Photograph (Many thanks to Major [Retd] Janet Brodie-Murphy & David Payne)

So well remember this event, I think my brother Graham Holland took part, but I know for certain that my friend Peter Bennett was on one of the rafts. I recall driving to Ham Bridge where they all started from and then driving back to the Talbot Hotel at Knightwick to watch all the rafts (if they had been lucky!) past the finishing line, at Knightsford Bridge (foot bridge).

The Talbot at the time was owned by Kenneth Gordon Beckett and his wife Doreen Margaret Beckett. Ken was a lovely guy and it may have been his idea for the raft race.

I found the following written by Ken Beckett.

"The Talbot Hotel at Knightwick, dates back to the 14th century. It was built by the monks of Worcester-Cathedral, we think as an Inn, because it is by the ford in the river, but we do not know.

There are also records that Queen Adelaide used it as a holiday resort, and gave he name to the hill behind, which is called Ankerdine Hill.

In 1690, the Inn belonged to a Mr Littletonclent, who also owned the farm behind, called Ankerdine Farm, a Mr Myrike then rented the Talbot from him.

In 1701, Mr Littletonclent died and a Mrs Grace Letty and Ms. Dorothy Lane bought the Talbot, (we do not know if the farm was included or not), Both these people have a memorial in Knightwick Church, which is about a mile from the Talbot. Dorothy Lane had a cousin called Jane Lane, who was reputed to have helped King Charles II to flee to France and that King Charles spent the night at the Talbot disguised as a servant.

In 1807 it was bought by Mr John Freeman of the Gains and in I877 it was rented to James Vernalls, who paid £210 a year for the Talbot and 46 acres of land.
In 1893 Sarah Browning was the tenant for £237 a year.
In 1901 it was sold to Mr T. Lawson Walker, (this time the farm was included and is still
in the possession of the Walker family) Mr Lawson Walker later sold it to Courage Brewery.
One of the landlords was a Mr Bielecki (pronounced Baleski).

In 1969 Courage sold it as a Free House to Wing Commander Hiams, who in turn sold it in 1972, to Mr and Mrs Beckett.

The brochure states that it is in excellent walking country within reach of three hunting packs, has private fishing, squash courts and a skittle alley for the active. But most of all at offers a hearty welcome to all who visit it."

 ©peh