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Notable Residents Alan Payne, December 2022
Of course, it is ridiculous to select certain individuals as important out of all the people who have lived in the village since the Second World War. It is also unfair on those who are not mentioned and those who don’t wish to be recorded out of modesty or the nature of their commitment. Nonetheless, there are some who merit recording on the website and I have chosen Vicar Rev Tom Selwyn Smith, Norman and Thelma Haines, Liz Porter and two modern women. I am happy to include any omissions if readers kindly provide details. Rev Thomas Robert Selwyn-Smith (5 February1912-2 December 2003) Vicar Tom straddled the modern period serving in Box from 1955 until 1992, known and respected by all and the stalwart of post-war Box village. The details of his early life are unspectacular.[1] He was the son of Bertie Selwyn-Smith, a Liverpool vicar, who lived at Blundellsands, Crosby. His mother was christened Aurelia Decima (ten) and was the tenth child of an eccentric legal family. Tom attended Lancing College, Sussex, where he was a keen rugby, boxing and football fan, supporting Wolverhampton Wanderers.[2] He was inspired to enter the church at Lancing College and was ordained in 1937, becoming the curate of a parish church in Workington before moving to St Paul’s, Knightsbridge, London at the start of the Second World War and returning to Dalston, Cumbria, at the close of the war. His father Bertie became the rector of Ditteridge Church in 1952 and Vicar Tom moved locally to settle them in. Three years later the living at St Thomas à Becket became vacant and Tom started his Box ministry. |
Vicar Tom Selwyn-Smith on his retirement (Evening Chronicle, 28 December 1992)
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Thomas Selwyn-Smith was a distinguish biblical scholar, often reading the New Testament in Greek to understand the text better, but never an academic who sheltered from the world.[3] The door of the vicarage was always open and he devoted himself to all the people of Box regardless of their spiritual beliefs. His kindness and generosity to others, especially the young, was unstinting. Tom’s work in the parish is recorded throughout this website. He was the fulcrum for post-war Box and an inspiration for many who wanted to build a peaceful, caring rural community. Many residents have referred to his generosity and forgiveness of others, some using words such as saintly or monastic. But this is to over-simplify the man. He was a boxing instructor and a keen enthusiast for Boys’ Clubs, believing that such activities give an outlet for young men. He said: We used to train youngsters in football when their fathers had not returned from the war. We would cut down tree branches and use them as goal posts and teach them footballing skills.
Extract of Bella Magazine
Life wasn’t very placid for him in his declining years, particularly when the vicarage was broken into on 17 July 1991 and Tom assaulted by two robbers. With the help of Eva Slade, secretary to the parish church council, 80-year-old Tom resisted the intruders, who had pulled out the telephone line to avoid the alarm being raised. Plucky pensioner, brave Eva, 61, grappled with
a burly thug. In the ensuing struggle, she managed to pull off the attacker by his arms, shouting at him to leave the vicar alone. Neither Tom nor Eva were injured in the struggle but both were badly shaken. The women’s newspaper Bella published their story nearly a year later.[4] The men had fled empty-handed but were identified by a watch lost in the struggle and were imprisoned for two years for assault with intent to rob. The magazine awarded Eva with Bella’s Badge of Courage.
It wasn’t the only issue, as a lightning strike ignited the gas supply after coming down the chimney in July 1971. It was several hours before the fire was discovered and the top of the house was like an oven and the first floor was already alight near the bedroom windows.[5] Vicar Tom described the consequences as: furniture, pictures, etchings and framed needlework scorched, toasted and stained by fire, heat and water. Three Persian kittens painted on porcelain in 1909 have turned tabby – “browned off” seems to cover most things.[6]
By the latter part of the twentieth century, Tom’s views on a variety of issues had become somewhat outdated, particularly on his opposition to the role of women in the church and his comments about mixing Hindu and Chinese elements into a school carol service.[7] Regrettably, there was a dispute with church authorities over staying in Box after retirement, deemed to be unfair to the new incumbent Rev John Florey. It was eventually solved when local resident, Marion Morris, generously offered him a retirement home at Woodland View, Devizes Road. Village residents also honoured him, such as in June 1994 when he officially re-opened the Selwyn Hall to commemorate its 25th anniversary. In January 1996 a dining room at Box House was renamed the Selwyn-Smith Room and in September 1997 a special evensong was held in Box Church to commemorate the 60th year since he started his ministry.[8] And in 2003 on his 90th birthday he led the morning communion service in Box Church in honour of the 50th anniversary of the accession of Queen Elizabeth II.
