STAFFORDSHIRE STAFFORDSHIRE STAFFORDSHIRE

CENTRECENTRECENTRE

NEWSLETTER May 2015

Including Autumn Programme 2015

A Rare Portland Ewe Calke Abbey March 2015

Staffordshire Centre Website www.ntstaffscentre.uwclub.net/Index.htm

General Enquiries jjobling@uwclub.net

Newsletter Enquiries jemnoruk@yahoo.com

Contacts

Staffordshire Centre Website www.ntstaffscentre.uwclub.net/Index.htm

At last it is beginning to feel that Spring is coming. After yesterday’s solar eclipse, today has been nice and sunny although there was still a cool breeze. I heard this morning, 31st March, that Easter is going to be warm. We will soon know if that turns out to be true!

By the time you receive this Newsletter the AGM will have been held. We need at least one more committee member. The task is not oner-ous; just to help with organising our walks, talks, trips and holidays. The committee generally meets on the first Tuesday of the month at a member’s house. Please consider whether you could join us.

During the summer, as well as the holiday in Lanarkshire, we have ar-ranged coach trips to Salford and Tyntesfield, car trips to Eyam and Croome and Elgar’s Birthplace Museum, and our monthly walks. There are still spaces on the coach to Tyntesfield and it is still possible to join members at Eyam. The two venues have been re-advertised in this Newsletter and have been included on the booking sheet. Please note that the June walk details have changed. Please book for car and coach trips at least a month before, because we normally have to pay deposits and entrance fees early.

Offers by members to organize events, walks, talks or trips are always gratefully received. Comments on the events we organise, positive or negative will be welcomed by any member of the committee .

I would like to thank the committee and other helpers for all their efforts over the last year.

Joyce Rowe

Please take note of the change to the Constitution agreed at the 2015 AGM.

‘Associate Membership can be offered to long standing Centre Mem-bers who have ceased to be Members of the National Trust. Associate Members do not have voting rights at General Meetings.’

Joyce Rowe

Chairman’s Notes

We warmly wel- come the following

new members who have joined the Centre since September 2014.

Mr & Mrs C. Brown Gnosall

Deborah Collis High Offley

Mr & Mrs J. Hale [re-joined] Stafford

Mr & Mrs H. Hodgkins Coton Clanford

Mrs M. Lock Salt

Mr & Mrs W. McAllister Sutton Coldfield

Mr & Mrs B. Perkins Gnosall

Janet Wheeler High Offley

We sadly announce the deaths of two of our members:

Milly Atkin, who lived in Haughton, was for very many years a keen

and loyal supporter of the Staffordshire Centre.

Cliff Ricketts was a member of the Centre many years before joining

the Committee in 1991 as Membership and Booking Secretary. He

said, at the time, that he would remain on the Committee no longer

than four years. In 2005 Cliff retired having served fourteen years!

During this time he organised walks, talks and coach visits and on

occasions gave illustrated talks, as well as most efficiently carrying out

his duties as Membership and Booking Secretary. Since Cliff’s retire-

ment he has remained an active member of the Centre, not only acting

as auditor but also being an excellent proof reader for the Newsletter.

Just two days before his sudden death Cliff had enjoyed the company

of Centre members at the Annual Lunch.

Both Milly and Cliff will be missed.

Members

June 18th Change of Walk

The first mile of the original walk has become a very unpleasant walk-ing experience not only with extensive, heavily sown rape obliterating footpaths but also lots of mud in spite of the recently dry weather. This walk of 5.5 miles will begin in Chorley and pass through Creswell Green and Gentleshaw.

Start 10.15 The Malt Shovel, Chorley, WS13 8DD. OS 070 112

Lunch: The Malt Shovel

Please let me know by Tuesday 16th June if you would like

Lunch. Jean Norman 01827 289356 or 0747 031 900

Re-advertised Summer Events 2015 Events

Eyam [car] Thursday 25th June

We begin our exploration of Eyam with a guided walking tour of the village visiting many of the interesting historic sites including those associated with the plague, the first public water system and 17th century industry. After the tour, which lasts between sixty and ninety minutes, the places worth visiting are the lovely Parish Church of St Lawrence with some Saxon and Norman features, the excellent Eyam Museum [near the main public car park] and of course Eyam Hall, Gardens and Craft Centre which are now leased to the National Trust. As well as the very good tearoom in the Craft Centre at Eyam Hall there is a café and a pub in the village.

