The Magpie In at Tardebigge was also in the churchyard in days past, but in 1830, it was converted to a school. Before that, when the parson went out to the vestry to exchange surplice for a black gown for preaching, he would step across to the pub for a quick glass of ale while the psalm was sung. If the congregation was sparse when he arrived for the Sunday afternoon service, he would say to his clerk: 'What, are there only these few? l shan't have a service for them, take them into the public and give them a glass of beer apiece'.