a burly thug. In the ensuing struggle, she managed to pull off the attacker by his arms, shouting at him to leave the vicar alone. Neither Tom nor Eva were injured in the struggle but both were badly shaken. The women’s newspaper Bella published their story nearly a year later.[4] The men had fled empty-handed but were identified by a watch lost in the struggle and were imprisoned for two years for assault with intent to rob. The magazine awarded Eva with Bella’s Badge of Courage.
It wasn’t the only issue, as a lightning strike ignited the gas supply after coming down the chimney in July 1971. It was several hours before the fire was discovered and the top of the house was like an oven and the first floor was already alight near the bedroom windows.[5] Vicar Tom described the consequences as: furniture, pictures, etchings and framed needlework scorched, toasted and stained by fire, heat and water. Three Persian kittens painted on porcelain in 1909 have turned tabby – “browned off” seems to cover most things.[6]
By the latter part of the twentieth century, Tom’s views on a variety of issues had become somewhat outdated, particularly on his opposition to the role of women in the church and his comments about mixing Hindu and Chinese elements into a school carol service.[7] Regrettably, there was a dispute with church authorities over staying in Box after retirement, deemed to be unfair to the new incumbent Rev John Florey. It was eventually solved when local resident, Marion Morris, generously offered him a retirement home at Woodland View, Devizes Road. Village residents also honoured him, such as in June 1994 when he officially re-opened the Selwyn Hall to commemorate its 25th anniversary. In January 1996 a dining room at Box House was renamed the Selwyn-Smith Room and in September 1997 a special evensong was held in Box Church to commemorate the 60th year since he started his ministry.[8] And in 2003 on his 90th birthday he led the morning communion service in Box Church in honour of the 50th anniversary of the accession of Queen Elizabeth II.
The Becket window above the West door was dedicated at the patronal festival on 7 July 1991 (photo courtesy Carol Payne)
The magnificent triple lancet West Window in the church designed by stained glass artist, John Potter, was installed in 1991 as a mark of gratitude to our vicar Rev TR Selwyn-Smith by the parishioners of Box. It replaced the plain leaded window, transformed the light in the church at evensong, and the Diocesan Advisory Council described it as modern but appeals to history with its depiction of figures of the king, Becket and a knight.[9] Richard Carless of The Wilderness organised most of the fundraising, which included a recital of Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales by the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, which perambulated around the house gardens as on a pilgrimage.
Vicar Tom died on 2 December 2003 aged 91. His memorial service was full and many residents gave tributes to their memory of his kindness and humanity.[10] Bob Hancock spoke of selling bundles of firewood for kindling when the troop was building the new Scout Hall in 1955. The vicar bought their entire stock and they had to bundle up more wood. Andy Jackson told of the vicar’s inspiration in religion and in secular matters, such as proposing the Box Revels to raise funds for the school. David Button talked about his dedication to Box School where he had served as a Governor and spiritual leader for nearly half a century. Geoff Bray talked about the vicar’s commitment to young people in the village over many years from opening the vicarage to allow
11-year-olds to form a youth club and play table tennis in the attic, starting the Box Church Boys Football Club and later allowing the Four Specs skiffle band to practice in the stable attic. The tributes continued long after the memorial service with Tudor Jones later writing about vicar Tom’s work in contributing to the restoration of the Selwyn Hall.
