Bodenham is a village roughly six miles south of Leominster.

The original village lies in a meander of the river Lugg but there is now a bigger and more modern village half a mile away, known as Bodenham Moor.

Churches of Bodenham

• St. Michaels & All Angels Church - Bodenham

  This church is set in the middle of the peaceful village, and was built in the 13th century.

   

  The spire is particularly interesting being recessed and octagonal, and this was added to the church a little later.
  Within the nave are pillars which show the marks of flooding by the River Lugg.

   

  

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News from the past Bodenham

• Bodenham News from the Past

  Tales of disgraceful behaviour;  Christmas Cheer and suicide

  1844 – Disgraceful Conduct in the Bodenham Wesleyan Chapel

  During a Sunday evening service, some “ignorant or wanton” person outside, broke the window behind the minister causing some considerable mayhem.

  The minister was hit on the head by flying glass, and some women near to the pulpit were also struck, although fortunately they had their backs to the window at the time.

  If the culprits were caught, they would be served a penalty of £40, a huge amount in those days, or if they could not pay, a long term of imprisonment.

  1844 – Accidental Drowing at Bodenham

  Thomas Norgrove fell into the river Lugg near to Bodenham Church and drowned.

  1859 – Christmas Cheer at Butchers in Bodenham

  According to the Hereford Times:

  “Messrs. Daniel and Walker, Butchers of Bodenham, who have for several years past at the festive season of Christmas, spared no pains in providing an abundant supply of the good things of this life, have again this year displayed such a show of meat which makes no mean appearance in any town in the kingdom. In the shop of Mr. Walker were one excellent cow, weighting 11 stone per quarter, fed by Mr. Hodges of Amberly; a splendid four year old heifer fed by Mr. Hayes of Burghope; four fine sheep and two wethers, fed by Mr. George Powell; two ewes fed by Mr. Jones of Rowberry and Mr. Rudge of Marden, and a prime porker.

  In the shop of Mr. Daniel was a splendid cow weighing 18 stone per quarter fed by Mr. Jones of Rowberry Farm, Bodenham; two very fine sheep, a very large bacon and a first rate porker.

  1863 – Opening of new School at Bodenham

  On 14th July 1863, the village rejoiced as the new school was opened and were full of hope for the future of their children, summed up as follows:

  “Now he is nothing more than a lad with unkempt  locks, clumsy gait and ignorant look, and yet some day the fire of intense intelligence may be seen in his eye;  his words of eloquence burst forth like the water of a copious fountain, and he add honour to the village that saw his birth, and the school where he first started in the pathway of learning”.

  The Earlier School at Bodenham

  30 years earlier, John Arkwright had donated the Warehouse, the house near the bridge over the Lugg, rent free for a school room, and it was a huge improvement on what went before.  However, the building was so close to the river that it was always cold and damp;  in fact in 1852 the floods invaded the school room and water was several feet deep.

  It was also considered that the school room was not large enough and the Vicar, the Rev. H. Arkwright vowed to create a bigger and better school.  Although he donated the land, the villagers were initially a little backward in trying to raise funds for the building work, but Bazaars and donations by the landowners soon raised enough money to enable work to be carried out.

  The new School takes Shape

  The architect was F. Kempson of Hereford, and Mr. Mason of Hereford was the builder;  the schoolroom had a fine open timber roof with a lovely window and a bell turret.

  The doors and benches were made of varnished red pine, and there were two large fire places with huge stone mantelpieces.

  The whole building was declared to be beautiful.

   

  1899 – Suicide of a Tailor at Bodenham

  John Weaver, a Tailor from Bodenham, had become very depressed about ongoing ill health, and was found floating in the River Lugg having apparently decided to end his life.

  John had no children, but left a wife.

  1903 – Tragic Drowning of Child at Bodenham

  Thomas Allright Went was nearly 5 and was the son of John William Went a Blacksmith of Bodenham.

  On 27th August, Thomas was playing with other children and his elder brother on a plank bridge over the river, when he slipped and fell in.  The children raced to get help, but the body was not found until the following Monday.

