VILLAGE PRIDE WOUNDED

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27035, 9 May 1953, Page 9

VILLAGE PRIDE WOUNDED

Speech By Delegate To UN. COUNCIL REPROVES SIR GLADWYN JEBB {from the London Correspondent of "The Press”) LONDON, April 14. The sleepy little Somerset village of Wiveliscombe (pronounced “Willscombe”) makes no claim to being « n international spy centre. But it >• proud of its brewery. And its pride was wounded last month when Sir Gladwyn Jebb. the chief British delegate to the United Nations Assembly, quoting from evidence given st i recant Czech purge trial that an international spy ring was based on the Somerset village, told United Nations delegates that he had never even heard of the village.At tiie parish council meeting, the villagers debated this slight on Wiveliscombe’s good name. The chairman of the council wrote to Sir Gladwyn Jebb, saying that although the village was only a small marketing centre on the Taunton-Barnstanle railway, with a population of 1255, there were, in fact, three main banks in the village as well as two firms of solicitors and a brewery “of which the town is very proud.” “The town centres around the brewery, and we would be very glad to see you at any time convenient to yourself,” said the chairman in his note. Exercising all the tact of his years of experience in diplomacy, Sir Gladwyn Jebb, in his replv. said he hastened to assure the parish council that he had never doubted the existence of Wiveliscombe. “All I said in my speech was that I had not heard of it,” he wrote. “The reason for making this confession of ignorance was simply to emphasise how ridiculous were the charges made at the Czech spy trial to the effect that I had discussed with Mr Hadji his alleged relations with the Wiveliscombe police. "I.am delighted that my reference to Wiveliscombe has to some extent succeeded in adding to the existing fame of your town.” he said. “I can assure you that I would like nothing better when I am next in England than to come down and visit your community and sample the products of vour brewery, which, if I know anything about West of England beer, should be excellent.

Having smoothed over this incident in international relations, the villagers of Wiveliscombe are now preparing to welcome Sir Gladwyn Jebb on his next trip to England. So that the cost of entertaining the delegate will not be a burden on the rates, the parish council has arranged for the chairman of the women’s institute to roast a chicken for his dinner. The Society of Somerset Folk in London has offered to help to pav for his entertainment. Wiveliscombe’s claim to fame has not gone unnoticed.