Press Clippings from the 1800’s to the present day – Click on the Thumbnail for a full size image
Please Note – Some of the documents may be of relatively low quality due to their age
Lino’s book Fantastic is Launched
This 2002 article from The Banbury Guardian Restaurateur Lino Pires, known for running The Butcher’s Arms in Priors Hardwick, published his memoir Fantastic!, sharing his journey from poverty to culinary success.
The book features stories of celebrity guests and of course his family life.
Profits supported cancer research, reflecting Lino’s gratitude and family battles.
This heartfelt tale captures a life transformed by resilience, hospitality, and humour.
Lawrence of Arabia visits Priors Hardwick
This 2004 article from The Leamington Courier described how T.E. Lawrence — “Lawrence of Arabia” — visited Priors Hardwick to see Colonel Buxton, then living at what is now Pingle House. Buxton, a Director of Martins Bank, had helped finance the publication of The Seven Pillars of Wisdom.
A note in a copy of the book, acknowledging this support was signed “T.E. Shaw” — the name Lawrence adopted later in life to avoid publicity.
This quiet village visit links Priors Hardwick to one of the century’s most iconic figures and literary works.
The End of the Road
In 1959, The Sunday Mercury published an article with a rather gloomy headline, hinting at an uncertain future for the village. However, the piece itself offered a glimmer of hope and resilience. Now, more than 60 years on, it’s heartening to see that optimism well-placed—the village is not only surviving but thriving!
The Village in 1983
This article, featured in Warwickshire and Worcestershire Life, offers a wonderful snapshot of the village as it was just 40 years ago. It’s a charming reminder of how things once were—and how much has changed since then
Fire at the Vicarage
Published in the Banbury Guardian in 1905, this article gives a vivid account of a significant event in the village’s history—a fire that affected the vicarage. It provides a fascinating glimpse into how the community responded to unexpected challenges over a century ago, highlighting both the vulnerability and resilience of village life at the time.
Murder in the Village
In this article from the Royal Leamington Spa Courier, dated 1873, recounts a tragic and chilling chapter in the village’s past—the murder of Betsy Handcock by her husband, Edward Handcock. This shocking event not only left a deep impact on the local community but also marked a significant moment in legal history, as Edward Handcock became the last man to be hanged at Warwick Jail
A wedding of note
This article from The Daily Mirror, published in September 1938, captured national attention with its surprising love story—21-year-old Ellen Adams marrying 60-year-old farm labourer George Gardner. Their unconventional union sparked headlines across the country and offered a glimpse into village life, love, and the social norms of the time