Important, Important, Important

Tyntesfield [coach] Wednesday 22nd July

We last visited this magnificent house eight years ago soon after it

was acquired by the National Trust. At that time it was in a sorry state.

After carrying out emergency repairs the NT opened the house to the

public enabling people to see restoration and renovation at work.

Much has been achieved. Restoration and renovation is almost com-

plete so visiting now gives a very different experience. We will have a

group tour of the house at 1.30pm with time before hand for refresh-

ments in the Cow Barn Kitchen or in the Pavilion Café.

Members: £19.00 Visitors: £20.00

Brian and Hilary Taylor 01785 242305

In 1843 Sir William Gibbs [left] bought the

Tyntesfield Estate and during the follow-

ing years he enlarged and remodelled the

exterior of the house and redesigned and

redecorated the interior. His chosen style

was Gothic Revival.

8.30

8.45

9.15

Stafford Railway Station

Wildwood

Lichfield Bus Station

Parking: National Trust CP opposite the entrance to the Hall

Tour: Meet 11.15 in the courtyard near the ticket office.

Cost: Members £6.00 Visitors £7.00

Directions: GR 216765 Post Code S32 5QW

If you would like to take part but have transport difficulties

please let us know and we will do our best to help.

Robert and Lesley Thompson 01889 882363

Sunday 15th May to Friday 20th May

The Penventon, an AA three star privately owned hotel situated on the

outskirts of Redruth, has been provisionally booked for five nights. It

lies almost centrally to the places we may be visiting. Although not

having a lift there are several rooms accessed by a few steps. All hotel

guests are welcome to use the Health Spa.

Programme will probably include:

St Ives Tate and Barbara Hepworth Museums

National Maritime Museum and Pendennis Castle EH [Falmouth]

China Clay Museum [St Austell] and Trerice [NT]

Truro and Trellisick [NT]

Outward Journey. Knightshayes or Killerton [both NT]

Return Journey. Maybe lunch and leg stretching at Croome Court.

Holiday 2016 Cornwall

National Maritime

Museum

Pendennis Castle

Newport and Edgmond 5.25miles Tuesday 22nd September

This generally level walk starts in Stafford Street Car Park, Newport. We take the tow path of the former Norbury to Shrewsbury canal and at the end of the watered section, a path over gently rising fields leads us to Edgmond. At Edgmond Church a green lane gets us to Long-ford, and further lanes and a field path bring us to Church Aston where we cross a bridge over the former Shropshire Union Railway. Taking another green lane, then the A41 we arrive back in the centre of Newport.

Penkridge 5miles Wednesday 21st October

This is a circular walk from the Boat Inn via Otherton, Quarry Heath and Woodbank returning along the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal. On the way we pass Pillaton Hall and the remains of a Bone Mill.

Meet: 10:15am at The Boat Inn Car Park, Cannock Rd, Penkridge,

ST19 5D OS GR 922 144

Leaders: Joyce Rowe 01785 822579 or 07970 984575 on the day

Margaret Winfield 01785 822507 or 07779872573 on the day

Autumn Programme 2015

The cost of joining a walk is £1.50 for members and £2.00 for visitors. Please meet in the designated car park at least 10 minutes before the walk is due to begin. Members are most welcome to join walkers for lunch; just phone the leaders and let them know.

Start: 10.15 Stafford Street Car Park, Newport. OS GR 747191

Sat Nav TF10 7L. A sign will be displayed on top of

the leader’s car as a rallying point.

Lunch: Mere Park Garden Centre , Stafford Road. Please let me

know by Monday 21st if you would like lunch .

Leader: Peter Jobling 01785 822592 or 07751 173422 on the day

Walks

Haughmond Hill 3 miles Tuesday 10th November

The walk from the car park follows well surfaced paths which are very suitable for winter walking. On the trail are a series of Geo-markers, viewing platforms and display boards describing geological features of the area and the workings of the Aggregate Industries Quarry. There is a natural platform from which the surrounding landscape can

be viewed and next to which are the foundations of Haughmond Abbey. An interesting walk. Café open 9.30. Parking £1.00

Start: 10.15 Haughmond Hill Forestry Commission CP £1.00

OS GR 545147 Post Code SY4 4PW

Lunch: Roden Nurseries. Please let me know by Monday 9th if

you would like lunch.

