election of councilors took place at No.1 Ravenscot Farm on Monday, Miss Blanche Wills Chandler of Basingstoke being the returning officer. The results were - Mr. E. F. Oppé 78, Mr. G. H. Middleton 68, Mr. W. Green 67, Mr. F. Stacey 67, Mr. James Smith 66, Mr. J. Kimber 64. They were all elected to serve. Those not elected were - Mr. E. J. Lawes 63, Mr. Charles Stroud 63, Mr. F. Hunt 59, Mr. S. J. Rye 51, Mr. Arthur Smith 38 and Mr. W. Simpson 31. ITEM 0304 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 8th of April, 1922.
1922 - PAMBER PARISH COUNCIL ANNUAL MEETING > 'Parish Council - The annual meeting was held at the Memorial Hall, Pamber Heath. Present - Councillors E. F. Oppé, F. Stacey, W. Green, G. H. Middleton and J. Smith, with the Clerk (Mr. A. T. Kimber). A letter was read from Rev. E. A. Hopkins, retiring chairman, requesting the Council not to re-elect him for the ensuing year. The Clerk was instructed to send a letter of thanks and appreciation to the Rev. E. A. Hopkins for the splendid service rendered to the Council and the parish generally during his term of office of the past six years. Mr. C. Stroud was co-opted Chairman for the ensuing year. Messrs. E . J. Lawes and W. Benham were appointed overseers.' A financial statement was presented. 'It was reported that stiles at Pamber Green were in a dilapidated condition.' ITEM 0304 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 29th of April, 1922.
1922 - DISPUTE CONCERNING THE PUBLIC GRAVEL PIT > During April and May there was much debate concerning the use of the public gravel pit at Pamber Heath, having been given over to surface cultivation and the fact that parishioners no longer seemed to have the right to extract gravel as originally intended. However, respondents to the original letter, published in the Hants & Berks Gazette on the 1st of April by Frederick Stacey, found and quoted original legal documents concerning the pit and the conclusion was that the pit seemed to have been exhausted by 1889, hence its use for surface cultivation rather than gravel extract. ITEM 0304 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 1st and 29th of April and 13th of May, 1922.
1922 - SALE OF WORK A GREAT SUCCESS IN SPITE OF WEATHER > A sale of work was held in the Silchester Band Hut and not at the White House in Pamber Heath as intended due to the uncertainty of the weather. The sale was a great success with stalls, side-shows, tea, folk dancing and Old English songs by Tadley schoolchildren, followed by general dancing 'until a late hour'. £48 15s 3d was raised for various causes including £9 7s 6d paid for the copper for the War Memorial Room at Pamber Heath. ITEM 0304 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 24th of June, 1922.
1922 - PAMBER HEATH CRICKET TEAM ON TOP FORM > Several matches were played recently, some being on land at Pamber Heath. Villages played against were Monk Sherborne, Padworth, Aldermaston and Pamber End. Pamber Heath won every match and in some cases with great success. The team was made up of from villagers and altogether some twenty local men played at the various matches with great skill. Players included such names as W. Potter, J. Benham, W. Upton, Rev. E. Hopkins, C. Stacey, P. Stroud and L. Ward. ITEM 0304 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 10th and 24th of June, 8th and 22nd of July, 1922.
1923 - DEATH OF STANLEY BENHAM > Stanley Benham, son of William and Lucy Benham of Pamber Post Office and Stores, died at the young age of 18 years. Stanley was buried at Silchester Parish Church on the 28th of May, 1923. ITEM 0324 SOURCE: Burial register, Silchester Parish Church.
1927 - CLARA WEBB HAS A CONFECTIONERY SHOP > In this year, Mrs. Clara Webb was a confectioner operating from Oakdene at Pamber Heath. It is not known when she first began trading but was still a confectioner there in 1931. Oakdene was the name of the bungalow in Pamber Heath Road where Nellie James kept a shop from the mid 1930s to the mid 1960s. Jack Stroud, village postman between 1937 and 1940, remembered delivering letters to Nellie James at the bungalow there with the address stated as Oakdene, Pamber Heath. He did not recall Clara Webb but remembered Nellie James taking the shop over from someone else. The shop became known as James's Shop then Oakdene Stores, before finally being called Oakdene Newstore, which closed in 1998. A new house now stands on the site. It is almost certainly the place where Clara Webb had her confectionery business. ITEM 0314 SOURCE: Kelly's Directory of Hampshire, 1927 and 1931, verbal testimonies and other documentation.
