The history of the parish after the Civil Wars is similar to that of many rural parishes. Change was slow until the start of the Industrial Revolution, in the late 1700s, when the countryside had to feed the growing populations of the new industrial towns.

In the early 1800s also came increasing local specialisation in growing hops and fruit. These crops dominated farming in the area until the 1970s, when entry into the European Common market changed the face of  both local & UK agriculture.

PARISH  HISTORY

The coming of the railway in the 1870s meant that fresh produce could be sent easily to the large towns. It also meant that thousands of seasonal workers could come from the Black Country and South Wales for hop &  fruit picking. Indeed, the arrival of the hop-pickers was an eagerly awaited event, when the parish population more than doubled. Extra police were drafted in an a whole range of special facilities were laid on.

Go to GEOFF WRIGHT’s HISTORY
Web  Site

BOOKS about the PARISH

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A detailed local history web site has been set-up by a parishioner, Geoff Wright. There are also a number of books and booklets which cover different aspects of our history.

Hop lorry  from Wenden’s farm, Sandlin, going to Worcester, 1937