Happy Birthday Ombersley

The first official record of Ombersley's existence is in 706 AD, when the parish was given to the Abbey of Evesham by King thelweard, although there is evidence that the story begins somewhat earlier than this - in Roman times the area was a forest clearing that happened to be on a soldiers' march line through the county, and it is thought the presence of a spring led to it becoming an encampment.

Ombersley's entry in the Domesday Book - as Ambreslege - seems to recall these origins, as 'lege' translates as a woodland clearing suitable for a military settlement.

Under orders from Henry III, much of the forest was disafforested in 1229 and many trees were cleared, and the village began to take on the characteristics that are still in evidence today. The remains of the old parish church date from the 13th century, and many timber-framed buildings are still standing. The crossroads mark the meeting point of the mediaeval roads, as well as the site of the weekly market that was granted to Ombersley in 1354, along with an annual four-day fair.

One of the oldest buildings in the village is the King's Arms public house, dating back to 1411 and thought to be on the site of an even older coaching inn. It is reputed to have been a refreshment stop for Charles II before the Battle of Worcester, and probably had to change its name for a time during the Commonwealth years.

The Crown and Sandys, a former coaching inn built in the 1600s and now a pub, restaurant and hotel, also has Royalist links, taking its name from the long-standing association between the prominent local Sandys family and Kings Charles I and II.

Another Ombersley institution, The Cross Keys, opened in 1830 and is thought to be the only surviving original 'beer-shop' in the area. Now an acclaimed restaurant, this village inn still maintains its cosy character - as does the Fruiterer's Arms, just outside the village itself at Uphampton, one of 17 hamlets that used to form Ombersley Manor.

In 1848, one Thomas May - a fruiterer, meaning that he owned fruit-growing land - was permitted to convert a room in his cottage into a small bar, and the Fruiterer's Arms was born. At that time, the drinking laws allowed pubs to be open for 18 hours every day, except during Divine Service, Christmas Day and Good Friday.

Thomas was succeeded as landlord by three more Thomas Mays - his son, grandson and great-grandson, the last of whom ran the pub until his death two years ago. The tradition of home-brewing started by the original owner has continued with the on-site Canon Royall brewery (not run by the May family), set up in 1993 and producing 600 gallons of real ales per week, supplied to pubs around the region as well as being served at the Fruiterer's.

Canon Royall's popular Arrowhead brew made a brief appearance at the Strangers Bar in the House of Commons earlier this year, after Peter Luff, the MP for Mid-Worcestershire, campaigned for its inclusion as a guest ale. The idea came from Liberal Democrat MP Greg Mullholland, whose in-laws live near the Fruiterer's Arms.

And this is not the only link between Ombersley and the world of politics - a certain Senator Hillary Clinton can trace her ancestry back to the village. Her eight-times great-grandfather, Thomas Cottrell, is known to have married in Ombersley in 1678, and his son, also called Thomas, was born there the following year. Their descendants eventually moved to America sometime between 1832 and 1838.

One final interesting fact - Ombersley was the scene of a mysterious crop circle in July 2003. A rational explanation has yet to be found...

The Sandys Family

Generations of Sandys have played an important part in British history. The first Edwin Sandys survived imprisonment in the Tower of London with other supporters of Lady Jane Grey, going on to become Bishop of Worcester under Elizabeth I and leasing a farm or house in Ombersley as a second home to the usual Bishop's residence at Hartlebury.

It was Samuel, the eldest of his seven sons, who bought Ombersley Manor and proceeded to shape the village by building many of its half-timbered properties and serving as an MP. Samuel's brother, Edwin, also an MP, angered James I by speaking against the Divine Right of Kings. Following in his father's footsteps, he also spent time in the Tower, charged with poor management of the Virginia Company.

The youngest brother, George, fared somewhat better in colonial affairs, introducing industry and agriculture to Virginia and creating the colony's constitution - George Washington is said to have based the US Constitution on this model.

The English Civil War created divisions within the family, with two cousins fighting on opposing sides. Another Samuel Sandys commanded a troop of Royalist cavalry in the initial conflict at Powick Bridge, Worcester, while his cousin Edwin, a colonel, led the Roundheads. He came off worst, dying from injuries sustained in the battle, and was buried in Worcester Cathedral.

Samuel went on to enjoy a distinguished career during the war, but when he was taken prisoner at the Battle of Worcester, the Sandys family were thrown off the estate. However, the Restoration allowed him to reclaim his inheritance and position as an MP. It was his grandson, yet another Samuel, who was responsible for the construction of Ombersley Court.

This Samuel's great-grandson, Lord Arthur Hill, was ADC to the Duke of Wellington at the Battle of Waterloo and features in a remarkable family tale. Stationed in London before the battle, he was ordered to join the Duke in Belgium, but at Dover he found no available crossings - so he hired a boat and rowed across the Channel himself! His loyalty was not forgotten by the Duke, who in later years often visited Ombersley Court.

Another legend says that during World War II, Ombersley Court was chosen by the Nazis for use as a headquarters from which to attack Birmingham in the proposed Operation Sea Lion.

The present Lord Sandys, the Hon Richard Hill, was Captain of the Yeomen of the Guard - the traditional bodyguard to the monarch. In the family tradition, he was also a prominent figure in Parliament during the 1970s and 80s, as well as Deputy Lieutenant of Worcestershire since 1968.

Through the Sandys family, Ombersley is also linked with the creation of Worcestershire Sauce, though none of the legends surrounding it are authenticated. The original sauce was well known in Bengal, reputedly dating back centuries, even to the time of Alexander The Great, and the recipe could have been brought to England by any one of a number of Sandys. The discovery may be attributed to two Sandys brothers who had careers in the foreign service and succeeded each other to the Sandys barony, though it is more likely that the 2nd Baron Sandys acquired the secret recipe from a friend and suggested to local chemists, Lea and Perrins, that they replicate it.

1,300th anniversary celebrations

Saturday June 10

Folk Dance- Sytchampton Community Centre

7.30pm for 8pm

Tickets from Pat Oakley on 01905 620828

Saturday June 10 and Sunday June 11

History Exhibition in Ombersley Memorial

Hall - staged by Worcestershire Historic

Environment and Archaeology Service

Combrogi Living History Display

10.30am - 4.30pm

Memorial Hall Field, Sandys Road

A re-creation of village life in AD 706.

Sunday June 11

An Archaeological and Historical Walk

around Ombersley led by Worcestershire

Historic Environment and Archaeology Service

Three mile walk - meet at 2pm outside

the church. Limited places - call Judith

Smart on 01299 851279 to book.

Saturday June 17

Ombersley Church Fete

Sunday June 18

Thanksgiving Service and celebration of

the granting of the Charter to Evesham Abbey

Charter Luncheon in the Wedding Field

Saturday August 5

Flower and Produce Show at Ombersley

Memorial Hall

Autumn (date TBA)

Film show with vintage footage of

Ombersley, including:

1953 & Coronation sports day

Silver Jubilee 1977

War Veterans' Supper 1995

Millennium

Golden Jubilee 2002

Call John Silvester on 01905 620454

Sunday 17th December

Carol Service at Ombersley Church at 5pm

Grande Finale of the Tredecingentenary Celebration

On the left is a Wellington tree planted by the Duke of Wellington on a visit to Ombersley Court.

The present Lord Sandys

The Dower House