CM2

Collection

Agatha Georgina Bourne was born at Grafton Manor, near Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, on 25th July, 1872 and was brought up there and later at Cowarne Court, Herefordshire. She was the fourth daughter and sixth of nine [living] children of Colonel Robert Bourne and Anna Eliza Baker. In September 1894 Agatha became engaged to Reverend William Henry Greaves Twining, the vicar of St. Stephen’s, Westminster, whom she married on the 30th October 1894 at Much Cowarne church. Agatha moved to Westminster with Reverend Twining where they had three children, two sons, Stephen Twining and Edward Francis “Peter” Twining, and a daughter Agatha Elizabeth “Betty” Twining. Stephen Twining went on to become Managing Director of Twinings Tea, whilst Edward “Peter” Twining became Lord Twining, a life peer in 1958. Elizabeth “Betty” Twining died at the age of 22 in 1921 and this tragic event is recorded in the diaries and correspondence of her mother. Reverend William Twining died in 1923 when Agatha was aged 50. Agatha was a keen writer and produced several recollections, particularly relating to her time growing up at Grafton Manor and to her beloved brother Roland. She was also a published author producing several books, particularly children’s religious works and histories of Westminster Abbey. Agatha Twining died on the 12th June 1962 at the Calvary Nursing Home, Sudbury Hill, only a month short of her 90th birthday. This collection complements the Ruth Bourne Diaries (reference AK22) also held at Herefordshire Record Office. Ruth Bourne was the elder sister of Agatha and mentions Agatha’s engagement to Reverend Twining in her diaries. Cowarne Court was demolished in 1961 but life there is captured in the booklet ‘The Bournes of Cowarne Court’, compiled by Much Cowarne History Group. Further records relating to the family, such as letters from Lord Twining are held at the Rhodes House Library, Oxford, and also at Bedfordshire and Luton Archives & Records Service which holds Bourne family material as part of their Orlebar family records, Agatha’s sister, Faith Henrietta Bourne, married into the Orlebar family. Some reference numbers are not consecutive as further documents have been added to the catalogue.