I recently took part in the hugely popular Cakes and Tales event at Hook Village Hall, Lydiard Tregoze. Held by the Friends of Lydiard Park this popular occasion has become an annual event as part of the Lydiard Tregoze Local History Project.
A general invitation was extended to all past and present residents of Hook village and the surrounding area to bring along their photos and share their memories. My involvement as a Friend of Lydiard Park is in transcribing the diaries of Hook farmer Elliot Woolford who kept a meticulous account of life on Hook Farm for more than 40 years.
I have a few ‘favourite’ families among the former residents of the Lydiards, most especially the Ody family. For me it began with discovering the grave of Noah and Sarah Ody in St. Mary’s churchyard.
Noah was baptised on November 14, 1790 at St Mary’s Church along with his sister Ann, the children of George and Mary Ody. He married Sarah Clark on November 25, 1811 at the parish church of Brinkworth.
Noah and Sarah raised a large family and along with their sons were tenants at Hayes Knoll and Bagbury Farms in Purton; Haxmoor in Purton Stoke; Braydon, Marsh, Flaxlands and Glebe Farms in Lydiard Tregoze and Lower Shaw Farm in the parish of Lydiard Millicent, at various times during the 19th century.
As Oaksey resident Harold Ody proudly told Elspeth Huxley when she was writing her book Gallipot Eyes – a Wiltshire Diary in 1975 – “There’ve been Odys farming in North Wilts for five hundred years,” – and I quite believe him.
At the recent Cakes and Tales event I was delighted to meet Liza and Marilyn who both trace their ancestry back to the three times married Richard Ody (1775-1840) one time gamekeeper to Lord Bolingbroke at Lydiard Park and the elder brother of my Noah (of course he’s not exactly ‘my’ Noah, but you know what I mean).
It was a busy afternoon with lots of people to talk to and not enough time to do it in – but I have Liza and Marilyn’s contact details and will be in touch.
Skip on another couple of weeks …
I received an enquiry on the Radnor Street Cemetery Facebook page concerning the death of Eliza Ody on April 9, 1921 who was buried in the cemetery.
Imagine my disappointment when I was unable to locate the burial! But wait – there had been an error. This was the lady’s maiden name and not the one she was buried with. It transpired that Eliza is buried in a public grave so sadly there will be no headstone to mark the spot, but I was determined to trace this member of the Ody family. And would you believe it – she was a descendant of the aforementioned Richard Ody and his 3rd wife Sarah Beasant.
Well I never, it’s certainly a small (Ody) world!
Radnor Street Cemetery 
I am also a descendant from this Richard Ody .
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Hi Beryl – how far have you been able to trace the family back? I am stuck at George Pike Ody baptised at St. Mary’s, Lydiard Park in 1753.
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I have Thomas Ody B 1729 died 1808, Born, married and buried at Lydiard Tegoze. He married Ann Phillimore 16.1.1748. My husbands 2nd great grandmother was Eliza Ody died 9.4.1921, she married Maurice Scutts. I see that Ancestry is showing me a potential parent for Thomas, so I’ll get back to you when I’ve looked.
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Hi George Pike Odys father was Thomas Ody born 1723 in Dauntsey wife Ann Phillimor, Thomas father was also Thomas born 1699 Christian Malford his waife was Ann Trimnll I will try and find my paperwork for more information, if you go on WikiTree there is alot of information just put a name in.
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Thank you so much Beryl. I had thought the family might have come from Wroughton, but apparently not. Phillimor (e) is another name from Lydiard Tregoze that goes way back.
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Ann Phillimorewas from Lydiard
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Eliza is also my husbands great grandmother, she married Maurice Scutts. We have a common ancestor in George Pike Ody. I think I’m back further than George, just checking.
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Fantastic Marilyn – thank you so much. I believe there is a branch of the family from Malmesbury as well.
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I have just read this blog. I am a direct descendant of Richard Ody and his daughter Eliza.
Lisa
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Hi Lisa – thank you for getting in touch. I believe we met at the Cakes and Tales Event.
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I don’t think we did, sadly as I live in Oxfordshire now. Both my cousin and I would love to come along to your next Cake and Tales event if you are having one?
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My apologies Lisa – I was thinking of an Ody researcher called Liza. You might like to visit the Friends of Lydiard Park website as there are several upcoming events https://www.friendsoflydiardpark.org.uk/
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Thank you!
Sent from my iPhone
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I am hoping someone might be able to give me some information about Flora Nellie Elizabeth Ody who was born 1883 and died 1920. My father was her illegitimate son and I would like to know more about their early time together.
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