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Buildings of Bodenham

• Broadfield Court History

   

  Broadfield Court began life in the 13th century, and in the 14th century was owned by a monastic order. By the 16th century the house was privately owned and in 1770 the estate was settled on Robert Phillipps. Over the following years, the house was allowed to fall into disrepair until it was purchased by John H. Burchall who began renovations in the 19th century.

   

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   
  The house is partly two storey, and partly three storey being probably two separate buildings joined into one. Additions were made in the late 16th century, and the brick facing was added in the early 18th century. Much of the rest of the house dates from the 18th and 19th centuries.
  During the war, the grounds were made over to opium poppy cultivation for the production of morphine, and to this day the odd opium poppy bravely pushes through the soil, although currently that soil is given over to growing grapes for wine making.

  1841 – Broadfield Court Household

  John Burchall	60	Land Owner	b. London
  William Helme	40
  Susannah Helme	30	Daughter
  Cuthbert Helme	5
  Burchall Helme	4
  John New	25
  Ann Jay	25
  Harriet Cox	30
  James Davies	25
  Mary Fox	20
  Henry Fletcher	25

  1861 – Broadfield Court Household

  John H. Burchall	84	Widower, land owner and Magistrate	b. London
  Susannah J. Helme	53	Daughter, widow	b. Walthamstow, Essex
  William John Helme	18	Grandson	b. Stroud, Gloucestershire
  Harold Helme	11	Grandson	b. Stroud, Gloucestershire
  Thomas Baker	47	Coachman	b. Cambridge
  Harry Calder	15	House Servant	b. Stoke, Herefordshire
  Sarah Tillin	45	House Servant	b. Cirencester, Gloucestershire
  Emma Holder	22	House Servant	b. Gloucestershire
  Elizabeth Pugh	23	House Servant	b. Stoke Prior, Herefordshire
  Elizabeth Duncan	17	House Servant	b. Bodenham, Herefordshire

  1881 – Broadfield Court Household

  Susannah Jane Helme	73	Widow, income from land	b. Walthamstow, Essex
  William John Helme	38	Son, widower, farmer	b. Stroud, Gloucestershire
  Laura Helme	47	Daughter in law, widow, income derived from shares	b. London
  Margaret Barrow	60	Visitor, income derived from land	b. Lancaster
  Sarah Felling	65	Housekeeper	b. Cirencester, Gloucestershire
  Mary Powell	24	Cook	b. Bockleton, Herefordshire
  Myra White	21	Parlourmaid	b. Bodenham, Herefordshire
  Mary Ann Hyde	19	Housemaid	b. Worcestershire
  Henry Evans	14	Hall Boy	b. Risbury, Herefordshire

  1891 – Broadfield Court Household

  Susannah Helme	80 (?)	Widow living on own means	b. Walthamstow, Essex
  William Helme	48	Widower, Gentleman Farmer	b. Stroud, Gloucestershire
  Laura E. Helme	58	Daughter in law, widow	b. St. Pancras, Middlesex
  Elizabeth Crump	44	Cook	b. Madley, Herefordshire
  Emmie Moore	25	Parlourmaid	b. Herefordshire
  Annie Powell	19	Housemaid	b. Herefordshire
  James Taylor	13	Houseboy	b. Dilwyn, Herefordshire

  1901 – Broadfield Court Household

  Susannah J. Helme	93	Widow living on own means	b. Walthamstow, Essex
  William J. Helme	58	Widower, Farmer	b. Stroud, Gloucestershire
  John M. Curre	41	Groom and Master of Foxhounds	b. Monmouthshire
  Sarah E. Johnson	54	Nurse	b. Chelsea, Middlesex
  Annie Fawke	20	Cook	b. Tarrington, Herefordshire
  Emily Farley	22	Parlourmaid	b. Little Marcle, Herefordshire
  Alice Baynham	19	Housemaid	b. Lincolnshire
  Thomas Bowdley	17	Houseboy	b. Bodenham, Herefordshire

  William finally finds himself a new wife after so many years of being a widower;  she is much younger but is producing children for him.