It is impossible to summarise the achievements of vicar Tom Selwyn-Smith. On his retirement in 1993, the parish magazine recorded some of his achievements: the Bingham Hall Trust, the Selwyn Hall, the Scout Hut, the Boys’ Club and the Jubilee Youth Centre. The author concluded: Perhaps it is behind all the public duties that the real work has been done – in the silence of prayer that has sustained us all and lifted the village, individually, in families and as a community, to God.[11]
Vicar Tom died on 2 December 2003 aged 91. His memorial service was full and many residents gave tributes to their memory of his kindness and humanity.[10] Bob Hancock spoke of selling bundles of firewood for kindling when the troop was building the new Scout Hall in 1955. The vicar bought their entire stock and they had to bundle up more wood. Andy Jackson told of the vicar’s inspiration in religion and in secular matters, such as proposing the Box Revels to raise funds for the school. David Button talked about his dedication to Box School where he had served as a Governor and spiritual leader for nearly half a century. Geoff Bray talked about the vicar’s commitment to young people in the village over many years from opening the vicarage to allow
11-year-olds to form a youth club and play table tennis in the attic, starting the Box Church Boys Football Club and later allowing the Four Specs skiffle band to practice in the stable attic. The tributes continued long after the memorial service with Tudor Jones later writing about vicar Tom’s work in contributing to the restoration of the Selwyn Hall.
It is impossible to summarise the achievements of vicar Tom Selwyn-Smith. On his retirement in 1993, the parish magazine recorded some of his achievements: the Bingham Hall Trust, the Selwyn Hall, the Scout Hut, the Boys’ Club and the Jubilee Youth Centre. The author concluded: Perhaps it is behind all the public duties that the real work has been done – in the silence of prayer that has sustained us all and lifted the village, individually, in families and as a community, to God.[11]
Thelma and Norman Haines, MBE
Norman M Haines and Thelma FL Hannaford married in Devon in 1960 and lived at Hillview, Chapel Lane, Box, after 1979. It was conveniently close to the family shop at 1 The Parade, the Methodist Chapel where Norman was steward, and the Tennis Court where Thelma was custodian of the key. Thelma was a Devon girl, born at Dartmouth in 1932 and brought up there during the Second World War.[12] Her interest was sport, particularly tennis, hockey and athletics.
Norman M Haines and Thelma FL Hannaford married in Devon in 1960 and lived at Hillview, Chapel Lane, Box, after 1979. It was conveniently close to the family shop at 1 The Parade, the Methodist Chapel where Norman was steward, and the Tennis Court where Thelma was custodian of the key. Thelma was a Devon girl, born at Dartmouth in 1932 and brought up there during the Second World War.[12] Her interest was sport, particularly tennis, hockey and athletics.
Norman and Thelma Haines in 1999 (courtesy Eric Callaway)
Norman M Haines was born in 1933 in Calne, the son of Fred Haines. The family were alternately shopkeepers and farmers in Calne and Devon, never quite settling. Norman suffered from asthma, nearly dying of whooping cough when he was three but he recovered to work delivering milk by horse until 1950 when the family sold up in Calne and moved to Dartmouth. Norman worked as a warehouseman for the Dartmouth Pottery Ltd (who made gurgling jugs) and it was here that he met Thelma, who worked in the offices as a wages clerk. The parents moved to Box in 1956, taking over the ladies’ drapery known as the
Betty Shop at number 1 The Parade and converting it into a confectioners and wool shop. Norman worked as a technician at HMS Royal Arthur, then for the Ministry of Defence, Copenacre. When the shop became too much for his parents, Norman and Thelma took over the business and operated it until 1979 when they bought Hillview. She then busied herself organising the annual Flower Festivals in the Methodist Church organising the Box Luncheon Club and being the bookings secretary for the chapel.
