Stories of the Community

The Revolting Bell Ringers of West Worlington

Since before the Reformation bell ringers operated more or less independently of the church. It is recorded that many bell ringers spent much of their time in the ale house, and even drank and gambled in bell towers. 

In West Worlington that such a problem of unruly bell-ringers existed and the Rector of the Parish the Rev. C. W. Molony (1880 and 1885) decided to do something to address the problem, only to find himself and his family in conflict with the bell-ringers.

Reverend Henry John Hodgson

The Rector of East Worlington in 1920 was the Reverend Henry John Hodgson, who became incumbent of the parish in 1919. While the barn was sold as a Parish Hall in 1920 there is evidence that the Hall was used for community purposes before 1920.

Various newspaper articles indicate he was a well-travelled man, being ordained by the Bishop of Chester in 1880, having studied at Exeter College, Oxford and taking up his first parish duties at St John the Baptist Church in Bollington, near Mansfield. It is reported he left that appointment in 1884.

Sarah Down – a murder in East Worlington

On July 13^th of 1823  Sarah Down, a poor single woman, was found drowned. Sarah was only 33 when she died.

She was last seen with John Radford (who also went by the name John Bright) on the evening of Friday, the 11^th of July.

John was therefore the primary suspect for murdering Sarah and at certain times he seems to have admitted this, but when it came to trial at the Devon Assizes in Exeter later in the month, he pled not guilty.