CHARLES-BLACKWELL (Left) and WILLIAM-GORDON-BLACKWELL (Right)

For a number of years the Lords of the Manor were the Blackwell family, of Cross and Blackwell. They were great benefactors to the village. Two of Samuel and Elizabeth Blackwell's sons, Charles and William Gordon, were killed during World War One.

In memory of them they gave the village the village club, which remained a club until quite recently. It’s now been renamed Blackwell's and it's both a club and cafe next to the common.

Samuel and Elizabeth were equally devastated by the loss of two sons. Charles Blackwell was wounded at the second battle of Ypres and died in France in July, 1915. William Gordon Blackwell, the younger of the two brothers, was killed in action on October 5, 1916.”

BLACKWELLS   OFFICIALLY  OPENED
On Saturday 15 July 2006 Nick Blackwell officially opened Blackwell's, 84 years after his great-grandfather  performed a similar ceremony when he opened the original Men's and Women's Social Club in 1922.
Representatives from all village organisations as well as all the volunteers who played such a large part in raising funds and starting the repair  and  refurbishment  of the premises were present as guests of the Trustees and joined Nick in toasting the future success of the club.
Blackwell's has been a popular venue for coffees and cream teas for both residents and visitors throughout the summer.