Tracy Spiers celebrates some of Woodstock’s interesting characters, past and present
‘Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.’
Sir Winston Churchill was no doubt a dynamic figurehead, and he left a legacy of powerful words that ring true today. This sentence taken from a plethora of his inspiring quotations is rather apt for the Cotswold town where he was born and died.
The name of Woodstock in Oxfordshire is synonymous with the splendid landmark that is Blenheim Palace, associated with the rich and famous, dignity and deity. But it also has something more beautiful that does not involve a significant or magnificent building. It has a legacy of positive attitude, courage, and a quiet dignity that its residents – both past and present – display in the way they serve one another no matter what title they hold. Woodstock’s history is as rich as the tapestries that hang inside its impressive town hall. The threads of lives – whether they are pub owners, dukes, princes or craftsmen and women – are all important and have helped shape and continue to shape this town. Some have literally left their mark on the town.
This feature celebrates some – and I stress some – of the interesting characters both past and present. Hopefully it provides a window into community life and shows how it is our humanness which connects us regardless of our wealth or status.
My journey starts in the 16th-century Black Prince pub, on the banks of the River Glyme and opposite the grounds of Blenheim Palace. By the fire is a large suit of armour, weighing 64lbs, commissioned as a decoration for the pub, which is named after Edward, the Black Prince. Known as Edward of Woodstock whilst he was alive, the Prince was born in the town in 1330 and was the eldest son of King Edward III and Philippa of Hainault. He died a year before his father in 1376, so never became king.
It is not sure why he was called the Black Prince as this name didn’t appear until Tudor times, over 150 years after his death. Some theories are that he wore black armour to battle, or that the bronze armour of his effigy in Canterbury Cathedral turned black over time. His coat of arms, made up of three ostrich feathers on a black background, could also have led to his name. It does not appear to be related to his attitude or temperament.
The pub is on Manor Road, near to Blenheim Park, where there is a free entry gate and a perfect opportunity to walk around the grounds. In Old English, the name Woodstock means ‘clearing in the woods,’ and it was used for royal hunting parties. King Henry II gave Woodstock a royal charter in the 12th century, and for years Woodstock Palace was located just outside the town. The Parliamentarians tore down the palace during the English Civil War, and it was the 1st Duke of Marlborough who started work on Blenheim Palace, named after the victory of the Battle of Blenheim in 1704. It was Capability Brown who remodelled and designed the gardens and surrounding estate. Outside of the Royal House of England, it is the only country home to have the word palace in its name. For centuries it has been the seat of the Duke of Marlborough, and the 12th Duke and Duchess still live there today.
Last year I had the privilege of meeting Lady Henrietta Spencer-Churchill, daughter of the 11th Duke of Marlborough, and brother to the current Duke. Recognised as an international lecturer, teacher, and author of nine books, she runs a highly successful company – Woodstock Designs – in the town’s High Street, which not only specialises in the renovation and restoration of classical and listed buildings, but also caters for the local community.
The family are ancestors of the late Sir Winston Churchill, born at Blenheim Palace in November 1874. Son of Lord Randolph Churchill and Jennie Jerome, he was prime minister for Great Britain from 1940-1945 and became the late Queen Elizabeth II’s first prime minister in her 70-year reign, when he took office again between 1951 and 1955. Remembered for successfully leading Britain through World War Two, Churchill was also famous for his uplifting speeches. He died aged 90 and is buried at St Martin’s Churchyard in the nearby village of Bladon, next to his father.
Other historic figures who have played a part in Woodstock’s past include Isabella of England (1332 -1382), eldest daughter of King Edward III, and Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough (1660-1744), an English courtier who became one of the most influential women of her time through her close relationship with Anne, Queen of Great Britain.
George Spencer, 4th Duke of Marlborough paid over £1,000 in 1766 to build the Town Hall and English genre painter John Hodges Benwell (1764–1785) was born at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire where his father was under-steward to George Spencer, 4th Duke of Marlborough.
A series of wall plaques on various buildings in Woodstock also tell the story of other notable characters, including Simon Hatley, a sailor who shot an albatross whilst drunk on a ship, the inspiration which led to Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s poem The Rime of the Ancient Mariner. Other significant characters include Joan Shelmerdine and Flora Grierson who ran Samson’s Press from 1937 until 1967 and commissioned and printed a wide range of illustrated works, including lino-cuts and drawings.
George Eldridge was appointed jeweller to Queen Charlotte, George III’s consort and Sir Thomas Chaucer, son of poet Geoffrey Chaucer, the author of The Canterbury Tales lived in Park Street and was an MP, Speaker in the House of Commons, and local landowner. But I must also applaud the many local people who worked at Webley’s Glove factory in Oxford Street, one of ten glove factories in Woodstock in the 19th century.
Today, Woodstock is still home to a wealth of wonderful characters who were born or live here. Some are more well-known than others, including journalist Tim Willcox; and lecturer, researcher, author and broadcaster, Dr Janina Ramirez. Joan and Flora, the late 20th-century printing press owners, would be impressed with local artist and printmaker Caroline Gibson’s collection of lino-cuts, including her series dedicated to Woodstock scenes and streets. One of them – ‘Off down the Prince’ – shows the Black Prince pub, and another celebrates ‘The Harry Potter Tree’ in the grounds of Blenheim Palace. This tree, a Cedar of Lebanon, appeared in the 2007 film Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.