Organiser: Peter Jobling 01785 822592 or 07751 173422 on the day

Leader: John Collier

Route instructions from Stafford. A518 to Newport, turn right at junc-tion with A41 and left at next roundabout on to B5062. Keep on A5062 through High Ercall and Roden. Keeping on A5062 ignore the first left turn to Upton Magna but take 2nd turn [2.25 miles from Roden]. Pass entrance to Aggregate Industries and take next right to car park.

Christmas Lunch and Optional Ramble Monday 30th November

This is a fairly easy walk of about 4 miles along mostly broad tracks without stiles, starting from The Glacial Boulder. We shall walk downhill towards Brocton Coppice and Mere Pits and from there into the Sherbrook Valley at the Stepping Stones where we can stop for a coffee break if needed. We shall then go along the valley for about a mile and return up a gentle slope to the Glacial Boulder. Start: 10am at The Glacial Boulder OS GR 980182

Lunch:1.00pm ‘The Rag’ Rawnsley OS GR 037120

Please could you book your place ASAP but no later than

12th September. Cost of main course and desert £13.50.

Leaders: Rob & Lesley Thompson 01889 882363 or 07879744512

Lunch Organizer: Jean Norman 01827 289356 or 07470319001

Talks

Isambard Kingdom Brunel Tuesday 29th September

A Victorian Genius

This will be an illustrated talk on the work of Isambard Kingdom

Brunel, a mechanical and civil engineer who worked on a massive

scale designing and/or supervising the building of railways, steam-

ships, bridges, docks, tunnels etc. Examples are the Great Western

Railway, SS Great Britain, the Clifton Suspension Bridge and the Box

Tunnel.

These works changed our way of life and many are still in use today.

Venue: 2.30 pm at Walton Village Hall

Sue Willis 01785 247411

Shropshire and Staffordshire Blood Bikes Tuesday 13th October

Blood Bikes have been visible across many parts of the country in

recent years. The first charitable group was founded 40 years ago and

The National Association of Blood Bikers [NABB] was formed in 2010.

Staffordshire and Shropshire Blood Bikes was launched in January

2014. It is rapidly expanding as the need for its services expands.

As well as transporting blood they also deliver cerebral spinal fluid,

donated breast milk for tiny babies, patient records and medical equip-

ment.

With around forty riders and six controllers giving up their time to

volunteer, it is clear to see that the Blood Bikes has become a vital life-

saving resource for hospitals across the Staffordshire and Shropshire

region.

Helen Bundy, and/or other representatives will tell us about the

organisation, the hospitals involved and how it operates.

Venue: 2.30pm at Walton Village Hall

Joyce Rowe 01785 822579

Messines Model Archaeological Dig Tuesday 17th November

On 10th April 1917 part of Cannock Chase near Brocton became a

German prisoner of war camp. The prisoners worked in local gardens,

on local farms and some under the supervision of the New Zealand

Rifle Brigade were detailed to create a scale model of the village and

ridges of Messines. The purpose of this creation is thought to have been

to prepare troops for the Passchendaele assault and also as a tribute to

the fallen at Messines. Stephen Dean will talk about the archaeological

dig which took place to discover more about the model. It was led by

Staffordshire County Council, funded by Natural England and took

place during 2013 and 2014.

Venue: 2.30 Walton Village Hall

Hilary and Brian Taylor 01785 242305

Experiences of a Town Crier Tuesday 15th December

Our speaker is Ken Knowles, Town Crier and Sword Bearer for the

City of Lichfield. Ken took up the position in 2009; little did he know

where the post would take him. Over the past five years Ken has trav-

elled all over the country meeting fellow town criers in competitions.

His commercial work has even taken him behind bars. Not only will

he share with us personal stories and anecdotes but will also talk

about the traditions and history of town crying.

