A quiet birthday for me and then a trip to Oxford in Henry looking for more of Tony’s ancestors. We have three super days in the Chilterns researching his Bitmead and Quartermaine families.
Holy Trinity Church West Hendred. The earliest Bitmead was Richard born about 1723 and with his wife had four children three of whom survived.
The Quartermaines were here at Chalgrove
This dinky little church is at Wheatfield is in the middle of a field!
Tony was pleased to find the tomb of a Quartermaine Hughes
We found so many Bitmeads and Quartermaines in so many pretty villages with so many amazing old churches that I haven’t sorted them all out yet! We do need to return.
Lewknor is where Thomas Bitmead married Mary Quartermaine on 3rd July 1848
The church shares an area with a playground and the school on the right. It was very disappointing, very neglected compared to the so many other churches we saw.
The bare interior with lunchtime tables
The plans for the future
As we approached Ipsden St Mary we could hear organ music. The organist was playing and it really added to the atmosphere!
Immediately outside the gate we found this monstrosity – a water pump! Presented by Rajah Singh in 1865. I wonder why?
Somewhat reluctantly we returned to Tewkesbury but we did have another birthday to look forward to However events and functions started to be cancelled and Tony’s 70th birthday party was too. So on 22nd Tony’s birthday and our wedding anniversary I made a batch of rhubarb jam- delicious!
Disater struck on 23rd when returning to our berth after visiting the fuel pump the bow thruster burnt out. The replacement proved to be a very expensive! And then Lockdown was announced!