Category: People

Contrary to your report, the 1891 census does not show that the chemist’s shop on Station Street was owned and run by Alonso Freeland. His wife, Mary, and daughters Mabel and Cecilia, appear, but Alonzo (note the z) does not. He was away from Kibworth on census day (April 5th) because he had returned to Sussex to attend his father’s funeral. There’s also no mention of chemist on the Freeland entry; it’s not until the 1901 census that Alonzo appears as a chemist in Kibworth. 

Look at most Kibworth street maps,
look carefully, search hard.
You’ll find School Road and High Street
but wither Bakehouse Yard?
Where Callaghans did bakery,
and Tomlinsons cut hair,
the ladies’ broken biscuit shop
a D.I.Y. It’s there!
Just opposite the chapel
you’d find him, oft with hat,
maybe some tidying, gardening,
perusing this and that.
The weather didn’t matter -
in sun. in rain, hot, cold
He’d time to chat with passersby,
the young. middle-aged, the old.
You knew when Thursdays came
because you’d hear the trundling sound
of wheelies being put in place
for Friday morning’s round.
A pair of hands that could fix faults,
repair or fill a hole,
would also travel Desborough way
a game or more to bowl.
Once at the Kibworth Gas Works,
once in the Kibworth Band,
with Harborough Council planners
not afraid to make a stand.
My word, he knew his Kibworth
both history and myth.
Please God, into your loving arms
The no- show Roland Smith.
Anon

A rhyme of ten old men enjoying longevity.

There's an old legend told that Wistan was the son of Wigmund. He was one of the Anglo-Saxon kings of Mercia. Wistan should have taken over the throne when his father died, but turned it down and asked his mother, Queen Elfleda, to act as regent instead.

Mrs Olive Marsden

On Sunday 17 October St Wilfrid’s said a fond farewell to Janet Edwards, organist and choir trainer.