LITTLE MARCLE is a parish on the borders of Gloucestershire, distant
3 miles S.W. of Ledbury, 8 N.W. of Newent, and 12 E.S.E. of Hereford;
is in Radlow hundred, Ledbury union, petty sessional division, and
county court district, and Much Marcle polling district. The population
in 1861 was 168; in 1871, 159; inhabited houses, 27; families or
separate occupiers, 36; area of parish, 1,218a. 3r. lp.; annual rateable
value; £1,729. The Right Hon. Earl Somers, of Eastnor castle, is lord
of the manor. The principal landowners are Earl Somers, the Ecclesiastical
Commissioners, the Governors of St. Catherine's Hospital (Ledbury),
Rev. Edward Woodyatt, Mr. Charles South, Mr. John Sparkman, and Mrs.
Fleetwood. The soil is strong clay; subsoil, marly, and in some parts
gravelly. This is a good cider and hop district; the other chief crops are
wheat, beans, roots, &c. Little Marcle is in the diocese and archdeaconry
of Hereford and rural deanery of South Froome; living, a rectory; value,
£275, with residence; patron, the Lord Bishop of Hereford; rector, Rev.
David Price, B.A., of Jesus College, Oxford, who was instituted in 1865.
The new church of St. Michael was erected in 1869 at a cost of £1,137.
It has accommodation for 122 persons. The site was presented by Earl
Somers. The old church, which was built by the Hanbury family in the
beginning of the last century, had fallen into a ruinous state, and was
inconveniently situated. The parish registers commence with the year
1700. There is a charity of £4 yearly value, left by the late Rev.
Thomas Hanbury, and now paid by Earl Somers to the churchwarden, who
distributes the amount in clothing to the poor of the parish according to
the will of the donor. The Rev. Mr. Hanbury, a former rector, left a
library of books to the rector for the use of the inhabitants to the end of
the world. There being no resident rector to take charge of them, they
were taken away (except one book) by some dishonest parties who had
access to them. The parochial school for boys and girls was erected
about twelve years ago. It is under the supervision of the rector and
government inspection; average attendance, about 45. Little Marcle
Court, the property of Earl Somers, was, about 140 years ago, the
residence of Sir John Hanbury. It is now a farm-house in the occupation
of labourers.
POSTAL REGULATIONS.- Letters arrive by messenger from Ledbury
about 10.30 a.m.; despatched thereto at 3 p.m. Ledbury is the nearest
money order and telegraph office and post town.
Parish Church (St. Michael's).- Rev. David Price, B.A., Rector; Mr.
Charles South, Churchwarden; John Webb, Parish Clerk.
Parochial School (boys and girls).- Miss Eliza Brown, Mistress.