  1911 – Broadfield Court Household

  William John Helme	68	Living on own means	b. Stroud, Gloucestershire
  Flora Helme	39	Wife, private means	b. Hertfordshire
  Mary Leighton	66	Mother in law, widow, private means	b. St. Andrews, London
  Noel Joan Helme	6	Daughter	b. Bodenham, Herefordshire
  John Helme	2	Son	b. Bodenham, Herefordshire
  Millie Morrison	25	Lady’s Maid	b. King Edward, Aberdeenshire
  Emily Thurtle	25	Cook	b. Herefordshire
  Rose Bridgwater	28	Parlourmaid	b. Tenbury, Worcestershire
  Fanny Philpotts	20	Housemaid	b. Bodenham, Herefordshire
  Edith Rickets	25	Nurse	b. Breconshire
  Nellie Robinson	17	Kitchenmaid	b. Leominster, Herefordshire
  Herbert Archer Croft	42	Visitor, private means	b. Lugwardine, Herefordshire
  Katharine Agnes Croft	33	Wife, private means	b. Grappenhall, Lancashire

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• Bodenham Manor/The Vicarage, Bodenham

  The original building on the site of Bodenham Manor was pulled down when the Rev. Henry Arkwright was appointed as clergyman of Bodenham in 1842 by his uncle John Hungerford Arkwright who was the grandson of Sir Richard Arkwright of cotton spinning fame.
  A new house, The Vicarage, was built in 1843/44 which belonged to the church, and Henry Arkwright with his fast growing family moved in in 1850 – he stayed there until he died in 1889.
  After Henry’s death, the house was found to be just too big for subsequent vicars, and it became part of the Hampton Court Estate, renaming itself Bodenham Manor. It was then let out.
  In 1969 the manor was sold, and after major renovations and developments became a school for children with learning difficulties. It was owned by the Bodenham Manor Charities Trust, and the headmaster Mr. David Hughes worked hard to help the boys who were disadvantaged.

  The school closed in 1987, when it was bought by the Taylor family who turned the estate into something of a pleasure park, with bars, rifle ranges, go cart racing, paintball, function rooms, restaurants etc. etc., which was all well and good, but unfortunately the owners didn’t value the glorious grounds and allowed rubble, rubbish and waste metals to be dumped in great piles all over the place. The Arkwrights must have been turning in their graves.
  On the death of Ray Taylor, his son inherited the house and found he owed enormous death duties – eventually the banks repossessed Bodenham Manor and it was sold at auction. The new owner took up residence in a caravan whilst carrying out essential renovation work, but was hassled to a remarkable degree by the son of Ray Taylor (a vast amount of information is out there on the internet so I won’t attempt to unravel it on here – just type in Taylor – Bodenham Manor) who could not accept that he no longer owned the house.
  In 2014 the house was again put up for sale at auction but was unsold – described thus:
  “Bodenham Manor is located in the village of Bodenham, situated to the north of Bodenham Lakes, and has an elevated position with far reaching views across Bodenham Lake Nature Reserve, Deer Park and surrounding countryside.
  It is approached by a private driveway and requires modernisation and updating.
  It comprises :
  Main Building – substantial three storey extended manor house and basement, with stone elevations and internally arranged as 9-11 flats; ground floor entrance; hall; former restaurant; bar; function room; kitchens; offices; WCs; ancillary rooms, and cellar.
  Outbuildings – (former stable block), function rooms, bar area, kitchen, WCs on the ground floor; kitchen, shower room WCs on the first floor.
  The future of this once lovely house is now in the balance.

  The Arkwrights had at least twelve children, and it is rather nice to note that the same Nurse, Sarah Bradbury, stayed with the family to look after the brood through the years.

  1851 – Bodenham Manor Household (the Vicarage)

  Henry Arkwright	40	Vicar of Bodenham	b. Cromford, Derbyshire
  Ellen Arkwright	31	Wife	b. Ireland
  Henrietta E. Arkwright	11	Daughter	b. Cheshire
  Sophia M. Arkwright	10	Daughter	b. Bodenham, Herefordshire
  Mary E. Arkwright	9	Daughter	b. Bodenham, Herefordshire
  Henry J. Arkwright	7	Son	b. Bodenham, Herefordshire
  Charles E. Arkwright	3	Son	b. Bodenham, Herefordshire
  Ellen A. Arkwright	2	Daughter	b. Bodenham, Herefordshire
  Hubert E. Arkwright	2	Son	b. Bodenham, Herefordshire
  Margret Henden	28	Governess	b. London
  William Kedds	29	Butler
  Hannah Hollamby	30	Housekeeper	b. Surrey
  Sarah Bradbury	27	Head Housemaid	b. Staffordshire
  Sarah Evans	24	Lady’s Maid
  Esther Deen	24	Housemaid	b. Gloucestershire
  Esther Hoile	26	Housemaid	b. Rye, Sussex
  Ann Joseph	18		b. Bodenham, Herefordshire
  Sarah Heon (?)	13		b. Herefordshire

