About the Series: In the Shadow of the Abbey

In the Shadow of the Abbey

In the Shadow of the Abbey explores the unique history of Bisham Village, telling the story of those who lived in and around Bisham Abbey in Berkshire.

I am your guide, Sheila Featherstone-Clark, I moved here in 1991. My journey was triggered by the gift of a picture from Peter, whose family lived in this house for 122 years, I wanted to find out why he and others said: “We had nothing then but we were happy”.

Travel with me, on a fascinating journey to find out about tragedy in the Abbey and joy in the village. Each episode recounts the history, a personal story or the impact of an event; based on interviews with people who lived here all their lives, local knowledge and documents from the last 300 years.

Did the curse of Abbott Cordery result in the village being sold for £30,000 in 1965? Why does Lady Hoby’s ghost wring her hands in the Great Hall, and are Bisham vegetables the secret of long life? And why was Bisham Abbey the first national sports centre?

Listen with me to explore the poignant past of this special place through sets of episodes about the War Years, the Village Stories and the History of the Abbey.

The War Years is a set of episodes covering the years following WWI (1918 – 1924). They are based on the original Bisham Parish reports written at the time by the much loved vicar of All Saints Bisham. Gain an intriguing insight into all aspects of village life as told by Revd Farrer and Lady Vansittart Neale.

The Villagers’ Stories are based on interviews with residents born mainly in the 1930s. These families lived in the village houses, working for the estate, the paper mill, brewery or boatyard. Multiple generations attended Bisham School, played in the woods and requested a house from the Lord of the Manor when they married. Some are still here. The sale of the estate 1965 and the coming of the by-pass in 1974 changed their idyll forever. Find out what life was like for them.

The Abbey History – episodes that recount the past of the historic Abbey and the family who lived in it, from Lady Hoby to Mrs Paget. Bisham Estate was home to only 2 families in over 400 years, hear how the Lord of the Manor of Bisham influenced politics, sport and the history of the village. From wealth to death duties, there is a curse, ghosts, gold coins and special ladies.

Listen with me and enjoy exploring the stories from Bisham Village, in the Shadow of the Abbey.
The series was devised, researched and written by Sheila Featherstone Clark
The music is by Artie Shaw and his Orchestra, It has to be you (1938) from Jazz-on-line.com
Painting of Bisham Abbey courtesy of PH.
Thank you to everyone who has encouraged and helped me make this happen, you know who you are.