The list of Norman and Thelma’s public duties in Box seemed to be endless: Norman was the Link transport coordinator after his retirement in 1987, arranging a voluntary-donation taxi service for the elderly or those with disabilities (particularly for medical appointments) operated by local volunteers. Norman was involved in the service for almost 30 years as driver, committee member and coordinator.[14] Thelma was the booking secretary for the Selwyn Hall and fundraiser for Box Surgery; together they left a bequest to help young people in the village in sports and athletic activities.
The Link service was started by Rudloe resident, Jacky Nicholas, in 1979 and dedicated to Dr John McQuitty from Colerne. He had joined Box Surgery in 1973 after serving as a trainee practitioner in Bath. The name was a tribute to John after his tragic death from a brain tumour in 1979.[13] Jacky Nicholas became the chairman and still performs the role of vice-president. It was trialled as a pilot project in Box, Colerne and Rudloe and there are now 45 local schemes in operation throughout Wiltshire and Swindon. It was a magnificent achievement.
Betty Shop at number 1 The Parade and converting it into a confectioners and wool shop. Norman worked as a technician at HMS Royal Arthur, then for the Ministry of Defence, Copenacre. When the shop became too much for his parents, Norman and Thelma took over the business and operated it until 1979 when they bought Hillview. She then busied herself organising the annual Flower Festivals in the Methodist Church organising the Box Luncheon Club and being the bookings secretary for the chapel.
The list of Norman and Thelma’s public duties in Box seemed to be endless: Norman was the Link transport coordinator after his retirement in 1987, arranging a voluntary-donation taxi service for the elderly or those with disabilities (particularly for medical appointments) operated by local volunteers. Norman was involved in the service for almost 30 years as driver, committee member and coordinator.[14] Thelma was the booking secretary for the Selwyn Hall and fundraiser for Box Surgery; together they left a bequest to help young people in the village in sports and athletic activities.
The Link service was started by Rudloe resident, Jacky Nicholas, in 1979 and dedicated to Dr John McQuitty from Colerne. He had joined Box Surgery in 1973 after serving as a trainee practitioner in Bath. The name was a tribute to John after his tragic death from a brain tumour in 1979.[13] Jacky Nicholas became the chairman and still performs the role of vice-president. It was trialled as a pilot project in Box, Colerne and Rudloe and there are now 45 local schemes in operation throughout Wiltshire and Swindon. It was a magnificent achievement.
Norman receiving his award from the Queen (courtesy Eric Callaway)
Norman was awarded an MBE for his work for the community in 1999. Thelma died in 2006 and Norman on 27 January 2016. Few will know that Norman and Thelma have a stained glass window dedicated to them in Uganda for their support of village education there.[15] They were the most modest couple ever.
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Liz Porter, MBE
The concept of a Village Diary itemising forthcoming events in Box was due to Liz Porter. She started it in 1976 producing a dozen copies for friends which she wrote out long-hand. It was originally intended to avoid conflicting events and continues today, recorded monthly in the parish magazine.[16] Liz was born Nellie E Rashbrook at Lambeth, London in 1916 and brought up by her widowed mother without much money. But Liz was intelligent, went to Grammar School, trained as an office clerk and typist at night classes and worked hard. She devoted much of her spare time to playing the piano and singing.[17] She married Henry Edward (Teddy) Porter in 1936 and they came to live firstly at The Bassetts, Box in 1968 and later at Ashwood Road, Rudloe. During this time Liz worked as an invoice clerk at Colmer’s Department Store, Bath. After Teddy’s death in 1984, Liz moved to Vine Court, Box and continued her long-time commitment to activities in the village. She was a founder member of the Gardening Club and the Moonrakers Club, chairman of the Ladies’ Club, member of Box Singers and founder of The Elizabeths singing group, organist at Ditteridge Church for 35 years, active member of the short mat Bowls Club, Fit ‘n Fifty and involved in the Box Women’s Institute. For many of these clubs she was an active fundraiser, often playing the piano at money-raising events, such as the Box Scouts Gang Show. She was indefatigable even in her seniority, taking over the running of Box in Bloom on behalf of the Gardening Club from the Parish Council at the age of 84 in 1990.[18] |
Liz with her award (courtesy Wilts Gazette and Herald)
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Liz won Wiltshire County Council’s Good Neighbour award in 2003 and, at the age of 91, she was awarded an MBE in the 2015 New Year’s Honours List, going up to London to receive the award on 22 March 2015. She wrote a charming insight as a Diary of a Great Day including rising at 4.30am, entering Buckingham Palace through the Grand Entrance and mounting the Grand Staircase and speaking to the Queen.[19] Liz died in 2008, many of the tributes to her calling her affectionately Mrs Box.[20]
Modern Celebrities
Box isn't just a place for past notable people but the circumstances of the village have altered. The people listed above are connected because they all helped to generate a community spirit in the village in the austerity years after the Second World War with a desire to build a better future for all residents. Of course, there were others - Alec Cogswell, Phil Lambert and Bernard Lovell spring to mind, whose achievements are mentioned elsewhere on the website.