Venue: 2.30 Walton Village Hall

Sue Willis 01785 247411

Stafford Town Trail January

We started the Trail from Sainsbury’s coffee shop, on a cold sunny morning, with a sprinkling of snow on the ground. We headed through the Guildhall to the Collegiate Church of St Mary, which was built around 1190 to the east end of the original Saxon chapel of St Bertelin, and extensively restored in 1840. Bells were ringing and large cars were parked outside the church, and we realised that we had chosen the day for the service to mark the opening of The Hilary Term of the High Court at Stafford. We walked down Church Lane passing the Evangelical Church, previously the home of the Plymouth Brethren which opened in 1839, and the 19th Century Soup Kitchen. At the end of the Lane is the former Sheriff’s Office, a small timber framed building with a jettied first storey. We noted the Almshouses built in 1660 for 6 poor men and 6 poor women, the Malthouse [1837] and the Town Mill [1834] both built by George Brewster. We walked through Victoria Park, where the gar-deners were busy pruning and cutting hedges ,to Broadeye Windmill built in 1796. We used Green Bridge, formerly the Great Bridge built around 1285, to cross over the River Sow and walked along Greengate Street noting Chetwynd House, St Chad’s Church, the Swan Hotel and the Bear Grill be-fore retracing our steps to St Mary’s. We were welcomed and offered coffee, but didn’t realise that the High Sheriff’s party were due to return from the High Court also for coffee. However, we got in first and were served with coffee and special biscuits just before they all arrived! We read in the ‘Orders of Service’ that the office of High Sheriff is the oldest secular office under the Crown and can be traced back to 978. Today, the High Sheriff of Stafford-shire, Ann Fisher, is apolitical, and is the Queen’s representative in the Coun-ty for all matters relating to the Judiciary and the maintenance of Law and Order. The post is voluntary and the holder meets all the costs of their year in Office. Having finished coffee we made our way to the Ancient High House, and took a quick look around, before continuing along Martin Street to the old County Buildings where the dignitaries were assembling for lunch. We passed the William Salt Library, the Old Bank House, the old Police Sta-tion where Izaak Walton was born and down to the last remaining piece of the town walls. We then beat a hasty retreat back to the car park passing the new County Buildings complete with cannonball bollards. A most interesting morning. Many thanks Joyce for organising and ably leading.

Margaret Winfield

Just a Few Memories

Sherbrook Valley February A group of twelve walkers met in the car park in front of the Army Cadet HQ on a crisp, frosty morning. The weather forecasters had predicted a fine, dry day and after donning hats, scarves and gloves we set off along a broad track sheltered by beech trees towards Cherrywood Slade. At the top of this track we passed the trig point and started to walk along the Slade with beautiful views overlooking the Sherbrook Valley. There are no cherry trees to be seen but the views are good at this time of the year when the birch trees are bare of leaves and the bracken has died down. On tracks on the far side of the valley we could clearly see other walkers tempted out by the promise of fine weather.

The Stepping Stones

We descended along the one muddy section of the track towards the Stepping Stones, where everyone crossed safely, and set off along the Sherbrook Valley towards the old pumping station, a reminder of wartime activity on the Chase. Signs of spring were all around. As we walked along-side the bubbling Sherbrook, our spirits were lifted by the sound of birds singing and a brilliant blue sky.

As we approached the old pumping station, where we planned to stop for a coffee break, we could see it was standing room only. At least two other groups of walkers and several couples were already in residence. We found space amongst the concrete remains of the pumping station and scarves, hats and gloves were taken off as it was now quite warm in the sunshine. After our refreshments, we set off on the final leg of the walk, re-crossing the Sherbrook once again, towards Pepper Slade.

Sadly this is the least picturesque part of the walk as the conifers have all been felled and the landscape looks barren and desolate. Nevertheless, we were all in very good spirits as we began the climb back to the car park before setting off for lunch at The Chetwynd Arms. Over lunch we shared photographs taken along the way and one member declared she had had the best pub sandwich for a long time.

Sue Willis

Tissington Trail March

We had a trouble free journey up the A515 to the car park at Thorpe where we joined the rest of what turned out to be a 14 strong party. We were denied the company of walkers who were waiting in the Tissington, Tissington Trail Car Park but we did meet at lunch time.

The weather began to brighten as we left the car park and continued kindly through the rest of the day. The walk took us across the Tissington Trail, then up and over a steep hill to reach and pass through the churchyard in Fenny Bentley. Climbing again through a rather scruffy field we eventually reached Bassets Wood farm, passing on the way one of the many tumuli found in the area . The farm serves teas during the summer months but as it was closed we took the opportunity to avail ourselves of our own refresh-ments a little further on.

