Flyford-Flavel (St. John the Baptist)

FLYFORD-FLAVEL (St. John the Baptist), a parish, in the union, and Upper division of the hundred, of Pershore, Pershore and E. divisions of the county of Worcester, 8¾ miles (W. by S.) from Alcester; containing 156 inhabitants. It lies on the road from Alcester to Worcester, between the north and south branches of the river Piddle, and comprises 667 acres, whereof two-thirds are arable, and the remainder pasture. The soil is clay, with an undulated surface; and the parish standing high (on a level with the Malvern hills), commands very extensive views. Coal is supposed to exist; and there are quarries of claystone, in which are found numerous fossils. The living is a discharged rectory, valued in the king's books at £5. 4. 9½.; net income, £150; patron, William Laslett, Esq., who is lord of the manor; incumbent, the Rev. Francis Best. The tithes were commuted for land in 1813, and the glebe altogether consists of upwards of a hundred acres, with a rectory-house. The church is an ancient stone edifice with a handsome tower, and is said to have been built in 1051; the chancel was rebuilt in 1845, by the rector.