  1861 – Bodenham Manor Household (the Vicarage

  Henry Arkwright	50	Vicar of Bodenham	b. Cromford, Derbyshire
  Ellen Arkwright	41	Wife	b. Ireland
  Henrietta Arkwright	21	Daughter	b. Cheshire
  Sophia M. Arkwright	20	Daughter	b. Bodenham, Herefordshire
  Louisa M. Arkwright	19	Daughter	b. Bodenham, Herefordshire
  Henry J. Arkwright	17	Son	b. Bodenham, Herefordshire
  Charles E. Arkwright	13	Son	b. Bodenham, Herefordshire
  Ellen E. Arkwright	11	Daughter	b. Bodenham, Herefordshire
  Gerald P. Arkwright	9	Son	b. Bodenham, Herefordshire
  Margery B. Arkwright	7	Daughter	b. Bodenham, Herefordshire
  Katherine M. Arkwright	6	Daughter	b. Bodenham, Herefordshire
  Florence Arkwright	5	Daughter	b. Torquay, Devon
  Augusta F. Arkwright	3	Daughter	b. Clifton, Somerset
  Mary Williams	31	Cook/Housekeeper	b. Herefordshire
  Mary Whichelow	36	Lady’s Maid	b. Berkshire
  Sarah Bradbury	47	Head Nurse	b. Staffordshire
  Esther Hoyle	30	Under Nurse	b. Rye, Sussex
  Harriet Simpson	25	Housemaid	b. Worcestershire
  Jane Hartland	20	Under Housemaid	b. Bodenham, Herefordshire
  Mary A. Oliver	20	Kitchenmaid	b. Bodenham, Herefordshire
  Harriet Williams	15	Nursery Girl	b. Bodenham, Herefordshire
  John Westlake	18	Footman	b. Sutton, Herefordshire

  1871 – Bodenham Manor Household (the Vicarage)

  Henry Arkwright	60	Clergyman	b. Cromford, Derbyshire
  Ellen Arkwright	51	Wife	b. Tyrone, Ireland
  Ellen Amy Arkwright	21	Daughter	b. Bodenham, Herefordshire
  Margery Bertha Arkwright	18	Daughter	b. Bodenham, Herefordshire
  Catharine Florence Arkwright	16	Daughter	b. Bodenham, Herefordshire
  Florence Arkwright	15	Daughter	b. Torquay, Devon
  Augusta Janet Arkwright	13	Daughter	b. Clevedon, Somerset
  George Barnard	35	Butler	b. Hampshire
  Jane Parratt	27	Cook/Housekeeper	b. Sussex
  Sarah Bradbury	55	Head Nurse	b. Staffordshire
  Charlotte Knebst	25	Lady’s Maid	b. Switzerland
  Esther Hoyle	44	Under Nurse	b. Rye, Sussex
  Matthew Caldicutt	23	Footman	b. Sutton, Herefordshire
  Harriet Drew	21	Kitchen Maid	b. Ledbury, Herefordshire
  Catharine Haynes	22	Head Housemaid	b. Kings Pyon, Herefordshire
  Ellen Eckley	21	Under Housemaid	b. Bodenham, Herefordshire

   

  1881 – Bodenham Manor Household (the Vicarage)