That phase in Box's history has chaged, however, and a new breed of person has emerged with celebrity status in Box and throughout the UK -those who have achieved sporting success. These peope include two young women who have reached national and international fame with Box as their long-time home and family base. Katy Curd (below left) is a Four Cross (4X) and Downhill bike rider, called by a national magazine arguably the best female 4X rider in the UK.[21] She is a three times British champion, European champion, seven World Cup podiums and in 2014 World Champion. She might have represented Britain in the Olympics except that the sport was never admitted into the sports events.
After a serious crash in 2016, Katy concentrated more on coaching and the training of others in the pleasures of mountain bike riding at a World Class level, working out of the Forest of Dean.[22] She has recently been coaching Evie Richards, another World Champion and the UK’s top Cross Country rider and Commonwealth Games Gold medal winner. Katy has also been working with British Cycling across the whole Cross Country team and has launched her own team of junior Downhill riders for 2023. Investing her knowledge and experience into young riders or future champions.[23] (https://off.road.cc/content/news/introducing-the-katy-curd-youth-development-team-11811). Loving life Katy is very ethically minded and often combines biking or paddle boarding activities with keeping the Forest of Dean environment clean and tidy.
Stephanie Millward MBE (below right) was an accomplished junior swimmer and broke the British 100-metre backstroke record aged 15 before being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. After mobility problems, she started training for paralympic competitions and won five medals at the London 2012 Games.[24] She continued training and was selected for the 2016 Rio Paralympics where she won gold in the 100-metres backstroke and another gold in 4x100m medley relay together with silver in the 200m individual medley and bronze in both the 100m and 400m freestyle. She was awarded an MBE in 2017.
Box isn't just a place for past notable people but the circumstances of the village have altered. The people listed above are connected because they all helped to generate a community spirit in the village in the austerity years after the Second World War with a desire to build a better future for all residents. Of course, there were others - Alec Cogswell, Phil Lambert and Bernard Lovell spring to mind, whose achievements are mentioned elsewhere on the website.
That phase in Box's history has chaged, however, and a new breed of person has emerged with celebrity status in Box and throughout the UK -those who have achieved sporting success. These peope include two young women who have reached national and international fame with Box as their long-time home and family base. Katy Curd (below left) is a Four Cross (4X) and Downhill bike rider, called by a national magazine arguably the best female 4X rider in the UK.[21] She is a three times British champion, European champion, seven World Cup podiums and in 2014 World Champion. She might have represented Britain in the Olympics except that the sport was never admitted into the sports events.
