DROITWICH. 123

Among the places in Dodderhill are Wychbold, Elmbridge, Cooksey, Erode, Impney, Rashwood, Crutch, Knockingham, Obdon, &c. St. Andrew's and St. Mary's livings were united thirteenth Charles II, St. Andrew's being afterwards used as the parish church of both places; and in 1843 the living of St. Nicholas, which church was ruinated soon after the Reformation, was also annexed to St. Andrew's by an Order in Council. The inhabitants of St. Nicholas are now building a new church for that parish. It seems that the union of the two parishes has never been a happy one, and that a divorce is imperative. Compassion has been taken on the married couple by a lady (Mrs. Miller) offering £500 towards the new church; a mortuary chapel and burial ground will be forthwith established, and by-and-bye the new church. The main grievance, it seems, was the jealousy arising from the principal part of the pews being allotted to St. Andrew's parishioners. One party went in for the removal of the pews altogether, while another opposed any interference with vested rights. It is well that the unhappy couple should have separate establishments.

The united living of St. Andrew, St. Mary, and St. Nicholas, is valued at £330; Lord Chancellor patron; the Rev. J. Topham rector; population, 1,700; acreage, 1,100; church accommodation, 640; free seats, 125. St. Peter's living, value £160; Earl Somers patron; the Rev. W. Lea vicar; population, 854; acreage, 700; church accommodation, 350, and (what is worthy of mention) by a resolution of vestry in 1859 all seats are free at all services except the Sunday morning services. This has been found to work well, and is a step towards the right point—free churches. Dodderhill vicarage, with Elmbridge curacy, value £500; the Rev. H. Nicholson incumbent; patrons, trustees; population, 1,733; acreage, 3,683; church accommodation, 750; free seats, 300.

St. Andrew's church is a fine old structure, but has been terribly ill-used and filled with galleries. The tower and a portion of the walls which escaped the fire of 1293 are the