Old Ledbury - The Poem

LEDBURY and a few of its INHABITANTS

Ledbury November, 1887.

Taken from 1887 Tilley's Almanack
18 pages of a poem by J. P. 75 verses
Transcribed by Judy BAKER ( Rose )

1
In the Western part of England Just where three Counties meet, There stands a quiet little Town, A rural snug retreat.

2
A very fine old Church and Tower Adorn this little City ; And in the centre stands alone, The Market House so pretty.

3
The ''Feathers,'' ''Oak'' and ' No.7' The ''Plough'', a little higher, And several other ''pubs'' lie in The shadow of the Spire.

4
This Town no doubt possesses those Who are at times erratic; But some of its inhabitants Are quite aristocratic.

5
Yonder you see his grace ''THE DUKE'', '' In regard of '' our nobility; And his son '' THE ARCHITECT'', I'm sure Is the picture of gentility.

6
At that gabled house lives one who has Long been the County Member; And I trust that MR BIDDULPH will Ne'er to Home Rule surrender.

7
Our venerable RECTOR Sometimes ' midst scoffs and jeers; With kindly smile has weather'd on For seven-and-twenty years.

8
Yon kind good hearted Gentleman, For money does not hanker; Ah! how many their positions owe To E.J. WEBB, the banker?

9
This little Town called Ledbury, In hunting men abounds: And always will while Mr. KNOWLES Is Master of the Hounds.

10
At the Court House lives a Gentleman, A contrast to a Viper; The poor, deserving, have a friend In Mr. G.H. PIPER.

11
Our Tradesmen's credit at the Banks Will surely ne'er go down, As long as we've such managers As MADDISON and BROWN.

12
Yonder you see the hero Of many lively sprees, But age and gout their tale have told On poor old Billy REECE.

13
And if perchance at any time One's spirits should be low; The load seems shifted when you see Our old friend Joseph MUTLOW.

14
An instituation in this Town Is COPE, the Superintendent; And respect is shown by every one To POTTS, the Independent.

15
The Rifle Corps can well afford To smile at any sneers As long as Captain SMITH command Our local Volunteers.

16
The Ledbury Board of Guardians' Clerk, Down Homend often roams; And a rare good all-round cricketer Is Mr. Richard HOMES.

17
Charles WESLEY'S far from being a dolt, He's up to all the tricks, As well as all the '' ins and outs'' Attached to politics.

18
Possessed of an ingenious mind, And who studies very hard; Is a Grocer at the Lower Cross, Whose name is J.E. BALLARD.

19
From a shop in High Street, I daresay, You've purchased many a book; And you very rarely meet a better Business man than ''LUKE''.

20
He's an active little fellow, With a very nice address; And a ''cute'' man is the Editor Of '' THE LEDBURY FREE PRESS''.

21
To find the equal of my next You'll have to travel far; He deals in earthenware,- I mean, That '' Grand Old Man, '' John PARR.

22
Though canny and straightforward as All Scotchmen are you bet ; You seldon meet a better one Than Jimmy BOYD, the Vet.

23
Why here's another happy soul, Whose never in a bustle; Where could you find a better sort, Than '' Uncle,'' Thomas RUSSELL ?

24
Whenever you want welting, Or if your sole you lose ; Just go to William HAMPTON, who'll Repair your Boots and Shoes.

25
That Pharmaceutical young man, In his Chemistry does teach ' em ; And his shop in High Street bears the name Of ''Vincent W. MEACHAM ''.

26
As well as MEACHAM there's the '' Boss'', Who stuffs both Thrush and Linnet; And he plays a rattling game of whist, I mean our friend, George BENNETT.

27
Another gent you often see, ith gun and pipe and spaniel; '' who's he'' you should reply,-- ''That's MANNING, -- not the cardinal.'

28
Sometimes on foot and then on 'bus, He's active in all weathers; And a first class eye to business too Has MANTON of the Feathers.

29
Whene'er the cry of ''Fire'' is raised, And we require their aid; You'll quickly on the scene behold, John WEBB and his Brigade.

30
And still they come, as tho' they dropp'd, Direct down from the heavens; The Draper at the Lower Cross, Is Mr J.D. EVANS.

31
A gent you always see '' d'ye know '' In sunshine, hail or rain; '' And d'ye know '' he trades in Malt and Hops? He's a Brewer, too, is LANE.

32
A first class man is ROBERTS, Our present Station Master; And I'm sure you couldn't well improve On BAKER as Postmaster.

33
For Beef, Pork, Mutton, Veal or Lamb Or if you want Calves' feet; At WALKER'S or Tom MAYO'S, You'll always get good meat.

34
And so one could till Doomsday, This roll of names unfurl; blow it'' I had nearly miss'd The name of Mr. SEARLE.

35
There's a very first class all-round shot at rabbit, hare or bird; For a straight good eye, has HOWELL, I mean it, 'pon my word'.