  Henry Arkwright	70	Vicar of Bodenham	b. Cromford, Derbyshire
  Ellen Arkwright	61	Wife	b. Ireland
  Ellen Amy Arkwright	31	Daughter	b. Bodenham, Herefordshire
  Katharine Arkwright	26	Daughter	b. Bodenham, Herefordshire
  Florence Arkwright	25	Daughter	b. Torquay, Devon
  Augusta J. Arkwright	23	Daughter	b. Clevedon, Somerset
  Elizabeth Dickenson	29	Cook/Housekeeper	b. Chesterwood, Northumberland
  Sarah Bradbury	64	Nurse	b. Staffordshire
  Arthur William Poppey	25	Butler	b. London
  Harriet L. Bailey	22	Housemaid	b. Hereford
  Selina Griffiths	22	Housemaid	b. Bromyard, Herefordshire
  Mary Jane Griffiths	20	Kitchenmaid	b. Bromyard, Herefordshire
  Rosetta Granger	14	Scullery Maid	b. Bodenham, Herefordshire
  Henry Eagleton	31	Groom	b. Elmhurst
  Walter Cranfield	17	Footman	b. Melbourne, Derbyshire

  1921 – Bodenham Manor Household (The Vicarage)

  Henry Arkwright	b. Derbyshire, 1811	Clergyman
  Ellen Arkwright	b. Ireland 1820	Wife
  Ellen Amy Arkwright	b. Herefordshire 1850	Daughter
  Margery Bertha Arkwright	b. Herefordshire 1853	Daughter
  Catherine Florence Arkwright	b. Herefordshire 1855	Daughter
  Florence Arkwright	b. Devon 1856	Daughter
  Augusta Janet Arkwright	b. Somerset 1858	Daughter
  George Barnard	b. Hampshire 1836	Butler
  Jane Parratt	b. Sussex 1844	Cook/Housekeeper
  Sarah Bradbury	b. Staffordshire 1816	Head Nurse
  Charlotte Knebet	b. Switzerland 1846	Lady’s Maid
  Esther Hoyle	b. Sussex 1827	Under Nurse
  Matthew Caldicutt	b. Herefordshire 1848	Footman
  Harriet Drew	b. Herefordshire 1850	Kitchen Maid
  Catherine Haynes	b. Herefordshire 1848	Head Housemaid
  Ellen Eckley	b. Herefordshire 1859	Under Housemaid

   

  Read More >

The school closed in 1987, when it was bought by the Taylor family who turned the estate into something of a pleasure park, with bars, rifle ranges, go cart racing, paintball, function rooms, restaurants etc. etc., which was all well and good, but unfortunately the owners didn’t value the glorious grounds and allowed rubble, rubbish and waste metals to be dumped in great piles all over the place. The Arkwrights must have been turning in their graves.
On the death of Ray Taylor, his son inherited the house and found he owed enormous death duties – eventually the banks repossessed Bodenham Manor and it was sold at auction. The new owner took up residence in a caravan whilst carrying out essential renovation work, but was hassled to a remarkable degree by the son of Ray Taylor (a vast amount of information is out there on the internet so I won’t attempt to unravel it on here – just type in Taylor – Bodenham Manor) who could not accept that he no longer owned the house.
In 2014 the house was again put up for sale at auction but was unsold – described thus:
“Bodenham Manor is located in the village of Bodenham, situated to the north of Bodenham Lakes, and has an elevated position with far reaching views across Bodenham Lake Nature Reserve, Deer Park and surrounding countryside.
It is approached by a private driveway and requires modernisation and updating.
It comprises :
Main Building – substantial three storey extended manor house and basement, with stone elevations and internally arranged as 9-11 flats; ground floor entrance; hall; former restaurant; bar; function room; kitchens; offices; WCs; ancillary rooms, and cellar.
Outbuildings – (former stable block), function rooms, bar area, kitchen, WCs on the ground floor; kitchen, shower room WCs on the first floor.
The future of this once lovely house is now in the balance.

The Arkwrights had at least twelve children, and it is rather nice to note that the same Nurse, Sarah Bradbury, stayed with the family to look after the brood through the years.

1851 – Bodenham Manor Household (the Vicarage)

1861 – Bodenham Manor Household (the Vicarage

1871 – Bodenham Manor Household (the Vicarage)

1881 – Bodenham Manor Household (the Vicarage)

1921 – Bodenham Manor Household (The Vicarage)

1844 – Disgraceful Conduct in the Bodenham Wesleyan Chapel

During a Sunday evening service, some “ignorant or wanton” person outside, broke the window behind the minister causing some considerable mayhem.

The minister was hit on the head by flying glass, and some women near to the pulpit were also struck, although fortunately they had their backs to the window at the time.

