Noake's Worcestershire Page 275

MARTLEY. 275

are considered so beautiful (even for Worcestershire) that parties from considerable distances visit it in summer, not forgetting at the same time that admirable old hostelry the "Admiral Rodney," near the foot of the hill, or the Crown Inn, another well-managed house in the village. The Worcester hounds frequently meet during the season at the hospitable residence of William Rogers, Esq., on the Berrow Hill, and generally get good sport. Good fishing also abounds here. Longevity is rife; the late rector, Rev. James Hastings, died in his 101st year; and it is affirmed that some people hereabout live to such an age as to forget in what century they were born! The Despenser, Mortimer, Foley, Slaney, Lane, and Nash families have been connected with this parish. Dr, Nash, who resides at the Noak, still represents the last-named. John Nash, of Martley, was fined £10, and John Horner £13. 6s. 8d., for not taking the order of knighthood in the time of Charles I. Dr. Doughtie, Prebend of Westminster in 1662, a staunch Royalist and noted preacher, was a native of Martley; as also was Francis Jukes, a celebrated engraver in the early part of the present century. Mr. Milner Gibson received a portion of his education with the present rector of the parish, at Martley Rectory. Laugherne House was formerly the residence of the Dowding family, and more recently of W. S. P. Hughes, Esq., coroner for the county.

Curious names in the parish: Noak Meadow, Hither and Further Callow Fields, The Jury, Lingens, Barbers, Upper and Lower Hollings, Laugherne, and Prickley Green.

There was an ancient endowed Grammar School at Martley, but the endowment is now applied to an English School, to which farmers, tradesmen, and the labouring class, send their sons. A girls' endowed school also exists here. And it may be interesting to know that the parishes of St. Clement, St. Andrew, and St. John, at Worcester, have lands in Martley, with which their livings or schools have been at some time augmented.

In this parish is also the workhouse of the Martley Union,