36
If you walk down New Town you'll admire The flowers of Mr EMAN; And another floury man, you know Is Master Jimmy FREEMAN,

37
Friend BERKLEY up in Homend Street, Will sell you brooch or ring; And if you overwind you watch, He'll put in it a spring.

38
There are several Tradesmen in the Town Sell Calicoes and Hurden; And three of the most reknown Are BADCOCK, CLARKE and BURDEN.

39
A Landlord who his house does close Each Evening at Eleven: And a Wine and Spirit Merchant too- Is GABB, of '' No 7.''

40
There's ''Little Billy'' who I hope Will never break his bones; For a rare good man 'cross country is Our Huntsman, William JONES.

41
When Thomas PAINTER'S on the spree, Of reason he's bereft; For to hear him talk- he'd kill a crowd, With his celebrated ''left''.

42
The Landlord of the Plough Hotel, On horseback is no coward; And two very straight horse dealers Are SCATTERGOOD and HOWARD.

43
For Coffee, Sugar, and Bohea, As well as Orange Pekoe, There's a shop in High Street, don't you know Kept by ' The London Tea Co'..

44
There are two noisy youths who laugh Till Southend Street, it rings; But the Police have now their eyes upon Ben BOSLEY and Charles KINGS.

45
If you hair and beard are very long, (Don't say this is a myth); I'm sure your friends won't know you, After visiting Tom SMITH.

46
That young spendthrift ,Thomas BADSEY, Is a Guardian of the Poor; And, being on the Sanitary Board, Inspects both Drain and Sewer.

47
If you want a bed or cup of tea, You'll find it '' all serene'', At the Coffee House, where you observe COMLEY, and our Queen.

48
Why here's another jovial soul, Who's always full of chaff: And however dull or low you feel, Tom WEBB can make you laugh.

49
Yon tree does never shed its leaves, It's branches ne'er get broke; It'll stand for years you may be sure For HOPKINS tends ''The Oak''.

50
A quondam leader of the band, In many a jolly lark; Has quite reformed his character, And is now the PARISH CLERK.

51
I'm sure our friend JOHN HOPKINS, Deserves not your reproaches; If a little putty he should use In your carriages and coaches.

52
There's more than one more Grocer you will find At the top end of the Town; But not a very random man Is Mr. William BROWN.

53
It's not a pleasant task at all To nuisances inspect; But DINGLEY does his work so well That he commands respect.

54
In the Ledbury Union Workhouse, You never hear of strife: For this I'm sure much praise is due To MORGAN and his WIFE.

55
But little RICHARD seems to hold The Temperence cause so dear, That he'd take from the aged Union folk Their half - a - pint of Beer.

56
His argument seems based upon The question of expense; But if he'd leave the old people alone He'd shew much better sense.

57
Here's one who wrestles very hard With figures and with dates; But, he calls on us too often, does JOE RILEY for the rates.

58
And now I beg to introduce To you a man of sense, Sir; This gentleman surveys our roads, His name is Caleb SPENCER.

59
If you're in want of '' Dress'' clothes, or A Coat in which to shoot, Apply to Charley BIXLEY for A good well fitting suit.

60
HINER collects the Gas accounts If any should be owing; And if you refuse to pay, you'll hear From Secretary OWEN

61
That superior looking dark man, Going down the Street, do you see? Is a well - known local lawter, Who bears the name of LUCY.

62
The '' New Inn'' has a Landlord who His business plies with zest; And judging by the trade he does He finds that pays him BEST.

63
From Belle Orchards can be often seen Come ''rolling o'er the stones; '' The smiling bare- faced , jovial phiz, Of happy Charley JONES.

64
And yet another face , although Priors Court we fetch it; For on Tuesdays you can always see Good looking Willie PRITCHETT.

65
And still one more who seems to have His share of this life's sweets; Besides, he's quite a Ladies man And that is Thomas MEATS.

66
There you observe Jim GRIFFIN, Although a trifle sandy; At watering his milk they say He's tolerably handy.

67
Two Ledbury men once went abroad But came back labell'd '' no good'' There wasn't room in Yankee Land, For Clifford SMITH and HAYWOOD.

68
When Thomas RESTALL comes to Town, Of fun there is no dearth; For he's volatile and springs up from ''The canopy of earth''.

69
Yon short man is so fond of lush, He'd drink it from a ladle; Few people know his proper name, His alias is '' CRADLE''

70
An object to be pitied, and Which fills one with much sorrow Is old LAMBERT when he asks you for '' A penny till to-morrow''.

71
A card who's very fond of work.--- A day a week, but no more; And wants to be well paid for that, Is Master Brevat ELSMORE

72
You really must excuse me if I now conclude this list:- For here I see comes down the Street, Friend PEAKE, the organist.

I hope I've not the feeling hurt Of any one whose name I've introduced to you, because It's only for a game.

But if I have , and they should think To thrash me they are able; I hope they won't:- and please abstain From sueing me for libel

For if I once get clear of this I'll ever thankful be; And never write another verse As true as my names JP

Ledbury November, 1887

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