Onward to the outskirts of Tissington village where we took the Trail path which looped to the north of the village. One of the advantages of winter walking is the lack of leaves on the trees so affording good views from the Trail across the surrounding countryside. From the Trail a lane led us into the top of the village passing the Hall , which was looking impressive in the

sunshine, and prompted much reminiscing about previous Trust walks and visits. The duck pond and it’s wildlife provided topics of conversation and amusement as well as a pleasant rest before we circled back to the Trail and our gently descending homeward leg.

Lunch at the Mapleton Arms, where the food and service are to be recom-mended, provided a fitting end to a thoroughly pleasant and enjoyable trip. With thanks to Jean, the organizer, and to everyone who walked.

Pat Dudal

Tissington Hall

Sweet and Ice-cream Shop – an

en-route temptation but closed.

Loynton Moss and Fisheries April

After missing a number of walks it was a pleasure to meet old friends and welcome new faces – what a lot of interesting people are National Trust members.

The day started well and got better – perhaps the best day for walking so far this year – clear skies, light wind – perfect.

Loynton Fisheries was a good start point since the car park (well signed off the A519 south of Woodseaves) also had an attractive café with a good menu.

The walk formed a figure of eight with a rich variety of unspoilt countryside. At the first road junction we found one of the five glacial boulders discovered locally and repositioned at the millennium to mark the extent of the Parish. Half a mile on we crossed the Shropshire Union Canal on a stone aqueduct which carried a small stream over the canal. We were later to see this stream in the Loynton Moss Nature Reserve which is managed by Staf-fordshire Wildlife Trust. Perhaps the landowner at the time of canal con-struction was keen to keep the Moss wet to maintain water fowl shooting. Across the fields we noted strange rounded hillocks resembling ancient earthworks. In this case they were natural formations of moraine material (stone and sand) left by the retreating ice age.

On the outskirts of Woodseaves we turned towards Grub Street and walked through woodland created on the spoil heaps of surplus material from the canal construction. It was interesting to note that Telford, when constructing this particular length of canal, did not need the spoil to construct an embank-

ment, so merely left the spoil on each side giving the appearance of a much deeper cutting.

We crossed the canal at Grub Street and walked along to Water Bridge. On the offside was an old wharf taken over by long term moorers who had a vintage car carefully preserved in a somewhat scruffy area.

At Water Bridge we left the canal, crossed our earlier track and wandered through the nature reserve. If we hadn’t spent time looking at this and that, we could have looped through Norbury Village. In the event we walked half a mile back to our start point and lunch.

Thank you Peter for a most enjoyable walk.

Harold Potter

Staffordshire Wildlife Trust

The Trust was founded in 1969 and is one of 47 to be found throughout England and Wales. 50 staff and numerous volunteers manage 27 nature reserves totalling 3,500 acres. It’s headquarters and main visitor cen-tre is at Wolseley Bridge, next to the Wyevale Garden Centre. Westport Visitor Centre, Stoke on Trent, is the Trust’s other centre. One of the aims of the Trust is working with local communities and groups to restore, protect and give access to wildlife habitats .

A good place to see the Trust at work is on Doxey Marshes. Here footpaths have been improved and the path system extended, reed beds are now managed, information boards have been erect-ed, two hides have been built, access has improved and areas of land north of the River Sow grassed and made attractive. The work to improve this wild-life habitat continues.

The 34 acres of Loynton Moss, were bought in 1969 and was the Trust’s first acquisition. However, in 1970 a local landowner, wanting to improve his farmland, dug a very deep ditch around the moss and consequently the Moss began to dry out. It was not until 2000 when the Trust was able to buy a fur-ther 106 acres that work to restore the Moss could begin. The area became ‘wet’ and volunteers removed the willow and scrub that had grown between 1970 and 2000.

Whistles January

What fun this talk was, with all manner of whistles, bird calls and “cycle road clearers”, all expertly demonstrated by a most entertaining speaker.

We were regaled with many anecdotes concerning the ordering and selling of the firm’s six million whistles a year.

