Beoley
Beoley maps (2 available)
Map of Worcestershire
Beautifully hand-drawn and coloured, dating from around 1840
See this old map of Worcestershire
Personalised maps
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Beoley books (9 available)
- 3 photos on Beoley appear in 3 Frith books - View photos of Beoley
- Read extracts and see photos from these books on Beoley and Worcestershire
Beoley memories
Read and share memories of Beoley and Worcestershire inspired by Frith photos
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You can also read memories of nearby places in Worcestershire below.
Worcestershire memories
School choir
Does anyone remember being in the school choir when we recorded 'And The Glory of the Lord' in St Stephens Church? Harvey M played the organ [complete with deliberate mistake] and we were recorded on an enormous wax disc.
We could buy the record for about 9 shillings I think. I was so proud of mine but it disappeared many years ago, and I do wish I still had it. No one believes I could sing!
Happy days.
Ann [Spencer]
A memory of Redditch contributed by Ann Brace
Policing Redditch
The policeman in this photograph, much to my amazement, is me! I joined the Worcestershire Constabulary in 1961 and worked at Redditch from 1961 to 1965, when I then went to be a 'village bobby' at Oldswinford in Stourbridge. We had no radios or much transport in those days and most eight-hour shifts would be spent walking the streets. To see if we were wanted we either passed the end of Church Street and looked down to the Police Station to see if the blue light outside had been put out, or we hovered by a designated telephone box at a set time each half hour and waited for it to ring. The rest of the time you were on your ...read more here
A memory of Redditch contributed by Anthony Ingham
Those were the days
Who remembers being compared to Robbie Burns's "wee sleekit cowring timrous beastie" as we first crept into that hallowed school? Then how we quickly got used to all the pranks and fun that could be had, despite the rather formidable presence of Jimmy Morrall, "Goofy "Stranz and Miss Lericheux.
Boys and girls had to wear their hats to and from school, and faced detention if seen without one. "Harty" the maths teacher was usually on the ball with that one as he always came to school on a bike and passed a good many of us on his journey. Harvey Morris conducted our choirs and, although looking serene and professional with his back to the audience of doting parents, his ...read more here
A memory of Redditch contributed by Carol Lynn
Bates Hill Methodist Church
This was the year that I was christained there. My grand parents and great grand parents attended the chapel. As a child I also went to Sunday school there. It was a beautiful church and should have been given a heritage listing, what a shameful waste when it was burnt down, probably arson. All the nice buildings have been pulled down and the town of Redditch has been destroyed completely by the 1960,s Planners and so called Architescts. Not a very nice place anymore and I am glad that I no longer live there. When aretheyever going tp stop building? They have not stopped since itbecame a so called newtown in the 60's.
A memory of Redditch contributed by Glenys Horton
Extracts From Beoley & Worcestershire books
In the early 20th century, when Beoley was still completely rural, The Village Inn used to be a popular destination for people venturing out of town by horse-drawn carriage or by bicycle. The car park was a garden then, and many thousands of afternoon teas were served there to townsfolk over the years.
An extract from from"Redditch Living Memories".
Beoley lies in rolling countryside just two miles north-east of Redditch. The estate belonged for many years to the
Sheldon family. William Sheldon fought for Henry VII at Bosworth Field in 1485, but is better known for
encouraging a renaissance in English tapestry, sending workmen abroad to learn the then lost art.
An extract from from"Worcestershire Photographic Memories".
The name of this
village is actually
pronounced ‘Beeley’,
and presumably honey
production was once
important here. Today
the village’s main claim
to fame is its connection
to the Sheldon family,
whose tombs are in the
local church. William
Sheldon introduced
tapestry weaving to
England in the late 15th
century, and Sheldon
tapestries are very rare
and very valuable.
An extract from from"Worcestershire Living Memories".
Beoley predates Redditch, but it remains a small village on the northern edge of the present New Town. In 1140 the Norman Lord of the Manor, Geoffrey of Limesey, built a church (probably on the site of a Saxon one) dedicated to St Leonard, patron saint of prisoners and, appropriately enough, of iron workers.
An extract from from"Redditch Living Memories".
This detail from R84041 brings the Palace Theatre into more prominence. Although it still survives, it no longer looks quite the same; a box-shaped extension was added to it in the 1970s, replacing its attractive three-storey brick-built neighbour.
An extract from from"Redditch Living Memories".