Old Ledbury

Charles Wallwyn Radcliffe Cooke ( 1841 – 1911 ) was as an English farmer and cider producer and a Conservative Party politician. He sat in the House of Commons from 1885 to 1892 and from 1893 to 1900.

COOKE was the son of Robert Duffield COOKe of Hellens, Herefordshire. He was educated at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, becoming "Le Bas" Prizeman in 1864, and "Burney" Prizeman in 1866 and 1867 for English Essays. In 1869 he co-wrote with Angelina GUSHINGTON Thoughts on Men and Things: A Series of Essays. In 1872, he was called to the bar at Lincoln's Inn, but showed a greater interest in farming in Herefordshire. He was President of Herefordshire Chamber of Agriculture, and Chairman of the Ledbury Highway Board. He wrote pamphlets on political and other questions and authored works on the Agricultural Holdings Act of 1875.[4] His particular interest was cider growing and he saw commercial production of cider as a way of stimulating cultivation of orchards during the period of agricultural depression. He was J.P. for Herefordshire.

A Retrospect

1896

January 16 A meeting held at the Town Hall which interesting addresses on the life and works of the great poetess were given by Mr. Rider HAGGARD, Mr. M. BIDDULPH. M.P. (who presided). Lady Elizabeth BIDDULPH, the Bishop of Hereford. Mr. RANKIN, M.P., Mr. C. W. R. COOKE, M.P., the Rev. Preb. MADDISON GREEN, the Rev. C. Y. POTTS, &c.

September 4 Mr. Radcliffe COOKE, M.P., unveiled a handsome brass tablet in Much Marcle Church. to the memory of the late vicar of Much Marcle, the Rev. A. V. CHATFILED.