The tale began 146 years ago when a farm worker from Matlock moved his family of 17 into a tiny house in Ladywood and began making small things, including whistles, from his own home. It was all very small scale, until he saw an advert by the Metropolitan Police who wanted a replacement for the outdated wooden rattle which was used to summon help. Victorian Joseph Hudson clearly had a good deal of self-belief when he went down to London to show them his prototype, very loud whistle. They approved of Joseph’s whistle, after doing tests on Clapham Common where it was proved that the noise made, could be heard a mile away. The Police Authority asked him to make 21,000 of them to kit out the whole of the Met. This was in 1883 and Joseph had to ask for an advance so that he could tackle the order. He was given the princely sum of £20.00.

Following this success, other police forces both at home and throughout the Empire put their large orders in too. There was competition and by 1900, in Birmingham, there were seven other whistle makers. However by 1936, the last of the competition went out of business, leaving Acme still going strong in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter.

Meanwhile, Joseph moved his family into a much larger house of 32 rooms in more fashionable Handsworth. Business was good as the immaculate records apparently show. They are intact from the 1900s and chart the firm’s progress as they invented and diverged to run product lines which still sell worldwide. There are 83 different lines running presently, and they are made and sold by a staff of 70, still based in Birmingham.

So much we learned of real change, as when around 1884, the sports referees dispensed with the handkerchief they waved as they ran the touchline, and took on a whistle instead.

We learned about the invention by Acme of the life-saving whistle attached to life jackets, and the whistle for all Scouts, requested by BP himself.

The audience had their own examples to show Simon, all of which he was able to identify and to which he could attach even more hilarious stories. Simon had whistles to sell, the proceeds of which went to support a cause close to his heart (as did his fee) – a school teaching under privileged children.

This was a real uplifter of a talk, which had us all laughing heartily and pleased too, in the knowledge that a British firm can still make a product to beat the rest.

Judy Brass

Calke Abbey Gardens April

Clive Katz gave us a very interesting talk on the history of Calke Abbey Gardens. This inspired me to make yet another visit to the gardens but this time with the knowledge gained from Clive’s talk.

The gardens had been laid out in the 18th century and continued to be extended and altered to reflect different owners’ interests, until the begin-ning of the 20th century. There had been a massive walled Kitchen Garden with heated orangery and peach houses, a Physic Garden with heated glass houses, numerous outbuildings including a gardeners’ bothy and a pony stable, a Formal Garden with an Auricula and a Pleasure Garden with its grotto which surrounded the house. These had been well maintained and well used. Produce from the Kitchen and Psychic Gardens was used on the estate and excess sent to local markets. The buildings had also been kept in good repair. However in 1985, the Estate was gifted to the National Trust and by that time the gardens with their buildings had been in decline for almost 100 years.

The NT policy for Calke Abbey was to maintain everything as it had been received in 1985. Restoration of the Gardens, therefore, has not taken place but repairs have been carried out to maintain structures as they were in1985 and to fulfil health and safety regulations.

What is the state of these Gar-dens now? Except for usage they are almost as they were when the estate was transferred to the NT in 1985 by Henry Harpur Crewe.

The walled Kitchen Garden is now grassed. Here in summer children can enjoy organised activities and in spring time the flock of rare Portland sheep give birth to their lambs. The Orangery has been made safe and the original glass dome on the roof replaced because it could neither be repaired nor made safe. Only one of the flanking peach glasshouses remains.

The Physic Garden is now the kitchen garden but herbs are still grown and, with fruit and vegetables produced in the garden, used in the two cafés. Sadly the heated glasshouses are in ruins but the ‘innards’ of the heating sys-tem and the glass houses are exposed and are of great interest.

The Formal Garden is geometrically set out as it was before it was moved in the late 18th century from the front of the Abbey. The original Auricula built in 1830 stands in one corner and is filled with seasonal plants. Surely the Harpur - Crewes would be pleased to know that the tradition of 200 clay pots being filled with in season auriculas and placed in the oldest Auricula of its kind in England still continues..

The Auricula

It seems that very few gardening bits and bobs were ever thrown away so the out buildings are stuffed full of implements, tools, machines and garden bric-a-brac, some over 150 years old. The Trust left these outbuildings as they were found.

