7. Leigh House

Another of Lord Sandys’ tenants, James Whiley Taylor was destined for success from the outset. The son of a solicitor’s clerk from Droitwich, James was educated at Malvern College and Cambridge University. After a brief period as a schoolteacher, he returned to Ombersley where he held several important posts.

James was the district Relieving Officer and had to assess all applications for poor relief and make recommendations to the Board of Guardians. He was district Registrar of Births and Deaths and the local School Attendance Officer, so would have worked closely with headmaster, Mr Page.

He and his wife, Ethel, were also enumerators for the 1911 census. James was 13 years older than his wife and they had two young daughters, Ethel and Eileen.