1928 - DEATH OF WILLIAM BENHAM, BAKER & GROCER > William Benham, baker and grocer of Benham's stores in Pamber Heath, died this year, aged 57 years old. He was born in 1871 at Aldermaston, the son of George and Hester Benham. He spent some of his childhood years living at Mortimer West End and his father worked as a plate layer on the railway. He grew up to marry Lucy Soper in 1895 and by 1899 was working as a shopkeeper with his brother Thomas in Silchester. In 1900 he and his brother Thomas were bakers and grocers at their new shop located in High Road (Silchester Road), Pamber Heath, where William was to spend the rest of his life. William and Lucy had four children - Kathleen, Jack, Hector, and Stanley. The couple were highly respected in the local community and Benham's 'famous Lardy cake' was a product of the excellent standard of baking at the Pamber Heath premises. William and Lucy would often cater for various tea parties at Pamber Heath School. In 1911, a Post Office was opened at the shop - a welcome addition for the local people. Sadly, William and Lucy had a difficult time in 1923 with the loss of their son, Stanley, at the young age of 18. William was buried at Silchester Parish Church on the 3rd of March, 1928 and will be fondly remembered for years to come by the people of Pamber Heath for his valuable contribution to village life. He leaves his wife Lucy and three children. ITEM 0324 SOURCE: Burial register, Silchester Parish Church, various verbal testimonies and other documents.
1929 - BARRIE STROUD WEDS WINIFRED IVENS > Grocer Barrie Stroud, son of widow Jessie Stroud of Stroud's Shop, Pamber Heath, married Winifred Eva Ivens of Caversham, Reading, on the 1st of June, 1929 at Caversham Parish Church. The witnesses were Alfred Leonard Ivens and Stephen Ivens. Barrie was 29 years old and a bachelor. Barrie's father William had died in 1912. SOURCE: Marriage certificate and other documents.
1929 - SALE & GARDEN PARTY > A very successful sale and garden party was held in June at the residence of the Misses Kitcat when the large sum of £75 resulted. The money raised was in aid of the fund for the additions and improvements to St. Luke's Church. ITEM 0332 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 6th of November, 1929.
1929 - DEDICATION BY BISHOP AT ST. LUKE'S CHURCH > Following improvements and additions at St. Luke's Church, Pamber Heath, a dedication service was held 'on Sunday afternoon', conducted by the Bishop of Southampton. The alterations included a new battlemented porch at the west end, a stained glass Gothic window, the whole of the windows being reset with leaded cathedral glass in diamond-shaped panes, the large classroom being let into the main building with a graceful archway affording thirty more seats, matchboard panelling of the nave being stained in dark oak, the walls being distempered in cream, complete reseating with dark stained and polished chairs fitted with hat rails, book boxes and kneeling pads, repainting of the exterior and belfry and provision of a new large radiating stove (given by Mrs. Oppé). The estimated total cost was in excess of £216, paid for by fundraising and generous gifts. The work was carried out by Pamber Heath builder George Naish 'to the complete satisfaction of all concerned'. 'For the dedication service the church was filled. Miss Kitcat presided at the organ. The Bishop and clergy robed at the Parsonage'. A procession from the church entrance commenced proceedings and hymns were sung followed by Evensong. The dedication service was next, followed by further hymns and an address by the Bishop. 'His fervent and inspiring address will live long in the minds of the people'. ITEM 0332 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 6th of November, 1929.
1929 - MRS. HECTOR BENHAM WINS FIRST PRIZE AT WHIST TOURNAMENT > Mrs. Hector Benham of Pamber Heath won first prize at the Conservative Whist Tournament held at the Conservative Club in Basingstoke, with a score of 186. The first prize was a voucher with the value of £12 10s. The Pamber Heath and Tadley people had been conveyed by W. Kent's motor coaches to the venue, where 40 tables were engaged in the contest. Players from Silchester also attended, being conveyed by Messrs. Lovegrove Bros' motor vehicles. Miss Saunders of Silchester House scooped the second prize. 'What most concerns Silchester and Pamber Heath is the fact that success attended the players from this district'. ITEM 0332 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 6th of November, 1929.
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