The Pleasure Garden with its shrubs and trees still gives pleasure. Early in February there are masses of snowdrops; in March and April daffodils ap-pear followed by bluebells and wild garlic. Shrubs and trees are centre stage till late autumn. The Grotto has been cleaned out, the stream issuing from the back of the grotto reinstated and all made safe. The Pleasure Garden is a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Henry Harpur-Crewe would certainly not see much change to the structure of his 1985 gardens but he would be surprised and perhaps pleased to see how much loving care is being given to them by the Estate’s full time and volunteer gardeners

Jean Norman

Moseley Old Hall; the Home that saved a King March

We had a fascinating talk by the so enthusiastic Mistress Carol, guide at Moseley Old Hall; we learnt much about the king's visit, the hall, grounds and 17th century life.

On 3rd September 1651 Charles Stuart, future King Charles II, had fled from the Battle of Worcester escaping Cromwellian troops, who were searching for him, to hide in a Boscobel oak tree and on 8th September gaining sanctuary at Moseley Old Hall in Staffordshire. Local Roman Catholic families

The Formal Garden

Lifting the last of the Leeks

in the Physic Garden

the Pendrills and Whitgreaves, although their faith was banned, supported the Royalist cause and hid Charles in their houses and Priest Holes. They al-so changed his appearance from distinguished long, dark hair and elegant clothes, to labourer's worn clothes, and short hair. But he had to suffer both from bleeding caused by his too tight boots, and discomfort from curling up his 6'2'' frame in priest holes, no larger than 4'x5', at times of danger.

For Charles' two days and one night at Moseley, he did have the comfort of a bedstead. This is now known as the Kings' Bed and was returned from Wightwick Manor in 1962 when The National Trust acquired Moseley.

After his short stay, the Whitgreave family arranged for Charles to travel towards Bristol as the servant of Jane Lane who had a rare permit to travel, riding the same horse and thence to the South Coast where he was able to escape to safety in France on 16th October 1651. For the curious, after the death of Cromwell, Charles was eventually invited back to England where on 29 May 1660, he was pronounced King.

Carol added details of 17th century life; spoons laid on the table bowl down to keep the witches from resting there; upper floors had rafters but no ceilings, so beds had canopies and curtains for warmth and privacy; urine was gathered to be used for bleaching, dying and glue.

Moseley Old Hall was built in the 1600's, then brick faced in the 1870's, but retains it's half-timbered inside, with oak panelling, open hearth (often with fire burning). Period re-enactments by volunteers in costume (as was Carol ) add to the atmosphere and interest.

Charles II The King’s Bed

The knot garden, farm and orchard with quince, medlar and mulberry trees are 17th century style. More surrounding fields have recently been pur-chased by the Trust, which help to retain the rural setting of the Hall and will allow the car park to be extended. Then there's the wonderful new 'Flight of Fancy' tree house in King's Wood Walk which is great for children – and adults!

You may have been to Moseley in the past, perhaps as I did when a child, but will now want to go again.

Nicola Woodhouse

The 19th century brick faced front South elevation and knot garden

The Elizabethan Hall before being brick faced.

Thanks to everyone who has offered to lead walks and organize talks for

the next programme and to those who have contributed articles and photos

to this Newsletter: Judy Brass, John Collier, Pat Dudal, Peter and Joan

Jobling, Harold Potter, Joyce Rowe, Hilary and Brian Taylor, Robert and

Lesley Thompson, Sue Willis, Margaret Winfield, and Nicola Woodhouse.

Thanks also to the person who took photos at the Stepping Stones; sorry I

forgot to record your name before deleting your Email!

Jean Norman [Editor]

Thursday 18th June Walk - Chorley

Jean Norman

01827 289356 or 07470 319001

Thursday 25th June Car - Eyam

Robert and Lesley Thompson

01889 882363 or 07879 744512

Thursday 16th July Walk - Much Wenlock

David and Judy-Anne Wakelin

01543 252728 or 07855 478241

Wednesday 22nd July Coach - Tyntesfield

Hilary and Brian Taylor

01785 242305

Thursday 20th August Walk - Three Shires Head

David and Judy Brass

01785 665716 or 07896 606330

Thursday 27th August Car - Croome and Elgar’s Birthplace Museum

Jean Norman

01827 289356 or 07470 319001

Summer Programme Reminder

Details of the events can be found in the January 2015 Newsletter

or at www.ntstaffscentre.uwclub.net/Index.htm