Caroline grew up in Chadlington after moving from Liverpool in the early 80s and fell in love with the Cotswold countryside, which is reflected in her work. She moved to Woodstock about 16 years ago and is married to Marc, a carpenter who was brought up in the town.
‘Marc works in Blenheim Palace at times and was working in one of the towers and spotted his great great great great uncle’s signature (John Farley) in one of the windowpanes,’ Caroline explains.
‘A day after we returned from a trip to The Somme and Arras, we watched a programme, Blenheim Palace – Great War House with Julian Fellowes who was looking at the palace at wartime and he referred to John’s son Albert Farley, who painted the rooms at Blenheim.
‘It was incredibly poignant timing as we had been seeking out our Albert’s WW1 grave at the Arras Monument Britannique (he was missing in action, aged 27). It was amazing to see Albert Farley’s life documented in a full ten-minute piece. It seems that Julian had researched him and documented his life story, because he was a Blenheim tradesman,’ recalls Caroline.
Albert’s name is also on the war memorial outside St Mary’s Church, along with many other local family names, still living in Woodstock today.
Referring to Churchill’s quote, a positive attitude is something which Caroline has. It has helped her through a tough season of undergoing treatment for breast cancer but it also reenforces the strength a community has in the healing process.
‘I decided to hit it with a Liverpudlian positivity and thought I would deal with it with glamour, so I bought a lot of different colour wigs. As I was coming out of chemo, I decided to tell the people of Woodstock as I realised they wouldn’t recognise me in the High Street wearing my wigs. Woodstock is like a big family and it is wonderful,’ adds Caroline.
‘There are a lot of new people moving into Woodstock because of the new houses and they can see that it is such a lovely community. We do all know each other and all look out for one another. My hope is that those who drive through Woodstock to get to Oxford or Chipping Norton would take time to stop, park up and come and have a look around our town.’
Caroline’s lino-cuts are on sale at Gleide Home Décor in Oxford Street, owned by seamstress and interior designer Gleide Reid who is another fascinating individual. Gleide grew up in Brazil and learnt sewing from her mother, a designer and stylist and by the age of eight had learnt how to make her own clothes. Her passion for sewing and home furnishings is evident in her shop which sells vintage artefacts and jewellery as well as providing the perfect base for her home furnishing and dressmaking skills.
‘Woodstock is a fantastic community, and we wouldn’t have survived without the local support. We don’t rely on tourists. Everybody is so supportive, and we promote each other’s services. I feel very much a part of this community,’ says Gleide.
Not far away from Gleide’s shop is a pavement slab where a young lad made his mark. Taking advantage of the wet concrete, a young Matthew Scroggs couldn’t resist putting his foot in it and inscribing his initials. Years later it is still there, but Dr Matthew Scroggs has made his mark in other ways since then. He owns the multi-award-winning clinic, The Woodstock Chiropractor, where backs are put right, and lives restored whether that involves residents, celebrities, professional athletes, Olympians, or members of the Saudi Arabian Royal Family.
Matthew’s story is part of Woodstock’s story. Again, it comes back to the good attitude of the community of which he is part. Born and raised in the local area, Matthew’s enthusiasm to pursue his career in chiropractic began as a teenager.
‘I had a rugby injury and went to the local chiropractic clinic, and I was obsessed. Rupert Molloy ran the clinic for 35 years and at every opportunity I would observe him at work and took a job on reception when I was old enough to understand how the business worked,’ recalls Matthew.
After seven years at university in Wales and Bournemouth, Matthew was headhunted by Formula One and had an exciting few years travelling the world treating top Formula One drivers. He has since treated premiership footballers, international rugby players and the Saudi Arabian Royal family.
‘I qualified two years after Rupert had retired, but he gave me his full blessing to open a chiropractic clinic here in Woodstock. It doesn’t matter how the person has hurt their back, or who they are, what is important is that we get that person back to what they enjoy doing. We offer a tailor-made bespoke treatment and health care and what I have really appreciated is the recognition that we are getting from the broader health community,’ says Matthew.
‘My grandparents went to school here; I have grown up here and my wife and I are bringing up our children in the local area. We are woven into the tapestry of this place but also our business brings people to the town. They come here for health care, but they walk around Woodstock and support the other local businesses as well.’
Mevlan Karaj, owner of Brothertons Brasserie, Woodstock Butchers and Woodstock Grocers spends his time preparing, providing, or cooking food for the community.
‘I love Woodstock people. I feed them every day! It is a lovely town, the people are great and I feed them whether they are rich or poor,’ says Mevlan, known as Mev.
There is something about the need for each other whether that is for food, a service, or to be part of local life that draws a community together. It is the people that make the town what it is and Woodstock has a bucketful of interesting characters, both historic and living.
Before I leave on this occasion, I chat to Karen Hinch, who works in the café at Oxfordshire Museum. She too has lived in Woodstock her whole life.
‘My granny’s grandfather used to own a few pubs in the town. His name was Tommy Robinson, he was on the council and one day he picked up Winston Churchill from the train in his horse and trap,’ she tells me.
‘I did think about moving at one point, but looking at what was around, I thought, why move? My life, my school life, my family life – it is all rooted here.’
So, whether born in the most famous house of Woodstock, Blenheim Palace, or in one of the surrounding villages and streets, this town is defined by the people who have lived and worked here over the years. Each one special in their own right and each one adds their own story to the bigger story that belongs to Woodstock.