After a serious crash in 2016, Katy concentrated more on coaching and the training of others in the pleasures of mountain bike riding at a World Class level, working out of the Forest of Dean.[22] She has recently been coaching Evie Richards, another World Champion and the UK’s top Cross Country rider and Commonwealth Games Gold medal winner. Katy has also been working with British Cycling across the whole Cross Country team and has launched her own team of junior Downhill riders for 2023. Investing her knowledge and experience into young riders or future champions.[23] (https://off.road.cc/content/news/introducing-the-katy-curd-youth-development-team-11811). Loving life Katy is very ethically minded and often combines biking or paddle boarding activities with keeping the Forest of Dean environment clean and tidy.
Stephanie Millward MBE (below right) was an accomplished junior swimmer and broke the British 100-metre backstroke record aged 15 before being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. After mobility problems, she started training for paralympic competitions and won five medals at the London 2012 Games.[24] She continued training and was selected for the 2016 Rio Paralympics where she won gold in the 100-metres backstroke and another gold in 4x100m medley relay together with silver in the 200m individual medley and bronze in both the 100m and 400m freestyle. She was awarded an MBE in 2017.
Katy Curd (courtesy Katy Curd Coaching)
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Stephanie Millward (courtesy Ed Clayton)
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Of course, Vicar Tom, Liz, Norman & Thelma, Katy and Stephanie aren’t the only notable people in the village. Jill Banks and Canon John Ayers were both invited to a summer garden party at Buckingham Palace in 2014 in recognition of their tireless work locally over many years and others have also been honoured similarly.[25] I am most happy to include other names that I have regretably omitted.
References
[1] Parish Magazine, December 2001 and January 2004
[2] Bath Evening Chronicle, 28 December 1992
[3] Courtesy Elizabeth and Martin Devon, Parish Magazine, March 2004
[4] Bella, 2 May 1992
[5] Parish Magazine, August 1971
[6] Parish Magazine, September 1971
[7] Chippenham News, 2 December 1989
[8] Bath Chronicle, 23 September 1997
[9] Parish Magazine, August 1990
[10] Parish Magazine, April 2004
[11] Parish Magazine, January 1993
[12] Parish Magazine, August 2004
[13] Parish Magazine, June 2014
[14] Parish Magazine, April 2016
[15] Parish Magazine, April 2016
[16] Jacky Nicholas, Parish Magazine, June 2013
[17] Parish Magazine, January 1995
[18] Parish Magazine, May 1990
[19] Parish Magazine, July 2005
[20] Wiltshire Gazette and Herald, 17 January 2008
[21] Katy Curd - Total Women's Cycling (totalwomenscycling.com) and Parish Magazine, December 2010
[22] See Katy Curd Coaching
[23] https://off.road.cc/content/news/introducing-the-katy-curd-youth-development-team-11811
[24] Parish Magazine, April 2014
[25] Parish Magazine, June 2013
[1] Parish Magazine, December 2001 and January 2004
[2] Bath Evening Chronicle, 28 December 1992
[3] Courtesy Elizabeth and Martin Devon, Parish Magazine, March 2004
[4] Bella, 2 May 1992
[5] Parish Magazine, August 1971
[6] Parish Magazine, September 1971
[7] Chippenham News, 2 December 1989
[8] Bath Chronicle, 23 September 1997
[9] Parish Magazine, August 1990
[10] Parish Magazine, April 2004
[11] Parish Magazine, January 1993
[12] Parish Magazine, August 2004
[13] Parish Magazine, June 2014
[14] Parish Magazine, April 2016
[15] Parish Magazine, April 2016
[16] Jacky Nicholas, Parish Magazine, June 2013
[17] Parish Magazine, January 1995
[18] Parish Magazine, May 1990
[19] Parish Magazine, July 2005
[20] Wiltshire Gazette and Herald, 17 January 2008
[21] Katy Curd - Total Women's Cycling (totalwomenscycling.com) and Parish Magazine, December 2010
[22] See Katy Curd Coaching
[23] https://off.road.cc/content/news/introducing-the-katy-curd-youth-development-team-11811
[24] Parish Magazine, April 2014
[25] Parish Magazine, June 2013