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The parish of Kidmore End covers a very wide area. The name is derived from the
Celtic, kid meaning wood, More/Mawr being great and End a boundary. It was
renamed Kidmore in 1894, but after representations the Council agreed in 1902
that its name should revert to Kidmore End.
Kidmore End encompasses Gallowstree Common. The tree which gave this hamlet its
name was a solitary oak standing apart from woodland. It is said that the last
hanging, for sheep stealing, occurred in 1825. The stump was removed at the time
of the Enclosure Acts but for some time the gibbet and chains were left on a
post nearby. There are, however, happier associations with Gallowstree Common.
This stands with Kid-more End in the lovely part of South Qxfordshire known as
Cherry Country and within living memory the Methodist chapel at Gallowstree
held annual Cherry Teas in July, when the tables groaned under the huge bowls
filled with local cherries, from which one took ones fill.., and all for 9d!
Sadly, the cherry orchards are no more, and the chapel has closed, but a walk
through the lanes and woods when the wild cherries are in bloom is a delightful
reminder of former days.
Kidmore End village school was established in 1862 and within a year the average
attendance was 70 this was before education became free and compulsory. In
1901 there were 143 children on the register and in this year the Bronze Medal,
awarded by the Canadian Government through Lord Strathcona, was given to William
Long for the best essay on Canada a great honour for the village school.
The church festival or Parish Feast evolved from the annual treat for
schoolchildren consisting of tea and games at the vicarage. In 1891 it was
decided to hold a Parish Festival. On 1st July, Evensong was sung at 3 pm
followed by tea on the vicarage lawn for all participants. The Festival became
popular and included exhibits by children of collections of flowers and was
enhanced by the attendance of the Church Lads Brigade Drum and Fife Band. It is
recorded that the year 1901 produced a memorable and record festival. At tea
it is reported that 140 lb of cake, 8 gallons of bread and 70 gallons of tea
were consumed! Sports were organized and prizes were awarded to children for
needlework, drawings and good attendance. These Festivals were the forerunners
of present Village Days.
An ancient landmark is the Kidmore End Well, now disused but in an excellent
state of preservation. Often in its lifetime it had fallen into disrepair and
been threatened by demolition but public opinion and generosity saved it from
such a fate, one thoughtful Parish Councillor reasoning, during war time, that
it would be very useful should an air raid disrupt the public water supply.
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