If the culprits were caught, they would be served a penalty of £40, a huge amount in those days, or if they could not pay, a long term of imprisonment.

1844 – Accidental Drowing at Bodenham

Thomas Norgrove fell into the river Lugg near to Bodenham Church and drowned.

1859 – Christmas Cheer at Butchers in Bodenham

According to the Hereford Times:

“Messrs. Daniel and Walker, Butchers of Bodenham, who have for several years past at the festive season of Christmas, spared no pains in providing an abundant supply of the good things of this life, have again this year displayed such a show of meat which makes no mean appearance in any town in the kingdom. In the shop of Mr. Walker were one excellent cow, weighting 11 stone per quarter, fed by Mr. Hodges of Amberly; a splendid four year old heifer fed by Mr. Hayes of Burghope; four fine sheep and two wethers, fed by Mr. George Powell; two ewes fed by Mr. Jones of Rowberry and Mr. Rudge of Marden, and a prime porker.

In the shop of Mr. Daniel was a splendid cow weighing 18 stone per quarter fed by Mr. Jones of Rowberry Farm, Bodenham; two very fine sheep, a very large bacon and a first rate porker.

1863 – Opening of new School at Bodenham

On 14th July 1863, the village rejoiced as the new school was opened and were full of hope for the future of their children, summed up as follows:

“Now he is nothing more than a lad with unkempt  locks, clumsy gait and ignorant look, and yet some day the fire of intense intelligence may be seen in his eye;  his words of eloquence burst forth like the water of a copious fountain, and he add honour to the village that saw his birth, and the school where he first started in the pathway of learning”.

The Earlier School at Bodenham

30 years earlier, John Arkwright had donated the Warehouse, the house near the bridge over the Lugg, rent free for a school room, and it was a huge improvement on what went before.  However, the building was so close to the river that it was always cold and damp;  in fact in 1852 the floods invaded the school room and water was several feet deep.

It was also considered that the school room was not large enough and the Vicar, the Rev. H. Arkwright vowed to create a bigger and better school.  Although he donated the land, the villagers were initially a little backward in trying to raise funds for the building work, but Bazaars and donations by the landowners soon raised enough money to enable work to be carried out.

The new School takes Shape

The architect was F. Kempson of Hereford, and Mr. Mason of Hereford was the builder;  the schoolroom had a fine open timber roof with a lovely window and a bell turret.

The doors and benches were made of varnished red pine, and there were two large fire places with huge stone mantelpieces.

The whole building was declared to be beautiful.

1899 – Suicide of a Tailor at Bodenham

John Weaver, a Tailor from Bodenham, had become very depressed about ongoing ill health, and was found floating in the River Lugg having apparently decided to end his life.

John had no children, but left a wife.

1903 – Tragic Drowning of Child at Bodenham

Thomas Allright Went was nearly 5 and was the son of John William Went a Blacksmith of Bodenham.

On 27th August, Thomas was playing with other children and his elder brother on a plank bridge over the river, when he slipped and fell in.  The children raced to get help, but the body was not found until the following Monday.

Broadfield Court began life in the 13th century, and in the 14th century was owned by a monastic order. By the 16th century the house was privately owned and in 1770 the estate was settled on Robert Phillipps. Over the following years, the house was allowed to fall into disrepair until it was purchased by John H. Burchall who began renovations in the 19th century.

 
The house is partly two storey, and partly three storey being probably two separate buildings joined into one. Additions were made in the late 16th century, and the brick facing was added in the early 18th century. Much of the rest of the house dates from the 18th and 19th centuries.
During the war, the grounds were made over to opium poppy cultivation for the production of morphine, and to this day the odd opium poppy bravely pushes through the soil, although currently that soil is given over to growing grapes for wine making.

1841 – Broadfield Court Household

1861 – Broadfield Court Household

1881 – Broadfield Court Household

1891 – Broadfield Court Household

1901 – Broadfield Court Household

William finally finds himself a new wife after so many years of being a widower;  she is much younger but is producing children for him.

1911 – Broadfield Court Household

The spire is particularly interesting being recessed and octagonal, and this was added to the church a little later.
Within the nave are pillars which show the marks of flooding by the River Lugg.